NL

Unsafe school buses case set over in court in St. John's

Lawyers for the two men who have been charged with 100 violations of the Newfoundland and Labrador Highway Traffic Act in connection to unsafe school buses appeared in court on Wednesday.

Island Bus Services, mechanic face 100 violations of N.L. Highway Traffic Act

Seven buses operated by Island Bus Services were found to have problems in a spot inspection ordered after an incident with one of the buses (Eddy Kennedy/CBC)

A case involving two men charged with 100 violations of the Highway Traffic Act for allegedly allowed unsafe buses to operate on the Avalon Peninsula was set over in court in St. John's Wednesday morning.

Lawyers representing the men requested the matter be rescheduled because they are still awaiting the disclosure of evidence from the Crown.

The men charged, Island Bus Services director Paul Cummings, 59, and mechanic Brian Kent, 57, were not in court.

According to Service NL, Kent faces 39 violations. 

Island Bus Services of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's has been charged with 22 counts of displaying false vehicle inspection certificates.

Service NL Minister Eddie Joyce said the inspections turned up a fuel leak, brake lines leaking and inoperable emergency equipment. (Mark Quinn/CBC)

Meanwhile, an inspection station on Bell Island operated by Island Bus Services has been charged with 39 violations, according to Service NL.

The company is alleged to have issued inspection certificates without doing a proper inspection.

Fuel leak, brake lines leaking

Seven of the company's school buses were taken off the road in late October, after spot inspections uncovered leaky brake lines, a fuel leak, broken safety equipment and other problems.

The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District subsequently terminated Island Bus Service's contract for two St. John's schools, and suspended its contract for schools on the Avalon's southern shore.

The case is due back in court Jan. 18, 2017.

With files from Glen Payette