PEI minister says school buses are very safe despite age concerns

Education Minister Jill Burridge (Liberal) of Prince Edward Island said school buses are “very safe” even though some exceed the legal age limit, on Friday.

The comment came after a Jan. 8 crash that injured several students—highlighting that some buses are older than the provincial maximum age, raising safety concerns.

The accident occurred on Jan. 8, 2024, when a school bus collided with a vehicle on a rural road, prompting an immediate review of fleet safety standards ^[1]. Emergency responders arrived within minutes, and the driver was unharmed. The incident prompted Transport Canada to issue a reminder about regular vehicle maintenance.

Burridge said routine inspections and driver training keep the fleet secure. “Our school buses are very safe,” she said. The department conducts bi‑annual mechanical checks on every bus and requires drivers to complete defensive‑driving courses annually.

Liberal lawmakers have urged the government to enforce the age limit strictly. “We need to make sure every bus on the road meets the age standards set out in the law,” an MLA said. The Liberal MLA, who declined to be named, said the government must prioritize replacing the oldest units before the next school year.

Transport officials confirmed that a portion of the province’s 400 buses are beyond the 12‑year limit, though they remain operational after passing safety checks ^[2]. With roughly 10 % of the fleet exceeding the 12‑year threshold, officials say the buses still meet provincial safety criteria after thorough inspections.

The ministry announced a plan to replace aging vehicles over the next three years, funded by a $5 million allocation from the provincial budget. The money will purchase up to 40 new low‑emission buses, aligning with the province’s climate‑action goals.

While the minister maintains confidence in current safety levels, the ongoing review may lead to stricter enforcement of age limits and accelerated fleet renewal.