Changing school start times in Ottawa could help alleviate the current school bus shortage issue, according to a recent report. The report, conducted by Deloitte LLP and commissioned by the Ministry of Education, found that adjusting bell times could lead to additional bus runs and increased capacity to pick up more students. Last year, the families of 7,500 students were left without transportation when school buses were canceled just days before the start of the school year.
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) manages bus transportation for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB). Currently, the two boards have bell times ranging from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 2:10 p.m. to 4 p.m. The report suggests two scenarios for changing bell times, which could lead to more efficient use of buses and increased sharing of vehicles between the boards.
However, any changes to bell times exceeding 10 minutes would require approval from the school boards and are not expected to be implemented before September 2026. OSTA has stated that they will consult with parents and guardians before making any adjustments. In addition to adjusting bell times, the report also highlights the need to harmonize school calendars between the OCDSB and OCSB to reduce costs associated with underutilized vehicle capacity.
The report also addresses the funding gap faced by OSTA, projecting a $7 million deficit for the upcoming school year. This deficit could impact the quality of education offered to students in the OCDSB and OCSB. The review calls for a thorough review of bell times and other strategies to address the supply and demand imbalance for school bus services.
Former Education Minister Stephen Lecce expressed concern over the high rate of bus cancellations in Ottawa compared to the rest of the province. He emphasized the importance of OSTA and the school boards working together to implement the report’s recommendations. OSTA has already started making changes based on Deloitte’s recommendations to improve the transportation services provided to students.
Despite these efforts, OSTA faced challenges with hiring and retaining bus drivers, leading to delays in getting buses on the road. The organization has recruited new drivers to fill vacant positions and is working to address the attrition rate among new driver trainees. Efforts are ongoing to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for students in Ottawa.
In conclusion, addressing the school start times and funding issues faced by OSTA is crucial to resolving the school bus shortage and providing quality education to students in the region. Collaboration between OSTA, the school boards, and the Ministry of Education will be essential to implementing effective solutions and ensuring smooth transportation services for students.