WELLINGTON COUNTY – When schools open their doors to students next week, school buses will be operating and families will be informed about bus stop times and locations, new protocols on buses and details relating to their specific children.
But it’s been a bumpy ride for Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services (WDSTS) and information has been later than usual in getting to parents, who are trying to figure out their own back-to-school plans.
On Aug. 31 the school bus consortium, which coordinates busing for the Upper Grand and Wellington Catholic district school boards, opened a parents’ portal on its website, www.stwdsts.ca.
Here, parents will find most of the information they are seeking.
But they are urged to check often as school reopening plans are changing and therefore busing arrangements may be too.
School bus ridership is down compared to past years due to some students opting for online learning and others opting out of student transportation altogether.
“These numbers are being adjusted as families are contacting [WDSTS] regarding updates,” said Heather Loney, spokesperson for the Upper Grand District School Board.
Routes are being finalized and so far, the regular pool of drivers will cover the allotted routes, Loney said.
Buses will be able to accommodate secondary students, who learned just recently they will attend school in person half-days and remotely for the other half-day.
“Bused students will be assigned to routes that match their in-school schedule.
For a large number of students, this will mean a regular morning route into the school and a midday return trip home,” Loney said.
She added the Ministry of Education has allocated extra funding to cover the extra costs associated with COVID-19 and busing.
Enhanced cleaning protocols, personal protective equipment for bus drivers, and route changes will all cost more, though exactly how much more isn’t known yet, Loney said.
On Aug. 25, WDSTS posted the following information on its website:
- parents must perform a health check on their student each day before they board the bus. Parents must keep their students off the bus if they feel unwell;
- bus stop locations are not supervised and maintaining physical distancing at bus stops is the responsibility of the student and caregivers;
- a school bus is a shared space and strict physical distancing is not possible while on board;
- bus drivers will be wearing masks and face shields when students get on and leave the bus;
- students are required to wear a face covering while on any school vehicle unless an exemption is approved through school board protocols;
- to support contact tracing, students may only use their assigned bus stop, bus run and seat;
- parents should discuss appropriate bus behavior and etiquette with their student before school starts; and
- the First Rider Program is moving online this year (it provides first-time riders and their families with an introduction to school bus riding procedures and safety through a videotape presentation).
While WDSTS is extremely busy this year, parents are invited to call 519-824-4119 or 1-888-292-2224 if their questions are not answered through the parent portal or website.
