June 1, 2007

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE BUS INDUSTRY Feds award Website makeover pays dividends Coach America millions for Should you be thinking about upgrading? to again handle DENVER — One year ago, bus security Ramblin Express completed a bus evacuations makeover of its Website. WASHINGTON — The U.S. WASHINGTON — Coach Then, earlier this spring, the Department of Homeland Security America is close to sealing a sec- tour, charter and shuttle operator has awarded $11.64 million to 39 ond contract with the U.S. govern- made more Web upgrades, includ- motorcoach companies under the ment that will again put it in charge ing improving its positioning on fiscal 2007 Intercity Bus Security of coordinating federal emergency search engines without so-called Grant Program. bus evacuation services for the ’07 pay-per-click advertising. The amount of grant money hurricane season that begins today. Today, additional “organic” being awarded this year is a signif- Negotiations with the U.S. De- improvements are in the works, icant increase from the previous partment of Transportation were plus the launch of a second Web- two years. In fiscal 2006, $9.5 mil- expected to be completed by the site, www.CasinoShuttle.com, lion was awarded to 35 coach com- end of May or early this month, aimed specifically at promoting its panies and in fiscal 2005, 25 according to Coach America Chief casino shuttle service in Colorado. grants totaling $9.66 million were Executive Craig Lentzsch. Coinciding with the launch of awarded. The reduced number of “It is highly likely that we will the new Website, the livery on the grants two years ago resulted from get it done in the next two weeks, company’s nine casino line-run tougher restrictions on who could but you just never know with gov- coaches is being changed to apply. ernment negotiations,” he said. CasinoShuttle.com on the sides And, while more companies The Dallas-based motorcoach and backs — instead of Ramblin got more money this year, the total company provided the services for Express. the 2006 hurricane season under a still represents only 1 percent of To say Rambling Express Pres- the private over-the-road bus oper- $32.5 million contract that con- ident Todd Holland believes in the tained an option for a second year. ators in the U.S. power of the Internet to market The ’07 grants mark the fifth Although USDOT exercised the company motorcoach services is option, details of the planning, consecutive year the U.S. Depart- something of an understatement. ment of Homeland Security has operations and amount of money Holland has become a true believer. Rather than simply refresh the and helps it collect information. were subject to negotiations. awarded money to private bus op- He says Ramblin Express is splash page, however, Holland It’s also more sophisticated — USDOT sought a contract with erators to make security improve- still getting strong results from the decided to update his entire like many of today’s online travel an experienced motorcoach opera- ments. extensive Web makeover of a year Website. The new look began gen- buyers. tor after being heavily criticized by A total of $60.53 million in ago. “We’re averaging about a erating seven to 10 new leads daily. Marketing specialists say that the bus industry and others for the taxpayer dollars have flowed from dozen new leads daily,” he says. Holland made other changes to simply having an attractive home way it handled evacuation services the federal treasury to 150 private The catalyst for Ramblin Ex- assure the new leads generated by page is no longer good enough for in 2005 when deadly hurricanes operators during the past five press’ Web-based marketing up- the revamped Website got prompt today’s savvy Web users. Those struck Louisiana, Mississippi and years. However, more than 40 per- grade was something of an acci- responses. who track Internet trends say a Texas. cent of that money has gone to one dent. Holland won a Webpage Today, Ramblin Express’ Web- company Website should be a After Hurricane Katrina hit in company — Greyhound Lines, makeover from Motor Coach site does what experts say it “clickable catalog,” with robust late summer 2005, the federal gov- which has received a total of Industries at a meeting of the should: Extends the company’s product content, good visuals and $24.54 million. Greyhound’s fiscal ernment used a trucking logistics International Motorcoach Group. marketing presence, takes orders, CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 þ ’07 grant was for $3.28 million. company to coordinate bus evacu- Academy Express of Hoboken, ations. The trucking outfit farmed N.J. and Peter Pan Lines of Spring- 2007 Roadcheck inspections scheduled for early June the work out to other transporta- tion businesses, including a nation- field, Mass., have each received The 20th annual Commercial highways, on other roadways and Details on CVSA inspection more than $2.1 million during the al limousine service and two bus Vehicle Safety Alliance Inter- at motorcoach destinations. levels can be found at http://www. brokers. Dozens of motorcoach past five years, with Academy national Roadcheck will be June This year’s enforcement and cvsa.org/programs/inspection_lev awarded $854,575 this year, and operators hired by the subcontrac- 5-7 — for 72 continuous hours — educational event is focusing els.cfm#a1. tors had great difficulty getting Peter Pan getting $174,234. throughout the U.S. and Canada. motorcoach safety, Level I inspec- The dates for this year’s Road- As it has virtually every year, paid for their work, some having to About 10,000 CVSA inspec- tions (driver and vehicle), and the check were incorrectly reported in wait months to get their money. the Department of Homeland tors will be stationed along major importance of safety belts. the May 15 issue. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 þ CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 þ A 2-DOOR SHUTTLE ADA TRANSITS One-owner transit units now available for sale or lease

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FLEET FORWARD TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS June 1, 2007 3 Drop-off, parking changes National Cathedral opens bus garage WASHINGTON — The Wash- along Wisconsin Avenue. Buses Nearly 180,000 Cathedral visi- in works for Capitol Mall; ington National Cathedral, one of bringing visitors to the church tors arrive annually by bus. Ninety the most highly visited churches in could only enter and exit onto the percent of the visitors are young North America, has opened an busy thoroughfare. people coming to Washington from drivers getting $50 tickets underground bus and auto parking Cathedral officials say the im- across the country. Bus groups garage — the first of its kind in the proved conditions provided by the come for pre-arranged tours and to WASHINGTON — Ongoing He said drivers reported last District of Columbia. garage are a relief to many resi- attend worship services. security concerns apparently are month seeing as many as 30 police It provides parking for 18 dents in surrounding neighbor- In addition to bus parking, the costing motorcoach operators that officers on foot, horseback and buses, and is designed to alleviate hoods. facility features a driver lounge, visit the Capitol Mall here their scooters issuing tickets in front of traffic congestion and improve Pedestrian safety also is en- gift shop, restrooms and security traditional passenger drop-off the museums on the mall. pedestrian safety. hanced because crosswalks and a offices. spots, plus a short-term parking A spokesman for the National Construction of the $34 mil- traffic light have been added to For more information, e-mail area. Park Service acknowledges the lion project began two years ago. Wisconsin Avenue. A green roof, [email protected], or Drivers report being issued agency has made changes to the Idling buses and cathedral adorned with plants and trees, cov- call (202) 537-5513. tickets from Capitol Police for dis- passenger drop-off and parking access have long been problems ers the facility. charging passengers in front of the regulations for motorcoaches, but national museums that line the he insisted he could not discuss pictures or leaving the area and um is about one and one-half Line was unable to say exactly mall, and for parking for short details until he prepares an official parking elsewhere while the pas- miles from the Museum of Amer- why the Park Service made the periods in an area adjacent to the news release, which he said could sengers visited the attractions. In ican History, which is one of the changes without notifying the American Indian Museum. take several days. addition, drivers have been using most popular stops on the mall and motorcoach industry, which brings “They’re getting $50 tickets “The changes were made for the parking near the Indian muse- which is undergoing a major reno- hundreds of buses and thousands now,” said Chuck Andrews of security reasons and I am sure um without any problems. vation. of visitors to the mall every day. World Strides, the industry’s people can understand that,” said Andrews, whose company He said some drivers have He noted, however, that regula- largest operator of Washington Bill Line, a public affairs officer brings between 300,000 and been told by mall police they tions governing the mall are com- D.C. tours for students. for the Washington regional office 400,000 students to the mall a could drop off passengers and plicated and the large number of He said police have told driv- of the Park Service. year, said the drop-off restrictions park on Massachusetts Avenue, people who visit the mall — an ers that the only place they are Motorcoach drivers for years could make it difficult for the eld- but the street is too busy and estimated 25 million — every year allowed to drop-off passengers is have been dropping off passengers erly or disabled to visit some of would be dangerous for school make regulatory issues even more in front of the Indian Museum, in front of most of the museums the museums because they are dis- children. difficult. which is near the eastern end of and either staying there for a brief tant from the Indian museum. “I don’t think that would be a “It’s not like ‘See Jane run, see the 1.9-mile-long mall. period while the passengers took For example, the Indian muse- good street to use,” he added. Dick run,’ ” he said. 4 June 1, 2007 THE Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

Seatbelts on way to buses in Texas USDOT finally to act AUSTIN — The Texas Senate buses but calls for school buses in charter buses rather than dis- has passed a bill that would require bought after Sept. 1, 2010, to be trict-owned buses. seatbelts on new school buses equipped with lap-shoulder seat- On March 29, 2006, a charter on loophole in federal bought after Sept. 1, 2010, and on belts. bus transporting the West Brook motorcoaches carrying Texas The requirement is contingent, High School girls’ soccer team ran school children by 2011. however, on lawmakers finding the into a ditch and rolled over while substance-abuse rules The legislation, which requires money to pay for the belts and dodging debris during a pounding MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Officials “The personnel even knew they at the U.S. Department of Trans- were coming back a few days after three-point seatbelts, was in direct related expenses. A fiscal note rain. Two players died while others portation and the Federal Motor testing positive,” Hartman said. response to a charter bus rollover attached to the bill estimates the were seriously injured. Carrier Safety Administration have “They’d go back in and test nega- in March 2006 that resulted in the safety upgrades could cost nearly The bill now goes to the Texas — belatedly — acknowledged a tive. They knew that personnel death of two female high school $580 million in the 2011-12 budg- House, which has passed its own bus-size loophole in their sub- couldn’t tell the employee’s next soccer players. et year. version of the legislation. The stance abuse regulations and say motor carrier.” The bill was passed unani- All school buses, including House can either agree to the they’re trying to close it. The drug testing industry is mously. those chartered by school districts Senate amendments or recom- Although the loophole seem- concerned about the second appli- “It is time to make this impor- or city buses contracted to carry mend a joint committee to recon- ingly was common knowledge cation with a different motor car- tant commitment to our children,” students, would need seatbelts by cile the bills. among safety experts in the bus rier. “That motor carrier is unsus- said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Eddie 2011. The deadline for belts in Another Patrick amendment and truck industry, executives in pecting,” Hartman said. Lucio of Brownsville. “Today charter and transit buses had been the Senate adopted requires better the drug testing industry, and many “The driver tests negative, they school buses are safe, but not safe 2014, but under an amendment reporting of school bus accidents. drivers, federal safety bureaucrats hire the driver and put the driver enough. Buses have a higher cen- presented by Sen. Dan Patrick of The Senate version also re- apparently ignored it for years. out on the road. The motor carrier ter of gravity and are prone to roll Houston it was moved up three quires students riding in buses with Finally, professionals in the isn’t aware of the positive test.” over.” years. seatbelts to wear them. School dis- drug testing industry made it an As a result, the drivers have The bill does not require Patrick said that most accidents tricts can enforce the rule by adopt- issue and federal officials are at been able to exploit the loophole school districts to replace existing involving students appear to occur ing disciplinary policies. last reacting. due to the short period of time The problem deals with com- between when the driver tests pos- mercial vehicle drivers who violate itive and the follow-up test. The House delays pilot Mexican truck plan federal substance abuse regula- driver thus avoids going through WASHINGTON — The U.S. Mexican trucking companies ac- whopping 411-3 margin. The bill tions and remain on the job. the required evaluation and educa- House of Representatives has put cess to U.S. highways. suspends the current administra- “Industry professionals sus- tional process that follows a posi- the brakes on the Bush Administra- The House passed the “Safe tion plan for giving Mexican trucks pected that drivers were violating tive drug test. Part 40 of the rules and regula- The USDOT has been studying tion pilot program for allowing 100 American Roads Act of 2007” by a access to the U.S. tions, which deals with return to the issue for the past few months Instead, the House would only duty to perform safety-sensitive and has amended its procedures. allow the border to open if a series functions,” said Dan Hartman, While issuing a revised regulation Shuttle Bus Leasing of amendments are made, includ- associate administrator of field was a primary concern, several ing limiting the pilot to three years operations for the Federal Motor months passed before the USDOT "Your Solution For Shuttling & Fixed Route Contracting" for a total of 1,000 Mexican trucks, Carrier Safety Administration in acted. and setting up an independent re- Washington. “They presented evi- “We had a lot of legwork to do Leases Terms Available From 3 Months to 2 Years view panel to oversee the program. dence to us that gave us an indica- with our attorneys to protect the High Quality, Transit Shuttle Buses The panel could recommend tion that government needs to look government and make sure the modifications or termination of the into this further.” investigators in the field do not Over 1000 Buses In Inventory program if it determines new To circumvent the rules, drug- violate the Privacy Act and the 22' To 60' Models Available guidelines aren’t being followed. using drivers would engage in a confidentiality of the drivers,” Currently, most Mexican shell game where they tested posi- Hartman said. trucks are limited to a 20-mile tive at a collection facility, realized The result was a 15-page set of commercial zone on either side of they wouldn’t be hired by a partic- instructions that investigators have ular bus or truck company, waited to follow. “The goal was to find the the border. At that point they must a couple of weeks to cleanse their drivers, take enforcement action, interline with a domestic carrier, system of drugs, and then went and remove them from the road- although many large U.S. compa- back to a different collection facil- ways — that’s the ultimate goal,” nies own Mexican-based fleets. ity — or sometimes they’d go back Hartman said. Under the new bill, the pro- to the same facility — and go Earlier this year, the USDOT gram must pass muster with through the process again, Hart- investigated a drug testing consor- Congress, the U.S. Transportation man told attendees at a recent tium and was able to identify driv- Department inspector general and Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry ers who had tested positive and Parking Lot Shuttles ~ Seasonal Coverage the independent panel. Association conference. who came back and tested negative Furthermore, it calls for more The federal privacy laws and a short time later. Employee Shuttling ~ Peak Demand Coverage transparency from the USDOT. confidentiality concerns created a For more information, go to The department would be re- loophole in the testing regulations. www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/index.html. TopQualityTransitBusesAlso quired to disclose such information I-70 tunnel restricted in Colorado Availablefor Sal e as safety records of Mexican truck- ing companies; standards for eval- GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. repair a crack in the tunnel ceiling uating truck safety; carriers that — Interstate 70 west of Denver has above the eastbound lanes. About a major traffic bottleneck this sum- 17,000 vehicles use the tunnel daily. are part of the program; mecha- 800-287-7253 mer. The eastbound side is expected nisms for enforcing trucking safety The Hanging Lake Tunnel in to be closed for the entire summer, 1863 Service Court, Riverside, CA 92507 laws; and details on penalties for Glenwood Canyon has been re- and there is no good detour in the www.Shuttl eBusLeasi ng.com noncompliance. duced from four to two lanes to mountainous area. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS THE DOCKET June 1, 2007 5 Enforcement of Canadian hours rules begins July 1 TORONTO, Ont. — Motor coach after 10 p.m., and cannot For work cycles, U.S. drivers ly more permissive than 70 in 8. will be Cycle One (70 in 7), so be Coach Canada has issued a notice drive again until he or she has that are in compliance with the Drivers must indicate in their sure drivers write in the ‘remarks’ to U.S. operators, reminding them taken 8 consecutive hours off duty. U.S. cycle of 70 hours in 8 days daily log each day they are in area of the log: ‘Cycle One,’” said that enforcement of the new hours- For every 24-hour (calendar) while in Canada don’t need to Canada, the cycle they have elected Carroll, adding that “yes they are of-the-service rules begins July 1 day, drivers must not exceed 14 worry about violating the Canadian to use (Cycle One — 70 in 7, or subject to getting tickets if they for- in Canada. hours on duty and must have at cycles because Canada’s new cycle Cycle Two — 120 in 14). get to mark this on every log The revamped regulations went least 10 hours off duty. limit (70 hours in 7 days) is actual- “For 99.9 percent of drivers, it sheet.” into effect Jan. 1, but there has been a “soft enforcement” policy for the past five months. That changes July 1 in all provinces except Alberta, which has yet to adopt the rules. (See May 15 Bus & Motorcoach News.) Dave Carroll of Motor Coach Canada says there are six key fac- tors related to the new rules that U.S. drivers need to keep in mind when bring a coach into Canada: Drivers must be able to show in their log book that during the pre- ceding 14 days, they had a 24-hour off-duty period. Not necessarily a calendar day off, just a period of 24 consecutive hours off. Drivers must carry log sheets for the preceding 14 days. Drivers cannot drive after the 16th hour from the time a driver’s work shift started — despite the number of hours of on-duty time. For example, a driver who begins work at 6 a.m. cannot drive the Retire at age 65? Canada says ‘no’ Will you still need me when I’m 65? Canadian provinces are say- ing ‘yes’

VICTORIA, British Colum- bia — Provinces across Canada are considering legislation that would ban mandatory retirement for workers age 65 and older. B.C. has become the latest to consider such legislation, follow- ing in the footsteps of Ontario and other provinces. Canada’s population is getting older, and national polls show more older workers want to remain employed. “The number of British Co- lumbians over the age of 65 will more than double in the next 25 years, so it’s important we prepare for that shift,” said provincial Attorney General Wally Oppal. Bill 31 of the Human Rights Code Amendment Act would ex- tend employee protections beyond the age 64, making it illegal for employers to discriminately force such people out of their jobs. The code amendment — which, if passed, would take affect Jan. 1 — would force employers to change collective agreements and company policies. 6 June 1, 2007 THE DOCKET Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Report: U.S. infrastructure lagging Washington blocks driver CHICAGO — The relatively contemporary lessons for develop- the world’s infrastructure. low rate of investment by the ing best practices in public/private “One thing in this report that is texting, hand-held phoning United States in virtually all aspects finance, intermodal transport, con- crystal clear to a Friedmanian OLYMPIA, Wash. — Using ban takes effect Jan. 1; the cell of transportation-related infrastruc- gestion pricing and high-speed rail. economist like me is that the pri- your hands to talk on a cell phone phone law will be enforced start- ture — roads, bridges, airports, “Too often (in the U.S.), proj- vate sector — by virtue of both the or tap out a text message while ing in July. public transit and railway systems ects focus on restoration rather capital it controls and the skill sets behind the wheel becomes illegal Drivers are exempt in some sit- — is an “emerging crisis” that will than rethinking the model and it exhibits — is going to play an in Washington state next year. uations, including emergencies, compromise the ability of the na- finding possible efficiencies.… increasingly important role in the Gov. Christine Gregoire signed and neither offense will be enough tion’s cities to compete globally, says There is a tendency to invest in the effective and efficient development the measures into law last month, to get a driver pulled over by the a new report published by the Ur- infrastructure we have instead of of infrastructure here in the U.S. flanked by children who were seri- police. ban Land Institute and Ernst Young. the infrastructure we will need.” and abroad over the next 50 years,” ously injured after being hit by Meanwhile, in New Jersey, a Infrastructure 2007: A Global According to Urban Land says Reiss. drivers. bill in the General Assembly con- Perspective offers a comprehensive Institute Vice chairwoman Dale “Public-private partnerships Under the laws, drivers who sumer affairs committee would al- look at the status of current and Ann Reiss, the private sector is are here to stay and may well be the read and compose text messages low police to pull over drivers sole- planned infrastructure investment going to play a significant role in only viable way for governments to or talk on a cell phone without a ly for reading or sending text mes- and development in a variety of what she predicts will be a global reach its infrastructure develop- hands-free device could face a sages. Violators could face of fine categories in countries worldwide, movement to build and modernize ment goals.” $101 ticket. The text-messaging of up to $250. The bill is A4146. with a particular focus on the U.S., China, Japan, India and Europe. The first of its kind, the report Public transit agencies seek private charter operators discusses the evolving infrastruc- The following public transit Timothy C. Geibel, Executive Di- Box 266 (708 Columbia Ave.), line: June 13, 2007. Write to: ture market, including private and providers have informed the rector, Crawford Area Transpor- Franklin, TN 37065. Phone: (615) Michael J. Seither, Razorback combination public-private sys- United Motorcoach Association of tation Authority, 231 Chestnut St., 790-0604. Transit, 155 Razorback Road ADSB tems for funding, construction, their intent to provide charter bus Meadville, PA 16335. Phone: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. 131, Fayetteville, AR 72701. operations and management. service unless willing and able pri- (814) 336-5600. Deadline: June 1, 2007. Write to: Androscoggin, Franklin and “America is more of a follower vate operators step forward to pro- Cheatham, Davidson, Maury, Officina de Transportacion Alter- Oxford counties, Maine. Dead- and no longer a world leader when vide the service. UMA urges Rutherford, Sumner,Williamson na (Charter Bus), Gobierno line: June 18, 2007. Write to: it comes to infrastructure,” the appropriate operators to respond to and Wilson counties, Tenn. Municipal de Vega Baja, P.O. Box Eugene R. Skibitsky, general man- report states. these notices. Deadline: June 1, 2007. Write to: 4555, Vega Baja, PR 00694. ager, Western Maine Transporta- “Other countries marshal van- Crawford County, Penn. Diane Thorne, Executive Director, Benton, Carroll, Madison and tion Services, 76 Merrow Rd., Au- guard strategies and provide the Deadline: May 30, 2007. Write to: Franklin Transit Authority, P.O. Washington counties, Ark. Dead- burn, ME 04210. (207) 784-9335.

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8 June 1, 2007 OPINION Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Biofuels have You REALLY need to get a handle on costs unanticipated By Dave Millhouser First, it is possible to determine your everyone bene- ABC Companies costs. It’s not easy but possible. Once fits. consequences you’ve identified and quantified every- Don’t lie to ARLINGTON, Va. — The headlong rush The contrast was startling: Two coach thing, it’s just a matter of keeping the data yourself, like as- to expand production of biodiesel and other operators, asked the same question, gave current. You don’t need sophisticated soft- suming an engine biofuels is apparently going to have a few answers that were worlds apart. ware, a spread sheet will do. will last a million consequences other than those analysts al- I was asked to travel with a recently One operator has painstakingly devel- miles, or that old ready have identified, like higher food prices. hired executive and give him an introduc- oped a program that calculates actual cost A/C compressor It’s also going to significantly increase tion to the coach industry. of a trip based on current information. He will make it the number of giant tanker trucks on U.S. He asked two coach companies how identifies his fixed and variable costs, and through the sum- highways; strain the U.S. trucking industry, much they spend on parts. One manager the computer weighs them, producing an mer. Those no- Dave Millhouser and contribute to the nationwide shortage of responded with a cost per mile, precise to accurate snapshot of a trip’s real cost. On tions can cost you long-haul drivers. the penny. The other, in this case the owner, occasion he has to run at a loss, but at least big time. Base your price on the best infor- Those factors and others surfaced here at shrugged his shoulders. Ironically, he KNOWS it, and can make a decision mation available, not your wishes. the first national summit on agricultural and “Shrug’s” company is profitable and well whether it is smart business to operate the Make sure you include the bus’s honest food transportation. run in every other way. share of overhead in costing every job. Over The director of government affairs for a One of our industry’s most pressing ‘Most industries have the years I’ve dealt with many companies company that builds ethanol plants said problems is that far too many operators that were honest in their dealings, and a few demand for tanker trucks to move renewable really don’t have a handle on their costs. accepted methods for that were not. The folks I like best are hon- fuels will mushroom because fuel terminals Companies that do a good job are losing est all the time. But the hallmark of EVERY and pipelines are unable to accept biodiesel business to competition that is pricing trips determining and categoriz- successful company is that its owners and and ethanol. based on poor, or nonexistent, information. managers are honest with themselves. In many places, the refineries that pro- Years ago a tour broker decided to buy a ing costs, but our business So, you’ve nailed it all down. Life is duce ethanol and biodiesel are rarely served used bus in an effort to soak up some of that good, and you’re relaxing in front of the TV by rail and are never served by fuel pipelines, easy money you folks make. He asked if his when a news bulletin flashes on. You see making trucks the only transportation budget of a penny a mile for maintenance doesn’t seem to be able to your bus, on a charter for the Young resource for refined biofuels. was about right. He was stunned to hear that Lawyers Club, floating down the river He estimated that a national increase in — at that time — 50 cents was a better get there.’ towards Niagara Falls. biofuel production of 3 billion gallons a year number. Imagine competing with this guy… What we have here is “the tunnel at the would require about 4,500 trucks per day to for the eights months he survived. trip at a loss. Some of his competitors think end of the light.” If you’re lucky, the biggest move corn, fuel and other materials related We all know companies that run trips for they’re making money and end up hurting catastrophe you’ll experience in your bus to biofuel production. little more than the price of fuel and driver everyone. career will be an engine blown 2,000 miles An official of the American Trucking …with no idea of how to factor in all the The United Motorcoach Association from home. Worst case is the Niagara Falls Associations also warns that trucking indus- other “stuff ” that matters. Like, insurance, and the International Motor Coach Group scenario. try “capacity constraints and the driver short- bus payments, maintenance, rent and so on. have “20 Groups” where members share You will have catastrophes, and insur- age will make (such) growth a challenge.” Those and a ton of other small items are financial and operational information on a ance will never cover all the costs. Disasters And the director of transportation for a real expenses that you have to pay, and variety of areas in an effort to analyze their have to be paid for, and should be factored company that hauls poultry and grain to and which should be an integral part of the cost businesses. into your pricing. If you run a trip at cost, from farms and processing plants said he calculation that determines your pricing. Any time you can participate in this sort and blow a tire, it’s a disaster. expects more biofuel production to tighten Most industries have “accepted” meth- of thing (or even an informal gathering of It sounds silly but the unforeseen tra- competition for truck drivers in the coming ods for determining and categorizing costs, like-minded operators), do it. It will greatly gedy needs to be planned for and paid for. years. but our business doesn’t seem to be able to enhance your ideas and offer benchmarks For the record, the executive who trav- He noted his company relies on a lot of get there. No one has developed a method for comparison to your business. eled with me has left the industry. Hope it independent truckers to haul grain and if that most operators can use. Within the bounds of decency (and the wasn’t me. they start hauling for renewable fuels pro- While there aren’t any easy solutions or law) help your competitors understand their Dave Millhouse is an account represen- ducers his company will be competing with formulas, here are some things I’ve learned costs. They don’t need to know YOUR tative for ABC Companies. Contact him at: those refineries, not just for grain but for from customers. costs, but if they understand their own, [email protected] drivers as well.

ISSUE NO. 101 How to contact us: Joan Libby To submit or report news, Letters to the Editor, Cavalier Coach To advertise or to mail advertising-related Boston, Mass. articles, news releases: materials: A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION E-mail: [email protected] Call: Johnny Steger Marcia Milton (623) 930-8422 or (602) 980-0840 First Priority Trailways Fax: (866) 930-8426 Staff Advisory Board District Heights, Md. Mail: 4930 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 6 E-mail: [email protected] Editor & Publisher William Allen Gladys Gillis Michael Neustadt Glendale, AZ 85301 Mail: 4930 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 6 Sierra Trailways Starline Transportation Coach Tours Victor Parra Call: (623) 930-8423 Glendale, AZ 85301 Sacramento, Calif. Seattle Brookfield, Conn. To contact the Sales Director Senior Editor Larry Benjamin Rick Hillard Jeff Polzien To subscribe or inquire about your subscription: Northfield Lines Cedar Valley World Travel Red Carpet Tours United Motorcoach Association: Johnny Steger Bruce Sankey Call: (623) 930-8421 Northfield, Minn. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Oklahoma City E-mail: [email protected] Call: (800) 424-8262 Industry Editor Associate Editor Dave Bolen Robert Hume Tom Ready Online: www.uma.org New World Tours Travel Mates Trailways Ready Bus Lines Fax: (866) 930-8426 Ken Presley Ellen Balm Bristow, Va. Harrisonburg, Va. LaCrescent, Minn. Mail: 4930 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 6 To send advertisements or photographs Brian Scott Glendale, AZ 85301 via the Internet: Editorial Assistant Editorial Assistant David Brown Daryl G. Johnson Amy Stalknecht Mark Gedris Holiday Tours J & J Charters Escot Bus Lines E-mail: [email protected] Randlemann, N.C. Crosby, Texas Largo, Fla. To report corrections: Accountant Art Director Steve Brown Dale Krapf Michelle Silvestro Call: (623) 930-8421 Krapf Coaches National Interstate Insurance Co. Ted Williford Mary E. McCarty Brown Coach E-mail: [email protected] Amsterdam, N.Y. West Chester, Pa. Richfield, Ohio ©2007 by the United Motorcoach Association. Bob Foley Godfrey LeBron T. Ralph Young Reproduction in whole or in part without ABC Companies Paradise Trailways Young Transportation written permission is prohibited. Faribault, Minn. Hicksville, N.Y. Ashville, N.C. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS June 1, 2007 9 2007 engines seem OK so far, says Waste Management ATLANTA — The nation’s rate long-term data — but we to say whether the new engines will improvement in the power and Meanwhile, from a perform- largest operator of garbage trucks expected much, much worse pre- remain “fuel economy neutral” responsiveness of the trucks, he ance perspective, Lemmons said reports that its initial impression of liminary performance data than over the long term. said. “That’s another part we’ve the ’07s are surprisingly good, and the 2007 reduced-emissions diesel what we are seeing,” Lemmons told Another surprise and unexpect- been happy about.” he hopes that doesn’t change as engines is positive. a trucking publication. ed benefit from the ’07 engines is Still, there is a downside to ’07 testing continues. “We’re pretty In fact, the engines are per- Since the “oldest” ’07 vehicle that both horsepower and torque technology, he cautioned. The new amazed that fuel economy re- forming much better than Waste Waste Management has in its fleet have increased compared with ’06 engines added $10,000 to the base mained flat between our ’07 and Management executives expected. was only put into service in models, with Waste Management’s sticker price of Waste Manage- ’06 trucks running the same routes. John Lemmons, director of November, it’s still relatively early drivers reporting a noticeable ment’s refuse trucks. That is pretty encouraging.” fleet and equipment performance at Waste Management, said in re- marks at the Waste Expo trade show that data from the 10 ’07 trucks the company currently has on the road shows nearly the same fuel economy as its ’06 models. Also, Waste Management has been able to extend its oil drain intervals to 600 hours with the CJ- 4 oil required for ’07 engines. “These engines still need to be run in more to give us more accu- Biodiesel study by truckers has small negatives FORT DODGE, Iowa — The “Two Million Mile Haul,” a com- prehensive study of using a 20 per- cent soy biodiesel blend in over- the-road trucks, has passed the 500,000 mile mark. (See Jan. 1 issue of Bus & Motorcoach News.) Early results from the Decker Truck Line Inc. rigs show that win- ter fuel efficiency was down slight- ly for the blend, with no gelling problems and few operational con- cerns. Decker is running 10 trucks in a control group (fueled with 100 per- cent No. 2 petroleum diesel) and nine trucks in the B20 test group (fueled with 20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent petroleum diesel). Average fuel consumption for the control group was 6.01 miles per gallon, while average consump- tion for the B20 group was 5.80 mpg, or a 3.5 percent reduction. Those conducting the test say the difference was not statistically sig- nificant. The study also found that driv- er-to-driver variability is two to three times greater than the differ- ence in fuel efficiency between the two fuels. Winter driving produced rela- tively few cold-flow issues. Fuel for both groups was treated with a commercial fuel additive and No. 1 diesel (40 percent blend) was used for a brief time during a severe cold snap. No drivers experienced fuel gelling problems. The groups conducting the test say an entire four-season driving cycle should be completed before conclusions can be made on fuel efficiency. 10 June 1, 2007 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS ABC Parts Source opens large West Coast facility GARDEN GROVE, Calif. — coach operators, with the new ABC Parts Source has opened a Anaheim facility providing parts 30,000-square-foot warehouse in support for customers and the Anaheim, Calif., that will serve as service center. the company’s primary West Coast “This will dramatically reduce parts inventory center. the parts lead time for service and The new warehouse is about retail parts customers,” said an nine miles from ABC Companies’ ABC spokeswoman. West Coast sales office and show- Managing the new facility is room in Garden Grove. Neil Wells, the ABC Parts Source Inventory being stocked in the manager for the western region. new facility will include parts and He has been an ABC employee for components for a wide variety of nine years. coach and transit equipment ABC also revealed that plans ABC Parts’ new Anaheim warehouse will help improve service to customers. makes and models. It features a are in the works to open an addi- spacious will-call parts pick-up tional warehouse in New Jersey, The main warehouse location ing more resources toward devel- ABC chairman. “Growing our and waiting area. giving the company greater parts remains in Florida. oping the parts market segment. business here brings balance and The Garden Grove location coverage on the East Coast. That ABC said the expansion pro- “The West Coast market repre- potential to our overall portfolio.” will continue to provide service facility is tentatively scheduled to gram is part of the company’s over- sents a growing business opportu- The address of the new Ana- and sales support for bus and open a year from now. all growth plan that calls for direct- nity for ABC,” said Ron Cornell, heim facility is 1400 N. Daly St. State assistance guarantees return of N.Y. commuter service ALBANY, N.Y. — The New The service to the village of state Transportation Commissioner Haines Falls last year because of stops in Tannersville, Hunter, Phoe- York State Department of Trans- Tannersville and the hamlet of Astrid Glynn. “The department of low ridership. nicia and Woodstock. Connections portation has awarded $265,000 in Haines Falls resumed late last transportation is committed to work- The state money assures one to New York City and other destina- additional annual operating assis- month. The subsidy also means ing with communities and private round trip daily to the mountaintop tions can be made in Kingston. tance to Adirondack/Pine Hill continued to service to Cairo. carriers to continue to meet public municipalities, as well as one addi- The $265,000 in supplementary Trailways to reinstate commuter “Maintaining transit service is transportation needs throughout tional round trip daily from now funding will bring total state and bus service to two small communi- crucial to the mobility and quality New York state.” through Labor Day. federal funding for Adirondack ties off Interstate 87 between of life for residents and visitors in Adirondack Trailways discon- The service takes passengers Trailways for fiscal 2007-08 to Albany and New York City. rural Greene County,” said Acting tinued service to Tannersville and from Haines Falls to Kingston, with nearly $4.7 million. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS June 1, 2007 11 Black Hills Stage acquires Leading bus Michelin boosts prices, Denver-to-border operator builder in UK NORFOLK, Neb. — Busco Busskohl said Black Hills battles ‘look-alike’ tires Inc., the largest coach operator in plans to maintain the routes, GREENVILLE, S.C. — commercial vehicle tires, and the Great Plains, is expanding its schedules and locations Pacifico buys Plaxton Michelin North America is join- while the treads may look alike, line-run service from Nebraska riders are familiar with in Denver ing Bridgestone-Firestone, Good- the look-alikes may not deliver and Colorado to the border with and Aurora, Colo., and El Paso, FALKRIK, Scotland — Alex- year and other tire makers in the same grip or longevity of per- Mexico. Texas, while looking to improve ander Dennis Ltd. has bought increasing prices of its commer- formance as an authentic Miche- To do that, Busco subsidiary and expand service. coach maker Plaxton Holdings to cial tires. (See April 15 issue of lin tire, says the company. Black Hills Stage Lines has pur- Pacifico Transportation, which create a near-$500 million bus and Bus & Motorcoach News.) In the latest action, Michelin chased Pacifico Transportation, an operates under the name Auto- coach-building operation. Commercial bus and truck tire North America has initiated a suit 11-month-old line-run company buses Pacifico, was formed last The deal, valued at around $79 prices are being increased by up against the Chinese Manufactur- based in suburban Denver. year by Jorge Rodriguez of High- million, brings together three of the to 4 percent on Michelin and ers Alliance LLC. The patent and Steve Busskohl, president of land Ranch, Colo. most famous bus brands in the BFGoodrich brands sold in the copyright infringement lawsuit, Black Hills Stage Lines, said Black Hills Stage Lines has United Kingdom — Alexander, United States, effective June 1. filed in federal district court in Pacifico “is a perfect acquisition been in business since 1962. Its Dennis and Plaxton. Meanwhile, Michelin said it is Greenville, accuses CMA of for Black Hills Stage Lines as it parent company, Busco, also owns The combined company will stepping up its battle against look- importing and selling the Double gives us an opportunity to expand Arrow Stage Lines of Norfolk and make around 2,000 double- and alike tires marketed under the Coin RT606 and the DynaTrac our scheduled service to the U.S.- Omaha. The company operates single-decker vehicles annually. Mexico border.” upwards of 160 motorcoaches. Double Coin brand name. RS330 tires, both of which utilize Alexander Dennis was formed In December 2005, Michelin unauthorized copies of the patent- three years ago when the business alerted more than 5,000 dealers in ed Michelin XZE tread pattern. ABA adds vendor exhibit day was rescued from bankruptcy. It various countries of the risks of Michelin is seeking an injunc- employs 1,400 people at two man- marketing look-alike tires from tion against further distribution, to Marketplace business show ufacturing locations and holds 40 Asia. as well as monetary damages. percent of the UK bus market. WASHINGTON — The Amer- to showcase their products and The Chinese-made tires copy For more information, go to ican Bus Association is adding a operator members “a venue where Plaxton employs more than the tread patterns of Michelin www.michelin.us.com. one-day vendor-supplier exposition they can see the latest technologi- 500 people at its Scarborough to its annual Marketplace. cal innovations in equipment and facility in North Yorkshire and chief executive of Alexander house line-up while also forging The new component is being new cutting edge product offerings Anston plant in South Yorkshire, Dennis for roughly a month, said strong alliances with international called “The Market,” and ABA said from suppliers,” said ABA Presi- England, and makes bodies for the firm would look to work with manufacturers,” said Robertson. it was developed in response to dent Peter Pantuso. nearly a third of all new coaches overseas manufacturers such as Plaxton has annual sales of just comments made by Marketplace The initial vendor-supplier registered in the UK. Volvo and Scania. under $120 million, while Alexan- attendees. showcase will be Saturday, Feb. 2, The new firm will operate as “We will continue to invest sig- der Dennis had sales of $336 mil- P The Market will give ABA at the ABA Marketplace in Virginia Alexander Dennis. nificantly in new bus and coach lion for the year ended last associate members an opportunity Beach, Va. Colin Robertson, who has been products, strengthening our in- September.

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28-July 1 New England Bus Coach Group Strategic Alliance Calendar Association Annual Meeting, Meeting, French Lick Springs Greyhound Canada workers North Falmouth, Mass. Info: Go Resort & Casino, French Lick, JUNE 2007 to www.newenglandbus.org, or Ind. Info: www.imgcoach.com. strike, shutting down service 2-5 Georgia Motorcoach call (978) 255-2700. Operators Association Annual 11-15 Motorcoach Association CALGARY, Alberta — Driv- law to add to its school-bus opera- Meeting & Marketplace, JULY 2007 of South Carolina Annual ers, mechanics and other employ- tion, the largest in the U.S. Meeting & Marketplace, Myrtle ees at Greyhound Canada went on A Greyhound spokeswoman Savannah, Ga. Info: Go to 9-12 Florida Motorcoach www.gamotorcoachoperators.org, Beach Marriott Resort at Grande strike last month after rejecting the was quoted as saying that the lines Association Annual Meeting, or call (866) 376-7770. Dunes, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Info: company’s contract proposals. of communication with the union Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort, Go to www.scmotorcoach.org. Greyhound was forced to sus- remain open. “We hope to resume Key Largo, Fla. Info: Go to 10-13 Pennsylvania Bus pend service in provinces across service as quickly as possible,” www.floridamotorcoach.org. Association Annual Meeting, 18-21 Alabama Motorcoach Canada when more than a thousand spokeswoman Anna Folmnsbee Holiday Inn Ocean Front, Ocean Association Annual Meeting & 19-22 Network Invitational of its drivers and mechanics walked told one wire service. Front, Md. Info: www.pabus.org, Marketplace, Huntsville, Ala. 100, Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel, off the job. “The ball is in their court,” or call (717) 236-9042. Info: www.alabamamotorcaoch.org. Gettysburg, Pa. Info: Go to Affected first were the western Local 1374 President Jim Higgs 22-24 Bus History Associa- www.motorcoach.com, or call 25-27 Maryland Motorcoach provinces of Manitoba, Saskat- told an interviewer. The major tion 2007 Convention, Holiday (540) 477-3323. Association Marketplace, chewan, Alberta and British Co- issue is wages, and Greyhound will Inn Burlington, Burlington, Ont. Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel, lumbia, but the impact spread into have to come back with a “substan- AUGUST 2007 Info: E-mail bdrouillard3@ Towson, Md. Info: Go to Ontario. tial increase” in what it offers, cogeco.ca, or (519) 977-0664. 8-11 International Motor www.marylandmotorcoach.com. The workers are members of Higgs said. Amalgamated Transit Union Local “Once people are walking the avoidance camera systems. Jonathan Randall has been 1374. streets, the expectations will rise,” Selection criteria for the award named director of sales and mar- The strike came on the eve of Higgs added. People include the businesses’ staying keting of Freightliner Custom Victoria Day weekend, the first Greyhound typically operates The president of Safety power, territorial expansion, Chassis Corp. Randall replaces three-day weekend of the summer 1,000 departures a day across Vision, Bruce Smith, has been square footage occupied, increase Dean Schaper, who is retiring at in Canada, and as FirstGroup plc of Canada. named Small Business Person of in net worth and growth in per- the end of this month. Most Aberdeen, Scotland, awaits regula- Meanwhile, Greyhound’s talks the Year for Texas by the U.S. sonnel. recently, Randall was director of tory approval to buy Greyhound’s with the union representing many Small Business Administration. Since it was founded 14 years product marketing for Freightliner parent company, Laidlaw Inter- of its U.S. drivers and mechanics Safety Vision, which is headquar- ago, Safety Vision has grown to Trucks. Schaper is retiring after 12 national of Naperville, Ill., for $2.8 continue. The contract covering tered in Houston, provides on- 115 employees. For more informa- years as FCCC’s director of sales billion. those workers has been extended board surveillance and collision tion, go to www.safetyvision.com. and marketing. FirstGroup is acquiring Laid- five times; it expires May 31. Evacuations hours, depending on their location Security grants tem. The five companies and Trail- facility security upgrades and vehi- when the call for help goes out. ways shared $8.2 million of the cle and driver protection. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Doing away with the staged CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 $11.6 million awarded for fiscal The Intercity Bus Security Stung by the criticism, USDOT coaches that would be available Security restructured the program, ’07. Trailways was awarded more Grant Program is a small piece of took a new look at its evacuation within 24 hours appears to be due meaning it changed the rules, for than $1.6 million which will be the Department of Homeland Secu- programs and opted in 2006 to go to the hurricane season being a fiscal 2007. This year, applicants shared by its members. rity Infrastructure Protection Pro- with Coach America, the second- bust last year and none of the were divided into two tiers. All other coach companies gram, which totals $445 million for largest motorcoach operator in coaches being used. Eligibility for Tier 1 — considered were lumped into Tier II and 33 fiscal ’07. Other elements of the North America after Coach USA. Lentzsch said placing a value the highest risk — and Tier II was companies ended up sharing in program include port, public transit Lentzsch said this year’s con- on the buses is very complex and based on an analysis of fleet size about $3.5 million. and intercity rail security; grants to tract is expected to be different because they were not used last and service areas considered the The Department of Homeland protect dams, power plants, nuclear than the one the company had with year, it would be easy for some most at risk of a terrorist attack. Security says that for the Bus facilities, stadiums, arenas and the government last year because people to conclude that the value to Six “companies,” with fleets of Security Grant Program it seeks to chemical plants, and the Highway there were no major storms along the government was not there. more than 250 over-the-road buses, assist owners and operators of Watch program operated by the the Gulf Coast, the area most prone “I disagree with that conclu- were approved for Tier I — fixed-route and charter bus servic- American Trucking Associations. to hurricanes during the usual five- sion, though,” he added. “We could Academy, Greyhound, Peter Pan, es in obtaining the resources Listed below are the companies month season, June 1 to Nov. 30. move a whole lot of people during Coach America, Coach USA and required to support security meas- that received ’07 grants and the Under last year’s contract, the 12-hour period between the 24 the Trailways Transportation Sys- ures such as enhanced planning, amounts awarded: Coach America staged 200 coach- hours it would take to get the es in Carville, La., about 20 miles Academy Express: $854,575 Gunther Charters: $44,167 Private One of New York: $116,508 staged coaches there and the 36 Hoboken, N.J. Hanover, Md. Brooklyn, N.Y. south of Baton Rouge, which hours it would take to get the other All West Coachlines (Coach America): H & L Charter: $26,214 Raz Transportation (Coach America): would have been available for coaches there.” $42,642 – Sacramento, Calif. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. $88,076 – Portland, Ore. evacuations on 24-hour notice. In In addition to the planning and Anderson Coach and Travel: $18,922 Hagey Coach: $119,763 Riteway Bus Service Inc.: $254,300 addition, the company signed on operational differences, USDOT is Greenville, Pa. Souderton, Pa. Richfield, Wis. another 1,100 close-by coaches expected to turn over the contract Arrow Stage Lines: $298,406 Haymarket Transportation: $61,150 Southeastern Stages: $80,271 Omaha, Neb. Haymarket, Va. Atlanta that remained in daily operations, — after this year’s negotiations are Bloom’s Bus Lines: $25,592 HME Executive Coach: $28,840 Southern Coach Co. (Coach America): but would have been available completed — to the Federal Taunton, Mass. Irving, Texas $301,901 – Durham, N.C. within 48 hours. Emergency Management Agency. C&J Trailways: $64,216 Indian Trails: $180,346 Star Shuttle and Tour Inc.: $191,370 None of the 1,300 coaches It is not known why such a switch Portsmouth, N.H. Owosso, Mich. San Antonio, Texas would have been used until the states is being made, but FEMA is Celebrity Coaches of America: Industrial Bus Lines: $123,427 Starr Transit Company: $66,585 had exhausted their own resources responsible for responding to $175,293 – Las Vegas Odessa, Texas Trenton, N.J. Classic Coach: $164,461 Keller Transportation: $77,877 Sun Coach Lines/David Sunstein: and supply of buses and needed help emergencies. Bohemia, N.Y. Waldorf, Md. $63,000 – McKeesport, Pa. from the federal government. Meanwhile, USDOT officials Coach America: $550,443 Lakeland Bus Lines: $59,776 Time Lines LLC: $30,126 Lentzsch said the new contract say they already are developing Dallas Dover, N.J. Oklahoma City is expected to require Coach plans to solicit public bids for hur- Coach USA Inc.: $1,641,671 Lamoille Valley Transportation: Tonche Transit: $57,115 America to have available between ricane evacuation services for Paramus, N.J. $76,530 – Morrisville, Vt. Mount Tremper, N.Y. 1,000 and 1,300 coaches that DATTCO: $129,892 – New Britain, Monroe Bus Corporation: $97,843 Trailways Transportation System: 2008. The initial two-year agree- Conn. Brooklyn, N.Y. $1,654,830 – Fairfax, Va. would remain in service, but be ment that USDOT has with Coach Double A Charter: $14,163 Monsey New Square Trails: $263,767 Trans-Bridge Lines: $97,439 close enough to respond to an America, which included the sec- Rocky Hill, Conn. Spring Valley, N.Y. Bethlehem, Pa. emergency within 48 hours. Some ond-year option, expires Jan. 31, Greyhound Lines: $3,283,584 Peter Pan Bus Lines Inc.: $174,234 Travel Lynx of Brevard: $40,685 of them could arrive within 36 2008. Dallas Springfield, Mass. Cocoa, Fla. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS June 1, 2007 13 MCI helps promote ‘cleaner’ travel TUCSON, Ariz. — Motor Coach Caterpillar also is a sponsor of the trip. Industries has signed on as a major sponsor When the tour reaches Burlington, Vt., of a cross country tour by a group of schol- on June 20, the Udall team will be on hand ars who will highlight environmental con- for the launch of the University of Vermont servation, use of public lands, and national “Green Coach Certification” program. The progress towards a more sustainable future. program is aimed at demonstrating the via- The tour, which begins June 12 in bility of using biodiesel fuel by the motor- Washington, D.C. and includes nearly 40 coach industry. states, is being organized by the Morris K. Dave Kestenbaum, senior program man- Udall Foundation, which was established by ager for the UV Tourism Data Center, said Congress 15 years ago to honor former Ari- motorcoach operator Lamoille Valley Trans- zona Rep. Morris Udall’s 30-year legacy of portation of Morrisville, Vt., will be award- public service and environmental activism. ed the university’s first Green Coach Certi- The foundation, which is based in Tuc- fication. son, awards merit-based scholarships, fel- Lamoille Valley and the university’s lowships and internships to students studying Rubenstein School for the Environment and the environment and Native American policy. Natural Resources will be responsible for It also is the home to the U.S. Institute for furthering emissions research during the Environmental Conflict Resolution and other Udall Tour. environment-related programs. MCI Vice President and Chief Customer The Udall Legacy Tour is taking 13 Officer Patricia Ziska said MCI was partici- Udall scholars on a 54-day, “eco-journey,” pating in the tour because it wants to pro- covering 8,606 miles to promote innovative mote the concept that motorcoach travel is environmental public-service activities in both environmentally friendly and luxurious. 26 cities, plus six national parks and six “Passengers can sit back and relax, work Native American communities. on their computers, watch the news or what- Madden, MCI Roll On Together: For the past 20 years, Pro Football Hall of Fame The scholars will be riding the first MCI ever, and they’re in a much more comfort- Coach John Madden has been the celebrity spokesman for Motor Coach Industries. J4500 LX-model coach equipped with a able environment than their car,” she said, To mark the milestone, MCI President and CEO Tom Sorrells presented Madden with 2007 reduced-emissions Caterpillar engine. adding that fully occupied motorcoaches a replica of his E-model MCI, decorated with scenes from his football career. For the trip, the coach will use 20-percent use less energy per passenger mile than time data about the performance of the www.udall.gov, which also includes the biodiesel and 80-percent ultra-low-sulfur planes, trains or automobiles. coach, along with video blogs, will be post- complete itinerary and information about diesel blended fuel. The tour ends Aug. 4 in Tucson. Real- ed on the Udall Foundation Website, specific activities at each stop.

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professional. Holland works with operator, Karim got into the “value-added” content, such as on demand, bringing in customers Winning on the Web Ripple Communications, a Char- Internet business after inventing a tips, membership affiliations and you wouldn’t be able to reach CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 lotte, N.C.-based company that dispatch software system in 1991 additional links. through more conventional means. provides professional Web, print that’s still used today. All Website displays should Cost of Sales. Even the most contact links, and it should serve and multimedia design and devel- “To be good at the Web, you work with both PCs and Macs. extensive Website costs only a frac- the company as a database opment services, and its president, have to be in it full-time,” says Keep font sizes readable. Sites tion of a brick-and-mortar outlet. resource. If your Website isn’t Jim Deitzel. Karim, who recommends leaving should load within 5-10 seconds. Advertising. Put your Web measuring up, you may want to Chicago Classic Coach, a tour this part of the business to experts address on all of your business consider doing what Holland did. and charter company founded by “so you can carry on with growing Build relationships materials and equipment; you can Here are some of the key steps: Richard Hausman, turned to your company.” Karim also recom- Websites are a great tool for convey a lot of information without Get help. If you don’t have the Pervaiz Karim to create its Website. mends querying colleagues to find maintaining customer relation- a lot of cash. time or Internet expertise, hire a A former taxi and limousine fleet Web developers with experience in ships. There’s virtually no way to Build clientele, drive refer- transportation or related industries. stay in touch with customers by rals. A Website makes it easy for Think through the dollars. telephone today. “If you want to satisfied customers to refer people CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Budget for Web marketing, figur- grow, technology is the way,” says to you. And, by soliciting contact ing out where and how you want to Karim. “An online auto responder information from those who visit USED COACHES FOR SALE spend your dollars. Web services lets you keep your clientele ap- your site, you can build for the (2) 1998 Goshen Sentry Elite coaches range from basic design to Web host- prised of what’s going on. Use it to future. ing and search-engine optimizing. broadcast seasonal discount offer- $25,000 each. 33 passenger, video system, Cummins ISB 230-HP “You don’t have to impress vis- ings, upcoming trip schedules, or Where to get help? engine, MT 643 Allison Trans, itors with glitz and flash,” says new hires.” Deitzel of Ripple Communi- rear luggage, rear engine, air Alice Lemon, the in-house Web But don’t constantly blast mes- cations (e-mail: im@ripplecommu- suspension and brakes, dual developer at MCI. “You need to sages. Karim suggests broadcasting nications.com) and Karim (e-mail: A/C, high back reclining seats, approximately 190K miles. budget for search engines to draw no more than once every two weeks. [email protected]) are just two Clean Florida buses, all people to your site.” Be sure your E-newsletters are another effec- sources. systems work. company is listed in online ads, tive medium. FYI by MCI, the com- Members of the United online city guides, Yahoo Local, pany’s monthly newsletter, began in Motorcoach Association can pur- (4) 2003, and (1) 2004, Thomas Built Google Maps and Yellow Pages April 2003 with a list 400 subscrib- chase customized Websites at dis- 31-passenger HDX Saf-T-Liner Transit buses sites. ers. Today, it reaches more than counted prices because UMA part- Perimeter seating, double doors, First impressions count. The 3,500 industry readers. “Every com- ners with AmericanEagle.com to air brakes & suspension, Carrier Internet gives even the smallest munication that comes off your offer Websites that will work with A/C W/O5G compressor, 2003 operators new marketing opportu- Website should go into a database,” most budgets. models have 8.3L Cummins ISC nities and reach. The Web has says Lemon. “With the user’s permis- “With UMA’s Website Design 225HP engines, 2004 model become the first place many cus- sion, use it to build your client list.” Program through American- equipped with MBE 906 6.4L tomers turn to for information on a Blogs are also becoming a way Eagle.com, you can choose from a 250HP engine, all have Allison company and its products. With to create dialogue. variety of packages designed to B300 transmissions, approxi- upwards of 3,700 interstate motor- maximize your exposure and pres- mately 180K miles each, one owner, clean Florida buses. Price: coach operators, it makes sense to Build traffic ent a sleek, professional looking 2003 models $30,000 each, 2004 model $35,000. have a Web presence. There are two ways to get visi- Website to potential customers,” To make sure your Website tors to your Website. First, be sure says UMA President and CEO Call Brian at 727-545-2088 stands out, Lemon of MCI and your web address is featured on all Victor Parra. Dietzel of Ripple Communications, advertising, promotional, market- The UMA-AmericanEagle pro- TWO MCI E SERIES COACHES who assisted in MCI’s Website ing and business materials, as well gram offers these packages: Both are 54 design, have developed a “best as on your coaches. Second, opti- The Beginner is a basic, one- passenger with practices” guide that includes the mize your visibility on search page Website specifically designed Series 60, B500, following advice. engines. for those companies that don’t have retarder, DVD/ Your Website should reflect the Google, Yahoo and other search an existing Website or are com- VCP 6-monitor personality of your business and engines offer key-word advertising pletely new to the Web. The site video, aluminum demonstrate that you care about and pay-per-click advertising. You will feature a logo, photos of the wheels, lavatory your customer’s experience as a can purchase keyword advertising company fleet, contact informa- with holding browser. Your site should accurate- at www.google.com and www.over- tion, and text for $395 to set up and tank, enclosed ly reflect your brand, using your ture.com. $75 per month to host. parcel racks, cup holders, logo and colors correctly. Both Karim and Lemon suggest The Advanced is a full Website magazine nets, window shades, card table, 110 volt A/C battery Think about the type of infor- expert help with search engines. with a content management tool. charger, new turbo, new fan clutch, new bushings, new alternators mation your customers seek. Then “You have to be concise. There With this tool the operator can 2000 102EL3 – 460,000 miles, $229,000 be sure the site features the content can’t be more than 85 characters in adjust the site’s colors, put in your 2001 E4500 – 400,000 miles, $239,000 important to them, including com- your company’s description for own content, pictures and the like. pany background, photos of your links,” says Karim. While the Website is based on a Call Dale at 800-499-5765 or equipment, online reservations, “It’s impossible to make sure template, users have plenty of flex- email [email protected] safety ratings, news, and customer you have every conceivable key- ibility in colors schemes and testimonials. word term accounted for,” says design. The Advanced Package is Keep information current and Lemon. “Someone comes up with available for $2,500 to setup and FOR SALE ~ 2003 AMERITRANS correct. Check your spelling, punc- something like ‘machines on $75 per month for hosting. 31 Passenger tuation and grammar. Review your wheels,’ and you may never think The Premium is a fully cus- DVD, VCR, AM/FM site every 14 days, changing coach of it, so you constantly have to keep tomized, high-end Website. The site Radio • PA System photos when you add new equip- up and audit searches.” is unique to each customer and Air Conditioning ment. Include exterior and interior designed for the operator that’s Large Scenic Windows photos of your coaches. Show Joining the crowd serious about implementing a Rear Luggage Compart. happy passengers and the places Despite the omnipresent nature strategic marketing plan that capi- Interior Luggage Racks where your coaches travel. of the Internet, many coach opera- talizes on the Internet. The Pre- 124,549 Mi. • New Turbo Provide plenty of opportunities tors have been slow to establish a mium Package starts at $6,375, 15 Fisher Bus Service/Niagara Scenic Tours for customers to contact you. Website or to consistently upgrade percent less than regular price. Include e-mail addresses, contact their Web presence. The reasons for For more information about 716-648-7766 forms, phone numbers, company taking action are plentiful. AmericanEagle services, contact address, forms to request a quote, Credibility. A well-designed Chris Foss or Eric Elliott at (703) REPOS FOR SALE brochure downloads, and “have- site with useful, reliable informa- 299-8299, or by e-mail at chrisf@ someone-call-me” telephone re- tion will build trust among online americaneagle.com. Contact Deit- Variety of makes and models of “Bank Repos” sponse forms. Guarantee a re- visitors. zel at jim@ripplecommunica- across the United States and Priced to Sell! sponse time. Visibility. A Website is, essen- tions.com or Karim at pervaizrk@ 1-877-737-2221 Ext. 716 for more information! Include at least 30 percent tially, round-the-clock advertising gmail.com.

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