FMCSA receives restraining order to stop Pa. carrier

At the request of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued a temporary restraining order against Double Happyness Travel Inc. of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., that prohibits the company from operating in or affecting interstate passenger transportation service.

FMCSA requested the temporary restraining order based on evidence that Double Happyness was selling bus tickets and conducting bus trips in direct violation of the agency's previous orders to immediately cease all transportation operations.

FMCSA initially declared Double Happyness an "imminent hazard to safety," revoked its operating authority and ordered its officers to shut down all transportation operations effective Dec. 23, 2011. This imminent hazard out-of-service order followed an extensive review of the company, which found multiple violations of hours-of-service, vehicle maintenance, and controlled substance and alcohol testing rules.

On Jan. 5, 2012, FMCSA issued a cease and desist order against Double Happyness after FMCSA investigators and state police discovered the company was still operating and selling tickets in violation of the agency's previous shutdown order. The temporary restraining order against Double Happyness enforces FMCSA's earlier orders.