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

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

Deadline extended! New Joint Custody forms now due 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. For details: ow.ly/140c50YMNI3

🚌 At OSTA, our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for OCDSB and OCSB students. We invite you to take two minutes to reflect on your family’s transportation experience this past school year. Your anonymous feedback is important and will be shared with our transportation operators as we work together to ensure the best possible experience for our students. Please submit by June 9. ⏱️ Time: No more than 2 minutes (skip any questions not relevant to you!) 🔒 Privacy: Completely anonymous 🔗 Link: ow.ly/3T3n50Z68kq By completing and submitting the survey, you are giving your informed consent. Thank you for your time and valuable input! Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) Ottawa Catholic Schools (OCSB)

Seeing yellow on the road? It means slow down or caution. Yellow flashing lights on a school bus warn nearby drivers that the bus is getting ready to stop. Slow down when you see yellow flashing lights on a school bus. Prepare to stop when yellow lights turn to red flashing lights. We've partnered with BusPatrol to pilot automated enforcement technology to understand how often cars fail to stop for stopped school buses, and how we can make roads safer for students. For more information, go to ow.ly/5YLt50Z3NPJ

Do you know when to stop for a school bus? When a school bus stops and its red lights are flashing, you are required to stop, whether you’re approaching from the front or behind. Drivers coming from behind must stay at least 20 metres back and remain stopped until the bus moves or the lights stop flashing. The only exception is on roads with a physical median, where only traffic behind the bus is required to stop. Learn more about our pilot program with BusPatrol at ow.ly/qpFp50Z3NNZ

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/jHwN50Z6jAL Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) Ottawa Catholic Schools (OCSB)

Time is running out - New Joint Custody forms due today! 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 1 to ensure transportation can begin on the first day of school in September. For details: ow.ly/140c50YMNI3

Today is the last day to opt out of transportation. Did you know that if your eligible child doesn't require school bus transportation for the 2026-2027 school year, you can opt out? Please fill out an online form by June 1 to let OSTA know that a seat is not needed. This will help optimize services and minimize disruptions. Requests for reinstated service can be made anytime through OSTA’s Transportation Issues Form, and is subject to availability and eligibility. For more information: ow.ly/hcWb50YMLVV

School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week is a dedicated time to recognize and celebrate the commitment, professionalism, and care shown by School Crossing Guards in keeping our roads safer—especially for students walking or cycling to school. Their presence supports safe and active travel, builds trust within neighbourhoods, and contributes directly to community well-being. Thank you!!!

🚌 At OSTA, our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for OCDSB and OCSB students. We invite you to take two minutes to reflect on your family’s transportation experience this past school year. Your anonymous feedback is important and will be shared with our transportation operators as we work together to ensure the best possible experience for our students. Please submit by June 9. ⏱️ Time: No more than 2 minutes (skip any questions not relevant to you!) 🔒 Privacy: Completely anonymous 🔗 Link: ow.ly/rcY250Z68ks By completing and submitting the survey, you are giving your informed consent. Thank you for your time and valuable input!

ICYMI: We’ve launched a new pilot program with BusPatrol to help tackle the issue of illegal school bus passings and explore how technology can keep our students safe. Some of our buses are now equipped with cameras that use artificial intelligence to detect when drivers don’t stop for the bus, putting students at risk. During this pilot, no citations will be issued. Instead, we will be collecting data and video to reveal just how often cars illegally pass stopped school buses, and how technology could make our roads safer. Want to learn more? Visit ow.ly/YVAc50Z3NMY

Time is running out! June 1 is the deadline to opt out of transportation. Did you know that if your eligible child doesn't require school bus transportation for the 2026-2027 school year, you can opt out? Please fill out an online form by June 1 to let OSTA know that a seat is not needed. This will help optimize services and minimize disruptions. Requests for reinstated service can be made anytime through OSTA’s Transportation Issues Form, and is subject to availability and eligibility. For more information: ow.ly/hcWb50YMLVV

We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with BusPatrol to launch a new program aimed at reducing unsafe driving around our school buses and improving student safety. A select number of school buses are equipped with cameras that detect when motorists illegally pass a stopped bus. This initiative will help us to understand just how often cars fail to stop for school buses and how we can make roads safer. During the pilot program, no citations will be issued. For more information, visit ow.ly/U5SU50Z3NJA

OSTA's Joint Custody forms for the 2026-2027 school year are now 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 1 to ensure transportation can begin on the first day of school in September. For details: ow.ly/140c50YMNI3

Reminder! Opt out of transportation - June 1 deadline. Did you know that if your eligible child doesn't require school bus transportation for the 2026-2027 school year, you can opt out? Please fill out an online form by June 1 to let OSTA know that a seat is not needed. This will help optimize services and minimize disruptions. Requests for reinstated service can be made anytime through OSTA’s Transportation Issues Form, and is subject to availability and eligibility. For more information: ow.ly/hcWb50YMLVV

OSTA is pleased to announce Jennifer Borrel-Benoit as our new General Manager and CAO, effective May 11, 2026. As a bilingual leader with over 25 years of experience at the OCDSB, Jennifer brings a wealth of expertise in strategic operations and specialized student transportation. We look forward to seeing all the great work she will do for our students and their families. 🔗 Read the full announcement here: ow.ly/zpmB50YRhCO

Today, we proudly recognize and celebrate National Bus Driver Appreciation Day! 🚌 School bus drivers play an important role in each student’s day, providing a safe, calm, and welcoming start in the morning and a dependable ride home in the afternoon. They show up with patience, professionalism, and a deep commitment to safety. From early mornings to busy afternoons, they do far more than drive—they help create a positive and consistent environment that supports students in their journey to school. Thank you for the care and dedication you bring to every route every day. #BusDriverAppreciation #ThankYouDrivers #StudentTransportation

It’s a beautiful spring day! But a phone screen can make you blind to danger. 🎧 Students: If you are wearing headphones, keep the volume low or remove one earbud so you can hear oncoming traffic or sirens. 📱 Keep your heads up and phones down when crossing the street. A split second of distraction can have consequences. #SpringIntoSafety #HeadsUp #PedestrianSafety