Buses in Holy Trinity Catholic School Division have transported roughly the same number of students annually since 2020, but they’ve been travelling fewer kilometres since then due to better route scheduling.
From September 2020 to February 2021, the division transported 1,071 students daily to schools in Moose Jaw and Swift Current, with buses travelling 332.8 kilometres daily, while the number of students bussed from March to June 2021 decreased by 10 and the number of kilometres stayed the same, according to a recent transportation accountability report.
From September 2021 to February 2022, Holy Trinity bussed 1,122 students over 283 kilometres daily, while the number of youths bussed from March to June 2022 rose by 23 pupils and the number of kilometres decreased by 3.4 kilometres.
From September 2022 to February 2023, Holy Trinity transported 1,192 students over 264.1 kilometres daily, while the number of pupils bussed from March to June 2023 dropped by three and the number of kilometres rose slightly by 7.4 kilometres.
From September 2023 to February 2024 — this school year — the division bussed 1,180 students over 222 kilometres daily. This distance travelled dropped by 49.5 kilometres compared to last year and decreased by 110.8 kilometres since September 2020.
Curt Van Parys, chief financial officer, told board trustees during their recent meeting that the number of kilometres buses have travelled since September 2020 has decreased by 33 per cent, which he thought was “good news (and) fantastic.”
The reason for this decline is because the division implemented new software several years ago to help with more efficient routing, he continued. This should also lead to less fuel consumption and buses lasting longer.
Other data show that, in Moose Jaw, the average age of the bus fleet is 7.1 years, while the average age of buses on all regular routes is 6.5 years. Also, on average, 85.7 per cent of all buses were filled during the Moose Jaw North runs earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the average ride time in Moose Jaw is 28 minutes, while the longest one-way ride time is 38 minutes.
Holy Trinity has not had to cancel a bus route during the past four years because of mechanical issues or lack of drivers, unlike other divisions in the area, Van Parys added.
The report also contained activities that the transportation department pursued during the first half of this year.
With bus driver recruitment, the division hired one temporary driver and three spare drivers.
“We are in a good position of being well sourced from a driver perspective … ,” Van Parys said. “And based on conversations with some of my colleagues in other school divisions, that seems to be an atypical position, so we’re rather fortunate. And I want to make sure we do whatever we can to retain our bus drivers.”
The department has also focused on enhancing technology in transportation, including:
- Reviewing new platforms to improve communications with parents and address safety
- Improving the dispatch system with live GPS tracking of buses, continuing the installation of radios in maintenance vehicles and ongoing updates and repairs
- Continuing implementation of new software to track fuel management and kilometres driven to save money, assist with preventative maintenance and troubleshooting of repairs, and send maintenance prompts to management and drivers
“We really think we’ll see some long-term benefits by utilizing this software that we’ve had in the school division for a bit,” said Van Parys.
The department has also focused on improving community engagement through initiatives such as Touch-a-Truck and giving bus rides for Multicultural Council activities, he added.
“Our bus drivers are phenomenal … . They come to work every single day (and) they’re as happy as can be … ,” said education director Ward Strueby. “They’re just a pleasure to have.”
The next Holy Trinity board meeting is Monday, April 8.
