Mayor Michelle Wu and Superintendent Mary Skipper Announce Independent Investigation Into School Transportation Safety

Boston officials announced an independent investigation into school transportation safety after kindergartener Lens A. Joseph was killed by a school bus operated by Transdev. Mayor Michelle Wu and Superintendent Mary Skipper appointed Natashia Tidwell, an attorney with experience as a federal prosecutor, to lead the review. This investigation will scrutinize Transdev's safety policies and performance under its contract with Boston Public Schools, which has been in place since 2013. In response to the tragedy, BPS increased safety meetings with Transdev and initiated an audit of driver credentials.

Transdev also placed the involved driver on leave and has since sought to terminate his employment. The review aims to prevent similar incidents in the future by making actionable recommendations. Approximately 400 incidents occur annually involving BPS buses, highlighting the importance of safety protocols. The findings will be essential for ensuring the safety of students during transportation.