Regulators Cite Idling Buses in Studio City

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has cited seven coach bus companies for idling at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. District inspectors issued notices of violation for idling a diesel-fueled auxiliary power system for more than five minutes within 100 feet of a restricted area on three separate visits to the hotel at 12825 Ventura Blvd. in May and June. The seven companies were All Access Coach Leasing of Gallatin, Tenn.; FC Lawson Inc. of Phoenix; Hemphill Bros. Coach Co. of Whites Creek, Tenn.; Pioneer Coach Inc. of Nashville, Tenn.; Roberts Bros. Coach Leasing Co. Inc. of Gallatin, Tenn.; Russell Coach Co. of Knoxville, Tenn.; and Taylor Tours of Anthem, Ariz. Wayne Nastri, the district’s executive officer, said it was doing its part to hold businesses accountable and prevent excess idling of diesel buses, which can lead to health problems. “Long-term exposure to diesel emissions can increase cancer risks and has been linked to a number of respiratory and heart diseases,” Nastri said in a statement. For its part, the Sportsmen’s Lodge plans to install electrical hookups for coaches so they do not idle to generate power for the buses while parked, facility representatives told the district.