School Bus Driver Found Not at Fault in Crash With Transit Bus
After initially suggesting that the school bus driver was to blame, transit police in Boston issue a correction saying that the transit bus driver failed to stop at a flashing red light.
BOSTON — The driver of a school bus was not at fault in a collision with a transit bus here on Monday, transit police said — correcting an earlier statement on the crash.
The incident, which involved a Boston Public Schools school bus and a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) transit bus, occurred at about 5:43 a.m. on Monday.
The MBTA Transit Police issued a statement that morning in response to media requests about the crash. In that statement, the police department said that a preliminary investigation suggested that the school bus driver was at fault.
Later in the day, MBTA Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan made a follow-up statement after “a more thorough review of the incident,” providing a clearer picture of what happened.
The MBTA transit bus was being driven by a 57-year-old man who has worked for the agency for 20 years. According to Sullivan’s updated statement, the transit bus driver failed to stop for a flashing red light at an intersection, and his bus collided with the Boston Public Schools bus, which had already entered the intersection.
There were no students on the school bus at the time. Five passengers on the transit bus reported minor injuries and were treated at the scene or at local hospitals.
Sullivan said that although the incident was still under investigation as of Monday afternoon, “we know enough, with confidence, the MBTA bus operator will be issued a Massachusetts citation for failure to stop.”
Sullivan added that the MBTA Transit Police tries to be as transparent as possible with the media for these types of incidents, but he regrets the earlier error of suggesting that the school bus driver was to blame.
“I accept full responsibility for the unintended misinformation released earlier,” Sullivan said. “We are grateful no one was seriously injured and particularly grateful school children were not on board at the time of the incident."
More Safety

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
