Ottawa school buses ready to resume Monday

School buses and vans return to Ottawa's streets on Monday, but with new rules, as in-person learning resumes in the capital's schools.

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA), which provides yellow bus and van service to schools in Ottawa, will begin requiring all students in grades 1 through 12 to wear a face mask, either cloth or medical, while on board all school transportation. 

School transportation officials say a neck warmer or scarf is not considered an appropriate face mask on board vehicles.

While exceptions will be made for students who are unable to wear masks for medical reasons, parents or guardians need to advise OSTA, the vehicle's operator or the school.

Drivers will stop at every stop on their routes to ensure no students are left behind.

OSTA says school transportation routes that are cancelled due to a driver shortage or other reasons will be posted on OSTA's online Parent Portal, while long-term cancellations will be posted to its long-term OCDSB and OCSB cancellations lists.