1. Summary
This article provides essential tips on how to ensure the safety of motorcoach tours by utilizing various safety databases, apps, and reporting methods related to bus companies and drivers.
2. Use the US Passenger Carrier Safety Database
In the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) monitors interstate bus and truck safety. If you will be traveling on a bus that crosses a state line, you can find out about your chosen tour company or charter bus by visiting the FMCSA’s Passenger Carrier Safety page. You can search by company or by vehicle type, but most will find it easier to search by company.
For instance, entering “Greyhound” in the name field leads to a results page. You might come across several Greyhound affiliates listed as “Not Allowed to Operate,” along with information about Greyhound Canada Transportation ULC and Greyhound Lines, Inc. Clicking on “Greyhound Lines, Inc.” directs you to their data page, where safety statistics and performance information can be reviewed.
If your tour company’s name does not appear, consider contacting them directly to inquire if they work with a charter company for their motorcoach services. There’s a good chance you will find that charter company’s name in the FMCSA safety listings.
While Canada does not maintain a national passenger carrier safety database, it does provide bus safety recall details to the public. Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database includes recall data pertinent to commercial buses. To utilize this database, you must know the manufacturers, model names, and years of the buses used by your tour company.
Locating passenger safety information about buses in Mexico is challenging; the Mexican government does not appear to compile searchable bus safety records by company name or manufacturer.
Tip: The FMCSA bus safety listings also encompass Canadian and Mexican companies if they operate in the US.
Note: As of this writing, the FMCSA’s Passenger Carrier Safety web page is non-functional due to technical issues. A note states, “The search capability of this web page is currently not functioning due to technical difficulties. FMCSA is working to repair the problem.” This issue has persisted for several months, making it hard to predict when the search function will be restored. As a workaround, you can utilize the Department of Transportation’s SAFER database to look up snapshots of companies, which include basic safety information about tour and charter bus companies.
3. Another Route: Use the SaferBus App to Choose Your Bus Company
The FMCSA has developed the free SaferBus app to assist users in selecting interstate bus companies on both Android and iPhone platforms. SaferBus enables you to check the operating status of a specific bus company registered with the US Department of Transportation, assess that company’s safety performance, and file complaints regarding safety, service, or discrimination issues directly from your smartphone.
Note: Currently, the SaferBus app is unavailable in the iTunes Store. Reviews on Google Play suggest that the app may not function properly anymore, possibly linked to the issues concerning the FMCSA Passenger Carrier Safety database’s search feature outlined above.
4. Report Unsafe Buses and Drivers to the FMCSA
If you observe unsafe behavior from a bus driver, such as texting while driving, or notice safety concerns with a bus, it is vital to report the driver or the bus to the FMCSA. This can be done by calling 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238) or by completing a report at the National Consumer Complaint Database website. In case of an immediate emergency, it is important to call 911 without delay.
If your US tour bus breaches the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) due to lacking the required equipment or having dysfunctional equipment, you can report the bus company to the FMCSA using either the provided phone number or website.
