Latest Update on the Shreveport Sportran Bus Explosion

SHREVEPORT, LA

The explosion that rocked North Hearne and Aero Drive Monday afternoon could have been far worse. Thanks to a calm driver and quick evacuation, all 11 passengers and the driver escaped a SporTran bus moments before it erupted into flames and sent a shockwave through the neighborhood.

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SporTran Director Dinero Washington told KEEL News on Thursday morning, the blaze began in the engine compartment. What triggered the fire remains unknown.

It could have been oil leaks or many different things,” he said. “We don’t want to speculate.” But one thing is clear: it wasn’t an immediate explosion. “The explosion probably took 10 to 15 minutes prior to happening after the bus was pulled over. Everyone was removed from the vehicle.

The real issue, Washington explained, was not the fire itself but the failure of the fire suppression system — a system that was inspected less than 60 days ago.

The fire suppression system did not work to put the bus out,” he said. That failure allowed flames to reach the CNG tanks. The pressure release valve kicked in, releasing a stream of fire straight into the air before one of the tanks gave way.

Shreveport Buses Back in Service — But Not Without Precautions

As of Thursday morning, most SporTran routes were back in operation, though a few were still affected due to ongoing inspections.

Some routes have two and three buses. Some of them are operating with one, so there might be a little bit of a delay this morning,” Washington noted. We wanted to recheck fire suppressions on each vehicle… It really wasn’t a CNG issue as much as a fire suppression issue.

A third-party firm has been working overnight, inspecting both the suppression systems and the tanks.

We still have buses in the shop currently going through the inspection process,” Washington said.

Confidence from the Top

Despite the scare, SporTran isn’t slowing down.

This is what we do day in and day out,” Washington said. “The driver yesterday followed all protocols.” And to show his own confidence, he said, “I’m going to go out and ride today… come ride with us.

Washington praised his team, saying:

We have professionals that work for us. They understand the protocols.” When drivers clocked in early this morning, Washington was one of the first people they saw. “They’re all in high spirits,” he said.

Zero Fare Continues, Along with Transparency

Washington also reaffirmed that SporTran remains fare-free.

We’re still zero fare and will try to continue that as long as we can.” As for concerns from the public or his team, he credits clear communication: “We’ve been very transparent… As they feel transparency, I think you don’t see a lot of reluctance.

What’s Next for the Investigation?

There’s still a lot of work to be done. “We’ll do a full investigation of what we feel like happened,” Washington said. But for now, the priority is keeping buses safe, routes moving, and riders reassured.

On Thursday, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux issued the following statement commending the Sportran bus driver for her exemplary actions.

Mayor Arceneaux Commends SPORTRAN Driver and CEO for Life-Saving Actions

Mayor Tom Arceneaux commends a SPORTRAN bus driver for her heroic and life-saving actions during a bus fire that occurred Wednesday, April 16, at a north Shreveport bus stop. The mayor also praises SPORTRAN CEO Dinero Washington for his immediate response and leadership in swiftly pulling all compressed natural gas (CNG) buses from service pending inspection and investigation.
“Our city is grateful for the courage and quick thinking demonstrated yesterday,” said Mayor Arceneaux. “The actions of this SPORTRAN bus driver undoubtedly saved lives. In a moment of danger, she reacted without hesitation, ensuring all passengers were safely evacuated before the fire escalated. She is a true public servant and a heroine.”
The incident involved a SPORTRAN bus that caught fire shortly after pulling into a downtown bus stop. Thanks to the driver’s fast response and calm under pressure, all passengers were safely removed from the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames and then exploded. There were no reported injuries. Mayor Arceneaux also expressed appreciation for the leadership of Dinero Washington, CEO of SPORTRAN, for his immediate action in temporarily suspending the operation of all CNG buses while the cause of the fire is investigated.
“Mr. Washington’s proactive approach and commitment to public safety are exactly what we expect from our transit leadership,” said Mayor Arceneaux. “His swift decision to ground the CNG fleet was made with the safety of our riders and drivers in mind, and we support him fully as the investigation continues.”The City of Shreveport will continue to work closely with SPORTRAN and public safety officials to ensure the safety of our transit system and to keep the public informed as more information becomes available.
For now, we extend our deepest gratitude to a brave bus driver whose actions remind us of the critical role our frontline workers play each day—and to the leadership at SPORTRAN for acting quickly and responsibly.