Buses belonging to an East Point transportation company “pose an imminent hazard to the public,” and have been taken out of service by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Woodburn’s Motor Coach appeared on a list of shut down transportation companies released by the USDOT Wednesday. The news release indicates the bus company was ordered out of service March 7 because federal investigators discovered the company’s 11 motor coaches did not meet minimum safety standards.
Efforts to reach Howard Woodburn, who is listed on the company’s website as the chief executive and managing director, were unsuccessful Wednesday.
In the out-of-service order, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the USDOT prohibited Woodburn’s from transporting any passengers on its nine motor coaches and two minibuses, based on a February investigation.
The release said Woodburn’s “failed to systematically and properly inspect, repair or maintain the vehicles.” Investigators also said the company did not adhere to alcohol and drug testing regulations for its drivers, and they found drivers were hired before the results of federally mandated drug and alcohol tests were received.
The order said that among the company’s fleet, 22 problems were found on six buses that should have rendered those coaches out of service. Investigators found all six buses had loose sway bars and two had metal-on-metal breaks, both contributing factors in potentially catastrophic incidents for the buses.
The 17-page order details violations and outlines what the company must do return to service.
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