Another school bus sidelined by safety concerns

Service NL has pulled a Mount Pearl school bus off the road for mechanical and safety problems.

The department received a complaint that warning lights weren't working on the bus, which was operated by Kelloway Investments.

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An inspection found 11 defects.

The rear door was so seized it could only be opened a quarter of the way. There were problems with the brake lines, and missing bolts.

Also, the windshield washer didn't work, and there was a problem with the side-mounted stop sign.

Eastern School District said the bus served St. Peter's Primary and was taken out of service Friday morning.

8 buses pulled off road

It's the eighth bus pulled off the road in two weeks. Seven other buses, belonging to Island Bus Services, have also been taken off the road in St. Johns.

Service NL said that under the current inspection program, school buses are required to get official inspection twice a year, in July and December.

The department also said that, in some cases, bus contractors themselves are registered to do official inspections.

Service NL said some bus inspections are announced, while others are not, and that what happened recently shows the system is working. 

The department said all of the school buses in the province are inspected by highway enforcement officers from the Motor Registration Division between September and December, and 30 per cent of the bus fleet is inspected again during the spring.