February 1, 2007

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE BUS INDUSTRY MOTORCOACH EXPO 2007 FMCSA administrator vows to upgrade fed’s coach safety oversight NEW ORLEANS — Although in August, Hill said federal regu- motorcoach companies make up lators have taken a fresh look at the only a small fraction of the 675,000 motorcoach industry and identified motor carriers registered with the five key areas that need urgent U.S. Department of Transportation, attention. the industry can expect increased They include compliance in- attention from federal and state spections, safety audits for new safety regulators over the next many companies, state inspection pro- months. grams, expanded data on the indus- John Hill, new head of the Fed- try, and early warnings for potential eral Motor Carrier Safety Adminis- safety problems. tration, told coach operators at the Hill said more annual compli- Motorcoach Expo 2007 that he has ance inspections are badly needed loaded his agenda with issues and the agency is stepping up its aimed at improving safety in the inspection program, although he over-the-road bus industry. did not say by how much. A former Indiana state police Additionally, he said inspectors officer who was FMCSA’s chief will pay closer attention to com- safety officer for more than three panies that have never received a years before taking over the agency CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 þ Early Mardi Gras UMA launches academy New Orleans’ famed Mardi Gras was a popular theme for exhibitors at this year’s Motorcoach Expo. A healthy industry, along with the enigma that is for bus, coach industry stormed-battered New Orleans, combined to produce NEW ORLEANS — The new talent to provide authoritative record attendance, including Brenda Tidwell of United Motorcoach Association business knowledge to not only Leisure Time Charter & Tours of Emerson, Ga., and Jo has announced the launch of the motorcoach owners and operators Lynn Anderson of Spirit Coach of Huntsville, Ala., at Bus & Motorcoach Academy, a but also to drivers, school bus oper- right. Prevost Car Vice President Dann Wiltgen, be- major continuing education pro- ators and other key industry per- low, was one of scores of Expo attendees who volun- gram for the industry. sonnel.” teered for New Orleans’ Habitat for Humanity project. The academy will tackle a pair To execute its plan, UMA is Expo coverage on this page and in Section Two. of the private bus industry’s most establishing a relationship with the pressing and longest running chal- College of Southern Maryland, lenges: The need to broaden and which will host the Bus & Motor- deepen the business acumen of coach Academy, and has lined up operators — especially small oper- industry consultant Carmen Daech- ators, and the dearth of readily ac- er to be dean. cessible industry-specific resources The various programs to be available to bus company owners, offered by the academy will carry executives and managers to devel- either a certification or an accredi- op business and operational skills. tation. For example, there will be The solution, says UMA Presi- an Accredited Passenger Transpor- dent and CEO Victor Parra is to tation Operator module and a Cer- establish “an institution of compre- tified Motorcoach and Bus Oper- hensive learning. One that consoli- ator program. dates and coordinates existing and CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 þ

Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS Feburary 1, 2007 3 Security grant program Violations cost Peter Pan $237,000 BOSTON — Peter Pan Bus exceptions. According to the set- EPA rules. “But once we were Lines and two of its subsidiaries tlement consent agreement, Peter made aware that we weren’t, we’ve gets more money for ’07 will pay $237,179 and will install Pan violated the anti-idling law at been working to make sure we WASHINGTON — The U.S. nity number”: DHS-OGT-057- filters on most of its buses to settle least 45 times from February meet and exceed their standards.” Department of Homeland Security 1548. The Web site is busy and violations of federal clean air and through April of last year in and EPA says Peter Pan mainte- says it will award $11.6 million in users may get an error message. In clean water rules, the U.S. Envi- around Boston and Springfield, nance facilities in Providence, R.I., over-the-road bus security grants in that case, the department says to ronmental Protection Agency an- Mass. and Chelsea, Mass., failed to obtain fiscal 2007. keep trying. nounced. “Diesel pollution is very harm- storm water discharge permits, and The deadline for coach opera- In addition, the Department of The settlement involves viola- ful, especially for sensitive popula- failed to prepare and fully imple- tors to apply for the money is Homeland Security and the Trans- tions by Peter Pan in Massachu- tions such as the young, elderly ment oil spill prevention plans. March 6. portation Security Administration setts, Arrow Lines in Connecticut and people who suffer from asth- Storm water permits are critical to The amount being awarded this are hosting conference call ques- and Bonanza Bus in Rhode Island. ma,” said Robert W. Varney, re- reducing pollutants in storm water year — to help operators pay to tion-and-answer sessions. Access The EPA said all three compa- gional administrator of EPA’s New runoff, according to the EPA. Fuel beef up passenger, bus and facili- these Q&A sessions by calling, nies violated Clean Water Act England Office. spills and oil leaks from mainte- ties security — is the most since (888) 323-4702 at 1 p.m. Washing- storm water permit requirements, “Companies like Peter Pan can nance activities at these garages fiscal 2003, when more than $19 ton time Feb. 2 or 16. On the 2nd, as well as federal oil spill preven- play a big role in improving New can contaminate storm water run- million was awarded. In the past enter passcode 1278 to gain access, tion regulations and associated England’s air quality by ensuring off and nearby rivers, the agency three years, less than $10 million and on Feb. 16, punch in 2356 as spill prevention plan requirements. their vehicles don’t idle for long added. was handed out annually. the passcode. Additionally, Peter Pan violated periods of time.” The three Peter Pan garages in And, in keeping with what has The awards are scheduled to be Massachusetts’ anti-idling laws. Christopher Crean, Peter Pan’s Milford, Waterford and East Hart- become tradition, the Department announced in April, and officials Massachusetts anti-idling rules director of safety and security, was ford, Conn., all had storm water of Homeland Security has changed encourage early registration and prohibit engine idling for more quoted as saying the company permit coverage through prior the program parameters. This year, applications. than five minutes, with certain thought it was in compliance with CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 þ the department appears to be mak- In fiscal 2006, grants totaling ing an effort to reduce the percep- $9.5 million were awarded to 35 tion that small operators must com- motorcoach companies. Most of Texas bus owner gets probation pete with large operators for the the money was to be used to McALLEN, Texas — The company, but was acquitted of the and his defunct company was fined money. improve driver, vehicle and facility owner of the Texas motorcoach more serious charge of falsifying $100,000 and placed on probation To do that, it has broken the security; install systems to monitor, company whose bus caught fire, driver logbooks. (See Oct. 15 Bus for five years. The company was program into two tiers: track and communicate with resulting in the death of 23 people & Motorcoach News.) convicted of all three charges and • Tier I: $8.1 million for oper- coaches, and provide training. during the Hurricane Rita evacua- As part of his probation, the faced up to a $500,000 fine on the ators that have 250 or more over- Only 111 operators nationwide tion in 2005, has escaped jail time, judge said Maples can no longer conspiracy count and a $200,000 the-road buses. applied for the grants. Those appli- receiving instead a sentence of five work for the bus company he has fine on each of two other convic- • Tier II: $3.5 million for oper- cations represented 181 projects, years probation. been working for or any other bus tions. ators that own 249 or fewer over- with 163 of the projects judged eli- James Maples, a former player company. He will be confined dur- Maples’ trail last summer fo- the-road buses. gible for consideration. A total of Obviously, the ploy doesn’t 42 projects were funded in ’06. in the NFL and owner of Global ing the first year — six months in a cused almost entirely on the man- exactly work because nearly 70 For more information, contact Limo, could have received up to halfway house and six months at agement of his company and buses percent of the money is going to DHS/TSA by e-mailing askcsid@ two years in jail. home with electronic surveillance, and vehicle inspections and not the large operators and there are only dhs.gov or call (800) 368-6498. In early October, Maples was but he will be allowed to work. catastrophic fire. 10 or 11 operators nationwide that convicted of poorly managing his Maples also was fined $10,000, CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 þ qualify as Tier I operators under the DHS criteria. The remaining 3,000+ U.S. operators have fewer than 250 coaches and they will be competing for only 30 percent of the money. Also, Congress authorized $12 million for the program this year but there was no explanation in the announcement why the agency skimmed $360,000 off the top, re- ducing the amount to be awarded to $11.6 million. Under the new criteria, the min- imum grant to be awarded in Tier I for infrastructure improvements is $100,000 and the minimum award for training purposes is $50,000. Under Tier II, the minimum award will be $25,000 for infrastruc- ture uses and $5,000 for training. While there is no minimum number of motorcoaches necessary for an operator to apply, those seek- ing the money must provide at least 50 trips annually into areas the Department of Homeland Security has determined to be most at risk of a terrorist attack. To get a copy of the complete g rant announcement, go to www.grants.gov, click on “Grant Search” on the right side, and type in the following “funding opportu- 4 February 1, 2007 Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

Aimed at hours violators Delaware may lease its Onboard recorder rule proposed toll roads, paper reports DOVER, Del. — Delaware has billion the state is short to build the WASHINGTON — Reaction ized and less costly, more bus and the-board standard, FMCSA … become the latest state to consider projects officials say are needed in is mixed to a proposal by the Fed- motorcoach operators will begin to released a proposed rule that leasing its toll roads to raise money the next six years, the paper said. eral Motor Carrier Safety Admin- incorporate them into their opera- would require recorders only for to pay for highway construction. Maintenance and operations alone istration that bus and truck compa- tions, just as they have other tech- companies that have been caught If the state takes advantage of a carry an $80 million price tag, the nies with a history of serious nologies that have a high degree of significantly violating hours of ser- never-used state law, the toll roads paper said. hours-of-service violations be re- cost efficiency and accuracy. vice rules. We know that many could create a windfall for the state In her State of the State address, quired to install electronic onboard When electronic onboard re- more companies violate these rules Transportation Trust Fund. Leas- Gov. Ruth Ann Minner said the state recorders in all of their vehicles for corders were proposed nearly a because their drivers keep fake log ing the roads could bring in as would explore the possibility of a a minimum of two years. decade ago in the Motor Carrier books, which are so legendarily er- much as $4 billion, the Delaware private-public partnership or other The American Trucking Asso- Safety Act of 1999, UMA took the roneous that they are known in the News Journal reported. financing plans for critical needs. ciations announced its support for position that to mandate them trade as ‘comic books,’ but they are The $118 million brought in Delaware is one of 21 states the proposed rule, while Joan would be unduly and unfairly bur- not detected. Under the FMCSA from tolls along Interstate 95 and with laws that allow public-private Claybrook, president of Public densome to small operators. “The rule, these scofflaws can continue Delaware 1 in the last fiscal year arrangements to develop trans- Citizen, termed the FMCSA pro- motorcoach industry’s responsibil- to violate the law without conse- does not go far in covering the $2.7 portation infrastructure. posal “a weak standard” for elec- ity is to operate safely, not to pay quences and put the public at risk.” tronic onboard recorders. for the FMCSA enforcement If adopted, FMCSA estimates The United Motorcoach Asso- tools,” UMA told then-U.S. Trans- that within the first two years the Ohio hikes turnpike tolls ciation reiterated its long-time portation Secretary Rodney Slater. rule is enforced about 930 carriers, BEREA, Ohio — Tolls on the amounts to just over a penny a opposition to mandated onboard The FMCSA rule proposed with 17,500 drivers, would be re- Ohio Turnpike have moved higher mile. On a percentage basis, it is recorders because of the absence last month contains three main quired to use electronic onboard after a temporary reduction — that 11.6 percent. of evidence of widespread driver- components. It: recorders. lasted two years — was allowed to The toll for an auto rises to hours violations by the charter- • Identifies the performance To expand use of the devices expire. $10.25, from $8.95, or a 14.5 per- and-tour bus industry. specifications for the new technology among the more than 650,000 Rates for buses rose to pre-re- cent increase. “However, we do think FMCSA • Outlines regulatory incen- motor carriers in the U.S., the in- duction levels, while those for A Class 8 truck now pays $33.50, should have the authority to direct tives to encourage commercial ve- centives for voluntarily installation over-the-road trucks increased but up from $31, or 8.1 percent more. specific carriers that have demon- hicle operators to adopt onboard include using an examination of a not to the levels they had been two Ohio temporarily cut turnpike strated a degree of hours-of-serv- recorders. random sample of drivers’ records years ago. toll rates two years ago in an exper- ice violations to install onboard • Establishes criteria that would of duty status as part of a company The rate for two- and three-axle iment to get more truckers to use recorders for increased monitor- trigger a requirement for certain compliance review and partial motorcoaches increased to $24 to the highway. The test worked, with ing,” said UMA Vice President of motor carriers to equip their buses relief from hours-of-service sup- cross the state on the 241-mile commercial vehicle traffic increas- Industry Relations Ken Presley. or trucks with onboard recorders if porting documents requirements turnpike. Previously, coaches weigh- ing 20 percent in 2005 over the year Many in the commercial vehi- they were found to have serious Additionally, the agency wel- ing between 33,001 and 42,000 before. However, revenue dropped cle industry see the proposed fed- and continuing problems comply- comes suggestions from the public pounds paid $21.50. The increase because of the reduced tolls. eral regulation as a sensible first- ing with mandatory driver work- for additional incentives. step approach to wider adoption of and-rest rules. The full notice of proposed rule- technology designed to improve Claybrook of Public Citizen is- making was published in the Federal Indiana Toll Road to get passes safety and document driver com- sued a harsh statement criticizing Register on Jan. 18, and public com- GRANGER, Ind. — The Indi- the Illinois tollway system (I-Pass) pliance with work and rest rules. the proposal. “Instead of mandating ments will be accepted until April ana Toll Road will have an elec- will be able to use it on the Indiana Presley believes that as on- onboard recorders in all commer- 18. To request a copy of the notice, tronic pass system by this fall, says Toll Road, as well as the Chicago board recorders become standard- cial (vehicles) with a fair, across- e-mail: [email protected]. the private company that operates Skyway. the highway. While the system could be- The passes will give users dis- come operational in September, the Drivers like onboard recorders counts on the higher tolls that are transponders are expected to go on ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Few also expressed concern about data and fleet sizes. Based on unit pric- coming, the spokesman for ITR Con- sale this spring on the toll road Web commercial vehicle operators use privacy and data access issues, ing, estimated returns on invest- cession Co. told a news service. site, www.indianarollroad.org. electronic onboard recorders but since few protocols exist. ment and overall management The passes are part of a $40 mil- Last June, Indiana completed a those that do have told researchers However, the ATRI research costs, the research determined that lion electronic toll collection proj- 75-year lease of the northern they increase driver morale. does contradict perceptions the small fleets and independent oper- ect mandated by the toll road lease. Indiana highway to Spain’s Cintra The American Transportation devices hurt driver morale and ators would be hardest hit by a The roadway is joining the E-Z and Australia’s Macquarie Infra- Research Institute conducted an retention. mandate. Investment tax credits Pass network, meaning coach oper- structure Group. (See July 15 Bus analysis last year of the use of A surprising 76 percent of users and bulk-purchase pricing options ators that have a transponder for & Motorcoach News.) electronic recorders to monitor said the recorders had improved could help, the study said. driver hours. driver morale, and 19 percent said There was considerable con- The project included surveys they had improved driver retention. sensus among users, non-users and Tolls rising on Toronto 407 ETR and interviews of users, nonusers No users said driver retention vendors that recorders are effective TORONTO — Stretching The roadway uses license-plate and vendors, as well as analysis of had been harmed by the devices. at managing and monitoring hours around Toronto, from Burlington readers and transponders to collect secondary research and comments “We know there are longstand- compliance, but more research is on the south to Pickering on the the tolls; it has no tollbooths. submitted to the Federal Motor ing perceptions associated with needed to document the role that north, is a roadway that’s billed as Despite the sophisticated sys- Carrier Safety Administration. (onboard recorders), but this re- hours compliance plays in fatigue the world’s first all-electronic, bar- tem the highway loses money and The research indicated that search gives us insight into the sta- management and safety improve- rier-free toll highway. its operators admit toll evasion is a onboard recorder use is low for tistical realities that can only be ments, ATRI reported. 407 ETR (for electronic toll serious problem. Effective Feb. 1, several reasons, including cost, a provided by EOBR users,” said “As a compliance tool, it ap- route) is leased by Ontario to a syn- there will be another increase in the lack of return on investment, and Doug Duncan, ATRI chairman and pears that (onboard recorders) can dicate composed of the Spanish toll rate. uncertainty about what standards president of FedEx Freight. meet FMCSA’s need for improved company Cintra and the Australian The peak toll for motorcoaches might be mandated by the ATRI considered the impact that hours-of-service monitoring,” said company Macquarie, the same out- will go up about 3 cents Canadian FMCSA. an onboard recorder mandate might Al Koenig, president of Midwest fits that leased the Indiana Toll per kilometer, to more than 35 cents. The enforcement community have on different industry sectors Specialized Transportation. Road. That’s about 48 cents U.S. per mile. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS THE DOCKET Feburary 1, 2007 5 Cincinnati transit agency asks for info it shouldn’t CINCINNATI — The South- so you could handle the charter? desire to provide the (charter) serv- in a way that would discourage a ilar detail. west Ohio Regional Transit Au- Federal charter regulations are ice described and the physical response from any person who “Instead, private operators are thority has sent area private charter very specific about the kind of capability to do so, and (2) submis- meets the minimum (emphasis required to show only that they bus operators a letter that appears information public transit agencies sion of documents showing that it added) criteria for a willing-and- have the requisite legal authority to violate Federal Transit Adminis- can request when issuing charter possesses the requisite legal able operator. Regardless of how and the desire to perform the serv- tration rules. service notices. authority,” states the FTA in docu- the grantee describes its own serv- ice, plus at least one bus or van.” The letter notes that the transit “The notice must not require ments explaining the regulations. ice, the grantee must make it clear Ohio and Kentucky operators agency, which goes by the name of anything beyond: (1) A statement The FTA goes on to say that the in the notice that private operators should respond to Potts question- Metro, is required to issue a charter that the private operator has the charter notice “must not be worded are not required to respond in sim- naire accordingly. service notice, and to contact pri- vate charter carriers about the notice. FTA rules require both. However, attached to the letter is a questionnaire that clearly exceeds the scope of the FTA char- ter bus regulations. The letter tells operators to “please” complete the form and return it to Metro’s direc- tor of marketing and communica- tions, Rita D. Potts. The questionnaire contains five questions that are not permitted by FTA rules. The first three questions ask operators to identify the type of equipment they have, the number of passengers their buses can accommodate, and whether their buses are wheelchair-lift equipped. The next two questions are statements to be answered “Yes” or “No”: Do you consider your organiza- tion a willing-and-able private charter operator to provide service to those who need a city-type bus with wheelchair lifts and tiedowns? If you have customers who request more service than you can provide, would you be interested in having Metro provide buses to you Transits seek charter firms The following public transit providers have informed the United Motorcoach Association of their in- tent to provide charter bus service unless willing-and-able private oper- ators step forward to offer service. UMA urges appropriate operators to take the time to respond to these notices: Crawford County, Mich. Deadline: Jan. 31, 2007. Write to: Julie Dean, Manager, Crawford County Transportation Authority, 4276 W. North Down River Rd., Grayling, MI 49738. Phone: (989) 348-8215. Comanche County, Okla. Deadline: Feb. 3, 2007. Write to: Steve Sherrer, General Manger, Lawton Transit Management Inc., P.O. Box 286, Lawton, OK 73502. Phone: (520) 248-5252. Williamsburg County, S.C. Deadline: Feb. 3, 2007. Write to: Michael Burgess, Executive Direc- tor, Williamsburg County Transit Authority, 2085 Thurgood Mar- shall Highway, Kingstree, SC 29556. Phone: (843) 355-9706. South Bend, Ind. Deadline: Feb. 15, 2007. Write to: Henry F. Lohmeyer, Assistant General Man- ager, South Bend Public Transpor- tation Corporation, P.O. Box 1437 (901 E. Northside Blvd.), South Bend, IN 46624. Phone: (574) 232- 9901. 6 February 1, 2007 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Ohio tax is raking in money New York facing bus wreck NEW YORK — New York City appears for the expected growth of 1 million more COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s new com- ing lost property tax monies. to be on a collision course that isn’t going to people over the next 25 years. mercial activities (gross receipts) tax on busi- So far, however, the legislature and new be fun for tour-and-charter bus operators. Other findings by the expert team of city nesses is bringing in more money than antic- governor say they want to give the CAT and Forty-four million domestic and interna- planners, academics, scientists and environ- ipated, newspapers in the state report. other tax changes a chance to work a while tional travelers visited New York City last mentalists include: The tax, which went into effect in mid- longer. year. That was up from 41 million in 2005, • Energy demand could exceed supply by 2005 and is known as CAT, is being phased in The CAT is essentially an annual tax for and topped projections. as early as 2012. over a four-year period. It replaces the state’s the privilege of doing business in Ohio. It is The increase, according to NYC & • In 25 years, roads and rails will be corporate income and personal property based on a business’ gross receipts, with the Company, represents “a major step towards “crammed beyond capacity.” taxes. (See 10/1/05 Bus & Motorcoach amount of taxable gross receipts determining the city’s goal of attracting 50 million • There won’t by enough housing to meet News.) whether or how the tax applies. tourists by 2015.” demand by 2030. The law imposing the tax provides for Ohio-based motorcoach operators that At the same time, a panel of experts con- Oh, yes, and among suggestions offered legislative adjustment of the rates of the CAT, have annual taxable gross receipts of at least vened by New York Mayor Michael Bloom- by the experts was to tax vehicles that drive if revenues exceed projections by more than $150,000 are subject to the tax. Out-of-state berg warns that by 2030, New York City could into Manhattan’s most heavily trafficked areas. 10 percent. operators having more than $500,000 in Ohio have so many people straining its infrastruc- As for this year, NYC & Company proj- Businesses, which have generally been taxable gross receipts and driving more than ture that rush-hour traffic will last all day. ects a total of 45.5 million tourists will visit critical of the CAT, are urging a tax cut; local 25 percent of their miles in Ohio are also sub- The experts say the city of 8.2 million the city, an increase of 3.2 percent over last governments are looking for ways of recoup- ject to the tax. people must start planning and building now year.

ers to fill out vehicle inspection re- The judge also chided prosecu- tencing hearing focused on the fact and because motor carrier opera- Probation ports. tors for seeking two years in prison that Maples was again working for tors should be held to a higher stan- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Maples declined to speak on two misdemeanor convictions. a bus company — in this case a dard. The judge in the case told the before sentencing, with his attor- He said it was troubling that prose- company owned by a longtime Maples told the judge he was bumbling prosecutors that because ney telling U.S. District Judge cutors couldn’t recall another case associate, operated out of Global working as a sales consultant. the fire was not mentioned in the Ricardo Hinojosa that Maples when the government brought such Limo’s office building, and using a Manfred Wallner, the owner of charges of the indictment, it could faced pending civil litigation. He management-related charges against former Global bus driver, as well as the newly formed Universal Tours, not be brought up before the jury. also didn’t speak to reporters out- a motor carrier to federal district the consultant Global used to keep was the only witness during the Maples was acquitted of the side court. court. in compliance with government hearing. He said he approached most serious charge of conspiring During the sentencing hearing, He reminded the government regulations. Maples about starting up the com- to falsify driver time logs so drivers Hinojosa admonished both sides, lawyers that testimony showed Prosecutors said that showed pany with hopes Maples could could work longer than federal law lecturing Maples that it was “no Global Limo had been given a sat- Maples was not taking his convic- provide “connections.” Wallner allows. He was convicted on two way to run a business to endanger isfactory rating the year before the tion seriously and that he should admitted after some prodding that lesser allegations of poorly manag- the individuals who are putting fire. get the maximum sentence for con- he had considered using Maples as ing his fleet and not requiring driv- trust in a carrier.” Much of the 90-minute sen- tinuing to show “callous disregard” a driver.

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8 February 1, 2007 OPINION Bus & Motorcoach NEWS FYI / FYI / FYI Super Bowl subcontractor responds The Federal Motor Carrier pend all enforcement of the 2007 Safety Administration has sent let- credential until April 1. to motorcoach operator assertions ters to roughly 3,000 U.S. passen- Operators that have not yet I read your recent article in tracted for the Super Bowl will into the tens of thousands of dol- ger carriers, including scores of received 2007 cab cards for their Bus & Motorcoach News and was also be used on subsequent events, lars. motorcoach operators, requesting vehicles must continue to carry the taken aback by the inaccuracies including a large convention the Further, we take on great risk they update and correct company 2006 cards, which have expired. and felt compelled to respond. following week in Orlando. Our and liability, contrary to your information the U.S. Department The department provided no guid- (“Mark-up is hefty for Super Bowl negotiated rates include consider- operator’s claims. When all these of Transportation has in its safety ance for what to do with vehicles Service; operator cries foul,” ation for this multi-event approach costs are factored in, TMS’ con- databases. first put into service during the first January issue). and our ability to provide addi- tract profit on the Super Bowl will There’s an incentive for bus 90 days of this year. The depart- First, I was surprised that you likely be less than 20 percent, rea- operators to comply with the re- ment’s excuse this year is that it’s would assert as fact information ‘The bus operators sonable by any standard, and far quest: Failure to provide the required installing a new computer system. provided by one operator provid- lower than (the operator’s) ridicu- data may result in loss of operating Reach the department at (505) ing a few coaches on a project have a business lous assertions. authority and/or civil penalties. 476-1555, -1556, -1557 and -1558. involving well over 400 buses on My understanding is that our “If a carrier ignores the notice, the day of game alone. Further, it decision to make as friends at Gameday also incur sig- it gets assessed a fine and if it Calif. Seeks extension is simply amazing to me that you nificant expenses above and ignores that, FMCSA pulls its The California Department of wouldn’t contact TMS (Transpor- to whether they wish beyond the bus costs paid to oper- authority,” explains a commercial Motor Vehicles has asked all the tation Management Services) or ators, including costs for estab- vehicle safety expert who watches other member jurisdictions of the Gameday (Management Group) to to work for the lishing the local office, paying for the agency closely. International Registration Plan to ask if what you had heard was fac- the many staff they have on-site, The FMCSA database clean-up hold off through the end of Febru- tual and to secure our perspective (including labor and travel/lodg- is being conducted by the FMSCA ary on any enforcement action offered rates’ on this situation. It certainly ing expense), hotel accommoda- Office of Enforcement and Com- against California-based IRP vehi- doesn’t seem to me that your fact tional business for regional opera- tions for drivers, insurance, and pliance, Commercial Passenger cles bearing 2006 credentials. checking and research have proven tors throughout the year. the like as well, and my under- Carrier Safety Division, and is part All California credentials for to be very effective in this case. The bus operators have a busi- standing is these costs are covered of the agency’s program to improve IRP expired Dec. 31, and the state To that end, I’d like to set the re- ness decision to make as to out of the bus revenue. the accuracy of all its census, always needs at least a 60-day cord straight as it pertains to TMS. whether they wish to work for the I suspect the operator you licensing and safety records. extension for its operators. The First, we are providing less offered rates, and the operator you quoted had no knowledge of these In particular, the agency is department plans to implement than 20 percent of the vehicles for referenced evidently decided it costs being borne by Gameday in looking for missing information staggered registration for IRP in a this event, and I can only speak to was worth it. Nevertheless, the execution of this contract. and discrepancies. The notifica- few more years. that portion of the equipment. same operator chose to malign the In any event, I would encour- tion letters that have gone out to For more information, call the Second, TMS procures many very company(ies) it contracted age your publication to take operators identify specific data department at (916) 657-7971. coaches around the country for with for this work. More impor- greater care when you malign a deficiencies and contain instruc- numerous events and we possess tantly, the bold claims (by the company publicly with disregard tions for correcting or completing Michigan gets new plates strong relationships with many operator) regarding our profits are for appropriate standards for fact the records. The Michigan Secretary of motorcoach operators around the untrue. gathering and fact checking and Operators are urged to always State’s office, which administers country. In fact, TMS does incur many without request for comment from file complete and accurate infor- vehicle registration in that state, In fact, one such operator that other costs associated with this the party you are maligning. To mation. On the MSC-150 there is a says it will be reissuing all standard was dismayed at how we were work, including staff costs which take what you’ve heard from one perjury provision at the bottom of Michigan plates over the next sev- denigrated in this article forward- are not reimbursed separately, small operator, providing a tiny the form. eral years, including those for IRP ed us the article for review. We almost 150 hours of senior manag- percentage of buses for this job, vehicles. often procure buses across events er time to prepare for and manage and assume that the facts are true, New Mexico cab cards Reissuing began Jan. 1, and and try hard to be fair with small the work, travel expenses for a and publish it as such, is both New Mexico is late, again, in will proceed as each current vehi- and large operators alike, as we number of staff and the manager, unprofessional and inappropriate. issuing its 2007 weight-distance cle registration expires. rely upon them to conduct our long-distance charges, insurance —Kevin O’Connor tax cab cards. The state Taxation & For more information, call Kirk business throughout the course of expense and other hard and soft Chief Operating Officer Revenue Department, which ad- Forbes, Michigan’s IRP manager, the year. costs. All toll, these costs for Transportation ministers the tax, has asked New at (517) 322-6280, or e-mail Many of the vehicles we con- TMS on the Super Bowl alone run Management Services Mexico law enforcement to sus- [email protected].

ISSUE NO. 93 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 Tri-State Tours Red Carpet Tours United Motorcoach Association: Johnny Steger Bruce Sankey Call: (623) 930-8421 Northfield, Minn. Galena, Ill. 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 Tara Sheehan Amy Stalknecht Holiday Tours J & J Charters Escot Bus Lines E-mail: [email protected] Randlemann, N.C. Crosby, Texas Largo, Fla. To report corrections: Editorial Assistant Art Director Steve Brown Dale Krapf Michelle Silvestro Call: (623) 930-8421 Krapf Coaches National Interstate Insurance Co. Eric Morales Mary E. McCarty Brown Coach E-mail: [email protected] Amsterdam, N.Y. West Chester, Pa. Richfield, Ohio ©2007 by the United Motorcoach Association. Accountant Bob Foley Godfrey LeBron T. Ralph Young Reproduction in whole or in part without ABC Companies Paradise Trailways Young Transportation written permission is prohibited. John Giddens Faribault, Minn. Hicksville, N.Y. Ashville, N.C. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS OPINION February 1, 2007 9 Gameday Management explains Super Bowl pricing I am writing in response to so on to dollars and cents. most of which are official spon- $1,050 $1,050 your article entitled “Mark-up is We have three pricing tiers for sors. Under this pricing structure, Net — to pay for driver room Net — 15 percent management hefty for Super Bowl service; oper- Super Bowl; one for the NFL, one we add in the cost of staffing nights $585 (reconciled against fee $930 ator cries foul” in your January edi- for the NFL Extended Family (i.e. (which in this case the NFL does true cost at end of event) Charge for additional hours: tion. The article was filled with the official sponsors), and one for not pay for) to the prices listed Net — to pay for staff room $120/hour such a significant amount of erro- general charters. The breakdown of above. Each group is assigned staff nights, rental car, per diem, flights Payout to bus operator for addi- neous information that I felt it nec- what is charged to each of these coordinators and those coordina- $1,050 tional hours: $99.75/hour essary to supply you with all of the clients versus what is paid out to tors are our contracted staff which Charge for additional hours: Net — extra to pay for driver facts as it relates to our contract the bus operators is as follows: are brought into the host city and $120/hour room nights if needed $20.25/hour with the National Football League NFL Buses. The NFL pays us have related costs such as flights, Payout to bus operator for addi- (otherwise rebated back to NFL) and the pricing set for buses. separately for everything (includ- hotel, rental car, etc. tional hours: $99.75/hour Net — 16 percent management First, let me start out by saying ing a management fee) except for Hence, between bus operator Net — extra to pay for driver fee $20/hour that our responsibility for the Super driver hotel rooms. The difference payout, driver hotel room cost, staff room nights if needed $20.25/hour Charge for additional driver (if Bowl transportation plan goes far in the charges to the NFL and the coordinator payout, staff flights, (otherwise rebated back to NFL) needed): $500 + hotel room cost beyond the procurement of buses. payout to the bus operator listed staff hotel room, staff per diem and Charge for additional driver (if Payout to bus operator for addi- Beginning in April of each year, we below go toward covering the cost staff rental car (each of which are needed): $500 + hotel room cost tional driver: $500 assign full-time project managers of these hotel rooms. Should the for more days than just those when Payout to bus operator for addi- to the Super Bowl. This year, we cost of the hotel rooms be less than buses are scheduled), everything tional driver: $500 As you can see, the retail rate have five. what is charged to the NFL using charged to the NFL extended fam- in all three cases includes costs for These planners are responsible this formula, it is reconciled at the ily is a pass through cost with no General Charters. These are many things, including the payout for venue plans (to include traffic end of the event and a rebate is paid mark-up involved: charters the NFL has no ties to and to the bus operator, driver hotel, management, parking, permitting, to the NFL. we are paid nothing by the NFL to the on-site staff, staff flights, staff vehicle screening, signage, etc.) as Hence, between bus operator ‘Here we are, bringing handle. These are the only charters hotel, staff per diem, staff rental well as system plans for which we payout and the driver hotel room for which we do add a mark-up car, etc. Since the NFL pays for procure buses. As it relates to the cost, everything charged to the business to bus vendors (15-18 percent — not the ridicu- our management fee separately, system plans, each route for each NFL is a pass-through cost with no lous 200-300 percent mentioned in the only time there is a mark-up bus within each system is carefully mark-up involved: all over the country on your article) to our actual costs in on the bus cost is under the No. 3 calculated in coordination with law order to make a management fee scenario above for general char- enforcement and then mapped. Sunday, Jan. 28 through a daily basis because of for handling them: ters and that mark-up is a reason- In the end, each system has a Thursday, Feb. 1: able 15-18 percent, not the ridicu- system plan with over 25 sub-sec- Charge to NFL: $880/8-hour the magnitude of events Sunday, Jan. 28 through lous 200-300 percent cited in your tions to it, which includes these minimum Thursday, Feb. 1: article. routes, driver training, schedules, Payout to bus operator: $738/ that we operate each Charge to NFL Extended I can understand the bus opera- NFL security requirements, main- 8-hour minimum Family: $1,825/8-hour minimum tor not understanding all of the tenance of traffic devices, just to Net to pay for driver room night year, yet no one does Payout to bus operator: $738/ facts. This seems to happen all of name a few. In short, the amount of $142 reconciled against true cost at 8-hour minimum the time and it’s humorous. Here work that goes into what we do for end of event) their homework before Payout to staff coordinator: we are, bringing business to bus an entire year is staggering. Charge for additional hours: $350 vendors all over the country on a Our contract with the NFL pays $110/per hour they fly off the handle.’ Net — to pay for driver room daily basis because of the magni- us for this planning and develop- Payout to bus operator for addi- night $142 reconciled against true tude of events that we operate each ment, as well as for the on-site tional hours: $89.25/hour Sunday, Jan. 28 through cost at end of event) year, yet no one does their home- operations in the Super Bowl host Net — extra to pay for driver Thursday, Feb 1: Net — to pay for staff room work before they fly off the han- city. room night if needed $20.75/hour Charge to NFL Extended night, rental car, per diem, fights dle. And the services we provide On site, we will provide over otherwise rebated back to NFL) Family: $1,580/8-hour minimum $350 go far beyond buses. 200 managers, a fully operational Charge for additional driver (if Payout to bus operator: $738/8- Net — 15 percent management For more information about our bus dispatch facility (including ITS needed): $500 + hotel room cost hour minimum fee $245 companies I suggest that you go to applications), an overnight bus Payout to bus operator for addi- Payout to staff coordinator: Charge for additional hours: www.gamedaymanagementgroup.com staging yard and driver housing (at tional driver: $500 $350 $130/hour and www.clickandpark.com. a cost of three-to-four day mini- Net — to pay for driver room Payout to bus operator for addi- What I can’t understand is how mums per room, plus an additional Friday, Feb. 2, through Sun- night $142 (reconciled against true tional hours: $89.25/hour a publication such as yours can room night where applicable for day, Feb. 4 (three-day minimum) cost at end of event) Net — extra to pay for driver print such an article (one that bor- the night before service that a driv- Charge to NFL: $4,320 Net — to pay for staff room room night if needed $20.75/hour ders on slanderous) without doing er arrives into town). Payout to bus operator: $3,735 night, rental car, per diem, flights, (otherwise rebated back to NFL) any research before doing so. If All of this is done on behalf of Net — to pay for driver room $350 Net — 18 percent management you had, I would have gladly pro- each operator involved with Super nights $585 reconciled against true Charge for additional hours: fee $20/hour vided you with all of the informa- Bowl and none of it is at their cost at end of event) $110/hour Charge for additional driver (if tion contained in this letter so you expense. In addition, as an NFL Charge for additional hours: Payout to bus operator for addi- needed): $500 + hotel room cost could report the facts, not the requirement, we carry $25 million $120/hour tional hours: $89.25/hour Payout to bus operator for addi- rumors. in liability insurance. A require- Payout to bus operator for addi- Net — extra to pay for driver tional driver: $500 I also find it humorous that, ment that is costly and one that tional hours: $99.75/hour room night if needed $20.75/hour when we first began our search for most (if not any) bus operator can Net — extra to pay for driver otherwise rebated back to NFL) Friday, Feb. 2 through Sun- buses in south Florida, many of the satisfy. room nights if needed $20.25/hour Charge for additional driver (if day, Feb. 4 (three-day minimum) operators wanted to charge us a I invite any operator interested (otherwise rebated back to NFL) needed): $500 + hotel room cost Charge to NFL Extended Fam- five-day minimum of $2,000- in learning the truth about our Charge for additional driver (if Payout to bus operator for addi- ily: $7,350 $3,000/day. Forgive me for control- involvement to visit the Calder needed): $500 + hotel room cost tional driver: $500 Payout to bus operator: $3,735 ling what is truly price gouging on Race Course just north of Dolphin Payout to bus operator for addi- Payout to staff coordinator: behalf of our client, the National Stadium. That is from where we tional driver: $500 Friday, Feb. 2 through Sun- $1,050 Football League. will be operating and I think it day, Feb. 4 (three-day minimum) Net — to pay for driver room would be a huge eye opener. NFL Extended Family Buses. Charge to NFL Extended nights $585 (reconciled against —Tony Vitrano As a part of our service to the NFL, Family: 6,420 true cost at end of event) President, Gameday Dollars, cents we provide buses and management Payout to bus operator: $3,735 Net — to pay for staff room Management Group I think you get the picture here, to the “NFL Extended Family”, Payout to staff coordinator: nights, rental car, per diem, flights 10 February 1, 2007 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Trailways to provide coaches for senior communities FAIRFAX, Va. — Trailways ed by Sunrise in 37 states. tionship between a major provider CEO. “Team Trailways has main- In addition to existing commu- Transportation System has been “Sunrise seeks to do business of senior living services and a tained an exemplary safety and nities, Sunrise has an additional 46 named the preferred transportation with companies that understand the nationwide transportation provider security record for the seven dec- communities under construction provider for commercial bus char- needs of the seniors we serve,” said demonstrates Sunrise’s commit- ades it has been serving the public. with a combined capacity for more ters and services by one of the Daniel Schwartz, senior vice presi- ment to providing a superior level And, we have elevated those stan- than 6,000 residents. nation’s premier operators of senior dent of North American operations of service to our residents,” dards in recent years to meet con- Sunrise offers a wide range of living communities. at Sunrise. “Trailways nationwide Schwartz added. temporary demands. While price for senior services, including inde- The three-year agreement reach and focus on the safety and “We look forward to fulfilling transport services is an important pendent living, assisted living, and between Sunrise Senior Living of comfort of our traveling residents Sunrise’s expectations for its trans- consideration, we recognize that care for individuals with memory McLean, Va., and Trailways covers gives us greater peace of mind. port service needs,” said Gale passenger safety trumps all other loss, as well as nursing, rehabilita- the 420 senior communities operat- “This ‘first-of-its-kind’ rela- Ellsworth, Trailways president and considerations by our clients.” tive and hospice care.

ators for comprehensive instruction occurs through an academically industry and transportation special- Also assisting in development Academy and certification of achievement in sound approach,” said Presley. ist with more than 30 years of expe- of the academy has been Spader CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 such areas as business operations, The college, which traces its rience. He holds a master’s degree Business Management, the Sioux The academy’s wide range of accounting, marketing, human re- roots back nearly 50 years, is a in transportation engineering from Falls, S.D.-based organization that courses will be developed and sources, safe operations and driver four-campus community college Villanova University. developed the 20 Group business offered in single units, or the indi- training,” he added. located, as its name implies, in Daecher has developed and development concept for the vidual courses may be combined to Most of the academy’s courses southern Maryland, directly south provided training to motor carri- motorcoach industry. culminate in an accreditation. Like- and programs will be delivered via of Washington, D.C. ers, insurance companies, attor- “The content expertise of the wise, an instruction program will the Internet, which in the past It offers associate degree pro- neys and other groups in the areas United Motorcoach Association, be developed that will culminate in decade has become widely accept- grams, industry certifications, of accident investigation, empath- Carmen Daecher and other indus- driver certification. ed as a credible and often preferred career training, and is home to the ic communication, and safety and try professionals, combined with “We will expand the business structure for distance education. Corporate and Community Train- loss prevention techniques and the College of Southern Maryland’s and operational knowledge of the The method is particularly favor- ing Institute. It prides itself on processes. experience in developing and deliv- motorcoach and bus industry,” said able for individuals whose sched- offering quality educational servic- He consults with public and pri- ering quality distance learning Ken Presley, vice president of ules do not permit attending struc- es and providing the resources and vate clients, including municipali- courses, will result in a sound and industry relations at UMA and the tured classroom instruction. tools needed to succeed in a com- ties, attorneys, insurance compa- effective education program for the driving force behind the academy. The College of Southern Mary- petitive marketplace. nies, commercial motor carriers passenger transportation industry,” “And, in doing that, we will consid- land has extensive experience in The college’s background, and other professional groups. said Parra. erably improve and increase the industrial and online training. Cur- proximity to UMA, which has its The Milford garage also lacked confidence necessary for operators rently, 2,000 students are enrolled office in nearby Alexandria, Va., Peter Pan “secondary containment” for oil to take the measured business risk in almost 150 distance learning and previous experience with CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 storage tanks, and failed to ade- needed to seize and expand oppor- courses offered via the Internet by industry leaders makes it a natural owners, but failed to conduct quately respond to a June 2006 bus tunities offered by an increasingly the college. choice to host the academy and monthly inspections and site evalu- fueling accident that spilled about mobile society,” said Presley. “The college’s success in dis- help develop its programs, accord- ations, thus increasing the chance 156 gallons of diesel fuel in an out- “Bus & Motorcoach Academy tance learning is due in large part to ing to Presley. that potential storm water pollution side parking lot, EPA reported. will be a single, reputable and af- a commitment to teach and reach To lead the academy, UMA sources would not be identified in a “Oil spills can do significant fordable resource available to oper- adult learners wherever learning turned to Daecher, a motorcoach timely manner, the EPA said. damage to the environment, includ- ing to neighboring wetlands and surface waters,” said Varney. “EPA Shuttle Bus Leasing will continue to ensure that facili- CHARTER ties handling oil follow established "Your Solution For Shuttling & Fixed Route Contracting" procedures to minimize risks of oil Dump spills.” Leases Terms Available From 3 Months to 2 Years In addition to the fine, Peter CLEAN... High Quality, Transit Shuttle Buses Pan also agreed to perform what the EPA calls “an environmental Over 1000 Buses In Inventory project.” Peter Pan will equip near- Dump 22' To 60' Models Available ly its entire New England fleet with new crankcase filters that will min- imize potential storm water pollu- LEGAL! tion from oil leaks. The filters will reduce leaks from each bus by one to six gallons of oil annually, thereby reducing WASHROOM WASTE DISPOSAL UNIT what the EPA says is a “significant source” of storm water runoff con- Installs directly into your tamination from the company’s out- existing sewer system! door parking lots. Peter Pan will install the filters avatory dump hopper is assembled and ready Washroom on 268 buses by the end of the year, to install in your existing sewer system. Its waste is Parking Lot Shuttles ~ Seasonal Coverage and EPA will require documenta- cover plate is easily rolled back with the tion to confirm the work has been L removed Employee Shuttling ~ Peak Demand Coverage remover tool. Each of your service lanes can easily be performed. equipped with this time-saving unit, which has been the quickly, Crean said the filter project will industry standard for over thirty years. All major credit easily and TopQualityTransitBusesAlso cost the company about $84,000. cards accepted. safely After EPA contacted Peter Pan Call 1-866-LAV-DUMP or email Availablefor Sal e regarding its air and water compli- [email protected] for additional information. ance, the company took steps to reduce idling and upgrade its mon- 800-287-7253 itoring of idling by drivers. The company is using the GPS system HUDSON RIVER CORPORATION 1863 Service Court, Riverside, CA 92507 on its coaches to monitor idling in Call toll free: 1-866-LAV-DUMP | Fax: 1-201-420-3322 www.Shuttl eBusLeasi ng.com real time. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS Feburary 1, 2007 11 Tough quarter for Greyhound revenue, earnings dip NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The quarter, Laidlaw said it is sticking holders of record Jan. 16. ing to the union, is a drive by Grey- Three years ago, Greyhound turnaround drive at Greyhound Lines to its original fiscal 2007 forecast, hound to subcontract some driver hired The Richards Group, a Dallas hit a pothole during the first quarter which calls for year-over-year rev- Labor negotiations work to non-unionized Spanish agency, to handle the company’s of the company fiscal year, sending enue growth of 2 to 4 percent and Greyhound’s contract with speaking drivers. $12 million account. Richards is both revenue and earnings tumbling. earnings from continuing opera- Local 1700 of the Amalgamated not seeking to retain the account. The nation’s largest line-haul tions of $1.35 to $1.55 per share. Transit Union expires on the last Seeks new ad agency Greyhound is interviewing operator had revenue of $279.5 mil- Laidlaw’s board approved a day of January. Bargaining began Greyhound Lines is looking for agencies and plans to integrate ad- lion for the three months ended quarterly dividend of 17 cents per Jan. 8 in Washington, D.C. a new advertising and public rela- vertising, public relations and other Nov. 30, down 8.2 percent from share, payable Feb. 6, to all stock- One point of contention, accord- tions agency. marketing services at a single shop. year-ago revenue of $304.6 million. Greyhound’s parent company, Laidlaw International, said the rev- enue decline was due in part to a strong quarter a year earlier when ridership jumped following Hurri- canes Katrina and Rita. Hundreds of people, displaced by the storms, rode Greyhound back and forth from their relocated residences to their former homes in the storm- ravaged Gulf Coast. Additionally, and disturbing from a long-term perspective, was a decline in passengers caused by travelers balking at higher ticket prices. Greyhound’s turnaround thus far has relied heavily on cost sav- ings stemming from the massive restructuring of its route system that eliminated hundreds of stops, jobs and buses. For a successful future, how- ever, the company needs to figure out a way to attract more passengers and to make higher ticket prices palatable to potential customers. And, as all bus operators know, in an era of cut-rate airlines and an automobile industry bent on putting anyone with $200 behind the wheel of a car, that is no easy chore. Earnings during Greyhound’s first fiscal quarter also declined, even after eliminating the impact of a one-time gain it experienced the prior year. Greyhound’s EBITDA for the three months ended Nov. 30 was $25.6 million, down from $34.9 million for the same period in 2005. However, $5 million of the 2005 figure resulted from a settle- ment the company received on a business interruption claim it filed after Sept. 11, 2001. Excluding the one-time gain, Greyhound was more profitable during the 2005 period because of the increased volume resulting from the post-hurricane travel. The lackluster results at Grey- hound were a factor in the overall quarterly performance of corporate parent Laidlaw. Revenues at Laid- law rose a modest 1 percent, while profits dropped 14 percent. Laid- law CEO Kevin Benson said the company “enjoyed a solid first quarter.” Wall Street certainly didn’t see it that way, however. Investors dropped shares of Laidlaw nearly 5 percent on news of the weaker- than-expected quarter. Still, in spite the uninspired

UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION Section 2 Feburary 1, 2007 MOTORCOACH EXPO 2007 Operator offers high-tech view of industry future NEW ORLEANS — Hang on coach outfitted with the latest cell- making is called VuStar and is on Its future is virtually unlimited,” Driving for dollars to your steering wheel because the ular and satellite technology; large, the verge of being taken commer- adds Bolen, who led development Bolin said he came up with the world of high tech may be about to high-definition television moni- cial by an operator who in years to of the system and is installing it on concept while searching for new give the motorcoach industry a tors, and a personal computer that come could be seen as a pioneer in 32 of his coaches. revenue streams for his company. boost. uses a touch-screen to operate a the industry. The VuStar-equipped Van Hool After lengthy exploratory talks, he That, anyway, is what one system that serves up vast amounts “I’m just taking a chance with C2045E that New World had on the partnered with high-tech innovators coach operator thinks, and he pro- of information and entertainment it,” says Dave Bolin, president of Expo showroom floor drew large VuStar to develop the system and vided attendees at Motorcoach to passengers and new revenue New World Tours of Bristow, Va., crowds and considerable interest ABC Companies and Van Hool to Expo with a hands-on glimpse of opportunities to operators. who unveiled his brainchild at from operators who grilled Bolin help integrate it into a coach. his vision of the industry future. The multi-purpose electronic Expo. and VuStar executives about the “I figured from the start that it And that vision consists of a system that was two years in the “Who knows where it will go. system’s potential. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 þ Motorcoach operators return to New Orleans in big show of support NEW ORLEANS — The mo- arrived in the Crescent City, they torcoach industry “returned” to were met by unusually heavy on- New Orleans in a big way during site registration, boosting total mid-January, with hundreds of op- attendance to new highs. erators and vendors descending on In the end, more than 2,000 the city for Motorcoach Expo 2007. motorcoach owners, operators, The show came 16 months vendors and other attendees came after hundreds of motorcoaches — from as far away as China and some from as far away as Wash- Turkey, producing an 11 percent ington state — were sent to New increase compared with Tampa and All Expo photographs by David Braun, David Braun Photography, Las Vegas Orleans and the Gulf Coast to Las Vegas. evacuate tens of thousands of resi- By having the show in New Or- tion management companies). That ple that are here are qualified oper- Chinese-designed and built motor- dents stranded by Hurricanes leans, the industry demonstrated it was more about equipment,” said ators. They want to do business coaches and buses to be sold in Katrina and Rita. that the city remains a viable tour- Deanna Sorge, group sales manager with us. They thanked us for being North America. Even before the show opened it ist destination, said Victor Parra, for the Pigeon Forge (Tenn.) De- here. You don’t normally get that in There were buses from seven was apparent the event was going UMA president and chief executive. partment of Tourism. “But I walked a show. This is a great show for us.” nations on display and for sale at to be a huge success. Pre-registra- “We’re just really, really pleased into the room and thought — More than 160 Expo attendees Expo. tion was up more than 10 percent how the travel and tourism industry ‘wow’ — these are the folks we’re came to New Orleans one day early Also on display for the first from early registration for Expo has turned out to support the city.” trying to grab hold of, and we can to spend most of one day helping time were motorcoaches equipped ’06 in Tampa and 7 percent higher Attendees and exhibitors alike now see them in a relaxed atmos- build houses at the New Orleans with 2007-Environmental Protec- than pre-registration for Expo seemed pleased with the event. phere. It is not a pressure sell.” Musicians’Village project of Habi- tion Agency compliant, reduce- 2005 in Las Vegas. “This is our first year – and I Added Tami Dion of HMS tat for Humanity. emission diesel engines that pro- Then, when the staff from the had always heard in the past that Host Restaurants: “This has been a Among the show’s many high- duce fewer exhaust pollutants per United Motorcoach Association this was not the show for (destina- phenomenal show for us. The peo- lights was the launch of the first passenger than new automobiles. 35-foot coaches make splashy, upbeat showing at Expo NEW ORLEANS — The the same response from operators ride, saying charter groups have search for the elusive 35-foot who stopped by to see the Temsa dropped in size, so in some situa- motorcoach may be over. TS 35, a 35-foot monocoque coach tions it is no longer financially fea- Manufacturers brought several that his company introduced at the sible to run full-size coaches. versions of the sought-after model show. Major manufacturers, however, to Motorcoach Expo 2007 and the “The reaction has been fabu- said although they recognize the response was overwhelming lous,” he said. “The operators are need for a smaller coach, most have “We’ve been jamming all day,” telling us that we have something been unable to produce one with a said Cliff Clare Jr., president and they really need.” price tag that would satisfy oper- chief executive of Stallion Bus A similar reaction was heard at ators. Industries, a New York-based man- the IC Corp. display where the 36- Now, Stallion, Trident and IC ufacturer that introduced the 35- foot FC Series was unveiled. It’s say they’ve managed to do it, with foot Sunliner Coach at the show. billed as a day-tour coach. help from bus builders from other He said operators from “We’re filling a need that exists countries where smaller, over-the- throughout the country were all in the marketplace today,” observed road buses are commonplace – Trident Industries of Cumming, Ga., is importing the Temsa TS 35 motor- telling him the same thing — Ian Shackleton, manager of IC’s China, Turkey and Brazil. The U.S. coach from Turkey. It features stainless steel monocoque construction. “Finally, someone has come up new truck sales in the Northeast. have a sticker price ranges of from with a product we really need.” Operators for the past several $230,000 to $300,000, a target “All of the big guys were look- and that wasn’t cost effective,” Jason Cash of Trident Indus- years have been clamoring for a most operators believe they could ing at building the 35-foot model noted Shackleton. “We did it the tries in Cumming, Ga., said he got small coach that offers a big coach manage. by shrinking the larger coaches, CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 þ 14 February 1, 2007 MOTORCOACH EXPO Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

Donald Storer Darren Berg Jack W. Haugsland Randy Futral Callen Hotard Coach operators are honored at gala Vision Awards NEW ORLEANS — During He singled out for special atten- helping small bus and motorcoach and people with disabilities. It surprising because it came at an the past three years, the motor- tion those Expo attendees who operators. “Our core values will operates a fleet of more than 300 event sponsored by an organization coach industry’s “best-and-bright- came to New Orleans a day early to always remain those of the United vehicles. Company President, CEO that was founded in large measure est” operators have been honored volunteer their time for the local Bus Owners of America and sup- and Safety Director Donald Storer because small operators resented with awards presented at Motor- Habitat for Humanity project to port for small, independent opera- said the company never compro- Greyhound’s industry dominance coach Expo’s gala Vision Awards build homes for displaced musi- tors,” said Parra. UMA changed its mises safety. “Everything we do in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Banquet. cians. (See photos on page 17.) name from UBOA to United Mo- revolves around safety,” he said. And it was deserving because any- The banquet, which has become Upwards of 160 people turned torcoach Association in 1996 to BusRide Motorcoach Indus- one who could weather the storms the social highlight of Expo and the out for the Habitat project in miser- more accurately reflect the industry try Achievement Award: MTR at Greyhound for 40 years, includ- premier industry event for honor- ably cold and damp weather. and operators it serves. Western of Seattle. The company ing more than 20 years as a senior ing coach operators, invariably Immediately following Expo, Five major industry awards and its president and founder, officer, warrants high honors. It turns into a festive evening that there was talk of finding a volun- were presented at the banquet. Here Darren Berg, were said to demon- was announced in August that contains more than a few surprises. teer project that could be conducted are the winners: strate excellence and innovation Haugsland, who began his Grey- This year’s fourth annual Vision in conjunction with next year’s UMA Safety Leader of the throughout company operations hound career as a part-time driver Awards sustained the tradition. Expo in San Francisco. Year: Donald Storer of Storer and business achievements. MTR while attending college, would In opening remarks, UMA Many veteran Expo attendees Coachways in Modesto, Calif. Western was founded about four retire from the company in January. President and CEO Victor Parra expect San Francisco to be a strong Award presenter Matthew Daecher years ago and operates more than UMA Vision Award/Small thanked those attending for making draw for Expo 2008 — in no small of Daecher Consulting Group said 100 vehicles. Operator (less than 15 coaches): Motorcoach Expo 2007 one of the measure because it is one of the the award was being presented to Metro Magazine Motorcoach Randy Futral and Starkville Trail- most successful ever, with record nation’s most iconic cities and also Storer because of the company’s Operator of the Year: Jack W. ways of Starkville, Miss. attendance, double-digit exhibit ranks as one of the most-popular commitment to trust, safety and Haugsland, executive vice presi- UMA Vision Award/Large space growth, and demonstrating motorcoach destinations. integrity. Storer Coachways is an dent and chief operating officer of Operator (15 or more coaches): strong industry support for the Parra used the Vision Awards to unusual company, with 60 percent Greyhound Lines. Haugsland’s Callen Hotard of Calco Travel in recovery of New Orleans and the reaffirm UMA’s commitment to its of its business derived from trans- selection was at once surprising, Geismar, La. Gulf Coast region. roots as an association dedicated to porting disadvantaged individuals ironic and deserving. Ironic and UMA Treasurer Jeff Polzien, who chairs the association’s Vision Awards Committee, said both Starkville Trailways and Calco Travel exhibit the highest standards that other motorcoach operators NEW SINGLE USE should measure themselves against. New to Expo this year was the ® Maintenance Interchange Main- tenance Competition. Those indi- viduals attending the interchange POT SHOT were invited to participate in a The power of POT SHOT in a competition involving a written test • Easy to Use and a timed diagnostic inspection. • Measured Dosage convenient, portion controlled, The winner was Peter Manco of single use bottle. Portion Classic Tours in Lakewood, N.J. • Powerful Odor Control Early in his career, Manco had been Control POT SHOT is more a bus mechanic but he spent the • Low Cost past 18 years as a mechanic with effective then any other UPS. He joined Classic seven • Super Concentrated portion controlled product months ago after retiring from UPS. • Pleasant Fragrance Manco was presented with a on the market. Each bottle is plaque and a $500 gift certificate • Non-Staining Blue Dye individually labeled with use for Snap-On Tools at the awards banquet by Kevin Whitworth of • Non-Formaldehyde instructions. No more packets Whitworth Bus, who coordinates the Maintenance Interchange and • Biodegradable that melt, stick together, and/or Maintenance Competition. Louis damage dump valves. Hotard of ABC Companies assisted • Safe for Dump Valves Whitworth in designing the new maintenance event. UNIT CHEMICAL CORPORATION Runners up in the competition were Gene Wordekemper of Arrow (800) 879-8648 www.unitchemical.com Stages Lines in Denver, and Shane Campbell of Champion Coach in Greenville, S.C. (See photos on 60 Years Manufacturing Environmentally Safe Products page 16.)

16 February 1, 2007 MOTORCOACH EXPO Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

Peter Manco of Classic Tours in Lakewood, N.J., left, won the first Main- tenance Competition held in conjunction with Motorcoach Expo. Judging Manco is competition and Maintenance Interchange coordinator Kevin Wes Kanaga of Peoria Charter Coach in Peoria, Ill., at left speaking, discusses a maintenance issue Whitworth of Whitworth Bus in Dayton, Ohio. during the Motorcoach Expo Maintenance Interchange.

Shane Campbell of Champion Coach in Greenville, S.C., left, took second place in the Maintenance Competition, while Gene Worde- Greg Lammers of Cavalier Coaches in Albert Lea, Minn. looks for hidden defects during the Mainte- PrOwndPrtsB&MC 10/3/06 1:16 PM Page 1 kemper, right, of Arrow Stages Lines in Denver, finished third. They nance Competition, which also featured a written test. are joined by competition coordinator Kevin Whitworth.

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Call Dean Gregor, toll free at 1-800-222-2875, ext.129 for information and parts orders today. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS MOTORCOACH EXPO Feburary 1, 2007 17 Rebuilding New Orleans More than 160 attendees arrived at Motorcoach Expo one day early so they could volunteer their time and building skills for New Orleans’ Habitat for Humanity Musicians Village project. At left, a supervisor for Habitat for Humanity briefs the volunteers. Below left, J.H. Byrd Jr. of Salter Trailways in Jonesboro, La. (brown coat), Bob Graf of El Camino Trailways in South San Francisco (red coat), Jason Willingham of Willingham Inc. (with saw), and Dan Eisentrager of Coach America cut the frame for a set of stairs. Below, Michael Power of Prevost Car uses his height to good advantage during house framing.

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he will encourage them to do so by FMCSA withholding federal grants from CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 those states that do not have inspec- NTSB official chides regulators safety rating tion programs and trained people to NEW ORLEANS — The list as a sign of their importance. motorcoach accidents. He specifi- from federal run them. National Transportation Safety The suggestions call for an cally cited the Mother’s Day 1999 regulators. “I was shocked to find that Board is continuing its campaign oversight program that would crash east of New Orleans in “We are go- some states do not have a single to get federal regulators to tighten require medical personnel who which the coach driver was found ing to make a person trained and in place to do their medical standards for certify- examine drivers to be qualified to have had a serious heart condi- concentrated ef- safety inspections,” he added. ing commercial bus and truck and educated on occupational tion and to have been on both legal fort to get Additionally, he said he also is drivers. issues; development of a tracking and illegal drugs. Nearly two- them,” he noted. taking steps to gather more safety NTSB Vice Chairman Robert system that would make the results dozen people died in the crash. Roughly data on the motorcoach industry Sumwalt told operators at the of prior examinations of drivers be Sumwalt also called on motor- 12,000 compli- John Hill and develop a program that could opening session of the Motorcoach recorded and made available to coach operators to continue to ance inspections are conducted provide inspectors with early warn- Expo 2007 that the Federal Motor those performing subsequent work hard to make sure only safe each year and for the past several ings of potential safety problems Carrier Safety Administration is examinations; creation of a detec- drivers are allowed behind the years regulators have been discuss- during inspections. not moving quickly enough to tion system that would make it eas- steering wheels of their buses and ing ways to increase that number. Beyond the five key areas, Hill adopt regulations that could keep ier for safety inspectors and others that they help push for more strin- Hill said the agency also wants said several other issues will be unsafe drivers off the road. to recognize invalid certificates, gent regulations. to get to new motorcoach compa- drawing the attention of the The safety board has been call- and that medical examination reg- “While 82 percent of our rec- nies quicker and has written a new FMSCA as well. ing for strong medical certification ulations be reviewed periodically. ommendations get implemented, rule that will reduce the time it Among them is a plan to merge regulations for about seven years Sumwalt suggested that more we can’t do it alone,” he said takes for regulators to conduct ini- the commercial driver license with and has placed its proposed im- effective regulations possibly “We’re partners and we all have an provements on its “most-wanted” could have prevented some serious invested interest in this.” tial safety audits of the equipment medical certifications so inspec- and operations of new entrant busi- tors and law enforcement authori- proposed medical rule and to par- “Such devices could make a In addition, he said the agency nesses from 18 months to 9 ties can easily tell if a certificate is ticipate in the process of getting it substantial difference in accidents,” is looking onto software that could months. (See January issue of Bus valid and current. That is among implemented. he added. review the safety records of every & Motorcoach News.) several recommendations that the He called, too, for the industry Hill said the FMSCA also is carrier in the country and, barring “They’re either going to play by National Transportation and Safety to take advantage of new technolo- looking into possibly requiring car- possible privacy issues, make such the rules or not participate,” he Board has been urging for several gies to improve highway safety, riers to install electronic monitor- information available to the indus- warned. years. (See related article on this including the use of devices that ing devices on their vehicles when try. He also emphasized that states page.) can alert drivers when they are its drivers have demonstrated a “Then you could deal with need to get more involved in Hill urged motorcoach opera- drifting out of their lanes or are at series of violations over a two-year issues before there is a problem,” motorcoachSEFAC Bus safetyAd 4x6.4 issues 1/10/07and said 1:59tors toPM watch Page for 1 publication of the risk of rolling their coaches. period. he stressed. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS MOTORCOACH EXPO Feburary 1, 2007 19 Uncovering business opportunities is key to growth NEW ORLEANS — Motor- Among the hottest opportuni- to handle a suggested improve- coach operators frustrated by the ties could be the school bus mar- ment or expansion, it still is worth financial peaks and valleys com- ket, which the panelists said could a look by the owner. mon to operating a charter bus be on the verge of a growth spurt. The panel also suggested that company can level things off if “Schools are starting to out- operators get involved in their they stay alert to new business source more because they don’t local governmental activities by opportunities. want to have to maintain their own attending meetings of transit That was the conclusion of a buses,” said Walker. boards and metropolitan growth panel of operators from different About one-third of the school agencies where new motorcoach sections of the country who dis- districts throughout the country opportunities often are hatched. cussed the growth of their busi- have private companies operate “It’ll never happen sitting nesses at Motorcoach Expo ’07. their school buses. behind your desk,” emphasized Panel members agreed that the Scott reported that government Scott. competition for charter and other officials in Florida are looking at There also was consensus business has stepped up so much privatizing school bus operations among the panel members that that companies that don’t look to in that state, which would open pricing remains a key to not only broaden their services and price business opportunities to private keeping pace in the industry, but John Walker of Star Shuttle and Charters in San Antonio, left, and Brian Kurtz them right could be left behind. coach operators. of Elite Coach in Lancaster, Pa., urges operators to seek out new opportunities. also in being able to expand. “You have to get your people Polzien, who added a school Kurtz suggested that competi- to think outside of the box,” sug- bus division to his company a cou- look for numerous other factors in and public transit work also offer tion has raised the bar in the indus- gested Brian Kurtz, owner of Elite ple of years ago, said that while a company before settling on who operators a chance to find new try and pricing your bus and Coach in Lancaster, Pa. student transportation work can will get the contract. “They some- business for their companies. motorcoach services right is Panelists Brain Scott of Escot give a company a financial boost, times even go with the highest The panelists suggested every- becoming even more important. Bus Lines in Largo, Fla., Jeff landing the first contract can be bid,” he said. one in the company can help in the “You need to price for it because if Polzien of Red Carpet Charters in difficult and time consuming. While getting that all-impor- hunt for new business, and owners you don’t have the money you Oklahoma City, and John Walker He said it took him about five tant first contract was tough, he should encourage employees to can’t keep up,” he warned. of Star Shuttle and Charters in San years before he won his first con- said the transition into schools bring up their ideas for considera- And, according to Polzien, the Antonio, Texas, agreed, noting that tract. “I just couldn’t get my foot from charter was easy because he tion. time just might be ripe for new there are many business opportu- in the door,” he said. “But persist- was able to move his drivers “And, if someone comes to you pricing levels. nities available and operators ence finally paid off.” between the different types of with an idea, don’t shoot it down,” “Our customers are expecting interested in growing their busi- Among the lessons he learned, work without any difficulty. stressed Kurtz. more these days, but they seem nesses need only look for them he said, was that schools don’t Airport shuttle service, spe- He said even if an operator willing to pay for it, too,” he said. and be willing to give them a try. always go for the lowest bid, but cialized tours, contract, paratransit doesn’t have the right equipment “I see less pricing sensitivity now.

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Tom Sorrells, president and CEO of Motor Coach Industries (standing far left), speaks during company ceremony MCI Vice President Pat Ziska talks with New Orleans’ operator Harold honoring Gulf Coast operators. Lewis Sr. of Lewis Coaches, following the MCI ceremony. MCI honors Katrina-hit motorcoach operators at Expo NEW ORLEANS — When New Orleans • Callen and Coleen Hotard, • Jim Smith, New Orleans Tours ters for volunteer drivers and Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana • Norman Augusta, Dixieland Calco Travel, Geismar, La. • Jim Szesycki, Hotard Coaches, mechanics. MCI also presented the and Mississippi in late summer Tours, Baton Rouge, La. • Harold Lewis Sr., Lewis Baton Rouge, La. operators with plaques of apprecia- 2005, many of the region’s motor- • James and Nancy Callahan, Coaches, New Orleans • John Williams, DJ Shuttle & tion. coach operators suffered devastat- Callahan Bus Lines, Oxford, Miss. • James Mayo, Mayo Tours, Tour, Hattiesburg, Miss. “We were so impressed with ing business losses. • Tom Curtis, The Express Monroe, La. Gulf Spirit award honorees these operators for giving so much Motor Coach Industries recog- (Shuttle Service), Hattiesburg, • John and Donna McCom- were sent letters of congratulation of themselves during and after nized 15 of those operators with Miss. mon, Cline Tours, Ridgeland, Miss. signed by NFL broadcaster and Hurricane Katrina,” said Tom Sor- “Gulf Spirit” awards during a cere- • Randy and Stephanie Futral, • Don and Louis Sanders, MCI spokesman John Madden, rells, MCI president and CEO. mony at Motorcoach Expo 2007 Starkville Trailways, Starkville, Louisiana Coaches Trailways, Mar- who participated in the Gulf Coast “The motorcoach industry has here. Miss. rero, La. relief effort himself by sending one always been one built largely on Honored were: • Clarence Gaten, Gaten’s Ad- • Henry and Sandy Smith, of his private coaches to New relationships, and we’ve never been • David Ainey, David Tours, ventures Unlimited, Hammond, La. Starcoach, New Orleans Orleans to serve as sleeping quar- prouder to be part of that family.” Bus & Motorcoach NEWS MOTORCOACH EXPO Feburary 1, 2007 21 Two new directors join board of UMA NEW ORLEANS — Two new- transfers, private charters and tours, Four UMA directors were re- re-elected from Region I, and Dale comers have become directors of convention shuttle service, execu- elected to three-year terms. Krapf of Krapf Coaches in West the United Motorcoach Associa- tive outings, airport transfers, con- David Brown of Holiday Tours Chester, Pa., was re-elected from tion, taking seats on the UMA cert service, ski tours, shopping in Randleman, N.C., and Brian Region III. board at its semi-annual meeting excursions, weddings, sporting Scott of Escot Bus Lines in Largo, The new and returning direc- Gladys Gillis Marcia Milton following Motorcoach Expo 2007 events and sightseeing tours. Fla., were re-elected from Region tors were elected in balloting that here in mid-January. Region III of UMA is com- II (the Midwest and Southeast). took place in the fall. and Steve Haddad of Bieber Joining the board from UMA prised of 13 northeastern states and Bill Allen of Amador Stage Todd Holland of Ramblin’ Ex- Tourways in Kutztown, Pa., did not Region I was Gladys Gillis of the eastern provinces of Canada. Lines in Sacramento, Calif., was press in Colorado Springs/Denver seek re-election Starline Luxury Coaches in Seattle. Starline is a 9-year-old, 50-bus operation with three distinct profit centers: charter service, shuttle contracting and paratransit service. UMA Region I includes the western two-thirds of the U.S., plus the western provinces in Canada. Elected to the UMA board from Region III was Marcia Milton of First Priority Trailways in District Heights, Md. First Priority’s fleet of 17 coaches provides corporate Nat’l Interstate has big quarter, strong full year RICHFIELD, Ohio — In a pre- liminary report on its 2006 finan- cial results, National Interstate ZF. Corp. has posted double-digit rev- enue and earnings gains. Motion engineered. The coach industry insurer said gross premiums written last year totaled $305.5 million, an increase of 13.1 percent over pre- miums of $270 million in 2005. For the fourth quarter of last year, gross premiums totaled $61.5 million, up nearly 65 per- cent from fourth-quarter 2005 pre- miums of $37.3 million. The fourth-quarter ë06 jump was largely attributable to new insur- ance programs. National Interstate said it expects full-year 2006 net income to equal $1.80 to $1.86 per share fully diluted. That compares to $1.60 per diluted share for 2005. The company anticipates 2006 fourth-quarter net income in the 847.478.6868 range of 54 to 60 cents per share www.zf.com/na fully diluted, compared to 41 cents per share diluted for the final quarter of 2005. The improved í06 At ZF, we understand the technology of motion; the science behind movement; the engineering of driving. fourth-quarter net income is pri- And the AS Tronic automatic bus transmission is a direct result. Utilizing advanced non-sequential shifting marily due to favorable losses and technology, the AS Tronic instantly adjusts to current driving conditions for optimal driving performance – loss adjustment expenses. even in the steepest terrain. Independent testing, according to SAE standards, on pre-2004 engines showed National Interstate does not normally release preliminary AS Tronic provided an average fuel gain of 10% compared to powershift transmissions. Proven fuel results but Chairman and CEO efficiency and economy – engineered together in an efficient transmission system optimized for motion. Alan Spachman said that because the company had indicated in ear- ZF. We’re changing what it means to drive – forever. lier conference calls the fourth quarter would be strong it thought it prudent to release the numbers. The company will announce Driveline and Chassis Technology its complete 2006 results Feb. 26. 22 February 1, 2007 MOTORCOACH EXPO Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

High-tech coach design. The parcel rack system was extensively modified, opening up CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 space for the monitors. The impact was something that could get my of the large viewing screens on pas- passengers to want to ride again sengers probably cannot be over- and help attract new customers as stated. well,” he said. A group leader can use the Since then, it has evolved fur- touch-screen control unit mounted ther and Bolin and his partners see in front of the passenger-side front far more potential, including draw- seat to play movies or special tapes ing in hundreds of tourism-related specific to the people onboard the businesses that would like to mar- coach. ket to a captive audience. Business groups traveling to- “I can’t really do this alone,” he gether can skip the entertainment stresses. “It’s going to take bus and conduct meetings, complete companies and destinations work- with special videos and slideshows ing together to develop the poten- and connections to the Internet. tial and take it to where it goes.” “It’s all about options for the For passengers, the system of- passengers,” says Matt Duff of fers entertainment options that Falls Church, Va.- based VuStar. range from compact discs, to satel- While such a system could help Dave Bolen of New World Tours, right front, demonstrates the onboard VuStar information and entertainment lite television and radio broadcasts, retain existing customers and at- system for Randy O’Neill, right front, and Bob Crescenzo, left rear, of Lancer Insurance, and Patrick Marks of to the Internet. The six, 23-inch tract new ones, it also opens up an Nationwide Travelers in Appleton, Wis., right rear. monitors on the buses can be tuned opportunity that Bolin and his part- to different stations at the same ners say has the potential of in- could be ready when the bus formance and offer them to passen- vehicle within an operator’s fleet. It time and passengers can connect creasing revenue streams. arrives, check out hotels and book gers who are heading to town. can track the location of each vehi- their head sets into any one of them rooms while on the road, and While the system is aimed at cle, predict vehicle maintenance or any number of satellite radio sta- Endless possibilities review the highlights of activities providing passengers with new needs, schedule parts purchases, tions from their seats. The idea is to sell video airtime planned at the next destination services and operators with new and provide assistance during to travel-related businesses such as where the bus is headed. revenue potential, it also can help breakdowns. Size impresses motels and hotels, restaurants, des- Bolin says the interactive fea- save bus owners operation and “We have all of our chips on the The integration of the oversize tinations, sports venues, theaters ture of the system also would allow maintenance expenses. table, we’re all in and hopefully monitors into a traditional seated- and many others. Passengers could theaters to message the bus when- Using VuStar’s operation cen- we’ll be successful,” Bolin said. coach interior is a masterpiece of look at menus and order food that ever they have extra seats for a per- ter, the system can monitor each

transmission and a Carrier-Sutrak 35-foot coaches cooling system. Its seats are from CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Amaya. other way around.” “This is the flagship for our Stallion’s Sunliner is built on a company,” said Cash. Freightliner XBR chassis that is He said the coach sells for merged with a body manufactured between $280,000 and $300,000 in China. It is powered by a 275- and the first ones are due for deliv- horsepower Cummins ISB rear- ery to an operator in the Northwest mounted engine and is equipped in April or May. The company is with an Allison transmission. A roof- negotiating with International and top Thermo King air conditioning other large companies for after- system provides the cooling. market service and parts distribu- Inside, the Stallion offers re- tion, according to Cash. clining high-back seats with a side International’s FC Series offers slider on the aisle seats, allowing a body manufactured in Brazil that the passenger to move the seat is mounted on one of its own chas- about two inches away from its sis. It has a Maxforce 225- to 245- companion seat. An 18-inch aisle horse power engine at the front of handles the extra space when the the bus, an Allison B300 transmis- seat is moved out. The seats are sion, roof-top Trans/Air and Carrier Stallion Bus Industries of New York unveiled its Sunliner 35-foot coach at Expo. made by the same Chinese compa- air conditioning and seats built by ny that makes the body. the bus manufacturer. buses. Glaval had its Concorde II, interior lighting and a power pri- The Sunliner sells for $250,000 “The engine noise is upfront Glaval Bus, the Elkhart, Ind.- which is built on a Ford F-650 air- vacy division. regardless of the seating arrange- and not where the passengers are,” based maker of cutaway buses, dis- porter-style chassis and available in Turtle Top of New Paris, Ind., ment or if a restroom is added to noted Shackleton, adding that the played its new Synergy model, a lengths ranging from 30 to 40 feet. brought its high-end Odyssey XL the coach. placement of the engine allows for rear-engine, coach-like bus. It comes standard with a Cummins to Expo. Built on a Chevrolet “Our focus is to make it reli- an extra spacious luggage compart- The 38-foot model, which seats engine (Caterpillar is optional) and C5500 chassis, the Odyssey XL able, yet affordable,” said Clare. ment at the rear of the coach. up to 37 passengers, is built on nine- Allison transmission. seats up to 37 passengers in a 101- He said the first 10 coaches International dealers will mar- inch frame rails and is equipped Other cutaway models on the inch wide cabin. The side windows should be off the line in February ket the coach, which will sell for with a 275-horsepower Cummins show floor included: are tinted and flush mounted, while or March and all of have been sold. $230,000. About two dozen of ISB engine, Allison 3000 transmis- Two versions of Krystal Enter- the 29-inch wide entrance door is He plans to team with Freightliner them already have been sold, sion, and seats from either Amaya, prises KK38, a 38-foot model that’s electric and bi-fold. and others to offer service and parts according to Shackleton. American or National. It has typi- built on an International 3200 chas- IC Corp. had three cutaways on for the coaches. A rear-engine model, the RC, is cal coach amenities, including par- sis. KK38 models use a 285-horse- the show floor, including the LC, a Trident’s unibody-constructed expected later in the year. cel racks, kneeling, overhead venti- power International engine and Alli- low-floor model designed for ac- Temsa is built in Turkey by the ABC Companies also announced lation and lighting, and panto- son transmission. The two Krystal’s cessibility; the large, medium-duty Sabanci Group, which sold about it intends to introduce a coach-like graph-hinged luggage bay doors. at Expo were a conventional seated HC series, plus a smaller shuttle. 1,000 coaches throughout Europe 35-foot model later this year. It will Luggage capacity is 275 cubic feet. bus and a luxury limousine model. ABC Companies unveiled its last year. It has a Caterpillar C9 carry the ABC brand and be manu- Glaval was one of five midsize The limo version has sofa- second-generation M1235 luxury 350- horsepower engine at the rear factured by the same company that bus manufacturers to have high-end style seating, high-end A/V system, cutaway. (See 12/15/06 Bus & of the coach, an Allison B500 builds the ABC M-series cutaway cutaway models on the Expo floor. bar, glassware storage, special Motorcoach News.) Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS Feburary 1, 2007 23 Florida coach association picks new management firm ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida smaller than the typical group man- ways is president of the association, event to be managed by the Morris The new address of the association Motorcoach Association has re- aged by Crow-Segal. while Bob Rial of Discovery Chart- group is the 2007 Appointment is P.O. Box 690852, Orlando, FL tained Linda Morris of Morris Under the new arrangement, er is vice president. Show, July 9-12, at the Marriott 32869. The phone number is (866) Meeting Management of Brookneal, Morris’ firm immediately takes The first major association Key Largo Bay Resort. 376-7770. Va., to manage the association. over operation of the Florida asso- The Florida group becomes the ciation, and she becomes executive sixth state coach association to be director and Mary Presley becomes managed by Morris’ company, plus association manager. it also manages the South Central Morris and her staff will be Motorcoach Association, a regional responsible for day-to-day opera- organization whose membership is tions of the association, including made up of Arkansas, Louisiana, membership recruitment and data Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas management, publications, meet- operators. ings management, and finance. “I am excited about the possi- Morris feels strongly that suc- bilities of making a positive impact cessful state associations are a key on the Florida Motorcoach Asso- element in making individual ciation,” said Morris. “I am hon- owner/operator motorcoach com- ored that the Florida Motorcoach panies more successful. “Strong Association board of directors has state associations are also benefi- allowed me this opportunity. cial to associate (vendor) members The Florida association had because of the opportunity to build been managed by Crow-Segal good business relationships with Management Company of Winter operators face to face at annual Park, Fla., but had lost its momen- meetings and other special meet- tum during the past couple of years. ings,” she notes. The association is considerably Rob Grassano of Bristol Trail- Calendar MARCH 2007 7-9 Trailways 71st Annual 27 Pennsylvania Bus Conference and Meeting, Don Association Marketplace 2007, Shula’s Hotel and Golf Course, Pennsylvania Farm Show Miami Lakes, Fla. Info: Go to Complex, Harrisburg. Info: Go www.trailways.com, or call (703) to www.pabus.org. 691-3052. Presence. That’s what we’re all about. Backed by the biggest network in the industry along with a dedicated and experienced team, we’re behind you all the way. Wherever you are, Prevost Parts Here. There. Everywhere. is always there. With 7 Prevost-owned Parts & Service facilities and over 150 independent Prevost-qualified repair facilities, we’re never far away.

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