Arizona district pulls 11 buses after one catches fire
Tucson Unified School District took the buses out of operation because they are similar to the one that caught fire. The buses were bought from the same manufacturer at the same time.
Tucson Unified School District took 11 buses out of operation because they are similar to one that caught fire earlier this month. The buses were bought from the same manufacturer at the same time.
Tucson (Ariz.) Unified School District (TUSD) has pulled 11 school buses from operation as a precaution after one of its other buses caught fire earlier this month, according to a press release and video from the district.
No students were aboard the bus at the time of the incident, according to the district.
The buses that were taken out of operation are similar to the bus that caught fire, and they have been switched out with other buses, said Dr. H.T. Sánchez, superintendent of TUSD. The district bought the buses from the same manufacturer at the same time, according to district officials.
The district has followed internal procedures for investigation, and an independent evaluator designated by TUSD's insurance company will look over the five-year-old bus in question and identify the cause of the fire, according to the district.
"I truly feel this is an issue of an equipment malfunction as opposed to a maintenance oversight," Sánchez said.
Watch TUSD’s video news story below.
More Safety
North Carolina Student Killed While Boarding School Bus, Two Die in Utah Bus Crash
A Southern Nash High School student died after being struck by a pickup truck while approaching her school bus. In a separate incident, two people were killed after crashing into a school bus in Utah.
Read More →
Minneapolis School Zone Pilot Cuts Speeding 41% with Low-Cost Street Design Changes
In a pilot project in Minnesota, two school-area intersections had low-cost, temporary road and traffic flow improvements made to measure the impact on roadway and student safety. Here's what they found.
Read More →
Sitestream, Safety Vision Partner with Connecticut City to Launch School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Program
The new enforcement initiative combines camera technology and violation management software to document illegal school bus passing, encourage driver compliance, and enhance student safety.
Read More →
From Reactive to Proactive: Making Every Ride Visible
Smart technology only delivers its full value when it works together. See how Catalyst connects proven industry platforms to move student transportation from reactive to proactive.
Read More →
HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses
Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council
More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.
Read More →
What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation
The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.
Read More →
School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs
Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.
Read More →
Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.
A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.
Read More →
National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe
School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.
Read More →