OTHER SERVICES:
HWSTS is committed to providing safe, effective and efficient transportation services for eligible students to
and from their home school.
In consultation with the school principal/designate and the bus operator, HWSTS is also committed to providing
a tool for ineligible students to pursue access to existing school bus service. Access is only available in
accordance to the guidelines set by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) and the Hamilton-Wentworth
Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) and at no cost to the Boards.
Parameters
The following parameters must be met for a courtesy/empty seat to be permitted:
- That available space exists on an existing bus route
- That the student use an existing stop location
- That transportation is intended for a ride to / from school only
Terms of Service
Courtesy/empty seat riders are subject to the following terms of service:
- That permission to ride a courtesy/empty seat shall not be considered to constitute a precedent or to
establish a right for transportation
- That permission to ride the school bus may be withdrawn at any time if the seat is needed for an eligible
student
- The permission to ride is granted for no longer than the remainder of the current school year and all
requests must be reapplied for annually
NOTE: Courtesy / empty seat applications will not be reviewed or processed by HWSTS staff
during the fall start- up period annually until after eligible student ridership has been stabilized. Typically
HWSTS will commence the process in late September - early October but final approvals / notifications may not
be issued until November.
Please note that at this time the Courtesy / Empty Seat application process varies slightly between the
Member Boards. We encourage you to explore the appropriate tab at the bottom of the page for the process
forms / details.