motorcoach

Motorcoach Safety

Transportation by intercity motorcoach is the fastest growing mode of passenger transportation. Legislation directing actions by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to improve the crashworthiness and operations safety of motorcoaches is currently pending in Congress. Advocates strongly supports the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act (MESA), S. 453, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), and a companion House measure, H.R. 873, sponsored by Rep. John Lewis (D-GA).

John Betts, whose son was killed in the 2007 Bluffton University baseball team motorcoach crash, speaks to a crowd outside the Capitol about the importance of passing the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act at a press conference annoucning Greyhound's support of the legislation in July 2011. John is pictured with his wife, Joy Betts, and David Leach, CEO of Greyhound, Senators Frank Lautenberg, Sherrod Brown, and Kay Bailey Hutchison, Jackie Gillan, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and Yen-Chi Le, whose mother was killed in the 2008 Sherman, Texas bus crash.

Text of Legislation:

S.453- Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act (as introduced)

H.R.873- Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act (as introduced)

Motorcoach Safety Resources:

List of Motorcoach Crashes Since 1990

Summary of MESA Provisions and Supporting NTSB Recommendations

Motorcoach Safety Fact Sheet

Safety Features Required in MESA are Already Offered by Manufacturers Fact Sheet

Cost of Motorcoach Safety Features in MESA Fact Sheet

Side-by-Side Comparing MESA with Other Bus Safety Legislation in Congress

Side-by-Side Comparing MESA with Department of Transportation's Motorcoach Action Plan

Advocates' Testimony before Congress on Motorcoach Safety:

June 13, 2011

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee- Testimony by Jackie Gillan on "How Best to Improve Bus Safety on Our Nation's Highways"

March 30, 2011

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee- Testimony by Joan Claybrook on "Ensuring the Safety of Our Nation's Motorcoach Passengers"

Advocates' Press Releases about Motorcoach Safety:

July 14, 2011

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Commends Greyhound for Support of Bus Safety Bill

March 2, 2011

Fourth Anniversary of Motorcoach Crash that Killed and Injured Bluffton University Baseball Team Members Marks Introduction of Legislation to Correct Dangerous and Unaddressed Safety Problems