Dozens of school bus routes in the London area that were canceled on Monday are expected to resume operations tomorrow morning, as confirmed by one of the major student transportation companies in southwestern Ontario.
Langs Bus Lines announced the suspension of 186 routes on Monday as a precautionary measure to conduct immediate inspections on their electric fleet. This decision was made following a recent incident in Montreal where a school bus, similar to the ones used by Langs Bus Lines, caught fire.
In response to a safety bulletin from Lion Electric, Langs Bus Lines decided to temporarily remove the electric vehicles from service to ensure the safety of students and staff. The company initiated inspections promptly, with a gradual return of the school buses to service planned for Tuesday, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Lion Electric stated that bus operators received an inspection bulletin last week, which has since been updated with additional safety checks. The company emphasized a progressive and safe return of buses to the road as verifications are completed and vehicle compliance is confirmed.
Recent fires involving electric buses in Canada, including incidents in Huntsville, Ontario, and Ascot Corner, Quebec, were not attributed to the bus batteries. Montreal firefighters determined that the fire in the recent incident was linked to the bus’s heating system.
Valérie Tremblay, an expert in sustainable mobility, highlighted that misconceptions about electric bus safety exist, noting that the heating and cooling systems in buses can be a common factor in fires, irrespective of the bus type. Electric buses are equipped with safety features, including secure battery housing and non-flammable battery contents.
While acknowledging the need to review safety protocols, Tremblay expressed confidence that measures would be taken to enhance the safety of electric school buses going forward. Transport Canada is investigating the Montreal incident under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
In the London area, some bus routes operated by other companies remained in service on Monday, including routes to several secondary schools. Families were advised to check My Big Yellow Bus for updates and cancellations.
Please note that this story will be updated with any response from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation regarding plans for the province.
(Source)
