'Lost confidence': Family frustrated after school bus misses 3 pickups in first week
An Edmonton family is concerned after a school bus repeatedly did not show up to pick up their daughter three times last week, forcing them to drive her to class.
George Cardinal's daughter attends Victoria School for the Arts and was waiting for the bus on the first day of school when he says the bus never came.
"The first day, we gave them the benefit of the doubt, being the first day of school," Cardinal told CTV News Edmonton.
"We showed up on the second day, same story: no bus," he added. "Luckily, I had time to drive her to school on both days."
After not receiving any information from the bus company on why the bus had not arrived, Cardinal said he spoke to some bus drivers at the schoo. They told him that the first few days of school were always "busy times" and that a temporary driver was learning his daughter's route.
After school, his daughter got on the bus and realized the driver was not leaving the school.
"She approached them (the driver) and asked what was going on," Cardinal recalled. "They said they were having difficulty figuring out the route. She said, should I call my dad? They said sure."
"So she called me and got off the bus, and immediately after they drove away," he added. "There was no one around… She was there on her own while she waited. Not sure why he couldn't take her."
On the third day, Cardinal said he waited with his daughter for 15 minutes after the scheduled pickup for it not to arrive. The mobile app didn't show where along the route the bus was. He then called the bus company.
"The conversation was not good, to say the least," he recounted. "They said they couldn't get ahold of the driver. And then I said, 'What about the GPS?' 'No, we don't have that either.'"
"So I'm standing there going, so you don't know where your bus is, and you can't get ahold of your driver?"
The company pledged to re-route another bus after it had completed its initial service. Cardinal said by that point, his daughter would have arrived at school two hours after she was supposed to have been picked up.
"I was (initially) feeling very understanding of their situation," Cardinal said. "Until the third day. Three days of not even seeing a bus was a bit too much for me."
In a statement to CTV News Edmonton, the Edmonton Public School Board said it was aware of the issues with the route Cardinal's daughter relies upon.
"Changes were made to improve service, and as of Wednesday, Sept. 7, the route was operating with minimal delays," the statement said.
Bus provider Southland Transportation said the whole industry is experiencing driver shortages.
"Regardless of coverage and delay timings, Southland still provides transportation services and will send a bus for students," the company said. "We understand the inconvenience the driver shortages are causing families and are working to train and hire new team members each day."
"Communication of delays is made to parents through various technological platforms, and if there is a parent who is not receiving this information, they should reach out."
Cardinal says his biggest concern is for his daughter to be stranded without having a way to get to school.
"Both her mom and I work," he added. "The reason why we are here for the first few days is to get her comfortable (taking the bus)."
"I became very concerned for my child's wellbeing," he said. "I really have lost confidence in this bus company."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.