ABA WELCOMES SCIENCE-DRIVEN SHUSTER BUS SAFETY BILL

December 18, 2007

For Immediate Release
Contact: Eron Shosteck
Phone: 202-218-7220

The American Bus Association today welcomed the introduction of the motorcoach safety bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Penn.) as landmark legislation because it is the first-ever motorcoach safety bill calling for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct comprehensive scientific research to determine the direction of future regulatory requirements.

"We welcome the Shuster bill because it calls for the most sweeping research and data collection in motorcoach industry history," said ABA President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso. "Much of the data to guide engineers on occupant protection issues and many other safety issues simple doesn't yet exist. This bill will ensure that the research needed to guide policy-makers is conducted, and that sound science rather than politics shapes government safety policies."

Government data show that motorcoaches are the safest form of surface transportation. But the comprehensive research needed to answer the question of whether safety belts would provide safety benefits on buses has never been conducted before.

"Safety is our top priority, and nobody knows the definitive answer to the question of whether mandating belts on buses will enhance safety," Pantuso added. "The research called for by Congressman Shuster's bill would provide the answer to guide motorcoach safety engineers. For the first time, we'll have the breadth of information needed prior to making any prospective alterations to vehicle design and architecture."

ABA provided Shuster with information and resources to help ensure the scope of the bill is as wide as possible, and that it gathers as much of the data as possible needed to answer a wide range of safety questions.

"Ultimately the Shuster legislation will provide scientific-based guidance on what regulatory refinements may be necessary," Pantuso said. "It's entirely possible the science will tell us things that we don't expect, but we'll be guided by the research findings."

The American Bus Association is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry with more than 1000 motorcoach owner and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,600 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.