INDIANAPOLIS — The bus service provided by the John Boner Community Center became the target of an Indiana State Police investigation after a tip was sent to authorities and the #CallRafael for help tip line at FOX59.
The center in an email to FOX59/CBS4 said in part, “In November 2024, as a part of our organizational review of services, JBNC consulted with the Indiana State Police, multiple legal counsel and our insurance carriers to confirm that JBNC and (Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School’s) proposed supplemental transportation services were in full compliance with state law and applicable regulations.”
While officials with the Indiana State Police and the center discuss a resolution to this issue, the center is now contracting with Miller Transportation to provide bus service to those impacted.
Our interest in the center’s transportation service was sparked by a caller who raised concerns about the safety of kids being transported by the center’s bus to the Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School, located at 2302 East Michigan Street.
Based on the tip, I parked my vehicle at the intersection of Washington and Gray Street before 6 a.m. on March 12th. My vehicle, equipped with a dash cam, was prepared to record and document the situation.
Right after 6:30 a.m. like clockwork, the John Boner bus arrived and departed. As it rolled on its route, the bus worked through the active traffic on Washington and Michigan streets. It arrived at Thomas Gregg Community School after 7 a.m. Where the students ride ended, our story began to develop.
The John Boner Center has two buses wrapped with its name in bright colors. The two are referred to as the Purple Bus and the Orange Bus. They run out of the organization’s Legacy Center, located behind Arsenal Technical High School.
The center’s buses are allowed to transport kids and don’t require a stop arm like the traditional big yellow school buses. They also don’t undergo the annual inspection that Indiana State Police deputies conduct on every school bus in Indiana.
But when a vehicle does the work of a traditional school bus, like picking up kids along public streets, it raises questions and gets the attention of Indiana State Police.
Sources tell me that back on November 15, 2024, deputies with the Indiana State Police sent an email informing the center that: “You are not allowed to pick up or drop off roadside.”
The email also reportedly contained attachments offering resources and options to this situation.
On the day I followed the bus, I also witnessed an Indiana State Police vehicle on the route and confirmed that the agency had opened an investigation into Boner’s transportation services. As of this story’s publication, State Police considers this case an active investigation.
In the Central Indiana region, Sergeant Joel Flores is a member of the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.
He’s among the team that inspects thousands of public school buses in Indianapolis and the donut counties.
Flores could not discuss the investigation, but shared why state police make sure buses provide the safest transportation for kids every day.
“Each of these seats carry someone’s child. It is very important for us to find buses in compliance with regulations and state law. The way I approach bus inspections, I think of the smallest and most vulnerable child on that bus and is that bus safe enough.”
Despite a request to their leadership, the John Boner Center chose to send a statement via email. The statement in total says:
“John Boner Neighborhood Centers (JBNC), in partnership with Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School (TGNS) is proud to provide essential transportation services for children in our community, ensuring that all families can rely on safe and dependable options. Our supplemental transportation services primarily serves young children under the age of 12, who would otherwise have to walk to school. TGNS is an Innovation Network School. In November 2024, as a part of our organizational review of services, JBNC consulted with the Indiana State Police, multiple legal counsel and our insurance carriers to confirm that JBNC and TGNS’s proposed supplemental transportation services were in full compliance with state law and applicable regulations. After thorough review and expert advice, we received confirmation that our services were operating in accordance with the law, prompting us to continue our commitment to transporting children safely to and from school within the neighborhood. While we are confident that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure compliance, JBNC has proactively implemented additional measures to eliminate any potential confusion regarding the provision of such transportation services. JBNC and TGNS are committed to partnering together to provide a safe, reliable means of transportation for children in our neighborhood. Our primary goal is to ensure that every child has access to a safe route to school, enabling them to continue their education”
Officials with the John Boner Neighborhood Center
