Windsor-Essex school boards sign joint letter, opposing elimination of school bus extras [Video]

Both English school boards in Windsor-Essex have sent a joint letter to city council, urging them to reject a proposed recommendation to eliminate “extra” transit routes for students as a cost-saving measure in the 2025 budget.

Windsor city council’s first meeting of 2025 is underway, providing the public their first opportunity to voice concerns about the proposed 2.99 per cent tax increase.

One recommendation in the draft budget calls for a $1.4-million “service reduction” to Transit Windsor.

Specific details about the cut have not been shared with the public but Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has previously said the Tunnel Bus could be on the chopping block.

The city’s finance department has proposed eliminating school bus extras, which serve secondary school students and are designed “to take excess loads off of the regular routes,” according to the City of Windsor’s website.

Budget documents have described these routes as a “concierge level …