The FMCSA today announced the agency has put the brakes on Utah passenger carrier Serv-A-Bus, LLC. The agency has declared the passenger carrier to be an “imminent hazard to public safety.” The FMCSA has ordered the company and its owner to immediately cease all operations.
Despite a January 2013, cease order, Serv-A-Bus continued to transport passengers, primarily students.
The order comes after a February 2014, incident that occurred on a bus whose operation was under the management of Gene Brady, owner of Serv-A-Bus.
On that day, the bus was transporting a Beaver, Utah high school speech and debate team. The driver was over the allowable driving hours and some of the bus’ components– mirrors, a bumper and luggage compartment doors– were secured with elastic cords. In addition, the driver of the bus was “observed engaging in unsafe maneuvers.”
The bus driver’s maneuvers were so dangerous and the bus was in such poor condition, that adult coaches and chaperones contacted the school to arrange for alternate transportation.
The next morning, with no passengers on board the bus, the bus experienced engine problems and caught on fire.
“Safety is our top priority and we will not tolerate this kind of callous disregard for public safety by any transportation provider,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “These violations are especially egregious considering the company was transporting students despite being ordered to stop all operations.”
“There is no place on our highways and roads for bus and truck companies and commercial drivers that ignore safety and put the public at needless risk,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “FMCSA personnel across the country will continue to demand that drivers, vehicles, and companies comply with vital safety regulations that protect the motoring public.”
A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service order, issued March 7, 2014, is available here:http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/