Feds Keep Up The Pressure On Unsafe Motorcoaches

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood told the American Bus Association board of directors at its spring meeting May 2 that the Department of Transportation will maintain  its crackdown against illegally operating and unsafe motorcoach companies.

Referring to recent motorcoach accidents, LaHood said, “The companies involved in these accidents are fly-by-night organizations, and they give your companies a bad name. We’ve decided to go after these businesses that slap a new name on the buses and begin operating.”

LaHood praised the motorcoach companies that belong to ABA. “We have the cooperation of ABA. Every day your companies — you guys — get up and think about safety. I am proud of what you are doing to make the motorcoach industry the safest industry possible.”

ABA hasfully supported the DOT crackdown. ABA President and CEO Peter Pantuso and Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Policy Clyde Hart have met several times this year with LaHood and other top staff of the DOT and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

LaHood called on motorcoach companies to continue self-policing and contact the DOT or ABA offices to report companies operating unsafely: “We will be vigilant to keep these guys off the road,” he said. “This administration wants to get the bad actors off the road.”

LaHood also was presented an award for his 4 ½ years of service as the nation’s 16th Secretary of Transportation. LaHood formerly represented the 18th District of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee during his tenure.

“Secretary LaHood has been a great friend and supporter of the motorcoach industry and ABA,” Pantuso said. “His door has always been open, and he has listened to our concerns.”

LaHood announced his plan to leave his position as secretary of the DOT several months ago, and President Obama has nominated Anthony Foxx, the mayor of Charlotte, N.C., to be the next transportation secretary.

Source: American Bus Association (ABA)