UPDATE: Inspection report released following June ART bus fire

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — After an ART bus caught fire last month in Albuquerque’s West Bluff area, city officials released an inspection report that chronicles a number of the vehicle’s prior issues, reports KOB4.

The Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus fire occurred on the westbound side of Interstate 40, near Exit 155 to Coors Boulevard Northwest, on June 13.

Authorities said the bus driver had been able to pull over onto the side of the road and exited when he observed the back side of the bus was in flames, an incident the Transit Department qualifies as “category one.”

The bus had been near the end of its route at the time, and no passengers were on board. No injuries to the driver were reported.

The report, which features a lengthy list of issues documented over the last six months, describes scratches and other minor problems, but also more serious concerns, like doors not functioning properly.

A routine check carried out for “preventative maintenance” every 6,000 miles was last conducted on May 15, 2023, and described issues like “graffiti, a busted bike rack strap,” as well as an expired fire extinguisher, which had been rectified before the bus fire.

Despite those issues, city officials have not yet been able to point to any oversight or specific problem that may have led to the incident.

More information is expected to be uncovered after an inspection by the company that sold the vehicle to the city.

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