The municipalities say they are working on possible solutions. For example, a party is being sought that can carry out the journeys, but this has not yet been found.
In the Utrecht municipalities of Bunnik, De Bilt, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Wijk bij Duurstede and Zeist there is great unrest among parents of more than 600 school-age children. Due to an acute shortage of drivers, transport companies Connexxion and Willemsen-De Koning can no longer guarantee journeys for student transport. This means that parents have to look for alternative ways to take their children to school.
The problems arise from a shortage of drivers, just at the time when the region is experiencing a change of transport companies. Recently, 22 Utrecht municipalities, together with the province, re-tendered the Regiotaxi and student transport. This showed that from 2025 Willemsen-De Koning and Connexxion will jointly provide transport. Willemsen-De Koning remains responsible for the regions of Utrecht Stad, Utrecht West and Lekstroom, while Connexxion will take over transport in Eemland and Zuidoost Utrecht.
However, things are now going wrong in the municipalities of Bunnik, De Bilt, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Wijk bij Duurstede and Zeist. Willemsen-De Koning's contract runs until the summer holidays of 2024, while Connexxion's contract only starts in January 2025. Both carriers have indicated that they do not have enough drivers to bridge the intervening months due to the tight labor market. This means that from September to the Christmas holidays there is no student transport available for the approximately 640 children who normally use it.
Parents are desperate. “I have no idea yet how I'm going to solve this,” says one parent RTV Utrecht. The situation is causing great concern and panic as many rely on student transportation to get their children to school safely and on time.
The shortage of drivers comes amid a change in the transport companies that provide student transport.
The municipalities involved are working hard on possible solutions. Alternative parties are being sought that can take over the journeys, but so far no suitable replacement has been found. In addition, it is being investigated whether taxis or volunteers can be used to provide transport. However, this uncertainty is causing a lot of stress among parents, who are wondering how they will get their children to school in the coming months.
Connexxion and Willemsen-De Koning indicate that they are doing everything they can to solve the problems, but also point out the major challenge posed by the current labor market. The tightness on the labor market makes it difficult to find sufficiently qualified drivers in the short term.
In the meantime, parents in the five municipalities remain uncertain. “This should have been prevented,” said one parent. “It is incomprehensible that there is no contingency plan for such an essential service as student transport.” The municipalities emphasize that they give the highest priority to finding a solution, but time is running out.
Student transport is vital for children who cannot travel to school independently, for example due to a disability or the great distance to the school. The loss of this transport not only puts pressure on parents, but can also negatively affect the school performance and well-being of the children.
With the summer holidays approaching, many parents are hoping for a quick and effective solution. The coming weeks will determine whether student transport will be available again in September, or whether parents will be forced to provide their own transport.
