California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov
CPUC JOINS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ON STRIKE TEAM
TO ENFORCE SAFETY COMPLIANCE OF PASSENGER CARRIERS
AT MAJOR AIRPORTS AND OTHER AREAS OF INTERESTS
SAN FRANCISCO, March 15, 2012 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) participated in four multi-agency strike force operations on passenger carriers (limousine, shuttles, tour buses) during the fourth quarter of 2011. These operations were conducted to ensure that companies are properly licensed with CPUC. The operations were conducted at the following locations:
San Diego Strike Force - Oct. 28, 2011: The recent rise in popularity of "party buses" has created an increased nuisance in downtown San Diego. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Beach Enforcement Team, SDPD C-Squad, SDPD Northern Division JST, University of San Diego, and University of California San Diego joined CPUC staff to conduct a joint strike force from 7 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. at Mission Bay Drive. A total of 33 enforcement personnel were in attendance. Buses (including one double-decker) and stretch limousines were directed into the De Anza parking lot for inspection. The CHP inspected 11 buses and issued seven citations. Ten buses were impounded, four for CPUC violations. The double-decker bus was impounded for operating with an expired authority and a stretch limousine for operating while its application for a permit was still pending.
San Diego International Airport - Nov. 14-15, 2011: CPUC staff, along with personnel from the CHP, San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Department of Licensing, San Diego County Weights and Measurements, and San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, conducted a two-day surprise carrier inspection of airport shuttle vans and taxicabs at San Diego International Airport. Approximately 60 shuttle vans were pulled over for the inspection. CPUC staff issued two Misdemeanor Warnings (operations with a revoked authority) and 11 Notices to Correct Violations (vehicles not registered with the CPUC, missing permit identification number on vehicle, and possible workers' compensation violations). Forty-seven had no violations noted. Six carriers may warrant further investigation to determine possible violations of workers' compensation laws and operations with a revoked operating authority.
For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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