Quinn Calls For Investigation Of Megabus

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 10, 2012 6:20PM

Gov. Pat Quinn has sent letters to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Thursday asking for a "full investigation" into whether discount bus transit company Megabus follows proper safety guidelines and procedures.

Quinn decided to send his letters after the National Transportation Safety Board declined to investigate two fatal accidents in a week involving Megabus in Illinois: a crash in Litchfield, Ill. and an accident at Union Station where a 76-year-old woman died after being struck by a Megabus side mirror. A day after the second accident Megabus agreed to pay $5 million to the family of a man killed in a 2010 accident. A lawsuit has already been filed in the Wednesday accident that won the Thursday settlement.

Quinn's open letter to Transportation Secretary and former Peoria Congressman Ray LaHood read in part:

"We believe that a full federal investigation into the operations and history of the firm would provide a baseline for any policy changes or other considerations that might logically result from what is learned about these crashes."

The Illinois State Police has centered its investigation on whether a blown tire caused the Litchfield crash, but said it is looking into other factors, including the high center of gravity of the double decker buses. The NTSB said it will let the State Police handle its investigation before determining whether to enter into its own inquiry.

Records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration show Megabus’ safety record during a two-year period that ended Wednesday did better than the national average. A statement from Megabus released after the Litchfield crash said that safety was the company's top priority and listed safety protocols including drivers being required to take nine hours off between scheduled routes and extensive training in classroom and behind-the-wheel settings.