By Derek Cornet

Dress Warmly

Cold temperatures not stopping tri-community school bus drivers

Feb 8, 2019 | 3:09 PM

With school bus cancellations across Saskatchewan this week, parents in the tri-communities can rely on the drivers with NorthWinds Bus Lines no matter how cold it gets.

That’s according to owner Anne Calladine who said routes in La Ronge, Air Ronge and for the Lac La Ronge Indian Band will continue to operate regardless of weather conditions. She said when the temperature reaches -40 Celsius without the windchill, the only routes which will be cancelled are for Lamp Lake, Sucker River, Potato Lake, Rabbit Creek and Wadin Bay, but that’s only happened once in the past six years.

“With our new facility, we’re able to store 12 buses inside so that’s a big factor,” Calladine said. “We have spares parked inside too. It’s just more comfortable for the students because the bus is already warm when it gets there.”

Calladine also commended the dedication of her drivers this winter as they continue to show up for work in spite of temperatures reaching -50 C with the wind. She noted each driver has to conduct a 15-minute inspection of their bus before they leave the lot, adding employees also make sure they’re dressed appropriately for the weather. Calladine also wants parents to make sure their children are dressed warmly as well in case of a breakdown or another issue arises.

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“I would really recommend to the parents, even if their child does ride the bus, make sure their children are dressed for temperatures as if they were walking,” she said. “We will refuse service to students and take them home if they’re not dressed properly for the weather.”

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang, the cold temperatures are expected to linger in La Ronge for the weekend. She stated the cold is due to a high-pressure system of arctic air settling in the province earlier this week, which is common this time of year. Although temperatures were above average this week, Land noted there were no record-breaking days in the La Ronge region.

Temperatures are expected to warm slightly by Monday and Tuesday with periods of light snow also expected. Lang added the cold will remain above seasonal, however, and residents should prepare themselves for the cold days ahead.

“I know folks in the North are pretty hearty when it comes to extreme cold, but we always encourage people to know there are extreme cold warnings out there and to dress appropriately,” she said. “If they are going out on the highway, [motorists] should prepare for that and have safety [supplies] in their vehicles.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno