6.33°C Vancouver

Sep 8, 2023 6:04 PM - The Canadian Press

School bus routes canceled due to lack of drivers in Ottawa, 7500 students affected

Share On
school-bus-routes-canceled-due-to-lack-of-drivers-in-ottawa-7500-students-affected
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority says the city's rural west end is among the hardest hit areas after a bus company that was to operate 36 routes pulled out.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Thousands of Ottawa parents are still scrambling to find a way to get their kids to school after their buses were suddenly cancelled because of a driver shortage.

About 7,500 students are affected after the bus service for both the Ottawa public and catholic school boards cancelled 300 routes just before schools opened this week.

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority says the city's rural west end is among the hardest hit areas after a bus company that was to operate 36 routes pulled out.

OSTA says they are looking to resolve service disruptions in two weeks after making changes to routes and training more drivers.

A shortage of bus drivers is not unique to Ottawa with schools in Alberta, Sudbury, Ont., and Toronto all reporting issues.

Latest news

no-immediate-risk-to-mp-amritpal-singhs-seat-despite-prolonged-absence-court-told
IndiaMar 24, 2026

No immediate risk to MP Amritpal Singh’s seat despite prolonged absence, court told

The Punjab and Haryana High Court was told Tuesday that there is no immediate threat to the parliamentary membership of Amritpal Singh, despite his absence from Parliament for 59 consecutive sitting days. According to submissions made before the court, Singh still has the option to formally apply for leave, which is typically considered by the relevant parliamentary committee. The update was provided during proceedings related to his continued absence. Under parliamentary rules, if a member is absent for 60 consecutive sittings without permission, the House may declare the seat vacant. However
one-dead-after-avalanche-near-b-c-alaska-border-rcmp-say
BCMar 24, 2026

One dead after avalanche near B.C.–Alaska border, RCMP say

One person has died after an avalanche in a remote area of northwestern British Columbia near the Alaska border, according to RCMP. Atlin RCMP said in a statement they received an SOS alert from a Garmin GPS device at about 3:26 p.m. on Sunday. The signal originated roughly 500 kilometres from the community, in a remote near the Klehini River and Pleasant Camp, close to the Canada–U.S. border. Police, along with Atlin Search and Rescue, conducted a helicopter extraction to reach the site. Officers confirmed one was found dead at the scene. Four other at the location were not injured and were
AlbertaMar 23, 2026

Alberta RCMP search for suspect after fatal highway shooting near Leduc

Alberta RCMP say a suspect remains at large following a fatal shooting on a highway south of Edmonton earlier this month, with investigators still working to determine a motive. According to an RCMP news release, the shooting occurred near Leduc on the afternoon of March 14. Witnesses reported seeing a pickup truck pull up alongside a car before speeding away. Police say the driver of the car had been shot. He managed to pull over to the side of the road, where he later died. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said officers have since located the grey pickup truck believed to be involved, b
b-c-driver-ticketed-after-appearing-asleep-at-wheel-of-tesla-on-highway-1
BCMar 23, 2026

B.C. driver ticketed after appearing asleep at wheel of Tesla on Highway 1

Police in Metro Vancouver say a driver has been ticketed after appearing to be asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla travelling along Highway 1 during morning rush hour in rainy conditions. According to a BC Highway Patrol release, the incident occurred last Tuesday in Coquitlam when an officer pulled alongside the vehicle and observed the driver with her eyes closed and arms crossed while the car was in motion on a wet and slippery roadway. Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said the driver told police she had “zoned out” but claimed she remained alert with her hands on the steering wheel. However, McL
six-charged-after-800k-in-stolen-vehicles-recovered-in-gta-carjacking-probe
BCMar 23, 2026

Six charged after $800K in stolen vehicles recovered in GTA carjacking probe

Police say eight high-end vehicles worth an estimated $800,000 have been recovered following an investigation into a series of violent carjackings across the Greater Toronto Area. According to a release from the Toronto Police Service’s Central Robbery Bureau, officers began investigating after multiple reports of armed carjackings between Jan. 18 and Feb. 1. Investigators allege the suspects targeted luxury vehicles, primarily Mercedes-Benz models, during the incidents. Police said the investigation, dubbed Project Stratis, found the accused were allegedly involved not only in carrying out

Related News