Tri-Board is responsible for coordinating student transportation services (via school buses/vans) for the Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, and the Limestone District School Board.
Current contracts for transportation services expire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. These contracts have been in place since 2015.
As we shared previously in October 2025, Tri-Board is required to procure services through open, fair, and transparent practices, such as Requests for Proposal (RFP), that align with governing laws of procurement, including the Government of Ontario’s Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive and applicable domestic and international trade agreements. This included adhering to the Procurement Restriction Policy in place intended to restrict the procurement of goods and services from United States businesses.
In May 2025, Tri-Board issued an RFP for transportation services commencing in the 2026-2027 school year. The RFP was open to all qualified bus companies, including bus companies currently providing service to Tri-Board. Tri-Board received 11 proposals from interested bus companies.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the evaluation was based on four categories: customer service, student safety and wellbeing, fleet dependability, and professionalism of drivers and monitors. The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) was based on price. Based on the evaluation of their proposals, the following five bus companies were awarded multi-year contracts:
All of these companies currently operate in Ontario. Landmark Student Transportation and Switzer-Carty Transportation Services are current service providers for Tri-Board. Attridge Transportation, Sharp Bus Lines, and Voyago are well-established bus companies providing student transportation to other school boards throughout the province.
These five companies will assume operation of Tri-Board’s bus routes in September. A job board was established on Tri-Board’s website in December 2025 so these bus companies can recruit local drivers, monitors, mechanics, and office staff, with most roles starting at the end of the current school year. Current drivers and monitors can use the information on the job board to ask if the company was awarded the route they work on.
Tri-Board understands that any change to a student’s transportation plan, even a different bus or company name, may be stressful for students and families. We are meeting with all five bus companies regularly to ensure a smooth transition and reliable service for the start of the school year. Each company continues to report positive progress in hiring local staff, receiving buses, and establishing operating locations within the Tri-Board area.
The current bus companies will continue to provide service for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year.
Families will be advised in June 2026 regarding the bus company that will be assigned to their bus/van route for the 2026-2027 school year.
