With schools reopening next week, bus operators say they still have not been consulted and many questions remain.

Dave Callahan, who represents some local school bus operators, says there are too many factors that end with a question mark. Drivers have not received any training in sanitization and there has been no consideration for the process of how drivers will sanitize the buses.

Callahan stresses that they have to do this right.

He says there’s been basically no input from drivers. They had an information session with the English School District but Callahan says it was more of a presentation of here’s what we have as opposed to a discussion. He says it didn’t alleviate most of the bus drivers’ concerns; they still have some outstanding concerns that are centred around the safety of the children, the drivers and how this all should unfold.

Callahan says they have suggested staggered school opening and closures and more trips in the morning and evening, which he feels could help to get the 7000 students a ride on the bus.

Opposition Seeks Further Detail on Busing

Some families found out Friday who would be allowed on the bus for the approaching school year, but the PC Opposition is calling for more details on busing.

Harbour Main MHA Helen Conway Ottenheimer says that with recent announcements surrounding federal funding, busing challenges should be rectified. She asks whether government can stagger opening times and double runs, use extra buses—or use smaller passenger vehicles—to accommodate more students.

Conway Ottenheimer says the “lack of leadership” when it comes to the topic of busing is unacceptable—stressing that parents need answers.