Buses & Transportation
January 27, 2021
Update for January 26, 2021:
Buses Delayed - Route 84 delayed 10 minutes
Buses Cancelled - Routes 25 am, 114 am
WSD bussing has resumed in accordance with Provincial Level Orange Restricted.
WSD Bus transportation unavailable due to UFCW strike
Sept. 8, 2020 (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg School Division (WSD) is advising the public that school bus transportation, except for wheelchair services, is unavailable due to job action by members of UFCW 832, representing bus drivers in WSD.
This is to advise you that the UFCW 832 (Bus Drivers) have begun strike action against Winnipeg School Division today. The strike will affect transportation to school for about 2,300 WSD students. Those students who require wheelchair service will continue to be transported.
We expect that more students will be driven to school as a result of the strike, and this may cause congestion in the area of your child’s school. Please observe all traffic regulations closely, including parking restrictions and slower speeds. To help with everyone’s safety, where possible we request that you park a few blocks from the school and walk your children the remainder of the way.
We would like you to know that WSD has communicated with the parents and guardians of students who are normally bussed about the potential for a strike on several occasions since March. As recently as last week, WSD Transportation provided parents and guardians, whose children are normally bussed to school, with information about a bus driver strike and advised them of options for their children.
Picketing is expected to be concentrated at the WSD Bus Depot, however, if pickets are set up at schools, please understand that picket lines are designed to slow things down, do not force your way through. If you are stopped by the picketers, you should simply wait for a couple of minutes until they move out of your way and then proceed onto WSD property. If the picketers want to engage you in a discussion about their reasons for picketing, we recommend that you listen or politely explain that you are not involved in the dispute and that you would like to continue through to your child’s school.
Additional information about the UFCW 832 (Bus Drivers) strike will be posted on the WSD website winnipegsd.ca as it comes available.
Winnipeg School Division advising public of possible school bus driver strike
September 2, 2020 (Winnipeg, MB) –The Winnipeg School Division (WSD) Board of Trustees is advising the public that UFCW 832, representing WSD school bus drivers, has served notice to proceed to a legal strike position as of Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
The strike will impact approximately 2300 students from across WSD. Service will continue for students who are transported by wheelchair transportation services. Parents whose children are impacted by a strike will receive a letter from their school to advise them of the situation. Families are asked to make alternative arrangements for their child(ren) to get safely to and from school, and to report any absences in the usual manner.
Parents and guardians should monitor media reports for the latest news, follow @winnipegsd on Twitter or visit www.winnipegsd.ca for the latest updates.
Physical distancing protocols
WSD is planning now for the return of students to in-classroom lessons this fall. One of the significant issues with physical (social) distancing for school divisions is transportation. Letter to parents regarding Fall 2020 transportation.
Guidelines for transportation to school - Manitoba Education revised August 28
Wherever possible, alternative transportation to school is encouraged. Parents/caregivers/students may provide their own transportation, including carpooling, walking or cycling, to avoid possible virus exposure on the bus. Note that carpooling can also be a risk for transmission.
Student Transportation
Winnipeg School Division will provide for transportation services where necessary and subject to WSD regulations, The Public Schools Act and Regulations thereto, and The Highway Traffic Act. The Transportation Supervisor (under the general direction of the Secretary Treasurer) is responsible for the implementation and operation of pupil transportation within Board Policy and these regulations.
Bus and school cancellation information
Bus cancellation
During the school year there may be times when school bus transportation is cancelled due to inclement weather or poor driving conditions, but schools will remain open.
School bus transportation for all school divisions in the City of Winnipeg is cancelled:
A. If the actual temperature is -35°C (regardless of windchill) based on the 6:00 a.m. Environment Canada reading at the Forks, Winnipeg or;
B. If the wind chill reaches -45°C (regardless of air temperature) based on the 6:00 a.m. Environment Canada readings at the Forks, Winnipeg.
The temperature and windchill readings can be found at the Environment Canada website (click here for latest readings at The Forks). When bus transportation is cancelled in the morning, it will not resume later in the day even if weather conditions improve.
All major Winnipeg media outlets are contacted in the early morning and are asked that they broadcast and/or post bus cancellation information.
Severe weather conditions and poor roads may extend the running time of some buses, resulting in late arrival and departure.
Parents/guardians should make sure that children are suitably clothed until picked up and that they have a place to go in the event the bus does not arrive. Parents/guardians must also ensure that children have a place to go after the return trip.
Who Can Access Transportation Services
Requests for Special Education transportation services should be directed to the Inclusion Support Services at 204-774-4525; all other requests for transportation services should be directed to the student's school. All enquiries regarding scheduling and operations should be referred to Winnipeg School Division's transportation department at 204-789-0452 (8:00 a.m. - 4:30p.m.).
In lieu of school bus transportation, students may be provided with bus tickets for the following:
Parent's/Guardian's responsibilities
- Training children in acceptable behaviour and safety.
- Ensuring that children are suitably clothed to withstand weather extremes, taking special care during very cold weather to ensure that students are properly cared for until the bus arrives.
- Seeing that their children get to the pick-up point on time, and behave in a responsible manner at the bus stop.
- Ensuring that an adult is available to meet the bus for all special education, special needs, nursery and kindergarten students.
- Providing for alternate arrangements for their children in the event a bus does not arrive or is late due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Cooperating with the school in correcting their child’s behavior following reports of misbehaviour on the bus.
- Understanding and accepting the fact that neither the bus driver nor the principal has the authority to change the bus route or schedule.
Students' responsibilities
- Getting to the bus stop on time.
- Behaving in a responsible manner at the bus stop, on the bus, and during loading and unloading.
- Following the instructions of the driver.
Safety
- Students should remain at least 2 metres from the curb until the bus is stopped and the loading door opened. Loading and unloading should be conducted in an orderly and safe manner.
- Safe behaviour on the bus requires that students remain seated and quiet. Disruptive behaviour causes the driver distraction and creates a safety hazard.
Student behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour
- Failure to follow driver’s instructions
- Possession of dangerous weapons or objects
- Possession or use of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to stay seated
- Fighting, poking, hitting or pushing
- Throwing objects
- Vandalism
- Putting arms or head out the window
- Profanity
- Smoking
- Loud talking or yelling
- Littering
- Spitting
- Teasing
- Rudeness
- Eating
Disciplinary action
Minor Problems
Major Problems
- behaviour resulting in physical or psychological harm to other students
- behaviour resulting in physical harm to the bus driver, transportation aide or other adult on the bus.
Wheelchair standards on school buses
- Maximum amount of camber = 6 degrees on wheels. This will allow the proper securement on any type of restraint system. All wheelchairs must have wheel locks and seatbelts.
- Maximum width of chair not to exceed 29 inches.
- Door opening height will be 59.5 inches on newer buses. The length of the ramp is 48 inches, therefore the chair and occupant height/length should not exceed these dimensions when possible.
- Wheelchair back must come to at least the bottom of the user’s shoulder blades.
- Push handles are required on all wheelchairs (for evacuation purposes).
- Trays should not be used during transportation unless they are a necessary part of the child’s support system – determined by the therapist. Storage of trays to be determined by the Transportation Supervisor.
- Trays which will be used during transportation should have a mechanism to limit how far the tray can be slid (in case of accident).
- Backs which fold forward must have a position lock and be secured.
- Q-straint lap belt must be able to go around the user and be positioned properly against the pelvis for safe and effective use. Some wheelchair armrests interfere with the position of this belt. Chairs should be wholly or partially open sided to allow for the lap belt.
- The Transportation Supervisor has the authority to deem whether a wheelchair is transportable or not.
Carry on items
Contact information
Scheduling, operations and enquiries – refer to the Winnipeg School Division Transportation Department at 204-789-0452 (8:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.).
- Transportation Supervisor - Curtis Basso at 204-789-0452.
- WINNIPEG SCHOOL DIVISION - 204-586-8800
- HANDI-HELPER - 204-999-9949
- W/C SERVICES - 204-982-0799
- DUFFY'S TAXI - 204-925-1305