The U.S. Department of Transportation revoked the operating license of a troubled discount bus service running between New York and Boston, saying it stopped cooperating with federal safety inspectors on Friday and blocked access to its safety records.
"We will not hesitate to immediately shut down a bus or truck company that ignores safety regulations and puts innocent lives at risk," said Anne Ferro, administrator of the department's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The Fung Wah bus service shut down earlier this week after it was barred from operating out of Boston's South Station bus terminal. That came after its entire 28-bus fleet was pulled off the road when Massachusetts inspectors found various problems, including cracked bus frames. The company temporarily kept running, in part by using chartered buses.
Department of Transportation officials said once Fung Wah stopped cooperating with safety investigators it was able to revoke its operating authority registration under a law passed in July.
"Bus companies that jeopardize public safety and refuse to cooperate with our investigators have no place on the road, and now, thanks to our additional authority, we can take them off," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
No one answered at a New York number for Fung Wah and it was not possible to leave a message.
The company has attracted customers with its frequent trips and low cost tickets -- $15 for most trips. But it's had problems in the past, including a $31,000 fine in 2006 for safety violations after a rollover accident in Massachusetts injured dozens of passengers. Its drivers rate in the bottom 3 percent nationwide for driver fitness, a measure of training and experience, according to safety evaluations by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:30 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:30:40 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:13 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:13:07 GMT
A simple commute into New York City on a New Jersey Transit bus turned into a nightmare on Thursday. The driver appeared to get lost, so the 45-minute ride took more than two hours.
A simple commute into New York City on a New Jersey Transit bus turned into a nightmare on Thursday. The driver appeared to get lost, so the 45-minute ride took more than two hours.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:32 AM EDT2013-06-14 14:32:37 GMT
Brooklyn community advocates are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in the killing of a livery cab driver.
Brooklyn community advocates are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the killing of a livery cab driver.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 11:39 AM EDT2013-06-12 15:39:38 GMT
New Jersey Transit's board has approved a proposal to provide wireless Internet service at train stations and on trains. But it's not clear if it will cost commuters.
New Jersey Transit's board has approved a proposal to provide wireless Internet service at train stations and on trains. But it's not clear if it will cost commuters.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:52:57 GMT
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:30 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:30:40 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:50:24 GMT
More than two dozen family members packed a court room to support the daughter who never gave up on finding her father's killer.
More than two dozen family members packed a court room to support the daughter who never gave up on finding her father's killer. For the first time, Joselyn Martinez came face to face with the man she believes took her dad away from her when she was just a little girl.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:26:45 GMT
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan is scheduled to arrive in his upstate hometown while the funeral of a second victim is being held in the Hudson Valley.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan has arrived in his upstate hometown as the funeral of a second victim was being held in the Hudson Valley.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:56:27 GMT
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
