By Mary Esch
Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. — A federal safety official says authorities have conducted 30,000 bus inspections aimed at improving passenger safety after several high-profile tour bus crashes and have shut down dozens of bus companies this year.
Ann Ferro is administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. She spoke Monday at the annual meeting of the Bus Association of New York in Albany. She says her agency has closed 46 motor coach companies deemed unsatisfactory.
There are 4,000 bus companies nationwide.
A string of deadly accidents has prompted calls for tougher regulation of the tour bus industry. A bus returning to New York City from an Uncasville (UNK'-ahs-vihl), Conn., casino in March flipped and struck a pole, killing 15 people.
Bus Association president Godfrey LeBron says he welcomes inspections because they keep operators “on their toes.”