Quebec reaches agreement in principle with school bus companies ahead of return to class

Just days before back to school for Quebec students, the province says it has reached a deal with the federation representing school bus companies, a significant step in resolving the threat of service disruptions for thousands of families.

In a statement Friday, Quebec's Education Ministry said the agreement in principle will ensure safe and reliable transportation for all students for the start of the school year.

The ministry said the deal coversa period of six years and the federation isrecommending its members vote in favour of it.Until the vote, the content of the agreement will remain confidential.

Luc Lafrance, the president of the federation representing the private transportation companies, theFdration des transporteurs par autobus(FTA), said he ispleased by the measures put in place by the government.

Before Friday, theprovince and transportation companieswere at an impasse in theircontract negotiations, which started in May.

Due to the lack of agreement, school boards and service centres had warned parents this weekto prepare a Plan B to get their children to school.

Approximately 60 per cent of bus transportation contracts expired on June 30 provincewide. In and around Montreal, Lafance said 95 per cent of school bus driver contractswere not renewed.

Lafrancehad said talks were "stalling everywhere" because the government wouldn't meet the companies' costdemands, which he saidare higher this year due to the rise in inflation and lack ofdrivers.