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Audit: bus pre-trip inspections improved but gaps remain; transportation to boost spot checks
Summary
Internal audit observed 11 buses: 6 drivers completed all required pre-trip checks, 4 omitted under-the-hood inspections and 1 omitted perimeter/under-hood checks; transportation supervisors will increase visual observations, document failures and pursue disciplinary action when needed.
Auditors told the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Audit Committee that their non-audit observation of bus pre-trip inspections showed measurable improvement since 2024 but continued shortfalls that require active follow-up by transportation staff.
The auditor said the team observed 11 buses and six drivers who performed all three required pre-trip procedures; four drivers did not complete the under-the-hood inspection and one driver skipped both perimeter and under-the-hood checks. "We observed 11 buses ... 6 drivers performed all 3 pre trip bus inspection procedures," the auditor said, adding the results were shared with the Office of Transportation Services for follow-up and training.
JC, speaking for transportation, said supervisors are now conducting visual observations across geographic areas and that failures are documented and can lead to letters and disciplinary action: "Those who don't complete a pre trip, it is documented, and they receive a letter. And we'll continue to advance disciplinary action should they continue to fail to do the proper pretripping." JC noted operational challenges: buses are not centrally parked (roughly 550 buses on a fully staffed day), which complicates supervisors' ability to observe every driver.
Committee members asked about the required inspection record format and what drivers check. JC said VBCPS uses tablet-based checklists accepted by the state and that the paper pre-trip forms are still an option. He described common under-the-hood checks (belts, leaks, steering, tires, lug nuts) and safety additions like fluorescent indicators on lug nuts to detect looseness.
Auditors described the 2024 baseline and the observed improvement: in 2024, 50% completed the full inspection and 39% completed part; in the current observation 55% completed all inspections and 45% partial. Audit staff emphasized that because the project was a non-audit observation, no formal management response was required but the information was forwarded to transportation for training and corrective action.
The committee asked for continued follow-up and a possible repeat of the observational review in a few years to measure sustained improvement.
