HUDSON COUNTY — The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has issued Notices of Violation to 17 commercial autobus owners for failure to post public notices on the outside and inside vehicles about how passengers can report complaints and concerns to the Division. These commercial autobuses are commonly known as “jitneys,” “commuter vans,” or “commuter buses.”
Autobuses operating on public roads and carrying up to 40 passengers must have interior and exterior notices directing passengers to report service complaints to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. The Division’s telephone number must also be provided. These notices are required under “Angelie’s Law,” a state law enacted in memory of Angelie Paredes, who was killed in West New York in July 2013 in connection with an accident caused by an autobus driver who was using his cell phone while driving.
“All travelers using commercial autobuses must be assured of their safety, as the law requires,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. “Companies operating these autobuses must be in full compliance with Angelie’s Law, and we will do all we can to make sure that these companies are protecting their riders by being in full compliance.”
“Each commercial autobus must post a notice informing riders of how to report service and safety complaints,” said Steve Lee, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. “This requirement, among others, is designed to protect the safety of both riders and the general public.”
Acting Director Lee also noted that in February 2015, the Division of Consumer Affairs issued a consumer alert about the public notice requirement of Angelie’s Law and also mailed an advisory letter to commercial autobus owners.
The Hudson County commercial autobus owners issued notices of violation include Emelys Transportation, LLC, in North Bergen, Community Lines, Inc. in Jersey City, Azael Alvarado, in Jersey City, Walter Carranza in Jersey City, Victor Lara aka VL Services in North Bergen, Orlando Villanuevazurita in West New York, Samuel Salgado in North Bergen, Ekramy Elgendy in Union City, Jose Rodriguez in West New York, Luis Portalatinmendoza in Union City, Joseph Transporte, Inc. in Union City, Claudio Paguay in West New York, and NV Bus Service, Inc. in North Bergen
Each company, except for NV Bus Service, was cited for one non-compliant vehicle and issued a notice of violation imposing a $1,000 civil penalty and $176.87 for the State’s investigative costs. NV Bus Service was cited for three non-compliant vehicles and one driver who did not have the proper license for transporting passengers. The company was issued a $4,000 civil penalty and $503.61 for the State’s investigative costs.
The Hudson County Office of Consumer Affairs and the New Jersey State Police Motor Coach Compliance and Safety Unit participated in the inspections, along with the cooperation of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Commercial Vehicle Inspection Unit.
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