Bus Delays & Cancellations
Stay Updated With the Bus Status 4 App
Black Gold School Division uses the Bus Status 4 app to communicate bus delays and cancellations.
📌 Before sending your child to the bus stop, always check the Bus Status 4 app and blackgold.ca for the latest transportation information.
How to Stay Informed
To receive notifications about your child's bus:
- Find your child's bus assignment in the Bus Planner Parent Portal. Visit the Bus Stop Information page for details about bus assignments, bus stops, and access to the Bus Planner Parent Portal.
- Download the Bus Status 4 app.
- Star your child's bus.
- Turn on notifications.
- Check Bus Status 4 or blackgold.ca before sending your child to the stop.
How Alerts Are Shared
📣 Transportation alerts are posted on:
- Bus Status 4 app
- blackgold.ca
- Your child's school website
🚨 SchoolMessenger Text Alerts
Families will also receive a SchoolMessenger text message whenever a bus is cancelled or delayed by 15 minutes or more.
SchoolMessenger text alerts are an additional communication tool. Parents should continue to monitor the Bus Status 4 app and blackgold.ca for the most up-to-date transportation information.
When Alerts Are Posted
Delays, Breakdowns, and Route Cancellations
- Delays, breakdowns, and route cancellations unrelated to extreme cold are posted as soon as Transportation is informed.
Extreme Cold
- Extreme cold cancellations are posted as close to 6:30 AM as possible.
Why a Bus May Be Delayed or Cancelled
Road Conditions and Hazards
Individual routes may be delayed or cancelled due to:
- Poor road conditions, including ice, drifting snow, or low visibility.
- Road hazards such as accidents, debris, or obstructions.
- Unexpected road closures issued by a town, city, or Leduc County.
Safety decisions are made on a route-by-route basis by the bus contractor.
Bus Breakdowns
Before the Route Begins
- Every effort is made to arrange a replacement bus.
- If a replacement bus is unavailable, the route may be cancelled.
- Parents will be notified through the Bus Status 4 app, blackgold.ca, and SchoolMessenger.
During the Route
- The driver remains with students.
- A replacement bus or alternative transportation will be arranged.
- Parents will be notified through the Bus Status 4 app, blackgold.ca, and SchoolMessenger.
Extreme Cold
- Bus service may be cancelled when temperatures reach -40°C or colder, with or without wind chill, depending on the service area.
- If a route is cancelled due to extreme cold, both morning and afternoon service will be cancelled.
For more information about extreme cold cancellations, visit our Cold Weather Bus Policy page.
⚠️ Important: Please ensure children are dressed appropriately for the weather in case of delays or unexpected service disruptions.
🏠 Parent/Guardian Responsibility
Parents and Guardians are responsible for:
- Their child's safety and supervision at the bus stop and while travelling to and from the bus stop.
- Monitoring transportation alerts
- Ensuring their child is prepared for weather-related delays.
Have questions? Start with our FAQs — it's the quickest way to find answers.
🕒 Regular Hours: 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM, Monday to Friday
🕒 Summer Hours (July 6–August 14): 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 12:45 PM–4:30 PM
🔔 Please note: The Division Office is closed on Fridays during this period.
Need further assistance or have an urgent concern? Visit our Contact Us page for additional ways to reach Transportation.