News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Opposition raises concerns about school bus safety

Asks about seatbelts, overcrowded and bus inspections

January 12, 2005

"The Minister has a responsibility to ensure the buses children travel on are safe and it is also her responsibility to provide proof that everything is being done to make these buses as safe as possible," said Sweeney. "The opposition has asked questions on these matters in the House of Assembly and the answers have not been very reassuring."

One issue the Liberal MHA raised was the possibility of putting seatbelts on school buses based on new evidence that they may help save lives. "I want to know if the Department is aware of this new research and the fact that some other provinces and states are starting to move towards seatbelts on school buses. The Minister failed to address this issue when it was raised in the House this session."

There have been reports in the province that at least one school board has adopted an airline industry model for their student transportation. They deliberately allocate less seats than students with the assumption that a certain percentage of students will not show up each day. "While such a model may work well for airlines, I have concerns that it might lead to dangerous overcrowding when used in student transportation. I want to know if the Minister is aware that some boards may be using this policy, if she agrees with it and if she will be taking action to prevent overcrowding. It is simply not acceptable to overcrowd seats or have students sitting on the floor of school buses."

The Liberal MHA is also concerned that the high price of gas in the province may cause some private contractors and school boards to be unable to do proper maintenance on school buses. For this reason it is important to be sure that bus inspections are being done in comprehensive and timely manner. "Even if this is a remote possibility that they are not being done, government has a responsibility to consider this matter and bring it to the attention of the public if any problems are being discovered. Given the serious problems which have existed in other departments because of backlogs, this is a question which has to be answered."

Sweeney says he realizes these are tough questions on a sensitive matter but he feels obliged to ask them given the fact that they involve the safety of children. "I would rather ask these questions and be proven wrong than to stay silent when there is even a remote possibility children would come to harm that could have been prevented."
 

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