The National Transportation Week, observed on the third week of May, is a time to reflect on the importance of the transportation industry to our national infrastructure.
National Transportation Week was started by Charlotte Jones Woods in 1952, in an attempt to interest college students in the field of transportation. Finding few students knew much about becoming a truck driver (or any other transportation-related field of endeavor), Jones organized National Transportation Week to promote knowledge of transportation nationwide. The week was officially instituted by John F. Kennedy in 1962.
Why is transportation important? Because America relies upon it every single day. Without highways, rail lines, airports, and seaports, our nation simply wouldn’t function. If the trucking industry alone were to disappear, we’d all be in a lot of trouble.
But transportation is about more than just necessities like fuel and food. We also rely on it for the things that make life worthwhile: family vacations, travel to new places, even that scenic drive at sunset. It’s easy to take the convenience and safety of our public roads for granted on a day-to-day basis.
Speaking of safety: traveling by bus is one of the safest ways to travel. It’s twice as safe as traveling by plane, and fifty times as safe as traveling by car. One reason why bus travel is so safe? The legal regulations bus drivers must follow. By law, bus drivers can only travel 600 miles or 10 hours, whichever comes first, before a relief driver is required.
There are also regulations pertaining to the maintenance of buses, insurance, and the safety needs of passengers. For instance, any transportation company that crosses state lines must meet specific insurance requirements from the Department of Transportation. Buses also require yearly inspections to ensure they meet these regulations.
Unfortunately, not all bus operators are equally scrupulous when it comes to meeting these requirements. Some even continue to operate unfit buses in defiance of federal law. Metropolitan Shuttle prides itself on its diligence in checking the federal FMCSA safety records of the vendors we work with to ensure our customers’ safety. We take the time to thoroughly vet operators before making a recommendation.
Metropolitan Shuttle is committed not just to the safety of its passengers, but also to their peace of mind. That’s why we go the extra mile when it comes to our buses and drivers, as well as making sure that booking and scheduling a charter bus trip with us is as easy and stress-free as possible.
We’re always thinking about the important role transportation takes in our lives, during National Transportation Week, and every other week of the year. Call us at 1-866-556-3545 or contact us today for a free quote, and find out how easy we can make your next shuttle or charter bus rental.
