Unaccompanied Minor Policy

Unaccompanied Minors

  • Applicable to Unaccompanied Minors between 8-12 years of age (inclusive)
  • The Student Fare (Adult Fare with 15% discount) will apply to all Unaccompanied Minors
  • Unaccompanied Minors will travel on our bus and train services by reservation only
  • Tickets must be purchased at an Ontario Northland ticket counter (online ticket reservations not permitted)
  • No transfers permitted

Unaccompanied Minors Travelling on Ontario Northland

Minors between the ages of 8 and 12 inclusive may travel unaccompanied under the following restrictions and conditions. These conditions must be met in their entirety.

  1. Transportation service available by reservation only. Unaccompanied Minors must be registered with Ontario Northland and have the trip booked 12 hours prior to departure.
  2. An adult at least 18 years of age must bring the minor who will be travelling to the station. Both the adult and the minor are required to be at the departure station a minimum of 30 minutes prior to departure time to complete all necessary paperwork. The adult must produce identification to verify the minors' age. A copy of the identification will be taken and stapled to the forms.
  3. For each unaccompanied minor travelling alone, the adult bringing the minor to the station must complete and sign an Unaccompanied Minor Release Form.
  4. The adult must escort the minor to the platform to board the motor coach or train and remain at the station until the scheduled service has departed.
  5. Upon arrival at the destination station, an adult, at least 18 years of age, must be present to meet the minor and provide acceptable identification to the attendant before the minor is released. The minor will only be released to the person specified on the Unaccompanied Minor Release Form after confirmation of identity.
  6. An Unaccompanied Minor Release Form must be completed for each minor that is travelling and must be completed for each direction of the trip. Round trip requires two forms to be completed.
  7. No unaccompanied minor shall be bumped from a trip for reasons such as an overload.
  8. Minors who have a life threatening food allergy, such as an allergy to peanuts or peanut products, may not travel unaccompanied.
  9. Minors travelling must be of sound health, do not require any medication nor have any medical or physical condition which could create an emergency or require special attention.
  10. The Minor must have sufficient snacks and beverages for their trip.
  11. If the receiving adult is not present to accept the minor at the destination station, the minor may be handed over to the local Police authorities.

NOTE: A minor between the ages of 8-12 traveling with a companion that is 13 years of age or older, is not required to reserve Unaccompanied Minor services. The companion traveling with the minor must have identification indicating their date of birth.

Parents/Guardians Responsibilities:

  1. Ensure the receiving adult specified on the Unaccompanied Minor Release Form is present at the destination station 10 minutes prior to minors' arrival.
  2. The receiving adult specified on the Unaccompanied Minor Release Form is required to produce photo identification upon minor's arrival. *In order to comply with our assurance quality, Unaccompanied Minor will not be released without verification of receiving adults identification*.
  3. If the minor is not met at the destination station as specified, the escorting adult acknowledges and agrees that an Ontario Northland staff or agent is authorized to take whatever actions necessary to arrange for the minors' safety. The escorting adult will be required to reimburse Ontario Northland for any costs incurred to them for taking that action.
  4. The escorting adult must ensure that the minor understands their responsibilities and will follow them.

Unaccompanied Minors' Responsibilities:

  1. Must sit in assigned seating, provided by the driver/conductor.
  2. Must remain seated in assigned seating (except for the use of washroom).
  3. Must advise the driver/conductor if they are being disturbed in any way.
  4. Must advise the driver/conductor if they require assistance in any way.
  5. Must follow driver/conductor instructions when stopped for schedules, breaks and when driver/conductor is assisting in loading passengers, baggage and freight. Minors must not depart for any reason unless prior permission from the driver is granted.
  6. Must wait for all passengers to depart service and then follow driver/conductor instructions to meet receiving adult.

Motor Coach Driver Responsibilities:

  1. Ensure the minor does not get off coach for any reason, unless permission is granted by the driver.
  2. Ensure the minor safely arrives and gets off coach at the predetermined destination noted on the form, no exceptions.
  3. Use best efforts to ensure the minor is not disturbed or bothered by other passengers and assist the minor if needed.
  4. If receiving adult is not at destination, contact Customer Service and Sales Agent and stay with the minor until appropriate arrangements are in place.
  5. Driver may release the minor to an Ontario Northland employee at destination station, provided the station is open, staffed, the minor has been accepted, and the release form signed by Ontario Northland staff. 
  6. Check in with the minor often to ensure their trip is going smoothly.
  7. Ensure the minors whereabouts at all times and during rest stops.
  8. If for any reason the driver is replaced during the scheduled route, the initial driver must ensure the new/replacement driver is apprised that an unaccompanied minor is on board, the seat location of the minor, and hand over the Unaccompanied Minor Release Form.

Polar Bear Express Conductor Responsibilities:

  1. Ensure the minor arrives safely and gets off at the predetermined destination noted on the form, no exceptions.
  2. Use best efforts to ensure the minor is not disturbed or bothered by other passengers and assist the minor if needed.
  3. If parent/guardian is not at destination, remain with the minor until appropriate custody is organized and arrives.
  4. Conductor’s may release the minor to an Ontario Northland employee at destination station, provided the station is open, staffed, and the release form is signed by an Ontario Northland employee. 
  5. Check in with the minor often to ensure their trip is going smoothly.

    Disclosures

    *Ontario Northland reserves the right to decline requests of Unaccompanied Minor services should compliance with the above conditions not be met*

    *Conditions are subject to change with advance notice*