New Brunswick adopts school transportation policy changes

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick — The province has formally adopted as official policy the standards for extracurricular travel and school vehicle maintenance that were introduced in 2008, as reported here.

The policies mandate increased training for drivers who transport students; additional funding for extracurricular transportation; that schools may not acquire 15-passenger vans for the purpose of transporting students; and the mandatory use of winter tires.

In addition, the Department of Transportation will take over maintenance of school-operated vehicles to ensure consistency, with schools still responsible for maintenance costs.

The new policies are based on the recommendations of a government working group established in the wake of a fatal van accident on a high school basketball trip in 2008.

To read the full text of the new policies, click here and here.