Anderson Pulls Contract With Bus Company After Failed Inspections

The saga of school busing fees continues, this time in Anderson.

Anderson Community Schools’ Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday night to cut ties with Webber Transportation, provider of Anderson’s bus service for the past 27 years.

Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana

Anderson Community Schools is the latest Indiana district to experience issues with its transportation provider.

Late last month, Indiana State Police pulled 29 of the company’s 30 buses being used in Anderson off the road, after a number of maintenance issues put school officials on alert for “potential safety concerns.” According to district records, brake and kingpin inspections had expired on 27 vehicles, and 18 out of 29 inspected had other violations including exhaust problems, fluid leaks or brake issues. The buses taken out of service represented between 15-20% of Webber’s total fleet.

ACS students have been going to and from school on re-routed buses for the past month. According to a WISH-TV report, district officials say they will continue with this backup plan, substituting independent contractors in for Webber drivers.

Tuesday night board members terminated the contract effective immediately, citing Webber’s failure to explain its maintenance problems and offer a plan of action for future maintenance and inspections to ensure the safety of students.

Transportation has become a big issue for other reasons – namely financial – around the state the last several years. Franklin Township instituted a busing fee after statewide property tax caps affected district finances in 2011, sparking parent protest.

The Indiana’s Supreme Court is expected to issue an opinion on that case, sometime this year.

Gary Community Schools found itself in a pinch earlier this year when its bus company also threatened to pull service due to unpaid bills.