In a decisive step toward ensuring cleaner air for the denizens of the nation's capital, DC's Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb has brokered a settlement with local charter bus company DC Trails, which also operates as BestBus. The deal, announced on Thursday, October 9th, imposes an $85,000 fine on the transportation firm and mandates the adoption of stringent anti-idling measures, as per a statement released by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
Evidence gathered by the District’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), alongside OAG, brought to light repeated air pollution violations by DC Trails. Specifically, the company was caught allowing its buses to idle well beyond the District's three-minute legal limit. This persistence led to the current agreement, wherein DC Trails is mandated to pay penalties for the violations and to implement a system where its bus engines automatically shut off after a mere three minutes of idling.
Addressing the settlement, Attorney General Schwalb emphasized the non-negotiable nature of the District’s air quality regulations. “Companies doing business in the District cannot pollute our air, violate our laws, and threaten the health and safety of our residents and visitors,” he remarked in the OAG's statement. Additional provisions of the settlement include DC Trails conducting driver training on anti-idling protocols, displaying "no idling" signs prominently within its fleet, and submitting to rigorous compliance monitoring by the District.
The crackdown comes after investigators recorded 31 instances where DC Trails buses exceeded the idling limit between 2021 and 2024, including instances of buses idling for 25 and 12 minutes in above-freezing temperatures. Additionally, the company had neglected to secure the basic business license required for operation within DC from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2025. This noncompliance has brought additional scrutiny to the practices of DC Trails, particularly after they failed to adhere to a previous agreement with the DOEE to halt illegal idling behavior. Noncompliance in the future could result in further monetary penalties being levied against the company.
As part of the settlement, DC Trails assures that they have already programmed all 63 of its active buses to automatically shut down after three minutes when operating within the District, a significant leap towards cutting down illegal bus idling and its associated health hazards, such as lung cancer and heart conditions. With such actions, the OAG highlights a commitment to safeguarding public health by enforcing strict environmental regulations and holding violators accountable.
