As negotiations between the Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium and the region’s school bus operators continue there are plans in the works to amplify the voices of those affected.
Local educators’ unions and community members have organized a virtual town hall meeting set for Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 7-8:30 p.m.
A contract dispute has disrupted school transportation for the past three weeks.
Organizers say the meeting is dedicated to parents, students, and concerned community members who are affected by the school bus crisis.
“Hearing your stories and needs are critical so the Ford Conservatives can wake up and restore funding for buses in Renfrew County,” reads a press release.
Parents and guardians have been forced to take time out of their busy lives to fill in for the government’s shortfalls, organizers say.
“The responsibility to get students to school has been completely downloaded onto families in your community. This must end!” reads the release.
Those affected are invited to have their voice heard. Anyone interested can register for the meeting here.
The Ontario NDP has also launched a petition that is being shared on social media.
“The school boards can’t afford to offer contracts that cover the real costs of operating school buses – and the bus companies can’t afford to operate at a loss,” reads the petition. “This is costing families across Renfrew County time, stress, and money and making it hard for some students to get to school at all.”
(Written by Sherry Haaima)
