1/2 🚐💛 School buses aren't the only vehicles getting students safely to and from school! Student transportation vans play an important role in helping students get where they need to go. This National School Bus Safety Week, we're sharing 6 Van Safety Tips to help students and families make every ride a safe one! From buckling up and keeping aisles clear to using quiet voices and keeping snacks packed away, small actions can make a big difference. 👉 Swipe through our carousel and review these important safety reminders with your child. Together, we can help keep every student safe, every ride! #BusSafetyWeek #StudentTransportation #VanSafety #OSTA

2/2 🚐💛 School buses aren't the only vehicles getting students safely to and from school! Student transportation vans play an important role in helping students get where they need to go. This National School Bus Safety Week, we're sharing 6 Van Safety Tips to help students and families make every ride a safe one! From buckling up and keeping aisles clear to using quiet voices and keeping snacks packed away, small actions can make a big difference. 👉 Swipe through our carousel and review these important safety reminders with your child. Together, we can help keep every student safe, every ride! #BusSafetyWeek #StudentTransportation #VanSafety #OSTA

🚦🚌 💛Do you know what to do when a school bus flashes its amber or red lights? Whether you're driving to work, running errands or heading home, knowing what school bus lights mean and how to respond can make all the difference in keeping students safe. 🟠 Amber lights: Slow down and prepare to stop. 🔴 Red lights: STOP! Never pass a school bus with its red lights flashing. This National School Bus Safety Week, we're reminding all drivers that school bus safety is everyone's responsibility! 👉 Swipe through our carousel to learn what the lights mean and how you can help keep students safe on the road. #BusSafetyWeek #SchoolBusSafety #OSTA #RoadSafety

A message from OSTA Board of Directors President Brett Reynolds on Driver Appreciation Day: On behalf of the OSTA Board of Directors, I want to say a huge thank you to all of our school bus and van drivers. Every day, you are the first friendly face our students see in the morning and the caring person who brings them home safely in the afternoon. Even on difficult days with traffic and bad weather, you keep our kids safe and cared for. You are a very important part of our school community, and we are so grateful for your hard work. To our families, schools, and neighbours: please take a moment today to say a big thank-you to your driver! Thank you for everything you do for our students. With great appreciation, Brett Reynolds OSTA President

🚌💛 Today, we're celebrating the dedicated school bus and van drivers who go above and beyond to get students to and from school safely every day! In honour of School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, OSTA's Chief Administrative Officer, Jennifer Borrel-Benoit, shares a special video message recognizing the care, patience and commitment our drivers bring to every journey. 👏 Watch her message and join us in thanking the incredible drivers who make a difference in the lives of students and families across Ottawa! #SchoolBusDriverAppreciationDay #OSTA #SchoolBusSafetyWeek

🚌💛Happy School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Every school day, dedicated school bus drivers across Ottawa help thousands of students get to and from school safely. From early morning pick-ups to afternoon drop-offs, their patience, care and commitment make a difference in the lives of students and families. Today, we want to say a big THANK YOU to all the incredible drivers who keep our school communities moving! 👏 💛 Help us show some appreciation! Give your bus driver a wave, a smile or a heartfelt thank you today! #SchoolBusDriverAppreciationDay #ThankYouBusDrivers #OSTA #SchoolBusSafety

2/2 🚌💛 A safe school bus ride starts before students even step on board! As we celebrate National School Bus Safety Week (October 19–23), we're sharing 6 Ready to Ride Safety Tips to help students stay safe both on and off the bus. From waiting safely at the bus stop to following the rules on board, small actions can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe. 👉 Swipe through our 6 tips and take a moment to review them with your child. Together, we can help make every ride a safe one! #BusSafetyWeek #SchoolBusSafety #OSTA #StudentSafety

1/2 🚌💛 A safe school bus ride starts before students even step on board! As we celebrate National School Bus Safety Week (October 19–23), we're sharing 6 Ready to Ride Safety Tips to help students stay safe both on and off the bus. From waiting safely at the bus stop to following the rules on board, small actions can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe. 👉 Swipe through our 6 tips and take a moment to review them with your child. Together, we can help make every ride a safe one! #BusSafetyWeek #SchoolBusSafety #OSTA #StudentSafety

🚌💛 As we kick off School Bus Safety Week, Jennifer Borrel-Benoit, OSTA's General Manager/Chief Administrative Officer, shares an important message about the role we all play in keeping students safe on their journeys to and from school. From motorists and parents to school staff and students, every action makes a difference. 👉 Swipe through to read the full message and learn how we can all work together to make every ride a safe one! #SchoolBusSafetyWeek #OSTA #SchoolBusSafety

🎨🚌✏️We're celebrating National School Bus Safety Week (October 19–23) with a little creativity, and we want YOU to join the fun! 🖍️ Show off your artistic skills in our Bus Safety Art Contest! 📝 Put your words to work to create a catchy and fun Bus Safety Slogan! Whether you're colouring or writing, it's your chance to share what school bus safety means to you and help spread an important message about keeping everyone safe on the road. 💛 Open to all grades! Ready to get creative? Find out how to enter: ottawaschoolbus.ca/about-us/… #BusSafetyWeek #SchoolBusSafety #OSTA

🚌 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