An Ajax school bus commute is taking more than two hours a day for some students travelling from south Ajax to specialized programming at Pickering High School, prompting parents to ask Durham transportation officials for changes.
CityNews reported September 25 that families estimate 40 to 50 students are affected. The students attend a program with a different start time, and some must board before 7 a.m. for an 8 a.m. school day.
Families describe impact on students
Parents told the broadcaster that the long rides are leaving their children exhausted and affecting sleep, mental health and participation in extracurricular activities. One parent said her Grade 11 twins are among students in special education who depend on the route.
The dispute follows changes made to the same route last year. CityNews reported in August 2025 that Pickering students faced daily trips approaching three hours. According to the new report, adjustments later reduced the ride to approximately 40 to 50 minutes, but families say travel times grew again this school year.
The current concern is not a weather cancellation or a system-wide service interruption. It involves the regular route serving a limited group of south Ajax students travelling to Pickering High School.
DSTS says route options remain under review
Durham Student Transportation Services said in a statement provided to CityNews that a limited number of students from south Ajax attend specialized programming at the school. The agency said it remains committed to safe and efficient transportation and regularly reviews options to reduce ride times, including on this route.
A parent cited figures indicating that most DSTS riders spend less than 20 minutes on a bus and that 0.2 per cent of riders have trips longer than 60 minutes. Families are seeking more information about how the route is evaluated and say they have contacted several officials for answers.
Ajax MPP Rob Cerjanec told CityNews he shares the families’ concerns and has advocated for the students. He attributed the problem to provincial transportation funding pressures that leave school boards making difficult service decisions.
No revised route or implementation date was announced in the report. One parent said she planned to contact the Ministry of Education while continuing to press for a change to the Ajax school bus commute.
