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NSTS Finalizes Back to School Transportation Plan

Friday, 4 September 2020 06:00

By Marcie Culbert

Niagara Student Transportation Services has finalized it's plan for the upcoming school year.

Executive Director Lori Ziraldo says the plan has been updated to make sure parents know everything before taking their kids to the bus stop.

She says students should self-assess themselves for COVID-19 symptoms beforehand, wash their hands and bring a mask with them.

Masks are mandatory for all students in Grades 4 to 12 and they are strongly encouraged for younger students.

There will also be assigned seating on the bus and students will be asked not to touch the windows.

Ziraldo says there was also a mandatory opt-in process this year so they can keep track of everyone.

"We have to do seating plans this year and we wanted them to be accurate. In the event we have to work with schools and Public Health for contact tracing we want to be able to provide them with a list of actual students on the bus."

Ziraldo says the opt in process will be weekly just in case parents change their minds.

"What we need to know is if their circumstances change. So if they opted out originally and now they want to ride the bus or if they opted in originally and they found alternate way to get their child to and from school."

She says you have until 3:00 p.m. on Mondays to sign up for transportation for the following week and you only need to opt in once.

Seating plans may be adjusted if students decide to opt in or out.

Ziraldo says there should be no more than 46 elementary students per bus.

That's with two students per seat and it leaves the seat behind the bus driver empty.

Ziraldo is encouraging parents to check the NSTS website for any bus delays.

She says parents can also download the BusPlanner Delays app on their smartphones.

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