News - transportation agreement

JOINT NEWS RELEASE

Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
156 Ann Street, Belleville, Ontario K8N 1N9 Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
151 Dairy Avenue, Napanee, Ontario K7R 4B2

For immediate release
February 7, 2001

Transportation negotiations conclude successfully

    The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board formed a partnership January 1999 for the administration of student transportation services.
    What is known as the Bi-Board Transportation Authority manages the contracting of students transportation services for 374 bus routes transporting approximately 18,500 students with buses collectively travelling 8.5 million kilometres annually.
The Bi-Board Authority negotiates annually with its bus operators to establish a payment formula for the school year. During the course of these negotiations this year, emphasis has been on drivers' wages including guidelines on how operators pay their drivers.
    Negotiations have been especially challenging in view of the fact that the present Ministry of Education funding model for transportation does not meet the cost of providing student transportation services.
    The last increase in formula to operators was in 1998-1999 when the main focus was the allowance for communications equipment. No formula increases were provided in 1999-2000.
    The Bi-Board Authority has received approval by their respective Boards to make adjustments to the payment formula effective January 1, 2001 as follows:

drivers' wages increased from $6,743 to $7,148
vehicle inspections increased from $1,901 to $2,001
drivers' distance allowance increased from 3.93¢ to 4.169¢ per km.
number of days paid to the operator was reduced by two on the variable payment for a decrease on average of $128.00 per bus.

The impact of the negotiated changes is a 1.2% increase on transportation expenditures for this fiscal year.
The Bus Operators' Association will be working with its members to establish driver payment guidelines and the establishment of common and consistent practices in dealing with their drivers.

For more information contact:

Chris Salt, Superintendent of Operations
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
(613) 966-9491, extension 2281 Bob Koubsky, Superintendent of Finance and Business Services
Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
(613) 354-2255, extension 436