School’s Back and So Are the Bumps in the Road!

As students across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) dove back into their classrooms on Tuesday morning, a frustrating start met many families—school bus delays were rampant and causing havoc.

Delays Stretching Up to an Hour!

Major bus operators, including Stock West, Stock East, First West, and Sharp Bus Lines, reported staggering delays of up to an hour for several schools. Parents hoping for a smooth return were left scrambling.

Where Are the Buses?

In Scarborough, students attending Taylor Creek Public School and Blantyre Public School faced waits of nearly 55 minutes! North York’s Forest Manor Public School and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Elementary in Markham were not far behind, with delays of up to 45 minutes affecting anxious students.

Downtown Delays Too!

Even in the bustling downtown core, families were feeling the pinch. Buses heading to Clinton Public School and Central Tech High School experienced delays of around 20 minutes. Parents were left wondering: What’s going on?

Communication Breakdown?

Student Transportation of Peel Region had previously alerted parents about potential issues with bussing assignments right before school opened. Citing "data discrepancies" and an overwhelming surge in requests, they hinted that not all arrangements would be settled by Day One.

Promises of Progress!

In a statement, a spokesperson from the operator assured families, "Our transportation team is working diligently to process the backlog and ensure that every eligible student receives a bus assignment as quickly as possible." They advised parents to regularly check the Parent Portal for the latest updates.

Your Turn!

Are you feeling the effects of these transportation hiccups? How are these delays impacting your first week back at school? Share your stories!