Dial-a-Ride Vans Fail CHP Inspection

Orange County Transportation Authority mechanics have taken over the maintenance of several Dial-a-Ride vans from a private transportation company because the vehicles failed a routine inspection by the California Highway Patrol.

During monthly inspections in May, CHP officials found weak brakes and exhaust leaks in about a dozen vans maintained and operated by Dave Transportation, OCTA’s director of operations John Catoe said Saturday. Dave Transportation, which had a $4-million contract to maintain and operate about 60 small buses and vans for OCTA, will continue to provide drivers, but will no longer service the vehicles, Catoe said.

“It was nothing life threatening, the problems were not to the point where anyone could get hurt, they were not that severe,” Catoe said. “However, if you allow this to pass, who knows how far it can go. I don’t accept those type of situations, so we just took over. Once it happened, I took action.”