METRO Briefs

Feds failed to ensure bus safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. — National Transportation Safety Board officials, investigating a Sept. 23 bus fire in Texas that claimed 23 lives, were told that the U.S. government has failed to make sure charter buses are safe to ride, citing numerous safety violations by the bus company that was carrying 44 passengers. Earlier in the week, investigators were told that the five-pound fire extinguishers currently being used on motorcoaches can't put out tire fires. For the full story,click here. Poll: High gas prices have Americans driving less
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Showing how infatuated Americans are with their vehicles, a recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Center found that high gas prices have caused more drivers to reduce driving time (55%) than begin using mass transit (12%). The poll of 1,048 drivers also found that only one in five have started carpooling or sharing rides. For the full story, click here.