Driver shortages cancelled Northwestern Ontario school bus routes each weekday from Nov. 2 to Nov. 6, continuing an October pattern

DRYDEN, Ont. – NEWS UPDATE — A school-bus driver shortage cancelled routes in the Kenora and Red Lake areas on every school day from Nov. 2 through Nov. 6, extending a pattern of service disruptions that has persisted through October.

The Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium’s final Friday update listed three cancelled buses: KN60, KN15 and KN96. The consortium had already reported cancellations affecting KN97 on Monday, KN96 on Tuesday, KN90 on Wednesday, and RL5, KN13 and KN27 on Thursday. Some route numbers repeated during the week.

The notices identify a driver shortage as the cause. They do not say how many students or schools were affected, whether replacement transportation was available, or when the routes are expected to return to stable service.

The problem predates this week. The consortium’s public alert archive shows driver-related cancellations or substantial delays on multiple days in October, including routes in Kenora, Red Lake and Dryden-designated service areas.

Operators are recruiting in Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Red Lake and Kenora. The consortium says applicants do not need professional driving experience, training is provided and candidates must be at least 21 with a valid Ontario driver’s licence.

Families should check the consortium’s alert page and parent notification tools before the next school day. No Monday, Nov. 9 cancellation notice had been posted as of the 6:28 a.m. Saturday news-desk cutoff.