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School board says staffing shortage causing numerous bus delays

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After a number of school bus cancellations in recent weeks, the South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SRCE) says they are facing a shortage of bus drivers.

The issue has been causing a lot of frustration among parents and guardians.

In an email to families, Thursday afternoon, SSRCE says they recognize the impact cancelled routes have but it is due to reasons beyond their control.

“SSRCE has been experiencing a high number of absences this year,” explains the school board. “We lack sufficient drivers to cover those on leave or illness.”

To manage, they rotate the impact across different routes to avoid repeated cancellations for any single run.

“However, with fewer backup drivers available, these rotations have become more frequent, and some regular drivers are unable to return to work for an extended period.”

To mitigate the impact, SSRCE says they try things like asking drivers to double up, consolidating two bus runs into one, a rotating schedule and using drivers from other locations.

In addition to those efforts, the school board says they are ramping up recruitment efforts with compensation, flexible schedules and collaborating with organizations to find potential candidates.

SSRCE says they are optimistic things can improve.

Education Minister praises school board’s efforts

Education Minister Brendan Maguire says there are challenges every school year and buses are no different, but he understands the challenge when buses don’t show up.

“I’ve got three children” says Maguire. “It’s not easy when the buses are late and your kids are late for school. We’re doing the best we can.”

However, he says SSRCE reacted quickly to the situation.

“I will give credit to the South Regional Centre for Education,” says Maguire. “They’ve reacted to this. It really comes down to hiring people and getting those people well trained.”

Riverside Medical transportation shuttle JP photo

Riverside expanding medical transportation service to Rainy River District’s west end

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Riverside Health Care is making it easier for patients in the west end of the Rainy River District to access its Medically Stable Patient Transportation (MSPT) Program.

The program was established in 2021 and provides transportation to patients with medical appointments in Thunder Bay.

Until now, patients living in the district’s west end had to travel to Fort Frances to catch the shuttle bus that runs daily to Thunder Bay.

Riverside now has new transport vehicles stationed in Emo and Rainy River to pick them up at the door and bring them to Fort Frances.

“If someone’s living in Pinewood, Rainy River or Sleeman, and they need to get into Thunder Bay for an appointment, our medically stable patient transport vehicle that will be stationed in Rainy River can pick them up in the morning and then have them at the departure location, which is La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, to get to Thunder Bay for that appointment that day,” says Dave Black, Vice President of Transportation Services.

“If the appointment is within the time frame, we can actually return them that same day and then have them back at home in Rainy River. If they do need overnight accommodation, we can arrange and coordinate to have them back to Rainy River the next day with another shuttle trip.”

A similar service is already available to patients living in Fort Frances and Atikokan.

Black says provincial funding of up to $1.6 million over the next three years is allowing for the expansion.

“People living in a rural and remote district like ours, getting to an appointment can be just as challenging as getting the care itself,” says Black.

“So the expansion is about making sure transportation isn’t the barrier that stands between someone and the healthcare they need.”

Since it was established five years ago, Riverside’s shuttle service has grown from 148 transports in the first year to well over 1,000 in 2025.

Riverside increased service a couple of years ago to seven days a week with extended hours.

Black foresees more regional expansion in the future as new regional MRIs come into service.

“We already are transporting people to Dryden and Kenora for specialty appointments,” says Black.

Details regarding the expanded service to Rainy River and Emo, such as schedules, eligibility, booking processes and launch dates, will be made public once implementation planning is completed.

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Proposed inter-municipal transit service could offer dependable, commuter-friendly routes across HRM

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The Province is exploring a multi-route transit service to link rural communities within 100 km of Halifax to key destinations across the HRM.

Officials are assessing service provider interest and capacity to operate dependable routes suitable for daily commutes. The request for information will identify potential providers and outline key challenges and opportunities.

Public Works Minister Fred Tilley says, “Frequent, reliable, and affordable transit service means more options to access jobs, schools, healthcare, and daily needs.”

The proposed inter-municipal transit would connect with existing services, offer affordable fares, and include new park-and-ride sites for longer, more comfortable trips.

Tilley adds, “When developing the Regional Transportation Plan, we heard loud and clear across citizen and community engagement sessions that this kind of regional public transit service is needed.”

The plan envisions an integrated regional transit network linking buses, ferries, and other modes of transportation.

President and CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority, Joyce Carter, says, “We’re pleased to see this initiative moving forward, and we support the expansion of affordable transportation options for Nova Scotians, airport workers, and the travellers we serve every day.”

She adds that, “inter-municipal transit would strengthen regional connections, improve access to jobs, services, and communities across the province, and enhance the overall travel experience for those travelling to, from, and within Nova Scotia.”