Transportation bill toughens charter rules

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The $286.4 billion transportation bill signed by President Bush on Aug. 10 included language that could help to curtail the practice of public transit agencies unfairly competing for charter work against private bus operators.

The new bill, called SAFETEA-LU, requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to enforce its rules safeguarding charter service for the private sector.
Generally speaking, transit properties and other public agencies are not allowed to compete against private operators for charter work.

The six-year transportation bill provides funding for highways, transit projects, bridges, bike paths and recreational trails.