VANCOUVER - The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will begin a review of the safety performance of the motor coach industry in B.C. to ensure that travellers on B.C.’s highways are as safe as possible at all times, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

“B.C. has a strong framework that governs the motor coach industry, and I want to make sure that British Columbians and tourists can continue to have confidence in bus travel” said Stone. “We are going to take a look at our system, our regulations and at other jurisdictions to see if there are areas where we can improve to make sure bus travel on our highways is as safe as possible.”

The Motor Coach Bus Safety Review will include a review of:

• Safety statistics and performance for the industry including a comparison with other jurisdictions throughout North America.
• B.C.’s current regulatory framework and procedures, which will include an analysis of company licensing, driver licencing, hours of service, driver training, vehicle inspections and vehicle standards.
• Best practices in neighbouring jurisdictions and around North America to look for innovative changes that are helping to make the industry safer.

As part of the review, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will consult with industry groups, tourism agencies, safety-based organizations and other government agencies responsible for bus safety.

“Pacific Coach Lines believes that providing safe and reliable service for our customers is the cornerstone of our business,” said Jim Leidl, general manager of Pacific Coach Lines. “This review will help our industry become the safest it possibly can be, which is something we all work towards."

The review will begin this summer and is expected to be finished and publicly released early in the new year.

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

BACKGROUNDER

Terms of Reference -- Motor Coach Bus Safety Review

PURPOSE:

After two high profile motor coach bus crashes in the last three years, the Ministry will be conducting a review of the safety of the industry to assess trends and potential areas of improvement.

SCOPE:

Motor coaches include larger buses commonly identified as ‘over the road’ buses with an elevated seating area over the luggage storage. School buses and Transit buses, intended for a different use with different licencing standards, are outside the scope of this review. The scope of the Motor Coach Bus Safety Review is outlined as follows:

• Complete a review of safety statistics and performance for the industry.The motor coach bus sector is a relatively small component of the commercial transportation industry.Safety trends are improving for the entire industry, but this review will look specifically at the motor coach bus sector.The review will look at various aspects of bus safety including safety trends, and statistics relative to other commercial sectors.In addition, the review will look to other jurisdictions as a comparison.
• Complete a review of current regulatory framework and procedures.Review the current methodology and legislative framework in place to monitor the industry.Areas of focus may include company licensing, driver licencing, hours of service, driver training, vehicle inspections and vehicle standards.
• Complete a review of other jurisdictions and best practices.Assess the level of consistency between British Columbia and neighbouring jurisdictions.In addition, include a broader review of practices around North America to look for innovative practices that are helping to make the industry safer.

TIMELINE:

Complete the Review of safety statistics and performance for the industry.

• Complete by Fall 2015

Complete the Regulatory Review and prepare a summary report for discussion.

• Complete by Winter 2015/16

Review Conducted by:

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure staff will undertake the review, overseen by both the ADM Highways Department and the ADM of the Transportation Policy and Programs Department. The ministry team will include staff from CVSE and the Passenger Transportation Branch (PTB).

CONSULTATION:

Consultation will be focused on industry groups, safety-based organizations and other government agencies responsible for bus safety.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241