Megabus crash in Indiana raises questions of safety

CHICAGO (WLS) -- It's been a bad few months for Megabus.

This is crash number four in Indiana since October for the low-cost carrier. Even though there were no serious injuries among the 19 today, the series of accidents raises serious questions about Megabus' road safety, driver training and maintenance.

At the scene of the accident here south of Indianapolis, 49-year-old south suburban bus driver Kimberly Lane was not charged with any traffic violations and authorities say alcohol was not a factor. When reached by the I-Team she declined to discuss what led to the 5:30 am collision.

The history of the bus she was driving shows only one issue: April 2013 federal inspectors found the vehicle has problems with hazard lamps, brake lights and turn signals and the bus was taken out of service for a time.

Today's accident is the fourth in Indiana alone since last fall. The string of mishaps started in greenwood last October when a bus tipped over injuring dozens of passengers.

Then two accidents in December: the 20th near Seymour, Ind., a Megabus turned onto its side and there were injuries. Then ten days later near Hammond, another bus crashed; no injuries in that one.

Those wrecks cap a half-dozen unsafe driving citations the past two years for various violations including speeding and improper lane changes.

Megabus' record that past two years reveals nine crashes in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio; but no deaths although several have been injured in most of the accidents. Federal transportation safety records show the company has received six citations for unsafe driving and four citations for improper record keeping including driver time logs.

The company has said on numerous occasions that safety is their absolute priority.