The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has suspended the bus operations of Mi Joo Tour & Travel of Coquitlam, effective immediately.

A bus operated by the company was involved in an accident near Pendleton, Oregon on Dec. 30, killing nine people and injuring several more.

The ministry's Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement (CVSE) branch initiated a safety audit after the crash in Oregon, which has resulted in the suspension. Prior to the crash, the company had not been involved in any major accidents and had maintained a satisfactory road safety rating for the last three years.

The audit findings revealed that the company was not meeting its administrative obligations under B.C. law regarding driver hours of service and pre-trip inspections.

Mi Joo Tour & Travel Ltd. is a registered B.C. company and was issued a National Safety Code Certificate in January 2007. In Canada, the National Safety Code program is administered by the provinces.

Under B.C.'s National Safety Code, companies are responsible to ensure their vehicles and drivers are meeting the safety requirements defined in the Motor Vehicle Act, including adhering to maximum hours of service for their drivers, recording trip inspections, maintaining records of any driver infractions and ensuring their vehicles are inspected as required and properly maintained.

Mi Joo Tour & Travel will not be allowed to operate its buses in Canada until it can demonstrate to the ministry that it has measures in place to ensure its drivers are adhering to the regulations. The company is required to provide a detailed response to the ministry by Feb. 28.

CVSE worked closely with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on its safety audit of the company.

Media Contact:

Lisanne Bowness
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 387-3953