FALL RIVER: The bus company responsible for taking students from Enfield to Georges P. Vanier Junior High in Fall River says what one bus driver did earlier this week is “unacceptable.”
According to parent Alicia McCann, on Nov. 16 the bus driver allowed all other students but her 11-year-old son and three other students on Bus #3000 to get off at GP Vanier. However, he took the four and drove the bus to Clivedon Court in Fall River, where he parked the bus.
“I tried to talk to the driver on my sons phone however the driver would not answer me,” said McCann. “I instructed my son to get off the bus, however the driver tried to take his phone and would not allow him to get off the bus.
“He turned the steering wheel away from the kids so they could not open the door.”
Deborah Waines-Bauer, Communications Spokeswoman with the Transportation division of the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE), said they are aware of the incident in question.
“We take these situations very seriously and approach them with care,” said Waines-Bauer in an email to The Laker News on Nov. 17.
She confirmed the incident took place.
“The driver did break protocol by not letting the children off the bus at their designated stop,” she said. “This is not acceptable, and we share the concerns of the families involved.”
As a result of the incident, there is a new driver assigned to the route. Waines-Bauer did not say what action was taken on the driver that was involved in the incident.
Waines-Bauer said together with their bus providers, the HRCE strives to foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment with the communities they serve.
“The HRCE works collaboratively with providers to address situations that impact children, students and drivers, and find positive solutions which we hope will benefit everyone involved,” she said.
Halifax District RCMP Cpl. Lisa Croteau confirmed police received a call at 9:05 a.m. for a request for assistance in Fall River. But that’s all they would say.
“The matter is concluded, and no charges were laid,” said Cpl. Croteau.
