VMA Article Releases

FROM LINDA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The VMA Board of Directors met April 20 in Manassas and one piece of business was to discuss the 2005 Convention in Hampton September 9-12. I was so pleased that the Board approved the Committee’s recommendation that operators sit in Market Place and allow supplier members to visit them on an appointment basis. The appointments are not formal, but on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid long lines at the operator tables, VMA will offer a split session giving supplier members an educational opportunity during the time they are not assigned to a market place. An invitation will be sent to operators in NC, SC, GA, AL, LA, TN, KY, WV, and MD to participate in VMA’s first operator-seated market place. Also, VMA operator members have been encouraged and will continue to be encouraged to bring staff to sit in market place who do business with supplier members. VMA operators are being encouraged to invite their tour operators to sit in the operator market place also. Many of them have identified tour operators already who will be in the market place. Again, I am so excited about this opportunity to make VMA’s market place strong and a good experience for VMA’s supplier members.
The Group Leader Market Place has also been streamlined to make it more efficient. I expressed last year my concern that there would be rough edges to smooth out using the Group Leader seated market place. Even with the rough edges, the majority of Group Leaders, Operators, and Suppliers felt that the session was better than the reverse. The evaluations received were very critical of the process to provide a notebook resource to the Group Leaders. This year, I hope to acquire a sponsor for the notebooks or a canvass bag, which will be left empty and all suppliers will visit the group leaders and leave their promotional materials to be placed in the notebooks or bags later.
One thing is for sure. You must know that your VMA board of directors and staff are continually trying to improve VMA’s convention experience for all members and the Group Leaders.

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS: COACH STOLEN AND FOUND

A Virginia Coach Company coach was stolen in New Jersey just outside New York City recently. Notice of the theft was sent to several state associations to alert them to be watchful and report any sightings of the coach. It has just been reported (April 27) that the coach has been found. It was found in New York City and Lancer Insurance Agency is conducting an investigation. This is one coach story that may have a happy ending! At this point there are no other details. Hopefully, the coach has not been vandalized or otherwise damaged and was left in the same condition as it was prior to the theft.

FMCSA MOVES FAST TO IMPLEMENT ‘MOVING KIDS SAFELY’ INITIATIVE

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is moving at close to light speed to push implementation of its new program to increase the use of safe bus companies to transport children to and from school sporting events, field trips and other extracurricular activities. The program, called Moving Kids Safely (see The Docket for Dec. 1 and 15), is to be rolled out by FMCSA field offices across the U.S. The agency will form partnerships with school transportation-related organizations, PTAs and motorcoach operators. “While most people would agree the selection process for choosing a safe bus company to transport children to extracurricular events should be a top priority, some do not have the necessary information to make the best choice or know where to get it,” according to the FMCSA. “Too often, bus companies are hired for reasons based primarily on the cost of transportation.” The program will encourage those responsible for student travel to find answers to key safety questions before hiring a coach. UMA is supporting the program and participated in its unveiling last month. Additional information about Moving Kids Safely may be obtained from the FMCSA Web site at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

HOMELAND SECURITY RELEASES $10 MILLION FOR SECURITY GRANTS

While ABA and UMA are thankful that the Department of Homeland Security has released nearly $10 million for bus security grants for the private bus industry, we oppose the fact that only fixed route operators are eligible to apply, excluding a large portion of the bus industry.

“While ABA and UMA support both Congressional and Administration efforts to promote motorcoach security through the availability of federal security grants for our industry, we strongly oppose limiting those funds to only designated operators. Though fixed route operators are and should be a high priority for security grant funding because of the volume of passengers they operate, it has been ABA and UMA’s position that all operators should have access to the competitive process of applying for those funds based on the merits of their application and the intended use of the requested funds,” said ABA President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso and Victor Parra, President and CEO, UMA.

The industry has met and spoken with DHS officials many times over the past few weeks in attempts to turn their thinking on this important issue. However, it appears that DHS believes language in a congressional report requiring the agency to ‘focus’ the available funds on the areas of greatest concern – in their view, security enhancements for fixed-route operators, limits their ability to open the program to all motorcoach operators. ABA has continually noted that, in its view, nothing in the language of the congressional report requires DHS to “focus” these funds on fixed route operators to the exclusion of all other segments of the industry.

ABA OFFERS MOVIE CONTRACT FOR OPERATORS

The American Bus Association has partnered with Motorcoach Movies to provide a special copyright licensing discount for motorcoach operator. This new agreement allows ABA-member coach companies to show movies on their coaches for only $80 (USD) per coach per year.

CANADA NERVOUS BY US PASSPORT REGULATIONS

The potential impact of the proposed U.S. passport regulations is looming large for tourism stakeholders in Canada, as the implications on inbound tourism from the U.S. begin to make themselves clear. The U.S. has passed an act that will enforce the requirement of passports on those foreign nationals - primarily Canadians and Mexicans - who have until now enjoyed a relatively open border with America.

CONGRATULATIONS TO PETER PANTUSO

President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso was recently elected to the U.S. Chamber’s Committee of 100, a group of 100 leading association executives who gather under the banner of the U.S. Chamber – the leading business association – to network, build partnerships, and discuss current issues. Membership in this premiere group gives ABA a new platform to share industry issues with key public policy leaders and foster new relationships.

EPA WORKSHOPS

The Environmental protection Agency (EPA) has planned a Washington, D.C. workshop to discuss the growing trend of local governments implementing “anti-idling” laws and regulations. The effort is being madeto create consistent laws across the country. EPA will host the first state/industry workshops to develop a model state or local idling law for heavy-duty trucks and buses. About half the country has state or local laws limiting the amount of time a vehicle can idle. Many of these laws differ from state to state creating an inconsistent and confusing patchwork of laws. For example, some state laws limit idling to 3, 5, 10, or 30 minutes, while others exempt vehicles when certain temperatures are reached. EPA will convene representatives from state air pollution control agencies, transportation associations, drivers, environmental organizations and health associations at its workshops. For more information about this program, or to request participation in the workshops, visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartway.

ABA/UMA MEET ON POLICY; GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ISSUES

Coalition Fly-In Helps Spotlight Transit Competition Issue

Washington, DC, March 15, 2005 - In a continuation of the work between the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association to bring the two organizations closer together, during a time when the potential unification of the two associations is under full consideration, the operator government affairs leadership and the policy and government affairs staff of the two associations came together to review the process of policymaking and the agenda of issues on the plates of the two groups. The meeting was held March 14th in Alexandria, VA.

The leaders of both groups discussed, among other issues, TEA-21 reauthorization, transit competition, security programs and motorcoach safety. The group also discussed concerns over the increase in non-compliant curbside operators that skirt safety rules and unfairly compete with compliant operators.

Also this week, a coalition of private transportation associations, including the American Bus Association, is meeting in Washington, DC, today to support legislation proposed by the House and Senate to the TEA-21 bill that insures the private sector has the right to provide and compete for public transportation services.

Specifically, the Coalition has joined forces to promote the inclusion of all interested transportation parties in the federal planning process; improved administration and enforcement of the current charter rules while protecting against unfair competition; clear guidance on effectively providing private operator participation in the federal transit program; the inclusion of private sector operators as grant recipients; the enhancement of intermodal terminal projects to increase efficiency, transportation options and reduce costs.

A Safety and Operations Bulletin for Passenger Transportation Companies
January 31, 2005

Hours of Service

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has re-started the trucking industry hours of service regulation rulemaking process. While this specific rulemaking is truck oriented, the FMCSA continues to study and evaluate bus and coach driving and duty time. A pending study concluded driver fatigue was an issue, but data was incomplete and a full study was urged. In its rulemaking of January 24, 2005, FMCSA outlined potential areas of change for the trucking industry, including the length of a driver's day, total driving time, rest period minimums and other issues related to driver wellness. While coach drivers certainly have different "job descriptions" than truckers, many concerns are similar. In fact, one study of those closest to the issue of fatigue (i.e. drivers, line supervisors) pointed out that bus driving might be more fatiguing than operating a truck because of the inability to take rest stops as needed, the tension of dealing with passengers and the utilization of split shifts making tours of duty quite long.

Security- A True Story

If you thought the odds of hiring a terror risk were too small to consider, a true story from late 2004 is enlightening ... and frightening.

A driver with a CDL is recruited by a motor carrier for a job that would require the driver to regularly enter and exit New York City. The individual applicant is polite, neat, well spoken and has a CDL and subsequently enters company orientation training. While being trained and awaiting obtaining additional CDL endorsements allowing him to operate company equipment, he begins to show unusual interest in communication equipment. His concerns are about how the "authorities" could be contacted and the nature of the electronics on the vehicle. The individual's questions are asked in several ways and each time they are answered, but company officials felt this interest is unusual and become more curious about his "history". A Company employment background check reveals that he had all of the jobs listed on his resume, but dates are often wrong and multiple time gaps in his background exist. The company contacts authorities and just prior to being placed into service, the prospective driver is interviewed by Federal agents. The individual then disappears. Investigators track him from the job to an airport and to Pakistan. He is now on an international terrorist watch list.

What are you doing to be certain your vehicles don't become a threat? Check the TSA web site for suggestions on steps you might take to minimize the risk. Security plans are required for hazmat carriers, other carriers would be wise to consider them....Go to: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hm/Security_Plan_Guide.htm








		FROM LINDA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The VMA Board of Directors met April 20 in Manassas and one piece of business was to discuss the 2005 Convention in Hampton September 9-12. I was so pleased that the Board approved the Committee’s recommendation that operators sit in Market Place and allow supplier members to visit them on an appointment basis. The appointments are not formal, but on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid long lines at the operator tables, VMA will offer a split session giving supplier members an educational opportunity during the time they are not assigned to a market place. An invitation will be sent to operators in NC, SC, GA, AL, LA, TN, KY, WV, and MD to participate in VMA’s first operator-seated market place. Also, VMA operator members have been encouraged and will continue to be encouraged to bring staff to sit in market place who do business with supplier members. VMA operators are being encouraged to invite their tour operators to sit in the operator market place also. Many of them have identified tour operators already who will be in the market place. Again, I am so excited about this opportunity to make VMA’s market place strong and a good experience for VMA’s supplier members. The Group Leader Market Place has also been streamlined to make it more efficient. I expressed last year my concern that there would be rough edges to smooth out using the Group Leader seated market place. Even with the rough edges, the majority of Group Leaders, Operators, and Suppliers felt that the session was better than the reverse. The evaluations received were very critical of the process to provide a notebook resource to the Group Leaders. This year, I hope to acquire a sponsor for the notebooks or a canvass bag, which will be left empty and all suppliers will visit the group leaders and leave their promotional materials to be placed in the notebooks or bags later. One thing is for sure. You must know that your VMA board of directors and staff are continually trying to improve VMA’s convention experience for all members and the Group Leaders. GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS: COACH STOLEN AND FOUND A Virginia Coach Company coach was stolen in New Jersey just outside New York City recently. Notice of the theft was sent to several state associations to alert them to be watchful and report any sightings of the coach. It has just been reported (April 27) that the coach has been found. It was found in New York City and Lancer Insurance Agency is conducting an investigation. This is one coach story that may have a happy ending! At this point there are no other details. Hopefully, the coach has not been vandalized or otherwise damaged and was left in the same condition as it was prior to the theft. FMCSA MOVES FAST TO IMPLEMENT ‘MOVING KIDS SAFELY’ INITIATIVE The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is moving at close to light speed to push implementation of its new program to increase the use of safe bus companies to transport children to and from school sporting events, field trips and other extracurricular activities. The program, called Moving Kids Safely (see The Docket for Dec. 1 and 15), is to be rolled out by FMCSA field offices across the U.S. The agency will form partnerships with school transportation-related organizations, PTAs and motorcoach operators. “While most people would agree the selection process for choosing a safe bus company to transport children to extracurricular events should be a top priority, some do not have the necessary information to make the best choice or know where to get it,” according to the FMCSA. “Too often, bus companies are hired for reasons based primarily on the cost of transportation.” The program will encourage those responsible for student travel to find answers to key safety questions before hiring a coach. UMA is supporting the program and participated in its unveiling last month. Additional information about Moving Kids Safely may be obtained from the FMCSA Web site at www.fmcsa.dot.gov. HOMELAND SECURITY RELEASES $10 MILLION FOR SECURITY GRANTS While ABA and UMA are thankful that the Department of Homeland Security has released nearly $10 million for bus security grants for the private bus industry, we oppose the fact that only fixed route operators are eligible to apply, excluding a large portion of the bus industry. “While ABA and UMA support both Congressional and Administration efforts to promote motorcoach security through the availability of federal security grants for our industry, we strongly oppose limiting those funds to only designated operators. Though fixed route operators are and should be a high priority for security grant funding because of the volume of passengers they operate, it has been ABA and UMA’s position that all operators should have access to the competitive process of applying for those funds based on the merits of their application and the intended use of the requested funds,” said ABA President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso and Victor Parra, President and CEO, UMA. The industry has met and spoken with DHS officials many times over the past few weeks in attempts to turn their thinking on this important issue. However, it appears that DHS believes language in a congressional report requiring the agency to ‘focus’ the available funds on the areas of greatest concern – in their view, security enhancements for fixed-route operators, limits their ability to open the program to all motorcoach operators. ABA has continually noted that, in its view, nothing in the language of the congressional report requires DHS to “focus” these funds on fixed route operators to the exclusion of all other segments of the industry. ABA OFFERS MOVIE CONTRACT FOR OPERATORS The American Bus Association has partnered with Motorcoach Movies to provide a special copyright licensing discount for motorcoach operator. This new agreement allows ABA-member coach companies to show movies on their coaches for only $80 (USD) per coach per year. CANADA NERVOUS BY US PASSPORT REGULATIONS The potential impact of the proposed U.S. passport regulations is looming large for tourism stakeholders in Canada, as the implications on inbound tourism from the U.S. begin to make themselves clear. The U.S. has passed an act that will enforce the requirement of passports on those foreign nationals - primarily Canadians and Mexicans - who have until now enjoyed a relatively open border with America. CONGRATULATIONS TO PETER PANTUSO President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso was recently elected to the U.S. Chamber’s Committee of 100, a group of 100 leading association executives who gather under the banner of the U.S. Chamber – the leading business association – to network, build partnerships, and discuss current issues. Membership in this premiere group gives ABA a new platform to share industry issues with key public policy leaders and foster new relationships. EPA WORKSHOPS The Environmental protection Agency (EPA) has planned a Washington, D.C. workshop to discuss the growing trend of local governments implementing “anti-idling” laws and regulations. The effort is being madeto create consistent laws across the country. EPA will host the first state/industry workshops to develop a model state or local idling law for heavy-duty trucks and buses. About half the country has state or local laws limiting the amount of time a vehicle can idle. Many of these laws differ from state to state creating an inconsistent and confusing patchwork of laws. For example, some state laws limit idling to 3, 5, 10, or 30 minutes, while others exempt vehicles when certain temperatures are reached. EPA will convene representatives from state air pollution control agencies, transportation associations, drivers, environmental organizations and health associations at its workshops. For more information about this program, or to request participation in the workshops, visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartway. ABA/UMA MEET ON POLICY; GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ISSUES Coalition Fly-In Helps Spotlight Transit Competition Issue Washington, DC, March 15, 2005 - In a continuation of the work between the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association to bring the two organizations closer together, during a time when the potential unification of the two associations is under full consideration, the operator government affairs leadership and the policy and government affairs staff of the two associations came together to review the process of policymaking and the agenda of issues on the plates of the two groups. The meeting was held March 14th in Alexandria, VA. The leaders of both groups discussed, among other issues, TEA-21 reauthorization, transit competition, security programs and motorcoach safety. The group also discussed concerns over the increase in non-compliant curbside operators that skirt safety rules and unfairly compete with compliant operators. Also this week, a coalition of private transportation associations, including the American Bus Association, is meeting in Washington, DC, today to support legislation proposed by the House and Senate to the TEA-21 bill that insures the private sector has the right to provide and compete for public transportation services. Specifically, the Coalition has joined forces to promote the inclusion of all interested transportation parties in the federal planning process; improved administration and enforcement of the current charter rules while protecting against unfair competition; clear guidance on effectively providing private operator participation in the federal transit program; the inclusion of private sector operators as grant recipients; the enhancement of intermodal terminal projects to increase efficiency, transportation options and reduce costs. A Safety and Operations Bulletin for Passenger Transportation Companies January 31, 2005 Hours of Service The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has re-started the trucking industry hours of service regulation rulemaking process. While this specific rulemaking is truck oriented, the FMCSA continues to study and evaluate bus and coach driving and duty time. A pending study concluded driver fatigue was an issue, but data was incomplete and a full study was urged. In its rulemaking of January 24, 2005, FMCSA outlined potential areas of change for the trucking industry, including the length of a driver's day, total driving time, rest period minimums and other issues related to driver wellness. While coach drivers certainly have different "job descriptions" than truckers, many concerns are similar. In fact, one study of those closest to the issue of fatigue (i.e. drivers, line supervisors) pointed out that bus driving might be more fatiguing than operating a truck because of the inability to take rest stops as needed, the tension of dealing with passengers and the utilization of split shifts making tours of duty quite long. Security- A True Story If you thought the odds of hiring a terror risk were too small to consider, a true story from late 2004 is enlightening ... and frightening. A driver with a CDL is recruited by a motor carrier for a job that would require the driver to regularly enter and exit New York City. The individual applicant is polite, neat, well spoken and has a CDL and subsequently enters company orientation training. While being trained and awaiting obtaining additional CDL endorsements allowing him to operate company equipment, he begins to show unusual interest in communication equipment. His concerns are about how the "authorities" could be contacted and the nature of the electronics on the vehicle. The individual's questions are asked in several ways and each time they are answered, but company officials felt this interest is unusual and become more curious about his "history". A Company employment background check reveals that he had all of the jobs listed on his resume, but dates are often wrong and multiple time gaps in his background exist. The company contacts authorities and just prior to being placed into service, the prospective driver is interviewed by Federal agents. The individual then disappears. Investigators track him from the job to an airport and to Pakistan. He is now on an international terrorist watch list. What are you doing to be certain your vehicles don't become a threat? Check the TSA web site for suggestions on steps you might take to minimize the risk. Security plans are required for hazmat carriers, other carriers would be wise to consider them....Go to: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hm/Security_Plan_Guide.htm