Concerned parent still waiting for the bus to stop

In February, The Record was contacted by Saint-françois-xavier-de-brompton resident Mike Pezzi, concerned about his 11-year-old son’s safety, walking along the shoulder of Route 249 to the school bus stop.

Months later, Pezzi and his son, now 12, are still waiting for answers.

Beginning in October, Pezzi approached the bus driver as well as the Eastern Townships School Board to request bus pickup and drop-off in front of his home to ensure his son’s safety. His request was denied.

Pezzi’s next step was to contact the Student Ombudsman.

He also went to the March ETSB council of commissioners meeting. Pointing to a measure in the board’s transportation policy where the board has the authority to approve the designation of zones, Pezzi asked that the board consider designating the stretch of road to the bus stop a danger zone, which would entitle his son accommodations for a safe pickup.

Pezzi returned to the council of commissioners at the April meeting held this past Tuesday, asking for an update.

According to Pezzi, he was told that a sub-committee has been formed to look into the situation. That committee is expected to meet with the transportation committee on May 8, and the findings will be brought before the council for a decision, he said.

Pezzi received a response from Student Ombudsman Christian Beaudry.

In a letter to Pezzi, Beaudry explained that the safety of pedestrians lies within the jurisdiction of the municipality and not the school board, so he was unable to address the complaint.

“Your complaint refers to a bus pickup and drop off safety issue. As I understand it, there is a safety issue because the sidewalk used normally by your son to reach the bus stop is not cleared or maintained in winter. Had the sidewalk been cleared from snow and ice, there would be no safety issue,” the letter from Beaudry reads.

Pezzi was well aware of the municipality’s decision not to clear the sidewalks, a decision made by referendum three years ago in town.

According to Pezzi, citizens living in rural areas of the municipality objected to their tax dollars being spent for snow removal for the citizens living in town.

He added that the sidewalk on his road is old, cracked and narrower than a standard sidewalk so plowing it would likely pose challenges for snow removal equipment.

“Winter is the worst,” Pezzi said. Since it was not cleared, his son walked along the shoulder of Route 249 (Rue Pirincipale) roughly 160 metres to get to the bus stop.

With the snow gone, Pezzi said the safety issue is minimal. His son can use the sidewalk, but he is worried he will face the same problem next winter. The combination of snow and ice with substantial traffic and many drivers not respecting the 50 km/h zone is a big concern.

“It’s a matter of minutes,” Pezzi said, regarding the stop in front of his house, which would require no detour or additional driving.

Pezzi is a former bus driver for Autobus B. Dion.

“As a former driver, I’ve done those things,” Pezzi said, explaining that he wouldn’t need to be asked twice to ensure the safety of a student in his charge.