TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Nicholas J. Sacco to get unsafe vans off the road through a commuter van study was approved by the full Senate today by a vote of 26 to 12.
“This legislation is part of a package of bills designed to reduce the number of individuals who use illegal van services to travel to and from work and to crack down on those who improperly run commuter services,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “The safety risks of illegal van services are glaring, and they are putting not just the passengers but also other residents on the road in danger. This study will help identify insurance incentives that will get these unsafe and illegal vans to change how they are doing business in New Jersey.”
The bill, S-1929, would direct the Department of Banking and Insurance to conduct a study and submit a report to the Legislature concerning the feasibility of lowering insurance costs and creating a statewide insurance pool.
“The majority of those who use illegal commuter van services are poor or immigrant workers who either have no vehicle of their own or work in a location that is not accessible by public transportation,” said Senator Sacco, D-Bergen and Hudson. “Some temporary employment agencies force workers to use the illegal van services as a condition for getting work.”
Senator Sacco stated that, “I’m optimistic that the study will provide ideas for lowering insurance costs for commuter van services and motivate illegal vans to get registered.”
The bill now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
