Families in Gimli may face changes to student transportation next school year as the Evergreen School Division navigates a persistent, province-wide shortage of school bus drivers.
During a board meeting on April 14, 2026, Manager of Transportation Mark Patrick briefed the division’s Board of Trustees on the ongoing staffing challenge. The shortage is part of a larger issue affecting school divisions across Manitoba, which has previously led to route disruptions and cancellations in other parts of the province.
The Evergreen School Division currently operates 26 bus routes, transporting more than 900 students every day to eight schools across four communities, including Winnipeg Beach, Arborg, Riverton, and Gimli. In Gimli, the division provides service to students attending Sigurbjorg Stefansson Early Years School, Dr. George Johnson Middle School, and Gimli High School.
Trustees commended Patrick for his proactive approach to managing the situation. To help address the staffing gap, the division is currently offering free training for individuals interested in becoming school bus drivers. This includes assistance with the process of obtaining the required Class 2F driver’s licence and the necessary school bus operator’s certificate.
The division advises parents to prepare for the possibility that the driver shortage could affect bus routing and overall service availability in the upcoming school year.
For more information on the recruitment process, residents can contact the division office at 140 Centre Avenue West in Gimli.
