Walking School Bus (WSB) Program
If your child walks to school, they can now join up with some friends and a trained leader to accompany them to school! The Walking School Bus (WSB) promotes active transportation and healthy living. Students walk to school with a group of 10 peers and a professional leader, following a specific route and schedule.
Similar to an adult crossing guard, each WSB has a paid leader who has been trained by the Ottawa Safety Council, screened and first-aid certified to walk with your child to school.
They follow a specific route and schedule approved by OSTA and its partners. Walking to school is a safe, convenient, healthy and fun way for your child to travel to school with friends. It helps them get the daily physical activity they need to be healthy and concentrate better at school.
OSTA’s Walking School Bus (WSB) program is offered at 12 Ottawa schools. These schools have been selected for their demonstrated commitment to promoting walking to school. The WSB operates every school day in the morning at the schools listed below.
Existing WSB/Hybrid WSB students can register from June 1st to June 15th, 2022, for the 2022-2023 school year.
New students can register for the WSB/Hybrid WSB from June 16th to Aug 19th, 2022 for the 2022-2023 school year.
| School | Walking School Bus Schedule |
|---|---|
| Connaught PES | View route and stops |
| Convent Glen CES | View route and stops |
| Devonshire Community PES | View route and stops |
| Elmdale PES | View route and stops *Updated Times |
| Half Moon Bay PES | View route and stops |
| Georges Vanier CES | Cancelled for 2022/23 |
| Queen Mary Street PES | Cancelled for 2022/23 |
| Robert Bateman PES | View route and stops |
| Roch Carrier | View route and stops |
| St. Benedict CES | Cancelled for 2022/23 |
| St. Rita CES | View route and stops |
| Woodroffe Avenue PES | View route and stops *Updated Times |
Before registering for the WSB, please review the following documents:
Please contact OSTA at [email protected] if you require a paper copy of the form.
Completing the application online does not guarantee a space for your child. Space is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. A waiting list will be created when the first 10 spaces on your route have been filled. Please notify OSTA by email at [email protected] to withdraw your child from the HWSB list.
More information about the WSB
- The route at your school has been established by OSTA in consultation with the other partners. The total travel time from the start of the route to school is no more than 30 minutes, and the WSB will arrive no later than 5 minutes before the bell.
- Students using mobility aids may join; however, a barrier-free route cannot be guaranteed. Leaders will only be able to provide basic first aid care in an emergency for those children with life-threatening medical conditions.
- Your child can join at the stop closest to your home or anywhere along the route. Please arrive a few minutes before the scheduled time. The WSB will not wait for late arrivals, and door-to-door or other special stops will not be offered.
- Children are not permitted to bring their bikes, scooters, or roller blades while participating in the Walking School Bus program.
- The WSB will operate in all weather conditions including days when the yellow school buses are cancelled. It may be cancelled in the case of freezing rain or other extreme weather events. Parents will be notified no later than 30 minutes before their WSB starts.
New School Active Transportation Network and Charter The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) joined its member school Boards (OCSB and OCDSB) to sign a School Active Transportation Charter in October 2013. This represents the first step towards the creation of a new School Active Transportation Support Network that will strengthen collaboration with the City of Ottawa and Green Communities Canada to support active travel initiatives (walking, cycling, skateboarding etc.) while making the journey to and from school safer and more convenient for more families. This is part of a cross-Canada movement dedicated to children’s mobility, health, and happiness.
WSB Poster
School Active Transportation Charter
Click on School Active Transportation Charter to enlarge
Students Jamie McWilliam (left) and Sasha Rogers share stories about why they like to walk to school during the signing ceremony for Ottawa’s active school travel charter.
From left to right: Julian Hanlon, OCSB Director of Education; Mark Mullan, OCSB Chairperson; Vicky Kyriaco, OSTA General Manager; Jennifer McKenzie, OCDSB Chairperson; Walter Piovesan, OCDSB Associate Director of Education; Michael Carson, OCDSB Chief Financial Officer.
Did you Know?
Did you know that walking to school improves students’ health and ability to learn?
Studies show that children need at least 60 minutes of exercise every day in order to maintain a healthy weight and to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Schools have also reported that students who exercise in the morning before class tend to improve their grades and be more alert and ready to learn throughout the day. Students who have participated in Green Community Canada-area schools say they enjoy connecting with their friends and parents in the morning and generally feel better all around and are more aware of their communities.
Helpful resources
WSB partners
The innovative Walking School Bus Program is a partnership between OSTA, Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa Safety Council and Green Communities Canada.
