Curbside Buses Have Higher Fatal Accident Rate

A federal report says the thriving curbside bus industry, which is based on cheap fares, has a fatal accident rate seven times higher than other types of interstate bus operators.

The report released Monday by the National Transportation Safety Board also said some curbside bus companies use a variety of schemes to thwart safety enforcement.

Curbside buses pick up passengers from street corners, parking lots and in front of retail stores rather than using traditional bus terminals.

The report said the fatal accident rate for curbside operators was 1.4 per 100 vehicles, compared with just .2 percent for conventional bus operators.

The board also said more than half of the companies have been in business for 10 years or less, and 44 percent have 10 or fewer buses.