Student Transportation Services focusing on safety and security going into new school year
Posted Aug 29, 2023 06:05:08 PM.
Last Updated Aug 30, 2023 01:56:21 PM.
Student Transportation Services Waterloo Region (STSWR) has released its details for the upcoming school year with a focus on safety and security.
Parents are asked to create an account with STSWR in order to see their child’s transportation details. They will require the child’s Ontario Education Number, birth date, street name and school name.
Benoit Bourgault, the general manager of STSWR, said the policy is to comply with safety and privacy standards.
“Not everybody should have access to your transportation information,” said Bourgault. “It’s always been it’s been the case for a number of years.”
The STSWR has also expanded the number of buses with seatbelts to nearly 50. Another pilot project will see three buses with extended stop arms to prevent drivers from passing by at stops.
“It certainly helps the perception that we need to stop,” said Bourgault. “The first result appears to be very, very successful that it has stopped this significant problem that we have that people are not respecting to stop arm.”
Waterloo Regional Police said there have been 38 school bus related charges so far this year. This is slightly lower than in 2021 (97) and 2022 (61).
The school year begins for WRDSB students on Wednesday September 6 and Tuesday September 5 for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.
