Mothers of Boys in Red victims object to P.E.I. shuttle service's plans to expand route into N.B.

paulette hardiman

- March 5, 2012 at 12:21:29

My daughter is attending school in PEI,she (we ) have used Advanced Shuttle many times and have not had any issues.I am a coach myself and we have many rules to follow and conditions to meet before we can transport our players.I remember this accident and at the time was coaching a gr 9 team.We had our Provincial tournament just after the accident and we did a memorial to the boys where we posted their team picture and had a moments silence.I am a mother and I feel for anyone who has lost a child.Can I know what they feel? No and I hope I never will but that was one accident,a machine that should not have been on the road,not even because of mechanical condition but because of the weather.Personally I don't like the bigger van but with the proper conditions and drivers they are as safe as anything else that is on the road. I think it's safe to say that there are cars/trucks/vans on the road that are more of a threat than these.When a piece falls from a council truck and kills a person like in Montreal,do we take all council trucks off of the road? When a snow plow kills a child like a few years ago in Quebec,do we take all plows of the road? Nope it's not nice when it's that close to you but life still has to go on.If you want to change something get after the machines that are not properly serviced or driven.How many pieces of junk ride our roads every day? Target these and get them off of our highways.

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Frustrated in French River

- January 9, 2012 at 15:11:35

This is a long standing issue with 15 passenger vans. I have one that I use for my wife and myself with our 11 children. PE wants to register it as a bus and require anyone driving it to have a min class 4 license. We have owned and used this van(PE calls it a bus) for 12 years without so much as a dent. Obviously, care should be taken to maintain and drive but when it is for personal use it should be exempt from commercial stipulations. I fully concur with commercial licensing for business when you are using them to transfer "passengers" other than your immediate family. This hubbub over the dangers have created a serious inconvenience for large families and I feel discriminated against.

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Michael Nesbitt

- January 9, 2012 at 13:41:58

I agree almost whole-heartedly with the considerations of Kimberly Dekker, other than her absolute trust in the qualifications and abilities of drivers or the maintenance schedule and actualities applied to any commercial enterpirse. We are each responsible for our choices. How many of us do a quick visual inspection of the vehicles we drive in, or keep an eye on the driver's actions - or are willing to voice any concerns if they arise? Even then, nothing is certain, and even full-size autobus collisions or failures have cost lives. Nonetheless, we have to travel, and no one method is going to meet all demands.

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Resident Kane

- January 9, 2012 at 12:58:17

I feel for these people, I really do. However, this was an isolated incident. Certain measures can be taken to ensure safety like studded tires. Not sending young hockey teams on trips during storms without and emergency fund in case of getting storm stayed. Yes that's right. Sometimes it is better if you just pull over. Whether it's at a rest stop or a hotel. I know this from experience driving through Northern Ontario during snow storms. This shuttle company should not suffer because another company screwed up.

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Islander

- January 9, 2012 at 12:14:06

The mothers are not only correct based on their experience, a ton of independent sources backs them up. Tests by reputable agencies showed these things flip with little effort among other things. They have also been removed from use by countless schools and transfer organizations. These things should be pulled off the road plain and simple. A little search of google would go far to enlighten people who would rather attack these women.

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  Islander right

  - January 9, 2012 at 12:58:40

  It's like they are employees of Advanced Shuttle Services or tight with friends defending the operation for some benefits... don't get it ...

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  Up to date...

  - January 9, 2012 at 12:57:26

  There are some pretty old studies on google. Which ones have you looked at and did you look at the date? They now have traction control, independent differential, more stable wheel base and a lower center of gravity making them way less tippy and more grip to the road.

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  Citation please

  - January 9, 2012 at 12:57:35

  Please provide citations to the testing by reputable agencies.

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  seriously

  - January 9, 2012 at 13:42:56

  How about the US Dept of Transportation? A slightly larger and more capable organization than Robert Vessey's little asphalt office. http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/safetystudies/SR0203.pdf

Paul Gallant

- January 9, 2012 at 11:34:52

There can be no doubt this issue brings painful memories to Isabelle Hains and Ana Acevedo. However, I believe they and many others including the New Brunswick School districts have been comparing apples to oranges in this matter. The van that was carrying their sons was an under maintained older Ford model which is configured totally different than those currently in use by Advanced Shuttle Services and others. It was an awkward design with extra space tacked on behind the rear tires to stretch a normal size van. I have driven them and they could easily cause a "tail wagging the dog" effect on slippery roads. The vans used by Advanced Shuttle Services have a much longer wheel base with the rear wheels located much closer to the back of the vehicle. They are also equipped with traction control and automated braking systems. Driving and handling characteristics of them is much the same as a car.

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Apples and Oranges

- January 9, 2012 at 09:27:14

The accident that killed those players was mainly due to issues with the upkeep of the van. Poor tires and poor driving conditions in one accident, does not make all passenger vans dangerous.

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Hmatt

- January 9, 2012 at 09:08:55

On what basis is she getting her nose out of joint, What does this shuttle service have to do with the death of her son, besides the fact that vans are used... She does not speak for me, I think it's a great idea

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Kimberley Dekker

- January 9, 2012 at 09:04:09

My heart sincerely goes out to the mother's of these young boys whose lives were taken in such a tragic death. I have a son who is 19 and who studies at NSCC in Dartmouth. There certainly was no further discussion when he received his acceptance to the college, as my son was given an opportunity to achieve his dream. I miss him terribly, but due to the services of Advanced Shutttle Service, based within a close proximity of our home, my son is able to visit home and return promptly and safely. Just recently, my son returned to school being transported by a friend, and I was near frantic by the time he arrived in Dartmouth. I made a decision that day- never again! The drivers with Advanced Shuttle Services would have an impeccable driving record and skill, and the vans would be in top notch mechanical condition. The owner of this business owns a motor vehicle repair shop and has proven his professional ethics to my family, especially my mother time and time again. I vote yes! Thank you David Anderson and his qualified drivers for providing safe transportation for my boy to school and home again.

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