Skip to content

Education buses retired over safety concerns

Fifteen activity buses have been removed from the Department of Education's fleet because of safety concerns. The buses were used exclusively for field trips.

Fifteen activity buses have been removed from the Department of Education’s fleet because of safety concerns.

The buses were used exclusively for field trips.

While the buses were among the older ones from the fleet, they were not terribly old. One was from 2001, and the others ranged from 2007-2010.

One of the buses crashed in July, when it was on loan to Environment Yukon’s Conservation Action Team camp. No one was injured.

“That incident raised safety concerns regarding the construction of that bus, and as a result there was a complete assessment of all the fleet,” said Michele Royle, spokesperson for the Department of Education.

“The vehicles were purchased at the time with the best information that we had available, but since then, new and higher standards have been put in place,” she said.

The department will issue a public tender for the purchase of replacement vehicles, which are expected to cost about $1,275,000.

In the meantime, students will travel to field trips on the remaining fleet vehicles, or on rented buses.

Highways and Public Works will determine what happens to the retired vehicles, Royle said.