
Chauffeur Fired After Chat With Raiders Owner
Was the reaction too harsh? Or an important part of what is supposed to set luxury transportation providers apart from TNC drivers?
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Highway Patrol records show a charter bus that crashed and killed nine people earlier this month was not inspected for safety because the owner failed to report it as the law required.
Records released Monday reveal that bus company owner Daniel Cobb, who died in the crash Oct. 5, had not reported that bus to highway patrol inspectors even though other buses he owned had been reported and inspected.
The records were released after The Associated Press and other news organizations filed requests under the California Public Records Act.
Investigators are looking into the history of that bus, which also had not been issued a permit by the California Public Utilities Commission and was not authorized to be on the road.
"It will be months before we have all those answers," CHP spokeswoman Fran Clader said.
Two other tour buses operated by his business, Cobbs Coaches, passed safety inspections as recently as March.
The bus overturned on a two-lane road about 60 miles north of Sacramento. Many of the 42 passengers heading to the Colusa Casino Resort were senior citizens and Laotian immigrants.
Records released earlier by the Public Utilities Commission, which issues permits for tour buses, showed that Cobb was authorized to operate one bus. When Cobb reported his second bus, he did not upgrade his permit for more buses.
The discrepancy between the number of buses inspected by the highway patrol and the number permitted by the utilities commission highlights a gap in how California regulates tour bus companies.
Clader said inspection records are not forwarded to the commission if the bus passes inspection or if the company's owner remedies any problems.
Cullen Sisskind, a highway patrol motor carrier specialist, said inspectors rely on the bus companies to accurately report their fleet. "Absent evidence to the contrary, we take that information at face value," Sisskind said.
The driver in the fatal crash, Quintin Watts, was arrested for violating his parole by driving without a proper license allowing him to carry more than 10 passengers, said Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Terry Thornton.
Watts, 52, who was injured in the crash, is being held at Deuel Vocational Institution in Stockton. He is scheduled for an Oct. 31 hearing to consider revoking his parole, Thornton said. Watts was released from prison last December after serving nearly six months for possession of a firearm by an ex-felon.
Source: Associated Press
Was the reaction too harsh? Or an important part of what is supposed to set luxury transportation providers apart from TNC drivers?
The National Transportation Safety Board says all aspects of the accident still remain under investigation.
FEB. LCT: Create a consistent message to dangle your brand and service in front of current and potential clients.
FEB. LCT: Corporate Coach Charter started three decades ago running buses with an approach full of potential.
FEB. LCT: Limo University Founder Bill Faeth spoke to Angela Layton about what it takes for operators to attract her attention.
FEB. LCT: Dee Patel, general manager of the only five-diamond hotel in Tennessee, shared insider information on how to score business with similar properties.
An integration between GRiDD Technologies' GNet and Limo Anywhere's DANet expands the reach and pool of luxury fleet vehicles.
LCT Publisher Sara Eastwood-Richardson and Dav El/BostonCoach CEO and NLA leader Scott Solombrino gave a state of the industry presentation Jan. 21, 2019 at Limo University's LABLive conference in Nashville, Tenn.
If you’re running luxury transportation, you need to develop more client segments and up your service game.
Uber and Lyft sent statements saying they are working with the aviation department on a fix.
A New York Department of Transportation official says a ban on stretches and the power to seize plates will help DOT enforcement.
Coaches can rightly position themselves as an efficient alternative to flying or driving yourself.
eNews Exclusive: Natalie Brown has grown significantly over the years and has proudly served her company by enhancing its business relationships.
Jon Taffer and Michael Dominguez are ready to help you up your customer service game.
FEB. LCT: This sector provides an opportunity to increase your customer base as well as the bottom line profit.
The world's No. 1 online marketplace and trader for professional chauffeured and chartered vehicles, including all types of motorcoaches, buses, vans, stretch limousines, sedans, SUVs, exotics, and classics. New and used vehicles are available from sellers across the nation.
The best online networker to find quality affiliates worldwide and market your company.
Click on any state to see the latest industry news and events in that region.
Get the latest news and most popular articles from LCT delivered straight to your inbox.
Current newsletters: