Texas' Checks Being Sent; Well, Some Of
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February 1, 2009 Finally! Texas’ checks being sent; well, some of ’em AUSTIN, Texas — Motor- Texas in September, according to have been cut. soon. missed loan payments. One opera- coach operators who helped evac- the governor’s office. “We will make good on our Many complained they were tor admitted he had parked his uate people from the path of one Allison Castle, a spokeswom- contracts and our payments,” she forced to borrow money or use re- coaches away from his business of two summer hurricanes to hit an for Gov. Rick Perry, said the said. serves to pay bills associated with because he was afraid they would Texas could be getting paid for state Legislative Budget Board The state has for weeks been the hurricane rescue work, and be repossessed any day. their work — any day now. agreed just before Christmas to the target of heavy criticism from now they’re without cash needed While the possibility of finally The state says it has finally re- make the money available to mo- motorcoach operators who said to help get them through the cur- getting their money is good news leased funds to pay for the rescue torcoach operators and other ven- they were in dire need of their rent slow season. for some operators, others main- work for Hurricane Gustav, the dors involved in the evacuation money and could be in serious fi- Others said they could lose tain the state should never have first of the major storms that struck work and some checks already nancial trouble if they didn’t get it their coaches because they have CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 c BANY ignites California operator wins to oppose N.Y. contentious charter case WASHINGTON D.C. — A Foothill Transit of Covina com- nuisance taxes California charter operator has plained to the FTA that Silverado ALBANY, N.Y. — The Bus As- won its fight with a public transit should be removed from the list of sociation of New York State, known system that tried to get it removed carriers registered with the agency widely as BANY, has launched a from the federal list of private car- because it acted in bad faith during sweeping and ambitious overhaul riers that must be notified when a negotiations for shuttle work for the that calls for both an increase in transit agency is interested in per- Rose Bowl football game Jan. 1. membership and a more diverse forming charter work. The ruling clearing Silverado membership. The ruling by the Federal Tran- of any wrong doing was issued The moves are designed to help sit Administration, however, came four days after the game, allowing strengthen the association so it can too late for Silverado Stages Inc. of the transit agency to provide the work more effectively to head off San Luis Obispo to handle the lucra- service. invasive budgetary proposals from tive job that triggered the dispute. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 c Gov. David Paterson that would re- duce bus-operator commerce. “The budgetary headaches of Transit agency cooperation New York State and the nation, in general, will have much to do in the shaping of our agenda,” says Jerry over charter rule is growing Kremer, the association’s long-time The new Volvo 9700 will be available for test drives at Expo ’09. WASHINGTON — The nine- positively when told of possible vi- counsel. month old federal charter service olations that they might be “New York is faced with a $15 rule that limits the type of charters committing. billion (budget) deficit and will be Prevost to unveil coaches public transit agencies are allowed This is in sharp contrast to the resorting to a variety of nuisance ORLANDO, Fla. — Prevost tion in Kortrijk, Belgium. to provide may finally be taking first few months after the rule be- taxes to balance the budget. In order Car Inc. is unveiling a new motor- “The Volvo 9700 is clearly a hold. came effective when transit agen- to proactively oppose these increas- coach, as well as an updated ver- coach that will make an impres- That’s how things appear to be cies were flooding the Federal Tran- es, we will be actively recruiting sion of its workhorse H model, at sion,” says Prevost Vice President trending as more and more transit sit Administration with requests for new members who can help us UMA Motorcoach Expo 2009 of Sales Dann Wiltgen. officials begin cooperating with exemptions to the rule, and private spread our message to prevent the here Jan. 22. “The exterior is modern and private motorcoach companies operators were regularly calling on passage of the tax package.” The new coach is the 45-foot typically Volvo, and the interior, rather than face formal complaints federal regulators to stop transit of- BANY members are meeting Volvo 9700, which has been adapt- available in three color themes, is for violating the rule. ficials from looking for potential Feb. 5, to discuss the state’s propos- ed to the U.S. and Canadian mar- well designed right down to the als, including the governor’s execu- Ken Presley, vice president of loopholes in the rule or ignoring it kets by Prevost’s parent company, luggage racks and handles, to cre- tive budget, which proposes a levy industrial relations for the United altogether. on bus-ticket sales and the repeal of Volvo Group of Sweden. ate an impression of spaciousness. Motorcoach Association, said that Presley cited two recent exam- a cap on the diesel fuel tax. The 9700 won the European “At the same time, this coach many transit systems are not only ples in which transit agencies react- In the fall, the association plans Coach of the Year award for 2008 will provide our customers with a voluntarily complying with the reg- ed quickly and favorably when it CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 c at the massive Busworld Exhibi- ulation but are even responding CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 c CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 c umaB&MCN 12/12/08 1:25 PM Page 1 At ABC, operations excellence is at the core of every transport solution we offer. 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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 www.abc-companies.com Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS February 1, 2009 3 California’s CARB extends emissions regs for coaches SACRAMENTO, Calif. — “We would have had a night- “It’s a huge benefit to our in- will have to comply with the time- seating for at least 40 passengers Motorcoach companies that oper- mare,” said James Seal, a Califor- dustry,” he asserted. table for both types of emissions, and have a separate under floor ate buses in California have been nia-based motorcoach industry Initially, the Statewide Truck but most motorcoaches will be ex- luggage compartment. The de- given an extra three years – until consultant who was instrumental and Bus Rule — approved by the empt from the NOx requirement scription was to distinguish them 2017 — to meet some of the state’s in winning the extension. board in mid-December — called until Jan. 1, 2017. Motorcoaches from school, shuttle, entertain- tough new emissions standards for “We not only would have been for truck and bus companies to also will be eligible for annual ex- ment and other types of buses. diesel engines. ditching coaches, but ditching equip their over-the-road vehicles ceptions from the PM standards if In addition to setting the new The extension came from the companies as well, because many with emission-reducing equipment the required filters for the emis- emission standards, the truck and California Air Resources Board of them could not have afforded an for particulate matter (PM) by Jan. sions will not fit on particular bus rule also requires that many after it reached a compromise with earlier switchover.” 1, 2011 and for oxides of nitrogen buses because of their tight engine older engines that cannot be retro- the California Bus Association, He said the extension gives (NOx) by Jan. 1, 2014. (See Jan. 1 quarters. fitted to meet the gradually in- which had warned that the earlier motorcoach operators much need- Bus & Motorcoach News.) The board described motor- creasing emission limits be phased deadline of 2014 -- proposed by ed additional time to plan equip- coaches that qualify for the ex- out over a 10-year period begin- the board -- would put many coach ment purchases in preparation for Motorcoaches different emption as those that are “for hire” ning in 2012. companies out of business. the later deadline. Trucks and some buses still only, are at least 35-feet long, have CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 c Industry-March of Dimes link is bolstered by events Godfrey LeBron knows what give back to the community… and it’s like to lose a baby — when his this is a good opportunity to do so.” wife had a miscarriage. “It was the In his own community, Brown worst day of my life.” also underwrites other charities, Today, he’s part of a team of helps with Rotary Club projects, United Motorcoach Association and has served on the board of his leaders working to bring dollars regional March of Dimes chapter.