Almost four weeks post a significant winter storm striking Timmins, Ontario, school buses are gradually returning to their regular schedules. However, there have been frustrations over the prolonged snow cleanup process. The city was hit with around 60 cm of snow on December 28, an amount typically seen over a month. Subsequently, efforts have been ongoing to clear the snow, leading to the cancellation of several school bus routes, with the routes now slowly resuming.
Brittny Merenda, a school bus driver and mother, has not been able to operate her bus since the storm hit. She is scheduled to resume work on Thursday, expressing some nervousness about the challenging driving conditions created by the snow buildup. Negotiating narrow streets surrounded by towering snow banks has been particularly daunting, often requiring strategic maneuvers to allow passage for other vehicles.
Merenda, who has a seven-year-old and an 18-month-old, has resorted to walking her older child to school but finds it challenging on cold days. This has resulted in her son missing more school days than desired, longing to reunite with his friends.
Tori Pichette, another parent, has been facing safety concerns while driving her four-year-old to school due to the rough conditions of many side streets. Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to ensure the safe transportation of students. Ryan Hartling, supervisor of the North East Tri-Board Student Transportation group, reported that 57 out of 77 school buses were operational as of Wednesday. Although some stops remain unserviced, additional buses are gradually being put back into service.
Hartling emphasized the prioritization of safety and the need for cleared paths before resuming full bus service. Parents are encouraged to stay informed about operational routes through notifications from the transportation group. While the City of Timmins did not provide an update on the snow clearing progress, it indicated ongoing efforts to widen lanes and remove significant snow loads by the end of the week, seeking additional contractors for snow removal assistance.
