The problems with student transport for special education could continue for months. The Breda councilor for Education, Arjen van Drunen, does not dare to mention a date when it will be resolved. “The reality is that Connexxion is short of 25 drivers. That is not easily arranged.” In the meantime, the municipality will pay parents a kilometer allowance if they take their child to school themselves.
The councilor was asked questions in the city council on Thursday evening about the major problems in student transport for children in special education in the Breda region. They are picked up late or sometimes not at all and there are also problems with the many changes in drivers, or staff who are not always suitable to deal with this group of children.
‘We have lost control’
“If there are still major problems after five weeks, then you can only conclude that we have lost control of this file,” Van Drunen told Omroep Brabant. “I understand that everyone wants to know when the problems will be solved, but I simply cannot give a date. Connexxion cannot do that either and I talk to them at least once a week.”
According to the PvdA councilor, it is difficult to find the necessary people in the current labor market and that is why ‘unusual measures’ are being taken. For example, ten people on benefits were approached to come and work for Connexxion. In addition, a welcome bonus of one thousand euros net is available for new employees. The complaints from parents are not only about late arrivals, but also about the drivers. So these new drivers must ‘also be suitable’.
Mileage allowance for parents
From Friday, people who have incurred costs to take students to school themselves can claim a mileage allowance of 21 euro cents per kilometer through the municipality. The scheme is for everyone, the councilor emphasizes. “Not only for parents and caregivers, but also the aunt, neighbor or teacher who took a child to school or back home.”
Connexxion was ‘declared in default’ by the municipality last Wednesday. This is a formal step and means that the municipality can deploy subcontractors itself, ‘although we would prefer Connexxion to arrange that’. Fines can also be handed out, but that is not the councilor’s concern. “We are very critical, but ultimately we have to solve the problems together with Connexxion.”
Van Drunen calls the fact that the transport problems will be resolved in the coming weeks and possibly not even before the end of this year ‘a hard blow’ for all parents and caregivers. “This is of course far removed from what we as a government are trying to achieve, but I cannot make it better than it is. Unfortunately, it is the hard truth and that affects me enormously.”
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