New busses hit the road for WRSD students

As the new school year comes into full swing, five new propane busses are hitting the road to carry Wild Rose School Division students to their schools. 

The new busses are seen as a greener option, with each bus displacing 40,000 gallons of diesel and emit 150,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide over their lifetime. They are also quieter and require less maintenance, something WRSD Deputy Superintendent Greg Wedman says is good for safety as well as cost. 

“With the busses being so quiet, it allows drivers to have a better idea of what’s going on inside and outside the bus, increasing safety. They require less oil changes, saving us in maintenance costs as well.” 

The busses also perform better in cold conditions, allowing for a shorter start up for drivers. 

Wedman also addressed the issue of motorists illegally passing school busses on the roadways, saying no matter what no one is in that much of a hurry to risk endangering a life. 

retrofitting building

Carnival Cinemas applies to rezone for residential development

24m ago

Over 65 participants

Two-day family violence training hosted in Lacombe

59m ago

10 to 15 metres

Red Deer residents concerned with increased building heights in new Zoning Bylaw

4h ago

“We continue to have frustration with people passing busses and creating unsafe conditions. It’s not just the fine you could receive, it’s the student’s safety as well.” 

A driver caught passing a bus when the alternating red lights are flashing faces a $543 ticket and the loss of six demerit points. The only exception is when motorists are travelling in the opposite direction on a divided highway, and even in those instances, a driver should exercise caution and keep an eye out for pedestrians.