Ottawa Students Learn Essential School Bus Safety Before Classes Start

As the new school year approaches, students in Ottawa are receiving vital lessons in school bus safety. An event organized by the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) and the Ottawa Safety Council took place on August 27, 2023, aimed at preparing Kindergarten students for their first bus rides. This initiative provides young learners with the knowledge they need to navigate their daily commutes safely.

With the first day of school on the horizon, many parents are experiencing a mix of excitement and anxiety. Kristen D’Amours expressed her emotions as she watched her four-year-old son, Logan, board a bus for the first time. “Just seeing him grow up into the guy that he is, it’s just great,” she said. With Logan set to start school next week, D’Amours felt that the event was an excellent opportunity for him to learn what to expect. “He needs to know what’s happening, and I like to know what’s happening as well,” she noted.

The safety lessons provided by OSTA include practical demonstrations on how to wait for the bus, board and disembark safely, and walk across streets. Stacey Kay, OSTA’s General Manager and Chief Administrative Officer, highlighted the importance of these lessons. “There would be thousands of Kindergarten students riding a bus for the first time each year,” she stated. Kay emphasized that events like this one reassure both students and parents that they can travel to school safely and have fun doing so.

Bus driver Kim MacLachlan underscored that these sessions are also beneficial for drivers. “I tell them there’s going to be snow, so you might have to step over the snowbank and talk through all the little things that might happen,” she explained. This preparation helps keep safety at the forefront of the children’s minds as they embark on their new journeys.

Rebecca Morse shared how the information session positively impacted her daughter, Rowan. As the first day of school approaches, she noted that the event has helped Rowan feel more confident about her upcoming experience. “It seems like they’re going to take good care of her when she goes off to school,” Morse said.

Each year, approximately 75,000 students rely on yellow school buses or OC Transpo for transportation to their classes in Ottawa. The combination of these safety lessons and hands-on experiences sets the stage for a successful and secure school year for many young students.