everyday on time and sometimes not at all,” said Mark Critch, president of the Alberta Student Bus Contractors’ Association.“We know we need to pay drivers better. We need to look at things like benefits or other opportunities to show drivers that we value the importance of the job,” Critch added.Les Cross, president of Pacific Western Transportation School Division, said as the cost of living continues to rise, he understands why drivers are leaving the industry.
The drivers remaining left on his team are now running late on some routes because they’re doubling up. “I love that I drive a bus because I’m in touch with the people I hire. This is why we’re here tonight. And that’s why I came here because we can’t get bus drivers trained. We can’t keep them. They are just struggling,” she explained.The concerns were heard by the Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides, who attended the town hall. He said the province has been working on a solution.
He said he will continue to raise those concerns at the legislature but cannot yet commit to making the changes drivers recommended.