A new website BusJunction.com is launched that shows comparisons and bus e-ticket links for most intercity motorcoach carriers in U.S. This website was started by a software engineer from Washington, D.C. by the name of Matthew Keller. It is not known if the website is a for-profit or non-profit entity.

Matthew Keller claims that his website is the first comparison-based website for intercity bus line travel. Click here: BusJunction.com

Our SPY Reporter has fresh photos of the new Greyhound Prevost X3-45 coaches being added to the First Group fleet. The exterior is a deep sky blue metallic tone with a chrome 3D greyhound logo in the center, and chrome 3D lettering toward the front.

All coaches offer wireless internet access, 110V outlets at every seatback, more legroom (coaches have 50 seats as opposed to the standard 54 on Prevost), leather upholstery, easy recliner handles, nylon strap cup-holders, ADA Lift equipment, PowerVue GPS data monitors for fleet and driver information, SmartWheel technology with jake brake and cruise control, 6-speed allison transmission, a sturdy plexiglass driver protection compartment, tag axle lift for tight turns and snow traction.

In addition, responding to national safety advocates all passenger seats have retractable safety belts making Greyhound Lines the first major intercity carrier to offer standard seatbelts on their new coaches in the United States . Also, emergency windows are staggered throughout the Prevost cabin, alternating with stationary windows. These emergency escape windows are smaller than previous styles which should help reduce ejections in catastrophic events.

The only negatives include: sturdy passenger seats are too rigid, chrome wheels are missing center caps, the ADA Lift takes up too much luggage space in the rear luggage compartment, and flatscreen monitors have been removed.

After decades of constant change in ownership, it seems First Group is making some welcome changes to the intercity bus landscape with this new design.

Click attachments below for photos.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is out with results of a Univ. of Michigan survey conducted on fatal bus accidents from 1999 to 2005.

Survey results here: CMSA survey

All members of Local 1512 are covered by a $4000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Policy if you returned by mail the recently sent self-stamped, pre-addressed postcard with identifying information. You must return this card including beneficiary name immediately if you have not done so yet.

The policy is absolutely free to all Local 1512 members. Members may wish to increase their coverage by speaking to an American Income Life Insurance Company associate who will contact you if you so desire.

All policies are covered by all applicable state and federal laws; a copy of the contract is available at our Local 1512 offices upon request.

Minutes before a jury was to sit down and consider 4 counts of second degree manslaughter, 5 counts of first degree assault, American Crushing & Recycling owner David Wilcox, 73 yrs. old, pleaded guilty to the charges. The 2005 Avon, CT crash at the foot of Avon Mt. was caused by faulty brakes and an inexperienced driver, involved 19 vehicles, including a Kelley Transit commuter motorcoach driven by friend and former member of Local 1512, the late FRANKIE JUAN who was severely and critically injured as a result of the tragedy.

Sentencing has been set at 6 years jail, and 3 years probation for Wilcox who admitted to allowing the vehicle to be unsafe and unsound, but not admitting the lack of insurance on the vehicle. Convictions were on manslaughter, assault and insurance fraud. More info here: Late member Frankie Juan, accident victim...punishment in CT. court today for one responsible for this reprehensible accident

Efforts during President Bush's administration to legalize the regular use of Mexican originating tractor-trailer trucks and busses in US highway corridors - which was sharply criticized by highway safety officials as well as union officials - is expected to come to an end this week when President Obama signs a bill that ends any expenditure of federal funds to the DOT to facilitate this failed program.

Poor safety standards of equipment and drivers - as well as noncompliance of language requirements - and including numerous highly publicized accidents - has brought a halt to this NAFTA propelled program. Competition from low paid Mexican operators had softened salaries of commercial drivers, particularly in southeastern US.

More info here: Obama to sign legislation to end funding Mexican truck and bus assistance

Peter Picknelly says the groundbreaking and future opening of the Holyoke Intermodal Transportation Center in the old Holyoke Fire Station was a wish of his late father.

"This was my father's vision." In reference to the multipurpose nature of the facility with a day care center and outreach classrooms maintained by Holyoke Community College "He wanted to see a one-stop shop for people to improve their lives."

To read the article, click here: Groundbreaking of Holyoke bus station

An October 2008 ruling by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration punts to the side any decision regarding mandatory seat belts on motorcoaches. Their ruling is for smaller style school buses to have lap/shoulder belts and issues performance standards for seat belts on larger school busses which would be installed on a voluntary basis only.
Neither side is satisfied with this ruling. Click here: Final rule on school bus occupant protection
Meanwhile, Pacific Western Bus Lines, a large motorcoach carrier located near Toronto, Ontario, is the first bus company in North America to have their entire fleet outfitted with seat belts...management declaring they were sick and tired of lack of government oversight and rulemaking on an important safety issue. Kudos to Pacific Western. Click here: Pacific Western Bus Lines: Safety

An anonymous ride on a Peter Pan motorcoach from Hartford to Boston was relaxing, comfortable, and beat the inconvenience of the train, and stress of the plane, according to this seasoned reporter: Comfortable ride on Peter Pan

Initiated from a federal lawsuit against the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration) by Peter Pan and Greyhound for dereliction of duty regarding the FMCSA not penalizing curbside carriers for not being ADA compliant, rulings were made some time ago against the FMCSA for not conducting themselves properly.

Now, on July 14th, the US Senate through new legislation that was spearheaded by the ATU International political arm, REQUIRES federal regulators (i.e. FMCSA) to revoke licenses of commercial bus companies that do not comply with Americans with Disabilities Act. The US House, likewise, passed the measure, and now awaiting final signature from President.

Here: ATU Legislative Victory