Insurance rates could impact school bus service in Alberta: contractor association
Global News
Hundreds of school buses could soon be off the road as insurance rates are renewed next month.
Hundreds of school buses could soon be off the road, the Alberta School Bus Contractors’ Association says.
Insurance rates are renewing next month and they are expected to be expensive. Some worry contractors won’t be able to afford the increase.
“Already with a hike of insurance, our company was in debt. Now starting Nov. 1, this second wave of insurance hike will create a deeper debt,” school bus contractor Chantal Frechette said.
She is one of many bus contractors in Alberta who faced high premiums last November.
“Small contractors were hit the hardest. They saw an increase of 358 per cent. They went from approximately $1,200 a bus to $4,300 a bus,” Alberta School Bus Contractors’ Association president Mark Critch said.
With insurance renewals a week away, Frechette expects rates to be even higher.
“We need financial help, and if we don’t receive this financial help, small companies like mine will have to close our doors, and sadly, children will lack transportation to schools,” Frechette said.
Critch said roughly 500 buses could be taken out of use, impacting 15,000 to 20,000 students.