The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended the COVID-19 exception to hours of service regulations for certain pandemic-related loads to May 31.
The rule includes motorcoach operations transporting people.
Some key achievements include, Hours of Service proposal, improving regulatory efficiency, and fighting human trafficking.
According to FMCSA, there will be no extensions or exceptions made and no "soft enforcement" grace period.
Agency is reminding motorcoach operators that its enforcement partners are fully prepared for the Dec. 18, 2017 implementation, and are committed to implementing the ELD rule in a manner that improves safety without impeding commerce.
Will include a 90-day temporary waiver from the ELD requirement for transporters of agricultural commodities, formal guidance specifically pertaining to the existing Hours-of-Service exemption for the agricultural industry, and guidance on the “personal conveyance” provision.
A motorcoach operated by Fresno-based Autobuses Coordinados USA Inc., traveling from Los Angeles to Modesto on State Route 99, drifted out of its travel lanes, striking a barrier system and a highway signpost shortly after 3 a.m., Aug. 2, 2016, near Livingston, Calif.
The cutbacks on Metrorail follow an announced plan to eliminate stops on some bus routes and contract out others to save money. Metrorail ridership is down about 6% this year, while bus boardings are down about 10%.
The investment focuses on increasing service on LTD’s most used routes including the EmX serving downtown Eugene, downtown Springfield and the Gateway area, Route 11 serving Springfield’s Thurston area, and Routes 66 and 67 serving North Eugene.
Hours were cut during the recession a few years ago. The agency's board also approved the purchase of seven new buses at a total price of $4.5 million to meet its service goals.