DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The Michigan Department of Transportation withdrew operating permits for a Dearborn Heights limo and party bus service and is warning customers against booking trips with the company. 

Entertainment Express Limousine and Party Bus, which operates 25 buses and 12 limousines, has had a slew of customer complaints and failed inspections dating back to 2011. MDOT’s Bus and Limousine Regulatory Unit started preparing a case against the limo operator a few months ago, according to MDOT.

The company apparently allowed a driver with a warrant for violating probation on an assault with a dangerous weapon charge to bring about 50 Berkley High School students to their prom in May, according to The Detroit Free Press. 

The company, which is also listed as either Entertainment Express or Entertainment Limousine, operated vehicles the state had previously ordered out of service. It also used vehicles it had not registered and had vehicles with major violations that “we felt posed an imminent threat to public safety,” said Jean Ruestman, program administration section manager.

MDOT found problems with the company’s vehicles, including insufficient emergency exits, rusted frames, brake line and brake pad issues and inoperable turn signals, according to Rob Pearson, the regulatory unit’s supervisor.

It was unclear why the company did not maintain its vehicles.

“They gave a lot of excuses, but mostly just ignored us,” Ruestman told the Free Press.

The company’s website describes it as “the premier provider for tickets and limousines in the greater metro Detroit area.” Its limousines include Hummers, a 1957 Chevy and a pink Escalade.

Shawn Downey, an administrative law judge, authorized MDOT to revoke the company’s certificates of authority on Nov. 5. 

The company owes $1,500 in late inspection fees and would need to pay an additional $600 to re-establish its bus and limousine operating permits, MDOT said.