A request for proposals (RFP) process aimed at school transportation operators has local bus companies crying foul.
A rally was held on Friday in front of MPP Todd Smith’s Rossmore office with more than 50 buses and drivers driving by and honking as they passed the plaza in support of their employers, who are seeking an end to the RFP process.
Sherry Barker of Al Parkhurst Transportation says historically, RFPs are destructive to the locally owned bus companies.
“So provincially, what has been demonstrated in other areas where they have chosen to RFP, is that generally speaking, four or five operators are the winners per se and the rest are not.”
Shelby MacPherson of County Bus Service says since the RFP process started over a decade ago, 110 school bus operators have lost their livelihood.
“Sherry is a third generation school bus company, we’re a second generation and to have to open it, this could be our last months in business and having done nothing wrong to be out of business. It’s not what you call fair.”
Tri-Board Student Transportation covers three school boards, including Hastings-Prince Edward, Algonquin-Lakeshore Catholic District and Limestone District serving approximately 30,000 students through over 600 bus routes.
The current negotiated contract is set to expire in August 2021 with most drivers seeing their last day of work at the end of June when the school year ends.
Shelby MacPherson of County Bus Service (left) and Sherry Barker of Al Parkhurst Transportation at a us rally in front of Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith’s office in Rossmore on December 11, 2020. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
MacPherson said her company will be submitting an application when the time comes, but she stated based on the wording of the RFP, she may not even be eligible.
Barker said they are worried about the number of driver shortages and lower wages this RFP process could mean.
“It has been proven provincially, an RFP process can result in a larger shortage of drivers and low wages. Which is a huge thing, even if the wages are a portion of the contract, who is to say that won’t drive down wages.”
MPP Smith was not available Friday to speak to the demonstrators directly but staff noted they could make an appointment to discuss the issue with him.
MacPherson noted she had spoken to Smith on Thursday about their concerns.
You can find the story with Tri-Board CEO Gord Taylor here and a story with Tri Board School Bus Operators Association Co-Chair Sean Payne here.
