Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking comment on Mexico-based GCC Transportes' admission into the agency’s cross-border trucking pilot program.

FMCSA noted in the request that GCC Transportes recently was criticized in an Aug. 3 letter by the Grain Valley, MO-based Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. OOIDA noted that GCC received more than 50 violations in the past two years for drivers who failed English language proficiency requirements.

FMCSA said GCC Transportes has promised to provide additional training to its drivers, to which OOIDA responded that a promise to improve safety is not a guarantee the company will be safer.

OOIDA also noted that the company had not listed all affiliations with other carriers and did not meet minimum safety requirements for vehicle maintenance. If accepted, GCC Transportes would become the fifth Mexican carrier to enter the program.

Comments are due Aug. 20.