The federal government has shut down 26 so-called “curbside” bus companies in several states, including Go To Travel, Inc. of Rocky Mount, North Carolina (NC), and United Tours, Inc. of Greensboro. These companies primarily operate routes along the East Coast that begin or end in Chinatown in New York City. They are called curbside buses because they do not operate out of terminals. This reduces costs, allowing the companies to offer very low fares to passengers. Unfortunately, those savings often come at high costs in safety.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, curbside bus companies caused seven times more fatalities in bus crashes than traditional bus companies, and in 2011. 28 people were killed in bus accidents caused by these companies. A single wreck in March of that year took the lives of 15 people.
The shuttered bus companies have been cited for numerous safety violations, including using drivers who do not have commercial licenses, not testing drivers for drug or alcohol use, allowing drivers to drive longer than federal laws allow, and using buses that have not been properly maintained.
I applaud the feds for taking these action and hope closing bus lines that sacrifice safety for operating revenues protects passengers, bus drivers and everyone else on U.S. highway.
MH
About the Editors: The Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm, which has offices in Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC), edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as pro bono services.
