Tri-Board Transportation Services has postponed the closing date for its request for proposal process (RFP) for a new contract with local school bus companies.
In a press release issued on Jan. 19, Tri-Board cited the uncertainty in the market due to the province’s declaration of emergency as the reasoning behind their decision to extend current agreements for student transportation services for the 2021-22 school year. The current agreement was set to expire in August of this year.
In December Greater Napanee council was among those to speak out against the proposed RFP process, voting to sign a letter of support for local bus companies who objected to the process. Council sent a letter to Ontario’s minister of education as well as local federal and provincial politicians. Local bus-operators in the Tri-Board Transportation region said the RFP process allows bigger bus companies from outside the region to bid on local bus routes, which would force smaller local bus companies out of business.
“To ensure that there is no disruption in service to students for the 2021-2022 school year, Tri-Board will be extending the existing Student Transportation Services Agreements for one additional year, following the Aug. 31, 2021 expiry date,” Tri-Board said in a release. “The agreements will now expire on Aug. 31, 2022. This extension will come into effect once we have received the signed amendments from our supplier partners.”