School Bus & City Transit Cancellations: USA and Canada (February 26, 2026)

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Widespread winter weather across North America continues to impact travel on Thursday, February 26, 2026. While the core of the week’s blizzard has passed, extreme cold and lingering road hazards are the primary drivers of disruptions today.

Executive Summary: Commuter Alert

  • USA: Transit hubs in the Northeast (MTA, SEPTA, MBTA) are largely operational but facing significant “refreeze” delays. School bus service in Maryland and Pennsylvania is restricted to primary roads in many districts.

  • Canada: A “Buses Cancelled, Schools Open” status is in effect for several Ontario regions due to extreme wind chills and residual snow. Atlantic Canada is in “Recovery Mode” with lingering delays following the recent Nor’easter.

USA Status Table

Agency / District State Status
MTA (NYC) NY Operating: Minor delays on surface buses due to icy patches.
SEPTA (Philly) PA Operating: 15+ min delays on Regional Rail; Bus Detours on hilly routes.
MBTA (Boston) MA Modified: Silver Line (SL1, SL2, SL3) operating at street level for maintenance.
CTA (Chicago) IL Operating: Normal service; commuters advised of platform ice.
Worcester County MD Delayed: 2-hour delay for all schools and buses.
Northern Jersey Districts NJ Alert: “Snow Routes” in effect for rural/hilly areas (buses avoid steep inclines).
Eastern Shore Districts MD Modified: Several districts on 2-hour delays due to lingering ice.

Mainly lingering blizzard recovery in the Northeast (especially RI, southeastern MA/Cape Cod, and Eastern Shore). Other states/regions show no major reports today.

Rhode Island (heaviest impact – nearly every district affected by cleanup) Huge number of closures/virtual days (many through Friday). Buses generally not running where schools are closed/virtual; specific notes include “no out-of-town buses” or “no buses” at some sites. RI Public Schools examples (full list on RI Broadcasters site has ~40+ entries):

  • Barrington: Closed through tomorrow
  • Bristol-Warren: Closed today (snow day)
  • Central Falls: Closed today
  • Chariho: Closed today
  • Cranston: Distance learning today
  • East Greenwich: Closed Thu & Fri
  • Providence: Virtual through tomorrow
  • Warwick: Closed through tomorrow (and many more – Coventry, Cumberland, Johnston, Middletown, Narragansett, Newport closed all week, etc.).

Private, Catholic, VO-TECH, charter, and colleges follow similar patterns (vast majority closed, virtual, or remote today/through week). Pre-schools: some explicitly “No Buses”.

Massachusetts (southeastern MA & Cape Cod hardest hit; ~35+ districts closed today) Schools closed = no regular buses. Many also closed Friday due to power outages and snow removal. Key Cape Cod & SE MA closures (Thu Feb 26):

  • Barnstable: Closed (also Fri)
  • Bourne: Closed
  • Dennis-Yarmouth: Closed (also Fri)
  • Falmouth: Closed (also Fri)
  • Mashpee: Closed (also Fri)
  • Nauset, Provincetown, Truro, Monomoy, Sandwich (some also Fri)
  • Attleboro, Bridgewater-Raynham, Brockton, Taunton (some through Fri), New Bedford, Fall River, Plymouth, etc. Full lists on MassLive, Cape Cod Times, and local TV sites.

Delaware / Maryland / Virginia Eastern Shore (lingering delays)

  • Somerset County Public Schools (MD): Virtual learning day
  • Cape Henlopen SD (DE): 1-hour delay
  • Accomack County Public Schools (VA): 2-hour delay
  • Indian River SD (DE): 2-hour delay
  • Laurel SD (DE): 2-hour delay
  • Sussex Tech HS (DE): 2-hour delay
  • Worcester County Public Schools (MD): 2-hour delay (and a few others like Lighthouse Christian 2-hr delay, no morning care). Buses run on delayed schedule where applicable.

Other isolated notes

  • East Bridgewater Public Schools (MA): Closed today.
  • Mitchellville Elementary (Iowa): Closed (water main break – unrelated to weather). No other significant bus cancellations or widespread closures reported in the rest of the USA today.

Canada Status Table

Consortium / Agency Province Status
Toronto (TDSB/TCDSB) ON Schools Open, Buses Running: Expect 20+ min morning delays.
Peel (STOPR) ON Buses Cancelled, Schools Open: All bus transportation suspended.
York (STSYR) ON Buses Cancelled, Schools Open: Service suspended due to wind chill.
Nipissing-Parry Sound ON Partial Service: Alouette Bus Lines resumed routes 001, 610, 268, etc.
Halifax (HRCE) NS Operating: Snow routes in effect for Halifax Transit; most schools open.
Anglophone South/West NB Open: Morning delays for buses in rural zones 4-9.
GO Transit ON Launch Day: “One Fare” program begins today; minor system-wide delays.
TTC / STM ON / QC Operating: Standard winter service; slow boarding due to platform salt.

Only limited bus cancellations reported, all in Ontario. No widespread issues in other provinces (e.g., no reports from Maritimes, Prairies, BC, etc.).

Ontario – Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services (Wellington & Dufferin counties)

  • All school buses and taxis cancelled today in: – North Wellington (Division/Zone 3) – Dufferin County and Robert F. Hall Catholic (Division/Zone 4)
  • Normal operations in Guelph (Zone 1) and Centre Wellington (Zone 2). School status varies by board (e.g., Upper Grand DSB or Dufferin-Peel CDSB may be open for in-person or have their own plans).

Southern Ontario forecast (Instant Weather update): Only low-probability (5–25%) isolated bus cancellations possible in snowbelt areas east of Lake Huron/Georgian Bay (e.g., Bruce Peninsula under Bluewater DSB) due to lingering lake-effect snow. Most areas expected normal. No actual widespread cancellations confirmed today.

Road Conditions & Regional Alerts

  • Black Ice Warning: Significant refreezing occurred overnight in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. Expect 15-20 minute delays on secondary roads.

  • Ontario ‘Consortium’ Note: Per the standard inclement weather protocol, when you see ‘Buses Cancelled, Schools Open,’ students are expected to attend if they can travel safely, but no bus transportation (including special education taxis) will operate for the entire day.

Safety Section: Extreme Cold Advice

Extreme wind chills are forecast to reach as low as -25F(-32C) in the Great Lakes region this morning.

  • Frostbite Risk: Exposed skin can freeze in under 15 minutes. Ensure students have face coverings and insulated gloves.

  • The 5-Minute Rule: If a bus is more than 5 minutes late, students should return indoors or to a heated vehicle if possible. Use GPS tracking apps (like BusPlanner or Where’s My Bus) to minimize time spent at the stop.

  • Reflective Gear: Dark winter coats make students less visible to snowplows and cars in low-light morning hours. Add a reflective strip or light to backpacks.

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