Ottawa school bus authority says more than 20 drivers not returning to service
CTV
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority is advising parents and caregivers that a school bus driver shortage is causing service disruptions just as kids get back to class.
Students returned to in-person learning Tuesday, though buses were cancelled in the wake of a massive winter storm that pushed schools online Monday.
But the OSTA says they’ve learned that more than 20 drivers are not coming back this week and some are not coming back at all.
“Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in Ottawa due to Omicron, there will be an increase in service disruptions affecting multiple routes,” the OSTA said. “Over the past weekend, OSTA has learned that over 20+ drivers will not be returning to service, either temporarily or permanently. This will potentially impact 3500-4000 students over and above the students whose routes have already been cancelled.”
The OSTA warned of possible route cancellations when in-person learning resumed, saying last week that they’re expecting drivers will be calling in sick.
