March 1, 2008 WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE BUS INDUSTRY Crash test reviewed, methodology is questioned WASHINGTON D.C. — Mo- point restraints.” MCI E-model motorcoach loaded torcoach passengers using lap and He said other crash tests with with 22 dummies for the test, shoulder restraints are likely to fair automobiles and school buses have which involved crashing head-on better in a head-on collision than produced similar results. into a barrier at 30 miles an hour. those who are either unrestrained or The December crash test was The dummies used in the test using only lap belts, preliminary the first ever done by the federal were designed and weighted to rep- results of a government crash test government using a motorcoach resent both male and female pas- indicate. and the first of several the agency sengers and were placed in various The test, performed in Decem- plans to conduct to study passenger locations throughout the bus. Some ber for the National Highway Traf- restraints, roof strength, window were equipped with three-point fic Safety Administration, revealed glazing, and fires on full-size restraints while others wore only that while crash dummies equipped motorcoaches. lap belts or were unrestrained. All with three-point restraints showed of them were wired to electronic signs of some low head-and-neck Industry onboard testing equipment so researchers impact, the other test dummies on The motorcoach industry has could evaluate their movements dur- the bus recorded much higher advocated for years that the federal ing the crash and the location and impacts to the head and other parts government conduct crash and other extent of any impact to their bodies. of their bodies. tests with coaches before proposing According to early test read- This MCI coach was crashed head-on into a barrier wall at 30 mph. “The results are not surprising,” any type of safety mandates for new ings, unbelted dummies typically noted Ron Medford, the agency’s coaches such as passenger restraints made head contact with the seat- Some of the seats in front of unbelt- While all of the belted dum- senior associate for vehicle safety. and structural modifications. back in front of them in less than a ed dummies broke or bent from the mies remained in their seats, those “We’ve known for some time that Engineers working at a facility second and either ended up in the impact of the dummies seated wearing lap belts still recorded high the best protection is from three- in Ohio used a 45-foot, 54-seat 2000 row in front of them or in the aisle. behind them. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 þ ‘Bolt’ is Coming Feds promise more bus Greyhound, Peter Pan to launch new service inspection strike forces WASHINGTON D.C. — En- showed up in the results of the late SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — develop the service. about the affiliation would come couraged by the success of one of fall operation, a two-week assault Peter Pan Bus Lines and Grey- “We have formed an affilia- from Greyhound and he referred the largest motorcoach inspection that targeted motorcoaches from hound Lines are setting up a joint tion with Peter Pan and we are questions to Greyhound. operations ever, federal safety reg- Maine to Virginia and involved operation to compete with the eth- developing a customer-focused The joint venture primarily ulators are gearing up for more inspectors from the FMCSA and nic bus lines operating in the service that will target a specific will compete with the cut-rate roadside strike force activity this 22 state and local police depart- heavily traveled northeastern U.S. consumer segment,” said spokes- Chinese-American owned opera- year. ments. The reduced-fare, curbside man Dustin Clark. tions, such as Fung Wah, that Although no one will say when Working together, they con- service will be called Bolt. He declined to elaborate on his serve the Boston-New York City- and where the Federal Motorcoach ducted more than 1,200 inspections Although neither company statement and would not answer Washington corridor. Carrier Safety Administration will in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, would provide details about the any questions. However, the service also is send its motorcoach strike force Maryland, Massachusetts, New new opertion, a Greyhound Peter Pan President Peter A. being seen as a preemptive strike next, the results of the most-recent Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, spokesman acknowledged that the Picknelly said the companies had to keep megabus.com from operation, conducted in late Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Ver- carriers have gotten together to agreed that any public statements CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 þ November, make further surprise mont, Virginia and West Virginia. inspections of over-the-road buses The crackdown resulted in 101 a certainty. coaches and 50 drivers being Happy Birthday to Us!! “We recognize them as an ef- ordered off the road for serious fective and valuable enforcement safety violations. tool and plan to utilize them in the Total violations resulting from future,” said agency spokesman the mixture of full inspections, to Duane DeBruyne. walk-arounds, totaled 1,306 and There have been reports the included 1,018 issued for the strike force could hit again this coaches and 288 for the drivers. month or next. The total was higher than the num- Bus & Motorcoach News thanks its The value of the strike forces ber of coaches that were inspected Readers and Advertisers for 5 great years. that FMCSA Administrator John because numerous buses and driv- We’re Five! Hill promised early last year CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 þ 3035B&MC 10/30/07 2:13 PM Page 1 INTRODUCING3035RE A New Class of Passenger Transport has Arrived! Make room for our big innovation in smaller group The new ABC 3035RE brings smaller group transport transport. You asked for more big-coach features, to whole new level with more performance, amenities and the brand NEW 2008 ABC3035RE delivers! and value-added features than ever before: Our exclusive new rear-engine design, restyled body • Seating for up to • Air Lock Baggage Doors 41 passengers • Multiplexed 12 volt construction and spacious underfloor luggage storage • Underfloor Luggage Storage electrical system are just half the story. Inside a host of full-size coach • Spare Tire Located • Rear Window Option features elevate our NEWEST mid-size model to a Behind Front Bumper • Independent • Interchangeable 24 Volt HVAC System truly mini-coach status. Windshields • Independent Front Suspension • Stainless Steel Structures • Front Air Disc Brakes The 2008 3035RE is ready for inspection at your Below Floor Line • Full Size Rest Room nearby ABC Sales location. Contact an ABC Account • Seamless Side Glass with a Monogram Representative today or visit abc-companies.com • Dual Wiper Motors Stainless Steel Insert • LED Exterior Lighting • Carrier 05G Compressor for a complete listing. MIDWEST NORTHEAST SOUTHEAST SOUTHWEST WEST 800-222-2875 800-222-2873 800-222-2871 800-222-2877 800-322-2877 abc-companies.com Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS March 1, 2008 3 Dropping off at an airport? Operators contemplate lawsuit FRESNO, Calif. – A group of received a check for payment. more than a dozen complaints Better know the rules first operators is working to organize a “Two days after returning from from operators and others that have class-action lawsuit against a slimy the trip, we leaned (We Give You gone unpaid or have not had their SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ronald Gonsalves of Ameri- bus broker that reportedly has Ride) had placed a ‘stop order’ on buses show up after contracting Here’s a little piece of free advice can Stage Tours in Concord, Calif., stiffed a number of bus companies the check. Numerous attempts with My Best Ride and Tifa that could save you hundreds of thinks it is high time the motor- and customers. have been made to collect our Xpress. dollars: coach industry get serious about The target of the lawsuit would money.… They admit they owe us Among those pushing the law- If you’re a small operator that advocating for a uniform entry be an Alta Loma, Calif.-based out- money and promise to pay. It has suit is Leslie Raddatz of Cloud 8 makes infrequent trips to commer- system for buses and other passen- fit that has operated under several been over six months since the trip Travel in Clovis, Calif., a suburb of cial airports, make sure you check ger carriers using American air- names, including We Give You and we have yet to receive any pay- Fresno. with security officials before ports. Ride, My Best Ride and Tifa ment.” Operators possibly interested in dropping off passengers at any air- “I have raised this point Xpress. A church reported that We participating in a suit should con- port you have not visited in recent before, but I think it is time to One operator reported con- Give You Ride failed to provide tact attorney David C. Beyersdorf weeks or months. revisit it,” Gonsalves told Bus & tracting with We Give You Ride to buses for a youth trip to Six Flags of the law firm of Lee & Beyers- That’s because the airport may Motorcoach News. provide coach services from Flor- and then refused to refund the dorf in Fresno. E-mail DavidB@ have adopted new or revised secu- “What can we do as an indus- ida to Tennessee. church’s $2,400. LeeandBeyersdorf.com, or call rity regulations that include stiff try to have one approval process, Prior to the trip, the operator BusRates.com said it has had CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 þ fines for not having an airport one permit and one transponder entry permit or transponder.