HALIFAX -- The company that transports students for the Halifax regional school board is pleading not guilty to charges it failed to properly inspect the brakes on one of its buses.
Stock Transportation was issued a ticket in May under the province's Motor Carrier Act.
Troy Phinney, general manager of Stock's Halifax operations, represented the company at its arraignment in Dartmouth provincial court Friday.
An inspector with the motor carrier division of the provincial Transportation Department alleges Stock "failed to complete an internal brake inspection within a specified time frame."
The offence was allegedly committed between April 20 and May 3 at Stock's facility in Dartmouth.
Phinney entered the not guilty plea on behalf of the company and asked that a trial date not be set until a lawyer can be present.
Judge Frank Hoskins granted that request and scheduled the case to return to court Aug. 20.
If convicted, Stock faces a fine of between $250 and $5,000.
Stock operates a fleet of 266 buses for the Halifax school board.
Board spokesman Doug Hadley was aware of the charge when contacted on Friday.
"While we are concerned at the potential safety risk, Stock has a strong safety record," Hadley said.
"They've assured us that if they are found to be in violation, they will take the necessary steps to make sure any offence is not repeated."
Stock has 3,500 buses serving 27 school districts in four provinces -- Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta.
