News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

  

 

Liberals call for task force on school bus safety

Sweeney wants immediate action to ensure child safety


February 23, 2005
Opposition critic for Government Services George Sweeney, is calling on the provincial government to put in place a task force on school bus safety and to take immediate action to ensure that children are safe when being transported to and from school.

"We asked question on this issue in the last session of the House of Assembly, however, and since then the Auditor General’s Report has been released and provided further evidence which justify immediate actions being taken to ensure the safety of children traveling on school buses," said Sweeney. "There is also a need for a more comprehensive review of government policy in relation to school bus safety and a task force on the issue would accomplish this goal."

The task force, Sweeney suggested, should involve representatives of school boards, school bus operators, school councils, the Department of Education, the Department of Government Services and other groups involved in this issue. The Task Force should have the necessary resources to investigate and make recommendations.

The Liberal MHA also suggested that the mandate of the task force should be to consider and make recommendations on a variety of issues concerning school bus safety. He believes a terms of reference for the task force should be drafted to consider such issues as inspection practices, the establishment of clear standards for service delivery to be adhered to by school boards, the use of child booster seats, the possibility of installing seat restraints on school buses, the contracting out of bus services and the safety implications of various delivery models. Sweeney also believes a review of other issues should be considered, including enforcement measures which could be imposed for non-compliance with regulations on school bus safety, school bus driver training requirements, and a review of school bus safety practices in other jurisdictions.

"The task force should prepare an interim report with recommendations before the beginning of the next school year so some recommendations can be implemented as soon as possible. If more time is needed to investigate other issues, the task force should be given until the end of the year to make its final report. The overall issue here is that problems have been identified and government has to dedicate the necessary resources to ensure the safety of children who depend on the school bus transportation system."

 

Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6151 or 709-687-0477

*Note: Mr. Sweeney will be available in his St. John’s office for interviews at mid-day or otherwise via telephone all day.

Backgrounder

School Bus Safety Issues

Responsibility for school bus safety is spread over two government departments. The Department of Education is responsible for setting general policy directions for the Boards and the Department of Government Services is responsible for administering all legislation respecting vehicles and driver licencing. The Department of Government Services is responsible for setting the standards and performing inspections and other enforcement activities related to school bus safety.

Though school boards provide school bus transportation in this province by either operating school buses themselves or by contracting out the service, it is the government that is ultimately responsible for budget allocations, policy and overall monitoring of the system. For this reason, it is government that has to take the lead in ensuring the safety of the approximately 55,000 students being transported by school buses in this province.

There are over 1,000 school buses currently operating in this province. Two thirds of these (694) are owned by private contractors and the other one third (350) are owned by school boards. Buses are required to be inspected twice yearly at official inspection stations and are usually inspected once a year by MVD inspectors.

The response by government to the points made in the Auditor General’s Report do not adequately address issues related to school bus safety. No clear time lines have been established and the approach does not indicate the degree of urgency required on this matter. There is no indication that funding will be allocated by government to make the needed improvements.

Areas of Concerns

The fact that 70% of the buses are 10 years old or older. This large number of older buses is likely to present serious safety challenges. Of the 694 privately owned buses, 593 are more than 10 years old.

While there are 205 official inspection stations licensed in the Province to inspect school buses, 43 are operated by school bus contractors. The system allows contractors and school boards to perform inspections on their own buses.

The Auditor General expressed concern about the high incidence of defects identified during school bus inspections conducted by the Motor Registration Division. Defects related to brakes, steering, mechanical and other safety problems. As a result of the inspections in 2002-2003, 1130 defects were identified and 172 school buses (16% ) were taken out of service.

Also, the Auditor General noted that these were not surprise inspections, instead operators had been given advanced notice of upcoming inspections. Despite the twice a year inspections at the official inspection stations, a significant number of serious defects were being identified.

The Auditor General said: "Given the extent of school buses being taken out of service, it is likely that regardless of MVD’s inspection efforts, there are school buses on the Provinces highways that do not meet the required safety standards."

 

Suggestions for immediate action by the Department of Government Services

Surprise inspections for school buses should be conducted to supplement the regular inspection schedule.

Ensure that the school bus inspection process is adequately documented with Official Inspection Stations being required to note in the inspection form whether each inspection item is accepted or rejected. Also, these inspection forms should be signed by the person conducting the inspection.

The Department should ensure that all equipment used to inspect school buses meet the manufacturers recommended specifications. This was a problem in terms of the brake meter used to assess breaking efficiency in the past.

The Department should ensure that Official Inspection Stations have their licences renewed and meet the requirements of annual inspections which are required for such stations.

 

Suggestions for immediate action by the Department of Education

Set out employment and training requirements for school bus drivers.

Require school Boards to check the criminal records of all bus drivers and the Department should outline what would constitute an unacceptable criminal record.

Assist school boards in developing policy and procedures manuals that outline the responsibilities of the various parties involved with the transportation of students including the students, parents/ guardians, bus drivers and school staff.

Require first aid certification for all drivers.

Require bus drivers to take driver safety courses including aspects such as dealing with inappropriate child behavior.

Require school boards to implement a school bus safety program which includes classroom instruction related to school bus safety, school bus boarding and unloading drills.

Review the rates paid to private operators to ensure an acceptable amount is paid to allow reasonable allowances for repairs and bus replacement.

 

Media Contact:
Jeff Mackey
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6427