🚌 October 19–23 is School Bus Safety Week, and Wednesday, October 21 is Bus Driver Appreciation Day! 💛 Every day, drivers across Ontario brave early mornings, busy roads, and all kinds of weather to get students to and from school safely. Their patience, care, and dedication make them true everyday heroes! Quick Safety Reminders: 🛑 Stop for flashing red lights and extended stop arms in both directions. 🟡 Slow down in school zones and watch for children at bus stops. ⏰ Be patient and give buses extra room during pickup and drop-off. To all our incredible drivers—THANK YOU for keeping our communities moving! 👏 Take a moment this Wednesday to say thanks to your driver! For more information, visit our website! ottawaschoolbus.ca #SchoolBusSafetyWeek #BusDriverAppreciationDay #SafetyFirst #EverydayHeroes

Did you hear? To commemorate School Bus Safety Week (October 19-23) and Driver Appreciation Day (October 21), OSTA is once again running an Art Contest. The theme? Celebrating your journey to and from school! All kindergarten to grade 12 students from the OCDSB and OCSB are encouraged to participate! Deadline is November 13, 2026 For details, visit our website: ow.ly/1Mbs50ZY92g

OSTA will hold a virtual Public Governance Board meeting on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. The OSTA Board of Directors welcomes all members of the public to attend and welcomes constructive public input into its deliberations from delegates. To register as an observer or a delegate, please visit our website. The deadline for registration is 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2026. ow.ly/xVgQ50ZXCWC

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, OSTA staff joins the country to honour residential school Survivors, remember the children who never came home, and recognize the lasting impact on Indigenous families and communities. 🧡 #truthandreconciliation #everychildmatters

Let's all do our part to keep students and our community safe! Please remember to be extra vigilant and follow the school bus safety laws. 🟠 Flashing overhead amber lights mean the bus is preparing to stop. When you see them, you should: Slow down Be prepared to stop Watch for children 🔴 Flashing red lights mean the bus has stopped. You must not pass the bus from either direction. This is when children are getting on or off the bus. ✅ Drivers, slow down in school zones and remember to “Walk a Block” whenever you can! Let's work together to ensure a safe and successful school year for everyone!

Resting Our Wheels This Labour Day! 🚌 Happy Labour Day to all the hard-working drivers, school staff, and parents/caregivers who make every school journey safe and smooth. Enjoy the long weekend, and soak up the last bits of summer. 📌 Note: The OSTA office will be closed on Labour Day Monday, September 7, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8.

📷 Back-to-School Bus Schedule Notice As the new school year starts, pick-up and drop-off times can vary a bit during the first couple of weeks. Drivers are adjusting to new routes, traffic is heavier across the city, and our younger students often need extra time getting on board. Please make sure your child is at their bus stop at least 5 minutes before their scheduled pickup time. Thank you for your patience while everyone gets used to the new routine! We encourage parents/caregivers to check the OSTA Parent Portal again to verify transportation details before the first day. For bus delays and cancellations, you can also install the OSTA App. If you used the app last year, you must re-enter the transportation information for the new school year to receive notifications. Wishing everyone a wonderful school year!

Important reminder: Check Your Child’s Transportation Info Before the First Day of School OSTA staff continue to update bus and van routes as we process new registrations, address changes and other student data. Parents, including parents of students on vans, if you haven't already done so, register for the OSTA Parent Portal Please check it regularly and prior to the first day of school for possible changes to your child's transportation information. Parent Portal: ow.ly/unz950ZGH50

The OSTA Parent Portal is now open for the 2026-2027 school year! Read our latest Back-to-School message for important updates on student transportation, including bus routes, our new Kindergarten Alternate Release Authorization Form, the empty seat program and how to stay updated using the OSTA app. Read the full update here: ow.ly/RBkH50ZBEYa

Please note the Parent Portal, which will contain busing information for the 2026-2027 school year, will open in the afternoon of Tuesday, August 18, 2026. You do not need to register for a school bus. Eligible students who are registered with their school are automatically assigned a bus. Check Eligibility: Visit our website and use the “Do I Qualify?” tool. Be sure to select your child’s grade for the 2026-2027 school year. Get Route Details: Bus stop times and locations will be available on the Parent Portal as of the afternoon on Tuesday, August 18. Parent Portal Setup: If you don’t have an account, you can create one on our website. Ensure the email address you use matches the one your child’s school has on file.

Sign up for First Rider today! 🏫🚍 All children entering the school system and/or taking the bus for the first time, or new residents to the City should plan to attend. The day’s activities are suitable for all elementary school-age children and everyone is welcome. The event takes place on Sunday, August 23, 2026 at multiple school locations across Ottawa. For more information and to register, visit our website: ow.ly/EWOj50Z6jAK Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) Ottawa Catholic Schools (OCSB)

Sign up for First Rider today! 🏫🚍 All children entering the school system and/or taking the bus for the first time, or new residents to the City should plan to attend. The day’s activities are suitable for all elementary school-age children and everyone is welcome. The event takes place on Sunday, August 23, 2026 at multiple school locations across Ottawa. For more information and to register, visit our website: ow.ly/EWOj50Z6jAK Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) Ottawa Catholic Schools (OCSB)

As the 2025/2026 school year comes to end, let’s give a big shoutout to our amazing school bus and van drivers! They keep our kids safe, greet them with a smile, and start their day with kindness. Have a wonderful summer!!!

Happy last day of school to all OCDSB students! Enjoy everything that summer has to offer! 😎

Happy last day of school to all OCSB students! Enjoy everything that summer has to offer! 😎

Year End Reminders! As the school year comes to a close, we want to ensure you have all the information you need for a successful start this fall. Visit our website to review these important year-end reminders regarding 2026–2027 transportation registration, upcoming portal closures, and our annual First Rider safety event. ottawaschoolbus.ca/

OSTA had a fantastic time connecting with families at Vincent Massey Public School’s Priorities Night on Wednesday, June 10. While parents and caregivers discussed upcoming school budgets and strategic goals, the highlight for many was introducing incoming kindergarteners to their brand-new school environment. Our team loved meeting future riders and their families, answering questions, and inviting everyone to our upcoming First Rider Day this August. A huge shoutout to First Student and driver Shangar for bringing a real school bus for the kids (and parents!) to explore. Getting a sneak peek inside ahead of September made the upcoming school year feel real and exciting!

It's back!! Sign up for First Rider today! 🏫🚍 All children entering the school system and/or taking the bus for the first time, or new residents to the City should plan to attend. The day’s activities are suitable for all elementary school-age children and everyone is welcome. The event takes place on Sunday, August 23, 2026 at multiple school locations across Ottawa. For more information and to register, visit our website: ow.ly/EWOj50Z6jAK Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) Ottawa Catholic Schools (OCSB)

Reminder of deadline extension for NEW joint custody forms: June 15, 2026. OSTA's Joint Custody forms for the 2026-2027 school year are available on our website. Variable Transportation is when OSTA provides transportation services to students who have a joint custody/access arrangement and whose two homes meet all eligibility requirements. The deadline for NEW applications is June 15 to ensure transportation can begin on the first day of school in September. If there are NO changes to your child(ren)’s information (e.g. address, school) or schedule, then only a calendar needs to be submitted to OSTA no later than June 30 of every school year. In this case, the calendar (TRA-T22B) will only require one parent’s signature. For details: ow.ly/140c50YMNI3