News

CMS drastically improves school bus safety scores

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Eyewitness News discovered Charlotte-Mecklenburg school buses are safer than they were just a few years ago.

State safety records show in the 2007-08 school year, CMS had a 47.89 safety score, nearly double what other schools in this part of the state did.

The higher the number, the more bus defects found by inspectors.

But by last year, CMS' score dropped to 25.72 , now below the region average of 28.47.

"Well number one, we don't risk safety," Transportation Director Carol Stamper said, when asked about improvements during budget cuts. "So nothing that has been cut, in terms of safety, is a reduction."

State inspectors do spot-checks once a year.

CMS inspects each of its 1,400 buses once a month.