Bus Driver Shortage
As we begin the 2022-23 school year, the majority of CBE bus routes have a regular driver assigned to the route. However, 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. As an example, Calgary Transit agreed to temporarily charter 15 routes for CBE schools, for September;
- reassigned routes with low ridership to specialized transportation service providers with small buses who have additional capacity;
- utilized buses to a higher capacity than during the COVID-19 pandemic 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.
The bus driver shortage is one being experienced across the province and across the country. Resolution may take time; rest assured the CBE is 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.
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
