General Information

At the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, 38,000-40,000 students require daily transportation to and from school, travelling 65,000 kilometres a day in 650 vehicles. While most of these students travel by regular yellow school bus, many require alternative modes of transportation designed to meet their special needs. Transportation for students in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is provided by the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA).

Currently all four local school districts make the decision collaboratively in order to reduce confusion and to ensure student safety. During inclement weather conditions, we encourage you to listen to one of your local radio stations, check twitter or visit the OSTA website to check for school transportation cancellations.

The transportation eligibility distance is 800 metres for junior and senior kindergarten students, 1.6 km for grade 1 to 6 students, 3 km for students in grades 7 and 8, and 3 km for students in grades 9 to 12 who reside outside the Urban Transit Area. For more information please read the OCDSB's transportation guide or OSTA's safety brochure.

Follow the OCDSB on twitter (@OCDSB) for transportation updates, upcoming events, news and more!

Bus Schedules

Updated bus routes are posted in mid-August to October 31 each year on the OSTA website at www.ottawaschoolbus.ca.

In addition to the bus route schedules being posted, please note that there is also a “Stop Locator” feature on the website. This feature will allow parents to access bus stop information for their children starting in mid-August when it will be updated with the upcoming year's bus route schedules. The “Stop Locator” feature returns bus stop and route information for eligible students who are assigned to regular “yellow school bus” service or for eligible students who are assigned to OC Transpo service.

OC Transpo route schedules will also be made available through the OSTA website or can be found directly through the OC Transpo website at www.octranspo.com.

Are you moving?

If you are moving over the summer and believe your child qualifies for transportation but you did not notify the school prior to the summer break, please contact the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) as soon as possible at 613-224-8800 to ensure transportation when school starts in September. The same applies for a change of caregiver address.

Please note that only the regular bus routes in the A.M. are published in the busing schedules. Those students who are in special education classes, who cannot find a stop in the routes published will be contacted by their drivers or they can contact the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority at 613-224-8800, to obtain their transportation arrangements. Junior or Senior kindergarten students who are transported at noon time will be contacted by their drivers prior to school starting.

School Bus Safety

We know you share our concern for the safety of every student who rides a school bus. We ask you to impress upon your child the importance of following bus safety rules and to obey the bus driver at all times.

Please review the following rules and responsibilities with your child(ren) and  remind them of the importance of good behaviour and safe conduct while riding the bus.

 At your bus stop be properly dressed for the weather, be on time and wait in a safe place.
 Stay out of the "danger zone". If you drop something under or near the bus,tell the driver.
 Don't push or shove and make sure to use the handrail when getting on or off the bus.
 Take your seat right away and after boarding, stay seated until you leave the bus.
 Don't open the window without the bus driver's permission.
 Don't throw things inside the bus or out the window.
 Always speak softly and listen to the bus driver.
 Walk straight to the shoulder of the road or sidewalk. If you must cross the street, count out 8 to 10 steps along the curb and wait for the driver's signal. Look both ways before you cross the street.

Learn More

 OSTA School Bus Safety - A Message to Parents brochure 
 OCDSB Transportation Guide 

Ottawa Student Transportation Authority
Confederation Education Centre, 1645 Woodroffe Avenue
Office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Telephone 613-224-8800
Fax 613-224-8840
For general inquiries email admin@ottawaschoolbus.ca

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority has established four transportation zones within the City of Ottawa. These zones are: West, Centre West, Centre East, and East.

If you are not sure what zone your school is assigned to please check our website at www.ottawaschoolbus.ca click on School Directory to display a complete listing of all schools and zones.

In addition to dedicated telephone extensions, each Transportation Zone now has a dedicated email address that parents may also use to communicate any concerns they may have regarding their children’s transportation arrangements in the fall: