WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate last night passed by unanimous consent H.R. 3985, the Over-the-Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007, which clarifies the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s authority to enforce compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements for over-the-road passenger buses.

H.R. 3985 directs the Secretary of Transportation to condition registration of an over-the-road bus operator upon that operator’s willingness and ability to comply with certain passenger accessibility requirements.

“I am pleased that the Senate has passed this legislation to ensure that all Americans have access to interstate bus service,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii). “Given today’s high gas prices, more and more consumers are using mass transportation for business and to visit friends and family, and it is essential that no American be denied bus service due to a disability. This legislation will help to achieve that goal.”

The House passed the bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), James Oberstar (D-Minn.), and John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.), by a vote of 374 to 0 on December 12, 2007.

·         Direct the Secretary of Transportation to register a person providing transportation by an over-the-road bus as a motor carrier of passengers only if the person is willing and able to comply with certain accessibility requirements;

·         Require over-the-road bus operators to purchase or lease accessible vehicles or provide accessible service to passengers with disabilities with 48 hour advance notice, depending on fleet size and types of service operated by the carrier; and

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