'Discussions will continue' as Renfrew County school bus dispute lingers on

Renfrew County Bus Lines school buses parked in a lot in McNab/Braeside, Aug. 13, 2024. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)

There is still no end in sight for a dispute between school bus operators in Renfrew County and the transportation consortium that has left 10,000 students in rural eastern Ontario without school buses this fall.

The contract between school bus operators and the Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium (RCJTC) has expired and both sides have been at an impasse regarding funding. Bus operators have said their costs have increased between 30 and 70 per cent since the COVID-19 pandemic began, but the RCJTC says it cannot offer more than the 12 per cent increase it put on the table without the school boards needing to make cuts elsewhere.

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The two sides met Monday but have yet to reach a deal.

Justin Jeffrey, RCJTC general manager, said in an email that Monday's meeting was "constructive and informative."

"We commit to ensuring that the voices of our families and students are heard and valued, and that everyone understands the great stress this situation is causing," he wrote.

"We recognize the challenging circumstances this situation presents for the entire community, and we deeply appreciate your continued patience and cooperation."

Alan Jackson, the spokesperson for Renfrew County bus operators, said in an email to CTV News Ottawa Wednesday morning that Monday's meeting seemed more productive than previous meetings.

"Both Directors of Education were present this time. They have our counteroffer in hand. No deal has been agreed upon. Over the next few days, the School Boards will have discussions with their respective board members and contacts with another meeting set for Monday Sept 30," Jackson wrote.

"The Renfrew County School Bus Operators remain optimistic and would like to get back to what we do best, providing safe and reliable transportation to the students that we have provided for, for decades. It hasn’t been easy for us either, the drivers take pride in what they do and miss their students. We are not receiving any moneys during this funding dispute."

In a news release Monday morning, operators blamed the consortium for dragging out negotiations and allowing contracts to expire.

"The Education Ministry, school boards and RCJTC have made it legally impossible for operators to run school buses. As much as we want to run our buses, we simply can't if we don't have a signed contract as insurance rules don't allow for student transportation," the release said.

Jackson added that it would take approximately three weeks to get bus service up and running once a deal is reached.

"While parents may have received their child’s routing information, operators have been locked out of the student information routing system since July. We usually have July and August to print, review and have corrections made, set up times to have drivers come in, do dry runs(drive their routes) so they are familiar with pick up and drop off times, and recommend changes to routing prior to school start up. As we need complete signed contracts for insurance regulations and liabilities, our legal teams will have to review the proposed contracts prior to signing. Minimum 3 weeks to get buses back on the road for student transportation at this point."

Jeffrey said further updates from the RCJTC would be provided early next week.