U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, DC
www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm

NEWS

Monday, October 30, 2006
Contact: Duane DeBruyne
FMCSA 07-06

U.S. DOT Fines Fung Wah for Violating Federal Safety Regulations

WASHINGTON, DC—The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced today that it has fined Fung Wah Bus Transportation Inc. $31,110 for violating federal safety regulations.

In September, a bus operated by Fung Wah overturned on a freeway ramp outside Boston, Massachusetts. Forty-eight people were injured, some seriously. Following the crash, as is standard procedure when a motorcoach incident of this nature occurs, FMCSA investigated Fung Wah and found the company to be in violation of multiple federal regulations and has initiated enforcement action for two specific violations: 1) using drivers unable to speak the English language and 2) drivers exceeding the posted speed limit.

"Motorcoach operators must ensure that their operations are safe and their drivers are reliable," said John H. Hill, FMCSA Administrator. "Travelers should be able to know that the bus they are riding is safe, well maintained, and capably driven."

The agency noted that this is not the first time it has reviewed Fung Wah's operations. Federal authorities visited the company eight times over the past 3 years, including a May 2006 review that resulted in a $12,950 fine for safety and traffic violations.

Fung Wah will have the opportunity to contest the alleged violations and the amount of penalties in an agency proceeding.

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