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View Full Version : School Purpose Vehicles (Canada)

unityco
03-27-2009, 09:05 PM
In our school district, we have little minivans running around transporting students clearly marked "School Purpose Vehicle". Today, I had this thought that the markings are probably to get around child-restraint laws. :eek: Busing in this urban district is pretty much exclusively for young children (I can't remember what the age cut-off is, but at some point they expect you to take public transit,) and I'm sure many of those children would still need to be in boosters, if not harnesses. I also imagine these minivans don't use either, and by declaring themselves "school purpose" they fall under school bus regulations (even though they don't have the safety features of a "real" school bus.)

Is that possible, or am I making something out of nothing?
mommycat
03-30-2009, 07:24 AM
I have no idea, but I am curious.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_Transportation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Student_Canada
Allport
03-30-2009, 06:27 PM
If the vehicle is registered as a school bus, then they don't have to comply to CRS regs. What you have to do is see if they are registered to the owner or the school board......
unityco
03-30-2009, 09:02 PM
If the vehicle is registered as a school bus, then they don't have to comply to CRS regs. What you have to do is see if they are registered to the owner or the school board......

Hmmm. I bet that's it then. :thumbsdown: The Toronto school district contracts out their buses, so I assume the vehicles would be registered to the contracted companies (Cardinal/Stock.) They do carry the company logo as well as the "School Purpose Vehicle" label.

Thanks for the info, Allport - you're always a great resource! :)
Allport
03-31-2009, 07:42 AM
I just got an interesting thing from MTO about CRS exemptions that might help you out. It states:

Driver of a taxicab, bus or public vehicle, while transporting a passenger for hire [are exempt] BUT, the driver of a taxicab or a public vehicle with a seating capacity of less than 10 persons that is operated by or under contract with a school board or other authority in charge of a school for the transportation of children is NOT exempt.
mommycat
03-31-2009, 08:24 AM
That's interesting. SO, if the school had the flippy 15 passenger vans, they would not need CRs but if they use a regular car or minivan they DO need CRs?
unityco
03-31-2009, 12:52 PM
I just got an interesting thing from MTO about CRS exemptions that might help you out. It states:

Driver of a taxicab, bus or public vehicle, while transporting a passenger for hire [are exempt] BUT, the driver of a taxicab or a public vehicle with a seating capacity of less than 10 persons that is operated by or under contract with a school board or other authority in charge of a school for the transportation of children is NOT exempt.

Interesting. I'm going to have to look a little closer next time I see one. Thanks again, Allport!