Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

COTA forbids drivers from texting or talking on cellphones while driving, even with hands-free devices.

Says FMCSA and states need to partner on HOS to ensure compliance, the industry needs to support the rule with comprehensive Fatigue Risk Management Systems, and that the U.S. DOT should have gone further in prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating their vehicles.

The final rule prohibits commercial drivers from using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a commercial truck or bus. Drivers who violate the restriction will face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses.

The FHWA; AASHTO; NHTSA and the GHSA, as well as all 50 states and the District of Columbia, received recommendations for median barrier installation, communication and prohibiting driver cell phone use.

The state commission, which regulates California's passenger rail operations, including Muni and BART, put an emergency ban on the books in the fall of 2008 — shortly after a train collision in Los Angeles County killed 25 people and injured more than 100 others.

Board issued 15 new safety recommendations to the FHWA, the FMCSA, the NHTSA, ASHTO, the Governors Highway Safety Association, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia.

Under the new policy, drivers caught talking on the phone just once could face dismissal, while in the past, drivers with good records could get several violations before being fired.

Cell phones can only be used when the operator is on layover, the vehicle is stopped, the parking brake is set, and they have left the driver’s seat. The same rules apply if an operator has to use a personal cell phone to contact a dispatcher.

Effective immediately, MBTA contractors, including Mass Bay Commuter Rail (MBCR), The RIDE paratransit service, and commuter boat and private bus contractors will comply with the directive issued to MBTA operators last month.