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UMA Affiliations 
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  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2008 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Gedris 800.424.8262 UMA Participates in NTSB Hearing on Texas CrashParties to a hearing are designated by the Safety Board Member who is the presiding officer of the hearing. They include those persons, governmental agencies, companies, and associations whose participation in the hearing is deemed necessary in the public interest and whose special knowledge will contribute to the development of pertinent evidence. NTSB stresses party status is a privilege, not a right. On January 2, 2008 on U.S. Route 59 near Victoria, Texas, a northbound 47-passenger motorcoach overturned and struck a guardrail. One passenger was fatally injured, and 46 passengers and the driver sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious. The motorcoach had entered the country from Mexico and was being operated by a Houston bus company. The coach, a 2005 Volvo, was registered in Texas and was displaying Texas vehicle tags. The coach was manufactured in Mexico and was not intended for the US markets. Subsequently the coach did not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, a requirement for any motorcoach operating on the Nation’s highways. The investigation into the crash revealed a possible scheme to move nonconforming motorcoaches illegally into the U.S. through Texas, using a Dallas-based firm and lenient California registration regulations. “The hearing revealed holes in the way buses are inspected and registered,” stated Presley. “The NTSB has every reason to be concerned because they have uncovered dozens of buses registered and operating in violation of federal safety standards.” The hearing also revealed concerns regarding safety inspection frequency at the border. “No Texas or U.S. motor carrier safety officers were on duty when the 2005 Volvo motorcoach crossed border hours before a fatal crash”, says Presley, “The coach, passengers and baggage were all checked by customs and border officers when it came into the United States at Laredo, Texas, but apparently the resources to inspect the vehicle for safety compliance was unavailable.” “We also learned that in 2007 there were over 265,000 bus crossings at the US-Mexican border and just over 13,000 safety inspections. We have had occasional reports of Mexican carriers crossing the border and taking business away from U.S. based carriers”, noted Presley. “We do not intend to stand by and watch unsafe competition hurt our members or harm the public.” Added Presley, “I doubt very seriously this is what Congress intended and the traveling public in the United States expects and deserves better.” The hearing focused on the entry of the noncompliant coach and the NTSB will rule and make recommendations regarding the cause of the crash in a few months. The United Motorcoach Association is North America's largest association for operators of motorcoach companies providing charter, tour and regular route services. Founded in 1971, UMA is comprised of over 1,100 members located all across North America, with more than 850 charter and tour bus operator members who provide transportation services in all fifty states, Canada and Mexico. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, UMA is dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of the entire motorcoach industry and providing its members with programs and services to enhance the success of their operations. Back To Industry News/Press Releases |
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