Novi Schools Bus Fleet Passes State Inspection

All 32 of Novi Community School District's buses passed inspection.

"We have two mechanics and they work diligently to make sure all of the buses are always kept in shape," said Cindy Valentine, Novi schools director of transportation. 

The Michigan State Police conducted inspections of buses throughout the state and rated them as either "Red," "Yellow," or "Pass." Buses in the "Red" category were rejected because of their unsafe conditions and must be repaired immediately. Buses in the "Yellow" category had unsatisfactory conditions but were deemed safe for operation. By law, these school buses must be repaired within 60 days of the original inspection date. Buses in the "Pass" category were considered satisfactory. 

Novi schools had zero buses that needed repairs and 28 were approved by the state police's inspection. Valentine said the district's four new buses were not included because they were inspected before delivery.

She said the mechanics' preventative maintenance is what got Novi schools a 100 percent pass this year and last year. Bus drivers are also an integral part of the maintenance, she said.

"Drivers do a pre-trip inspection every morning and every afternoon before they take their bus out," she said.

If they find anything out of order, they call the mechanics to make the repairs and use one of the district's substitute buses. Valentine said the district's positive safety record is due to the efforts and teamwork of the drivers and mechanics. 

Nearby Northville Public Schools had five buses that were rejected and needed immediate repairs and 35 buses that passed the inspection.

View the complete results of the Michigan School Bus Inspection Report.