An intersection near Arthur Pechy School in Prince Albert. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

SCHOOL BUS

School bus cancellations draw criticism from parents; SRPSD explains policy

Nov 9, 2022 | 5:06 PM

Another round of school bus cancellations for Prince Albert is leaving some parents confused.

On Wednesday morning, the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) announced all its buses were cancelled in the city, with the possibility of rural routes potentially being cancelled, as well.

This marks the third straight day that buses have been cancelled for students, and parents are wondering why— especially with city crews continuing to clear priority streets.

On a paNOW’s Facebook post about the cancellations, one person commented, “It’s -14 out. If vehicles can make it through the residential streets, a bus will definitely make it.”

Another wrote, “Kids that miss 4 to 5 days of high-school fall way behind. Like a month’s worth of work. City, it’s time to do better.”

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Others blamed the city for not making snow removal around schools a priority.

“Some of the school routes are terrible, I know ours is. It isn’t safe to have a bus full of kids get stuck. If the roads just got plowed, then it wouldn’t be an issue.”

According to the bus cancellation policy on the SRPSD website, a decision to cancel buses can be made if road conditions are not ideal.

“Regardless of temperatures or wind chill conditions, bus runs may be cancelled if severe storms or road conditions make travel dangerous.

“Weather and road conditions information used for purposes of decision-making shall be as reported by the Weather Information Office of Environment Canada at the Prince Albert Airport, the Melfort Weather Station, the Spiritwood Weather Station, and the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline.”

Ultimately it’s the decision of the Transporation Department in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and senior leadership team.

CFO Jerrold Pidborochynski said Wednesday’s buses were cancelled because of city road conditions.

“We have a lot of snow, specifically in our school zones and residential areas and our buses are not going to make it through, they’re going to get stuck,” he said.

Pidborochynski did touch on why some rural buses were able to go ahead.

“Those grid roads out of town have been cleared or are clear and the main arteries of the city, (2nd Avenue and 6 Avenue), have been cleared so it gives us a clear path to get to those schools.

He added he’s hopeful the roads will be cleared so that bus service can continue as soon as possible.

On Tuesday afternoon, the City of Prince Albert released an update on its snow-clearing schedule, saying Priority 2 streets should be completed by Wednesday with the exception of school zones. A snow lift of school zones isn’t expected to start until Friday.

READ MORE: City provides update on snow clearing schedule

Meanwhile, Prince Albert Transit said Wednesday all routes are operating but with limited service and commuters should go online to see which stops will be most affected by the snow clearing.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow