Faked inspections at heart of charges as 16 more school buses taken off road
The English School District has taken 16 school buses off the roads in western Newfoundland and suspended a contractor after a Cormack company was charged with school bus inspection violations.
The province announced on Friday that C-MAC Construction was charged with four violations of the official inspection regulations.
Terry Hall, assistant director of education (finance) with the English School District, said six buses were pulled in the Deer Lake area, and another 10 from the Stephenville area.
The school board first learned about possible violations after receiving a tip on Jan. 6, which was then passed on to Service NL, which immediately responded, Hall said.
"We don't compromise student safety. As soon as we get anything, no matter how small or big, we act upon it to ensure their safety," said Hall.
Two of the charges allege the company issued inspection certificates from an official inspection station that it operated in Deer Lake, without actually inspecting the vehicles.
In addition, two charges have been laid against a mechanic with the company for improperly issuing inspection certificates.
"There are contractors out there who own or are partnerships in official inspection stations. Those stations have to have certified mechanics who are able to inspect these types of vehicles on staff," he told CBC's Corner Brook Morning Show.
"I'm not saying it's widespread, but it is out there. However, they do have to follow the procedures that are prescribed under the Highway Traffic Act by Service NL."
'The system is working'
Government recently bolstered the regulations around school bus inspections, including a decision to make inspection results available online.
Hall added he doesn't believe the violations put any of the students on the buses in immediate danger, but the school board would immediately act on any kind of tip, no matter how big or small the issue.
"I think the system is working. We are getting through, we are doing the inspections, we are removing buses that we feel need further work or shouldn't be carrying kids at that time," he said.
"We have put in appropriate buses at this time to carry the kids and they will remain in place until which time we make a further decision from our investigation as to whether or not this contractor can continue with us."
