Patriot Act addresses onboard violence

Violent acts aboard interstate motorcoaches now qualify for the same kind of federal crime penalties as those acts would aboard airliners. A provision in the USA Patriot Act of 2001, passed by Congress following the September 11 attacks and signed into law by President Bush in October, extends federal criminal penalties to those who commit a violent act aboard interstate coaches. Section 801 of the act, Terrorist Attacks and Other Acts of Violence Against Mass Transit Systems, redefines the term "mass transportation" in federal code to include school bus, charter and sightseeing transportation. Perpetrators of acts of violence aboard interstate coaches can be punished with fines and federal imprisonment of up to 20 years under the law.