Bill Seeks Crackdown on ADA Violations by Over-the-Road Bus Companies

Responding to a refusal by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to revoke the operating authority for intercity bus operators who refuse to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the bipartisan leadership on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last week introduced H.R. 3985, the Over-the-Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007.

The bill was introduced on Monday, October 29, by Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), along with the full committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Ranking Members John Mica (R-FL) and John Duncan (R-TN).  The bill was unanimously passed out of the full committee on Wednesday, October 31.

If enacted, the bill would require FMCSA to investigate ADA complaints and to revoke operating authority from a carrier who violates the ADA rules.  Similarly, FMCSA can refuse to grant operating authority to a carrier who is not in compliance with the ADA. 

The ATU asked the Committee to introduce this legislation as a way of cracking down on blatant violations of the ADA rules by curbside bus operators.  Numerous fringe bus companies, operating primarily in the Northeast corridor of the U.S., have been operating in violation of the ADA and other rules governing intercity bus operations - resulting in unfair competition to more legitimate bus companies like Greyhound and Peter Pan.

The ATU will continue to work to pass this legislation before Congress adjourns for the year.