[Nfbmt] Rimrock stages out of service

[Dan Burke]

Wow - thanks for seding this Travis.  Below is the Gazette story,
retprinted in the Missoulian.  It looks like they are shut down now,
and this affects me this week in planning to go to Helena.

Dan

******
Federal DOT shuts down Rimrock Stages bus company, states 'imminent
hazard' 19 minutes ago By SUSAN OLP Billings Gazette Rimrock Stages,
deemed an "imminent hazard" by a federal agency, has been shut down.



On Friday, the Department of Transportation issued an order for the
Billings bus company to cease operations, calling it a danger to
itself and others.

This condition of operation is an imminently hazardous and potentially
deadly risk for Rimrock Stages' drivers and passengers, and for the
motoring public" the 11-page order stated.

The order was signed by William R. Paden, regional field administrator
for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA).

A March 19 compliance review of eight buses revealed 79 violations of
federal safety requirements. All of the buses, which were preparing to
transport customers, were immediately ordered out of service.

All other buses owned by the company in transit were directed to
proceed to their next destination and then cease operating.

The buses weren't the only problem, the order said.

Rimrock Stages does not have basic safety management controls to
ensure that its commercial motor vehicles are systematically
inspected, maintained and repaired, and that the commercial motor
vehicles it operates meet minimum safety standards," it read.

Employees of Rimrock Stages responsible for maintaining and repairing
the buses don't know how to perform basic vehicle inspections, it
said.

Additionally, Rimrock Stages knowingly dispatches vehicles before
defects discovered during inspections have been corrected," the order
stated.

It cited the company's "continuing general disregard for safety," and
said that disregard "increases the likelihood of serious injury or
death.

A Rimrock Stages official could not be reached for comment.

***

Dan Ronan, senior director of communications for the American Bus
Association, said Saturday that his organization is in complete
agreement with the DOT's actions.

We believe that companies need to run safely, and they need to run
with their equipment in good shape," Ronan said. And in this case, the
department inspected them and found they weren't.

The DOT announced about a month ago that it was going to begin a
crackdown against motor coach companies, Ronan said.

And they've been very methodically looking at companies, and as they
inspect them, they're putting companies they believe to be an imminent
hazard out of service.

Before the company can resume operations, it will have to take
specific steps to demonstrate its compliance with federal regulations.
That includes ensuring all of its buses are in good working order, and
that its employees are trained to inspect, maintain and repair the
buses.



On 3/23/13, Travis S Moses <chiefblindtech at gmail.com> wrote:
> Good evening
>
> I know that many of us depend on this service and wanted to get the word
> out. I have no details other than what is in the story.
>
> http://www.kpax.com/news/safety-concerns-put-rimrock-stages-out-of-service
>
>
> Travis S. Moses
> Adaptive Tech Specialist
> Phone: 406-369-5605
> chiefblindtech at gmail.com
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-- 
Dan Burke, President
The National Federation of the Blind of Montana
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