Unsafe school buses case set over in court in St. John's
Island Bus Services, mechanic face 100 violations of N.L. Highway Traffic Act
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.
- School bus company, mechanic face 100 charges
- School buses taken off road for leaking brake lines, broken emergency gear
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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.
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