A Reno company that plans to operate bus service between northern Nevada and the Phoenix area canceled its initial run on July 3 after its lone bus failed to pass inspection.

The cancellation comes after Streamliner attracted questions about its ability to operate legally, as well as concerns about some of the language and symbols on its website and social media.

Streamliner plans to operate buses three times weekly between Reno and Mesa. Saying it is “Making Motorcoaches Great Again,” Streamliner touts its fast direct service, although its online route map shows eight stops between Reno and Mesa.

An investigation by the Reno Gazette Journal in June found that the company lacked authorization to operate from the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration, the agency that regulates commercial vehicles engaged in interstate commerce.

John Wang, of Reno, is president of Streamliner. On June 27, he told The Arizona Republic that his company had just obtained the $5 million insurance policy required to receive FMCSA authorization. He said he expected the federal website would be updated to reflect his company's license as valid the next day.

Duane DeBruyne, a spokesperson for the FMCSA, told The Republic that the agency received Streamliner's proof of insurance July 1.On July 3, the agency gave Streamliner authorization to operate.

First Reno-Phoenix bus run was canceled

The first bus was scheduled to leave Reno at 10:20 a.m. July 3. Two hours after that, Wang said the trip was canceled because the bus had failed inspection and needed a part to operate. He declined to elaborate on the part, saying he didn't want it to "end up in all the papers."

"All my customers are going to be mad," Wang told the Republic on Wednesday. He said he would refund money for all five passengers who had booked a ride on the inaugural run.

Reno resident Jerry Whitlock bought a $98 ticket after searching online for bus routes from Reno to Phoenix. He spoke with reporters from the Reno Gazette Journal who were waiting for the bus to depart.

"(Wang) texted me yesterday and said it was running two hours late. That's the last I heard," Whitlock said.

Whitlock, a maintenance worker, worried he might lose a job he had scheduled.

"I got someone waiting for me in Goldfield," he said.

OTHER OPERATORS:Six hours on a bus to Las Vegas (and back)

Where the bus stops in Phoenix

It's also unclear whether Streamliner has permission to operate at the stops listed on its website.

One of the stops is the PHX Sky Train station at 44th and Washington streets. The Sky Train transports people to nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and the airport authority would have to grant Streamliner permission to use it.

Greg Roybal, a spokesman for the airport, said Streamliner first inquired about using the Sky Harbor stop in September 2017. He said Streamliner did not complete the permit process at that time but recently restarted it. As of July 3, Roybal said, there was no record that the permit process has been completed.

Wang insisted he does have permission to use the Sky Train station and other locations.

"We're calling each of our locations over the next 24 hours to confirm their cooperation and may change any locations as necessary," he saidon June 27. On July 3, he said he had permission to use all stops.

Other Phoenix-area stops include a shopping center parking lot at 14559 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, and a Fry's Fuel Center at 1235 W. Main St., Mesa.

Streamliner's logo and website

The Reno newspaper's investigation also uncovered concerning language on the company's website and in its contract of carriage.

Streamliner's website currently says it does not discriminate by race, religion, sex or national origin. However, a now-deleted version obtained through a Google cache by the Reno Gazette Journal contains the following:

English as the official language.

Statements that "illegal aliens" may not ride and that the company may invite immigration authorities aboard for random inspections.

Prohibitions against "social justice warriors" and some college students and employees from riding.

Wang told The Republic that a "rogue web developer" was responsible for that language, and it was removed a month ago.

"We don't hate anyone," he said.

Streamliner has been criticized on Reddit for its logo, which some believe resembles Germany’s imperial flag, a symbol that the Anti-Defamation League said is used to express anti-Semitism. That flag is white, with horizontal and vertical black stripes dividing it into quadrants.

In an initial email to The Republic, Wang defended the logo saying, "The Antifa are gonna call it whatever they want, but our drivers like it, and our customers haven't complained. I'm from China, so I don't have anything to do with neo-Nazis."

Later, over the phone, Wang acknowledged that "some of this stuff could be misunderstood" but worried that changing the logo would "add fuel to the fire" and would be a "backwards admission."

Wang's Instagram posts include hashtags such as #antifeminist" and #antiantifa. He posts as @swadianh and identifies as John "Dieselbus" Wang, founder of Inland Streamliner and "Most Hated Man in Reno."

In a phone conversation, Wang said he had not used Instagram "in a long time" and that the hashtags were likely part of past political arguments. Some of the hashtags appeared to have been removed after the phone call.

Wang voiced frustration that people were judging his company before it even got started.

"I'm from China. I'm not a Nazi. I'm really not," he said.

You can connect with Melissa through email at melissa.yeager@azcentral.com. You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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