New York Injury Talk Blog

The state of New York suspended the operating licenses for eight bus companies that repeatedly violated safety regulations. Sparked by a deadly Bronx bus accident on March 12, during which a tour bus flipped over on a Bronx highway and killed 15 passengers — and then continually fueled by a run of bus accidents in the Northeast this year, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a clampdown on negligent safety procedures.

As reported by Reuters, the eight businesses named in violation by the New York Department of Transportation are: Party Ride, A & W Tours, Inc., Big Apple Bus Charter, Inc., Silver Star Limo Company, LLC, Touch of Class & Coach, Inc., Best Trails and Travel Corp; and Zoladz Limousine Service; Long Island Limousine Service Corp. Those companies run approximately 100 buses, or other vehicles, on New York streets.

As part of the embargo, New York transportation officials have completed about 3,000 roadside bus examinations during the previous four months, representatives of the Cuomo administration said, compared with 615 in all of 2010. The administration also said it will be employing 20 additional safety inspectors.

According to the state, each of the listed businesses either: flunked three or more checkups in the last six months, failed their semi-annual bus examination, or was given a federal “out-of-service” order. All were commanded to stop service by the first week in August and pay for a total Department of Transportation evaluation; non compliance results in the perpetual forfeit of right to do business in the state of New York.

Transportation companies have an obligation by law to operate under strict government safety standards. If they do not, they should be held accountable for injuries or deaths that take place as a result of negligent or unsafe practices. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident, call the New York bus accident lawyers at Wingate, Rusotti & Shapiro, LLP at 212-986-7353 for a free consultation today.