School Bus Parking Exemption Denied

Should school buses receive an exemption under the Traffic Bylaw was the topic of a short discussion as the Public Works, Infrastructure and Environment Advisory Committee presented their report to Council.

Under the Traffic Bylaw (passed June 11, 2018) Section 25 (1) (b) no vehicle over 8 metres in length are allowed to park on a highway within the city for more than two hours. This means, since the bylaws adoption, the majority of school buses cannot be parked overnight at driver’s homes as had been the case for many in the past.

Tbe request for the exemption came from the Prairie South School Division. Barry Stewart, transportation manager for Prairie South Schools Division had addressed members of the advisory committee at their February 5th meeting expressing concerns regarding school buses not being exempt from parking restrictions overnight on City streets. Stewart had initially emailed the request on September 17, 2019.

Reese Allen chairperson of the Public Works, Infrastructure and Environment Advisory Committee presented the committee’s report including the recommendation to approve the exemption for all school buses registered with school division within Moose Jaw.

Councillor Chris Warren said the committee’s concerns was that there were concerns there were exemptions for Recreational Vehicles and Public Works equipment but not for school buses.

“The feedback was brought it was an inconvenience for some of the school bus operators to have to return their school bus to their compound at the end of their run and they would appreciate the opportunity to be exempt as well so they could park on their streets,” committee member Councillor Warren said.

He said there were concerns brought forward in the meeting surrounding the need to have an oversized vehicle restriction mainly to safety, site lines and problems with narrow residential roads. There were additional concerns raised about noise caused by buses warming up in the early morning hours disturbing residential neighbourhoods as well.

The committee had requested additional information and it was shown Weyburn, Saskatoon as well as Regina do not exempt their buses from oversize parking rules.

Ultimately he said the committee decided if someone would make the motion they would agree to it so the issue would go to Council and be “an opportunity for further discussion.”

After no further discussion the matter was voted on and defeated in a 6 - 1 vote with Councillors Brian Swanson, Crystal Froese, Warren, Scott McMann, Heather Eby and Dawn Luhning opposed. Mayor Fraser Tolmie voted in favour of the motion.

If the exemption had been approved it would not have exempted the school buses from the 20 minute maximum idling restriction when within 100 metres of a residential zone under Section 29 under the Traffic Bylaw nor would it have waived the requirement to declare taking home a company vehicle (school bus) from work as a taxable benefit under the Income Tax Act.