Regular delays and cancellations of school buses in Dawson City, Yukon, are creating significant stress for families, states Klondike MLA Brent McDonald.

Staff at Robert Service School informed parents on Monday that afternoon bus pickups would halt from the next day until month’s end due to staff shortages. McDonald notes this marks the latest in a series of abrupt service disruptions, forcing parents to hastily arrange alternatives like relying on friends or extended school hours.

Financial Strain on Families

“When they change on short notice, it means that parents have to make other arrangements, asking friends or the school to keep kids until they’re done work,” McDonald said.

These interruptions often impose financial burdens, as caregivers must leave work early or miss shifts to transport children. McDonald highlights challenges for essential workers such as doctors, nurses, ambulance staff, police, and emergency responders, whose employers may struggle to accommodate sudden absences.

Call for Systemic Fixes

Representing Dawson City, McDonald has written to Education Minister Scott Kent, pressing him to resolve ‘systemic issues’ in Yukon’s school bus operations. After discussions with concerned residents, McDonald identified key problems including operations in cold temperatures, insufficient staffing, frequent late routes, and cancellations.

“Once in a while it’s understandable that things happen, but it seems school bus transportation is suffering from systemic issues right now,” McDonald stated. “There’s been many issues regarding operating at cold temperatures, adequate staffing, and a lot of cancelled and late routes.”

Government and Contractor Response

The Department of Education acknowledges the disruption from the temporary afternoon route cancellation. Cabinet spokesperson Tim Kucharuk explained that officials are collaborating with Standard Bus on solutions, including assessing the option of flying in a qualified driver.

“Standard Bus has explored immediate local options, including contacting a charter company in the community. However, that company is unable to provide student transportation services,” Kucharuk added in his statement.

Local Operator Eyes Opportunity

The local charter service, Husky Bus, could not assist. Owner Jesse Cooke expressed interest in the territory’s tender process for rural bus services and willingness to bid if possible.

“I understood that maybe the territory does all rural transportation all at once. They’re probably looking for a company to do it all. I’m just suggesting that probably locally here in Dawson it probably makes most sense to have a local company do it,” Cooke said.

Cooke lacks school buses in his current fleet but would invest in compliant vehicles for a three- to five-year contract. “It’s not to throw any other company under the proverbial bus, but there are gaps. There are gaps in the service. I think any parent of any student here can tell you that. I would just like to see it done better and I’d be happy to take a crack at it.”