Operator in Latest Fatal Tour Bus Crash Had Poor Safety Record

WNYC News Blog

Tuesday, May 31, 2011 - 08:39 PM

By Jim O'Grady

The federal government has ordered the tour bus company linked to the fatal crash of a bus in Virgina that was returning to Chinatown on Tuesday to halt operations.

Sky Express Bus Company, the tour bus operator, had four crashes in the past two years with two injuries, and drivers were slapped with 46 violations related to driver fatigue and falsifying driving records, according to Department of Transportation records.

The company was also in the bottom one percent of carriers for sending out drivers unfit to operate a bus because of health concerns or a lack of training or experience.

But until Tuesday, the DOT gave the bus company a "satisfactory" safety record — its highest rating. 

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