Lethbridge school divisions select transportation provider

Lethbridge School Division and Holy Spirit Catholic School Division have selected Southland Transportation Ltd. as the transportation services provider for school bus and specialized transportation services for the 2021-22 school year.

“We are very pleased that Southland will be awarded this contract,” said Holy Spirit board chair Judy Lane in a news release. “Their proven record of providing quality, reliable and safe transportation services for our students will be very reassuring to our communities and greatly appreciated by all stakeholders.”

The request for proposals (RFP) was issued May 28 and closed on Aug. 27.

Two responses were reviewed by a committee made up of both superintendents and other key staff members from each school division.

The evaluation criteria for the proposals focused on technical expertise (qualifications and experience, training and professional development, service delivery, value added, past references and provision of school buses) and pricing.

Southland was chosen as meeting or exceeding the established criteria of the RFP.

They were also the low bid on the quoted pricing over the five-year initial term of the proposed contract for transportation services.

“Lethbridge School Division is confident Southland will continue to provide our students with a high level of safe and reliable bus service,” said Lethbridge School Division board chair Clark Bosch.

“We also want to thank the City of Lethbridge being an effective partner with the division in transporting our students to and from school for over 50 years.”

The initial contract with Southland will be for five years, with an option to extend the agreement for two more subsequent five-year terms.