Government Ruling on Multi-function Activity Bus Regs Expected in Weeks

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick (Aug. 26, 2008) — A study group released recommendations for the use of the new Canadian multi-function activity bus for all extracurricular trips following a review of a January crash of a 15-passenger van that killed seven high school basketball players and the wife of their coach.

A statement by the education ministry said a ruling on the policy by the provincial government is expected in “the next few weeks.”

New Brunswick banned the use of non-conforming vans for all regular school transportation routes immediately following the Jan. 12 crash, and the Canadian Standards Association published national standards prohibiting the use of the nonconforming vans for activity trips of 10 or more students in July. If implemented, the policy released Tuesday by an interdepartmental work group tasked with reviewing extracurricular transportation would include eight recommendations that would grant the provincial transportation department the authority to monitor and enforce extracurricular transportation guidelines.

The Canadian MFAB vehicle is similar to the U.S. multi-functional school activity bus in that is has many of the same safety design elements as a traditional school bus minus additional equipment, such as the crossing gate, flashing lights or stop arm. In addition to mandating the MFAB use, the New Brunswick policy would also require drivers to successfully complete a departmental training program and operators to submit to the province results of vehicle inspections and service. Currently owned vehicles would require inspection by the Department of Public Safety prior to every school year; winter tires would be required from Oct. 15 to April 30; additional resources would be provided ensure compliance with regulations and monitoring; and the role of the district superintendent would be clarified with respect to safe transport of students on activity trips.

“All parents want to know that their children will be safe when they travel to events,” said Education Minister Kelly Lamrock in a statement. “I look upon these recommendations very favorably, and my cabinet colleagues and I will be acting in the near future to put them into place."