Fung Wah Bus Involved In Mishap

BOSTON -- A Fung Wah bus headed from Boston to New York City rode up on top of a concrete barrier at the Weston tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike Friday.

NewsCenter 5's Steve Lacy reported that the bus apparently ran into the barrier as it was traveling westbound at about 8:30 a.m.

The incident began when the driver pulled into an autos-only lane, realized his mistake and backed up on the highway, officials said.

"I go the wrong way, you know," the driver said. "I see the sign is 'Auto Only.'"

The bus became stuck when trying to enter another travel lane. There were passengers on board the bus but no one was seriously injured in the crash, police said.

"He tried going through, backed up and tried to take a short cut over the median," one passenger said.

The bus was evacuated, and passengers were met by another Fung Wah bus that was bound for New York. All of the passengers got onboard the second bus.

"I saw them in the news before. My friends told me, 'Don't get the Fung Wah bus,' but I got it before and it's never been a problem. I'll go to New York, but I think I'll come back on a (different bus), you know," another passenger said.

The driver was taken to the Weston State Police barracks for questioning. Police confirmed that he speaks broken English. Federal law requires all commercial bus drivers to be able to speak conversational English.

The low-cost carrier that takes passengers between Boston and New York City has experienced problems in the past with drivers and accidents.

Last year, about 36 passengers were hurt in a rollover in Auburn. Team 5 confirmed that at the time, the discount carrier had one of the worst safety review rates in the country.

The driver in the rollover had false logbooks and didn't speak conversational English. It's also something state police cracked down on in surprise inspections

After Team 5's investigations, Fung Wah drivers had to take English classes so they could handle emergencies.

Friday's mishap is the third this year alone. On Jan. 3, a New York-bound bus lost two wheels on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

During the Valentine's Day snowstorm, a Fung Wah bus skidded off the highway. No one was hurt, but state police cited the driver for going too fast and negligent operation.

Team 5 has learned that immediately after the Valentine's Day crash, state officials urged Fung Wah to suspend bus trips for the remainder of the day, and they did not.