Shortage of school bus drivers in Oakville, Burlington expected this fall

When kids go back to school in Halton region, some might find themselves waiting longer for a school bus this year.

HaltonStudent Transportation Services saysa shortage of school bus drivers could lead to bus delays in Oakville and Burlington this September.

• 'Communication failures' caused school bus crisis of 2016, Ontario ombudsman's report reveals

"We are aware of the impact any potential driver shortage could have on families and we appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as the local bus operators work through this challenging time period," said KarenLacroix, general manager of HSTS, in a statement.

Word of a possible driver shortage in Haltoncomes afterOntario's ombudsman recently reassuredparents in Toronto that the school bus woes that left thousands of students scrambling to get to class last fall was caused by "communication failures" and wouldn't happened again this year.

Ombudsman PaulDubcalled the 2016 shortage of Toronto drivers"a systemic, administrative failure on several fronts" one which lasted for months, affected about60 routes across the city, and made more than 2,600children waithours for buses that were late or never showed up.

HSTS posting delay information online starting Sept. 5

In Halton, HSTSand its member school boards, theHaltonDistrict School Board and theHaltonCatholic District School Board, are working with local bus companies to "try to minimize the impact on students,"HSTSsaid in a statement.

Bus operators in Milton andHaltonHills do not anticipate a bus driver shortage, the statement continued.

HSTSsaid school bus delay information will be posted on itswebsite starting the first day of school on Sept. 5.