(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Fewer Buses and Operators

Alberta school bus driver shortage at crises level, says ASBCA

Nov 10, 2022 | 3:10 PM

Officials with the Alberta School Bus Contractors’ Association (ASBCA) are warning of a school bus driver shortage across the province.

The organization says every day there are 146,000 Alberta school children and their parents who rely on buses to get safely to and from school.

“Every day, there are fewer buses available and fewer certified operators to drive them.” says Mark Critch, president of the ASBCA.

Officials say the major crises presently, is the shortage of certified drivers, with areas in the province reporting up to 30 per cent less drivers than are required for adequate service.

ASBCA says bus drivers must complete the Alberta Ministry of Transportation’s MELT driver training certification, which ensures that drivers are qualified and competent to drive. The three to four week course is mandatory for new drivers, costing applicants up to $5,000. ASBCA says they are unpaid for the duration of the course and application process.

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Following the course, ASBCA says there is a waiting period for scheduling a road exam, adding there are delays due to a shortage of certified instructors, as well as delays in the processing of certificates.

Altogether, according to the organization, it can take up to six weeks of unpaid training time before a prospective driver can even get behind the wheel. ASBCA says certified drivers will be looking at a part time job paying as low as $16.50/hour; and will be taking on the responsibility of driving kids to and from school in all types of road/weather conditions.

Officials point out with the shortage of school busses and drivers, Alberta children are being put at serious risk. If a school bus is late, or worse doesn’t show, for whatever reason (driver shortage, bus shortage, inclement weather), kids are being impacted by having to wait outside, in various weather conditions, says the ASBCA.

“One bus that is 30 minutes late daily, carrying 40 kids, equals 1200 lost minutes per day. Multiply this by 200 buses across the province and that is 240,000 lost instructional minutes per day,” explains Mark Critch, ASBCA.

The organization say Alberta Ministries of Education and Transport could easily work together to solve the issue.

Officials suggest they can reallocate funds desperately needed to fund and assist school bus contractors and their drivers and financially incentivize people to consider getting trained to become a neighbourhood school bus driver.

The ASBCA asks, who should be expected to pay $5000 for a course, to certify them for a part-time job paying minimum wage?