Government Shuts Down 26 Bus Companies over Safety Violations

Hemera/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- Following a series of deadly coach bus accidents last year, federal regulators are cracking down on unsafe operators, announcing Thursday morning that they're ordering 26 East Coast bus companies to shut down.

The companies in question transported some 1,800 passengers a day along I-95, from New York to Florida.  Of the 26 ordered to shut down, half had already been given that order, but kept operating anyway.

Officials say all of the carriers had been cited for repeated violations -- with buses that hadn't been regularly inspected and drivers that didn't have valid licenses.  Some drivers also regularly worked longer hours than allowed.  

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