NTSB calls for tougher passenger bus scrutiny

Federal safety officials say passenger buses that don't meet U.S. safety standards should be found and taken out of operation.

The recommendation is part of a list of proposals the National Transportation Safety Board issued Tuesday to crack down on motorcoaches and other passenger buses that are not built to U.S. safety standards.

The board also proposed a crackdown on lease agreements between bus operators that allow some with poor safety records to evade inspection.

The proposals stem from the NTSB investigation of a January 2008 motorcoach crash in Texas that killed one person. Investigators say the driver fell asleep and the bus itself was not a factor in the crash. But they uncovered gaps in federal enforcement of safety laws.