The Ministry of Education is putting a pause on new busing contracts in the province.
Quinte News has confirmed that school boards with contracts expiring in June, have been asked to temporarily pause securing new busing agreements and to also share procurement plans for ministry review.
This does not appear to be the the case however for Tri-Board Student Transportation, which has busing responsibilities for the Limestone District, Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic, and Hastings Prince Edward boards.
Craig Young is Board Chair for Tri-Board and says they have nott received any correspondence or request from the province to pause their new contracts for the fall, however if they do, they will respond accordingly.
Contracts for this coming fall, with five companies, were sign in the fall 2025.
“Our government is strengthening accountability in school boards and keeping the focus on student outcomes. We are reviewing student transportation contracts to better understand ballooning costs. Boards with contracts expiring at the end of 2025–26 school year have been asked to temporarily pause securing new agreements and share their procurement plans for ministry review. The ministry will advise impacted boards on next steps to set up their transportation services by the start of the upcoming school year.”Emma Testani – Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary Education Minister Paul Calandra
