Van ban on: Pearson board

BY RACHELLE YEUNG

Since the tragedy in Bathurst last week, in which seven students and a teacher were killed when their van fishtailed and collided with a tractor-trailer, reports have been flying about the dangers of that particular type of vehicle.

Because the 15-passenger or “extended” van is now being considered a main factor in the incident, it will no longer be used by the Lester B. Pearson School Board, according to Mario Barrette, assistant director of Community Services, responsible for student transport.

“The school board doesn’t own any such vehicles, but they could have been rented by any school,” Barrette said.

LBPSB has school buses contracted to bring students to and from school in the morning and afternoon, but any transportation necessary for extracurricular activities is the responsibility of the school.

Activity organizers may have opted for the use of extended vans instead of mini-buses because they are cheaper to rent and do not require a special permit, according to Barrette.

However, a reminder sent by Quebec’s transport ministry to the province’s school boards last Thursday emphasized that school boards are entirely responsible for all student transportation. Strict safety guidelines state that vehicles for this purpose must be painted in chrome yellow, and have flashing red-and-yellow lights, reinforced side panels and higher seats that absorb impact, among others.

“These plain white vans were never allowed for students travelling to school activities,” spokesperson for the minister of transport Terry McKinnon said.