OSTA says more than 30 school bus drivers are in training

Ottawa’s school bus authority said it currently has 33 trainees learning to drive school buses, as parents, students and families continue to cope with the effects of an ongoing school bus driver shortage.

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) credits its recruitment campaign for most of its 33 drivers who are now in training.

In a written update, OSTA also said that its number of cancelled school bus runs was down by 16 per cent from its last update on Oct. 5. It explained that the shortage of school bus drivers can fluctuate based on driver retention, holidays, and medical absences.

OSTA’s board of directors again acknowledged the frustration of parents and students who are affected by the ongoing school bus driver shortage, and apologized for the hardship the cancellations have caused.

More than 9,000 students were suddenly left without school bus transportation at the beginning of the school year. Earlier this month, the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority announced a leave of absence for its chief administrative officer, Vicky Kyriaco, amid calls from some parents for her resignation.