Quebec authorities have suspended the operation of 1,200 Lion school buses following a recent incident where an electric school bus caught fire in Montreal. The labor union representing the bus driver and others is expressing concerns and seeking explanations.
Josée Dubé, vice-president of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (FEESP-CSN), voiced worries about the safety of the buses after the Montreal fire incident. Fortunately, in that incident, the driver noticed smoke coming from the heating system, evacuated the children on board, and averted any injuries.
This is not the first fire involving a Lion school bus in the province. Another incident occurred in Ascot Corner, Que., where the fire originated from the heating system. The prompt action of the driver prevented any harm to students.
In a separate incident in Huntsville, Ont., a Lion school bus also caught fire earlier in the year, but all 70 students were safely evacuated.
Notably, investigations have revealed that the bus batteries were not the cause of the fires. Instead, the incidents have been linked to issues with the heating systems of the buses.
Following the incidents, the school bus operator, First Student, has inspected over 200 buses from the manufacturer and identified the defrosting system as a potential problem. As a precautionary measure, the company has disabled the defrosters while working on a permanent solution in collaboration with Transport Canada and the manufacturer.
Transport Canada has launched an investigation into the matter, and Lion is cooperating in determining the exact cause of the fires. Lion’s technical team is actively working with operators to implement preventive inspection measures.
In light of the safety concerns, the union is demanding thorough inspections of all Lion buses, a sentiment echoed by parent groups. Transport Canada has assured that any safety issues identified will be addressed promptly, emphasizing the importance of emergency preparedness and swift evacuation procedures in the event of any incidents on school buses.
