School bus cancellations: Who makes the call, when and what factors matter

School bus covered in snow - file image.

The first snowfall of the season has officially arrived in Simcoe County, and while school buses are still running as usual for now, the sight of snow-covered roads serves as a timely reminder of what happens when winter weather takes a turn for the worse.

According to the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC), a lot of thought and coordination goes into deciding whether buses should hit the road or stay parked during a storm.

The goal, SCSTC says, is simple, to keep students and drivers safe when weather conditions become unpredictable.

The decision-making process begins early. At 5:30 a.m., the SCSTC says a representative is assigned to be the ‘snow captain’ at each branch, responsible for reviewing road and weather conditions in their assigned geographic area.

The consortium says a conference call then takes place. The conversation includes a detailed look at several key factors, from road conditions and visibility to snow accumulation, freezing rain, and updated weather forecasts.

Operators also confirm whether snowplows have been out and if main routes are clear enough for buses to travel safely.

In many cases, drivers are already out on the roads at dawn, personally assessing how icy or snow-covered conditions may be before students start their day.

All of that information feeds into the final call, whether to cancel buses in one zone, several zones, or across the entire county.

Once a decision is made, the Simcoe County District School Board and its Catholic counterpart work quickly to notify parents, students, and staff. CTV News posts about school bus cancellations when they happen.

“Cancellations of any weather zones are communicated between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m.,” Kim Malkamaki, CEO and general manager with SCSTC stated in an email to CTV News Monday.

For up-to-date information on bus delays, parents can download the ‘BusPlanner Delays’ app and select Simcoe County STC.

While no cancellations have taken place yet this season, the SCSTC says it’s only a matter of time before winter weather puts its process to the test.