Transdev Bus Crash That Killed Child Missing From Federal Safety Database

On April 15, 2025, a Boston Public Schools bus operated by Transdev struck and killed five-year-old Lens Joseph. The incident occurred after the driver had already been involved in several safety violations that day, including hitting a postal truck, ignoring stop signs, and making incorrect drop-offs. When the vehicle reached Lens’ house, it dropped him off on the wrong side of the street before running over him as he attempted to cross safely.

A federal database maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) does not list this fatal crash under Transdev's record. WBUR and ProPublica discovered that at least 60 fatal crashes involving Transdev buses over the past decade are unreported in the official records, with only 18 listed. This discrepancy undermines the FMCSA’s ability to accurately assess the safety performance of commercial motor vehicle operators.

Peter Kurdock, general counsel for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, emphasized the critical nature of this oversight: "This is a serious gap in safety regulation that affects both public trust and regulatory effectiveness." The failure to report these incidents means regulators, local governments, and the public lack crucial information needed to evaluate Transdev's compliance with safety standards.

Transdev, based in France, operates in 46 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, managing contracts for busing, light rail, and other forms of public transportation. The company employs over 30,000 people nationwide but holds only one school bus contract with Boston Public Schools. Despite its extensive operations, the lack of transparency in reporting fatal crashes significantly hampers efforts to ensure passenger safety across its vast network.