Families in Dawson City, Yukon, face ongoing stress from frequent school bus delays and cancellations. Staff at Robert Service School informed parents that afternoon bus pickups would halt starting Tuesday through the end of the month due to driver shortages.
Parents Scramble Amid Short-Notice Changes
Klondike MLA Brent McDonald, who represents the area, highlights that these disruptions occur repeatedly with little warning. Parents must hastily arrange alternatives, such as relying on friends or extended school hours until they finish work.
“When they change on short notice, it means that parents have to make other arrangements, asking friends or the school to keep kids until they’re done work,” McDonald stated.
Such cancellations impose financial burdens, forcing caregivers to leave work early or miss shifts entirely. McDonald notes challenges for essential workers like doctors, nurses, ambulance staff, police, and emergency responders, whose employers may not easily accommodate sudden changes.
Systemic Issues Prompt Formal Letter
After consulting concerned residents, McDonald sent a letter to Education Minister Scott Kent, pressing for solutions to persistent problems. These include operations in extreme cold, staffing deficits, and frequent late or cancelled routes.
“Once in a while it’s understandable that things happen, but it seems school bus transportation is suffering from systemic issues right now,” McDonald said. “There’s been many issues regarding operating at cold temperatures, adequate staffing, and a lot of cancelled and late routes.”
Government and Contractor Response
A cabinet spokesperson acknowledged the disruptions in an email statement: “The Department of Education recognizes the inconvenience caused by the temporary cancellation of the afternoon school bus route in Dawson City.”
The department collaborates with Standard Bus, the current provider, which explores options like flying in a qualified driver. Local efforts, including outreach to a community charter company, proved unsuccessful as it cannot handle student transport.
Local Operator Eyes Opportunity
Jesse Cooke, owner of Husky Bus—a Dawson City tour and transport service—expressed interest in bidding for territory contracts. He believes a local firm could better serve the community.
“I understood that maybe the territory does all rural transportation all at once. They’re probably looking for a company to do it all. I’m just suggesting that probably locally here in Dawson it probably makes most sense to have a local company do it,” Cooke said.
Although his fleet lacks certified school buses currently, Cooke pledges investment if awarded a multi-year contract.
“It’s not to throw any other company under the proverbial bus, but there are gaps. There are gaps in the service. I think any parent of any student here can tell you that. I would just like to see it done better and I’d be happy to take a crack at it,” he added.
