Ontario is tackling the province’s school bus driver shortage by continuing the School Bus Driver Retention Pilot Program this year.
The program will help school bus operators across the province with driver retention and recruitment by rewarding school bus drivers who stay on the job throughout the year.
Eligible school bus drivers could receive up to two separate retention bonuses of up to $1,000 (less applicable taxes) each, based on continuous employment over two periods between September to December 2019 and January to June 2020.
This program is intended to reduce driver turnover and make student transportation services more reliable for students and families.
The government will partner again with the Ontario School Bus Association (OSBA) and a service provider to facilitate the administration of bonus payments to eligible school bus drivers.
The School Bus Driver Retention Pilot Program is intended to alleviate the issue of driver shortage as the ministry undertakes a review of the student transportation funding formula.
