ALBANY, N.Y. A much anticipated "clearing of the air" -- over a controversial New York state bus inspection regulation -- failed to materialize at the annual meeting of the Bus Association of New York here late last month.

Two principals at the center of the controversy Anne Ferro, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and New York Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald made no direct mention of it in separate speeches they delivered to members of the trade group.

Still, there were signs that progress is being made in the dispute that has been roiling since July when the New York State Department of Transportation adopted a rule allowing state authorities to shut down carriers with multiple violations of enhanced New York safety inspection criteria.

Adoption of the criteria and its enforcement raised the ire of BANY, numerous individual motorcoach operators, and the United Motorcoach Association, which asked the FMCSA to stop New York state officials from enforcing the controversial regulation.

While Ferro and McDonald bypassed opportunities to speak directly about the situation, both did emphasize the importance of their agencies working together and working with the motorcoach industry.

Additionally, Ken Presley, vice president and chief operating officer of UMA, said there were meaningful informal conversations with state officials regarding the importance of consistent inspection criteria.

"I believe we are moving in the right direction at this point," he said.

UMA got involved in the dispute last month when it sent a letter to Ferro, asserting the state had overstepped its authority by adopting the regulation, and urging her to order NYSDOT to stop enforcing it.

Ferro, a featured speaker at the BANY meeting, reportedly avoided mention of the dispute because the UMA letter has possible legal ramifications. Instead, she centered her remarks on steps her agency has been taking and will be taking to improve motorcoach safety.

The closest she came to indicating there might be a rift was her mention of the need for motorcoach operators and government regulators to work together to make the industry safer for everyone.

"We know we cannot do the job of safety alone; we need the help of BANY members to make a difference on our roads," she said. "Lets work together to ensure that needless tragedies are avoided and that passenger safety is always a top priority for everyone."

She said a joint federal and state strike force, operating during a two-week period in September and October, inspected 1,260 buses in New York and placed 148 vehicles and 158 drivers out of service.

Ferro also emphasized the importance of recruiting good drivers and treating them as professionals because most fatal truck and bus crashes are caused by drivers.

"When recruiting drivers, I ask you to stress the message that motorcoaches are hauling the most precious cargo someones loved one," she said. "We can all agree that its important to treat all drivers as professionals by providing them with safe buses, decent pay, opportunity for training and opportunities for recognition for a job well done."

McDonald, in brief remarks delivered during the final day of the three-day meeting, also emphasized motorcoach safety and her agencys partnership with the industry, as well as other federal, state and local partners in an ongoing effort to ensure public safety. She initially was to have delivered the keynote address at a dinner session but was unable to do so because of a scheduling conflict,

Her spot on the dinner agenda was filled by NYSDOT Acting Division Director Robert Sack, who also steered clear of any direct mention of the controversial rule. He did note, however, that the state has enhanced its bus safety efforts and stressed the agency will continue its stepped-up inspections of motorcoaches.

"Motorcoach safety is a responsibility that New York State takes very seriously," he said. "NYSDOT has a robust motorcoach safety program, which we recently enhanced to make even stronger."

The enhancement was needed, he said, because the states driver and vehicle out-of-service rates 11.07 percent for drivers and 20.69 percent for vehicles remain well above the national average.

"Based on these findings, we will continue stepped-up inspections roadside as well as additional safety reviews," he said.

Sack said the agency has conducted 5,000 roadside inspections since March, a huge increase from the 500 that were done in all of 2010. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ordered the increase in roadside inspections in response to a series of fatal bus accidents that occurred in New York and the Northeast.

BANY President Godfrey LeBron praised Ferro and McDonald for attending the meeting that drew more than 100 people and nearly a dozen bus manufacturers and dealers.

"We are grateful to Administrator Ferro and Commissioner McDonald for spending some of their valuable time with us and for their consistent efforts to help our industry," he said.