How are decisions made to cancel bus service?
The cancellation of school bus service is a decision that is made in cooperation with information and advice from many local service providers.

	Starting as early as 4:30 a.m. Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) receives calls from the following groups: road crews for Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog Townships, weather watchers in various parts of Durham Region along with representatives from the school bus companies.
	Between 4:30 and 6:00 a.m., the group monitors the weather and road conditions closely. Ongoing updates are forwarded to DSTS during this time period. Weather stations, TV and radio stations are consulted for current weather forecasts and ongoing updates.
	Before 6:00 a.m. DSTS reviews the information gathered and determines if the road conditions may warrant cancellation of the school bus service.
	DSTS then contacts representatives from both the Durham Catholic and Durham District School Board with a recommendation. The information provided by the local service providers is reviewed along with the recommendation.
	The final step is that one of three outcomes is decided: 1.) Bus service will operate 2.) Bus service is cancelled 3.) Bus service cancelled North of Hwy 7 including (Brock Uxbridge and Scugog schools).

Why is school bus service cancelled in just part of the Region, for example, just north of Highway #7?
The terrain and weather change north of the Oak Ridges Moraine (the Ridges) often differs from the southern portion of Durham region. The weather conditions are often more severe across the northern portion. The school bus routes for the school in Brock, Uxbridge and Scugog (north of Highway 7) are typically:

In the southern portion of Durham Region (south of Highway 7) the major roads are plowed to accommodate the greater volume of traffic and for commuters. The routes to the south are often shorter in length.

How are parents, students and staff notified of a decision to cancel bus service?
When the decision has been made to cancel bus service, all major area media outlets are notified by telephone and e-mail. If all buses are cancelled the message will state "All school buses for both the Durham public and Durham catholic schools are cancelled. Schools remain open."

Similarly, if schools are closed the message will indicate the closure. If school buses are cancelled, it is for the entire day regardless of what happens to the weather during the day. Please note that if parents drop-off their children at school they are responsible for picking them up at the end of the day when bus service is cancelled.

In cases of extreme weather, please listen to one of the local radio/TV stations
below for notices of transportation cancellation:

Websites:
Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS): www.dsts.on.ca