TORONTO Canadas transport minister has proposed scrapping the hours-of-service exemption for bus drivers at three public transit systems that are under the control of the federal government.

The announcement by Transport Minister John Baird was enthusiastically endorsed -- as an important safety initiative -- by Motor Coach Canada, the trade association that represents private bus operators in Canada.

"Over the past five years we have challenged the federal governments rationale for the transit driver exemption," said Brian Crow, president of Motor Coach Canada.

"The government has never been able to justify the exemption, yet, it is a known fact that transit drivers use the exemption to work double shifts and far exceed the maximum hours allowed for other bus and truck drivers."

Crow indicated Motor Coach Canadas concerns are for the safety of transit bus passengers and other road users.

In Canada, both commercial bus and truck drivers have their hours of service regulated by rules that are based largely on scientific research and what is known about human physiology and fatigue.

But for the past 20 years, transit bus drivers in Canada have been exempt from hours-of-service regulations.

"The transit bus exemption never made sense, so we applaud the ministers intentions to make transit drivers subject to the same regulations", said Crow. "After all, the safety of bus passengers and other road users depends on drivers being alert and well rested, regardless of the type of bus."

With the exception of British Columbia, all Canadian provinces and territories have similar transit bus driver exemptions in their regulations.

Transport Canadas proposal would only impact the three transit systems under its jurisdiction -- Ottawa, Outaouais and Windsor, Ontario. However, if adopted, Motor Coach Canada believes it will compel other provinces and territories to consider similar action.

"It will be very difficult for a municipal transit system to argue that its drivers should be able to drive without daily and weekly limitations," said Crow.