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Charter buses for school trips and excursions

A school excursion is judged on two things: every student comes home, and the bus is back when the parents were told. Most of that is settled before the booking, with the school board's rules and the destination's bus rules.

Check the board's procedure first

School boards write their own excursion rules. The Toronto District School Board, for example, chooses bus carriers from a pre-approved list issued each year, and puts a teacher on each bus with the list of students aboard. Find your board's version before asking for a quote, and send us anything it requires the carrier to confirm.

In Ontario, a bus carrying children under contract with a school board is a school-purposes bus. Its driver needs a class B or E licence, a school-bus driver improvement course and a criminal record check. Ask the board whether your trip falls under that rule.

Setra 49-seat touring coach, exterior
Setra 49-seat touring coach, exterior

Rules that apply

  • In Ontario, a bus carrying children under contract with a school board is a school-purposes bus
  • Class B and E licence holders may not have more than eight demerit points
  • In Québec, the CTQ issues a separate bus permit category for school service

Set-down at the big destinations

The City of Ottawa names curbs where tour buses may load near the Hill and the market. Wellington Street, on both sides from Kent to Bank, is one of them. Parliament Hill offers free guided tours. Avoid Canada Day: Wellington Street and much of downtown close to traffic.

Inside Old Québec's walls, tour bus parking is not allowed. Some hotels inside have set-down zones limited to 10 minutes. Plan a short walk from the bus to the first stop.

At the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, the drop is at the Group Entrance (number 85 on Israel Asper Way). The bus then leaves to park, since the museum has none of its own. They can return 15 minutes before the program ends.

Questions

What do students need for a trip to Buffalo or Niagara Falls, New York?

Canadian and US citizen students under 19 travelling with a school group need only proof of citizenship, a birth certificate for example. Other nationalities need a passport and any US entry authorization that applies. Canadian teachers and chaperones need a passport, NEXUS card or an enhanced driver's licence.

Do students wear seat belts?

Ontario law requires it wherever belts are fitted. Ask whether the bus offered has belts, and brief the class before leaving.

Can the driver wait with the bus all day?

Usually the bus parks at a listed tour bus location and returns for pickup. Give the driver a mobile number for a teacher.

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