Safety defects were discovered with buses that a popular bus service operates that travel between New York City and Boston. Inspectors are requesting that transportation officials declare the bus company Fung Wah Bus a hazard and close them down as soon as possible. Six buses are still on the road, despite an agreement that took 21 older buses off the road. The company has experienced many problems, including an incident involving violating a federal safety regulation which led to dozens of injuries. They are accused of hiring drivers who can’t speak English and exceed speed limits, according to news reports.
Tag Archives: bus safety
Crackdown Announced on Unsafe Buses
A crackdown on unsafe buses was announced recently, due to a string of deadly collisions. Bus rides are a mode of transportation for many getting to their destinations for the holiday weekend, but many bus companies were discovered to have safety problems that should put them out of business. When a bus collided in Los Angeles recently, resulting in eight deaths, the driver told passengers the brakes were failing. The company was discovered to have a history of safety issues, but the government gave them an acceptable rating. In another wreck in 2008 that killed 18 people, the company was found to have many past violations. New laws were passed last summer requiring seat belts and standards for roof strength, protection from rolling over, and anti-injection, but 130 recommended laws were left out, according to news reports.
Advocates Call for Improved Bus Safety
A leading safety advocate and trade group are calling for action concerning the safety of long-haul buses. They often carry as many passengers as an airplane, and a crash can be equally tragic, yet airline safety is much more advanced. There have been deadly bus wrecks and the recent grounding of Dreamliner 787′s have led safety experts to call for the same level of safety efforts for buses that airplanes currently have. Battery fires and other problems with airlines over Japan has only led to a minor injury, yet has gained large amounts of public attention and investigations. During this same period of time, 17 were killed and 80 were hurt in tour bus wrecks. They are under investigation, but not generating nearly as much public outcry compared to the airplane defects.
A crash last weekend in Los Angeles led to deaths of eight people and now investigators are determining how it happened, which they believe involves the brakes. A bus wreck in Oregon in late December resulted in the deaths of nine people, which may have been the result of a tired driver. The driver had worked 92 hours up to the wreck. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration allows 70 hours. Both private bus companies violated safety standards, however they were allowed to continue operations. The chairman for the National Transportation Safety Board mentioned the many airline safety efforts compared to bus companies. Drivers are “asked to carry loads to places that they can’t possibly get to within their hours of service” and “people driving longer” than they should be, causing them to driver while extremely tired. “And so these are the same issues. We see them over and over again,” Hersman said. “We’ve got to have regulations with teeth and the penalties have got to be a deterrent.”
During the past decade, airline trove has continually been pushed to remain safe. The last airline crash in the past four years involved a commuter jet in Buffalo that resulted in the deaths of 50 individuals. The motor coach industry has about the same number of passengers, and has experienced several fatal crashes during the same period, resulting in about 300 deaths per year. Around 20% of trucks and buses inspected are pulled out of service, 7% of drivers are stopped for working too long or other problems, according to news reports.
Bus Company Failed Inspections Prior to Crash
The operator of a bus involved in a wreck yesterday in Southern California was cited for three dozen safety violations in the past year, according to federal records. Scapadas Magicas got worse scores than three-quarters of bus companies in the US due to poor maintenance. The bus wreck resulted in the deaths of at least eight people. It was on its way to Tijuana, Mexico from a day-trip of skiing when it smashed into a pickup truck and car. The company has failed roadside inspections including unsafe brakes, axle parts, and wheel fasteners, according to news reports.
Bus Safety Questioned After Oregon Crash
The fatal collision of a bus headed to Vancouver, BC has caused many to question the safety of passenger buses and whether seatbelts should be required. The bus crashed in Oregon and resulted in the deaths of nine people and 38 injuries. The bus collided over a guardrail on a section of Interstate 84 near Pendleton, Oregon. The driver was the only person wearing a seatbelt. A federal agency said that restraints wouln’t be helpful and despite the disastrous nature of collisions, buses are safe. Transport Canada said that buses are not designed for seatbelts, according to news reports.
Driver Caught Driving Over Sidewalk to Avoid Bus
A driver was caught driving over a sidewalk to avoid a stopped school bus. The judge suspended her driver’s license, fined her $250, then required her to wear a sign at the corner where it happened calling herself an idiot. The 32-year-old from Cleveland was charged with reckless operation. She was arrested when the school bus driver recorded one incident on his cell phone after noticing the act several times. The uniqueness of the judgement to have her hold the sign has resulted in much criticism of the judge’s methods of punishment.
School Bus Driver Caught Texting
A student at St. Mary’s parish captured an image of a school bus driver allegedly texting while driving the school bus. It is confirmed that the photo is in fact a part time bus driver. The driver was identified has to appear in court shortly. The superintendant did not comment on the story.
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Student Captures Bus Driver Allegedly Texting While Driving School Bus
Ford Transit Buses Recalled
This recall effects some 600 Ford transit buses that have Century-2 or Vista-2 wheelchair lifts. These Turtle Top vehicles have the 2006 to 2010 model year, and the concern is that the roll stop wears out and the wheelchair will slip off the lift. Authorized Braun dealers will repair this issue without charge. Call Turtle Top at 574-831-4340 with any questions.
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Transit Buses Recalled
Galval Bus Division has decided to recall 90 of their 2011 to 2012 transit buses. These buses come with Specialty Manufacturing Incorporated, or SMI, ProLo roof escape hatches. They are being recalled, because the hatches do not meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, the standard is number 217 on the list.
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Blue Bird Buses Declared Hazardous
Blue Bird has recalled certain 2013 Vision school buses because the electronic module that activates the hydraulic brake pressure indicator light may have been omitted. The buses do not conform to safety standards since the driver may not be aware if there is a problem with the brakes. Dealers and owners will be notified and the malfunction will be fixed free of charge.
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