US judge sides with Nevada regulators in fight over Utah bus firm's intrastate v. interstate routes
A federal judge has denied a Utah bus company’s bid to block Nevada regulation of routes that run primarily between Reno and Las Vegas but briefly cross into California
RENO, Nev. — A U.S. judge has denied a Utah bus company's bid to block Nevada regulation of routes that run primarily between Reno and Las Vegas but briefly cross into California, siding with regulators who say their ability to ensure the safety of buses in Nevada is in the public's best interest.
Salt Lake Express filed a lawsuit in May against the Nevada Transportation Authority and sought a temporary restraining order prohibiting state oversight of what the company insists is interstate travel not subject to state regulation.
The lawsuit said Nevada “declared war” on its interstate travel services earlier this year, seizing one of its mini-buses and leaving 20 passengers stranded with no ride.
Nevada transportation officials argued Salt Lake Express was engaged in an illegal scheme to evade state regulation by making quick trips to a stop with no customers at a California campground just west of Reno during treks to Las Vegas.
U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones denied the company's request for injunctive relief in a 12-page ruling Thursday that says the travel constitutes intrastate movement subject to state regulation.
He agreed the Nevada Transportation Authority has legitimate concerns that the company's failure to comply with state requirements regarding inspections and maintenance records jeopardizes passenger safety.
“Allowing the NTA to carry out its function as a regulator and forcing Plaintiff to submit to regulation like every other business advances the public interest because the public can trust that buses in Nevada comply with local
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