Bus inspection blitz in Philly already taking some off road

 Officer Chester Hampton, inspector for the Philadelphia Police Department truck enforcement division, instructs the bus driver during an inspection. (Charlie Kaier/for NewsWorks)

Officer Chester Hampton, inspector for the Philadelphia Police Department truck enforcement division, instructs the bus driver during an inspection. (Charlie Kaier/for NewsWorks)

Motorcoach drivers should expect to be pulled over for safety inspections as Philadelphia teams up with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Anne Ferro, administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, says 750 million passengers ride these buses each year nationwide.

“Through this heightened initiative, we’ve already shut down 18 bus companies that had no business being on the road,” said Ferro.

Right after the safety blitz was announced, Philadelphia Officer Chester Hampton inspected a bus at the corner of 5th and Arch streets, asking the driver to honk his horn and turn on the headlights among other things.

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“I also check for any missing lights, like on this one here we can tell on the front that the front left side fog light is missing,” explained Hampton.

Hampton says the inspections take nearly an hour.  If violations are bad enough, the bus will not allowed back on the road until it is fixed.

Ferro says passengers should “look before they book” and check out bus companies via the Safer Bus App, which can be found at www.fmcsa.dot.gov. People can also notify police if they see a bus or driver that appears unsafe.

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