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CHARLEVOIX, Mich. - Ninety percent of school buses statewide passed inspection by the Michigan State Policy Traffic and Safety Division in 2007-2008, the Charlevoix Courier reported. The article said that the pass rate was up slightly from the previous year's 89 percent. A total of 17,200 vehicles were inspected in the annual program.
The Courier reported that the 198-point inspection was done on buses owned by public and independent private schools, as well as those used in school districts that contract with a private firm for transportation.
"I would feel bad if I failed - I'd be disappointed," said Joe Howie, the transportation director for both the Boyne City and Boyne Falls public school districts. Both districts had an exceptional five-year record, according to the article.
State police records show that The Public Schools of Petoskey, which has a private contract with Johnson's Buses Inc., also had a perfect record during the last five years, the article said.
Regarding failing vehicles, some are allowed to continue in use while a defect is addressed, and others must be taken off the road until they meet standards, the Courier reported.
SOURCE:
The Charlevoix Courier, "Bus safety inspection results are in," Oct. 10, 2008
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Survey 2008: School Service Privatization Grows Again," Sept. 8, 2008
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