School bus

All NLESD busing services restored

The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District is reporting all busing services have been restored today, for previously suspended runs.

This comes after the district suspended services provided by Gladney’s Bus Service Ltd. of Portugal Cove-St. Phillips, due to safety and operational concerns last week.

Although service will be provided by other existing contractors, the district says some buses registered to Gladney’s Bus Service Ltd. have been inspected this week, and approved for use, and will be in service under a different contractor.

The district says these existing contractors are in good standing with the NLESD, and have worked diligently with provincial government inspectors to fill gaps in services. 

Update released for suspended metro-area school bus routes with subcontractor found for Mount Pearl and Paradise schools

The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District has updated the complete list of school bus service interruptions first announced Saturday.

Bus service will be maintained for Monday morning, Feb. 13, for the routes bolded and identified in below. These runs have been subcontracted to secondary approved bus operators since September 2022, and
service will continue, uninterrupted.

Schools have been in direct contact with their students and families to provide the updated information. School names bolded in the chart below are no longer anticipated to be impacted. District staff are aiming to have all bus services in place by Monday, Feb. 20, as work to implement services as quickly as possible is ongoing. As resources become available, service may be implemented earlier for some schools. Families are being asked to make arrangements for transportation to and from school in the interim.

The District is also asking the general public in the St. John’s Metro region to be careful in school
zones, particularly in the areas near the schools noted below. Patience and attention are important, as there will be increased vehicle and foot traffic in these locations.

School Impacted, Bus Route Number:
Beachy Cove Elementary, All routes
Beaconsfield Junior High, All routes
Brookside Intermediate, All routes
Elizabeth Park Elementary, All routes
Hazelwood Elementary, All routes
Holy Cross Elementary, Route 21-185-1
Holy Spirit High, All routes
Mary Queen of the World Elementary, Route 22-044-1 (resumes 02/13)
Mount Pearl Intermediate, Route 22-044-3 (resumes 02/13)
Mount Pearl Senior High, Route, 22-044-3 (resumes 02/13)
O’Donel High School, Route 22-044-4 (resumes 02/13)
Paradise Intermediate, Route 22-045-1 (resumes 02/13),Route 22-045-5 (resumes 02/13),Route 22-045-2 (resumes 02/13), Route 17-130-14 (resumes 02/13)
St. Peter’s Primary Route, 22-044-2B (resumes 02/13),Route 22-044-4 (resumes 02/13)
St. Peter’s Junior High, Route 22-044-1 (resumes 02/13),Route 22-044-2A (resumes 02/13)

Topsail Elementary, All routes
Villa Nova Junior High, All routes

Alternate Transportation Contracts:
Cape St. Francis Elementary
Holy Trinity Elementary
Holy Trinity High
Juniper Ridge Intermediate

School bus service suspended at 20 metro-area schools because of safety concerns

The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District has suspended school bus services affecting 20 metro-area schools because of safety concerns.

“As the result of safety concerns for students, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District has suspended student transportation services provided by Glandey’s Bus Service Ltd.,” the district said in a news release issued Saturday.

“The District has not taken this action lightly, as it is aware it has a significant impact on families. However, following a review of information available, the District could no longer permit the continuation of busing services without confidence it is being provided in a safe manner for students.”

There are 20 schools affected, including some alternate transportation services. The District says it has a contingency plan in place to provide student transportation to those schools impacted. Staff are aiming to have new bus services in place by Feb. 20, but the district hopes they may be implemented earlier for some schools. Until then, families are being asked to make arrangements for transportation to and from school.

“The District sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience this will cause many families, students and schools,” the news release said. “However, the organization has been left with no alternative but to take these steps in order to maintain student safety. Impacted families are being contacted by the school administration.”

Schools Affected and Bus Route Numbers:

Beachy Cove Elementary, All routes
Beaconsfield Junior High, All routes
Brookside Intermediate, All routes
Elizabeth Park Elementary, All routes
Hazelwood Elementary, All routes
Holy Cross Elementary, All routes
Holy Spirit High, All routes
Mary Queen of the World Elementary, Route 22-044-1
Mount Pearl Intermediate, Route 22-044-3
Mount Pearl Senior High, Route 22-044-3
O’Donel High School Route, 22-044-4
Paradise Intermediate, All routes
St. Peter’s Primary, Route 22-044-2 and Route 22-044-4
St. Peter’s Junior High, Route 22-044
Topsail Elementary, All routes
Villa Nova Junior High, All routes

Alternate Transportation Contracts:

Cape St. Francis Elementary
Holy Trinity Elementary
Holy Trinity High
Juniper Ridge Intermediate

Video of school bus slipping on icy roads raising safety concerns

Icy conditions made for tricky driving for some school buses in Conception bay south this morning.

As NTV’s Beth Penney reports, a video is making the rounds on social media, raising concerns about safety. 

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