Thunder Bay working to solve bus driver staffing shortage

Residents of Thunder Bay who take the bus may have noticed more frequent bus cancellations over the past few months.

The city has been working to correct a shortage of bus drivers, which has been causing an increase in trip cancellations.

The city currently has only 91 percent of the bus drivers it requires.

The result has been a rise in cancellations: from January to June of this year, just two percent of bus trips were cancelled. From June to September, that number rose to almost six percent.

“We’re aware of the impact these challenges have on riders,” says Manager of Transit Services Brad Loroff. “We understand their frustration when unplanned cancellations occur.”

The city is attempting to correct the issue: so far in October, the rate of cancellations has been reduced to just over three percent.

New bus drivers are being hired, but it takes up to 15 weeks for them to be trained, and only so many new drivers can be trained at once.

Thunder Bay Transit expects to have its bus staffing vacancies filled by early 2026. It aims to bring the rate of cancellations down to one percent as it brings on new bus drivers.

“We recognize that public transit is an essential source of transportation for people,” says Loroff, “and the importance of having a dependable transit service is our top priority.”

In 2024, Thunder Bay had 3.5 million bus trips. The city has experienced a decline in ridership since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Loroff assures that bus services are not facing cuts.