Student Transportation Information
Student Transportation
At the TDSB, busing service may be provided for elementary students (K-5) residing 1.6 km or more from their designated school. TTC tickets may be provided for middle school students (grades 6-8) residing 3.2 km or more from their designated school.
The safety and welfare of students is a shared responsibility and parents can help by stressing school bus safety with their children. Here is some useful information that will help make your child's journey a safe one.
Boarding/Departing Bus
Parents/guardians are encouraged to review their child's walking route to the bus stop. Students getting off a bus at a stop must have an adult there to pick them up. In order to change their normal bus and/or stop, parents must contact the school office.
Passengers should arrive at the bus stop no later than five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Once bus doors are closed and the bus has departed, drivers cannot stop for late arriving students.
While waiting at the bus stop, students are expected to stand a safe distance from the street and are expected to respect private property. When the bus approaches, students must observe the instructions of the driver, especially in the winter when slick road conditions exist.
If students are required to cross the road, they should follow the driver's instructions and always cross in front of the bus with the aid of the flashing stop sign lights and crossing arm. Students dropped off at school loading zones where the bus lights are not activated, should wait until the bus departs before crossing the street.
Accidents/Breakdowns/Delays
School bus travel is extremely safe. Bus drivers are trained in defensive driving techniques and buses are carefully maintained. The size and bright yellow colour make school buses very visible. Yet, given the thousands of miles travelled annually, and the traffic conditions in our area, accidents, breakdowns and delays due to inclement weather can happen.
Parents can get the latest transportation information by signing up to the transportation portal to receive email notifications when bus companies report late buses. Delays will also be posted to https://www.torontoschoolbus.org/.
In addition, parents can contact the Toronto Student Transportation Group at 416-394-4287 or their local school in the case of delays of more than 15 minutes.
Should you have any concerns about the service you are receiving, please email complaint@torontoschoolbus.org so that we can follow up with the bus operator to address your concerns.
Please note, however, that at the beginning of each new school year there is always a short adjustment period as drivers familiarize themselves with new routes and students so there may be short delays during this time.
Severe Weather
Occasionally, severe weather conditions may require the TDSB to cancel transportation. This may occur before the beginning of the school day or if conditions become severe during the school day. Visit the www.tdsb.on.ca or https://www.torontoschoolbus.org/, check Twitter @tdsb or listen to local radio or TV stations starting at 6 a.m. for bus cancellations.
Passenger Safety
The bus driver is responsible for ensuring each passenger arrives to and from school safely each day. Drivers receive special training and rigorous examinations and must maintain a good driving record. Safe, respectful conduct is expected of all passengers.
The TDSB reserves the right to suspend transportation privileges for any student who demonstrates behaviour unreasonably distracting to the driver which may contribute to unsafe operation.
Parents are requested keep the school and transportation company up-to-date on any changes to their children’s medical health and contact information so that emergency contacts are accurate at all times throughout the year.