It was reported recently that two of every five Texas charter bus companies have been ordered off the road in the past two years. Presently, about 300 bus companies have permission to operate in Texas. But during the past 24 months, another 201 companies have had their authorization revoked, according to Carol Davis, director of the Texas Department of Transportation’s motor carrier division. However, some of those grounded companies have resurfaced under new names and state officials are trying to find out how many. Problems in the motor coach industry came to light after an August 8th crash that killed 17 people in Sherman, Texas.

The Houston-based owner of the bus had been shut down for safety violations but continued operating under a different company name. Since then, two other bus companies in Houston and Irving have been shut down for being affiliated with revoked companies. Although motor coach safety is governed mostly by federal law, the Texas Transportation Department wants to make it easier for the public to gain access to bus records. Church groups and other clubs often use motor coaches for long trips. State officials are posting complaints filed against bus companies on the Transportation Department’s Web site, www.txdot.gov. Other helpful documents, including the results of investigations, also are posted.

Source: Star Telegram

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