Parents and caretakers of a group of students from Kemptville are seeking answers following a significant delay that resulted in the police locating the bus and children providing directions to the driver to get them home much later than expected on Monday.
Katie O’Connor expressed concern when her sixth-grade child did not arrive home by the usual time of 4 p.m. She contacted South Branch Elementary School, where the principal, Sherry Jessup, informed her that other parents had also reported the delay. It was revealed that the regular bus driver had canceled, leading to the consolidation of students from two schools onto one bus to complete both routes.
Despite a notification from the Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) app indicating the bus would be over an hour late, there was minimal communication from STEO regarding the situation. Concerned about the lack of updates, some parents contacted the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), who located the school bus and ensured the safety of all students.
STEO’s general manager, Janet Murray, acknowledged the distress caused by the incident and promised to address concerns raised by CBC. First Student Inc., the busing company responsible for the delay, described the driver cancellation and late drop-off as unusual, apologizing for the lack of timely communication. The company stated that measures have been implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Following the delay, students assisted the driver in navigating the route, with some even directing the driver to their homes. O’Connor shared her daughter’s experience of being dropped off over two hours later than usual, leading to stress and anxiety due to the lack of communication from the school and board.
Efforts are underway to prevent future incidents, with the school board collaborating with STEO to investigate the breakdown in communication and implement preventive measures. Despite the challenges faced, the safety and clear communication with families remain top priorities for the school and transportation authorities.
The incident has left parents and students concerned about the reliability of the transportation system and the safety of their children. O’Connor emphasized the need for accountability and transparency to regain trust in the system and ensure the well-being of students during their daily commute.
