DOT Shuts Down Washington D.C. Tour Bus Company
The company failed to follow DOT and federal drug and alcohol testing regulations.
A Washington D.C.-based tour and party bus company has been closed down by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to prevent what it calls an “eminent threat” to public safety. Washington DC Party Shuttle, also doing business as Onboard DC Tours, was told to immediately cease all operations, following a deployment of more than 50 investigators who targeted high-risk passenger carriers.
This is the first shutdown of a passenger carrier company. Washington DC Party Shuttle/Onboard DC Tours is primarily a tour bus company in the Washington D.C. and New York City areas.
“We are making good on our pledge to get unsafe bus companies off the road,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in a DOT statement. “We are committed to protecting the traveling public and we will not hesitate to take action.”
The investigators discovered that the company was not following DOT regulations. One of the drives was permitted to continue working even after testing positive for a controlled substance. In addition to failure to comply with drug and alcohol testing requirements, the company also does not have an effective maintenance program.
“Every passenger stepping onto a commercial bus or van is entitled to a safe driver and safe vehicle, regardless of whether it is a major carrier, a curb-side operation, a charter or, in this case, a party and tour service,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro, on the DOT website. “Our safety regulations do not discern among passenger carriers business models − our sole focus is on safety.”
More information about this case and DOT safety regulations can be found on the department’s website.