April 15, 2008

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE BUS INDUSTRY Operators by the hundreds register on FTA Website WASHINGTON — The new More than 800 operators — or where in the United States. like to do, but which they first operator that has declared a will- charter service rule that requires about 25 percent of the private com- “Private operators are register- must offer to private carriers. ingness to work in the area where motorcoach companies to register panies licensed in the U.S. — joined ing for the entire U.S. without It ends the “willing-and-able” the charter is to take place. with the Federal Transit Adminis- the electronic registry in the first understanding the implications,” public notice procedure that transit Many of the federal officials tration — to be notified of charter few weeks of the sign-up period. said FTA spokesman Paul Griffo. agencies have had to follow for and public and private operators work being offered by public tran- Although federal regulators The new rule, which is part of a many years, replacing it with a who were involved in writing the sit agencies — is drawing a torrid are pleased with the response, they major overhaul of the charter rules Web-based registry that coach new charter rules expected most response from private coach oper- also warn there is potential for that are to take effect April 30, operators may join. operators to sign up for work with- ators. problems because many of the drastically changes the way public Under the new process, the in their own states and possibly in And some worries from feder- operators are requesting they be transit agencies notify motorcoach transit agencies will be required to some adjacent states. A much al regulators. notified of any charter work any- operators of charters they would send an e-mail to each registered CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 þ Maine carriers Chinese tourists battle possible heading to U.S., use-tax change may be bonanza AUGUSTA, Maine — For Motorcoach operators in the nearly 30 years, motorcoach opera- U.S. and Canada appear to be in a tors in Maine have largely been strong position to reap the benefits exempt from the state use tax on of a major wave of Chinese tourists new motorcoach purchases. coming to North America as soon But a revised interpretation of as next year, with travel experts the law granting the exemption is predicting nearly 600,000 Chinese threatening operators with tens of vacationers will be visiting the thousands of dollars in taxes and, United States annually by 2011. for one large operator, hundreds of The National Tour Association, thousands of dollars. working through the U.S. Depart- To deal with the issue, Maine ment of Commerce, is trying to pave operators have formed a new state- the way for what many believe is wide coalition, retained a lobbyist, potentially a significant new mar- called in the United Motorcoach Mega Expansion. megabus.com announced an ambitious expansion of its discount curbside service ket for the motorcoach industry. Association for assistance, request- into the northeastern U.S., where it will go head to head with BoltBus and ethnic operators. Story page 3. In late February, NTA an- ed a meeting with the governor, and nounced that the Chinese National solicited support from state and Canadian carriers embrace seatbelts Tourism Administration had ap- regional tourism organizations. proved NTA’s China Inbound Pro- “We had to take a stand or they TORONTO — The Canadian with Transport Canada, the federal absence of standards. gram proposal. would kill us,” said Ray Penfold, motorcoach industry has decided agency that sets vehicle safety And at least one Canadian NTA will provide the Chinese general manager of VIP Tour & to work with the Canadian govern- standards, to conduct bus crash operator reportedly purchased new agency with a list of tour operators Charter Bus Co. in Portland, ment to develop standards for seat- tests this summer that will be Setra coaches because it could get qualified to conduct leisure group Maine, and a member of the new belts in motorcoaches. specifically designed to develop factory-installed seatbelts. travel from China to the United motorcoach coalition. The industry’s leading spokes- seatbelt standards. The tests are Other factors thought to be States. At the same time, NTA will The issue is being seen by some man, Brian Crow, president and not expected to address other influencing Canadian operators to assist tour operators in working as having implications for opera- CEO of Motor Coach Canada and coach-related safety issues such as take action: with Chinese travel agencies. tors in other states that grant use- the Ontario Motor Coach Associa- roof or window strength. • A major oil company in Cal- NTA’s initiative coincides with tax exemptions for vehicles. If tion, said more and more Cana- Crow reports that a number of gary no longer will charter coaches the United States and China sign- Maine succeeds in lifting the dian passengers are requesting Canadian motorcoach operators to take its workers to the oil fields ing a memorandum of understand- exemption for its operators, then seatbelts in coaches. already have begun retrofitting in Alberta unless the buses have ing in December that gives the other states likely would be em- “What’s driving this is con- their buses with seatbelts because seatbelts. U.S. “approved destination status” boldened to do the same. sumer demand,” he said. of passenger demand. • There have been reports that (known as ADS in the travel indus- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 þ The industry plans to work They are doing this despite the CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 þ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 þ

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MIDWEST NORTHEAST SOUTHEAST SOUTHWEST WEST 800-222-2875 800-222-2873 800-222-2871 800-222-2877 800-322-2877 abc-companies.com Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS April 15, 2008 3 Princess Tours driver program megabus.com joins crowded offers students college credit northeastern market May 30 FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Prin- the program, and the credits can be gram conduct tours for visitors on NEW YORK — The long- motorcoaches,” said Dale Moser, cess Tours, one of the largest tour transferred to colleges and univer- various routes throughout Alaska anticipated expansion of mega- president and chief operating offi- bus operators in Alaska, has devel- sities nationwide. during the summer tourism season, bus.com into the super-competi- cer of megabus.com. oped a driver training program that Students participating in the which begins May 4. The driver- tive express service market in the In an effort to grab a quick gives college credit through the program will qualify to receive guides often also provide narrative northeastern U.S. begins next month. foothold in the market, mega- University of Alaska. three credits for ABUS 267, Trans- information for passengers to give Within days of the announce- bus.com is offering free fares for Every year, Princess Tours hires portation and Logistics Manage- them more appreciation of the ment that Greyhound and Peter all travel booked to depart during scores of college students to serve ment, a course in the Applied Busi- state’s many attractions. They also Pan bus lines were teaming up to the first week of service — May as driver-guides on its tour coaches ness Department of the university. learn basic maintenance and launch a new service, called Bolt- 30-June 5. The customary 50-cent in Alaska. To prepare students for Princess is the first tour compa- mechanical duties. Bus, to compete with the ethnic booking fee will still apply. the summer jobs, Princess Tours ny in Alaska, and perhaps the U.S., “We’re so pleased the Univer- bus companies operating along the “The overwhelming popularity operates a commercial driver train- offering a program where students sity of Alaska Fairbanks has recog- East Coast, megabus.com an- of megabus.com’s innovative, ing program. can earn university credits by com- nized the high quality of our driver nounced it too would offer $1 and express bus service prompted us to This year, students can earn pleting a motorcoach driver train- training programs by deeming up fares between major northeast- expand to the East Coast,” said credit through the University of ing course. them worthy of college credits,” ern cities. Moser.… “As the leader in provid- Alaska Fairbanks by completing Students completing the pro- CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 þ Beginning May 30, East Coast ing budget intercity express coach residents will be able to travel on services, megabus.com looks for- megabus.com from New York to ward to serving East Coast travel- Priority One of Dallas changes hands Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, ers with the same passion and DALLAS — Priority One rate transportation, destination providers in the U.S. Baltimore, Buffalo, N.Y., and exceptional value for money our Transportation, a diversified management services, and colle- Phillip Capers, Wynne’s CFO, Atlantic City, N.J., in the U.S., plus customers have come to expect.” Dallas-based motorcoach operator, giate and professional sports teams. said the acquisition will have both a Toronto in Canada. megabus.com sells its tickets has been acquired by Wynne Sedan The company has a fleet of positive top-line revenue and bot- However, some approvals and online, offering guaranteed seat- & Limousine Group, also of motorcoaches, midsize and limo tom-line profit impact on Wynne’s pick-up locations were still pend- ing, Wi-Fi, free video entertain- Dallas. buses, vans, town cars and a 1940 2008 financials. ing as of early this month. ment and, starting next month, the Priority One was purchased Packard. Annual revenue is $2 mil- Capers also announced that Nevertheless, reservations for ability to access its Website on cus- from Dan O’Meara, who remains lion. Wynne will be adopting the same most cities were being taken at tomer mobile devices where they with the company, along with his Wynne Sedan & Limousine is a USDOT standards for its limou- www.megabus.com. can view updates regarding travel staff, to operate the business as a 22-year-old company that, with the sine, sedan, SUV, van and midsize “megabus.com will offer up to reservations and schedules, as well separate entity. Among Priority acquisition, becomes one of the 35 bus drivers as has been required of 55 daily departures from New York as purchase new tickets. One’s principal markets are corpo- largest chauffeured transportation CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 þ in new, greener, state-of-the-art CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 þ 4 April 15, 2008 Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

Minnesota limits road tolling, Construction Congestion plan for NYC blocks highway privatization begins around back under consideration ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minne- Toll roads and other alternative NEW YORK — The New York al warming; and the need to raise sota has become the first state to financing arrangements that were Mount Vernon General Assembly is considering significant revenue for mass transit stem the tide of toll road creation established prior to Sept. 1, 2007, new legislation that would allow improvements.” and privatization of roadways. are not affected by the law. Nor is MOUNT VERNON, Va. — Op- New York City to charge an $8 toll Paterson coupled his an- When Minnesota legislators the construction of new general- erators sending coaches to Wash- for all vehicles, with the possible nouncement with introduction of a passed the Transportation Finance purpose lanes, such as high-occu- ington, D.C. this summer need to exception of buses, entering Man- bill that would essentially set up Bill they not only prohibited any pancy toll lanes added to existing be alert to a construction project hattan below 60th Street between 6 the congestion pricing plan and state authority from ever convert- highways. along the George Washington a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through fulfill the requirements for the ing any existing highway to a toll An experimental shoulder-lane Memorial Parkway and around Friday. $354 million federal grant. road but also prohibited any road project, included in an agreement George Washington’s Mount Ver- The goal of the plan is to New York Mayor Michael non Estate and Gardens here. authority from transferring, whether with the federal government, is reduce the number of vehicles on Bloomberg praised Paterson’s bill, The National Park Service, in by sale or lease, any roadway to a also exempt from the prohibition. city streets, thereby improving saying it will “reduce traffic, cut cooperation with the Federal private party for it to operate. Under the plan, narrow bus-only Highway Administration, has be- traffic movement and air quality. pollution and raise revenue for The legislation also prohibits shoulder lanes along Interstate gun making construction up- The estimated $491 million transit projects.” requiring commercial vehicles to 35W in Minneapolis will be con- grades to Mount Vernon Circle that would be generated annually Bloomberg’s original plan to use any tolled roadway. verted to toll lanes. and to parking lots adjacent to the from the plan would be earmarked charge motorists a fee to drive into Additionally, passage of the Buses and other high-occupan- Mount Vernon estate. for transit projects around the city. Manhattan’s central business dis- bill was notable because it in- cy vehicles will operate at no The project, expected to be Passing the plan, which re- trict has been modified by both volved a rare veto override and the charge in these lanes. However, completed by fall, will reconfig- quires city and state approval, is New York DOT and the Conges- first fuel tax increase in Minnesota during peak times single-occupant ure traffic through Mount Vernon essential to receiving a $354 mil- tion Mitigation Commission since in 20 years (see April 1 Bus & vehicles will be allowed to use the Circle, extend the Mount Vernon lion federal grant for bus and sub- it was announced last year. (See Motorcoach News). lanes if they pay a toll. Trail, resurface existing parking way improvements. May 15 Bus & Motorcoach News.) lots, add 150 parking spaces for vis- In announcing his support for Revisions to the plan have Ky. considers tolling agency itor use, and improve visitor access. the congestion pricing plan for included shrinking the pricing Construction will include New York City, new Gov. David zone, charging taxis and black cars FRANKFORT, Ky. — The reconstruction of the Interstate grading, pavement resurfacing, Paterson said “congestion pricing a surcharge for driving in the zone, Kentucky legislature is consider- 71/75 Brent Spence Bridge utility and drainage improve- addresses two urgent concerns of and exempting all buses from the ing legislation that would create a between Kentucky and Ohio, and ments, a trail extension, and side- residents of the city and its sub- proposed $8 fee. statewide authority with the power two proposed interstate projects. walk addition. urbs: the need to reduce conges- The plan must be approved by to levy tolls to pay for major state Meanwhile, the Senate has The Park Service says the tion on our streets and roads, and both state lawmakers and the city highway projects. allocated $430 million in state road work is not expected to present thereby reduce pollution and glob- council. A bill establishing the Ken- funds for the Louisville bridges. major impacts to visitors using the tucky Public Transportation Infra- But opponents say the Senate George Washington Memorial structure Authority (House Bill budget plan would consume an Parkway or going to the Mount Report warns of congestion 689) has passed the state House average of 42 percent of Ken- Vernon estate. and been sent to the state Senate — tucky’s federal road dollars over All travel lanes are to remain costs at Canada/U.S. border where it faces opposition and a the next two years. It also falls open northbound and southbound WASHINGTON — A new wire service. “We need an attitude competing bill. short of Kentucky’s $2.9 billion during rush hours from 5 to 9:30 report says relieving bottlenecks at adjustment. We have powerful a.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. The authority that would be set share of the project. the U.S./Canada border should be attributes that we can build on and Signs and variable message up under the House bill would levy The Senate also is considering made a high-profile issue during benefit from, if we have effective tolls to pay for state highway “mega- Senate Bill 7, which calls for creat- boards will be posted for any lane closures, detours and delays dur- the U.S. presidential election. leadership.” projects,” which are defined as proj- ing local funding authorities to ing the construction process. The report says Canada and He said that growth in the ects costing more than $500 million. handle local projects, rather than a Additional information about the U.S. must work together to region must be a federal priority. Falling into this category is the statewide authority that would the project can be found at www.efl. develop a “border of the future” “There’s an obsession with proposed $4.1 billion Ohio River finance all large projects. fhwa.dot.gov/traffic-advisory. that would take advantage of new China around the globe,” Austin Bridges Project (two bridges and Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear aspx, or by calling (703) 404-6260 technology to smooth the flow of said. “We do more trade with the untangling of the current inter- has urged the legislature to solve or (800) 892-8776 weekdays be- people and goods across the fron- Canada in one day than we do over state maze in downtown Louisville the funding problem one way or tween 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. tier. weeks and months with China.” known as “Spaghetti Junction”). another before the legislative ses- The report also calls on both The report points out that trade Also at stake are a major bridge sion ends this month. Charter notice countries to improve border infra- crossing the Ambassador Bridge in structure such as bridges, ports of a single day matches the annual The following public transit Idaho fee bill could be costly provider has informed the United entry, rail lines and seaports. total of U.S. exports to Japan. Motorcoach Association of its The report was published by The report is critical of in- BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho see a significant increase in fees. several groups, including the creased security initiatives. legislature is considering bills that For example, commercial vehi- intent to provide charter bus serv- ice unless willing and able private Brookings Institution, the Wash- “What really alarms us is the would boost registration fees for cles weighing between 30,000 and ington think tank. speed at which these new require- commercial vehicles to help make 40,000 pounds would pay a regis- operators step forward to provide the service. UMA urges appropri- John Austin, director of Brook- ments are being put on border up a shortfall of $200 million in tration fee of $379, up from $291, ate operators to take the time to ings’ Great Lakes Economic Initia- crossings,” said Sarah Hubbard, state transportation funding. while vehicles weighing between respond to this notice. tive, said decision makers must vice president of government rela- One bill introduced in the state 40,001 and 50,000 pounds would Jefferson City, Mo. Deadline: think of the region from upstate tions with the Detroit Regional Senate aims to raise an additional pay a fee of $460, up from $360. April 21, 2008. Write to: Richard New York to Minnesota, including Chamber. “We depend on a free $57.5 million annually for high- Sponsors of the legislation say Turner, Transit Division Director, the southern portions of Ontario flow of traffic with Canada.” way funding through higher regis- it is not designed to punish heavy City of Jefferson, Department of and Quebec, as a single region The report says both countries tration fees. vehicle operators, rather it is meant Community Development, 320 E. linked by the Great Lakes. should have a strategy in place by All commercial vehicles weigh- to simplify a convoluted system of McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO “We’re not islands; we’re mu- 2015 to reduce congestion and red ing more than 8,000 pounds would fee schedules and applicability. 65101. Phone: (573) 634-6599. tually dependent,” Austin told a tape at the border. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS THE DOCKET April 15, 2008 5 Drivers with sleep apnea may have to get treatment WASHINGTON — The med- Respiratory Neurobiology at the obesity. But there apparently is no able for obstructive sleep apnea apnea, another 5.8 percent had ical review board of the Federal University of Pennsylvania and agreement yet at what level of obe- includes surgery or putting on a moderate sleep apnea and 4.7 per- Motor Carrier Safety Administra- adviser to the medical review sity should the benchmark be set. mask while sleeping to allow air cent suffer from severe sleep apnea. tion is expected to issue recom- board. If the agency eventually ap- into the body’s airway. According to one expert, driv- mendations this month that would The board is expected to rec- proves the recommendation, driv- A study by the agency of com- ers with obstructive sleep apnea are require commercial vehicle drivers ommend that commercial truckers ers would have to be treated for the mercial driver license holders 2 1/2 times more at risk of being with obstructive sleep apnea to get be required to undergo a sleep study condition to get certified. The showed that 17.6 percent of li- involved in a crash. And the crash- treatment before they are allowed once they reach a certain level of range of treatment modules avail- censed truckers had mild sleep es tend to be more severe. to drive. The recommendations are de- signed to curb drowsiness among commercial vehicle drivers, espe- cially truckers, as well as act on medical findings regarding the sleep disorder. People who have obstructive sleep apnea wake up frequently during sleep because the disorder causes their airways to partially close. The constant awakening, once every minute or two in severe cases, makes them unusually drowsy during their waking peri- ods. That makes them especially risky for driving over-the-road vehicles. A major contributor to the con- dition is obesity, says Allan Pack, director of the Center for Sleep and Ill.-Missouri in agreement on new bridge ST. LOUIS — Missouri and Illinois have (finally) agreed on construction of a $640 million bridge to be built on Interstate 70 over the Mississippi River here. Under the agreement, the New Mississippi River Bridge will be built in the location originally approved by the Federal Highway Administration in 2001, which is one mile north of the Martin Luther King Bridge in north St. Louis. The bridge will have four lanes, two lanes in each direction, with room to expand to six lanes. The bridge will connect I-70 at the I-55/I-64/I-70 interchange on the Illinois side to I-70 near Cass Avenue on the Missouri side. The bridge will not charge tolls. Design for the project will begin immediately, with construc- tion starting as early as 2010 and lasting four to six years. The New Mississippi River Bridge is expected to reduce se- vere traffic congestion and vehicle crashes on the Poplar Street Bridge. Currently, the Poplar Street Bridge carries combined traffic for Interstates 55, 64 and 70 — an average of 115,000 and 125,000 vehicles daily. It was projected that by 2030, it would carry more than 150,000 vehicles daily if no additional major river bridge crossing were constructed. Visit www.newriverbridge.org for more information. 6 April 15, 2008 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

to them enjoying their vacation. actively courted by tourism destina- their favorite food, Terry said. ducted a two-day program in New Chinese tourists She added that NTA tour operators tions across the world that seek to “Learn what translates well,” York — for policyholders who are CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 will be looking to their motorcoach attract China’s projected 100 mil- Terry said. “Chinese love it when members of the International try). The memorandum provides company partners to help them lion international travelers by 2020.” you’re humble. It’s important to Motor Coach Group — that includ- the necessary framework to permit meet these needs through “cus- understand nuances. Many Chinese ed a session on Chinese tourism. Chinese much-expanded group tomization and flexibility.” Huge potential market don’t like credit cards or checks. One of the speakers was Dr. leisure travel to the U.S. In addi- NTA provided market informa- Last year, 30 million Chinese They pay with cash. Never talk Wolfgang Georg Arlt, who has 30 tion, U.S. travel destinations will tion and education on best practices got permission to travel, a first step about Tiananmen Square, and years experience with China and be able to market in China. through seminars at the associa- before obtaining a visa, Terry said. never ask them a question that they Chinese tourism and is director of NTA President Lisa Simon said tion’s Tour Operator Spring Meet Terry said there will be two lev- can’t answer without looking stu- the China Outbound Tourism Re- the likelihood of a substantial earlier this month, and will contin- els of Chinese tourists, similar to pid. When dealing with any Asian search Institute in Heide, Germany. increase in Chinese travelers will ue the initiative at the NTA annual those from Japan. tourist, ‘face’ is paramount.” Arlt sees benefits ahead for be very good for the motorcoach convention in November and in a “They will be either incredibly On her Website, www.bethter- motorcoach operators. In Europe, industry. series of online opportunities. wealthy and won’t get on a motor- ry.com, Terry cites advice and for example, most of the Chinese In 2006, China ranked as the “Additionally,” Simon said, coach unless they rent one for insight from Calvin Sun, an tour groups travel by motorcoach, 17th largest international market “NTA will be submitting the offi- themselves and their friends, or like American-born Chinese, who is he told Bus & Motorcoach News in for the United States, with more cial list of approved operators to the the average Japanese, they will be principal of Technology Horizons an e-mail. than 320,000 Chinese business vis- CNTA in the coming weeks, at great with tours and will love getting of Paoli, Pa., a consulting firm. “In China this is the ‘normal’ itors. But with the new agreement which point, motorcoach compa- on a bus,” Terry said. “They prefer to Sun, like Terry, emphasizes the short- to middle-distance transport Chinese ordinary citizens may now nies may market their products and have a tour guide with them.” need to be humble and modest. system below 1,000 kilometers travel to the U.S. in groups for services directly to those who will Terry recommends that motor- “Therefore, be careful about agree- (620 miles),” he said. leisure purposes. be handling the inbound Chinese coach operators make the experi- ing with compliments about your Chinese leisure visitors are “We anticipate they will be business.” ence comfortable for Chinese visi- staff or other aspects of your busi- likely to consist of the top 5 percent more than comfortable with bus Beth Terry, who discussed the tors by having a well-trained staff. ness,” he said. “Instead, consider of society, meaning “these people travel in the United States,” Simon “new Asian tourism influx” at the “Having someone in China or saying how you try your best but you can afford travel to the USA and said. “And as we in the industry American Bus Association Market- connected to China will help you realize you always can do better.” Canada,” Arlt said. “Their spending know — traveling on today’s place in Virginia Beach in Feb- understand the market,” Terry said. Terry said the most popular power is substantial.” motorcoach is traveling first class.” ruary, told Bus & Motorcoach “If they have a good experience, U.S. destinations for Chinese tour- To cash in on the potential News that China is quickly becom- they’ll go home and tell their ists would be the national parks, bonanza, Arlt urges motorcoach Understanding the market ing one of the hottest outbound friends. If they have a bad experi- including the Grand Canyon and operators to understand the source Simon said the Chinese govern- tourism markets in the world. ence, well, they’ll tell their friends Mount Rushmore, and Disneyland. market thoroughly, especially the ment wants to ensure that tour Terry, who has a strong back- that, too.” “They want to see things that are cultural differences. operators and their supplier part- ground in tourism and owns Beth Motorcoach and tour operators different from China,” Terry said. “Chinese have been waiting to ners understand the unique wants Terry Seminars Inc., based in Phoe- could have a problem if they show be able to travel to their No. 1 and needs of Chinese travelers, and nix, said: “Although still in its any perceived sign of disrespect or European perspective dream country, so this will happen that language will not be a barrier infancy, the China market is being fail to provide Chinese visitors with Last fall, Lancer Insurance con- starting in 2009,” Arlt says.

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8 April 15, 2008 NEWS ANALYSIS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Being ‘thrown under the bus’ becomes popular cliche From the tar pits of the blogos- on the tip of everyone’s tongue this tion of the phrase back to Cyndi phere to the peaks of the main- week. Jeremiah Wright was Lauper, who jauntily tossed her stream media, one strange phrase Obama’s religious mentor, after all, critics “under the bus” after the Obama’s speech gets has bubbled up in the wake of Sen. the person who officiated at his release of her debut album She’s So Barack Obama’s speech on race in marriage and baptized his kids. Unusual in 1983, says Safire. ‘thrown under the bus’ America: “He didn’t throw him And while Obama distanced him- But he suspects that the phrase Poor Barack Obama’s grand- Points” under the bus.” self from Wright’s sermons, he also has deeper roots in minor-league mother. She may never ride public • Powerline: “Throw grandma The “him” is the Rev. Jeremiah humanized the fiery preacher by baseball, where players are almost transportation again. under the bus” Wright Jr., Obama’s former pastor, attributing his remarks to the lin- always bused to away games. In Not after the beating — actual- • Rich Lowry: “The Throw whose angry and racially charged gering injuries of racism. fact, its original meaning could ly, tossing — she got in her grand- Your Grandmother Under the Bus sermons have sparked controversy In other words, according have been quite literal: be on time son’s speech on the Rev. Jeremiah Speech” that could undercut Obama’s presi- CNN’s senior political analyst for the bus, or you will be thrown Wright. You’ll remember these • Fred Barnes: “What he did, dential candidacy. David Gergen: “He didn’t throw underneath it, into the storage bays. words from Obama: was throw his grandmother under But the metaphor — “throw him under the bus.” He says the metaphor has also been “I can no more disown him the bus.” him under the bus” — is tougher to Another reason for the star turn used as a way to say “get with it, or than I can disown the black com- Ah, but those are conserva- explain. of the phrase could be the lazy get lost,” as in “you’re either on the munity. I can no more disown him tives, you’re surely saying. Hardly Where did it come from? Why nature of the human mind. In live bus, or you’re under it.” than I can my white grandmother evidence of vehicular manslaugh- is it suddenly ubiquitous? And at conversation, people unconsciously He isn’t quite sure when the — a woman who helped raise me, ter, right? And that crowd proba- the risk of sounding overly sensi- grab the first phrase that comes to meaning of the phrase crystallized a woman who sacrificed again and bly already hates buses, just like tive, is it even advisable, given its them, which more often than not is into the act of “summarily and again for me, a woman who loves they presumably detest light rail. ugly echo with the “back of the what someone else just said, decisively rejecting someone.” me as much as she loves anything Then you need to check out the bus” legacy of African-Americans? according to Geoff Nunberg, the What’s most striking about the in this world, but a woman who message board of Obama booster In the last few years, “thrown one-time chairman of the American sudden ubiquity of “thrown under once confessed her fear of black Oprah Winfrey. under the bus” has become the Heritage Dictionary’s usage panel the bus” is that it doesn’t seem to men who passed by her on the If you’re not moved to emotion leading cliché of the political blame and now a linguist at UC- fill any particular need. It does the street, and who on more than one by this comment: “Poor grand- occasion has uttered racial or eth- mother, I hope there’s plenty of game. Former Arkansas attorney Berkeley’s School of Information. same work as ‘thrown off a pier’ or nic stereotypes that made me room under that bus, it’s getting general Bud Cummins used it to The same plagiaristic habit is ‘tossed out a window,’ according to cringe. These people are a part of kinda crowded.” Then surely this assess the fate of nine colleagues on display in the film The Big Nunberg, the Berkeley linguist, me. And they are a part of one will grab your heartstrings: who were mysteriously dismissed Lebowski, where characters repeat who declined to add yet another America, this country that I love.” “He threw his grandmother under in 2006; rocker Melissa Etheridge lines scene to scene. (The Dude, for theory to origin of the phrase Since that speech, observers the bus while trying to extract him- used it last year to characterize the example, says “ya know, this (“Maybe it was rockers. Maybe it agree on one thing — Obama’s self from under the wheels. What a lives of gays and lesbians after the aggression will not stand, man,” was baseball. The fact is these white grandmother got pushed un- pathetic grandson, that Obama.” 1992 presidential election, and ear- after he hears the first President things tend to grow etymologies der the bus. Again. And again. And to think, those are the lier this year MSNBC political Bush use it on television.) The after the fact,” he says.) And again. Taking over from where folks who scream and cry uncon- reporter David Schuster claimed he underlying principle is simple: Neither Nunberg nor Safire throwing momma from the train trollably over a free car giveaway. was “thrown under the bus” for an once a person says “throw him think the phrase harkens back to left off, grandmothers and motor- Must be the mode of transporta- uncouth on-air remark he made under the bus,” the phrase lodges Rosa Parks or the Montgomery bus coaches are now front and center. tion. about Chelsea Clinton. itself in the foreground of the mind, boycotts of 1955, when African- In fact, buses may not have Even Oprah couldn’t save In general, “thrown under the where it becomes the first phrase Americans protested the law that gotten this much attention since Obama’s grandmother from the bus” is a metaphor for what hap- retrieved in conversation. Parrots forced them to sit in the “back of Keanu Reeves tried to save one in bus as its big wheels keep on pens when someone takes a hit for do the same thing. the bus.” Good to know. But it’s still Speed. rolling. So before we get out from someone else’s actions. But unlike But who was the first person to a drain to hear the same phrase over Consider... under the bus, Gus, let’s make a its etymological cousins, “scape- squawk about throwing someone and over, channel after channel, • Ann Coulter: “Obama felt new plan and hope Obama’s great- goat” and “fall guy,” the phrase under the bus, or being thrown column after column. It might be perfectly comfortable throwing his grandmother got better treatment. suggests a degree of intimacy under themselves? In an interview time to throw “under the bus” white grandmother under the bus” Until then, we’ll have to ponder between the blamer and the with Newsweek, William Safire, under the bus. • Gateway Pundit: “Barack this question asked at Yahoo! blamed. the author of “Safire’s Political Taken from Newsweek maga- Throws His Ailing Grandmother Answers: “Why did Obama throw That’s why it might have been Dictionary,” traced the populariza- zine. Under the Bus to Score Political his grandmother under the bus?”

How to contact us ISSUE NO. 121 Joan Libby Cavalier Coach Boston, Mass. To submit or report news, Letters to the Editor, To advertise or to mail advertising-related articles, news releases: materials: A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION Marcia Milton Call: Johnny Steger First Priority Trailways E-mail: [email protected] Staff Advisory Board District Heights, Md. Fax: (405) 942-6201 (866) 930-8426 E-mail: [email protected] Editor & Publisher William Allen Bob Foley Michael Neustadt Mail: 3108 NW 54th Street Sierra Trailways ABC Companies Coach Tours Oklahoma City, OK 73112 Mail: 2200 N. Yarbrough, Suite B Victor Parra Sacramento, Calif. Faribault, Minn. Brookfield, Conn. Box No. 336 Call: (866) 930-8421 Sales Director Senior Editor Larry Benjamin Gladys Gillis Jeff Polzien El Paso, TX 79925 Johnny Steger Bruce Sankey Northfield Lines Starline Transportation Red Carpet Tours To subscribe or inquire about your subscription: Northfield, Minn. Seattle Oklahoma City To contact the Call: (866) 930-8421 United Motorcoach Association: Industry Editor Associate Editor Dave Bolen Robert Hume Tom Ready E-mail: [email protected] Ken Presley Ellen Balm New World Tours Travel Mates Trailways Ready Bus Lines Call: (800) 424-8262 Bristow, Va. Harrisonburg, Va. LaCrescent, Minn. Fax: (405) 942-6201 Online: www.uma.org Editorial Assistant Editorial Assistant David Brown Daryl G. Johnson Brian Scott Mail: 3108 NW 54th Street Holiday Tours J & J Charters Escot Bus Lines Oklahoma City, OK 73112 To send advertisements or photographs Amy Stalknecht Mark Gedris Randlemann, N.C. Crosby, Texas Largo, Fla. via the Internet: Accountant Art Director James Brown Sr. Dale Krapf Michelle Silvestro To report corrections: E-mail: [email protected] Krapf Coaches Ted Williford Mary E. McCarty Magic Carpet Tours National Interstate Insurance Co. Call: (866) 930-8421 Richmond, Va. West Chester, Pa. Richfield, Ohio E-mail: [email protected] ©2008 by the United Motorcoach Association. Editorial Assistant Steve Brown Godfrey Lebron T. Ralph Young Reproduction in whole or in part without Brown Coach Paradise Trailways Young Transportation written permission is prohibited. Maggie Barr Amsterdam, N.Y. Hicksville, N.Y. Ashville, N.C. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS April 15, 2008 9 Seatbelts Carolina operators learn expensive lesson in Boston CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 BOSTON — A group of motor- for the annual convention of the ently sent their junkiest equipment. three towed coaches and fines from at least one large European-based coach operators from the Carolinas National Science Teachers Associa- Wrong place to do that. Massachu- $20,000 to $40,000, depending on tour company will not allow its apparently learned a tough lesson tion at the Boston Convention & setts has some of the toughest bus whose version you believe. customers to sit in the first or sec- here late last month at a national Exhibition Center. inspection agencies anywhere. Bottom line: If you’re going to ond rows of beltless coaches it convention of teachers. Organizers of the event brought After all, they’ve had to deal with send coaches 1,000 miles to pro- charters. “Think of the message The teachers also may have got- in buses from all over, including cut-rate ethnic curbside operators vide shuttle service in a big-league that sends,” said Crow. ten an education in bus chartering. those from the Carolinas that trav- for the past three years. city, you better know what you’re • Both Europe and Australia, The operators from North and eled 800 to 1,200 miles, because According to one report, bus getting into. which have long historical ties South Carolina, as well as other they seemingly were cheaper than inspections conducted the first cou- Or, more to the point, don’t put with Canada, have seatbelt re- states, had brought their coaches to local bus companies. ple of days of the convention pro- unsafe coaches on the road — it quirements and standards. Boston to provide shuttle service Some of the operators appar- duced 85 out-of-service items, can be very expensive. In fact, European standards could serve as a model for Canada given that three of the four leading coach suppliers in Canada — Prevost, Van Hool and Setra, are European-owned or -affiliated companies. The fourth manufac- turer, Motor Coach Industries, is based in the U.S., but has its largest plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Crow said all four coach build- ers, plus Canada’s three largest coach operators (Pacific Western Transportation, Greyhound Canada and Coach Canada), are working with Motor Coach Canada on its initiative with Transport Canada. In anticipation of the eventual development of seatbelt standards, Motor Coach Canada is research- ing provincial laws and regulations covering seatbelts and their use. For example, Ontario has a law, designed for autos and vans, that makes the driver responsible for assuring that all passengers under the age 16 are wearing a seatbelt when the vehicle is moving. The Ontario Motor Coach Association will attempt to get the requirement changed, making pas- sengers responsible for wearing seatbelts. From time to time during the past 30+ years, Transport Canada has considered the issue of seatbelts in motorcoaches. About 10 years ago, for example, the agency con- ducted an internal review of bus safety issues, which was expanded to include stakeholder consultations. At the time, Transport Canada concluded that seatbelts “would be of potential benefit in only a very few cases. They would need man- agement by bus operators and reli- able use by passengers to achieve effectiveness. The benefit is too uncertain to impose seatbelts with- out a clear demand for a standard from the public and the motor car- rier industry.” The agency went on to say that the cost of seatbelt installation is almost certainly a minor factor compared with the cost of a new bus. But it noted that the true cost of seatbelts also includes mainte- nance in good and clean operating condition, and a program to ensure proper use by passengers. “The last two require commitment by the operator supported by govern- ment enforcement.” 10 April 15, 2008 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

are used to service the cruise ship look outside of Maine for operators ues, would put Canadian ports in a come to Maine due to the inability Maine operators tours. to conduct the tours,” Penfold con- stronger competitive position. to provide diverse and interesting CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Penfold and other members of tends. “It’s also worth noting that the shore excursions, it is unlikely that Under a law Maine adopted in the operators’ consortium, which is “Looking outside of Maine for cruise ships that come into Maine the cruise line would return in the 1980, there is a state use-tax called the Maine Family Bus buses would not only have a nega- typically are made up of older pas- future.” exemption for vehicles, railroad Group, say if Maine Revenue Ser- tive impact on Maine motorcoach sengers who are very interested in Members of the Maine Family rolling stock, aircraft and water- vices is successful with its effort to operators but also would serve to day trips and prefer to disembark Bus Group are taking their message craft used in interstate or foreign deny the use-tax exemption the make the tour more costly as the while in port rather than stay to the governor and carrying it to commerce at least 80 percent of the impact will be devastating for both tour operators would need to pay aboard the ship to do other things. state legislators was well. time during the first two years after coach companies and tourism in more for out-of-state buses to The lack of revenue from the cruise It is the coalition’s belief that the equipment is purchased. Maine. defray costs of getting the coaches passengers would hurt local busi- the state law may be in conflict New motorcoaches that provide “First and foremost, Maine to Maine, assuming such out-of- nesses that count on the passengers with federal laws covering inter- interstate bus service clearly are motorcoach companies would not state motorcoaches were available. to spend money when they come state commerce. It has long been entitled to the exemption. be able to use their newest coaches “With the added costs, the into port,” Penfold adds. held by the motorcoach industry to service the cruise ship passen- cruise lines would find stopping in that land tours for cruise ship pas- Tax man cometh gers if doing so would prevent the Maine ports less desirable as a Maine may lose out sengers are an extension of inter- However, Maine Revenue operators from fulfilling the good portion of their marketing and “Our coalition believes this state commerce. Services has recently taken the requirements for the use-tax income relies on the ability to offer issue is important not only for its The issue could end up in feder- position that motorcoaches that exemption,” says Penfold. “Thus, interesting shore excursions,” says own interests but to the Maine al court unless Maine authorities pick up cruise ship passengers who motorcoach operators would either Penfold. tourism industry as a whole. In the reverse their position and retain the come into Maine ports, primarily be forced to send their newest Such a development, he contin- event a cruise line decided not to use-tax exemption. Bar Harbor and Portland, are not coaches outside of Maine, or they For the uninitiated, a use tax is a engaged in interstate commerce. would not have a need to purchase substitute for sales tax. Use taxes And, the bus tours conducted the high-end coaches that are used Coach stolen in New Jersey is recovered are typically imposed to minimize for cruise ship passengers do not to service the cruise ship passen- SEACAUCUS, N.J. — A 2001 missing. There was no other damage. unfair competition between sales count towards fulfilling the inter- gers. MCI D-model coach that was Brian Hagey reports the thieves made in-state and those made out state use requirement that must be stolen from a motel parking lot put 83 miles on the bus, including of state. The tax applies when sales met to take advantage of the use- Looking elsewhere here last month has been recovered. crossing the George Washington tax has not been charged. tax exemption. “Without high-end coaches, the The bus is owned by Hagey Coach Bridge. Members of the Maine Family Operators in Maine rely heavily tour operators who contract the day Inc. of Souderton, Pa. Anyone with information about Bus Group include eight coach on the use-tax exemption to help trips on behalf of the cruise lines The coach was found in the the theft should contact the Secaucus operators, plus state and regional reduce the cost of purchasing new would not be inclined to hire Maine parking lot of another motel with Police Department at (201) 330- tourism executives, at least one motorcoaches, which frequently motorcoach operators but would the video monitors and spare tire 2060. The case number is 02565. state representative, and UMA. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS April 15, 2008 11 Affordable health insurance is goal of UMA program ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The and associates, Parra adeed. their families and their employees environments, or become a burden Medicare does not cover long-term United Motorcoach Association is Association Health Programs, a — both full and part time,” he said. to their family and friends. With care services. partnering with Association Health nationally known company, has “Programs are comprehensive the proper funding now, you will UMA insurance programs in- Programs of Overland Park, Kan., been retained to administer the pro- and all inclusive, and include health have the money in the future to clude term life insurance, universal to bring UMA members a program gram. Stuart Pase, president of saving accounts, co-pays, choice of provide for very expensive servic- life insurance, whole life insurance, designed to reduce the cost of Association Health Programs, said deductibles, routine care and pre- es in your home and/or assisted key person, and buy-sell insurance. health insurance coverage. his company welcomes all UMA scription drug coverage,” Pace noted. living or nursing home care — at a “People who smoke, have dia- The new program, available members to take advantage of the In addition to health insurance, time when financial ruin can take betes, are overweight or have other nationwide, includes health insur- special benefits, protection, under- UMA members between the ages all your assets and choices away,” high-risk medical conditions can be ance, life insurance, long-term care writing and pricing. of 45-75 also may be eligible for said Pase. helped many times with preferred insurance, cancer coverage, acci- “UMA members will join other comprehensive long-term care UMA/Association Health Pro- rates,” said Pase. dent insurance, disability income, clients of Association Health Pro- insurance. All policies include grams offers members access to For more information, includ- critical illness, dental insurance, grams, which includes more than home health care, assisted living every long-term care insurance ing a free evaluation of your cur- vision coverage and other aspects. 130 associations with up to two and nursing home care. company on a national basis with rent health and insurance benefits, “These benefits will allow million members over the past 17 “As life expectancy lengthens, savings that cannot be obtained by call Association Health Programs UMA members to take advantage years,” said Pase. people do not want to lose their yourself in the marketplace, at (913) 341-2868 or (888) 450- of better insurance coverage at the UMA members that offer assets, their freedom of living according to Pase, noting that 3040. Or, www.uma.miquotes.com. lowest possible rates,” said UMA health coverage for their employees President and CEO Victor Parra. should take a moment to compare “This new, comprehensive health their existing plan to a plan that uti- insurance program is for individu- lizes the UMA/Association Health als, families, groups and businesses. Programs buying power, said Pase. “Long-term care and life insur- “All national ‘A’-rated insur- ance also are being offered, with ance companies are available. savings up to 40 percent below UMA members can receive en- market rates, to UMA members hanced benefits for themselves,

a solid repeat-customer foundation megabus that likes being treated civilly,” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Peter Pescatore, chief executive of BoltBus, the Greyhound/Peter LimoLiner told a Boston news- Pan operation, and megabus.com paper. will attempt to distinguish them- Technological amenities selves from the ethnic operators by abound on LimoLiner coaches, offering more amenities, including which seat half as many passen- movies; nicer and cleaner coaches; gers in leather two-by-one seating a track record of greater safety, and that sports seat-back entertainment pricing. The $1 starting price for systems. seats on megabus.com and Bolt- Travelers pay $89 a seat on Bus is significantly less than the LimoLiner and enjoy a meal, bev- cheapest fare charged by the erages and snacks served by an on- Chinatown operators. board attendant. “We believe we’re putting a Both megabus.com and Bolt- different, new product on the mar- Bus will use the South Station bus ket that has a lot to offer,” Grey- terminal in Boston. BoltBus will hound spokesman Dustin Clark use some of Greyhound’s gates, told one publication. In addition to while megabus.com is subcon- Wi-Fi, BoltBus coaches also will tracting with Dattco, which leases have electrical outlets. Gate 12. megabus.com reportedly Passengers on the 22 daily plans to hire Dattco employees to megabus.com coaches between drive Dattco buses to and from Boston and New York will be able New York. to watch a movie shown on eight One megabus.com segment video screens in each bus. that will be interesting to watch The timing of the mega- will be the New York to Toronto bus.com expansion in the north- run — a 10-hour trip. east was influenced in large meas- megabus.com will be compet- ure by a noncompete agreement ing with local package tour com- between its parent company, panies that target mainly Chinese Coach USA, and Peter Pan Bus visitors and immigrants with cheap Lines. When Peter Pan purchased trips to the New York area for five Coach USA subsidiaries in the sightseeing and shopping. spring of 2003, the agreement At the same time, there’s a reportedly prohibited Coach USA price war brewing between Air from directly competing with Peter Canada and upstart Porter Airlines Pan in the northeast for five years. on flights between Toronto and One operator that is monitoring New York, with one-way fares to the unfolding bus war closely, and Newark’s Liberty International could feel the impact on the New Airport advertised for as little as York-to-Boston segment, is $95, plus fees and taxes. LimoLiner, the luxury coach serv- Some Canadians seem to think ice operating between the two it could be difficult to coax people cities. to spend a day on a bus when they “We don’t think it’s going to could spend an hour and a half on affect us to a great degree. We have a plane without breaking the bank. 12 April 15, 2008 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS When it comes to bus breakdowns, do you have a plan? By Dave Millhouser Scotia is sparsely populated, and on the side of the road. companies that didn’t know you. ABC Companies they hadn’t operated coaches there Generally, when you’re in trou- Credit cards have helped solve this before, a road trip was in order. ble, it’s best to call another coach dilemma. “Do you know anyone from They spent a week traveling and company. Clearly, if you need a Some companies solicit emer- Long Island?” meeting folks who could help if replacement bus, they can help. gency repair business, others do it It was a strange question, and something went wrong. The other side of the coin is that, only as a kindness. If you have a the guy on the other end of the line This is known as “preventative even if they don’t have the means choice, use door number one. sounded like he was near tears. He worrying,” and it worked. The to repair your coach, they can lead If someone is kind enough to had a bus load of students on the tours went perfectly. You may not you to local resources that are bus invoice you, pay them quickly. The side of the road, out of fuel, and have time for the road trip, but friendly. new owners of a Syracuse, N.Y.- meeting other coach operators by Repairing or towing coaches based coach company got in trou- gasping in the summer heat. Dave Millhouser My friend is a large, powerful, telephone, e-mail, or at bus shows requires specialized skills and ble, and were bailed out by a com- mustachioed man, so the weeping can help. People are far more will- equipment that truck facilities may petitor on a Sunday. Monday thing gave a sense of urgency. ing to help someone they know, not have. A truck guy can make morning they were waiting at their enough that relationships really One phone call did it. And the particularly at odd hours. things lots worse if he tows, lifts or competitor’s office with a check. count. If someone’s in trouble near chairman of UMA’s board of When the Bus Fairy attacks, repairs your bus incorrectly. That may be overkill, but it’s fun, you, and you bail them out, they directors personally brought a you’ll fair better if you have a You can tell your drivers that, and cemented the relationship remember. If you won’t come out, replacement coach. He then fueled plan. If you’re on familiar turf, when in trouble, “Bus” comes between the two firms they remember. and primed my friend’s bus, and things usually work out fine. You, right after “Burglar” in the Yellow Another local company is You want to do all you can to swapped coaches with the charter or your driver, know who to call. Pages. famous for not paying. They either have plenty in your account at the later in the day. How’s THAT for One of the things that makes the When you do have to replace delay or chisel. At the same time, Karma Bank… because there are service? charter business “challenging” (I the coach, make sure you’re deal- when someone is in trouble near two kinds of bus companies, those Sadly, bus breakdowns don’t HATE that term) is that often ing with someone compliant with them, they pillage as much as they that have broken down and those always work out quite that well, you’re not in friendly territory. all regulations. Your customer can. For them, the whole East that will. but there are some things you can Your plan should include train- chartered from you, and if some- Coast is a minefield…and every One thing we learned from the do that may help when you get into ing drivers. Who, in your company thing happens, it’s you that will be time they dispatch a charter, they Long Island experience is… how trouble. should they call? How do you held responsible. have to give the driver a geography to tell if a coach is out of fuel. Any A couple of years ago a want them to handle passengers? Make sure you know what the lesson. That’s because, if the driv- time a driver says: “I can’t be out Rensselaer, N.Y.-based operator When is it appropriate to leave the cost of replacing or repairing your er picks the wrong place for serv- of fuel”… he is. snagged a lucrative contract to do coach, as opposed to staying bus will be. Sometimes invoices ice, the coach will be chained to Dave Millhouser is a market- coach tours of Nova Scotia. The onboard? What repairs can a driv- contain nasty surprises, so ask in the wall until things settle up. ing consultant for ABC Compa- two brothers who ran the company er attempt? A bit of discussion advance. In ye olden days it could One of the great things about nies. Contact him at: dave_mill- cleverly figured that, since Nova now may prevent a bad decision be difficult to get repairs done by our industry is that it’s small [email protected].

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tional Coach Works, serving as rience in operations and shop man- sales and fleet support teams. Graf People vice president of sales and later as agement to MCI. In the newly cre- began his career in 1976 as a unit president. He is based at Coach ated position, Graf will be respon- repair supervisor for San Mateo Veteran industry executive John USA headquarters in Elizabeth, N.J. sible for coordinating MCI Pro County Transit. He and a partner Oakman has rejoined Coach USA Industry veteran Bob Graf has Support aftermarket services for purchased El Camino Charter as executive vice president for fleet joined Motor Coach Industries as targeted customers to help their Lines of South San Francisco in maintenance and vehicle procure- customer solutions manager. Graf operations grow profitably. He will 1984. Over time, the business grew ment. Most recently, Oakman was formerly co-owned El Camino report to Larry Killingsworth, MCI from four coaches to a fleet of 12. vice president of large key accounts Charter Lines in California and vice president of sales, and primar- The company was sold three years John Oakman Bob Graf at ABC Companies, where he brings more than 30 years of expe- ily support MCI’s Western region ago but Graf stayed on. managed relations with Coach USA and Coach America from ABC’s Florida base. Oakman, who has nearly 40 years experience in the industry, joined ABC more than four years ago as vice president and general manager of ABC’s south- east region. Before that he was vice president of vehicle procurement and sales at Coach USA. He also spent more than 18 years at Na- Princess Tours

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 said Bruce Bustamante, Princess’ vice president of community and public affairs.… “This new ele- ment gives students an additional benefit as they train to become Princess Tours driver-guides, and it further demonstrates our commit- ment to the excellence of this pro- gram.” During the past 15 years, the Princess Tours commercial driver training program has grown from a small program to a state-of-the-art school that includes a Web-based manual covering everything from vehicle inspection, to safe driving, to technical troubleshooting. The training program is offered throughout Alaska, as well as in Rexburg, Idaho; Provo, Utah, and Bellingham, Wash. Classroom in- struction for new drivers includes presentations and training videos all developed and produced by the Princess Tours’ driver safety and training department. “Achieving the ability to offer credit through the University of Alaska Fairbanks reinforces the strong reputation the Princess Tours commercial driver training program has established within the Alaska transportation community,” said Bustamante. For more information, go to www.PrincessJobs.com. Priority One

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Priority One’s motorcoach drivers. At the same time, all Priority One motorcoaches will be retrofit- ted with passenger seatbelts to meet Wynne’s safety policy of requiring all of its midsize buses to have seatbelts. Wynne was started by Joan Wynne as a vehicle lease manage- ment company. She remains com- pany president and CEO. 14 April 15, 2008 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

no one will pay the deadhead fees their company with the registry, a FTA Website JUNE 2008 associated with a bus traveling mistake that could cause them to Calendar CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 from New York to provide service miss notification of a potential 17-20 Pennsylvania Bus Asso- APRIL 2008 smaller number were expected to solely within California,” he noted. charter job. Fax numbers are im- ciation 2008 Annual Meeting, list the entire country as the area Ken Presley, vice president of portant, he emphasized, because if 13 Eastern Bus Maintenance Sheraton Atlantic City. Info: Go they would be willing to serve. the United Motorcoach Associa- a transit agency gets a non-deliv- Management Conference, East to www.pabus.org, or call (717) However, Griffo said many tion, defended the operators who ery notice from an e-mail it has Elmhurst, N.Y. Info: Go to 236-9042. www.ebmmc.org. more operators than were expected have signed up to cover the entire sent to an operator, it is required to 24-26 National Tour Associ- have signed on to be notified country, noting that many motor- send a second notice by fax. 17-19 Tourism Cares for ation Grassroots Symposium, whenever any type of charter work coach companies routinely move Operators that have registered America, Louis Armstrong Park, Washington, D.C. Info: Go to comes up, no matter where it is equipment long distances for large for the new systems should go New Orleans. Info: Go to www.NTA.travel. taking place or how far away it events such as national conven- back on the Website and verify www.tourismcares.org, or call (781) 821-5990. may be from an individual opera- tions and major sporting events. they provided a fax number. 26-29 New England Bus tor’s home base. However, he admitted the situ- 30 National Interstate Corp. Association Annual Meeting, “We have personally called ation could create problems the Get with it Annual Meeting, 3250 Interstate Ledyard, Conn. Info: Go to more than 100 companies to dis- FTA may have to address. “Much Meanwhile, Presley is urging Dr., Richfield, Ohio. Info: Go to wwwnewenglandbus.org. cuss and assist them with chang- of the disagreements surround operators that have not yet done so www.nationalinterstate.com. ing their registration to states they large events, however, and I sus- to get on the charter notification will likely have business opportu- UMA has made numerous presen- originate from,” he said. pect it will ultimately be necessary list as soon as possible to be ready nities he or she may never see.” tations about the new charter ser- for the FTA to identify nationwide when the new rules take effect at He noted, too, that private vice rules, including recent stops at Unnecessarily burdensome? registration as ‘special event’ the end of this month. operators may not complain about the Virginia Bus Association opera- Griffo said signing up for the only,” he said. “It’s beyond important,” he transit violations to the FTA if tor’s retreat in Lynchburg, Va., the entire country unnecessarily in- Griffo also pointed out a sec- said. “It is critical if private opera- they are not registered. annual Trailways Meeting and Con- creases the number of e-mails that ond problem that could negatively tors ever have a hope of preventing ference in Los Angeles, and the transit agencies will have to send impact motorcoach operators their local transits from intruding Spreading the word South Central Motorcoach Associa- out each time they are interested in waiting to hear about potential on their charter work,” he stressed. Presley said he was pleased tion Operators Meeting in Houston. doing a charter that they first must charters from transit agencies. “Also, if an operator is not regis- with the number of operators that “Two UMA partners, Trailways offer to private carriers. He said numerous operators tered, but his competitors are, then have registered so far, about 70 per- and IMG (International Motor “There is a high likelihood that have not listed a fax number for he has placed himself at a serious cent of whom are UMA members. Coach Group), have done an out- disadvantage as his competitors standing job in making sure their IC BUS MODEL YEAR CLEARANCE member operators are registered, CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING too,” he noted. Get Ready for Spring Presley pointed out that imple- 2007 IC FC300 Coach – 33 pax, 36 , ߙ mentation of the rules is a result of factory warranty, video, air brakes, substantial efforts by many indi- 5-yr warranty on DT466 engine, viduals, including operators who Allison B300 trans, available with or volunteered and invested their time without lav, lots of luggage space. and money over the past six years. Factory Demos and Dealer Stock Available “The new rules provide our For photos and specs, call or email Jeff Shank industry an unprecedented oppor- (2) ’97 Dina Viaggio 1000’s (2) ’99 Vanhool T-945’S 336-210-4996 – [email protected] – www.ic-corp.com tunity to take our rightful place in 52 PAX + 1 Escort Seat $50,000 57 PAX, + 1 Escort Seat, IT’S NOT ONLY WHERE YOU’RE GOING. IT’S HOW YOU GET THERE. w/tires – New Paint $120,000 w/tires – New Paint our communities. With govern- All buses are Clean - Well Maintanied - Excellent Condition ment resources rapidly diminish- For more pics: http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh298/amaralbus/ ing, at the same time as passenger Call Joe: 508-993-4503 or e-mail [email protected] transportation opportunities, it is either the private industry stepping in to fill the needs and voids with 2003–2005 our efficiencies or the transits will H3-45 PREVOSTS be all too happy to take the busi- ness. The stakes have never been FOR SALE higher,” he said. One 2003 for $310,000 ~ Two 2005 for $350,000 each To help make the new process Series 60 Engines, Jake Brakes, Allison Automatic run smoothly, the FTA offers these Transmissions, National Seats, Jump Seats, 5 Monitor suggestions to private operators: Videos, Enclosed Parcel Racks with A/C, Low Mileage. • Respond only to jobs you are truly interested in taking. Call John at 1-800-433-1111 • Do not send an e-mail nego- www.prevostmotorcoachsales.com tiating the service with the transit agency. Instead, send the agency 2001 Prevost H3-45 an e-mail saying you are interested in the business and then contact Excellent Condition the customer directly to negotiate Low Mileage the terms. $236,000 • If you are not interested in a 56 passenger, DD Series 60, job, simply delete the e-mail you Allison B 500, Jake Brake, received from the transit agency. AM/FM/DVD/VCR/Cass/PA, • Double and triple check your 5 Monitors, Cruise Controll, Alum information that is on the FTA Wheels, Enclsed Overhead Parcel Racks, Lav, Card Table, 327,000 miles Website. If you find an error, send Call Tom (800) 366-8641 REPOS FOR SALE an e-mail to ombudsman.charter- email for more pictures - [email protected] Variety of makes and models of [email protected]. “Bank Repos” across the United To reach the FTA Website, go To Advertise Here… to www.fta.dot.gov and click on States and Priced to Sell! “Charter Registration Tool” on the Call Johnny at 866-930-8426 1-877-737-2221 Ext. 716 for more information! right side of the page. Go with a name you 973 589-9265 • Toll Free 800-526-8055 can trust… FAX 973-589-2253 • P.O. BOX 5157 • NEWARK, NJ 07105 www.nimcobus.com Supplying the Transportation Industry with Used, Serviceable & Rebuildable Bus Parts  We know buses & the for Over 25 Years! marketplace… VOLUME DISCOUNTS • PRIDE IN PERFORMANCE  We are Accurate! DEEP DISCOUNTS!  1-400 coaches, we can on all Detroit Diesel & Allison handle them all. Transmissions  Bus Companies, Insurance SAVE MONEY ~ SAVE TIME Companies, and Lending We sell good running qualified bus components. Institutions NO RISK PURCHASE PLAN Please call today for We unconditionally guarantee our customers satisfaction. pricing and references. WE ALSO STOCK Toll Free: • Front and Rear Axle Parts • Engine Accessories 1-877-MICHAUD • Alternators and other Electrical Components (642-4283) • Air Conditioning Components • Body Parts Or visit: www.BusesOnline.com We Buy & Sell Buses. . . Call for a Quote At Prevost we do whatever it takes to ensure your satisfaction. highly qualified factory trained technicians, it’s our dedication to We share your passion for excellence. Our mission is to design available throughout the country, provides the resources that The red carpet leads to Prevost. Here, everyone receives the quality service that gets you back on the road without delay. and build the ultimate in driving comfort and safety. It begins at make every journey a smooth one. We’re always there. Leading same outstanding service. We care for your vehicle as if it were That’s the Prevost Red Carpet treatment: Part corporate policy, the design stage. And continues with micro-precision assembly. the charge. Never taking our eye off the road. Never taking our our own. We take just as much pride in caring for you, too. You’ll see part constant reminder that someone is always looking out for you. The relentless pursuit of perfection continues long after a new eye off you. Exceeding your expectations. This is the Prevost way. To it in the details. From our newly remodeled customer lounges to our To learn more please visit prevostcar.com. THE ULTIMATE CLASS coach heads off for a lifetime of service. Prevost after-sales service, learn more please visit prevostcar.com. THE ULTIMATE CLASS

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