As previously reported, Hunter Valley Buses has come under fire in recent weeks after a string of school and service bus cancellations with little or no notice or replacement services, which have left students stranded.

It has since launched a Facebook group and a SMS alert service to notify families about cancellations.

Port Stephens Coaches general manager Chris Fogg said he expected his company to start helping Hunter Valley Buses next week, by operating two school services in the morning and two in the afternoon, across the Tomaree and Tiligerry peninsulas.

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"I made a few comments openly that operators could help if they have some spare capacity, release drivers and offer some of their fleet to try and lessen the shortages that they have," Mr Fogg said.

"It's most important that children have a pathway to school and home again safely.

"We will help wherever we can to support them with the main issue and that's getting people to and from their destination safely."

Mr Fogg said to help, he had to ensure the Port Stephens Coaches vehicles had fire suppression, tyre monitoring and were Opal enabled.

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"[We will help] until they get [the cancellations] sorted... as long as they need us to help. Our team is happy to take it on and be part of the solution at the moment."

Hunter Valley Buses had to cancel eight school services on Tuesday afternoon, which were covered by other buses displaying different numbers.

A spokesperson for CDC NSW [parent company ComfortDelGro Corporation] said Hunter Valley Buses was "continuously improving its performance through alternate rostering practices and active recruitment campaigns".

"We are onboarding staff regularly and providing training and support for people who wish to become a bus driver," they said.

"With the impact of influenza and COVID, there are drivers' shortages across different regions in NSW and we are working with Transport for NSW to find solutions."

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington welcomed the news.

"Finally, after many months of bus chaos, sensible solutions are coming into play," Ms Washington said.

"After receiving lame excuses for months from the government that the problem couldn't be fixed, I'm pleased to see the solution I put forward is now being put into effect.

"Because I'm still getting multiple reports of school buses being cancelled daily - local families are fed up.

"Hopefully once the new plan is in place, families, students and schools will be able to rely on school buses to actually turn up.

"Our community is very grateful to Port Stephens Coaches for their help."

Meanwhile, Port Stephens Council has started a two year trial of an on-demand community bus service for Karuah.

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