Ottawa Student Transportation Authority warns short-term school bus cancellations are possible when classes resume
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority warns school bus trips could be cancelled at a moment's notice due to COVID-19 when students return to class next week.
Students with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board return to class on Monday for the first time since before Christmas. Classes have been held online since Jan. 5.
Yellow school bus and van service for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students will resume on Monday after the break.
However, the organization responsible for all school transportation say there "may be an increase in service disruptions" related to COVID-19 short-and-long-term.
"We are doing everything we possibly can to get as much service out on Monday as possible," said Ottawa Student Transportation Authority general manager Vicky Kyriaco.
"One of the issues that we can't control, of course, is whether drivers are going to be sick or not and everybody has to isolate along the way. So, we are hoping as many as possible will be out on day one."
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority says drivers may be forced to self-isolate due to COVID-19, meaning short-term cancellations may occur day-to-day.
"Depending on circumstances, some routes may return to normal within a day or two, while others may be cancelled for a longer period of time," said the OSTA.
All short-term cancellations will be posted on the OSTA's delay and cancellation page. Any long-term cancellations will be posted to the OCDSB and OCSB cancellations lists.
Kyriaco says the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority is also dealing with a driver shortage that has been plaguing the system since the start of the school year.
"We still have a driver shortage. We are still working to find a solution," said Kyriaco during an interview on CTV Morning Live.
"We have had some drivers, new drivers have been hired and we're continuing to work with the operators to help them recruit and get the word out that we still need drivers."
Approximately 85 per cent of school bus drivers are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated drivers must undergo rapid antigen testing twice a week.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority is asking parents and guardians to assess their child's health before they board the bus.
"If your child has COVID-19 symptoms, do not put them on the bus/van or drop them off at school," said the OSTA.
Kyriaco says there is still a seating plan in place for all school buses, with students assigned a seat.
"It's really important for parents to remind their kids to sit in their assigned seat."
All students are required to wear a mask on the bus. Drivers have been provided personal protective equipment, including non-fit tested N95 masks or medical-grade masks, face shields, goggles and rapid antigen tests.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.