Commercial and tour buses to receive letter grade

Taking a page from Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s A-B-C restaurant ratings system, New York Senator Charles Schumer called for a similar grading system for intercity buses and discount tour operators too.
Schumer called on the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA) to develop a clear rating system that passengers may view before they purchase a ticket to ride commercial buses.
His plan was spurred by a recent spate of crashes, involving the discount bus industry. The most recent bus crash in Virginia, a vehicle operated by Sky Express Bus, resulted in four deaths.
After further investigation, it was revealed that the company had 46 violations for fatigued driving and was involved in four previous crashes. Even though safety records for operators of motor coaches can be researched online through the FMCSA web site, the information is not easy to access for passengers who wish to purchase tickets.
Many people do not have regular internet access, making it difficult for them research bus companies online. Additionally, the FMCSA ratings aren’t very clear. This new system will make it easier to ascertain the overall safety record of each bus company for passengers at the point of purchase.
Schumer pointed out that having such a system would allow passengers to make more informed decisions and motivate the industry to improve their safety standards. This new system would also reward companies with strong safety records and serve as an incentive for companies to improve their safety records.
“If bus companies have poor safety records, passengers should know about it before they purchase a ticket.” said Schumer. “It seems like every week we hear of another crash involving the discount tour bus industry. It is crucial that passengers are clearly and unambiguously alerted to a company’s safety record before they ever board a bus.”