Opposition accuses government of ignoring school bus camera problems for years

The effectiveness of P.E.I.'s school bus cameras was raised on the floor of the Legislature yesterday.

• EXCLUSIVE P.E.I. school bus cameras effectiveness questioned
• Traffic blasting past stopped school bus captured on home video

The Department of Transportation paid for about 10 school buses to be equipped with exterior cameras, starting in 2011, to capture the licence plates of vehicles passing when the bus's lights are flashing.     

Last week, CBC reported on emails received through access to information that questioned how well the cameras have been working. 

"It's been a number of years since it's been identified as an issue with these cameras," said Steven Myers, the opposition's education critic.

"It was raised at least two years ago about the effectiveness of this camera. Can you tell this House today why were they left in place after they were, their effectiveness was questioned?"

Not our responsibility

"When the cameras were bought there was a particular software that came with them," Transportation Minister Paula Biggar responded.

"When they were turned over to the school board, it has been the responsibility of the school board to keep that updated. It's my understanding that perhaps there have been challenges with that happening."

Biggar said school bus drivers will be getting training on testifying in court, during an upcoming professional development day, which she hopes will lead to more successful charges for violations.

Safety 'serious issue'

That response wasn't enough for Myers, who asked "if this is such a serious issue, why did it take grandparents posting a video to Facebook for you to finally address it?"

Education Minister Hal Perry said in the case of the bus on the video, pick-up and drop-off location and times have been changed to avoid a high traffic time of day and improve visibility. 

Biggar added the government has also raised fines for passing school buses from $1,000 to $5,000.