Nearly 100 percent of school buses and district vehicles met safety
standards during an extensive three-day Washington State Patrol
inspection in August.
Of the 187 school buses and 19 district support vehicles examined, 97
percent of the buses and 100 percent of the vehicles passed inspection,
said Cathy McDaniel, director of transportation.
Six buses were placed out of service for issues such as a crossing
arm malfunction and shock adjustors out of adjustment. District
mechanics fixed those items immediately, presented the buses to the
state patrol for reinspection, and returned the buses to service while
inspectors were on site, she said.
Inspectors also noted more minor repairs such as holes in seats,
faded stop paddle markings, and inoperable heaters. These items were not
deemed severe enough to pull a bus out of service and are being
addressed.
The state patrol inspects district buses and vehicles twice a year —
the full operating fleet in summer during a planned inspection, and
about 25 percent of the buses during an unannounced winter inspection
sometime between November and March.