The co-chair of the Tri-Board Bus Operators Association is concerned about a new process for awarding busing contracts in the area.
Sean Payne tells Quinte News, of the 23 operators in Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, Hastings and Prince Edward, the vast majority are small to medium sized, often family run.
Payne says the new proposed Request for Proposal process will only benefit the big busing companies.
Payne says the RFP process is not good for the busing industry.
He adds that this process could put 18 to 19 local operators out of business.
Payne says they would be willing to extend the current contract to see through the pandemic.
Gord Taylor is the CEO of Tri Board Student Transportation and says before the new provincial legislation requiring an open tendering process, things were different.
Taylor explains the new way the Ontario Government ordered these negotiations to change.
The Tri-Board Bus Operators Association says they are pleading with the province, including local MPP Todd Smith to intervene.
