Safety will improve with reduction in maximum age of school buses: Minister

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is reducing the maximum age of school buses in the province from the current maximum of 14 years to 12 years.

"We are committed to improving safety by reducing the age of school buses throughout Newfoundland and Labrador," said Tom Hedderson, Minister of Education. "Beginning this September, we will expect school boards to be even more vigorous about bus safety. New contracts must only involve school buses that are a maximum of 13 years in the first year of the contract, and no more than 12 years old for the remaining term."

This action is a step forward towards meeting the government�s commitment to reduce the average age of school buses to 10 years. The implementation of this initiative will take place over the next several years as contractual obligations expire. To encourage operators to purchase newer school buses, the Department of Education will offer five year contracts where feasible, so that operators can finance their purchases over a longer period of time. The department will also offer funding to school boards for driver training. The goal is to have all school bus drivers trained in such areas as defensive driving, first aid and student management.

"Reducing the age of school buses will ensure that the students of our province travel on buses which meet or better the maximum age used in other provinces," added Minister Hedderson. "Not only are we acting to make the school transportation service safer, but we are also addressing many of the concerns raised by the Auditor General in his reviews on school busing."

Media contact: Alex Marland, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 690-6047

2005 06 27                      1:00 p.m.