Feds Urge Probe Of Baltimore City Schools Transportation Department

BALTIMORE, MD — The National Transportation Safety Board issued three safety recommendations for Baltimore City Schools in the aftermath of the bus crash that happened last fall near Irvington. Six people died in the collision on Frederick Avenue on Nov. 1, 2016.

The school bus was blocks away from picking up its first passenger when it hit a Mustang, spun and drove into oncoming traffic, ramming the driver's side of an MTA bus, officials said.

Four of the deceased were on the MTA bus, and both bus drivers were killed, police said.

After a review of the crash, federal safety officials on Tuesday recommended a third-party audit of the transportation department for Baltimore City Schools. The recommendation was classified as "urgent" in the National Transportation Safety Board report.

Federal transportation officials said that the driver of the school bus had been involved in 12 crashes in the past five years and had a history of hypertension, seizures and diabetes. In one case, he passed out behind the wheel in 2011, injuring a teacher's aide after he hit three poles and a parked car, according to the report, which stated that the school system's transportation supervisor did not meet with him about it afterward.

"During its investigation, the NTSB documented numerous instances in which BCPS did not review or maintain records as required to comply with state or federal regulations. BCPS did not review crash reports, did not maintain crash cost documentation, did not maintain criminal background reports, and had a drug-testing program that did not comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations," according to the report issued Tuesday.

"The NTSB is concerned that these BCPS shortcomings in its oversight of school bus drivers place BCPS students, as well as the public, at risk. BCPS did provide investigators with information on some post-crash actions it has taken to better review crash reports and driver qualifications," officials reported. "However, although BCPS has taken some steps to improve its processes, the risks posed by unqualified drivers remain."

Therefore, the NTSB recommended having a third party evaluate the transportation program at BCPS.

A second safety recommendation, based on the audit, was for the school system to take corrective action to ensure that school bus drivers are qualified and meet standards under the code of Maryland.

The third recommendation was to modify Maryland regulations for school bus drivers so that the transportation department would be notified if drivers were found to be unqualified during pre-employment screenings.

Related:

• Baltimore Bus Crash Leaves 6 Dead
• Columbia Man Survived Baltimore Bus Crash: Report
• Police ID Victims In Deadly Bus Crash

Pictured, a school bus struck a passenger vehicle before crossing the center lane and colliding with the transit bus. Photo Credit: Maryland Transportation Authority Police.