Bill > S1465

Introduced Session

This bill establishes an Office of the Advocate for Private Commuter Bus Service Customers in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill also establishes a bill of rights for customers of private carriers operating motorbus regular route service which contains consumer protections, private carrier obligations, and basic expectations and guarantees of health, safety, and welfare. The Office of the Advocate for Private Commuter Bus Service Customers is vested with the following powers and duties: assist customers in resolving problems with private carriers of motorbus regular route service; identify recurrent problems and propose solutions to problems customers have with private carriers; preserve and protect the rights of customers; promote open and direct communications between customers and carriers; and investigate and attempt to resolve matters and complaints, and, if necessary, refer them to the Attorney General. The customer bill of rights provides that private carriers are obligated to adhere to a published schedule, to operate a sufficient number of motorbuses to accommodate all customers, and to provide adequate notice regarding any changes in fares or service. The bill of rights prohibits operators from allowing motorbuses to become overcrowded and requires that motorbuses be clean, well-maintained, and in good working condition. Private carriers are to make every effort to compensate customers who pay fares but do not use the carrier's service because a motorbus was already operating at capacity or because of an insufficient number of motorbuses on the route. Private carriers are to implement a toll-free telephone hotline by which customers may submit complaints. Finally, the bill of rights provides that all operators are to be well-trained and familiar with the routes that the operators serve and are to refrain from engaging in unsafe behaviors while operating motorbus. This bill requires private carriers to provide customer complaint contact information so that customers may contact the Office of the Advocate for Private Commuter Bus Service Customers. The Attorney General or any other person may bring an action before the Superior Court to impose a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 per violation for any violation of the provisions set forth in this bill. The penalty is to take into consideration any compensation paid or offered by the private carrier to its customers.

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Declan O'Scanlon (R)*,  Ronald Rice (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee (on 02/13/2020)