UPDATE: Hundreds of Hamilton students late after dozens of school buses delayed

Hamilton's school bus service reported dozens of delays as students headed back to school on Wednesday.

The Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Service (HWSTS), which transports students from the public and Catholic boards, reported 56 delays on 40 routes across the city, spokesperson Shawn McKillop said in an email to The Spectator.

About 1,885 students - 830 public and 1,055 Catholic - at 44 schools were impacted by delays.

Delays ranged from up to 15 minutes" to an hour long. McKillop said the majority of buses with delays - 32 of 56 - were less than 15 minutes behind schedule.

This would be typical for first day of a new startup as drivers run these routes live for the first time," he said.

Schools with delayed routes include Ancaster High, Balaclava, Bellmoore, Bishop Tonnos, Canadian Martyrs, Dundana, Earl Kitchener, Eastdale, Ecole Michaelle Jean, George L. Armstrong, Gordon Price, Guardian Angels, Guy Brown, Hess Street, Holy Name of Jesus, Huntington Park, Immaculate Conception, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lisgar, Mount Albion, Norwood Park, Our Lady of Hope, Our Lady of Lourdes, Sherwood, St. Francis Xavier, St. Joachim, St. Lawrence, St. Marguerite D'Youville, St. Mark, St. Mary, St. Patrick and Viola Desmond.

Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter covering education at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com