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
Q632014 (573) 526-6115

June 3, 2014
EMPHASIS: Patrol Announces Results Of 2014 Annual School Bus Inspection Program

Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the results of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Division's 2014 annual school bus inspection program. A total of 11,997 school buses were inspected between the dates of February 3 and May 20, 2014. 84.7% of all buses inspected were approved upon initial inspection by inspectors.

During the annual school bus inspection program, buses found to have no defective items are rated as "approved.” Buses having one or more defective items, but deemed to be safe for the transport of students, are rated as "rejected.” Buses found to have one or more defective items, which may compromise the safe transportation of students, are rated as "out-of-service.”

Buses rated as "rejected" may continue to be operated for the purpose of pupil transportation until repair is made. School districts are allowed 10 days following initial inspection to repair identified defects before being reinspected by the Patrol’s motor vehicle inspection personnel. Buses placed out-of-service by inspectors must be repaired, reinspected, and placed back into service by the Patrol's motor vehicle inspection personnel prior to being used for the purpose of pupil transportation.

Statewide results of the 2014 annual school bus inspection program are as follows:
Ø 10,161 buses received approval upon initial inspection.
Ø 1,431 buses were rejected upon initial inspection.
Ø 405 buses were placed out-of-service upon initial inspection.

"I understand the many challenges faced by the school districts and contracting agencies tasked with transporting Missouri's students. I appreciate the positive working relationship that exists among motor vehicle inspection personnel, Missouri's school districts, and contracting agencies," said Colonel Replogle. "Missouri's schoolchildren deserve the safest transportation possible when traveling to and from school each day, and Missouri's pupil transportation professionals continue to make student safety a high priority despite higher operating costs and continued funding shortages. The annual school bus inspection program ensures that Missouri school buses are among the safest in the nation."

A total of 258 Missouri school districts earned the distinction of Total Fleet Excellence for approval ratings of 90% or higher with no buses placed out-of-service. During the 2014-2015 school year, 5,286 buses in award-winning fleets may display the Total Fleet Excellence sticker in the lower corner of the first window on the passenger-entry side of the bus. In addition, each Total Fleet Excellence district receives a certificate from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Results of the 2014 annual school bus inspection program are a matter of public record. Information regarding the 2014 annual school bus inspection program may be requested through the MSHP's Custodian of Records office at http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/CRID/custodianOfRecords.html.


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