Sommer Transportation Service - Nepean, Ontario

Abbie W.

The driver arrived at the scheduled pick-up time but because we weren’t immediately visible, claiming they called and left a voicemail. Meanwhile, there have been seven times (for I am tracking) where the driver was 15-30 minutes late for pick-up with no communication. Their unwillingness to wait a mere two minutes today, despite their own history of tardiness, feels inconsistent and unprofessional, now my child did not attend school for they refuse to let the driver come back, but it’s no issue when it’s them?!

It’s frustrating to see such poor service repeatedly, and I honestly don’t understand why the school continues to use them. Their lack of professionalism and consideration has caused unnecessary stress and inconvenience. If you’re considering Sommer Transportation, I’d strongly recommend looking elsewhere.

Zero stars…

Lisa A.

I have so many issues with this company! Today I will only address safety issues. They do NOT put our children's safety first. Instead, they continually defend their drivers and hire staff that are untrained and incapable of dealing with special needs children specifically. Today, after dropping off another child, my son got back in the van and the driver sped off before he even had his seatbelt on!!! My son came home terrified. I have reported it. Not my first time calling to report an issue with the same driver. I'm at my limit. God forbid they weren't in an accident, but what if there were? The drivers carelessness is completely unacceptable. I am beyond livid. I gave a 2 star instead of 1 or none, only because we have had a couple kind & safe drivers who sadly were removed from my sons route and replaced with incompetent drivers who do not treat the children with respect!

Ashley C.

When it comes to transporting my daughter to school, we rely on this transportation company (Sommers Transportation Services) While the drivers have always been friendly, there's a significant issue with communication. There have been multiple occasions where my daughter's driver has changed without any prior notification. Consequently, I'm left in the dark regarding important details such as the driver's identity, vehicle make, license plate, or even a contact number. There's been no effort to introduce the new driver or provide any necessary information, which makes me uncomfortable about entrusting my daughter's safety to a stranger. This is an area where the company could improve drastically. It's crucial for employees to understand the importance of clear communication and the exchange of pertinent information with parents. Basic communication and sharing of details should be standard practice when transporting children, but unfortunately, it seems to be lacking in today's standards.

Jessica D.

OCSB/OSTA should terminate their contract with this provider due to ongoing issues. Every year, parents encounter inadequate car seats and care. Effective communication is hindered by management's frequent unavailability and neglect to crucial matters. The demonstrated disregard, particularly for special needs families, raises significant concerns.

Jeff H.

Absolutely terrible company. Child safety is not of their concern whatsoever. The drivers are extremely impatient and blatantly rude. No one seems to know how a car seat works, and they get mad when you demonstrate that it is not safely installed. Avoid this company at all costs, risking your child's safety is not worth the convenience of having them picked up.

Osmen

Morning driver is always late everyday, sometimes she doesn't even show up and I never get notified. I've complained many times to the office and told them to talk with the driver but everything is still the same. I'm fed up with this driver 😤 and I end up having to drive my child to school everyday in the morning.

*I don't have this problem with the afternoon driver, the problem is with the morning driver.

Kim M.

Drivers continually park in my private driveway because it is more convenient for them to pick up their client.( I am not their client and their client does not live at my property.) I made numerous complaints to the management of this company over the past month to prevent the drivers from parking in and blocking my driveway. My staff have continually told their drivers to stop using my driveway. I personally have told the drivers to stop using my driveway. It happens about 3 - 4 times a week. I end up parking on the street because the drivers refuse to move. This results me me having to find street parking and moving my vehicle 10 - 20 minutes later into my driveway once they have left. When I ask the drivers who are blocking my driveway to move their vehicle out of my driveway so I can access my driveway with my own vehicle the drivers repeatedly tell me to be patient since they will not be there long and refuse to move their vans. Sometimes this is 10 - 15 minutes. After being blocked access to my driveway by Sommer vehicles 3 days in a row I parked behind their van which was parked illegally in my private driveway. I asked the female driver for her contact information and the phone number for her employer. This interaction is available on video. I requested the company information from her 4 or 5 times so that I could directly speak with her supervisor and have this resolved. The driver hid her face from my video with papers and yelled at me. She then called the police on me even though she was on private property and preventing me from parking my own vehicle in my own driveway while she was trespassing on my property. After I spoke with a professional contact from Ottawa Student Transportation which I looked up on line I went to the driver of the van parked in my driveway and stated that I had documented a complaint with the company using her license plate. The driver then told me she was going to "punch me in the face". Yes that is correct. (This was also recorded). My staff were witnesses and the mother of the child was standing outside of the car with the child in her arms. Before this incident I continually suggested that the drivers from this company park in the loading zone located outside of my building. It is a convenient 10 feet further away from their client but would allow me access to my driveway - they have always refused and not once moved their vans or attempted to initially park in the loading zone. Five hours later after todays incident the police showed up from the complaint made from the driver of Sommer Transporation. The driver forgot to mention that they were blocking me out of parking in my private driveway. Since this incident I have learned that Sommer Transporation is a contractor under Ottawa Student Transportation so I do not want to put all companies or drivers who work with Ottawa Student Transportation under the same unprofessional umbrella. I am quite sure most of these drivers are amazing with your kids but the situation I had specifically with Sommer Transportation was unprofessional, disrespectful and threatening.

When I spoke directly with supervisor of Sommer Transporation (a small part of Ottawa Student Transportation Authority) the person on the line defended all actions of their driver and stated" I know that driver she is very nice" lol. I told her that I was threatened by her driver with witnesses and that I had videos. This did not seem to matter and she repeated that her driver was "nice"

Use this information to make your own educated decision whether to contract this company. I do not have any children using this service nor do I have any relations with my immediate neighbour who uses this service. I am just an owner who unfortunately cannot get this company to respectively stay off of my private property when trying to fulfill their pick up obligations.

Chris E. (. L. M.

My child with special needs non verbal was slapped infront of her sister by a driver and they still continue to keep him employed…. Luckily I called CAS who validated all the claims and if anyone wants details videos and recordings with this company just reach out I’m easy to find on all social media platforms but child abuse is not okay and I’m far from done with exposing this company! Just getting started!