More bus drivers needed to get Calgary students to school, says transportation operator
Jonathan Weal is a bus driver with Southland Transportation. He currently drives for the Calgary French & International School.He's a school bus operator with Southland Transportation, picking up and dropping off about two dozen students from kindergarten to Grade 12 across southwest Calgary.
The Calgary Board of Education says the majority of their routes are covered, but they are aware of the shortage. The board says it uses four different transportation services, and it's working with others to try to find temporary solutions.This year, the CBE has received 19,600 applications for school bus service and are continuing to accept new registrations.
Loose says Southland has more than 400 routes with the CBE and CCSD, and the company tries to have at least 10 per cent more spare drivers, but their availability can change.Weal, who's also in business development with Southland, has driven school buses for five years. He says right now some students are arriving at school between 15 and 30 minutes late because of the driver shortage.
The company is continuing to ask people to apply. Loose says they pay about $5,000 for each new driver to receive proper training, licensing upgrades and medical exams.
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