Dozens of Charlotte school buses taken off road after state inspection

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools attributes an increase in school bus maintenance problems to an ongoing shortage of mechanics.

Public records show North Carolina Department of Public Instruction inspectors pulled 29 buses out of service during CMS' most recent annual inspection in late 2022, the equivalent of roughly 27% of all buses inspected.

"It's a good lesson for us," Adam Johnson, the executive director of transportation for CMS, said. "It's a check for us to see how we can be more accountable."

Among the most serious defects inspectors flagged included a lack of engine oil and transmission fuel, failed braking system tests and damaged tires.

WCNC Charlotte's review of inspection findings revealed the school system performed worse than its larger counterpart in Wake County and almost every other Charlotte-area district. Not only that, CMS received an inferior grade than it scored the previous year

"We do take this very seriously," Johnson said. "We'll make the improvements that are needed and make sure that your kids are riding a safe bus every day."

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