Hank Investigates: Risky Ride

This is Quincy school bus number 720, responsible for getting kids safely home. But we found what their waiting parents don't know. This bus failed its last two state safety inspections.

Quincy parent
"I'm shocked actually."

Both times the bus had such such serious violations it was immediately ordered off the road.

Quincy parent
"It's upsetting."

And our exclusive investigation proves many other kids may also be taking a risky ride.

After this Haverhill bus rolled down a hill and onto a house police cited the company for a faulty emergency brake.

In Worcester, a rear wheel fell off and crashed into pedestrian Suzanne Niddrie.

Suzanne will be in a wheelchair for months.

Suzanne Niddrie, victim
"This is an accident that never should have happened."

Look at these state inspection reports we obtained for thousands of buses in dozens of communities. They reveal a shocking pattern of neglect, mechanical problems and safety violations: and almost half the buses we checked failed inspection.

Anne Collins, Registrar, MA RMV
"It absolutely concerns me there's a lot of work to be done."

Registry of motor vehicles inspectors, checking buses three times a year, discover failing brakes, worn out tires, transmission leaks, engine trouble, steering problems, loose seats, and broken emergency doors.

Massachusetts RMV inspector
"It's could mean the difference between life and death."

Hundreds of buses so dangerous they were instantly yanked out of service.

What's even more disturbing the bus companies and school districts are warned in advance that inspectors are coming!

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
"Since the inspections are not a surprise, is there any excuse to fail?"

Anne Collins, Registrar, MA RMV
"There's no excuse for operating an unsafe school bus."

But in Scituate buses: 65-percent of school buses failed inspection last year. In Lynnfield: 55-percent failed. In New Bedford: 55-percent. Revere has just two buses in their fleet, often; they're maintained in the high school's shop class. Failure rate there: 100-percent.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
"How could both buses fail and both buses be taken out of service, how can that be?"

Peter Martino, Revere Transportation Coordinator
"I don't think it's unusual, I think a lot of school departments have the same problem."

In Quincy 61-percent of school buses failed inspection last year and many of those buses failed time after time.

The city of Quincy owns and maintains its school buses. The chief mechanic would not discuss it

Quincy Public Schools Chief Mechanic
"I have nothing to say!"

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
"You can’t tell me why so many buses fail inspection?"

But the school superintendent now promises bus maintenance will improve.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
"Right now your buses are getting failing grades is that good enough?

Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Quincy School Superintendent
"No."

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
"Is that safe enough?"

Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Quincy School Superintendent
"It's never safe enough."

And in Boston last year, with more than 700 buses, 51-percent failed inspection.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
"Does this concern you?"

Rich Jacobs, Transportation Director

"Certainly it does. If we don't all do the right things then we're going to have buses out there that aren't always going to be 100-percent."

And that's the clincher. We found some school districts do not have scheduled maintenance programs. Bottom line that means they must rely on bus drivers to report problems. Or just wait until something goes wrong.

Suzanne Niddrie, victim
"These are all our little kids that are coming to school. How can they put their lives in danger like this? That's outrageous."

State officials reveal now they are considering changing the rules to clamp down on bad buses. They're are plans in the works to make bus inspections a surprise, and possibly even to charge fines when a bus fails.

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