Nearly 2,000 students in northern Ontario who ride buses operated by Alouette Bus Lines could be left to find their own way to school later this month. Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS) warned that a potential service disruption may begin as early as Feb. 23, in a letter sent home to with students and posted to the transport consortium’s Facebook page last week. The warning stems from stalled contract negotiations between the bus company and its drivers. Routes across region affected Alouette operates 67 routes serving approximately 1,912 students across the NPSSTS service area across all four area school boards. The routes are spread across Parry Sound, North Bay, Redbridge and West Nipissing – with 50 routes concentrated in West Nipissing alone. “A potential disruption to home-to-school transportation service in the Nipissing-Parry Sound area for students who ride bus routes operated by Alouette Bus Lines may begin as early as Monday, Feb. 23,” read the letter signed by executive director Chuck Seguin. Transfer students at risk The letter warned of particular challenges for students who rely on multiple buses. “Students who are picked up by another bus company and transfer to an Alouette Bus Lines route will not be able to use bus services as they would be stranded at the transfer point,” the consortium wrote in the letter. Families were told they would be responsible for making alternative arrangements for their children to travel to and from school if the service suspension takes effect. The company said that any suspension of services will be reflected as cancellations in BusPlanner for those who are subscribed to bus status alerts and on the associated website. Contingency planning underway The NPSSTS said it is working on a contingency plan for alternate service delivery, subject to available resources on a priority basis. Further communication on that front is expected as the situation evolves, the company said. “We will provide updates on this situation as soon as possible,” wrote NPSSTS. The consortium stressed it has no role in the labour dispute. “We are hopeful that both parties will reach an agreement soon and there will be no disruption to transportation services,” said the consortium. Parents with questions are directed to contact the consortium by email at info@npssts.ca.
