FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2023
STEO is happy to confirm that school buses will be up and running for the first day of school.
The tentative agreement between STEO and school bus companies that was announced yesterday has now been accepted by all the individual bus companies that provide student transportation services.
STEO’s Parent Portal is now available, with busing information easy to access for all families.
Visit www.steo.ca and click on the red “Find My Bus Stop” icon on the homepage to input your information and securely access your children’s route number, pick-up information and location, bus company name and phone number.
STEO would like to thank the bus drivers across this region who will be on the road getting kids safely to and from school, and to remind everyone out there to watch for school buses and student pedestrians and to drive mindfully as students head back to class next Tuesday, September 5.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STEO CONFIRMS: SCHOOL BUSES WILL BE RUNNING FOR THE START OF SCHOOL
August 29, 2023
Prescott, ON – Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) is happy to confirm that school buses will be up and running for the first day of school.
The tentative agreement between STEO and school bus companies that was announced yesterday has now been accepted by all the individual bus companies that provide student transportation services.
With this agreement now finalized, school buses will be in service on the first day of school for over 30,000 students and their families across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO).
With services confirmed, STEO’s Parent Portal is now available, with busing information easy to access for all families.
Simply visit www.steo.ca and click on the red “Find My Bus Stop” icon on the homepage to input your information and securely access your children’s route number, pick-up information and location, bus company name and phone number.
STEO would like to thank the bus drivers across this region who will be on the road getting kids safely to and from school, and to remind everyone out there to watch for school buses and student pedestrians and to drive mindfully as students head back to class next Tuesday, September 5.
For parents in need of any assistance, STEO is here to help at 855-925-0022 or [email protected]
INQUIRIES:
Janet Murray – GM/CAO
[email protected]
STEO AND AREA SCHOOL BUS COMPANIES REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT FOR STUDENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2023
Prescott, ON – Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) and area school bus companies have reached a tentative agreement to provide student transportation services.
This is a positive sign, and there is now greater optimism that on the first day of school, more than 30,000 students and their families will be able to count on having a safe and reliable ride to school.
This tentative four-year agreement will provide both STEO and the school bus companies with better long-term certainty, and more importantly, offer students and their families the comfort of knowing that transportation services have been secured for the next four years.
Further details on accessing transportation information will be shared with students and families once the tentative agreement has been accepted and school bus routes have been finalized.
Both STEO and the school bus companies would like to thank students and families for their patience during these discussions and hope that everyone can enjoy the last week of summer vacation, knowing that school buses will be running when it’s time for kids to go back to class.
Quotes
“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the school bus companies and to continue the positive relationships we have built over many years, for the foreseeable future. Throughout this process I know the school bus companies, our team, and the school boards have done everything possible to prioritize the needs of students and their families, and I am thrilled to be able to share this news with the families we serve.”
Janet Murray,
GM/CAO
Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO)
“This has been a long process, but I know our drivers will be happy they will be out on the first day of school, greeting familiar faces and playing such an important role for kids across our communities. I want to thank STEO for continuing to work with us to reach an agreement, and I look forward to another four years of working together for students and their families.”
Frank Healey
President, Healey Transportation
Spokesperson, Eastern Ontario Bus Operators Association (EOBOA)
INQUIRIES:
Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO)
Janet Murray, GM/CAO
[email protected]
Friday, August 25 – Parent Update
Further to the message that was sent to families on behalf of Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) earlier this week, we wanted to provide you with an update.
STEO negotiates and contracts with bus companies annually to provide transportation to schools and is actively working to secure transportation services for the 2023-24 school year.
While STEO has procured some operators at this time, we are still uncertain about what transportation may look like at the start of the school year. STEO is continuing to explore all options to secure transportation services for September.
We remain hopeful for a positive outcome, but encourage parents to begin thinking about alternate arrangements for school transportation as schools will be open and welcoming students on September 5, 2023.
We will continue to update you as information becomes available.
We thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding.
Friday, August 21 – Parent Update
Dear Families,
Since March 2023, Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) has been working to secure student transportation services with the existing school bus companies that provide transportation for both the Upper Canada District School Board and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.
STEO is a not-for-profit organization that negotiates annual service contracts with school bus companies that own the buses and employ the school bus drivers.
STEO has gone to great lengths to secure transportation services from the school bus companies, however, STEO’s most recent proposal provided to the bus companies was rejected, despite offering a multi-year deal and significant financial increases. School bus companies have not agreed to a contract for September.
As unwelcome as this news may be for parents, guardians, and caregivers, STEO wanted to provide this information so that you can be prepared, in the event of a transportation disruption.
At present, STEO and the bus companies remain very far apart with respect to the overall compensation requested. The total compensation value of the school bus operators’ position far exceeds funding available to school boards for transportation.
STEO transports more than 30,000 students to school daily and understands the stress this potential disruption will cause families. STEO continues to look at all options to providing transportation services for the 2023/2024 school year.
As the situation changes and more details are available, we will share those with you.
CHECK BACK HERE FOR UPDATES AND WATCH FOR COMMUNICATIONS FROM YOUR SCHOOL BOARD AND ON STEO SOCIAL MEDIA.
Your Questions
1. Will there be a disruption to bus services when school starts?
It is possible that there will be service disruptions for September, which is why STEO reached out to families in August. STEO is committed to securing student transportation services for the start of the school year, using all means available. As soon as updates are available, they will be shared along to families.
2. When will parents and families know if there will be bus service for the start of school?
If transportation services are disrupted, families will be informed as soon as possible. STEO and the boards will continue to inform parents and guardians as the situation evolves and as the first day of school approaches.
3. Why are parents only being informed of this a couple of weeks before school starts?
STEO was optimistic about reaching an agreement for service with the existing bus operators. However, as that has not occurred, we wanted parents to be aware of potential interruptions in time for the start of school.
4. What is STEO doing to prevent a disruption to school bus services?
In an effort to secure student transportation services, STEO made a multi-year offer to the school bus companies that exceeded the rate of inflation. STEO’s offer surpassed the driver recruitment and retention bonuses included in transportation funding and continued the practice of covering all fuel costs.
STEO continues to look at all options for providing transportation services for the 2023/2024 school year.
5. Will STEO be able to make alternative arrangements for families if there is a disruption to regular school bus service?
Unfortunately, should there be a disruption to student transportation services, STEO is not able to provide alternative arrangements due to financial and logistical considerations. In the event of a disruption, families will need to make their own arrangements for student transportation until a resolution can be found.
