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Busing & Transportation

Busing & Transportation Getting Students to School

Getting Students to School

Winter Transportation News

In Spring 2023, Alberta Education announced an increase in funding for school bus transportation and expectations for new service levels for school boards. These changes were set to take effect for the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. On Nov. 29, 2023, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced the deadline for implementation had been extended to Sept. 1, 2025. This would give school boards experiencing capacity challenges time to fully implement the student transportation eligibility criteria changes specified in the regulation. The CBE already provides an enhanced level of service to provincial requirements with our established transportation model. Increasing eligible riders at this time would mean adding more drivers and buses to our already strained system.

We appreciate the additional time provided by the Minister. Over the next year and a half, we will continue conversations with Alberta Education and work with our schools to determine the specific impact on their transportation numbers and potential changes to bell times.

Driver Shortage

While the majority of CBE bus routes have a regular driver assigned to the route, our transportation service providers continue to face a bus driver shortage that is impacting many students and schools. ​

To help mitigate the impact on students and schools of this ongoing and continent-wide driver shortage, CBE has taken a number of steps in response:

  • increased capacity by expanding the number of service providers;
  • reassigned routes with low ridership to specialized transportation service providers with small buses who have additional capacity;
  • utilized buses to a higher capacity to reduce the overall number of drivers required;
  • provided proactive communication with families, schools, and our public;
  • managed the transportation contract to ensure CBE routes are prioritized by service providers; and
  • added additional temporary resources were added to CBE Transportation to support school and family inquiries during the start-up period​.

The bus driver shortage is one being experienced across the province and across the country. We committed to continuing to explore solutions to ensure students are able to access their school and in so doing minimize the impact on students, families, and school communities.​

​Using Transportation in Cold Weather

During the winter, roads may be congested and slippery resulting in possible traffic and bus delays. Unusually cold or stormy weather can also result in buses being delayed. Unexpected mechanical problems with the bus may occur more frequently at this time of year. Children should be dressed appropriately for the colder weather as buses cool off very quickly.​​​ 

Children should be warmly dressed and well prepared for winter weather, and not left unattended at bus stops for any period of time, under any circumstances. They should have clear instructions on how long to wait for the bus and what to do if the bus does not arrive. Families should ensure that they have back-up care arrangements if transportation is delayed. Learn more​.

2023-24 Transportation Registration Ongoing

Register for Transportation in My​CBE

2023-24 Transportation Service Levels and Fees


Guiding Principles

Families are responsible for the safe passage of students to and from the bus stop and at the bus stop.

We support student learning by ensuring students arrive safely, on time, and ready to learn by providing safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable transportation services.

New & Emerging Communities

Transportation from new or emerging communities which are still undergoing construction and development of roadways does not always align with regular transportation guidelines. The challenge in these new communities is that there is often no safe path, clear of obstructions (construction supplies and equipment), on City maintained roads for the yellow bus to enter and circle around as needed. School bus stops may be in adjacent communities for the regular program. School bus stops for alternative programs follow the congregated stop model.

Transportation Services will regularly monitor safety and progress of construction and roads in new areas, and change the location of stops as required during the year.

Calgary Transit

Calgary Transit does not provide service to new or emerging communities until it meets their guidelines. Students may use Calgary Transit in adjacent communities.

If Calgary Transit is not available in the new and emerging community or adjacent communities, yellow school bus service is added if:

Yellow school bus transportation does not exist in an adjacent community; and

Yellow school bus transportation is deemed safe to be added to the new or emerging community.

Transportation Forms

Families register and pay for transportation using MyCBE. Paper forms are available on Forms You Need; please scroll down to the header "Transportation."

Feedback

To discuss a concern about a driver/service issue, start with the service provider. If the situation is unresolved, please contact Transportation Services directly at transportation@cbe.ab.ca. The concern will be investigated and you will receive a response from Transportation Services. To commend the service of a driver, contact the service provider directly. If you do so by email, copy transportation@cbe.ab.ca so we can also follow-up with our gratitude.

To discuss a concern other than a driver or a service issue, please contact Transportation Services directly at transportation@cbe.ab.ca. If the concern is unresolved, please follow the Concerns and Complaints process.

Transportation Engagements & Reviews

 Contact Us

CBE Transportation

Call Centre

1-403-817-7433

Transportation Team

Hours

Monday – Friday
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
 
The office will be closed on all holidays and system-wide non-instructional days.​​




 
Last modified: 1/18/2024 2:26 PM
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