As the new school year approaches, some students in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are facing extended bus commutes that could eat up three hours of their day. Parents, like Myrna Simpson, are expressing concerns over the significant increase in travel time to school for their children. The Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) has implemented a new bus route that will now take nearly 90 minutes each way, making the daily commute a challenging experience.
Simpson, whose kids attend Pickering High School, was taken aback by the drastic change in the bus schedule. The prolonged bus rides, lacking seat belts and comfort, are far from ideal for students who will spend hours traveling in less-than-ideal conditions. The extended commute is not only affecting the students’ well-being but also impacting their ability to focus on studies and participate in extracurricular activities.
Similarly, parents Blanca and Steve Scouller are worried about the toll the long bus ride will take on their son Matthew’s daily routine. The inefficient transportation system has left families feeling frustrated and helpless, with little hope for a quick resolution. Despite reaching out to DSTS for a solution, they were met with a response indicating that the situation is unlikely to change due to a shortage of school bus drivers.
Ajax MPP Rob Cerjanec attributes the problem to provincial underfunding, calling for more support for school bus drivers to improve recruitment and retention. The advocacy group School Bus Ontario echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the ongoing driver shortage crisis in Ontario and Canada.
While efforts are being made to address the issue and reduce bus ride times, the Durham District School Board is still working on finalizing bus routes. Trustee Donna Edwards is actively involved in finding solutions to alleviate the burden on students and families.
Despite DSTS’s commitment to keeping bus rides under 60 minutes each way, external factors such as traffic and construction pose challenges to meeting this goal consistently.