Welcome to M.L. Bradley
Join our team!
When you join M.L. Bradley, you become part of a community-oriented, family, team dedicated to providing transportation to students in the “safest, most efficient and amicable way possible.” Apply today and Drive the Future!.
Have you had the talk?
In September, thousands of children will board a bus to school for their first day of classes. Many of these students will be riding the bus for the first time ever and many are new to the area.
Download our helpful information sheet to help your child with their first time riding a school bus.
Bus delays and cancellations
Transportation service cancellations are made through a joint decision by the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority and the Consortium de transport scolaire d’Ottawa. If a cancellation occurs, local media outlets, contracted service providers, and school boards are contacted in order to advise them that routes will not operate.
Notices of service cancellations and delays will appear on the following websites:
www.ottawaschoolbus.ca
www.transportscolaire.ca
Cancellations of transportation services apply to the whole day, although schools remain open for students. Students who use our transportation services should not be driven to school, unless they can also be picked up at the regular dismissal time.
Parents and kids
Our parents section has lots of helpful bus-safety tips as well as answers to some frequently asked questions.
For some school bus fun, check out the kids section for colouring books, safety-fun, and more! Learn more…
M.L. Bradley in our community
M.L. Bradley Ltd. is an active participant in its community. For over 50 years the company has been involved in supporting numerous charities ranging from local sports facilities such as the Navan Curling Club, to larger national charities such as the Canadian Diabetes Association. Learn more…
Stay connected through any of our Social Media Networks
School safety tips
M. L. Bradley Ltd. would like to remind you of the importance of reviewing back to school safety tips with your family.
Road User Safety Tips
Driving through the school zone:
At the beginning of the school year, there is an increase in both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Begin your day early and give yourself additional time for this increase in traffic.
Create a distraction-free zone:
Cellphones, loud music, screaming kiddos, breakfast, makeup touchups and more take our eyes and minds off the road. Research has shown that taking your eyes off the road for just 2 seconds doubles your chances of getting in an accident.
Obey the (stop) signs:
Many drivers roll through stop signs in school zones and neighbourhoods. This is the time of year when walking and riding bikes to school is exciting and new. Young kids on bikes can be erratic while trying to get a feel for their new wheels; so plan for them to swerve into your path—even if they don’t.
Brake for buses, it’s the law:
Whether on a city street, highway or county road, and regardless of the speed limit and the number of lanes, motorists travelling in both directions must stop when approaching astopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing. A flashing stop arm will swing out while passengers are boarding or leaving the bus. (The only exception: on highways separated by a median, traffic coming from the opposite direction is not required to stop). Once all passengers have boarded, the STOP arm will fold away. Do not start moving until the red lights have stopped flashing and the bus begins to move.
Passenger Safety Tips
Before getting on the bus:
Make sure children know their walking route to and from the bus stop. Allow enough time to get to the stop and arrive several minutes ahead of the scheduled time. Coach kids to walk along the sidewalk, if available and stay on the sidewalk or side of the road while you are waiting.
Loading the bus:
Big kids should wait for little kids to get on the bus and assist any way that they can. Use the hand rail, take your seat quickly and always face the front of the bus.
While on the bus:
Keep the aisle free of backpacks, instruments and even legs. Having a clear path for exiting the bus is important for safely evacuating if necessary.
Keep all body parts inside the bus.
Speak quietly on the bus; the louder one student talks, the louder others have to talk to be heard and distracting the driver is not a good idea. It goes without saying that loud noises and horse play are distracting to the driver.
Getting off the bus:
Always cross in front of the bus. Visibility from the driver’s seat of a school bus is best from 10 large steps around the front of the bus and that is where students should walk. Never, ever pick up something that’s dropped in front of, near or under the bus.
Always wait for the driver to signal before crossing in front of the bus. Look both ways before crossing the road. Walk, never run to where an adult is waiting for you on the side of the road where the bus stops.