August 5, 1999

Federal Highway Administrator Kenneth R. Wykle today announced that severe fines will be levied against two school bus companies for failing to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

"Those who endanger America's school children by ignoring truck and bus safety regulations will pay the consequences," Wykle said. "We have a safety action plan to reduce the number of fatalities associated with trucks and buses and are redoubling our efforts to make sure that companies which violate safety requirements will be punished."

Bee Bus Lines, Inc., and Joy Farm Transportation, Inc, both of Milwaukee, agreed to pay fines in the amounts of $23,000 and $14,000, respectively, for using drivers who were confirmed positive for the use of controlled substance (drugs) to transport school children. The investigations were conducted by special agents from the Wisconsin Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

As a result of studies indicating Wisconsin had a high rate of bus crashes transporting school children, particularly in Milwaukee County, the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Wisconsin Division of the FHWA focused attention on passenger carriers.

Bee Bus Lines and Joy Farm Transportation were found to be in violation of the controlled substance/alcohol regulations and have higher than average crash rates than similar carriers transporting school children in Milwaukee. Because both companies had been fined for violating controlled substance/alcohol regulations within the past two years, more severe enforcement actions were taken at this time.

In May, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater and Wykle announced an action plan to improve motor carrier safety and reduce fatalities associated with trucks and buses by 50 percent in 10 years.

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