Bus Parity and Clarity Act

This bill specifies that charter bus service has the same access to tolling rates and roads as public transportation vehicles.

Current law applies the same access to tolling rates to public transportation vehicles and over-the-road buses (i.e., buses with an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment) that serve the public.

The bill specifies that the same access to rates apply to over-the-road buses in (1) scheduled service (e.g., intercity bus service), and (2) charter service. This applies to charter bus service for tolling for federal-aid highways, bridges, and tunnels; high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and facilities; and the Value Pricing Pilot Program of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Charter service includes transportation provided

• at the request of a third party for the exclusive use of a bus for a negotiated price (e.g., for a wedding or corporate event); or
• to the public for events or functions that occur on an irregular basis or for a limited duration, and a premium fare is charged or third party pays for the service (e.g., providing shuttle service for a public event).

In addition, the FHWA must annually publish on a publicly available website a unified database containing the rates, terms, and conditions of each toll facility covered under these provisions.