Just over a week after a Chatham boy was left at the wrong bus stop in -18 degree weather, his cousins had a similar situation take place in Wallaceburg.
Wallaceburg resident Megan Rumble said her two children, ages nine and six, were dropped off at a “different stop” after it had been switched without her knowledge.
“They were let off at a different stop because it had changed… neither me or the school were notified because the kids have courtesy seats,” Rumble said. “All I got was ‘I’m sorry they were overlooked.’ It’s pitiful how the system works.”
Rumble said her children were “fine” as the stop is only 50 feet away from their original stop.
“I was starting to worry because they were a few minutes later than normal, then I saw them walking down the road towards the old stop,” she said. “I asked where the bus was and they along with two other kids at that stop told me the stop had been moved because of a complaint from a home owner.”
Rumble added: “I asked if the other kids (Grade 7/8 students at the WDSS) had known about it and they said they got a note home last week informing their parents about the changes. No note was sent home with my children. I called the bus company and was told they were overlooked because they have courtesy seats. It has been resolved with the bus company. The kids have an amazing driver that I thank my lucky stars for everyday. She is willing to make a stop on Main Street so the kids don’t have to try and cross that road on own.”
Rumble said the situation was infuriating, especially after what happened to her nephew the week before.
“The fact that they were overlooked because they were courtesy seats, is ridiculous,” she said. “I don’t care if they ride that bus once a year, the bus company should know they are on it and be accountable for them. Especially after what happened with my nephew, you would think they would be more careful. I’m still flabbergasted that it happened to both of our kids within a week.”
Rumble’s sister, Erica Moore told the Sydenham Current she is looking at taking legal action after the situation took place involving her five-year-old son.
Rumble added she has heard from other parents that these situations happen “quite often.
“It’s scary to think how often a system, that parents trust with the most important of things, makes mistakes and doesn’t learn from them,” she said. “Something needs to change. There is no excuse for this happening.”
The Sydenham Current has been in touch with Student Transportation Services of the Chatham-Kent Lambton Administrative School Services for comment.
We’ll provide more information when it becomes available.
