Bus drivers hos vs trucker drivers hos

See §395.1(d)(2).

There are special rules for truck drivers in the oil/natural gas industry that allow the stopping of the 14 hour clock while waiting. There are many instances when the HOS regulations are also suspended in other cases as well, although usually for a limited time, such as in the event of a natural disaster or other type of emergency. To say that bus drivers have this advantage over all truck drivers is not accurate.

 

I'm just guessing here, but it probably has something to do with the transporting of passengers. With a trucker, it's just the truck driver so who really cares about that lone loser?

On the other hand, imagine you are a group chartering a bus. You hang out at the casino and party all night, but when you go back to the bus the driver refuses to move the bus because of hos rules. Don't think that scenario will fly when it comes to the bus companies and the bus patrons.

So basically it is really easy to harass or coerce a lone driver.

 

Please show where under §395.1(d)(2) it states that waiting time that will be logged as off-duty must be spent in the sleeper berth? Most of these trucks used in the oil/gas industry do not even have a sleeper.

 

I wouldn't want family members in that scenario, but do you think the patrons are more interested in the driver following hos rules and be stranded or do you think they'll demand to be taken home immediately? Not trying to justify anything, just pointing out a realistic situation.

 

Not only that, many in the oil and gas industry drive only in the immediate area and never really go anywhere. This is why the rule was probably put into place. Other circumstances where the 14 hr clock can be extended are extremely limited such as inclement weather but........There is never a circumstance where I would log more than a 14 hr day because trying to convince a DOT officer of why you were working beyond the 14 hr clock would be next to impossible. Laws are often laws of convenience......It is inconvenient for the passengers of the bus to have to wait for their driver to take a break...Unsafe? Possibly, but convenience always takes precedent over safety when federal regulators are involved.

 

I thought buses carried 2 drivwrs???