March 15, 2012

97 operators UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION ‘Bluffton crash’ score grants New at MOTORCOACH EXPO 2012 five years on… to buy lifts landmark event WASHINGTON — The Fed- BLUFFTON, — A re- eral Transit Administration has membrance service was conducted awarded $8.8 million to 97 motor- at Bluffton University early this companies across the U.S. to month to mark the fifth anniversary retrofit with wheelchair lifts of the fatal crash that has for- or to help offset the cost of lifts on ever changed motorcoach safety. new coaches. The March 2, 2007, crash killed Last year, the FTA awarded five players on the university’s $20 million to 128 motorcoach baseball team, plus the bus driver companies to have lists installed and his wife. on buses or to help defray the cost Members of that 2007 Bluffton of lifts on new coaches. The team attended the remembrance, amount granted a year ago was which included scripture readings substantially higher than previous by James Grandey, the head base- years because there’s a major dead- coach then and now, and alum- line in 2012 for large line-run op- nus Tim Berta, who was among erators; they must have 100 per- those seriously injured. cent of their fleet wheelchair From the moment it occurred accessible by Oct. 29. at 5:38 in the morning, the Bluff- The requirement applies to ton University baseball team bus crash was a horrific, tragic and fixed-route operators having an- BCI America’s Explorer 45 and Temsa’s TS 30 are introduced. Turn to page 11. nual revenue of $8.6 million or landmark event. more. Driver Jerry Niemeyer was be- The amount awarded this year hind the wheel of a 45-foot Van is more in line with previous years. Hool owned by Executive Coach A total of 136 companies re- Luxury Travel of Ottawa, Ohio, that quested $40.9 million in lift grants, clear, calm morning, when he mis- meaning 39 companies didn’t re- takenly veered onto a left-hand exit ceive any money and most re- ramp on I-75 in metro Atlanta. ceived less than they sought. Some The ramp rose to a wide ele- of the money awarded can be used vated road — Northside Drive — for training. and a T-junction marked by a stop The wheelchair grant program sign. has been around for a dozen years Traveling at highway speed and has awarded tens of millions and without braking, the bus of dollars to operators to help them swerved rightward across the road, comply with federal accessibility attempting to go southbound on regulations. Northside Drive. Unable to make While 63 of the 97 grants, or the turn, it hit a low barrier wall, about two-thirds, were for less which caused the back end of the than $50,000 to pay for a single coach to swing around to the right, wheelchair lift, Greyhound Lines, pointing it due north. which has a fleet of more than The momentum of the swing 1,200 coaches, was awarded $2.44 caused the entire right side of the million to purchase roughly 70 bus to crash into and then over the lifts. low wall and through a chain-link security fence on top of it. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 c CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 c ABC COMPANIES

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MIDWEST NORTHEAST SOUTHEAST SOUTHWEST WESTERN CANADA 800-222-2875 800-222-2873 800-222-2871 800-222-2877 800-322-2877 800-345-1287 Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS March 15, 2012 3 Operators continue to struggle with ‘GO Ground’ decision It’s March. That means “March dant, expensive third- bus in- it won’t be refereeing the dispute GO Ground not only is recruit- by Transportation Safety Ex- Madness” — college basketball spections by TSX, has created between charter operators and GO ing carriers to college change, which is a fairly recently tournament time. widespread resentment in the in- Ground. sports teams to NCAA tourna- formed business associated with And motorcoach operators dustry among operators unhappy Instead, operators will have to ments but also to provide bus ser- Consolidated Safety Services, across the U.S. are wrestling with that GO Ground has gotten be- decide on their own if they want to vice for elementary and high school which for years has been doing in- the issue of whether to sign up with tween colleges and universities the join the -based transporta- students in some parts of the spections for carriers that trans- GO Ground Options and its motor- operators have served for years tion management company they country. port military personnel and civil- coach inspection arm, Transporta- Motorcoach operators hopeful say is threatening their relationship Many operators say they object ian employees of the U.S. tion Safety Exchange. the Federal Motor Carrier Safety with many of their long-time school to a requirement that they pay up- Department of Defense. GO Ground has a contract with Administration might get involved, and university customers. wards of $4,000 for safety inspec- Operators worry if they don’t the National Collegiate Athletic and rein in third-party organiza- “Joining them is a business de- tions (of a handful of buses) that join GO Ground they could lose Association to handle team move- tions that claim to be using “certi- cision you will have to make,” says GO Ground uses to promote its some of the contracts they have had ments during NCAA-sponsored fied” over-the-road bus inspectors, the FMCA’s Chief Safety Officer business as hiring only the safest with the colleges for regular student tournaments. appear to be out of luck. Jack Van Steenburg. “We can’t stop carriers in the country. and sports team transportation. The arrangement, and its atten- The FMCSA has served notice them.” The inspections are conducted CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 c Transit agency practices targeted by Bus Association SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The tax dollars and federal grant money received a copy of the CBA letter won SACRT the contract will re- third , or to deliberately un- California Bus Association is call- to try to run competing motor- and would comment on the issues quire the agency to subsidize the dercut or eliminate lower-cost pri- ing on federal regulators to investi- coach operators out of the market. after reviewing it. association to the tune of $1.1 mil- vate bus competitors from the mar- gate the public transit agency here “There is a great need for a true “We are still reviewing it,” said lion in capital costs for the buses ketplace and then campaign for for supposedly using some of its independent risk assessment and spokeswoman Alane Masui. that will be used for the service, more federal funds and county sales “scarce funds” to undercut prices financial forecast audit of the true Giddens said the most recent and he said the agency plans to tax increases or new bond measures of private bus operators so it could state of SACRT’s public finances, instance of undercutting by cover the subsidy with $400,000 to pay for artificially-induced oper- expand operations and then claim taking into consideration the risks SACRT was done late last year from a previous bond issue and ating deficits caused by such prac- funding shortage issues to cam- involved in continuing to lowball when the agency bid for a shuttle $700,000 from another account tices,” Giddens told the FTA. paign for more tax dollars. third-party contracts,” Giddens contract with the North Natomas that will be paid back when addi- “Presumably SACRT is antici- Tom Giddens, association wrote the Federal Transit Adminis- Transportation Management Asso- tional bonds are sold. pating issuing more public debt to president, said Sacramento Re- tration, which provides transit ciation, a nonprofit group that of- “No FTA recipient should be al- finance its under-funded capital gional Transit Authority has been agencies with capital and opera- fers bus service on the city’s north- lowed to redeploy or otherwise shift expansion plans.” struggling financially in recent tional funds. west side. scarce public capital or operating Masui said SACRT has signed years and should not be spending The transit agency said it has He contends the low bid that funds to either subsidize private CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 c

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House/Senate highway bills UMA Capital Hill Days are next month WASHINGTON — The Unit- in conjunction with the National UMA and NSTA members with in- beset by pots holes, detours ed Motorcoach Association is en- School Transportation Assoc. vited speaker (there is a $90 sur- WASHINGTON — To the sur- however, the speaker was not only couraging its members to sign up Here’s the tentative schedule charge to participate in the dinner) prise of practically no one, the considering shortening the length for the organization’s annual Cap- announced by UMA for the Capi- Thursday, April 26 bumpy ride to pass new federal of the highway reauthorization, itol Hill Days on April 25-26. tol Hill Days activities: • 9 a.m.-Noon Congressional highway and public transportation but also would likely scrap the “This is your opportunity to Wednesday, April 25 and agency presentations for legislation got even bumpier once idea of removing transit funding come to Washington, D.C., to in- • 8–9 a.m. Capitol Hill pre- NSTA and UMA members the House and Senate began de- from the highway trust fund. teract with your congressional briefing for UMA and NSTA There also will likely be a bating their respective bills. At the same time, the Senate’s delegates and important agency members fundraiser for Rep. Bill Shuster, Almost immediately, the legis- $109 billion version of the trans- officials, and make sure your • 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Individual vis- R-Pa. Shuster is the sponsor of lation got bogged down in partisan portation bill was thought to be voice is heard during this day and its by UMA and NSTA members bus safety legislation that is advo- political bickering and/or more likely to win quick approval a half event,” said UMA Vice with senators and representatives cated by the industry. maneuvering. because it had bipartisan support President and Chief Operating Of- (appointments arranged by Prime For information call UMA at Now, lawmakers in both cham- in several committees. ficer Ken Presley. Policy Group) (800) 424-8262, or email info@ bers are trying to revive their push But the bill also hit a road- UMA is conducting the event • 6 p.m. Group Dinner for uma.org. to pass the transportation bills, al- block, as lawmakers were unable who wanted mass transit to remain funding issue be firmly resolved, “At their core, both the House though the House seems unlikely to to win the 60 senators needed for a part of the highway trust appear to then the major differences be- and Senate bills focus on similar quickly consider a revamped ver- procedural vote to close off the op- have gotten their way. The initial tween the Senate and House bills things, such as cutting environ- sion of the Republican highway bill. portunity for senators to offer plan would have established an will be considerably narrowed, ac- mental red tape, consolidating du- House Speaker John Boehner, amendments to the bill. “alternative transportation” ac- cording to several analysts. plicative programs at USDOT that R-Ohio, made news late last month The bill’s supporters in the Sen- count and moved mass transit The Senate version, S1813, is divert dollars away from high- when his office announced he ate have complained about what there, but the latest talk has it re- a two-year bill that focuses on ways, and giving states the flexi- would likely scale back his propos- they call non-germane amend- turning to the highway fund. highways and the consolidation of bility to dedicate funds to their al to spend $260 billion on road and ments, slowing momentum. Should the length of the House programs within the U.S. Depart- core needs,” said one legislative transit projects over a five-year pe- The House did go ahead and version be modified and the transit ment of Transportation. affairs specialist. riod. The Boehner announcement separate a provision in its bill that came after the Republican bill would supplement transportation came under fire from both Demo- funding with proceeds from do- Coalition targets ‘ambush election’ rule crats and Republicans. (See March mestic oil and gas drilling. That WASHINGTON — The Senate would halt the NLRB’s efforts to cate organized labor by effectively 1 Bus & Motorcoach News.) provision is now running a separate and House are considering a mea- allow an accelerated process for denying employees’ access to criti- Multiple House GOP aides course from the core bill, HR7. sure that would nullify a National union representation elections in cal information about unions and said they did not expect revised Throughout the process, law- Labor Relations Board rule de- the workplace. stripping employers of free speech legislation to be ready very quick- makers have argued over funding signed to permit so-called ambush Opponents of the “ambush” and due process rights.” The critics ly and details of proposed changes and whether to include mass transit elections for union representation. election rule say it is nothing more say the rule “poses a threat to both to the bill were scarce. as part of the Highway Trust Fund. Senate Joint Resolution 36 than the NLRB’s attempt “to pla- employees and employers.” Boehner’s office did confirm, Republicans and Democrats The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, a group of more than 600 organizations, including the United Motorcoach Association, led the charge late last year against the “Employee Free Choice Act” and other measures it said posed a similar threat to workers, business- es and the U.S. economy. The bills died. “Having failed to achieve their goals through legislation, they are now coordinating with the (NLRB) and the U.S. Department of Labor in what appears to be an all-out at- tack on job-creators and employ- ees in an effort to enact (the Em- ployee Free Choice Act) through administrative rulings and regula- tions,” says the coalition. Late last year, the NLRB pub- lished a rule containing key as- pects of the legislation, with April 30, as the effective date. “While it somewhat modified the original proposal, the final rule is identical in purpose and similar in effect,” says the coalition. The coalition is seeking busi- ness and citizen support of Senate Resolution 36, which would block the rule. Bus & Motorcoach News THE DOCKET March 15, 2012 5 Congress does away with ‘bonus depreciation’ – for now WASHINGTON ‚ Congress groups have been pressing Con- program began, that taxpayers equipment — it just shifts deduc- line from Canada to . has ended the bonus depreciation gress to restore the 100 percent would recoup much of the loss in tions forward in time. Working with the Obama Ad- tax break that may have helped break for this year. subsequent years when corpora- Bills passed in the U.S. Senate ministration, the House-Senate bolster new motorcoach sales over Bonus depreciation has proven tions do not have as much depre- and House to extend the payroll conference committee finally the past 18 months. so popular the U.S. Treasury esti- ciation to write off. tax cut included bonus deprecia- agreed to extend the payroll tax When Congress adopted the mates it will cost taxpayers $55 The bonus depreciation doesn’t tion, but the House bill also had a measure but also to cut both the federal payroll tax cut extension billion for the 2011 tax year, but change the total amount of deduc- provision that would have required Keystone pipeline and bonus de- last month, one of the victims of the Treasury officials said, when the tions across the life of a piece of approval of the Keystone XL pipe- preciation provisions. extension was the bonus deprecia- tion that buyers of capital equip- ment, including motorcoaches, could receive. However, some lawmakers say the tax incentive could be restored later this year. For example, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., a mem- ber of the House Ways and Means Committee, said there would be other chances. “There are lots of moving piec- es for tax provisions this year. There’ll be other vehicles leaving the station, so I’m anticipating that if it doesn’t get in here, it’s not the last word,” said Blumenauer. Bonus depreciation allowed businesses that bought new equip- ment last year — anything from buses, to machines, to computers — to depreciate 100 percent of the purchase price during the 2011 tax year. Until September 2010, equip- ment investments could be depre- ciated only up to 50 percent the first tax year. The remaining 50 percent had to be taken in subse- quent tax years. To stimulate investment and help manufacturers struggling in the latest recession, Congress raised the first-year depreciation break to 100 percent for purchases made between Sept. 8, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2011. On Jan. 1, the 100 percent sin- gle-year depreciation reverted to 50 percent, but scores of business DOT in under microscope DOVER, Del. — Investiga- tors are looking into allegations of mismanagement, incompe- tence and possible criminal activ- ity within the Delaware Depart- ment of Transportation. The investigation was re- quested by state Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt, who says reforms are needed to restore public trust in the agency. According to media reports, Bhatt is seeking an outside foren- sic accounting firm to inspect the agency’s books and land deals. A team of retired federal investiga- tors will assist. Bhatt is not ruling out the pos- sibility that some of the activity involving land dealings may have been illegal. 6 March 15, 2012 THE DOCKET Bus & Motorcoach News Permitting dispute Virginia adopts CDL limits for sex offenders defused in Quebec RICHMOND, Va. — Both Under the revised statute, per- The revised law also prohibits sex offense or a crime against a — Authorities houses of the Virginia General As- sons required to register with the the issuance of a commercial driv- minor then that person has to sur- in Quebec have affirmed that the sembly have passed legislation state under Virginia’s sex offender er’s instruction permit to drive render his or her license and get a province’s requirement that mo- that prohibits sex offenders from and crimes against minors law can school buses or any commercial new one that contains the restric- torcoaches have a Quebec “trans- driving a commercial vehicle that obtain a CDL with a passenger en- vehicle to transport children to or tions applicable to sex offenders port permit number” does not school children or chil- dorsement, but the license must from school-related activities or and those who have committed apply to out-of-province charter dren enrolled in a day-care carry a restriction prohibiting the child day care facilities if the per- crimes against minors. bus operators. facility. license holder from operating a son is required to register as a sex The legislation will become law Motor Coach Canada report- ed last month that an Ontario- The legislation amends the commercial vehicle that carries offender or as someone who has once it is signed by the governor. based operator received a ticket state law that sets eligibility re- children to or from a school-spon- committed crimes against minors. The Virginia Motorcoach As- while on a charter trip in Quebec. quirements for a commercial driv- sored event or to and from a li- If a CDL holder with a passen- sociation worked to get the legis- The operator was accused of er’s license in Virginia. censed child day-care facility. ger endorsement is convicted of a lation adopted. violating a provision in the Que- bec Bus Transport Regulation re- quiring that a Quebec transport Georgia House passes bus driver sex offender bill permit number be displayed on ATLANTA — The Georgia Battles of Cartersville, was adopt- fense that happens starting July 1. Senate where sex offender driver the side of the coach. The set fine House of Representatives has ed by a lopsided vote of 157-4. Any sex offender caught ille- legislation was passed last year. (See was $125. passed a bill that would ban sex It would prevent state transpor- gally driving a passenger bus April 1 Bus & Motorcoach News.) The carrier, a member of offenders from driving school and tation officials from issuing a li- without the required license would The Georgia Motorcoach Op- Motor Coach Canada, contacted the trade association and was pro- passenger buses. cense — to drive school or passen- face a maximum two-year prison erators Association has been ac- vided information on how the The measure, which is spon- ger buses — to anyone who must sentence and a $5,000 fine. tive in pushing for driver sex of- ticket could be challenged. sored by Republican Rep. Paul register as a sex offender for an of- The bill now heads to the state fender legislation. The association also contact- ed Quebec authorities and point- ed out that the requirement for a Feds OK for interstate tolling test Quebec Transport Permit does WASHINGOTN — The Fed- interstates, each in a different the cost of the improvements, says www.driving95.com. not apply to out-of-province char- eral Highway Administration has state, to be tolled under the pilot, the officials. ter bus operators — provided the chosen North Carolina as the last and the state’s collection of tolls North Carolina initiated its I-95 R.I. plan rejected point of departure and final desti- of three states eligible to place must be for a specified term ex- Corridor Planning and Finance The FHWA has rejected Rhode nation of the chartered trip are tolls on existing interstates under a ceeding 10 years. Study three years ago. The study Island’s proposal to toll I-95. outside Quebec. pilot program, joining Virginia The other two slots are for I-95 was a comprehensive evaluation of Gov. Lincoln Chafee’s admin- Motor Coach Canada said it and . in Virginia and I-70 in Missouri. how to improve the safety, connec- istration asked for permission to was “pleased” to report that Que- States generally are not permit- The Missouri program was ap- tivity and efficiency of all 182 place tollbooths on I-95 near the bec authorities had agreed to ted to add tolls to existing proved in 2005, but the state legis- miles of I-95 in North Carolina. Connecticut border. withdraw the charge. interstates. lature has not given the Missouri FHWA approved the study’s Officials in Connecticut said All American motorcoach op- However, the Interstate System DOT the go-ahead. Virginia’s proj- environmental assessment in Janu- the move would unfairly burden erators not based in Quebec but Reconstruction and Rehabilitation ect was approved in September. ary. The assessment recommends motorists from their state, and crit- traveling in the province must reg- ister as an “operator of heavy vehi- Pilot Program allows the conver- North Carolina officials say widening the interstate to six and ics feared there would be an in- cles” prior to entering the province. sion of free interstates into toll tolls would generate the $4.4 bil- eight lanes, repairing pavement, crease in traffic on local roads as The fee to register is $60 Canadian roads in conjunction with needed lion needed to add travel lanes, raising and rebuilding bridges, im- drivers tried to avoid the tolls. for two or fewer coaches. reconstruction or rehabilitation raise and rebuild bridges, and im- proving interchanges and upgrad- The state DOT says it will con- To register, go to www.ctq. that’s only possible with the col- prove interchanges on heavily ing safety standards. tinue to study the idea with the gouv.qc.ca/pdf/ctq330a.pdf lection of tolls. traveled I-95. Current funding North Carolina has a website goal of it being approved in future The United Motorcoach As- The program is limited to three would cover about 10 percent of devoted to the project, find it at rounds of toll projects. sociation can assist operators with questions about operating in Quebec. I-95 tolls = $30 billion; costs = $16 billion RALEIGH, N.C. — If Inter- case, then why would toll rates be ders or prevents important infra- state 95 were to be rebuilt and con- News Analysis so high? It stands to reason they structure work from getting done,” Ohio River span verted to a toll road in North Caro- could cut the toll rate substantially said the magazine. lina, highway users and taxpayers estimated $4.4 billion cost of the and still meet expenses. Or, how North Carolina’s fuel tax rate is reopens to traffic would be paying nearly double the project. about no toll at all?” the magazine among the highest in the nation LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The estimated cost of the project and Land Line reported that ac- asked. “and yet they’re broke at the same I-64 Sherman Minton Bridge over ongoing maintenance, according cording to the documents provided North Carolina collects 38.9 time because the rules require the the Ohio River between southern to an analysis by Land Line by the state, the proposed toll cents per gallon in taxes for diesel money to be spread thin.” and Louisville has re- magazine. would last 40 years, from 2019 fuel, but according to current laws Commented OOIDA Director opened to traffic much quicker The publication says its figures through 2059. That would pay for and formulas, NCDOT must dis- of Legislative Affairs Ryan Bow- than expected. come from a North Carolina DOT the $4.4 billion reconstruction tribute that money a certain way. ley: “A lot of states simply refuse The bridge was closed Sept. 9 report on the I-95 corridor. project, plus ongoing maintenance That leaves a small amount for any to have these discussions. after a significant crack was dis- Land Line conducted the anal- costs estimated between $10.3 bil- individual roadway or project. “NCDOT wanted us to see the covered in a load-carrying ele- ysis after NCDOT officials took lion and $12 billion. To Land Line, the restrictive numbers, and we have. And any ment of the bridge. Inspection, exception to a comment quoted in Toll rates would be increased state laws and rules “sound like a way it shakes out, tolls are going testing and analysis recommend- each year to keep up with infla- ed reinforcing the bridge with the magazine that said there was broken formula, and a broken re- to cost billions more than the proj- tion, roughly 2.5 percent per year steel plates, which are anticipated no commitment by North Carolina cord as far as a number of state ect is worth. to extend the life of the bridge at “to using existing revenue to im- over the life of the project. DOTs are concerned. “Even if you include the bond- least 20 years. prove the corridor without tolls.” In NCDOT’s own words: “Dur- “We try to understand the ing and interest costs for the proj- Incentives, favorable weather A spokeswoman for NCDOT ing that period, it is estimated that logic, but it’s difficult considering ect, you still have a large gap total- conditions and efficient work by asked the magazine to check out tolls would generate nearly $30 the interstates were built from the ing billions between the money contractors reduced the project documents that spell out the proj- billion.” 1950s through the 1980s and very spent and the money they will take from an estimated six months to ect and explain how the state’s By their own math, said Land few states have put aside any in,” Bowley said. fewer than four. (See Nov. 15 Bus funding formula would only be Line, $30 billion, minus expenses, money to fix them. “There’s no deny­ing their num- & Motorcoach News.) able to generate 10 percent of the leaves $12.2 billion. “If that is the “A system is broken if it hin- bers on that.” Setra - a Daimler brand

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Daimler Buses North America · c/o Setra of North America Inc. · 6012-B High Point Road · Greensboro, NC 27407 · www.setra-coaches.com 8 March 15, 2012 NEW ANALYSIS / OPINION Bus & Motorcoach News A hot dog cart license vs. bus operating authority “It costs more to get a license to lution for addressing industry erating authority from the U.S. De- USDOT numbers, which they keep seem like a spicy analogy to bus sell hot dogs on the streets of New safety issues. partment of Transportation handy so they can quickly re-open travelers, the United Motorcoach York City and Washington D.C., The latest use of the compari- But in City, it’s a bit under a new name if they are shut Association says it is not one that than it does to obtain operating au- son came from the American Bus different. The city charges $200 down by federal regulators for should be used in the campaign to thority to own a motorcoach busi- Association, which highlighted the for a food-cart permit, which is safety violations. make the industry safer. ness that can travel the country.” point in a Washington Times article $100 below the cost of what a new “Some of them have five or six One reason, according to the You may have heard or seen about federal transportation regula- bus operator pays. numbers and if they had to pay a trade group, is because it is not ac- that comparison before, as some in tors stepping up efforts to get un- However, because the city lim- higher fee then they might not curate for New York, which is the the motorcoach industry have used safe carriers off the highways. its the number of licenses to 3,100 have as many,” said Ronan. “A lit- city cited most often by those who the colorful statement while trying “It’s too easy for people to get and there are more than 2,000 ap- tle more of an entry fee would use the comparison as an argument to make a point about bus safety, into the industry,” ABA Communi- plicants on a waiting list, current pinch them in the pocket.” for higher new-entrant fees, and suggesting it should be more cost- cations Director Dan Ronan em- license holders have turned the The Federal Motor Carrier where vendor charges are skewed ly for new operators to get into the phasized in the article, pointing permits into a hot black market Safety Administration views the by the black market activity. business. out the fee comparisons between a commodity and are leasing them reincarnation of bad bus compa- “Clearly it is not so in New In other words, they imply or hot dog stand and bus operating to other vendors for as much as nies as a critical safety issue and York City,” said Ken Presley, UMA assert that if it cost more to obtain authority. “It’s insane.” $20,000 for two years. has aggressively chased down car- vice president and chief operating federal operating authority, safer In Washington D.C., the fee The ABA and some others in riers that have resurfaced with new officer, noting that the selling of bus companies would result. comparison is correct. Hot dog the motorcoach industry also sug- names and USDOT numbers after vendor permits there reminds him Others in the industry, howev- street vendors there pay a little gest that raising the new-entrant being ordered out of service be- of the days before motorcoach de- er, say the comparison is bogus, a more than $400 for a license, which fee for motorcoach companies cause of safety violations. regulation when bus operators had non sequitur that perpetuates a is $100 more than the $300 that a might discourage noncompliant While the hot dog cart vs. mo- to pay competitors for the privi- myth that might not be the best so- new bus operator pays to obtain op- operators from obtaining multiple torcoach company analogy might lege of driving over their routes or passing through their states. More importantly, though, he said raising the new-entrant fee John Stossel tries to open a lemonade stand could drive new operators under- By John Stossel ordered little girls to stop selling Service Establishment Permit. Must giant fire extinguisher on the table. ground, which was a major prob- Girl Scout cookies. bring copies of the previous docu- Tourists told me they couldn’t lem in the 1980s and is certainly Want to open a business in It made me want to try to jump ments and completed forms to the believe I had to get “all those not needed in the industry today. America? It isn’t easy. through the legal hoops required Consumer Affairs Licensing Center. permits.” “We believe the more practical In Midway, Ga., a 14-year-old to open a simple lemonade stand Then, at least 21 days before A Pakistani man said: “That’s approach is to tie the authorization girl and her 10-year-old sister sold in . Here’s some of opening your establishment, you crazy! You should move to to operate to an individual, not a lemonade from their front yard. what one has to do: must arrange for an inspection by Pakistan!” company,” he said. “There are Two police officers bought some. • Register as sole proprietor the Health Department’s Bureau of But I don’t want to move to many professional licenses that use But the next day, different officers with the County Clerk’s Office Food Safety and Community Sani- Pakistan. that approach — as it reduces the ordered them to close their stand. (must be done in person) tation. It takes about three weeks Politicians say: “We support likelihood of duplicate authority.” Their father went to city hall to • Apply to the IRS for an Em- to get your appointment. If you entrepreneurs,” but the bureau- He said UMA also believes try to find out why. The clerk ployer Identification Number. pass, you can set up a business crats make it hard. start-up carriers should not have to laughed and said she didn’t know. • Complete 15-hour food pro- once you: The feds alone add 80,000 invest their often precious capital Eventually, Police Chief Kelly tection course. • Buy a portable fire extin- pages of new rules every year. with the federal government for operating authority. Rather, it Morningstar explained: “We were • After the course, register for guisher from a company certified Local governments add more. not aware of how the lemonade an exam that takes one hour. by the New York Fire Department. There are so many incomprehen- should go into their companies. “No matter how you look at it, was made, who made the lemon- You must score 70 percent to • Set up a contract for waste sible rules that even the bureau- a high entrance fee that discour- ade, and of what the lemonade was pass. (Sample question: “What disposal. crats can’t tell you what’s legal. ages entry is economic regulation made with.” toxins are associated with the puff- We couldn’t finish the process. In the name of public safety, at its worst,” he suggested. Give me a break. er fish?”) If you pass, allow three Had we been able to schedule our politicians strangle opportunity. Presley contends, too, that rais- If she doesn’t know, so what? to five weeks for delivery of Food health inspection and open my John Stossel is host of Stossel ing the new-entrant fee could be But kids trying their first ex- Protection Certificate. stand legally, it would have taken on the Fox Business Network. used more as an impediment to periment with entrepreneurship • Register for sales tax Certifi- us 65 days. Copyright 2012 by JFS Produc- entry than anything that resembles are being shut down all over Amer- cate of Authority I sold lemonade anyway. I tions Inc. Distributed by Creators. a solution, and probably would see ica. Officials in Hazelwood, Ill., • Apply for a Temporary Food looked dumb hawking it with my com. a court challenge if adopted.

ISSUE NO. 211 Marcia Milton How to contact us First Priority Trailways District Heights, Md. To submit or report news, Letters to To advertise or to mail advertising- Michael Neustadt the Editor, articles, news releases or to related materials: Coach Tours Brookfield, Conn. report corrections: Call: Johnny Steger at (866) 930-8426 A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION E-mail: E-mail: Jeff Polzien Red Carpet Charters [email protected] [email protected] Staff Advisory Board Oklahoma City Fax: (405) 942-6201 Mail: 2200 N. Yarbrough, Suite B William Allen Gladys Gillis Tom Ready Mail: 3108 NW 54th Street Box No. 336 Editor & Publisher: Victor Parra Amador Trailways Starline Luxury Coaches Ready Bus Lines Sacramento, Calif. Seattle Oklahoma City, OK 73112 El Paso, TX 79925 Senior Editor: Bruce Sankey LaCrescent, Minn. Call: (866) 930-8421 Brian Annett Callen Hatard Brian Scott Annett Bus Lines Calco Travel To send advertisements or Sales Director: Johnny Steger Escot Bus Lines Sebring, Fla. Geismar, La. Largo, Fla. To subscribe or inquire about your photographs via the Internet: Industry Editor: Ken Presley David Brown Larry Hundt Dan Shoup subscription: E-mail: [email protected] Tours Great Canadian Trailways Cardinal Buses Associate Editor: Ellen Balm Randlemann, N.C. Kitchner, Ontario E-mail: Middlebury, Ind. [email protected] To contact the Art Director: Mary E. McCarty James Brown Sr. Dale Krapf Dennis Strief Magic Carpet Tours Krapf Coaches Vandalia Bus Lines Fax: (405) 942-6201 United Motorcoach Association: Richmond, Va. West Chester, Pa. Caseyville, Ill. Mail: 3108 NW 54th Street Editorial Assistant: Michele Nosko Call: (800) 424-8262 Steve Brown Godfrey Lebron Tim Wayland Oklahoma City, OK 73112 Online: www.uma.org Editorial Assistant: Maggie Masterson Brown Coach Paradise Trailways ABC Companies Call: (866) 930-8421 Amsterdam, N.Y. Hicksville, N.Y. Faribault, Minn. Editorial Assistant: Greg Lange Thomas Foley Joan Libby T. Ralph Young ©2012 by the United Motorcoach Association. Reproduction in whole or in part without Transportation Insurance Brokers Cavalier Coach Trailways Young Transportation written permission is prohibited. Accountant: Ted Williford North Oaks, Minn. , Mass. Ashville, N.C. Bus & Motorcoach News NEWS ANALYSIS March 15, 2012 9 What would the industry impact be of a second Obama term? WASHINGTON — So, what LaHood told reporters. companies and their drivers off our sulting from commercial motor ve- Obama proposed $42.6 billion should the ground transportation Obama proposed paying for the roadways.” hicle crashes.” in FHWA spending for fiscal 2013, industry expect if President Obama increases in transportation funding In the previous six-year spend- The president’s fiscal 2013 bud- although that would be supple- is re-elected in November? with half the expected savings from ing authorization, effective in 2003, get also contains $142.6 million for mented by the $50 billion in imme- No one knows for certain, of winding down the wars in Iraq and FMCSA was allocated $2.9 billion DOT’s Compliance, Safety, Ac- diate infrastructure investment that course, but the federal budget Afghanistan. over the six years, meaning that countability program. includes money for rail projects, as Obama submitted to Congress last The other half of the “war sav- under the Obama plan, its budget The National Highway Traffic well as roads and bridges. month may provide strong clues. ings” would be used to lower the would be 65.5 percent higher. Safety Administration would get FHWA’s estimated spending Obama proposed spending federal budget deficit. Based on LaHood’s statement $7.5 billion over six years, $330 for 2012 is $39.9 billion, down $476 billion on transportation over Under Obama’s latest budget, and the projected increased dollars million of which would be spent from the $41.8 billion authorized the coming six years in a plan that the FMCSA would receive $580 flowing to the FMCSA, it seems promoting USDOT’s campaign for 2011. includes $50 billion for immediate million in fiscal 2013, a 5 percent certain more regulations and an ag- against distracted driving, which However, by 2018, annual high- infrastructure spending to spur job increase over its 2011 allocation of gressive inspection and enforce- LaHood called an epidemic. way spending under Obama’s plan creation. $554 million. By 2018, FMCSA ment regimen would to be the In the previous reauthorization, would rise about 47 percent, reach- While many Americans are funding would top $1 billion. modus operandi during a second NHTSA was allocated $4.4 billion, ing $58.5 billion in 2018. calling for a smaller federal govern- LaHood said that over the six Obama Administration. meaning that, under Obama’s plan, The Congressional Budget Of- ment, three agencies with a major years of the Obama plan, FMCSA According to Transportation the agency’s six-year budget would fice recently said the Highway impact on the motorcoach industry would spend $4.8 billion in its ef- Department estimates, $250 mil- be 70 percent higher. Trust Fund, which depends heavily would get a whole lot bigger during fort “to ensure that commercial lion in 2013 FMCSA money would For fiscal 2013, NHTSA’s allo- on the 24.4-cent diesel tax and the a second Obama term. truck and bus companies maintain be spent on administration and on cation would be $981 million, a 23 18.4-cent gasoline tax, will run out The proposed fiscal 2013 high operational standards while “technology and programs that re- percent increase over its estimated of money in 2013. Obama budget, which is a scaled- getting high-risk truck and bus duce serious injuries and deaths re- 2012 spending of $800 million. Like the Obama proposal of last down version of the $560 billion year, his new transportation plan plan Obama proposed in his 2012 also contains billions of dollars for budget, would increase funding for Tips for keeping customers coming back high-speed passenger rail projects. the Federal Highway Administra- COLDWATER, Mich. — Ever than they paid for, or a little extra tomer would. What could you be In all, Obama requested spend- tion, the Federal Motor Carrier wonder why you can’t seem to they didn’t expect. doing better, and what is your ing $47 billion over six years on Safety Administration and the Na- keep new customers coming back? Customers should perceive competition doing better? high-speed rail, $2.7 billion of it in tional Highway Traffic Safety Here are a few ideas that will help: your service has having greater Think ahead to what the market 2013. Administration. Never let your customers forget value than that offered by your is going to be demanding months The Obama plan also would “Of the president’s $476 billion who you are; use every method nearest competitor. It’s not enough from now and determine what you “modernize and simplify the high- proposal, $305 billion would fund possible to keep yourself at the top to meet your customers’ needs; can do better then. way program structure by consoli- road and bridge improvements,” of their minds. you have to anticipate them. By Angela Shupe, a freelance dating more than 55 programs into U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Try giving customers more Look at your business as a cus- writer. five,” LaHood said. 10 March 15, 2012 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News Driver in fatal crash may have gotten CDL in N.Y. scam BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The the Department of Motor Vehicles coach that crashed last May on about it,” promised Pui Ng. The drivers needed to pass a driver involved in a high-profile office where the test was being I-95 in Virginia, killing four peo- Her husband recalled the de- road test once they passed the motorcoach crash that killed four conducted, authorities charged. ple and injuring 52 others, authori- ceit had failed just once: When the written test and paid $12.50 for a people on Interstate 95 last spring Ng then communicated the ties said. (See June 15 Bus & Mo- World Trade Center terror attacks commercial driving permit. may have gotten his license correct answers to the multiple- torcoach News.) knocked out local wireless service Authorities said at least 720 through a high-tech scam operated choice questions via the beeper: “The defendants’ conduct ap- on 9/11/2001. people in the last 26 months took by a husband and wife team over Two buzzes for A, four for B and pears to have had deadly conse- The undercover agent, speaking their road tests in vehicles regis- the past decade. six for C. quences,” Assistant U.S. Attorney in Mandarin, presented himself as a tered to the Ngs’ business, state- Federal prosecutors charged The scam operated with a Paul Tuchmann said in court papers. wanna-be driver who spoke little licensed N&Y Professional Ser- Phillip and Pui Ng last month with “money-back guarantee” for any- Investigators reportedly are English before Ng drove him to a vice Line. operating a “driving school” that one paying $1,800 for the right an- continuing to hunt for cheating state Department of Motor Vehicles illegally helped unqualified bus swers to the written state test, test-takers, with the intention of office in Staten Island and guided No scruples and truck drivers get commercial prosecutors said. pulling the illegally licensed driv- him through the CDL test via the U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch driver licenses. The test — applicants have to ers off the road. minicamera and beeper. said the couple showed a wanton According to prosecutors, the score 80 percent to pass — covers “I’ve helped people with the disregard for life and limb, sending scheme was straightforward and re- topics like passenger safety, air Undone by undercover written test for more than 10 years,” dangerous drivers onto the streets. markably simple: Ng fitted his cus- brakes, and general driving Ng, a naturalized U.S. citizen, Ng told the undercover agent be- “The defendants put the public tomers with a “varsity-style” jacket knowledge. boasted about his long history of fore helping him get 86 out of 95 — passengers, pedestrians and and attached a beeper to the would- duping state DMV workers. The questions right on the exam. drivers alike — at grave risk to line be driver’s belt on the day the indi- Tragic connection? couple also bragged to an under- According to court papers, the their own pockets,” Lynch said. vidual was to take the CDL test. One of the individuals linked cover federal agent about the ease investigation found that potential- Ng and his wife, the parents of A minicamera was hidden in- to the sham driving school owned and beauty of their unprecedented, ly “hundreds of drivers” who three, face up to 20 years in prison side a sleeve of the coat, beaming by the Hong Kong immigrants was long-running con. couldn’t read or speak English if convicted on federal conspiracy test questions to a video screen in- King Yiu Cheng, the driver of a “He will teach you what to were issued commercial licenses to commit mail fraud charges in side Ng’s minivan parked outside New York Chinatown-bound do.…You won’t have to worry by the state of New York. the case. dent, urging them to push for leg- GO Ground perform safety inspections of buses Several other operators sug- Bluffton crash islation mandating seatbelts on and motorcoach companies. gested the best way to fight back is CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 charter buses. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 “We can’t delegate this to an- not to join GO Ground and, instead, The coach then flipped and ro- Parents John and Joy Betts be- In addition, they fear their com- other agency,” he stressed. work to maintain and grow other tated, dropping 19 feet to the free- came outspoken advocates for bus panies could be perceived by the He did point out that while types of transportation services way below, landing on its left side safety legislation, prevailing on schools as being less safe than those FMCSA inspectors are specially with the universities and schools. and hitting a pickup truck. U.S. senators in Ohio and to working for GO Ground because of trained by the government, he did In an interview following Expo, The pickup driver, who rapidly introduce the Motorcoach En- the inspections offered by TSX. not know the extent of the training one large operator whose company accelerated when he saw the bus hanced Safety Act of 2007, a far- The issue surfaced during the TSX inspectors have or if they are transports a number of university annual State Association Summit certified to perform inspections. teams said he has taken a hard-line plunging, was not hurt, but five reaching bill that is still being conducted last month at UMA Mo- “But we need a little bit of help stand against GO Ground. passengers died, plus Niemeyer pushed in the Senate and the House. torcoach Expo in Long Beach, Calif. here,” said Libby. “They are gain- “It’s our own fault if we allow and his wife, who was sitting be- A competing bill, favored by Joan Libby, president of Cava- ing momentum.” them in the industry,” he said. hind him. Seven others were seri- much of the industry, is pending in lier Coach Trailways in Boston, Gladys Gillis of Starline Trans- The respected operator says he ously injured and 21 passengers the House. Mass., asked Van Steenburg to portation in Seattle said the FMCSA just says “no” when GO Ground received minor injuries. The National Transportation comment on GO Ground, TSX and could help change the perception and TSX call and try to coerce him Niemeyer, 65, was a relief driv- Safety Board, which conducted an other third-party inspections that the public might have of companies into joining the program and sign- er who seemingly had spent a rest- extensive investigation of the crash, are not associated with federal reg- not working for GO Ground by sim- ing up for the costly inspections. ful night in a motel before getting concluded that contributing to the ulatory agencies. ply upgrading the titles to its motor- “I say ‘no, and here are my rates.’ behind the wheel at 4:30 a.m. severity of the accident was the mo- While Van Steenburg said he coach safety rating system. I say ‘no, and here are my rates.’ I say The chartered coach was car- torcoach’s “lack of an adequate oc- could not judge GO Ground and its “The highest safety rating from ‘no, and here are my rates.’” rying the Bluffton team from Ohio cupant protection system.” safety inspection program, he em- the federal government is ‘satisfac- So far his strategy has worked. to a tournament game during The NTSB identified four phasized that his agency is the only tory’ and that’s not a very good sell- He has hauled several teams under spring break in Sarasota, Fla. major safety issues related to the one authorized by federal law to ing tool,” she said. Go Ground’s aegis. Many of the players and other crash: Inadequate HOV traffic passengers were sleeping or doz- control devices, inadequate motor CBA complaint In addition to price undercut- operate public transit routes be al- ing when the crash occurred. Some carrier driver oversight, lack of ting and shifting of funds, CBA lowed to share the facility, reduc- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 reportedly were sprawled across event data recorders on motor- also asked the FTA to include in an ing operating costs for SACRT. the contract with North Natomas audit SACRT’s construction of a Masui said the new facility is seats and even sleeping in the coaches, and “lack of motorcoach and it will begin operating the $25.6 million satellite bus mainte- being built in phases and funding aisle. The violence of the crash occupant protection.” shuttle this month. nance facility that’s projected to for some of the work has not yet threw passengers everywhere. The Bluffton crash prompted CBA said the lowball bidding cost much more to operate than the been secured. The facility is im- Almost immediately, there the National Highway Traffic for the North Natomas service was agency’s current facility. portant to the agency, she said, be- were passionate outcries from a Safety Administration to develop a not the first time SACRT has been “This second facility is sym- cause it currently only has one wide range of individuals, includ- broad-based bus safety initiative involved in such conduct. It cited bolic of SACRT staff’s manage- maintenance garage and fueling ing parents, safety advocates, poli- and conduct crash testing of mo- bids the agency filed for shuttle ment model, which is to expand its station for its entire fleet of buses. ticians and others, about the need torcoaches for the first time. services in Granite Regional Park infrastructure and facilities beyond Giddens said the overall situa- for seatbelts on the Bluffton bus Out of that testing the safety last year and Rancho Cordova in available resources, then devote tion has been exasperated by and on motorcoaches generally. agency has proposed seatbelts be 2009. management time and resources SACRT’s reduction over the past In fact, the industry’s accelerat- mandated for all new motorcoach- The association said the Ran- by hiring outside consultants to ul- few years of 20 percent of its bus ing transition during the past five es. A final seatbelt rule could be cho Cordova bid came at a time timately lobby and organize sup- service and 16 percent of its light- years to seatbelts on most new issued this year. SACRT was planning to reduce its port for more public tax dollars to rail service. coaches can be traced directly to the Also under consideration by own bus service due to operating sustain its overstretched, underper- “This was primarily due to an Bluffton crash and its aftermath. NHTSA are standards for roof expenses exceeding available forming bus and rail network,” excessively high operating cost Doctors from Grady Memorial strength and window glazing. funds. Giddens said. (structure) and an irrational bus Hospital, where many of the crash “The impact of these tragic acci- “These are examples of divert- CBA recommended the FTA network that needs to be restruc- victims had been taken, began dents can last for decades,” observed ing resources to operate non-core audit include an analysis of the tured with inherently high-cost phoning congressmen from Ohio UMA Vice President and Chief Op- bus service and risking losses by ­facility, and recommendations that routes being operated by lower- and Georgia soon after the acci- erating Officer Ken Presley. lowball bids,” Giddens said. private companies contracted to cost operators,” he added. UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION New at MOTORCOACH EXPO 2012

Prevost-Volvo/New Features Volvo has given its 9700 play has been relocated to the model, at right, a revamped in- top of the dashboard and a cup terior that includes new seat holder is within easy reach. The fabric packages, improved light- coach has a universal key, mak- ing, upgraded overhead passen- ing key management simpler. ger service panels that are at- Additionally, new handles in the tractively outlined in LED entry area, contrasting step lighting, an enhanced entry edges, LED step lighting, and an area, and redesigned overhead easily identifiable emergency parcel racks. A new audio/video door latch promote passenger system features the Bosch Pro- safety. tions, more efficient data transfer, more advanced ­between dispatcher and driver. fessional Line III. Among other The Volvo 9700, as well as all features, and an easier-to-use interface. The sys- Prevost says its Liaison is the only integrated things, the system is USB com- Prevost coaches, including the tem now utilizes a cellular network to improve sig- telematics system in the motorcoach industry and patible so any audio device can H3-45, top left, have the latest nal reliability and provide wider coverage. “Fault the only one developed by a manufacturer for its be connected, allowing audio version of the Prevost Liaison ve- alerts,” which are provided in real time, can be coaches. Liaison continuously monitors many on- selections to be customized to hicle management system. Pre- customized by vehicle type. The upgraded system coach electronic systems and lets users check on passengers. For drivers, the tire vost said the updated Liaison 2.0 introduces a digital messaging system, allowing the vital statistics of each motorcoach at any time, pressure monitoring system dis- offers more reliable communica- pre-set or customized messages to be sent or on a schedule.

Temsa/A new 30-footer Temsa introduced the TS 30, ertrain. The TS 30 is equipped at right, during Motorcoach with a Cummins ISB 6.7-liter, Expo. Bob Foley, president and 250-horsepower engine, an Alli- CEO of CH Trading Co., the U.S. son B300 transmission, roof- distributor of Temsa, said the mounted Thermo King air condi- compact TS 30 will help opera- tioning unit, dual Leece Neville tors diversity their fleets. The 30- alternators, seating with three- foot, Turkish-built coach seats point seatbelts, cruise control, 34 passengers with a restroom LED-type interior and exterior and 36 without. It has an ergo- lights, Knorr disc brakes, and sold in North America that are integral construc- tively-priced coaches that meet the demands of nomic driver’s cockpit, 141 Meritor Wabco ABS and ATC. tion (monocoque) using stainless steel. Foley and U.S. operators, including after-sales service and square feet of under-coach lug- Both the TS 30 and its big other CH executives, as well as those with Temsa, support. gage space, automatic A/C sys- brother, the TS 35, above left, said the companies are not only committed to the Next up for Temsa and CH Trading will be a 45- tem, and an all-American pow- are the only small motorcoaches U.S. market but committed to supplying competi- foot model. 12 March 15, 2012 UMA MOTORCOACH EXPO Bus & Motorcoach News MCI/Campaigning Motor Coach Industries em- phasized its new marketing cam- paign during Expo. “This year’s UMA Expo is particularly signifi- cant for us,” said Patricia Ziska, MCI vice president of sales and marketing. “The biggest news we want to share focuses on our most recent improvements in manufac- turing, parts and service. We con- sider these accomplishments among the biggest in our history, and we’re looking forward to demonstrating our ‘Reliability Driv- en’ promise in all customer en- counters MCI-wide.” MCI hon- ored Ambassatours Gray Line of Halifax, Nova Scotia, recognizing the operator’s emission-cutting policies developed in cooperation with the Children’s Clean Air Net- work. MCI’s stand featured two J4500s, at right, the nation’s top- selling motorcoach for seven con- secutive years. The latest J4500s feature updated Amerex fire-sup- pression systems, with optional new steerable tag axle, upgraded Wi-Fi, and Amaya A-2TEN seating with three-point seatbelts.

Setra-Daimler Bus/More stability Setra announced at Motor- Also on display at the Setra/ coach Expo that its proprietary Daimler stand at Expo was a new ESP System (electronic stability Mercedes-Benz Sprinter , control program) is now standard above. The Sprinter is available in on both Setra TopClass S 417, a number of floor-plan configura- above top, and ComfortClass S tions suitable for hotel, airport, 407, above middle, coaches. Setra commuter and paratransit shuttle BCI America introduced the Ex- ized version of a coach developed said its ESP System works in con- work; it can seat up to 16. Rear or BCI/New coach plorer 45 at Motorcoach Expo. The by BCI Bus of Australia, and assem- junction with the automatic trac- side wheelchair-lift mounting also Explorer is essentially an American- bled in a new joint-venture Chi- tion control and the anti-lock is available. nese plant managed by BCI Bus. braking systems to help maintain The Explorer features North Ameri- driving stability in critical situa- LZ/Falcon 45 can and European components, in- tions. If the ESP system detects a cluding Cummins, Allison, Parker/ critical condition, such as an eva- LZ Busline is the U.S. manu- Vansco, Bitzer, Knorr-Bremse, Ben- sive maneuver, it will automati- facturer’s representative for dix, Grammer, Monogram and ZF. cally reduce engine output and/or Bonluck Bus Co. of China, build- BCI America is establishing a deal- activate the brakes on specific er of the Falcon 45, which was er network that already includes wheels, until vehicle stability has developed and formerly sold by Matthews Bus Sales, Bus been regained. “The ESP feature the defunct Bus & Coach Inter- Sales and Schetcky Northwest brings us a step closer to minimiz- national. The Falcon 45 was in- Sales, and is giving the Explorer an ing accidents through technologi- troduced at UMA Expo 2007 in extended introduction that in- cal innovations, and ensuring the . LZ is distributing cludes being driven from coast to highest possible safety in our the Falcon from its headquarters coast. Financing for the coach is coaches,” said Patrick Scully, chief in suburban St. Louis, and it being handled by Innovative Leas- commercial officer for Daimler maintains a parts warehouse in been established in Missouri, information, go to www.lz- ing Services. For information, go Buses North America. St. Louis. Service centers have Texas, Nevada and . For busline.com. to www.bciamerica.net. 13Bus & MarchMotorcoach 15, 2012 News OPINIONUMA MOTORCOACH / NEWS ANALYSIS EXPO BusMarch & Motorcoach 15, 2012 News13

Alexander Dennis Enviro 400. specifically for the North American The United Kingdom’s leading bus market, to Expo. The 35-foot coach builder brought its new open-top, seats 80, 51 up top. It uses a Cum- double-deck tourist bus, designed mins ISL engine.

ABC/Announcements ABC Companies came to Mo- torcoach Expo with announce- ments for a variety of company initiatives, including expanding its coach refurbishing services, ex- panding its social media outreach, and acquiring Fleet Fueling Sys- Stallion 900. The 35-foot, 38- rugged Freightliner XBR chassis that tems Inc. It also announced it passenger Stallion uses a Cummins/ features ZF-independent front air Allison powertrain mounted in a suspension. plans to expand its newly acquired Hudson Body Co. operation in , and to make a real- time remote engine diagnostic system available later this year as standard on all new Van Hool coaches equipped with engines, including C2045 models, at right. Additionally, ABC launched a new branding cam- paign designed to communicate the variety of services available under the ABC name. “The ABC One campaign is designed to furbishment business unit now in- tendees to join its social network, communicate the simplicity and cludes specialized programs for ABC gave away five classic beach one-stop convenience of doing refurbishing Van Hool coaches, cruiser bicycles, which were business with a trusted, diverse partial and total refurb options for mounted on a special rack on the Caio G3600. Caio North America Freightliner sled-style chassis with organization,” said ABC President fleet owners, and powertrain re- back of a Van Hool TD925 double and Caio Induscar of Sao Paulo, Bra- a Caio Induscar body. A new Caio and CEO Dane Cornell. ABC’s re- zil, returned to Expo with this G3600, distribution network appears to be in placement. To encourage Expo at- decker on the show floor, at top. an integrated coach that mates a the offing. Musuem/Masterpiece The Pacific Bus Museum of Sacramento, Calif., brought its lat- est acquisition to Expo, a pristine 1969 Flxible model 223 DD FlxLin- er, the last intercity model pro- duced by the old Flxible Corp. of Loudonville, Ohio. The FlxLiner was purchased new by San Joa- quin Delta Junior College District in Stockton, Calif., in 1970. For the next 40 years it transported the college’s sports teams throughout the state. Roughly two years ago, the college decided it was time to get a new coach and it traded its Glaval Synergy. Elkhart, Ind.- Freightliner XBR chassis, the Synergy venerable FlxLiner in on a Setra. was able to acquire the FlxLiner restore the coach to its 1969 glory. based Glaval Bus had two buses at has a Cummins/Allison powertrain. Thanks to the generosity of Setra last year. Only minor, largely cos- Remarkable. Contact the museum Expo, one of which was its coach- The 35-foot coach can seat up to of North America, the museum metic, touching-up was needed to at www.pacbus.org. style Synergy, above. Built on a 41, with a restroom. 14 March 15, 2012 SCENES FROM MOTORCOACH EXPO Bus & Motorcoach News

Cary Martin of Little Rock Tours & Award/Small Operator, asks a Travel in Little Rock, Ark., last question at the General Session year’s winner of the Vision that kicked off Expo.

Expo gives operators a chance to see products first Lee, Earl Reed and James Edward of Royal Coach hand. Above right, Sean O’Neil, CEO of IDrive, the Tours in San Jose, Calif. Below left, Richie Rodriguez vehicle monitoring system supplier, demonstrates the of Cougar Bus Lines in Laredo, Texas, discusses parts company’s event data recorder to (from left) Scott with Bob Kirkman of Kirk’s Automotive.

Ray Land of Fabulous Coach ble by letting everyone know that Lines in Branford, Fla., kicks off anyone who’s “young at heart” the UMA Young Guns Roundta- can participate.

From left, Jeff Polzien of Red Car- Ontario and Doug Switzer of the pet Charters in Oklahoma City, Ontario Motor Coach Associa- Larry Hundt of Great Canadian tion in Toronto, take a break dur- Holiday & Coaches in Kitchener, ing the annual golf tournament.

Lou Sardo of Sardo Bus & Coach Upholstery in Clermont, Fla., per- forms his stand up comedy rou- tine during the Vision Awards .

Photos by David Braun Photography, Las Vegas — Leadership Luncheon attendees are amused by speaker Bruce Kimbrell of the Disney Institute. www.DavidBraun.com Bus & Motorcoach News SCENES FROM MOTORCOACH EXPO March 15, 2012 15

From left, Joe Kobussen of Ko- Caughey of Flagship Trailways in bussen Trailways in Kaukauna, Cranston, R.I., and Alan Thrasher Wis.; Joe Cyr of Cyr Bus Line in of Thrasher Brothers Trailways in Old Town, ; Tom Mc- Birmingham, Ala. meet at Expo.

From left, Frank Farrow of Peter ways in District Heights, Md.; Pan Bus Lines in Secaucus, N.J., is Larry Williams of L.W. Transporta- joined by James Brown of Magic tion in Chantilly, Va., and Charles Carpet Tours in Richmond, Va.; Morgan of Morgan & Sons Week- Eddie Mason of First Priority Trail- End Tours in Greensboro, N.C.

UMA President & CEO Victor front, from MCI, Tom Ready of Parra and NTSB Chairman Debo- Ready Bus Lines in La Crescent, rah Hersman, front at right, arrive Minn., center back, and Mitch at Expo on a new MCI J4500, Guralnick and Brent Maitland of along with Brent Thacher, left MCI. Maintenance Interchange participants are all smiles after a day of problem solving.

Operators from Florida connect left, in Vero Beach, and Saman- at Expo in California. George tha and Eddie Serrano of Empire Childers of Magic Carpet Ride, Coach Line Inc. in Orlando. Kevin Whitworth of Whitworth Bus in Dayton, Ohio, leads a Maintenance Interchange discussion. 16 March 15, 2012 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News Tourism Cares Operators are awarded wheelchair-lift grants Alabama Indiana Mississippi Trans-Bridge Lines, Bethlehem: helps Pensacola Capital Trailways, Montgomery: Free Enterprise System, Lansing: ACR Coach, Starkville: $31,200 $123,649 $35,000 $35,000 Transportation Management at end of month Colonial Trailways, Mobile: $56,610 Royal Excursions Chauffeur, North Carolina Services, Sewickly: $27,668 PENSACOLA, Fla. — Tour- Thrasher Brothers Trailways, Mishawaka: $26,877 American Charters, Winston-Salem: ism Cares, the non-profit industry Birmingham: $26,770 Star of Indiana/Free Enterprise $70,000 South Carolina organization with a mission to Spirit Coach, Madison: $29,738 Co., Bloomington: $29,700 Champion Coach, Greenville: preserve the travel experience for Tri-State Coach Lines/Coach USA, Nebraska $25,834 future generations, will bring vol- Arkansas Gary: $77,500 Arrow Stage Lines, Omaha: unteers here later this month to Little Rock Tours, Little Rock: $227,250 Rhode Island tackle two Pensacola projects. $35,000 Bonanza Bus Lines/Peter Pan Bus, The volunteers will clean and Arizona Mountain View Tours, Shockey Tours, Louisville: $33,000 Nevada Providence: $173,690 fix up the Pensacola Lighthouse Tucson: $35,000 Celebrity Coaches of America, and the shoreline on Bayou Texar. Louisiana Las Vegas: $35,000 The project workday will be California Calco Travel Inc., Geismar: Gray Line Nashville: $34,349 Friday, March 30. All West Coachlines/Coach $29,700 New Jersey Pensacola Lighthouse has tow- Texas America, Sacramento: $25,200 Gaten’s Adventures Unlimited, Academy Express, Hoboken: ered over Pensacola Bay since $761,029 Americanos USA/Greyhound Lines, Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation, Hammond: $27,000 1859 and is still in use today. Ex- Suburban Trails/Coach USA, : $236,546 San Francisco: $29,700 Hotard Coaches, New Orleans: tensive painting projects of both Paramus: $245,506 El Expreso Bus/Coach America, Coach America, /Long $210,150 the exterior and interior of the : $66,305 Beach: $105,582 Tri-City Charters of Bossier City: house will be done by Tourism New Mexico Executive Coach, Irving: $30,297 Gold Coast Tours/Hot Dogger $20,376 Cares volunteers. All Aboard America!, Santa Fe: Greyhound Lines, Dallas: Landscaping and parking lot Tours, Brea: $35,000 $136,193 $2,444,312 upgrades also are slated. Pacific Coast Sightseeing Tours, Kerrville Bus Co./Coach America, Bloom’s Bus Lines, Taunton: Volunteers will join with The Anaheim: $52,650 San Antonio: $129,025 $50,400 New York Ecosystem Restoration Section of Pacific Trailways of Southern Adirondack Trailways, Hurley: Lone Star Coaches, Grand Prairie: Cavalier Coach/Cavalier Trailways, the Florida Department of Envi- California, Garden Grove: $35,000 $225,794 $35,000 ronmental Protection northwest Boston: $35,000 Silverado Trailways, San Luis Chenango Valley Bus Lines, Omnibus Express, Houston: district in partnership with others Wilson Bus Lines, East Templeton: Obispo: $32,778 Binghamton: $30,000 $35,840 to participate in the conservation $29,700 Excellent Bus Service, Brooklyn: Star Shuttle & Charter/Gray Line of of Pensacola Bay. Connecticut $34,508 San Antonio: $29,700 Volunteers will install vegeta- Maryland DATTCO, New Britain: $70,000 Hampton Jitney, Southhampton: tion and near-shore oyster reefs AP Xpress, Hyattsville: $35,000 Post Road Stages, South Windsor: $86,017 Virginia along 1,500 feet of shoreline on Golden Ring Travel Inc., Baltimore: $33,000 North Fork Express, Hampton Bays: Chariots for Hire, Sterling: $35,000 Bayou Texar. The project will en- $35,000 $35,000 James River Bus Lines, Richmond: hance and restore habitats, stabi- Woodlawn Motor Coach, Woodlawn: Florida Paradise Travel, Franklin Square: $25,830 lize the shoreline, and serve as a $29,900 natural filtration system for runoff American Coach Lines of : $31,500 Venture Tours Inc., Virginia Beach: $70,000 Upstate Transit of Saratoga, $21,771 and potential pollutants. Maine For information and to regis- Annett Bus Lines, Sebring: $28,283 Saratoga Springs: $29,700 Custom Coach & , ter, go to www.tourismcares.org/ Astro Travel and Tours, Tallahassee: Yankee Trails, Rensselaer: $29,700 Gorham: $25,504 volunteer. $34,350 Bristol Tours, Bristol: $32,785 Daytona-Orlando Transit Services, Ohio Orlando: $25,200 Lakefront Lines/Coach America, Washington Calendar Escot Bus Lines, Largo: $13,595 Indian Trails Inc., Owosso: Brook Park: $53,568 MTR Western, Seattle: $81,540 $28,175 MARCH 2012 Florida Cruise Connection, Precious Cargo Transportation, Chagrin Falls: $35,000 Wisconsin 21 Maryland Motorcoach Sarasota: $25,200 Badger Coaches, Madison: $78,849 Association Group Leader Mar­- Midnight Sun Tours, Lake Worth: Jefferson Lines, Minneapolis: Kobussen Trailways, Kaukauna,: ketplace, Ellicott City, Md. Info: $25,833 Oregon $129,025 $27,450 www.marylandmotorcoach.org. Magic Carpet Ride, Vero Beach: Raz Transportation/Coach $32,960 Lorenz Bus Service, Minneapolis: America, Portland: $29,700 Lamers Bus Lines, Green Bay: 29-30 Tourism Cares for $74,534 $68,600 Pensacola (Fla.), Pensacola Georgia Trobec’s Bus Service, St. Stephen: Riteway Bus Service, Richfield: $22,500 Lighthouse and Bayou Texar, American Coach Lines of Atlanta: Carl R. Bieber, Kutztown: $35,000 Voigt’s Bus Service Inc., St. Cloud: Pensacola. Info: www.Tourism $23,244 $116,481 Wisconsin Coach Lines/Coach $52,650 USA, Waukesha: $91,393 Cares.org/Volunteer. Southeastern Stages, Atlanta: Central Cab Co./Coach USA, $64,513 Waynesburg: $25,331 APRIL 2012 Missouri David Thomas Tours, : West Virginia Mountaineer Coach/Coach USA, 1-4 Ontario Transportation Hawaii Mid-American Coaches, $35,500 Washington: $35,000 Martz Trailways, Wilkes Barre: Beaver: $26,081 Expo, Toronto, Can. Info: Go to Polynesian Adventure Tours/Gray $331,523 www.ote.ca. Line, Honolulu: $71,036 10-11 Northwest Motorcoach cent accessible later this year. Co.) of Dallas, $236,546. Association General Meeting Lift grants Other big winners in the latest Operators in a total of 38 states and Annual Mechanic Training, Burlington Trailways, West CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 round of grants included Academy received grant money. Noah’s Ark, Woodland, Wash. Burlington: $70,153 Over the years, Greyhound and Express of Hoboken, N.J., For more information about Info: Email nwmotorcoach@aol. $761,029; Frank Martz Coach Co./ the program, go to www.fta.dot.gov. com. Illinois other large operators have received the lion’s share of the wheelchair Martz Trailways of Wilkes Barre, For grant-specific questions, Chicago Trolley/Coach USA: 24-26 United Motorcoach lift grant money because of the Pa., $331,523; Suburban Trails (a contact the FTA regional office in $25,200 Association Washington Fly-In federal requirement that their Coach USA Co.) of New Bruns- your area or call Blenda Younger, Vandalia Bus Lines, Caseyville: 2012, Washington, D.C. Info: fleets had to be 50 percent acces- wick, N.J., $245,506, and Ameri- Office of Program Management, $29,700 Email [email protected]. sible in 2006 and must be 100 per- canos USA (a Greyhound Lines at (202) 366-4345. Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS March 15, 2012 17 Diesel spikes above $4; will there be a repeat of ’08? The average U.S. price of die- prices are up by an average of diesel will be “the most challeng- time highs seen in 2008, say two the country — the Pacific North- sel fuel has climbed above $4 a roughly 35 cents a gallon. ing product to replace as there are forecasters. west, California, maybe New Eng- gallon after spiking late last month, The U.S. West Coast has seen few alternative supply sources out- Tom Kloza, chief analyst for land — flirt with a $5 price. But reports the Energy Information the biggest surge in diesel prices, side the U.S. Gulf Coast.” the Oil Price Information Service, no, I think that’s probably hyper- Administration in its Gas and Fuel climbing to more than $4.33 a Average gasoline prices have says the upward pressure on diesel bole for the most part.” Update. gallon. climbed above $3.72 a gallon. fuel has more to do with global de- Kloza believes diesel will stay The climb to more than $4.05 a Bloomberg reported that ultra- Oil prices have generally stabi- mand than it does speculation or below 2008’s historic highs, which gallon marked the first time the low sulfur diesel supplies might be lized above $100 a barrel, affected the oil markets. helped put the nation into recession. average diesel fuel price has been tight in the U.S. East Coast during by Western nations’ fears of Iran “I think there’s a better chance The Energy Information Ad- more than $4 since November. the next year due to refinery shut- building a nuclear weapon, as well that diesel would hit $5 than gaso- ministration, in the February edi- Diesel prices have been rising downs and transportation con- as the dollar strengthening and lin- line would hit $5, but I think it tion of its Short-Term Energy Out- steadily for a month and a half, straints limiting shipping from the gering concerns over the European would be an excessive price,” look, estimated an average diesel with the average U.S. diesel price Gulf Coast. (See related story financial crisis. Kloza said in a radio interview. price of $3.91 this year and an av- increasing by nearly 25 cents a below.) Price forecast Diesel prices in “You may see, at some point in erage gasoline price of $3.53 for gallon. In a separate report, the Energy the U.S. aren’t likely to hit the all- 2012, diesel prices on the edges of the year. Compared to a year ago, diesel Information Administration said Refinery shutdowns could impact Northeast diesel supplies, prices PHILADELPHIA — Supplies more, as infrastructure changes of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel in the will be necessary to accommodate U.S. Northeast could be greatly im- the changing product flows,” the pacted if Sunoco Inc. follows EIA said. through with plans to shut down its The impact on diesel fuel prices Philidelphia refinery in July if no in the Northeast are “highly uncer- buyer is found. tain” in the event the Philadelphia That’s the warning in a report refinery closes, said the agency. from the U.S. Energy Information “If areas cannot be adequately Administration. supplied in the short term, prices The refinery produces 335,000 can spike,” the EIA said. “In the barrels a day, making up 24 percent longer run, higher prices and pos- of the refining capacity on the East sibly higher price volatility can re- Coast as of August, the EIA says. sult from longer supply chains. The Last month saw the closure of potential loss of the Sunoco Phila- Hovensa SA, a 350,000-barrel-a- delphia refinery presents a com- day joint venture refinery operated plex supply challenge, and no sin- by Hess Corp. and Venezuela’s state- gle solution has been identified by owned Petroleos de Venezuela. industry participants that will ad- “Ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel all of the logistical hurdles will be the most challenging prod- that must be overcome.” uct to replace, as there are few al- In 1988, Sunoco acquired the ternative supply sources outside of refinery in South Philadelphia as the U.S. Gulf Coast,” the Energy part of its purchase of Atlantic Re- Information Administration says. fining and Marketing Company “Transportation constraints and, in 1994, purchased an adjacent may also hamper the movement of refinery from Chevron. all replacement products through Integrating the two refineries Pennsylvania and into western New into one facility with two operating York, areas currently supplied by areas, Sunoco created the Philadel- pipelines originating in the Phila- phia Refinery, the oldest continu- delphia area refinery complex. The ously operating petroleum facility industry may not be able to over- in the world with origins dating come all of the logistical challeng- back to the 1860’s when the petro- es in the Northeast for a year or leum industry was in its infancy. Biodiesel sets output record The U.S. biodiesel industry set a was reinstated at the end of 2010. production record in 2011, produc- The incentive expired again on Dec. ing more than 802 million gallons of 31, 2011, from lack of congressional biodiesel in plants from Florida to action. Iowa to Washington state. The 2011 production supported Last year’s output more than dou- more than 31,000 jobs -- up from bled 2010 production of about 315 fewer than 13,000 in 2010 -- while million gallons, and broke the previ- generating at least $3 billion in eco- ous record of about 690 million gal- nomic activity and $628 million in advert-artwork-8.17-10.5-clear-embed.indd 1 24/06/2010 14:36:19 lons set in 2009. federal, state and local tax revenue, The record came after a $1-per- according to a study conducted by gallon federal tax credit for biodieseladvert-artwork-8.17-10.5-clear-embed.indd Cardno-Entrix. 1 24/06/2010 14:36:19

advert-artwork-8.17-10.5-clear-embed.indd 1 24/06/2010 14:36:19 18 March 15, 2012 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News IMG president sets goals, predicts industry growth OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — transportation Coming in 2013... When the International Motor fields and in- Coming in 2013... Coach Group began its wide-rang- c r e a s e t h e Coming in 2013... ing search for someone to replace business op- its long-time president last year, it p o r t u n i t i e s wanted to find an executive who f o r i t s had extensive experience in the members. motorcoach industry. “ Wi t h a In selecting Bronwyn Wilson, network that Coming in 2013... it got much more than that. o p e r a t e s Wilson, who took over as pres- t h r o u g h o u t Bronwyn Wilson ident of the organization of select the United States and Canada and operators last month, not only un- a commitment to excellence, both derstands the motorcoach business in vehicles and customer service, but she also has a wealth of experi- this is a message that should reso- ence in the travel and tour industry nate with customers and a message as well. we need to ensure is prominent,” In fact, she has spent her entire she said. 25-year professional career getting Additionally, she plans to focus the two industries to not only work on IMG as an organization and together but to prosper as well. what it can bring to the customers Wilson began her career in of its members. 1987 as a production manager for “By enhancing that message Australian Pacific Touring, one of and communicating it broadly, we January 19 -23, 2013 | Orlando, Florida Australia’s largest escorted opera- will look to expand the marketing January 19 -23, 2013 | Orlando, Florida tors that run tours and cruises opportunities for everyone,” she January 19 -23, 2013 | Orlando, Florida worldwide. stressed. UMA Motorcoach EXPO + NTA Convention When she started, the company Wilson sees strong growth in UMAUMA Motorcoach Motorcoach EXPOEXPO ++ NTA ConventionConvention owned a fleet of more than 100 the industry, partially because it Mercedes-Benz motorcoaches that has done a good of job listening to were used for sightseeing tours in its customers and responding to January 19 -23, 2013 | Orlando, Florida major cities and for taking Austra- their needs. lian and international travelers into “Look at vehicles today, more UMA Motorcoach EXPO + NTA Convention the Outback and other remote re- luxury in seating, better viewing, gions of Australia. features such as Wi-Fi, develop- A few years later, Australian ments in technology for micro- Pacific Touring moved her to Los phones, so commentary can be heard Angeles to establish the company’s clearly,” she said. “All of these fac- first international escorted pro- tors create a superior experience.” a World gram, which offered tours in both Additionally, she cited im- the United States and Canada. provements in the motorcoaches aaWorldWorld Among her responsibilities was that have produced better fuel contracting with motorcoach economy, less road noise and less of Opportunity companies. pollution, all of which have en- “As APT was a motorcoach op- hanced the customers’ experience a Worldofof OpportunityOpportunity erator, we were very keen to use while helping the environment. quality operators and, at that time, Wilson also noted the increased those operators who had more Eu- attention to improving driver pro- of Opportunity ropean-styled coaches,” she said. fessionalism — from driving skills “By 2010, APT had become one of to customer care, which she sug- the largest inbound operators of gested is a mantra for IMG compa- escorted touring in western nies and has increased the value of Canada.” motorcoach travel. Wilson, who was among more “With all these improvements, than 150 people who applied to re- the motorcoach industry today, place Steve Klika at IMG, said she particularly in North America, was attracted to the organization finds itself looking at new growth because of her work in the escort- opportunities, not only from for- ed touring industry. eign visitors taking advantage of “With the main mode of trans- the U.S. dollar, but also domestic portation being motorcoaches, travelers, who with gas prices ris- there was a natural affinity with the ing, see motorcoach travel as an motorcoach industry,” she said. extremely viable travel option.” “IMG represents companies that I Klika, who headed IMG for 11 have worked with in the past and I years, left the organization in De- www.motorcoachexpo.com have always been impressed by the cember to take over management quality of IMG operators, the atten- of two sister companies in the em- www.motorcoachexpo.com tion to safety through driver educa- ployment staffing business. He tion, plus the ability of the IMG remains connected to the transpor- www.motorcoachexpo.com network to support each other.” tation industry though his mem- www.motorcoachexpo.com In her new job, she said her pri- bership on the boards of the Kan- mary goal will be to raise the pro- sas City Transit Authority and the file of IMG within the various Global Passenger Network. Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS March 15, 2012 19 Drivers: Also pay attention to what’s going on behind you By Dave Millhouser dows and stuck lacrosse sticks out, tumbling pedestrian when window has monitors on the upper level, so cumstances… rowing in unison, as if we were a latching let go. the driver can see what is happen- how, and what, Hammering his Scenicruiser Viking longship. California is considering a ing. A mirror does fine on most to report. west through the night, Leon no- Two things to consider: Yes, I “Party Bus” law that would hold buses but the fact this company S c e n i - ticed a familiar odor wafting am old enough to remember buses drivers legally responsible for such spends big dollars on an electronic cruisers had through his coach. with windows that opened. And, things as underage passengers system demonstrates how impor- another quirk. A couple of facts might bring second, we always tried to be aware using illegal substances. tant it considers the interior The batteries clarity to the situation. In his life of what was happening behind us, If we accept the concept that environment. were on a roll- before buses, Leon had been a mu- inside the coach — whether it was drivers, like ship captains, are re- Some “event recorders” have ing tray above Dave Millhouser sician and had some familiarity responsibility or self preservation. sponsible for all that happens on the ability to record the interior if the radiator. with the aroma illegal substances Back in the day, one objective their passage, then it’s worthwhile there is an incident, and many Someone forgot to replace the make when burning. was making sure the kids weren’t to give thought to how you want school and transit operators now locking pin one day, and a left turn And, one of the weaknesses of hanging body parts far enough out them to handle things. mount interior cameras to capture rolled the tray out. Then, those the Scenicruiser design was the the window to get them lopped off. One part can surely involve unusual occurrences. These gener- jewels fell off. fact the air intake for the HVAC Some recent incidents make it training. ally are “after the fact,” but may As the coach rolled down the was next to the lavatory door. The clear that what is happening be- Bus builders mount mirrors, provide deterrence, as well as two lane, banging, dangling batter- whole coach smelled like marijua- hind the driver remains a major inside and out, for a reason. Re- evidence. ies spewed acid all over the bus’ na…and all the passengers were concern. mind drivers to use them for both Not so long ago, sophisticated back end, as well as fellow travel- giggling. The tragedy involving hazing traffic and awareness of what is operators boasted of having ers. Then the cables broke. Always the clever one, Leon in the back of a charter coach is going on inside the coach. “Radio Equipped” coaches…ac- The driver’s first hint of trouble stopped the bus, knocked on the one example. The jury is out as to In driver meetings, consider curately implying that communi- came when he tried to re-start the bathroom door and told the three the ultimate responsibility but discussing how to handle situa- cation via airwaves was a safety bus after a stop. When he called in, kids inside to come out and throw there is a ton of anguish for every- tions that might arise. Role playing feature. Medical, logistical or po- we told him to check the batteries. away the dope. one involved. A major concern is might work and you can bet many lice help was immediately avail- “What batteries?” In ye olden days, we hauled what the driver knew… and when. of your drivers have stories to able (a big deal to seniors). An early glance at the mirror mostly high school kids and every A line carrier was recently em- share. With cell phones and other might have given him a hint of trip was an adventure. barrassed nationally when a pas- Sometimes (GASP!), alcohol modern electronics, virtually every trouble, and prevented the convoy With some of our passengers, senger exposed himself to a lady may be aboard, and ultimately it coach is “Radio Equipped”… but of acid-etched “fellow travelers” the cloud of hormones hovering (who later complained the compa- may be the carrier who pays for it’s worthwhile to provide training that soon “explained” to him above the group was so thick that, ny did not take the incident any mischief that results, so have in how you want them used. where his batteries had gone. at sundown, we put boys on one seriously). policies in place. In addition to explaining new Dave Millhouser is a bus indus- bus, girls on the other, and NEVER Lavatory wrestling matches There are some new technolo- regulations regarding driver cell try marketing consultant and free- passed each other. have resulted in the loser being gies that help. One major carrier phone use, consider offering guid- lance writer. Contact him by email One group opened the win- ejected and quickly becoming a that operates double-deck coaches ance on who to call in various cir- at: [email protected]. 20 March 15, 2012 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News Greyhound icon Fred Dunikoski dies Driver cleared in fatal crash SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A trial Tomaszewski was using a SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. — Fred tably the bitter driver’s strike that began M r . D u - driver for megabus.com was ac- personal GPS device as he tried Dunikoski, who was a top executive at in late 1984. nikoski was in- quitted last month of homicide to find his way to the bus station Greyhound Lines during what was per- Three years later, Greyhound Lines volved in numer- charges in the deaths of four pas- and passed 13 low-bridge warn- haps its most tumultuous era, died here was sold by Greyhound Corporation to ous travel-related sengers killed when his double- ing signs, some with flashing last month. He was 86. a group of investors headed by Fred and civic organi- decker coach crashed into a low yellow lights, before the crash. Mr. Dunikoski went to work for Currey, becoming a standalone bus zations, not only Central Greyhound Lines in New York company. serving on their overpass in . Tomaszewski’s lawyer ar- as a clerk-typist at the tender age of 16. Mr. Dunikoski decided the time boards but also A county court judge an- gued the state and CSX railroad When he retired from Greyhound Bus was right to retire — even at the tender playing a key nounced the verdict after a non- officials were responsible for Lines in 1987, he was president and age of 61. role in their ac- jury trial for 60-year-old John failing to fix the danger present- CEO. During his years at Greyhound, Mr. tivities. For ex- Tomaszewski of Yardville, N.J. ed by the bridge, the scene of nu- Mr. Dunikoski reached Greyhound’s Dunikoski was a zealous company ad- ample, he served Fred Dunikoski Tomaszewski faced up to merous accidents over the years. management ranks around 1970, which vocate, dogged in his pursuit of the best for years on the board of the Phoenix four years in state prison on each He also said Tomaszewski had happened to coincide with the compa- for the company and quality service. Visitors and Convention Bureau, becom- of four counts of criminally neg- limited experience and was on ny’s long, slow decline, resulting largely His company ardor tended not to endear ing its president, as well as the Devereux ligent homicide. the parkway for the first time. from the build out of the Interstate sys- him to those outside Greyhound. Center for Autistic Children, and the Sun “It was a tragic accident and Several civil lawsuits have tem and the growing popularity of the “Fred was the penultimate bus guy,” Dome Performing Arts Association. four people lost their lives,” To- been filed in connection with the automobile. These factors and others said one long-time admirer. “Whether He helped promote a busload of maszewski said as he left court. incident. They were put on hold sent Greyhound ridership downward. you loved him or not, he was absolutely benefit golf tournaments and fund-rais- “It’s something I’ll have to deal pending the outcome of the The parent company, Greyhound committed to the best in our industry.” ing cruises. with the rest of my life.” criminal case. Corporation, saw the trend and used the Mr. Dunikoski retired from Grey- Mr. Dunikoski was a first-genera- There were 29 passengers on Earlier this year, commercial cash flow from the bus line to exten- hound but he didn’t slow down. tion American, his parents having im- the megabus that Tomaszewski traffic was banned from the sively diversify, starving the bus opera- ABC Companies’ Founder Clar- migrated to the U.S. from Poland. He was driving when it hit a low highway where the crash tion of resources. ence ‘Clancy’ Cornell asked Mr. Du- grew up on New York’s Long Island. railroad bridge in Salina, N.Y., occurred. Mr. Dunikoski remained with the nikoski to join the ABC board. He ac- At 17, he joined the Marines shortly just outside Syracuse, early on State transportation crews bus line, however, moving up the cor- cepted and served with distinction until after the Japanese attack on Pearl Har- the morning of Sept. 11, 2010. installed signs warning of the porate ladder, holding various vice his death — 24 years later. bor in December 1941. He participated Tomaszewski was driving ban on the Onondaga Lake Park- president positions, until 1978 when he “Fred’s impact on ABC and our in- in the Normandy invasion, as well as from Philadelphia to Toronto — way, also known as Route 370. became an executive vice president. dustry is immeasurable,” said Dane Cor- the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. with a planned stop in Syracuse Other safety measures in- A year later, he was named presi- nell, president and CEO of ABC Compa- After the war, he spent the next 40- — when he missed an exit from clude warning lights and a laser dent and chief operating officer, a title nies. “ABC and numerous organizations plus years at Greyhound. Interstate 81 and ended up on the detection system that alerts driv- he held for four years, until he was ele- have benefited from his tireless and He is survived by his wife of 64 parkway instead. ers that their over-height vehi- vated to president and CEO in 1983. wide-ranging leadership over the past years, Rita, sons Fred and Bob, and Assistant District Attorney cles are in danger of hitting the His senior executive years at Grey- two decades. He will be greatly missed daughters Sue Porizek and Donna Chris Bednarksi said during the bridge that spans the highway. hound were filled with challenges, no- as a leader, a mentor and a friend.” Schlenger.

Two used 2009 Model FOR SALE Van Hool TD925 double deck coaches. Passenger seating up to 81; ADA accessible space for two wheelchairs, centrally located restroom, ample storage, front and rears stairs, dual-deck entertainment system including DVD and flat screens, and more. The buses were purchased new for $685,000; we are asking $555,000 for each. The buses will be provided plain white, no graphics are included. Look your best and promote the industry in this fun t-shirt! Passenger Seating: 81 T-shirt is dark blue �e-dyed Hanes co�on tee with white imprint— Restroom: Flush front has UMA logo; back has slogan “Buses are a Trip - Take One!” Transmission: ZF Engine: Cummins Location: California UMA member price is just $24.95. Odometer Reading: 80,430 and 53,386 Current sizes available are: Men’s L, XL and XXL (XXL has $3 surcharge).

To order yours, visit www.uma.org and click on Industry Products & Services then UMA Products or call us at 800.424.8262.

Contact: Chris Johns • 805-545-8400 x212 [email protected] Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS March 15, 2012 21 Casinos spreading farther and wider across the U.S. Casinos, which are a major tute of Government. “That does The biggest threats The upscale casinos and ac- no in Oklahoma,” says William destination and significant reve- not mean they become more fis- The 41 casinos on the Las companying entertainment and Eadington, a gambling industry nue stream for hundreds of motor- cally stable.” Vegas Strip have seen an upswing dining options that developers en- expert at the University of Nevada coach operators, continued ex- The potential expansion of ca- in gambling revenue in recent vision in cities such as New York at Reno. “The world is not going panding across the U.S. last year sino operations across the country months. Fueling the additional and Miami could ultimately cut to collapse next year but it’s not as gambling revenue posted its — especially in major cities like revenue has been the increased into Vegas’ growth rate, some an- great news (for Las Vegas) over first annual increase in three years. New York, Miami and Boston — number of visitors to Las Vegas, alysts say. the next five or 10 years.” The growth of casino proper- has Las Vegas on edge, just as it’s which saw a nearly 5 percent gain “They’re a much more com- Of the states considering ties is being fostered in large mea- pulling itself out of a prolonged rut. last year. petitive threat than an Indian casi- CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 c sure by states looking to reverse their fortunes in the continuing tough economic climate. Also contributing to the ex- pansion are those states that see residents fleeing across state lines Take YOUR Business to the to deposit their dollars in slot ma- chines and on gaming tables, ben- efiting the neighboring states. These states want to get in on the Next Level action, too. Now, the competition for gam- bling dollars appears to be headed to a new level with several states considering major casino projects of the type that until now have largely been confined to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and a few other places. If approved, some observers see the new projects as posing a threat to Las Vegas, long the na- tion’s Mecca for casino gambling. • In Florida, a bill is making its way through the legislature that would pave the way for up to three casinos, including one possibly in Miami. • In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed expanding casino operations at the Aqueduct Racetrack in the New York City borough of Queens and is calling for a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling across the state. • Lawmakers in Illinois are trying to revive an effort to bring a casino to Chicago. These efforts come on the heels of a new Massachusetts law that authorizes up to three resort- style casinos and one slots parlor, with one possibly in Boston. Gaining authorization for ca- sino gambling is generally seen as being politically easy right now, according to experts. Douglas Walker, associate pro- With two tracks of learning—the Clarence Cornell fessor of economics at South Car- olina’s College of Charleston and School of Business and the Motorcoach Operator author of The Economics of Casi- Program—the Bus & Motorcoach Academy will no Gambling, says people want jobs and they don’t want higher help you, and your employees, increase your taxes. “Legalizing casinos can be argued to create jobs and tax reve- business and opera�onal knowledge... nues,” says Walker. Several gaming analysts con- taking your business to the next level. tend, however, that gambling doesn’t help the long-term finan- cial stability of a state. Spring semester begins April 11th—visit www.uma.org/academy to learn more. “States see an uptick in reve- nues when they expand gambling,” says Robert Ward, deputy director Click. Learn. Succeed. of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Insti- 22 March 15, 2012 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News

Cuomo, a Democrat, has made Casino growth the Aqueduct project a key compo- Nat’l Interstate reports 2011 gains CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 nent of his job-creation strategy. RICHFIELD, Ohio — Higher Gross premiums of $114.7 National Interstate said its ­gambling, analysts say Florida investment income bolstered both million during 2011’s fourth quar- higher 2011 combined ratio re- could be the most successful at And…in the hinterlands fourth quarter and full-year 2011 ter were up 9 percent from the flected rising claims costs and drawing tourists from Las Vegas. While much of the attention net after-tax earnings from opera- same period in 2010, while gross slightly lower underwriting ex- Well-healed visitors from Mexico focuses on possible mega-projects tions at National Interstate Corpo- premiums for all of 2011 totaled penses than in 2010. and Central and South America in major population centers, small- ration, the company reported late $526.3 million, up 20 percent “The prolonged competitive that now head to Las Vegas may er casinos continue to pop up last month. from 2010. commercial market conditions get no further than Miami if Flori- across the U.S. During the final three months National Interstate said the contributed to rising loss and loss da approves big-time casinos. Wichita, the largest city in Kan- of last year, National Interstate growth in premiums reflected the adjustment expense ratios in The bill in its legislature that sas, got a casino the day after Christ- had net after-tax earnings from expansion of existing businesses 2011,” the company added. would pave the way isn’t a done mas when the Star Casino operations of $10.9 million, or 56 as well as the Vanliner Insurance National Interstate’s return on deal. It faces opposition from the opened on Interstate 35 in the sub- cents per diluted share, compared Company acquisition in 2010. equity was 11 percent last year. At likes of the Florida Chamber of urban community of Mulvane. The to final quarter 2010 net after-tax The fourth-quarter and full- the same time, the company per- Commerce and Walt Disney World. 24-hour casino features more than earnings from operations of $7.1 year results at National Interstate share book value increased 13 per- The Malaysia-based Genting 1,300 slots and 32 table games. million, or 36 cents per share, a 53 are in line with preliminary num- cent, a similar gain is expected Group, one of the world’s largest The Hollywood Casino at Kan- percent increase. bers the company released earlier this year. gambling corporations, already has sas Speedway opened last month For the year, net after-tax earn- last month and reported in the The National Interstate board planned a $3.8 billion waterfront in Kansas City, Kan. The Holly- ings from operations were $34.6 March 1 Bus & Motorcoach News. increased the company quarterly complex in Miami with a casino, wood Casino offers 2,000 slots million, or $1.78 per diluted share, National Interstate’s combined dividend to 10 cents per share, with shopping mall and restaurants. and 52 table games. compared to 2010 net after-tax ratio for all of 2011 was 94.4 percent, the first dividend payable at the The Genting Group also is be- Opening this month near Cleve- earnings from operations of $305 compared to 92.1 percent in 2010. new higher rate March 23, to share- hind the proposed Aqueduct Race- land is Ohio’s first gaming palace, million, or $1.58 per share, a 14 “Combined ratio” is a measure holders of record on March 9. track project in New York, which the Horseshow Casino. The facility percent gain. of profitability used by insurance The 10 cents per share divi- would include the country’s largest has trained 600 prospective dealers The strong fourth quarter re- companies to indicate how well dend represents an 11 percent in- convention center. and expects to provide jobs for an- flected increased investment and they’re performing. A ratio below crease over quarterly dividend Plans there call for three hotels other 750-1,000 people. underwriting income, while the 100 percent indicates the company payments made in 2011. The com- with 3,000 rooms total, an enter- In Kentucky, the state legisla- full-year gains were the result of is making an underwriting profit. pany has increased its dividend tainment facility and an expansion ture is expected to consider allow- higher net investment income off- The further below 100, the more each year since it went public in of a casino that began operating at ing casino-style gambling in the set by lower underwriting profits. profitable the company. 2005. the racetrack in October. Bluegrass State.

Las Vegas’ appeal CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Some analysts and industry leaders say they’re not particularly worried about Las Vegas’ future. ’09 Prevost H3-45 The introduction of regional Volvo D13 Engine with casinos in states such as Connecti- Jake Brakes and Allison cut and Pennsylvania hurt neigh- B500 Transmission, boring places like Atlantic City, Overhead A/C, 5 Monitor but didn’t dent Las Vegas much. System with KVH Satellite, 1999 MCI DL3 Southern Coach 2007 Prevost X345 CA Coach “It’s the concentration of first- Xenon Headlamps, 2 and 1 100% Gone Thru Too Much New to List Here 100% Gone Thru & Ready to Go To Work rate hotels, the shows, the shopping leather seating with 110 outlets or can be turned back into a 12.7 Detroit w/Jake, Rblt B500, 450k TCM 12.7 Detroit w/Jake, Low Miles, Real Clean that bring people to Nevada,” says 56 passenger with Amaya’s. Your Choice. Asking $385,000. You Will Not Find A Nicer DL3 Anywhere! This is absolutely a MUST SEE Coach! Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the Please call for info at 757-494-1480 or We have great financing sources at competitive rates for qualified buyers. American Gaming Association. email us at [email protected] Call JD at 763-856-0778 or email [email protected] Call Darcy at 800-322-8687 or email [email protected] Impact of the economy For more photos and details on these and other fine coaches go to: The recession that began in http://BusesAndMore.com late 2007, and the slow economic Is your Mechanic recovery have had a big impact on many casinos and state lotteries. lost when it 2003 E4500 ~ Low Mile ~ One Owner ~ 58 Seats The parent company of the In- Lift Equipped Coach • 8 Tie Down Stations dian-run Mohegan Sun casinos in comes to Bus converts seats Connecticut and Pennsylvania has in less than 1 minute had major difficulties trying to re- Basic Electrical? with Flip Seats Approx. 240,000 original miles finance $811 million in debt. visit… Detroit Diesel Series 60 Engine The neighboring Mashantuck- then Allison B500R transmission et Pequot Tribal Nation in eastern www.bustask.com (hydraulic retarder) Connecticut has worked to restruc- Michelin Tires (not retreads) Asking $215,000 OBO ture hundreds of millions of dol- Enhanced sound system w/ lars in debt after its Foxwoods ca- AM/FM/CD/DVD/PA system 2004 E4500s ~ Low Miles ~ One Owner Marc: 808.832.6261 sino was hit hard by the downturn Cordless mic & 6 monitors or [email protected] 58 Seats ~ More than 1 Available and increased competition. Approx. 200,000 original miles Detroit Diesel Series 60 Engine FOR REPOS FOR SALE Allison B500R trans. (hyd. retarder) SALE Variety of Makes and Michelin Tires (not retreads) Models of “Bank Repos” Enhanced sound system with 1995 across the United States AM/FM/CD/DVD/PA system Cordless mic & 6 monitors MCI-DL3 and Priced to Sell Asking $215,000 OBO 55 pax, 642,000 miles, New B500R Transmission, Series 60 1-877-737-2221 Ext. 30716 DD engine, R-22 A/C, New 05G A/c Compressor, Brakes 90%. for more information Marc: 808.832.6261 or [email protected] Asking $43,900.00 O.B.O. Please contact Getaway Tours & Charters at View repo inventory at To advertise here call 866-930-8426 888-868-7795 or 734-994-6666 www.bus-buys-com Even for the safest operators, accidents are part of the motorcoach business. But recovering from a collision shouldn’t require extensive downtime. Simply count on Prevost Service for bumper-to-bumper repairs for your Prevost, Volvo and Nova coaches. All work is performed by skilled technicians and welders who are committed to the high standards used in factory production. Following ISO-certifi ed protocols, our experts access the latest technical and engineering data for your specifi c coach. Immediate access to OEM parts means accident work proceeds without delay, and replacement coaches help you meet your passenger obligations. Prevost collision repair. The only way to get your coach back to assembly-line perfection. And the fastest way to get back on the road.

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Please contact your Prevost Regional Service Manager for more information. USA 1-877-773-8678 CANADA 418-883-3391 www.prevostcar.com The ultimate class.

PRE017-11_ServiceAd-121511_B&MN.indd 1 12/21/11 11:25 AM Heavy-duty reliability Made in U.S.A. Happy operators

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Heavy-duty power trains Exceptional fuel economy

Incredible comfort

Outstanding stability Unmatched maneuverability Excellent stopping power

Unmatched 24/7 factory support | Extensive parts availability | Nationwide service network | Exceptional warranties

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS YOU WANT OUT OF A CHASSIS. LET’S START BY GIVING YOU ALL OF THEM. Compromising on your needs is never a good place to start. So we don’t make you. Product quality, numerous options, and uncompromising factory and service support. You get everything you need from your chassis and your manufacturer. That’s the peace of mind that comes with owning a Freightliner. | Find out more at freightlinerchassis.com.

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Specifi cations are subject to change without notice. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is registered to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004. Copyright © 2012 Daimler Trucks North America LLC. All rights reserved.Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is a of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company.

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