COLUMBIA, S.C. The South Carolina Department of Transportation has ordered Clemson (S.C.) Area Transit to stop providing charter bus service while it investigates two separate complaints filed by the United Motorcoach Association.

UMA contends Clemson Area Transit has been routinely providing charter service in violation of federal charter service regulations.

The association, working with South Carolina operators and the Motorcoach Association of South Carolina, filed complaints about Clemson Area Transit with the Federal Transit Administration last year and again early this year.

Operators reported numerous examples of the transit agency providing charter service at cut-rate prices.

In one instance, Atchison Transportation Services of Spartanburg, S.C., lost a charter last year, involving seven buses, when a sorority discovered that Clemson Area Transit would handle its charter at a lower price.

The South Carolina DOT got involved because federal transit funds are funneled to Clemson Area Transit through the state agency's Division of Mass Transit.

In a letter, Division Director Glennith C. Johnson told Clemson Area Transit executive director Al Babinicz to cease and desist from any bus service that could be considered charter in nature until her unit completes an investigation.

She also ordered Babinicz to submit documentation and information about possible charters to her agency.

"Private operators have complained for years that Clemson Area Transit was taking their business," said Ken Presley, vice president of industry relations at UMA.

"We are happy that Atchison Transportation was able to provide such clear examples that allowed the (FTA) regional counsel and South Carolina Department of Transportation to take decisive action.

"The best part of this cease and desist is the operator regained the business, and that is what we are here for, and when it comes to transits, that is what UMA is all about seeing the business return to the private sector where it rightfully and legally belongs," Presley added.

As a result of UMA's most recent complaint and quick action by the FTA and South Carolina DOT, Clemson Area Transit cancelled a charter that originally had been booked with Atchison Transportation. Atchison was able to get the business back.