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Volume 115, Issue 21
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
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BRSD actively recruiting bus drivers in face of “crisis-level” provincial shortage
Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The Battle River School Division (BRSD) is, like other divisions across the province, experiencing a shortage of bus drivers. The Alberta School Bus Contractors’ Association (ASBCA) said last week that the provincial shortage has reached a crisis level. “Every day there are fewer busses available and fewer certified operators to drive them,” says Mark Critch, president of the ASBCA. The Association says the major crisis is arising from a shortage of certified drivers. Some areas are reporting 30 per cent fewer drivers than what is needed to provide adequate service to students and families. BRSD Director of Transportation Kristi Edwards says the division has been facing a shortage of bus drivers for quite some time. “The issue started prior to the pandemic, but has been heightened over the past couple of years.”
She says, “We have been fortunate to recruit/retain enough drivers to cover all of our 78 regular bus routes, however two of those drivers have not yet been able to access all the training they need, so we are currently relying on spare drivers to cover those two routes. “If a regular driver needs to be away from their route it can also be a challenge to find spare drivers.” The Association says bus drivers must complete the Alberta Ministry of Transportation’s MELT driver training certification, which ensures that drivers are qualified and competent to drive. The 3-4 week course is mandatory for new drivers, and costs up to $5,000. The ASBCA says part of the issue causing a shortage is the training cost, along with a lack of wages for the time spent training, then the hourly wage paid to drivers afterwards. The ASBCA is asking the province to come up with a solution for an issue that threatens to reduce the overall numbers of drivers available before the situation becomes more serious.
The Association asserts: “With the shortage of school busses and drivers, Alberta children are being put as serious risk. “If a school bus is late, or worse, doesn’t show, for whatever reason, kids are being impacted by having to wait outside, in various weather conditions. They are also at risk of losing valuable learning time, which will impact them for years to come.” BRSD Communications Director Diane Hutchinson says, “Our school division recognizes that the training requirements to be a bus driver are rigorous and can be costly. “BRSD is delighted if we can hire someone who has already completed the necessary training, but in reality most people who are being hired do not yet have all of the courses they need.” Edwards says, “BRSD considers it a worthwhile investment to help people hired as bus drivers access the training they need and also covers the cost of training for new bus drivers. “In exchange, we ask that bus drivers
commit to staying with us for a minimum of two years.” The ASBCA says the province needs to reallocate funds, “that are desperately needed to fund and assist school bus contractors and their drivers. “Financially incentivize people to consider getting training to become a neighbourhood school bus driver. “Who should be expected to pay $5,000 for a course to certify them for a part-time job paying minimum wage?” the Association asks. Edwards says, “BRSD is aware that salary can be an issue in the recruitment and retention of bus drivers. “The school division is trying to find new or innovative ways to support bus drivers.” BRSD is actively recruiting for bus drivers. Edwards is also part of a sub-committee through the Student Transportation Association of Alberta, working on a solution for driver recruitment and retention both locally and throughout Alberta.
RCMP respond to multiple reports of suspicious vehicles Provided by Killam RCMP Detachment for the period Nov. 11 to Nov. 14 On Nov. 11 it was reported that a white F150 was driving slowly and swerving just west of Hardisty. Members were already attending a related file. Vehicle was not located. Another complaint that day, a noise complaint, was made to the Killam RCMP in Daysland. Members attended and discovered complaints were unfounded. On Saturday, Nov. 12, a suspicious person was reported to be siphoning gas out of a vehicle parked at Maxim Auto in Killam. Members attended and found it was the owner of the vehicle.
Later that same day a report of two suspicious vehicles driving numerous times past a residence in Sedgewick was made. The vehicles were described as an older black truck and newer white truck. Vehicles not located. On Sunday, Nov. 13, Killam RCMP assisted with a structural fire in Forestburg. A shop along with a garage were completely destroyed by fire. Unknown cause, nothing noted by fire as suspicious. The same day, it was reported that a suspicious vehicle was parked outside of a residence in Sedgewick. This is an ongoing issue with the same vehicle coming around the residence. Patrols were conducted and the caller
was encouraged to continue calling when they observe the truck. Also that day, EMS called for assistance with a suicidal male with a knife. Members attended and spoke to the male who expressed he was suicidal and wanted to kill himself. He wanted help and was non-violent. Members advised EMS to enter and they transported to hospital. Later on Sunday, a black Dodge truck was reported driving slowly by a residence in Sedgewick. Extensive patrols were made. Vehicle not located. On Monday, Nov. 14, a noise complaint from Daysland was made. Members spoke with surrounding neighbours who stated that they had no
issues with the house the complaints are about. RCMP remind the public to please call 911 in case of an emergency. This includes any crime in progress and any emergency that would include numerous agencies such as RCMP, Fire Department, and EMS. Did you know in our area the nonemergency number is 780-385-3502 for the Killam Detachment service area? Some examples of when to call the non-emergency line include, but are not limited to: suspicious vehicles, activities, or persons; neighborhood disputes; noise issues; and break and enters and thefts where the suspect is NOT there and crimes were committed in the past.