99.5 percent of Columbia Public School buses approved in annual highway patrol inspection

Columbia Public Schools received a 99.5 percent approval rating in the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s annual school bus inspection.

That means 214 out of CPS’ 215 buses were approved. One bus was rated “out of service,” which means it poses an immediate danger. The bus must be repaired, re-inspected and placed back into service by the Highway Patrol before it is used to transport students.

None of CPS’ buses were rated defective. A defective rating means the bus can continue to operate and transport students until repairs are made. School districts are given 10 days following the initial inspection to repair defects.

CPS performed better than average. Of all buses inspected in Missouri, 90.6% were approved by the highway patrol.

In Jefferson City Public Schools, 94.8% of buses were approved. In Fulton, 88.2% of buses were approved and in Higbee R-VIII, only 25.0% of buses were approved.

“The annual school bus inspection program is one way the Missouri State highway Patrol serves and protects our children. This program is a success because the Highway Patrol, Missouri’s schools, and private pupil transportation companies make transporting students safely a priority,” Colonel Sandra Karsten said in a statement. “I appreciate the positive and professional working relationship our agency shares with these professionals.”

You can read the full report here.