All school bus routes in Sudbury will resume Monday

Sudbury school buses to return Monday after a storm hiatus, the transport consortium says. All routes serving the city and outlying areas are scheduled to run.

It took a full two weeks, but the school bus consortium in Greater Sudbury says all school bus routes will resume March 30.

The routes have gradually been returning since the record-breaking late winter snowstorm hit the city. Many municipal services were closed while city crews and contractors struggled to clear the roads of as much as 50 cm of snow that fell mostly from March 15-16.

“All student transportation services will resume full operation on Monday,” the consortium announced in a statement Friday on social media.

“All school bus routes serving the City of Greater Sudbury and all outlying communities are scheduled to run.”

While the buses will be running, the statement said some weather-related challenges remain.

Narrow roadways

“Due to the significant snowfall received, many roadways remain narrow,” the consortium said.

“As a result, drivers may still need to use the mTransport application to notify parents when a bus cannot safely access a stop. We encourage parents to monitor the app closely for updates.”

Motorists are also reminded that some roads can’t accommodate a school bus and a passenger vehicle at the same time.

“Your cooperation in yielding to school buses helps keep students and drivers safe,” the statement said.

“Parents are reminded that they always have the final decision regarding their child’s safety. If you believe conditions are unsafe for your child to walk to the bus stop or to school, you may choose an alternate arrangement that best supports your family’s needs.”

Parents are being asked to remind their children to remain seated and speak quietly so drivers can concentrate on the road.

“Drivers cannot safely manage student discipline while navigating challenging road conditions,” the statement said.

“We extend our sincere thanks to families, schools, and the community for their patience, support and understanding throughout the past week.”