Federal safety data masks Transdev’s fatal crash record ahead of Boston rail bid
A WBUR and ProPublica inquiry reveals that the death of five-year-old Lens Joseph and dozens of other fatalities are recorded under government agencies rather than Transdev, raising concerns among safety experts as the company seeks a major commuter rail contract.
An investigation by WBUR and ProPublica has identified at least 60 fatal crashes involving Transdev over the past decade, yet only 18 are recorded under the company’s name in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database. The multinational transport operator, which serves as the sole school bus contractor for Boston Public Schools, is currently one of three finalists for a multibillion-dollar commuter rail contract in the city.
The discrepancies were highlighted by the death of five-year-old Lens Joseph in April 2025. Joseph was struck and killed by a bus driven by Jean Charles, a Transdev employee, after being dropped off on the wrong side of the street. While Transdev hired and trained Charles, the federal record lists the motor carrier as the City of Boston, with no mention of the company or the school district.
Prosecutors allege that Charles had an expired driving credential as of December 2024 but remained on duty. On the day of the fatal crash, he allegedly failed to conduct a required pretrip inspection; the bus had a flat rear tire and a broken safety crossing bar. Charles had undergone remedial training for two minor collisions in the weeks prior to the incident. He has pleaded not guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter and other charges.
Transdev confirmed that most crashes identified by reporters matched their internal records but stated they did not have records for all of them. In a written statement, the company said it complies with federally mandated reporting standards and stressed that reporting crashes is the responsibility of law enforcement. The company declined to provide its internal register of serious crashes, which is not open to the public.
Safety experts warn that this data gap prevents regulators from accurately assessing the operator’s safety. Peter Kurdock, general counsel with Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, described the omission as a serious shortcoming in the regulation of carriers. The FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System, which makes safety records public, often lists collisions under the government agency that hired Transdev or the name of a company it acquired, such as First Transit in Las Vegas.
In a separate incident in December 2024, a Transdev bus struck an eight-year-old boy with autism and his aide in Jamaica Plain. The driver, Vitony Laguerre, pleaded not guilty to negligent operation. The federal record for that crash also lists the City of Boston rather than Transdev. Lens’ father, Esaie Joseph, has filed a civil lawsuit against Transdev and Charles.
