School buses across Ottawa and throughout eastern Ontario were cancelled Wednesday morning because of heavy snowfall. "All school bus transportation service for English Catholic and public schools and French Catholic and public schools, operating within the City of Ottawa, (are) cancelled today," Rob Masterson of the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority said in an early morning email.
Buses for the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario and the Upper Canada District School Board were also cancelled, according to a memo from Marc Gosset at Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario. The Renfrew County Joint Transport Consortium cancelled buses to all of the boards it serves.
First responders in the capital region urged drivers to be cautious Wednesday morning as highways and streets were slippery. Environment Canada issued a weather travel advisory early on the morning of January 29, warning of reduced visibility and heavy snow. The storm is expected to taper off later.
Schools are still open, and OC Transpo was still operating. Meanwhile, Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services reported the cancellation of West Parry Sound area school buses for several routes, including Britt/Nobel and Mactier/Humphrey/Rosseau. Schools remained open for students who can arrive safely.
Parents were reminded to pick up students at the end of the school day due to the cancelled bus routes. Full details on cancellations can be accessed via the Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services website.
Further cancellations were noted across the Greater Toronto Area, which is under the same winter weather travel advisory causing slippery road conditions. The Student Transportation of Peel Region announced buses were cancelled today for Zone 3, along with certain routes of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.
Schools stayed open for parents who could drive their children. The Halton District and Halton Catholic District schools also experienced cancellations for Zone 3, but remained open. Durham Student Transportation Services cancelled buses in Zone 1, serving both the Durham District and Durham Catholic District school boards, with schools still operational.
Across Ottawa and eastern Ontario, snow continues to blanket the region. A winter weather travel advisory remains effective, calling for an additional 5 centimeters of snow through the day. Included among the boards affected are the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board, with all exams cancelled for secondary students on Wednesday.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board mentioned, "OCDSB schools are still open," with parents and caregivers welcome to drop off children and pick them up at regular bell times. The Extended Day Program remains operational for registered students.
Simcoe County also faced cancellations today, with the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium announcing all school buses across all zones had been cancelled. Zones affected include North (Elmvale, Midland, Penetanguishene), West (Collingwood, Stayner & Wasaga Beach), Central (Barrie, Innifil & Angus), and South (Alliston, Beeton, Bradford, Cookstown & Tottenham). Schools remain open for students.
Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario noted cancellation of transport services due to the continuing storm and inclement weather, marking the second consecutive day of bus cancellations for Peterborough and Northumberland. Officials confirmed schools remain open for any students who can make it there.