Parents in the region are voicing their frustration after Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO) announced route consolidations due to an alleged driver shortage. Children are now stuck on buses for extended periods, with no clear explanation as to why.
STSCO claims that while all bus routes are covered, they lack spare drivers, forcing them to consolidate runs. However, many are questioning this reasoning. If every route has a driver, why the need for consolidation? It seems the shortage might not be of drivers, but of transparency.
One critical point causing confusion is STSCO’s decision to end their contract with Hamilton Bus Lines, a transportation provider that had been reliably serving the community. Despite being equipped with over 40 licensed drivers and buses, Hamilton Bus Lines lost the contract in favor of a smaller, more affordable company. As a result, Hamilton's buses and drivers are sitting unused, while the companies STSCO contracted are understaffed and struggling to meet demand.
Local bus drivers are calling out the situation. “There’s no driver shortage across the board—just a shortage with the companies STSCO decided to contract. Hamilton Bus Lines has plenty of licensed drivers ready to go, but they’re not being utilized,” said one driver, frustrated with how things have been handled.
For many parents, this has been a maddening ordeal. “Why are my kids sitting on the bus for hours when there’s a fleet of buses and drivers just sitting idle?” one parent asked. As complaints pour into schools and STSCO offices, the community is being urged to ask why Hamilton Bus Lines isn’t being called back to help.
This situation shines a spotlight on questionable contract decisions that are affecting local families. It’s not a lack of drivers overall, but rather a lack of drivers within the companies that were awarded contracts. Meanwhile, Hamilton Bus Lines, a fully capable local provider, is sidelined despite its availability.
Parents and drivers alike are calling for action and better decision-making. The real question remains: Why can't Hamilton Bus Lines, with its experienced drivers and ready buses, be brought back to alleviate the chaos?
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