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Expect school bus travel to 'be different' including mandatory mask use

'We know that student transportation is near impossible, to the degree we have to have it, if we reduce the number of students on the bus'
school bus stock photo
A school bus (Shutterstock)

The umbrella organization that oversees local school bus operation is giving parents a heads up that it won't be business as usual this year.

The biggest change will be wearing masks.

Chuck Seguin is the executive director of the Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services. (NPSSTS) and he says all passengers will have to wear them.

"We're going to abide by the Health Unit's directive. Wear the mask and wear it properly. It is recommended that you start readying your child by practicing this, and other protective measures already in place like physical distancing, hand washing, cough and sneeze hygiene and others as recommended. Normalizing these behaviours is important in ensuring the safety of all those around us, including their classmates, teachers, and bus drivers."

Social distancing of students on buses is another matter.

"We know that student transportation is near impossible, to the degree we have to have it, if we reduce the number of students on the bus. So the mask gives us the alternative to maintaining the loads we've enjoyed in the past and the directive from the Health Unit is, where social distancing can't be observed, wearing a mask is the next best thing. and that's what we're relying upon to  get students to school in a safe manner." 

Seguin says a lot of work has gone into planning.

"We have been consulting with our 33 counterparts from across the province to develop best practices, identify challenges, and brainstorm potential solutions and share information with Boards and the Ministry.," writes Seguin. "At the same time, we have implemented plans for a safe return to work for key operational staff in order that they may better collaborate in preparing routes under a variety of circumstances."

A survey is being sent out that  Sequin says is critical to schools and student transportation planning. 

"We encourage you to complete the questionnaires as soon as they are received and return them promptly in order to facilitate the next steps in planning. This will improve our ability to get information back to you in a timely fashion."

Despite these efforts, Seguin admits some parents may choose to drive their kids to school themselves.

"If you do so, we encourage you to consider a drop-off and pick-up point that is a block or two from the school, having regard for the capacity of your child to walk that distance.  This will take the pressure of the amount of traffic in the school zones.  You can practice this with your children over the weeks remaining in the summer holiday."

Seguin has some advice for parents, "Be flexible and adaptive to change. As you would with inclement weather, have a plan B and even a plan C in place to deal with sudden changes as they arise.

"There are only so many buses and drivers and over 11,000 students who are eligible to ride."

See also: Expert says school won't be safe from COVID-19 in September

And: Ontario Releases Plan for Safe Reopening of Schools in September


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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