Contract discussions between Renfrew County school boards and bus companies have failed, prolonging transportation disruptions. The Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium (RCJTC) and school board leaders proposed several offers, but bus companies insisted on a 20% increase in Year 1 and a 35% total increase over five years.
This demand would shift $8.8 million from school budgets to transportation, impacting student services. RCJTC’s latest offers included a range of 12% to 18% increases in Year 1, with 2% annual increases over the next four years.
The final offer would require transferring $4 million from education funding to transportation. RCJTC expressed disappointment with the stalled talks and continues to explore alternative solutions, including identifying new school bus companies.
The transportation consortium remains open to negotiations as families across Renfrew County face ongoing disruptions.
(Written by: Kyle Robinson)