Commercial Passenger Vehicles: Safety Inspection of Commercial Buses and VansEntering the United States From Mexico

摘要

NAFTA, which was agreed to by Canada, Mexico, and the United States in 1992 andimplemented in the United States through legislation in 1993, contained a timetable for the phased removal of trade barriers for goods and services among the three countries. Beginning on January 1, 1997, Mexican passenger carriers that own and operate commercial buses and vans were to have been permitted to apply for the authority to provide scheduled service between Mexico and the United States. However, this increased access has not occurred because U.S.-Mexico negotiations concerning commercial motor vehicle safety measures to be implemented by Mexico have not been completed. In contrast, the U.S.-Canada border has been open to commercial passenger vehicles for many years. Until expanded access is granted, only commercial passenger vehicles from Mexico that are engaged in tour and charter service may travel beyond the U.S. commercial zones along the border (generally areas between 3 and 20 miles from the U.S. border towns' northern limits, depending on each town's population). As of May 1997, only seven Mexican companies had received FHWA operating authority to provide tour and charter services beyond the commercial zones. However, these and other Mexican commercial passenger vehicles may operate to any destination within the commercial zones. Commercial passenger vehicles entering the United States from Mexico include motor coaches, minibuses, school-bus-type vehicles, and vans.