1. The discount [bus] companies vigorously compete for business on Web sites that provide e-ticketing and a plethora of reasons why their service should be chosen. "Customers' satisfaction is our No. 1 priority."
2. Some budget travelers like the buses just fine. "They're really clean, they show movies, they have bathrooms."
3. Overall, bus travel is relatively safe, with about half the fatality rate of automobile travel.
4. Federal officials have stepped up surprise inspections of low-fare bus companies in the Washington-to-Boston corridor amid concerns by federal and state regulators that some curbside operators are unsafe and under-regulated.
5. Separately, the Justice Department says it has launched two investigations into whether discount carriers are complying with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
6. Following the inspections, the FMCSA
ordered 56 buses and 13 drivers out of service.