U.S. Orders Fung Wah Buses Off The Road

The federal government has ordered the discount Fung Wah bus service between New York and Boston to cease use of its entire fleet so officials can conduct inspections.

The announcement Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration comes after Massachusetts officials found serious problems with eight buses, including cracks in their frames.

The company had already agreed to take 21 buses off the road, but the federal order removes all 28 from service for "thorough and detailed safety inspections by qualified inspectors."

Fung Wah is using replacement charter buses to continue service between Boston and New York City.

The company operates between the Chinatown neighborhoods of Boston and New York. It has a history of troubles, including a $31,000 fine in 2006 for safety violations linked to a rollover in Auburn that injured dozens of passengers.