Chiarello Raises Bus Safety Concerns on Fox 5 News

MARCH 12—Local 100 President John V. Chiarello, interviewed yesterday on Fox 5 outside of Gun Hill Depot, spoke about how the union is forcing management to stop sending out buses for service with mechanical issues, including brake defects.

Chiarello pointed out that 23 buses from Gun Hill Depot were recently taken out of service by Local 100 reps. Those were buses management had deemed safe for the roads of New York. The message is clear—management is putting service over safety.

MaBSTOA Maintenance Chair Scott Steinberg painted a graphic picture to a news reporter about what could happen when brakes on a city bus fail, saying a car had no chance against a bus going even 20 mph.

Chiarello added that bus mechanics are not being hired at the rate they are needed to keep the buses in safe condition, and one of the reasons is a low starting salary.

New York City Transit denies that unsafe buses are being ordered into service.