School buses cancelled in Sudbury, Ont., following major storm cleanup

The Sudbury School Bus Consortium is suspending all school buses in Greater Sudbury as the community continues to clean up following a major storm.

The consortium said it’s due to “road conditions that pose an unacceptable safety risk to students, pedestrians and operators.”

“Children should not walk to and from school until sidewalks or pathways have been cleared in their respective communities,” the consortium stated in a release.

“Parents and guardians are asked to assess the situation daily, and allow their children to walk only when there is a safe pathway to and from school.”

The consortium said it has several safety concerns, including no safe waiting areas for students as well as inadequate road width for pedestrians and oncoming vehicles.

It added the city has suspended its own garbage and recycling collection due to safety concerns.

“School buses have a longer wheelbase than this equipment,” the consortium said.

“Where the city cannot safely operate its waste collection vehicles, the consortium cannot safely operate school buses.”

According to the City of Greater Sudbury, as of Friday, all roads have “received at least a first pass and basic access restored, city crews have shifted focus to clearing laneways and cul-de-sacs as well as widening roads.”

The consortium said it’s working to implement modified routes to get students back to class. It said as those are established, it will notify parents of the newly created central stops.

Schools in Sudbury are open and parents are encouraged to make sure their children have a safe way to school.

“In the interim, if possible, parents and guardians are encouraged to drive their children to school and pick them up after school. Please be patient and exercise extra care. Carpooling is also recommended to minimize traffic congestion near schools.”

The consortium said parents should contact them directly if they have no way to get their child to or from school.