What’s up bus operator trainees? If you’re reading this page, it probably means you’re interested in starting a career @ Los Angeles Metro otherwise known as the MTA or LACMTA. Use this guide wisely and you will pass the pre-trip inspection with confidence. Here are my notes on Metro’s Pre-Trip Inspection for Metro’s Bus Operators and Trainees.

The most important tasks are completing a pre-trip inspection so the bus is safe to drive, dependable, and reliable. MTA wants you, the bus operator, to be in compliance with State of California and Federal laws and Metro’s rules and regulations to ensure the safety of each passenger. Memorizing and studying the guide and watching the video will also help complete the operator’s vehicle condition and inspection report.

You have 13 minutes alloted to complete the pre-trip inspection and it begins as you approach the bus at the start of a shift. Start by making a visual obeservation of the bus starting from the top to the bottom. Make sure the parking break is on and the transmission is in (N) neutral. Turn the master switch to day run and start the bus. Then turn the master switch to the night position. Activate the fast idle switch, hazard lights, rear door, and the high beam lights. Step outside the bus and start with the outside of the bus and move in a clockwise direction.

Begin inspecting the front right area by starting with the front door area of the bus. Check mirror glass for cleanliness, cracks, or looseness. Verify the clearance lights and reflectors are amber, working, and are not cracked or missing. Verify the front door glass is clean, not cracked, and glass is tightly secured with rubber seals and not damaged. Verify door handles are secured and not damaged. Make sure turn signals are functioning and are not cracked. Verify compartment doors in the area is closed and secure. Use the operators vehicle condition report to log any defects or issues that are found.

Check both front tires in the same manner. Begin from the top to the center. Check splashguard and mud flap for damage and to ensure they are fastened securely and not touching the tires or ground. The condition of each tire must have even wear, minimum tread depth of 4/32”, no recaps or regrooves, and no tread separation or cuts. Sidewalls must be free of cuts, bulges, or other visible damage. Rims should not be bent, damaged, and should be free of welding repairs. Lug nuts should all be present, not loose, zero rust around nuts, and no cracks near bolt holes. Hub should be present and not damaged. Hub bolts should all be present and not loose and there should be absolutely no sign of grease or oil leaks. Valve stem and cap should be complete and not missing, broken, or damaged. Front suspension should be level, not leaving, bellows and airbrakes not leaking air. Tire inflation level should be 110 psi and is best checked with a tire pressure gauge but can also be visually inspected.

Continue with the right middle area of the bus by checking the side destination sign and passenger window glass for security, damage, and that it’s free of graffiti. On diesel buses check the fuel cap for security, leaks, and compartment door latches to ensure they can all be securely closed. Reflective lights, reflectors, and lenses need to be amber, undamaged, and not missing, and working!. Rear doors, rubber seals, glass and window seal, s1 guard all mounted securely and not damaged. Check both rear tire tires in the same manner as the front tire instructions above. Please note the tread depth is 2/32” for rear tires and front tires requires 4/32” but the procedure for both front and rear tires is roughly the same. Don’t be tricked or miss this question if it comes up on a test or while you’re doing your pre-trip inspection at OCI or @ the DMV! P Passenger rear area should have passenger windows and seals secured and glass free of graffiti. Clearance lights and reflectors should be undamaged, working, and red in color and not missing. The body of the bus should be free of damage or graffiti. All compartment doors should be secured and vents shold be free of debris, obstructions, and is secure. Fuel compartment area should have a door secure door latches, accessible shut off valve, no leaks, smells, or CNG odor. Listen for audible fuel leaks!

The rear area you start from the top to the bottom. Check clearance lights and lense covers are clean and operational and lense covers are red and not broken. Ensure body is free of damage and graffiti. Check air vents for debris, obstructions, and latched securely. Tail lights clean and operational. Red brake lights activated. Red tail lights on. Amber turn signals activated and no broken turn signals or lense covers. License plate should be clean, mounted securely, and light should be operation. Engine compartment door should be secure. Groudn clearance nothing under the body or hanging down. No fluid leaks. Bus is level and no audible air leaks.