Begin by collecting the following
information from the prospective Bus Company
Bus
companies should have this information readily
available.
The bulleted questions below will assist
you in selecting safe, responsible companies.
CARRIER
NAME:
ADDRESS:
USDOT NUMBER:
TXDOT NUMBER:
ICCMCNUMBER:
DOES YOUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT HAVE A LIST OF APPROVED CHARTER
BUS COMPANIES? IS THIS CARRIER
ON THAT LIST?
IS THE CHARTER BUS COMPANY
PLANNING TO SUB-CHARTER ANY PORTION OF
THE TRIP? (if the answer is yes, then
use another checklist to collect the same
information on the sub-charter company)
CARRIER SAFETY RATING: www.safersys.org
or/and www.dot.state.tx.us
INSURANCE:
www.fmcsa-li.volpe.dot.gov or/and www.dot.state.tx.us
DOES THE CARRIER HAVE A DRUG AND ALCOHOL
PROGRAM? (required)
DOES THE DRIVER
HAVE A COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE BUS
ENDORSEMENT? (required)
CHECK ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE OF THE CARRIER:
(www.ai.volpe.dot.gov)
DOES THE CARRIER
HAVE A BREAKDOWN AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURE?
IS THE DRIVER EQUIPPED
WITH A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE?
IF
POSSIBLE, SEND A KNOWLEDGEABLE MEMBER OF
YOUR SCHOOL BUS FLEET OR MAINTENANCE STAFF
TO ACTUALLY VISIT THE BUS COMPANY.
VIEW THE COMPANY FACILITIES, INSPECT THE
BUSES AND MAINTENANCE FACILITIES.
PRIOR
TO THE TRIP, REVISIT THE CHECKLIST TO ASSURE
THAT THE INFORMATION IS STILL CURRENT
REFRESH YOUR RESEARCH WITHIN 7 DAYS BEFORE
THE TRIP.
For
Help or Information Contact:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:
(512) 536-5980 or (817) 978-3225 www.fmcsa.dot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation:
(800) 299-1700 www.dot.state.tx.us
Texas Department of Public
Safety: (512) 424-2000
For Bus Industry Information Contact:
United Motorcoach Association: www.uma.org
American Bus Association: www.buses.org
Texas Bus Association: www.texasbus.org
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