Federal regulators on Thursday shut down 26 interstate bus operators that they declared unsafe, in the single largest crackdown ever by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the culmination of a yearlong investigation.
Two bus companies that operate in the District, Apex Bus Inc. and New Century Travel Inc., were among the operators shut down in an investigation sparked by a series of deadly bus crashes along Interstate 95 last spring.
The operators, carrying an average of 1,800 passengers a day along the East Coast, were charged with employing drivers who lacked commercial operating licenses and failure to administer drug and alcohol tests, among other things.
Operators ordered to shut down included nine active bus companies, 13 companies already ordered out of service, three companies that applied for operating authority, and a ticket seller.
The interstate buses have become a popular alternative to air and train travel between Washington and New York, with some buses running as far south as Florida. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne S. Ferro said there are enough operators still on the road that service along the East Coast won’t be impeded by the shutdowns.
“There are upwards of 4,000 bus companies consumers can pick from, most of which are safe,” she said.
Federal regulators began investigating the network of carriers operating along I-95 after a series of deadly bus crashes last spring, but they found it difficult to enforce the law against carriers who were able to simply “reincarnate” their shuttered business under a different name. These so-called “ghost” buses are usually painted white with few company insignias so they could be rechristened under a new name with ease.
Federal regulators in April approved new rules that prevent carriers that are shut down from reopening under another name.
Congress is considering legislation that would make it easier for federal officials to force new passenger carriers to undergo a full safety inspection before being allowed to operate and to pull over buses for en-route inspections.
“We are certain the bill will help,” Ferro said.
Travelers also can use the free SaferBus mobile app released by federal regulators earlier this year to view a bus company’s safety record before purchasing a ticket.
