By Jenn Watt

Starting this September the 54 bus routes in Haliburton County once conducted by First Student Bus Lines will be taken over by another company.

Kawartha Lakes Busing which already serves the City of Kawartha Lakes area routes will be taking over.

“First Student has been proud to serve the Haliburton and Bracebridge communities for more than 25 years” First Student spokeswoman Jen Biddinger wrote to the Times in an email.

“Unfortunately during recent contract renewal discussions we were unable to negotiate a new transportation contract that would have made continuing operations from these locations feasible” she said.

Biddinger said First Student would continue to serve some areas in the school board but would no longer be covering Haliburton or Bracebridge.

Trillium Lakelands District School Board communications manager Catherine Shedden confirmed that First Student didn’t renew their contract for the upcoming school year. She said that Kawartha Lakes Busing would be taking over the county’s routes.

According to a story in Kawartha Lakes This Week in 2014 Kawartha Lakes Busing took over from First Student in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Biddinger said local employees would be able to seek employment with the new company.

“It is my understanding that employees will have the opportunity to apply for positions with the new provider” she said. She thanked the employees “for their hard work and dedication over the years.”