Manitoba mandating passenger heaters for all buses

Starting next month, all buses in Manitoba will require functional heating systems for passengers.

The provincial government announced the changes on Monday, saying all buses will need passenger heating and there will be daily inspections starting Nov. 1, 2024.

"Whether travelling by bus is the only option or their preferred choice, all passengers must be safe and comfortable when travelling during cold weather," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor in a news release.

These changes come after Naylor heard reports of people travelling on buses when temperatures were cold and there was no heat.

"For northern bus passengers travelling overnight during the winter, working heaters are a necessity," said Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook in a news release.

"They're a vital piece of safety equipment on highways where communities are hundreds of kilometres apart."

Under the new rules, violators could be hit with fines of $174 and $298 or they could wind up with both penalties totalling $472 depending on the circumstances.

Naylor said those penalties are subject to a review to see if they are appropriate.

"We've had that exact discussion; are the fines strong enough for all various things that are being regulated?" said Naylor.

The province has 40 inspectors that do commercial vehicle inspections.