CHP Inspects Tour Buses at Universal in Surprise Visit

In a safety drive sparked by the crash of a charter bus in May, the California Highway Patrol on Friday checked 22 buses at Universal Studios for mechanical defects, ordering the owners of three buses to correct defects before taking the vehicles on the road again.

The surprise checks on tour and charter buses carrying tourists to Universal Studios also revealed minor violations on 16 other buses, ranging from suspension and steering problems to minor defects in tires and brakes, said CHP Sgt. Mark Lunn.

Only three of the 22 buses were found to be free of defects.

Lunn said two of the buses detained at Universal’s garage had brake problems and one a leaking tire.

“They were serious enough problems that we feared they could cause an accident,” he said, adding, “We’re encouraged by the results. All in all, they seem to be pretty safe bus operators.”

Inspectors Waiting

After passengers on the buses were dropped off at the studio entrance, drivers were ordered to continue to Universal’s garage, where 10 inspectors and two CHP patrol officers conducted the checks from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lunn said.

The buses were repaired in time to carry away their passengers later in the day, the CHP said.

Lunn said the check was the second in a drive started by the CHP in Los Angeles County after a bus carrying senior citizens from Santa Monica crashed along the Walker River, 90 miles south of Reno, Nev., killing 21 passengers.

In surprise inspection June 28 at Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park in Valencia, 14 of 62 buses were briefly taken out of service, and 18 others were cited for lesser safety violations, he said.

Explaining why the two tourist attractions were selected, Lunn said, “We’re trying to get to the places where we can get to the most buses.”