Pearl Lorentzen
For South Peace News
The last few years, finding enough bus drivers has been a challenge for High Prairie School Division.
Therefore, the HPSD board of trustees asked Superintendent Murray Murran, about the busing situation at the August 20, 2024 meeting.
“How are we doing on drivers and spares?” asked Vice Chair Tammy Henkel.
“We have drivers for every route,” replied Murran.
One retired, he added, but the transportation department was able to change the routes and remove one, added Murran.
This will save between 50,000 and 60,000 kilometres per year.
Routes were sent out earlier this year, he added.
A driver has been hired for each one.
Each driver has driven it once and met with the transportation department.
Any routes of concern will be driven again with both the driver and the transportation department.
What is the longest ride student will have, asked Trustee Lynn Skrepnek.
The new routes have about the same times as the old ones, answered Murran.
In the past, the board had directed the transportation department to have a maximum of 90-minute bus rides, and all the routes fall under this.
Henkel also asked about some form of technology for the bus drivers.
Administration is still working on getting it set up, replied Kyle Nichols, director of communications.
As of Aug. 20, parents were still signing their children up for bus routes.
The director of transportation will present to council at the September 17, trustee meeting. The public part of this meeting starts at 2 p.m. and is available on YouTube.