The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced at the end of May that it was shutting down 26 bus operations as a result of these companies being imminent hazards to public safety.  This is apparently the largest crackdown by the agency in its history.  Ten (10) bus company owners, managers and employees also had to cease all passenger transportation operations, including selling tickets to the passengers.   This followed a very extensive investigation by the FMCSA.  The three (3) target companies were APEX Bus, Inc., I-95 Coach, Inc. and New Century Travel, Inc.  These companies apparently oversaw a larger network of transportation lines, the full list of companies being available through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website.   In all, approximately 29 companies were affected.   These companies operate along the East Coast from Georgia to New York, with just a few from the Midwest.  

 

The investigation found that all of the carriers had multiple safety violations including continuous use of drivers without valid Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs), failure to conduct alcohol and drug testing and serious hours-of-service violations.  To avoid any these bus companies re-opening under new or different names, the FMCSA has revoked the Operating Authorities and linked the active companies to other companies shut down in previous months or years.