New York governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced details of an ongoing multi-agency crackdown to take unsafe tour bus and charter companies off the road.
Since mid-September an initiative run jointly by the state department of transportation, department of motor vehicles and New York State Police has conducted more than 1,115 roadside bus inspections and taken 112 unsafe buses and 96 unqualified drivers off the road.
"This enforcement effort will help take these illegal and unsafe buses off New York roads, protecting the health and safety of passengers and motorists alike," Governor Cuomo said.
"With this multi-agency operation, we are cracking down on these bad actors and seeking to give travelers a peace of mind as they book their trips this holiday season."
In the last two months DOT investigators and State Police have conducted 50% more inspections compared to a similar time period last year.
It found most common violations included vehicles not having proper operating authority, seating capacity and emergency exit violations.
Drivers were mostly cited for not being medically qualified or properly licensed.
Following a citation all out-of-service defects must be addressed before the operator or vehicle can restart operations.
"These targeted inspections ordered by Governor Cuomo are enhancing safety on New York’s roads and getting dangerous drivers off the street so residents, visitors and tourists can travel with ease during the upcoming holiday season," said NYSDOT acting commissioner Paul A. Karas.
Federal investigators are still probing a recent bus crash in New York which killed the driver and two other people.
The driver had previously lost his license over drunken driving.
