Bus firm closed for carrying human 'cargo'

Federal transportation officials said Saturday they shut down a Michigan bus company, Haines Tours, for carrying people in a bus' luggage compartment. The company was given the order after one of its passenger buses was inspected while traveling through Ohio on May 27 and the inspecting officer found six passengers being transported in the cargo hold with unsecured cargo, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said in its order. Haines Tours was cited for a similar incident last August when drivers were found using the cargo storage area for an unauthorized sleeping bunk. "Despite being warned in August 2010 that it cannot transport people in the luggage compartment of its buses in violation of federal regulations, it [Haines Tours] continues to place people in the luggage compartment," the out-of-service order states. "Every day, and in every state, commercial vehicle inspectors and investigators are working to keep all travelers on our highways and roads safe," FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro said.