MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
Q6105 (573) 526-6115

June 14, 2010
EMPHASIS: Statewide School Bus Inspection Program Results

Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces results of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Division's 2010 school bus inspection program. A total of 12,250 buses were inspected by Missouri State Highway Patrol personnel across the state of Missouri between the dates of February 2 and April 30, 2010. Missouri's 2010 statewide approval rating was 84.3%.

The results are as follows:

-- 10,326 buses received approval upon initial inspection. During the annual school bus inspection program, buses found to be free of defective items are "approved".
-- 1,553 buses were rejected. Buses with one or more minor defects, yet deemed safe for the transport of students, are identified as "defective".
-- 371 buses were placed out-of-service. Buses containing one or more major defects, deemed to be unsafe for the transport of students, are identified as "out-of-service" by inspection personnel.

While defective buses may continue to be used for pupil transportation until repair is made, out-of-service buses must be repaired, re-inspected by Highway Patrol motor vehicle inspection personnel, and placed back into service prior to being used for student transport. School districts are allowed 10 days following initial inspection in which to repair identified defective or out-of-service item(s) before being re-inspected by inspection personnel.

“For decades the Patrol has inspected every school bus in the state each year,” said Col. Ron Replogle. “Our children deserve safe transportation to and from school every day. This program encourages every bus company to help ensure Missouri has the safest school buses in the nation.”

Further information regarding the annual school bus inspection program of the Missouri State Highway Patrol may be obtained from Motor Vehicle Inspection Analyst Brenda Davis, Missouri State Highway Patrol, at (573) 526-6292, or via e-mail at brenda.davis@mshp.dps.mo.gov. (###)