WASHINGTON Simultaneous with the release of the National Transportation Safety Board report on the safety of curbside bus operators, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released a fact sheet entitled FMCSA Raises the Bar for Motorcoach Safety.

In its report, the NTSB questioned FMCSA oversight of motorcoach industry safety.

But, in its fact sheet, the FMCSA asserts it is "implementing strong safety measures that make motorcoach travel safer for passengers and everyone on our roadways."

The fact sheet lays out -- in a bulleted format -- various initiatives it has undertaken to improve motorcoach safety and oversight.

Stronger Roadside Safety Enforcement

FMCSA has significantly stepped up its roadside enforcement of motorcoaches and other passenger carriers. For example, during FMCSAs 2011 National Passenger Carrier Safety Strike Force in September, federal, state and local police carried out over 8,300 safety inspections of motorcoaches, tour buses, school buses and other passenger carriers nationwide. The two-week inspection sweep removed 902 unsafe vehicles or drivers from our roadways.

Over the past five years, motorcoach inspections have jumped nearly 100 percent, from 12,991 in 2005 to 25,704 in 2010.

On-site safety compliance reviews of motorcoach companies are up 128 percent, from 457 in 2005 to 1,044 in 2010.

FMCSAs out-of-service orders against unsafe passenger carriers under the current administration have increased from 36 in 2008 to 44 in 2010.

Since 2008, FMCSAs passenger carrier vetting program has rejected 23 percent of all motorcoach companies applying for operating authority.

FMCSA has conducted 128 American with Disabilities Act reviews on motorcoaches and issued two consent decrees that required the companies to upgrade their fleets.

Tougher Safety Standards

Under FMCSAs new, data-driven Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, motorcoach companies with safety problems in even one of seven performance areas are immediately targeted for safety interventions, ranging from warning letters, on-site compliance reviews, federal fines and out-of-service orders.

In May 2011, FMCSA established tougher national standards that require anyone applying for a commercial drivers license to first obtain a commercial learners permit.

Last year, FMCSA issued a final rule that bans texting by drivers of commercial vehicles, including motorcoach drivers.

FMCSA has also proposed a rule that would ban commercial drivers from reaching for, holding or dialing a cell phone while operating a motorcoach or other type of commercial vehicle. FMCSA will issue a final rule in 2011.

To protect the traveling public and save lives, FMCSA has asked Congress to take action on several new safety policy proposals that would:

Grant FMCSA greater authority to pursue enforcement action against unsafe "reincarnated" companies by establishing a single national standard for successor liability that eliminates the loop hole that allows bus and truck companies that have been shut down for unsafe operations to recreate themselves.

Require new passenger carriers to undergo a full safety audit before receiving operating authority.

Revise current law to ensure a drivers CDL can be suspended or revoked for drug and alcohol related offenses committed in noncommercial vehicles.

Raise the penalty from $2,000 a day to $25,000 against passenger carriers that attempt to operate without valid USDOT operating authority.

Consumer Outreach and Bus Safety Tools

In September 2011, FMCSA held a National Motorcoach Safety Summit that attracted over 200 safety advocates, motorcoach company owners, bus drivers, tour operators, brokers, law enforcement leaders, government officials and concerned citizens to discuss solutions to strengthen motorcoach safety.

To view the summit, go to http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/PCS/motorcoach-safety.aspx.

The FMCSA empowers consumers with free, user-friendly, online tools to select the safest motorcoach company.

By visiting www.fmcsa.dot.gov, the public can access FMCSAs "Think Safety: Every Trip, Every Time" safety checklist that helps consumers review a bus company's safety record, safety rating and USDOT operating authority status before buying a ticket or hiring a bus company for group travel.

Consumers can call FMCSAs Consumer Safety Hotline: (888) DOT-SAFT to report an unsafe motorcoach company or driver.

This year, FMCSA will unveil a smartphone application that will give consumers a quick and easy way to look up the safety record of any motorcoach company before booking a trip.