Press Releases

Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Scott Perry (PA-4) has introduced legislation, H.R. 2077, to prevent the Secretary of Transportation from unilaterally raising insurance minimums on the motorcoach and school transportation industries. Congress historically has set minimum insurance limits and should not abdicate its regulatory and legislative responsibilities here.

“The motorcoach and school transportation industries have an exceptionally high safety record", said Congressman Perry. “If we unnecessarily raise minimum insurance rates we'll only force out of business companies with an extremely safe track record; this is not the proper role of the federal government. We shouldn't look to penalize companies that work hard and play by the rules.”
 
"Confronted with a substantial increase in minimum financial responsibility limits, the bus and motorcoach industry is facing a dire threat to growth and sustainability of our industry", says Dale Krapf, Chairman of the Board, Krapf Bus Companies and Vice Chairman, United Motorcoach Association. “A grateful United Motorcoach Association is thrilled Congressman Perry took the time to listen to the industry's concerns and introduce critical legislation requiring FMCSA to perform a proper study before making recommendations to Congress."
 
“The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) appreciates the efforts of Congressman Perry and this legislation to recognize that passenger and motor carriers are distinctly different and the federal insurance minimums of each should be treated differently", said Ronna Weber, NSTA Executive Director. “While school buses and trucks may seem similar due to their size, there are several very fundamental differences between the two and this bill recognizes those differences. School buses are the safest form of transportation available and this bill also ensures that the things that make school buses different will continue to be recognized.”  
 
H.R. 2077 requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of minimum financial responsibility requirements for motor carriers of passengers. This study will show that the motor carriers have an exceptionally high safety rating and should not have an unnecessary increase in minimum financial responsibility requirements.