U.S. Regulators Closing Down Bus Companies
In the aftermath of several fatal bus crashes across the nation, U.S. regulators have closed 52 bus companies in a safety crackdown. The bus crashes occurred in four states and resulted in 25 deaths and 80 individual injuries last year alone. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says that it has pulled 340 buses from the roadways for significant safety breaches.
Bus Travel Appealing to Low-Income or Budget Conscious
Bus travel has become more appealing for families looking to cut costs during travel, or for those on low-incomes including seniors or college students. However, although bus travel is affordable it must also be safe, warn safety administration officials. More than four dozen inspectors began scrutinizing companies in April of this year, which resulted in the closure of bus companies in 19 states.
National Transportation Safety Board Criticizes Oversight of Bus Industry
Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is stepping up to the plate to ensure safety now, they received scathing criticism from the National Transportation Safety Board for failing to act in a timely manner prior to the fatal bus accidents. The NTSB sent out the recent inspectors and says that it found that in many cases, a bus company was on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s radar for violations, but was allowed to continue business regardless. From broken turn signals, to bald tires, to inadequate brake systems, the 52 bus companies that were recently shut down posed serious safety threats to passengers.
