SEATTLE — The city of Seattle and Seattle Deptment of Transportation announced on Wednesday evening an agreement had been reached with Ride the Ducks.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission made recommendations in December that Ride the Ducks vehicles return to streets.
On Wednesday evening, the Seattle DOT released a new route map for Ducks vehicles. Ride the Ducks has agreed it will no longer travel over the Aurora Bridge.
The company also agreed it would not allow drivers of the amphibious tour vehicles to engage in tour narration while driving.
According to the agreement, special events, construction activity & unanticipated occurrences are exempt and could result in route deviations.
What did the UTC release in its Dec. recommendation?
Utilities and Transportation Commission staff released its recommendations in mid-December, 2015. It identified 442 violations of motor carrier safety rules or laws, which could each result in a fine of up to $1,000. The majority of violations were related to record-keeping.
Regulators proposed issuing an unsatisfactory safety rating for the company, based on one acute and six critical violations following the overall review of operations.
They said one driver drove 11 times without a valid commercial driver's license and the company didn't do enough random drug tests.
Why did the city write a letter?
In a letter to the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission before Christmas, the city of Seattle asked for the reopening of Ride the Ducks to be delayed.
The city of Seattle shared concerns that the Fremont Bridge has the city's highest volumes of bicycle traffic and significantly higher pedestrian volumes than other alternative routes.
"The City respectfully requests that the UTC not allow any Ride the Ducks vehicle to return to the Seattle streets until its unsatisfactory safety rating is resolved and the Ducks commitments regarding alternative routes to the Aurora Bridge and distinct driver-narrator roles are reduced to a legislation or agreement," Ian Warner, legal counsel with the Office of the Mayor, wrote.
Want to talk about the news of the day? Watch free streaming video on the KIRO 7 mobile app and iPad app, and join us here on Facebook.
KIRO
