Please review the Important Messaging from OSTA to prepare for the 2024-25 School year

Joint Custody and Transportation to Two Homes – Renewals 

• Important Deadline – Joint Custody renewals must be done every year. The renewal form  for existing variable transportation arrangements (Joint Custody) is available online.  Renewal Joint Custody Forms must be submitted NO LATER THAN June 30 by at least one  parent/guardian. 

Empty Seats/Courtesy Seating for the 2024-25 School Year 

• Over the past few years, we have experienced significant disruption to our transportation  services due to the driver shortage. Though we are cautiously optimistic that this coming  fall's service will roll out smoothly due to our proactive measures, it is difficult to predict  driver status. It is not uncommon for drivers to not return after the summer break or to  resign early in the school year. As our first priority is to provide reliable transportation to  eligible students, the Empty Seats/Courtesy program will NOT be reinstated in September.  We will re-evaluate this decision later in the fall when we have better visibility on the status  of our services.

OSTA Parent Web Portal Closed 

• OSTA’s Parent Web Portal (Bus Stop Finder) will be closed from the end of June until mid August. The portal will reopen with next year’s transportation information. Please regularly check OSTA’s website and social media pages for important transportation announcements,  deadlines, and other vital information. 

Not Using the Bus Next Year? Let OSTA Know by Declining Transportation

•  Are you eligible for transportation but not using it next year? Decline today. Keeping OSTA  informed is important as it allows us to better use available transportation services for those  who need them. For more information, visit OSTA’s website. 

Take the Wheel and Drive Yellow Today 

• Looking for a satisfying part-time job that fits your work-life balance? Take the wheel and  drive yellow. Yellow school bus drivers are impactful workers who are highly valued by our  communities for getting kids safely to school. Visit driveyellow.ca for more information on  becoming a school bus driver. 

BusPlanner Web Account 

• Are you seeking information about your child’s bus stop location and pick up/drop off time?  Once you have created a subscriber account in BusPlanner Web you can add your child.  Simply input their OEN (Ontario Education Number) along with their birthdate, grade, and  the school they attend, and you will have access to all of your child’s transportation  information. The OEN can be found on your child’s report card or by contacting your child’s  school.

OSTA Rebrand 

• OSTA is thrilled to announce the launch of its revamped brand identity and new website this  summer. This transformation signifies a new beginning for OSTA, highlighting our dedication  to leadership, modernization, inclusiveness, and community engagement. We aim to  showcase our commitment to being a dependable and caring transportation provider. Our  new website is modern, accessible, and user-friendly, ensuring seamless navigation for all  users. It offers clear information about our services, policies, and updates. Stay tuned! 

Summer Communication  

• As a commitment to transparency, OSTA will continue to provide bus driver status updates  throughout the summer as it gears up for another school year. OSTA is dedicated to  providing students with a safe way to travel to and from school while giving  parents/guardians the peace of mind they deserve. Updates will be available on the OSTA website.