Author Archives: OSTA News
OSTA Hosts In-person Driver Appreciation Day
- Monday, 29 May 2023 11:29
- OSTA News
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Drivers, Walking School Bus Leaders and their families are being recognized on May 27, 2023, for their dedication and commitment to student transportation.
On Saturday, May 27, 2023, OSTA hosted an in-person “Driver Appreciation Day” barbeque to help recognize the efforts of all yellow bus, wheelchair bus, van drivers, and walking school bus (WSB) leaders who transport approximately 60,000 students to and from Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board schools every day. The BBQ event was a wonderful opportunity to show the people who transport our youth how much the community values their service.
“Our drivers are dedicated to ensuring that children and youth in our community have access to safe, reliable, equitable and accessible transportation to school. Every day, drivers make a positive impact on the children and youth in our city. Drivers take pride in their job, and we thank them for all their efforts and value their continued dedication.” – Hicham Hassoun, President, M&R.
“Drivers and walking school bus leaders play an integral role in a child’s day. They are often the first and last smiling faces they see on their way to and from school. OSTA’s Driver Appreciation Day event is a great way to recognize the importance of yellow bus, wheelchair bus, van drivers, and walking school bus (WSB) leaders for their commitment to student education.” – Vicky Kyriaco, General Manager/CAO of OSTA.
Every year, winners are selected for the Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Awards. The GEM awards celebrate the outstanding contributions that drivers and WSB leaders have made during the past school year. This year’s GEM recipients are Rose Anderson (Roxborough Bus Lines), Marlene Crate (Sommer Transportation Services), Dean Legue (Ottawa Safety Council – Walking School Bus), Wayne Spears (417/Roxborough Bus Lines), Rick Barr (Richard Barr), and Guy St. Denis (Direct Transportation Logistics) for the 2023 GEM awards. Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding service this year.
“School Bus and van drivers are the backbone of the student transportation industry. They work tirelessly to ensure the children in the community are safely transported to school each day, rain, snow or shine. We are proud to recognize our drivers’ daily efforts, especially on Driver Appreciation Day. Thank you to each driver for your dedication and commitment to student success.” – Nick McRae, General Manager, Roxborough Bus Lines Ltd.
For more information about OSTA, or to become a school bus driver, please visit our websites or follow OSTA on Social Media @OttSchoolBus.
Job Posting: Transportation Assistant
- Friday, 19 May 2023 13:00
- OSTA News
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Position: Transportation Assistant (1 Regular)
Location: Ottawa Student Transportation Authority, 1547 Merivale Road, Suite 300
Work Schedule: 35 hours per week/12 months per year (overtime during peak periods)
Start Date: As soon as possible
Salary Range: $43,241 to $55,242
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) manages and delivers student transportation services safely, effectively and efficiently for the more than 68,000 students of the Ottawa Catholic and Ottawa-Carleton District School Boards receiving transportation services each day.
Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Transportation Coordinator, the Transportation Assistant is responsible to support the planning and administration of transportation routes; however, the incumbent also conducts route and school site audits, hazard reviews and other outdoor-related activities. The Transportation Assistant also provides front-line telephone support services to parents/schools/operators and the general public, provides administrative support to the operations and activities of OSTA, and other related duties as assigned by the Transportation Coordinator.
Qualifications:
• A Secondary School graduation diploma and 2 years related transportation experience.
• Effective telephone manner, and excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated tact, judgment, and diplomacy in a high energy environment; and excellent organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and the ability to multitask effectively.
• Technical skills include proficiency using software including transportation, databases, spreadsheets, word-processing, and electronic mail; knowledge of provincial legislation related to student transportation and pertinent board and department policies; as well as excellent map reading skills and superior knowledge of zone routes, traffic patterns, and volume.
• Willingness to work flexible and extended hours to meet work demands during peak periods including evenings and weekends.
• Valid Ontario Class G driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle.
This is a unionized position. Applications will be considered in accordance with the collective agreement.
For more details, please download the full Job Description.
The Application deadline is Tuesday June 6, 2023.
Please email your cover letter and resume to:
Vicky Kyriaco, General Manager and Chief Administrative Officer
E-mail: [email protected] (in .doc or pdf format only)
School Bus and Pedestrian Safety Day
- Wednesday, 10 May 2023 10:54
- OSTA News
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School Bus and Pedestrian Safety Awareness Day – Sunday, August 27, 2023
Is this your child’s first time on the bus or walking to school? School Bus and Pedestrian Safety Awareness Day is a great opportunity for your child to learn about being safe on their way to school.
School Bus Safety
Children can take a school bus ride while their families tag along, watch an interactive school bus safety video, and enjoy games! All children entering the school system for the first time in the fall, or new residents to the area should plan to attend. The day’s activities are suitable for all elementary school-age children and everyone is welcome.
Each session takes approximately 45 minutes. The following activities are available at the school sites:
– Learn how to get on and off the bus safely
– Take a ride on the school bus
– Bus safety information and hand-outs will be provided
– Watch a school bus safety video
– Participants will receive bus safety certificates and colouring books along with the information
Young Pedestrian Safety
With the Ottawa Safety Council’s interactive pedestrian training, children practice on a make-believe cross-walk with real lights and sounds. The sessions take about 20 minutes and is facilitated by a safety specialist.
| School Name | Offering | Addresss | Phone # |
| St. Mark High School | Eng/Ped/Bus | 1040 Dozois Rd, Manotick | 613-224-8800 |
| Sir Robert Borden High School | Eng/Ped/Bus | 131 Greenbank Rd, Nepean | 613-224-8800 |
| Brookfield High School | Eng/Ped/Bus | 824 Brookfield Rd, Ottawa | 613-224-8800 |
| Holy Trinity Catholic High School | Eng/Ped/Bus | 180 Katimavik Rd, Kanata | 613-224-8800 |
| St. Peter Catholic High School | Eng/Ped/Bus | 750 Charlemagne Blvd, Orléans | 613-224-8800 |
| École élémentaire catholic Saint-Joseph d’Orléans | Fr/Autobus | 6664 rue Carrière, Orleans | 613-746-3654 |
| École élémentaire publique Charlotte Lemieux | Fr/Autobus | 2093 prom. Bel-Air, Ottawa | 613-746-3654 |
To sign up for a French session please visit the Consortium de transport scolaire d’Ottawa website.
Pour vous inscrire à une session en français, veuillez visiter le site Web du Consortium de transport scolaire d’Ottawa.
Ready to Register? Click the link below!
If you cannot attend the in-person School Bus and Pedestrian Safety Day parents, guardians and students can still prepare for their bus ride to school by visiting OSTA’s safety webpage for online safety videos and materials! There are also online resources for students who walk to school on OSTA’s pedestrian safety webpage.
School Bus Route Changes Due to Flooding
- Sunday, 07 May 2023 16:31
- OSTA News
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OSTA has been in contact with its City partners to determine which roads have been closed due to flooding. The large school bus runs below have been temporarily revised to avoid these roadways. This may impact the stop locations, run directions and/or stop times. These changes will take effect on Monday, May 8th, 2023. OSTA will continue to monitor and update this page. Please note that cancellations and delays will be posted on the web as usual.
For families assigned to small vehicle transportation and residing within closures, the Operator will contact you directly.
St. Michael (Fitzroy) School – See Route Changes by School Below
V48 MIF: Morning (MIF.002) Afternoon (MIF.102) (back to reg schedule)
V49 MIF: Morning (MIF.005) Afternoon (MIF.105) (back to reg schedule)
P06 MIF: Morning (MIF.006) Afternoon (MIF.106) (back to reg schedule)
West Carleton School – See Route Changes by School Below
P02 WCR: Morning (WCR.030) Afternoon (WCR.130) (back to reg schedule 05/18)
V46 WCR: Morning (WCR.022) Afternoon (WCR.122) (back to reg schedule)
V51 WCR: Morning (WCR.028) Afternoon (WCR.128) (back to reg schedule)
Stonecrest School – See Route Changes by School Below
P03 SOR: Morning (SOR.021) Afternoon (SOR.121) (back to reg schedule 05/18)
V21 SOR: Morning (SOR.015) (back to reg schedule)
P18 SOR: Morning (SOR.115) (back to reg schedule)
V46 SOR: Morning (SOR.002) Afternoon (SOR.102) (back to reg schedule)
All Saints High School – See Route Changes by School Below
P05 ASE: Morning (ASE.011) Afternoon (ASE.111) (back to reg schedule 05/18)
Joint Custody Application and Renewal Forms for 2023/24 are now online
- Wednesday, 03 May 2023 15:28
- OSTA News
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Did you know the deadline for NEW Joint Custody applications is June 1st?
Each address must meet eligibility requirements to apply.
For Joint Custody RENEWALS, the deadline is June 30th! Remember, J/C renewals must be done every year. Our convenient fillable renewal form is to be completed by one parent, providing there are no changes to the existing schedule.
Please visit the Variable Transportation page to download the forms and to find out more about Variable Transportation to two homes.