WASHINGTON The United Motorcoach Association and the American Bus Association are urging the incoming administration of President-elect Obama to adopt a get-tough policy with rogue bus operators and start-up companies wanting to enter the industry.

The call for a crackdown on "existing problematic carriers" and individuals and companies seeking new passenger carrier operating authority was contained in a joint statement issued by the two associations and passed along to members of Obamas U.S. Department of Transportation transition team.

The associations asked the incoming administration to move quickly to get rotten operators off U.S. highways and keep potential bad apples from ever hitting the roadways. And they urged the new administration to show no mercy to new operators.

"The motorcoach industry asserts that passenger carriers operating without benefit of compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations pose a great risk to highway safety. By focusing on existing problematic carriers, as well as preventing entry to future ones, the (FMCSA) possesses a great opportunity to improve highway safety, reduce fatalities and injuries, and improve parity among compliant carriers," the associations said in their joint pronouncement.

UMA and ABA said such a crackdown could be done most efficiently through a targeted approach aimed at individuals and companies requesting new passenger carrier operating authority.

Currently, an individual or company seeking operating authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation need only submit an application, a registration fee, evidence of financial responsibility (usually in the form of insurance), and the name of a process agent(s).

There is no requirement the new operator demonstrate knowledge of federal motor carrier safety laws and regulations or the ability to conduct safe operations.

"The FMCSA performs a new-entrant review -- currently characterized as an educational review, usually within nine months of a passenger carrier receiving initial operating authority from the FMCSA," the associations noted.

"The gap between receipt of operating authority and a review is risky and exposes passengers to needless potential harm, regardless of the length of time. The review also lacks veracity and establishes a poor precedent with new-entrant operators when a more important message regarding the significance of compliance with the laws and regulations should be made.

"The industry believes the FMCSA should not grant any operating authority prior to determining an applicants ... likelihood to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and operate safely, through testing and other methods," the associations said.

Additionally, UMA and ABA called on the Obama Administration to quickly adopt a policy, within 90 days of taking office, of targeting new companies with an immediate compliance review after they have been granted operating authority.

"Passenger carriers (that) fail to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations should be treated equally, and no considerations should be afforded new entrants," said the associations.