Feds Shut Down 26 Bus Lines in Major Safety Effort

Federal authorities announced a major push for bus safety in response to a series of fatal bus accidents, shutting down 26 discount bus companies. According to a news report in The Wall Street Journal, a majority of the bus companies that were shut down traveled along the East Coast and were located in New York and Pennsylvania. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that this was his department’s way of putting discount bus lines on notice. If they fail to follow the rules and keep people safe, they will be shut down, he said.
Targeting Budget Buses in Chinatown
Federal officials are looking at New York’s Chinatown specifically because budget bus lines have proliferated there in recent years. However, regulation and oversight have not kept pace with that growth. Regulators now say their goal is to bring this budding industry in line with the standards expected of more established bus companies such as Greyhound.
There were several fatal accidents involving budget bus carriers. One of the most devastating crashes occurred in Bronx in March 2011, which killed 15 people returning from a Connecticut casino. Just two days after that incident, another bus crashed on the New Jersey Turnpike killing the driver and a passenger. In addition to getting federal officials’ attention, New York State also stepped up enforcement with 8,500 inspections in the 12-month period following the Bronx bus crash.
Senate Bill Stalled
The Senate is examining a bill that would increase the fine for companies operating without a valid permit to $25,000 per day from the current penalty of $2,500 a day. The bill, put forth by Senator Charles Schumer, will target carriers that shut down at one location after they get in trouble and “reincarnate” elsewhere. It would also require bus companies to post their safety records near ticket windows and by terminals. The bill has, however, been stalled at the Senate.
Bus Accident Victims’ Rights
Regardless of what the government does or doesn’t do, injured victims of New York bus accidents have legal rights. A bus company has the legal obligation to safely transport its passengers. If the bus driver’s negligence or bus company’s negligence has caused your injuries, you can seek compensation for your damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York bus accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: The Wall Street Journal