July 15, 2003

THE NEWS RESOURCE FOR THE AND MOTORCOACH INDUSTRY New Greyhound CEO is primed for challenges DALLAS — The new pres- ident and CEO of intends to spend the next few weeks listening to cus- tomers, employees and business partners as he fast tracks a strategic plan designed to get the company growing again. Stephen E. Gorman was handed the coach industry’s toughest job on July 1, just days after Grey- Georgia’s Motor Coach of Mableton, Ga., went from a shoebox-size facility to this sprawling complex in suburban Atlanta. Stephen Gorman hound’s par- ent company, Laidlaw International, emerged from bankruptcy. He was hand- Operators who gambled on growth are success picked by Laidlaw executives Two small motorcoach operators who took a Initially, the George’s facility in the Atlanta to replace Craig Lentzsch, who chance on the future of their businesses by suburbs contained 14,000 square feet, including had managed Greyhound investing in new facilities a little over five years 8,000 square feet housing five service bays, a through an offtimes turbulent ago have come up winners. service pit, an automatic bus wash, a restroom nine years. George’s Motor Coach of Mableton, Ga., dump and parts room. The remaining 6,000 Gorman’s appointment and Executive Coach Inc. of Lancaster, Pa., say square feet was for offices, although only about appeared designed both to the bold moves they made in the late 1990s half of it was occupied. impress and bring proved to be just what was needed to help them Two and one-half years ago, George’s office fresh leadership to Greyhound, grow. staff had not only filled the vacant space but which is mired in one of its Both were being squeezed by overcrowded needed more room. Constructing a 3,200- periodic downturns and faces quarters that were stunting their dreams of square-foot second story over the office area enormous challenges. becoming bigger and more competitive players filled the need. “Laidlaw wanted to make a in their parts of the country. George’s was shoe- The additional office space was considered visible change,” Greyhound horned into a single facility that was busting at necessary because the business was growing. spokeswoman Lynn Brown was the seams, while Executive Coach was spread The company expanded its charter service to quoted as saying. out in three different locations. include cities across the country — , “(Steve’s) experience in ini- “It turned out to be a very good move for us,” and Salt Lake City among them — tiating change in a challenging says Elvin McMichael, president and general although its main focus remains on communi- environment will be a major manager of Executive Coach, which runs char- ties along the East Coast. asset as Greyhound adjusts to ters throughout North America. It also added corporate work to its offerings the current weak consumer Don George, president of George’s, echoes and started going after more convention shuttle travel markets,” said Kevin that view, noting he couldn’t even fill up his jobs. “We’ve tried to build our business into a Benson, chief executive of new facility when he moved in, but in the inter- Elvin and Mary McMichael of Executive Coach in one-stop shop,” says George. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 vening years has added a second story to the Lancaster, Pa., have grown their company by To accommodate the new business, the bus building to accommodate company growth. building a 5,500-square-foot facility. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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WESTERN SOUTHEAST MIDWEST NORTHEAST SOUTHWEST 800-322-2877 800-222-2871 800-222-2875 800-222-2873 800-222-2877 WWW.abc-companies.com *Structural Warranty BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2003 — 3 OPERATOR NEWS Ga. operator wins tax case Appeals court lands heavily on assessor ATLANTA — Harmon Brothers Charter Service of Atlanta has won a victory most of us can only dream about. Harmon fought its county board Mears Transportation buys of tax assessors and won three court decisions. Ultimately, the board of tax assessors was fined and ordered to pay Harmon Brothers a Orlando business of Martz small judgment because a three- of Tax Assessors decided to ignore appealed the superior court deci- ORLANDO — Mears International Drive Master Transit judge appeals panel said the tax state law and the company filings. sion to the Georgia Court of Transportation Group, the largest & Improvement District, was board was pigheaded and arrogant. In fact, they ignored them for Appeals. The board contended coach operator in Florida, has pur- formed in the early 1990s to set up Ah, sweet music; sweet more than a year. Meanwhile, that Harmon Brothers failed to chased much of the Orlando oper- the system. The district is com- revenge. Harmon Brothers’ 2000 tax assess- show that its acquired a tax ation of the Martz Group of prised of the city of Orlando, Harmon Brothers’ battle with ment rolls in and there still is no situs outside of Georgia. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Orange County and businesses its local tax collectors began in provision for apportionment of Once again the court disagreed The acquisition, which was along International Drive. December 1998, when it received taxes. At that point, Harmon with the board. completed July 1, includes the Today, the district has three its 1999 ad valorem tax assess- Brothers went to court. The appeals court found that charter business that was on the separate municipal service taxing ments on its buses. On May 9, 2000, almost a year Form PT-95 serves as an affidavit Martz books, a contract to operate units that operate under a joint The company operates a fleet of and a half after Harmon Brothers that a taxpayer’s vehicles qualify the I-Ride Trolley along Inter- governing board. The arrange- more than 50 buses and other filed its initial appeal, a Fulton for apportionment, and, once the national Drive in Orlando, and 13 ment has served as a model for vehicles. It provides charter serv- County Superior Court entered an county receives the forms, it is motorcoaches. similar systems else- ice for both interstate and order requiring the Board of Tax obliged to allow the apportion- The Martz Group where in the U.S. intrastate travel. A few of its buses Assessors to issue a decision on ment. It didn’t matter, under law, has closed its ‘The major The 15 trolley operate on fixed routes, but most Harmon’s appeal within 20 days. that the company made no show- Orlando unit, which buses Mears inherits are chartered by customers and Three months later, the Board ing that its interstate vehicles had operated under the asset Mear’s as part of the deal travel wherever customers want. of Equalization granted Harmon actually been taxed elsewhere. name First Class are 2000 and 2001 The 1999 tax assessment sent Brothers request for apportion- The court also said the board Coach Co., but the acquires is models from to Harmon Brothers by the Fulton ment of ad valorem taxes for both had no authority to disregard the company continues the I-Ride Specialty Vehicles County Board of Tax Assessors 1999 and 2000 on the company PT-95s submitted by the company. to maintain its oper- in Huntington made no provision for apportion- buses that had obtained a tax situs In its conclusion, the court said ation in St. Trolley Beach, Calif. They ment of taxes. in states other than Georgia. it was “deeply disturbed” by the Petersburg, Fla., are built on A month after receiving the However, down the hallway at conduct of the Board of Tax which also is brand- contract.‘ Freightliner chassis notice, Harmon Brothers filed a the Board of Tax Assessors, the Assessors and how it had “ignored ed First Class Coach. and equipped with notice of appeal with the county bureaucrats weren’t ready to throw its statutory duties until the tax- Martz has six other operating divi- Cummins ISB engines. They log Board of Equalization, requesting in the towel. On the same day the payer was forced to the time and sions in , roughly 175 miles daily at an aver- apportionment of the ad valorem court ruled, the Board of Tax expense of filing a mandamus peti- and Washington, D.C. age speed of 10 miles per hour. taxes for each of Harmon’s buses Assessors appealed the Board of tion to compel it to act. The major asset Mears acquires The motorcoaches Mears that had obtained a tax situs in Equalization decision to superior “Such arrogant disdain for the in the deal is the I-Ride Trolley acquired included nine Prevosts another state or states. court. taxpayer and the law is reprehensi- contract. and four MCIs. Because Mears A few days later, Harmon Four months later, the superior ble and should not be tolerated by The I-Ride Trolley is essentially does not have Prevost coaches in Brothers filed its Georgia Forms court granted Harmon’s motion for the courts,” the appeals panel said. a public transit system that serves its fleet, it has traded them for four PT-95, which under state law are summary judgment, finding that The three judges decided to assess what is called the International new C-model Van Hools from to be used to apply for and calcu- Harmon Brother’s buses “are enti- “frivolous appeal penalties” in the Drive Resort Area. The system ABC Bus Cos. The mid-1990s late apportioned taxes, according tled to apportionment consistent amount of $1,000 against the operates a fleet of 15 trolley buses model 102 DL3 MCIs were added to mileage. Apportionment only with procedures promulgated by Board of Tax Assessors. to serve the businesses, resorts, to the Mears fleet. applies, of course, to fleet vehicles the Georgia Department of It was the third time the Board hotels and attractions along Mears is one of the 10 largest that have acquired a property tax Revenue.” In other words, the of Tax Assessors had struck out International Drive, as well as the private passenger operations in nexus outside Georgia by virtue of Harmons met the requirement of against Clinton and John Harmon sprawling Orange County North America, with more than their use in interstate commerce. the law. and their attorney, Bruce Mitchell Convention Center. 950 vehicles. It has 500 taxicabs, For some reason, the bureau- The Board of Tax Assessors of Mitchell & Associates in The system operates from 7 130 shuttle vans, 145 luxury crats at the Fulton County Board attempted one last hoorah. It Atlanta. a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, and carries sedans, 170 buses and 12 stretch upwards of 1.7 million people limousines. annually, or roughly 4,600 passen- It also is the contracted trans- ArvinMeritor makes hostile bid to take over Dana gers each day. The basic fare is 75 portation provider for Walt Disney TROY, Mich. — Two of the Troy-based ArvinMeritor is one Dana shareholders after Dana’s cents, and the system sells adver- World, Disney Cruise Line, motorcoach industry’s leading of the largest makers of axles for board rejected its approaches. tising on and in the trolleys. Carnival Cruise Line, Universal drivetrain component suppliers buses. Dana also makes drive and ArvinMeritor owns more than The six-year-old trolley service Orlando and many of Orlando’s are locked in a takeover battle. steer axles, plus brakes, wheel-end 1 million shares of Dana stock. is known nationally because of its premier convention resorts. Plus, ArvinMeritor Inc. is launching a products and slack adjusters. The offer represents a premium of unusual ownership structure. A it operates concierge services at $2.2 billion hostile effort to buy ArvinMeritor said it decided to 25 percent over Dana’s closing special taxing district, called the several resorts. Dana Corp. of Toledo, Ohio. make its offer of $15 per share to stock price on July 7. 4 – July 15, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS TheTThehe DOCKETDDOCKETOCKET California budget crisis hits operators in wallet SACRAMENTO, Calif. — to $9,000 per coach, said Mike After the fee was cut in 1998, Association, strongly urges those time in Nevada, where licensing The whopping budget crisis in Waters, president of the California used general revenue operators whose coaches run fees are much less, the appor- California has hit that state’s California Bus Association. funds to make up for the drop in interstate to consider adopting tioned fee for Nevada would be motorcoach operators — big time. Revenue generated by the fee money flowing from the fee. Now, apportioned plates. $176 (20% of $880), or a total of State officials have more than increase, which had been under California has no excess general For example, coaches operat- $3,776 ($3,600 + $176). The tripled the vehicle licensing fee, consideration for months, will be revenue to continue payments to ing 80 percent of the time in coach operator would save $724 increasing it to 2 percent of the used to put a dent in California’s local governments. For that rea- California and 20 percent making annually by buying apportioned vehicle’s value. It had been 0.65 $38 billion budget deficit. Gov. son, California financial officials casino runs to Reno and/or Las plates. percent. Gray Davis expects the license-fee say the state’s fiscal conditions Vegas would pay a much lower “Generally,” says Parra, “opera- One northern California coach increase to contribute $4 billion were dire enough to trigger the licensing fee if they were appor- tors in high-fee states should con- operator that paid $13,000 last toward the state shortfall. provision allowing for the fee to tioned between the two states, sider apportioned plates.” year to license his mixed coach When the California economy increase back to the 1998 level. says Parra. To learn more about appor- fleet of nine vehicles will pay was flush with money in the late Republican lawmakers have Here’s a specific example for a tioned vehicle registration fees $40,000 starting Oct. 1. 1990s, state lawmakers lowered the cried foul and have threatened single coach: If the full California and license plates, check with California’s licensing fee vehicle license fee by two-thirds, legal action to block the increase. licensing fee for a particular coach your state motor vehicle adminis- assesses coach operators 2 percent to 0.65 percent. At the time, they A court challenge likely would is $4,500, and the coach operates trator. Background about the of a vehicle’s purchase price the agreed the fees would go back up take years. 80 percent of the time in International Registration Plan, first year. It drops each year as the when “insufficient moneys were There may be relief for coach California, then the apportioned which administers the appor- value of the coach declines. An available.” Most of the money gen- operators elsewhere, however. fee for California would be $3,600 tioned vehicle registration system operator with a new or fairly new erated by the fee was passed along Victor Parra, president and CEO (80% of $4,500). If that same in North America, is available at coach could end up paying $7,000 to local governments. of the United Motorcoach coach operates 20 percent of the www.aamva.org/IRP/index.asp. State & Provincial Fuel Tax Rates A handful of states and at least one Here are the updated rates for all Security bills wend through Congress Canadian province boosted fuel tax states and provinces, plus the feder- WASHINGTON, D.C. — million for fiscal 2003 and $99 Committee last month. rates during the first half of 2003. al tax rate in the U.S. Since Congress reconvened in million for fiscal 2004. Adopted by “The motorcoach industry State Gasoline Diesel State Gasoline Diesel January, two committees in the the committee last month; await- carries 774 million passengers Alabama 18 19 North Carolina 23.4 23.4 House and one in the Senate have ing full Senate action. each year — more than the air- Alaska 8 8 North Dakota 21 21 passed measures designed to • Over-the-Road Bus Security lines or Amtrak combined. Arizona 18 26 Ohio 25 25 improve over-the-road bus securi- and Safety Act of 2003. House Having the support of the mem- Arkansas 21.5 22.5 Oklahoma 16 13 ty in the U.S. Resolution 875. Introduced in the bers of the House Appropri- California 31.22 26.3 Oregon 24 0 However, the amount of money House Committee on Transport- ations Committee shows the Colorado 22 20.5 Pennsylvania 25.9 30.8 requested in each of the bills is ation and Infrastructure. $99 mil- commitment and dedication by 29 30 Rhode Island 30 30 pitifully small when compared to lion for fiscal 2003 and 2004. Congress to better secure this Delaware 23 22 South Carolina 16 16 other security priorities and the Adopted by the committee in late industry. We applaud those in D,C. 20 20 South Dakota 22 22 money being proposed for them. February; awaiting full House Congress for their leadership Florida 19.17 28.77 Tennessee 21 18 For example, the House action. and are encouraged by their Georgia 11.89 11.89 Texas 20 20 Appropriations Committee wants • The fiscal 2004 appropriation direction,” said Peter J. Pantuso, Hawaii 16 16 Utah 24.5 24.5 to give the Transportation for the Transportation Security President and CEO of the Idaho 25 25 Vermont 20 26 Security Administration $50 mil- Administration, the principal American Bus Association. Illinois 25.8 28.7 Virginia 19.5 19.5 lion to beef up air cargo security agency of the Department of ABA is leading the motor- Indiana 29 27 Washington 28 28 but only $10 million to improve Homeland Security. $10 million coach industry lobbying effort Iowa 20 22.5 West Virginia 25.35 25.35 intercity bus security. for intercity bus security. Approved to work with Congress on bus Kansas 23 25 Wisconsin 31.5 31.5 The committee also thinks by the House Appropriations security authorizing legislation. Kentucky 18.6 18.6 Wyoming 14 14 $1.67 billion (yes, billion) should Louisiana 20 20 U. S. 18.4 24.4 be spent for airline passenger Maine 22 23 Tax Rate in cents per gallon screening, plus another $1.28 bil- Public agencies seek charter firms 23.5 24.25 lion (yes, billion) for baggage The following public transit Cromwell III, General Manager Massachusetts 21 21 Province Gasoline Diesel screening. providers have informed the & CEO, Sunline Transit Agency, Michigan 25 22.4 Alberta 9 9 Of course, $10 million is better United Motorcoach Association 32-505 Harry Oliver Trail, Minnesota 20 20 British Columbia 14.5 15 than nothing. of their intent to provide charter Thousand Palms, CA 92276- Mississippi 18 18 Manitoba 11.5 0.9 Here’s a quick rundown on service unless willing and able 3501. Phone: (760) 343-3456. Missouri 17 17 New Brunswick 14.5 16.9 what is being proposed — and by private charter operators step for- South Bend, Ind. Deadline: Montana 27 27.75 Newfoundland 16.5 16.5 whom — in the way of intercity ward to offer their services, or to July 22, 2003. Write to: Mary Nebraska 24.6 24.6 Nova Scotia 15.5 15.4 bus security legislation. bid on contract opportunities. McLain, General Manager & Nevada 23.81 27.75 Ontario 14.7 14.3 • Over-the-Road Bus Security Operators are urged to take CEO, TRANSPO/South Bend New Hampshire 18 18 P.E. Island 14 13.5 and Safety Act of 2003. Senate the time to respond to these pub- Public Transportation Corp., P.O. 14.5 17.5 Quebec 15.2 16.2 Bill 929. Introduced in the Senate lic notices: Box 1437, South Bend, IN New Mexico 17 18 Saskatchewan 15 15 Committee on Commerce, Palm Springs, Calif. Deadline: 46624-1437. Phone: (219) 232- 31.8 30.65 Tax Rate in Canada = cents per liter Science and Transportation. $35 July 21, 2003. Write to: Richard 9901. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2003 — 5 THE DOCKET

elected from two of UMA’s three directors to seek reelection. this year are: Region I (The West): (The Northeast): Mitch Gural- Regional director membership regions, while two Qualification standards for the Todd Holland of Ramblin’ Express nick of Victoria Bus in Boston. directors will be elected from the position of director can be found in Colorado Springs; Region II Qualified members are encour- candidates sought third region. All four seats to be in Article IV of the UMA Bylaws (The Midwest): Dave Brown of aged to consider seeking a seat on filled are the result of expiring printed in the back of the UMA Holiday Tours in Randleman, UMA’s board. Call the association for UMA board terms of incumbent directors. Membership Directory. N.C., and Brian Scott of Escot Bus if you have questions about being a UMA Bylaws permit incumbent The directors whos seats expire Lines in Largo, Fla, and Region III director. The United Motorcoach Association is seeking nomina- tions from among its active members to fill four, three-year elected seats on its Board of Directors. The directors will rep- resent each of the association’s three regions. The association Bylaws, as published in the UMA Member- ship Directory, govern the elec- tion of board members. Nominations for director are open to any person who official- ly represents an active UMA- member company in good stand- ing. Directors serve without pay, but the association generally reimburses directors for travel and accommodations while per- forming UMA business and/or attending committee meetings and mid-year director meetings. To be eligible for election, written letters of nomination must state the candidate’s name, company affiliation and home- base location. Letters of nomina- tion also must be postmarked no later than Sept. 1, 2003. The UMA Nominating Committee will certify eligibility of each candidate to produce a list of nominees in each region no later than Oct. 1, 2003. Ballots will be mailed to UMA members by Oct. 15, 2003, and must be returned no later than Nov. 15, 2003. Winners will be announced in the Dec. 1, 2003, issue of Bus & Motorcoach News. In case a runoff election is needed, candidates will be named and runoff ballots will be mailed by Dec. 1, 2003, to be returned to UMA, postmarked no later than Dec. 15. Runoff winners will be named in the Jan. 1, 2004, edition of Bus & Motorcoach News. All new direc- tors will be seated during the association’s annual meeting at Motorcoach Expo 2004 in January. Any UMA member with questions about nominations should contact the association at (800) 424-8262. Mail nomina- tions to: UMA Nominations, 113 S. West St., 4th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314-2824.

Four seats available This year, one director will be 6 – July 15, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS TheTThehe DOCKETDDOCKETOCKET Vehicle-related fees New Illinois fee effective, rate jumps SPRINGFIELD, ILL. — A 36 During the committee meeting, out the door by June 30. jump in Washington percent jump in Illinois vehicle members reviewed the draft emer- Revenue Department officials OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gross- to $501 effective Aug. 1, up from registration fees for buses and other gency rules written by the will meet in two or three weeks weight registration fees for buses $439 a year ago. Similarly, a vehicles used in interstate com- Department of Revenue to deter- with members of the Illinois and trucks take a 15 percent jump 48,000-pound coach pays a new merce went into effect on the first mine what, if any, aspects would be Motorcoach Association Govern- on Aug. 1, in the state of Wash- fee of $596, versus $522 last year. day of this month. problematic for the coach industry. ment Relations Committee to flesh ington. The state tax on diesel fuel and The new “commercial distribu- Consulting4Biz legal counsel, out language for the permanent Higher state licensing fees are gasoline increased five cents per tion fee” applies to buses and other Jennifer Bonkowski, drafted sug- regulations. the last in a series of vehicle-relat- gallon, from 23 cents to 28 cents, vehicles weighing more than 8,000 gested revised language and imme- Meanwhile, the emergency ed tax increases that went into on July 1. When federal fuel taxes pounds. The fee increases the diately sent it to the Revenue rules were published and will be in effect this summer in Washing- are added, the total fuel tax in licensing fee for a 40,001-pound Department. Two concerns were effect for 150 days. Until the per- ton. State fuel taxes and the sales Washington is 52.4 cents per gal- motorcoach, for example, by more raised at the meeting: manent rules are adopted, the or use tax collected on the sale of lon for diesel and 46.4 cents per than $500 annually. 1. The draft regulations did not Revenue Department suggests motor vehicles also jumped. gallon for gasoline. In Washing- Adopted along with the new fee address how bulk purchases of coach operators carefully document The money generated by the ton, fuel wholesalers collect taxes was a tightening of Illinois sales items such as oil, freon, transmis- the way they are handling these sit- higher taxes and fees will be used on gas and diesel when they sell and use tax exemption for motor sion fluid and other consumables uations and use the following to repair and upgrade Washing- fuel to distributors. The tax rev- carrier rolling stock. Now, to quali- were be handled for purposes of the guidelines: ton’s transportation system. enue is then submitted monthly fy for the rolling stock exemption, rolling stock exemption. Especially • For bulk purchases: The per- The gross-weight registration to the Department of Licensing. equipment used by Illinois bus in a situation where these items are manent rules will likely require that fee for buses and trucks that weigh Also on July 1, Washington operators must cross the state line rolling stock repair and replace- more than 10,000 pounds increas- consumers purchasing new or used on at least 51 percent of their trips. ment parts exemptions be based on es by 15 percent effective next vehicles began being charged an Employers that have to pay the ‘Officials will a system of estimated percentages. month. The higher fees will be additional 0.3 percent sales tax or new fee are granted an Illinois In other words, if you estimate that due when they are paid for vehi- use tax. Washington state vehicle income tax credit of $50 per full- meet with 50 percent of your fleet is eligible cles with registrations that expire dealers collect sales tax when cus- time Illinois-resident interstate for the exemption under the new in August or later, or are registered tomers purchase a truck or car. driver. The sales and registration the Illinois criteria, for bulk items used on your for the first time after Aug. 1. The change means that the fee amendments took effect on July entire fleet you would get that per- The annual registration fee for sales tax on a $20,000 truck or car 1, but the income tax credit does Motorcoach centage of the exemption. a 40,000-pound motorcoach goes increases $60. not become effective until the • Regarding multi-day tours: 2004 tax year. Association The permanent rules will likely While the changes are very require that some type of FMCSA seeks to fill policy post costly for operators, it could have to flesh out activity/sightseeing be scheduled or WASHINGTON, D.C. — coordinates rulemaking efforts, been worse. The governor of conducted in a particular state out- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety and develops and coordinates Illinois wanted to eliminate the permanent side of Illinois for that day to quali- Administration is seeking appli- standards for buses and trucks, state sales tax exemption for rolling fy as a trip. Traveling from Illinois cants for the agency’s top policy roadside enforcement, and the stock all together. regulations.’ to Florida for a six-day tour and and program development posi- physical qualifications of drivers. The new Illinois Motorcoach merely stopping for bathroom and tion. It also manages the Commercial Association played a role in moder- used on multiple vehicles, some of restaurant breaks in other states Acting FMCSA Administra- Passenger Carrier (Bus) Safety ating the governor’s demand. which may qualify for the rolling would count only as two trips for tor Annette Sandberg said her Program. The new commercial distribu- stock exemption and some of exemption purposes. agency wants a dynamic individ- Qualifications include: tion fee went into effect on July 1, which may not. The Revenue Department said ual who is capable of providing • Knowledge of safety pro- with a set of emergency rules that 2. In discussions of the term determinations of the number of innovative direction and leader- grams, including programs that were put together by the Illinois “trip,” the draft regulations failed to trips for these types of tours will be ship in developing and advancing enhance the safety of motor carri- Department of Revenue and the address a situation specific to the very fact-specific, depending upon motor carrier safety policies, er operations, vehicles and driv- Secretary of State’s Office after the motorcoach industry. Unlike the what exactly is being done in states developing motor carrier safety ers. fee was adopted by the legislature trucking industry, motorcoaches outside Illinois. strategies, and evaluating agency • Ability to oversee the devel- in the waning days of its session. often take the same passengers The revenue officials suggested performance. opment, implementation and On June 26, the Illinois across country on multi-day trips operators take a look at contracts The job carries the title of coordination of policy, legisla- Motorcoach Association and the that originate and terminate in the for these tours and perhaps revisit Associate Administrator for Policy tion, standards and regulations lobbying firm that manages the same location. the language in the contracts. The and Program Development and it for safety programs. association, Consulting4Biz, were The next day, Consulting4Biz department plans to invite auditors pays between $131,000 and • Experience leading change notified that the emergency rules conferred with staff from the to upcoming meetings with the $142,500. and people, making timely and for the fee and the rolling stock Revenue Department legal team industry for the purposes of deter- The position serves as the prin- effective decisions and adminis- exemption would be published on regarding the association’s con- mining exactly what facts they will cipal adviser to Sandberg and her tering human, financial, material, either June 27 or June 30. The cerns and suggestions. Revenue look for in documentation. assistants on policy, legislative and and information resources. notice meant the association had Department officials agreed the Meanwhile, Consulting4Biz is regulatory initiatives, strategic The job announcement can one day to respond with comments issues needed to be addressed, but acting as a clearing house for ques- planning and rulemaking. be found online at www.usajobs. on the proposed rules. An emer- they said further discussions would tions related to the issue until the Additionally, the job recom- opm.gov. Questions can be gency meeting of the Illinois have to wait to be incorporated meetings with the Revenue mends and coordinates legislative directed to Susan Wheelock at Motorcoach Association into the permanent rules. The Department are scheduled. initiatives in support of the (202) 366-2596 or at exres. Government Relations Committee Revenue Department was under Consulting4Biz can be reached by agency’s programs, develops and HAHR@fhwa. dot.gov. was immediately convened. the gun to get the temporary rules calling (217) 525-3473. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2003 — 7 INDUSTRY NEWS “nearby attractions,” says spokes- tions, haunted walking tours, hotels to introduce “the Williams- ages demonstrate the variety of Williamsburg woman Christina Worthington. celebrity shows, horse racing, fam- burg you’ve never seen.” tour options. “For travelers believing they ily action parks, wine tours and For example, adult and student The myriad Rolling Patriot have ‘been there, done that,’ more. packages have been designed to itineraries can be obtained on its seeks its own Rolling Patriot presents a medley Rolling Patriot was organized capture the “unexpected richness attractive Web site, www.rolling- of novel diversions,” she adds. earlier this year as a collaboration of the area,” while a “Day at the patriot.com, or by calling (800) group identity The diversions include planta- of area attractions, restaurants and Races” and “Shock-Tober” pack- 378-1571. WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Can a nice little community (Williamsburg, Va.) that is over- shadowed by its world-famous tourist destination (Colonial Williamsburg) move out from Don’t let the under the shadow? Well, a group of travel-related Williamsburg businesses have decided to give it a shot. They’ve launched Rolling Patriot, an array of attractions, entertainment ven- ues, eateries and experiences designed for group tours. big one From living history museums, river cruises, outlet shopping and get away! quality entertainment, to a variety of dining experiences and contem- porary accommodations and trans- portation, Rolling Patriot offers July 15, 2003 intriguing alternatives to other Whether fishing for customers DUSTRY TORCOACH IN E BUS AND MO OURCE FOR TH Tri-State Travel THE NEWS RES or trolling for prospects, the smart New Greyhound initiates shuttle CEO is primed choice is advertising in Bus & for challenges w pres- DALLAS — The ne reyhound ident and CEO of G to spend the next . That’s because nds Motorcoach News Lines inte g to cus- for Dubuque few weeks listenin d business tomers, employees an t tracks a partners as he fas ned to get strategic plan desig g again. the company growin MOLINE, Ill. — Tri-State tephen the compelling news, information S E. Gorman was handed Travel of Galena, Ill., has started a the coach industry’s toughest job an Atlanta. and advertising messages in new shuttle service to ferry airline n July 1, plex in suburb o o this sprawling com oebox-size facility t just days Ga., went from a sh Coach of Mableton, after Grey- Georgia’s Motor ess an c orm - c passengers between the Dubuque, Stephen G hound’s par wth are su gro e Atlanta aidlaw on cility in th pany, L led George’s fa t com mb itially, the en ga In ng o ncludi from wh are feet, i emerged ors 14,000 squ ional, at tained ernat er bs con Int p subur a reach O ys, Bus & Motorcoach News d- ho took a service ba Iowa, area and the Quad City cy. He was han rcoach operators w e feet housing five bankrupt Two small moto 8,000 squar troom executives their businesses by atic bus wash, a res picked by Laidlaw on the future of ervice pit, an autom , who chance ver five years s e remaining 6,000 place Craig Lentzsch ew facilities a little o nd parts room. Th to re investing in n dump a h only about ged Greyhound nners. for offices, althoug International Airport in Moline. had mana go have come up wi square feet was s turbulent a of Mableton, Ga., . through an offtime ge’s Motor Coach lf of it was occupied Geor ster, Pa., say ha o, George’s office ears. oach Inc. of Lanca nd one-half years ag coach industry decisionmakers twice nine y Executive C Two a ut intment and the late 1990s the vacant space b Gorman’s appo oves they made in had not only filled Called Airport Express, the shut- o the bold m elp them staff ting a 3,200- designed both t hat was needed to h re room. Construc appeared proved to be just w needed mo fice area treet and bring story over the of impress Wall S . square-foot second yhound, grow y overcrowded sh leadership to Gre re being squeezed b the need. tle offers round-trip motorcoach fre ts Both we reams of filled was considered mired in one of i e stunting their d tional office space which is quarters that wer rs The addi rowing. rns and faces e competitive playe the business was g as fast, and twice as often, meaning ic downtu er and mor y because period becoming bigg shoe- necessar service to llenges. untry. George’s was xpanded its charter enormous cha their parts of the co The company e ago, service four times daily for travelers. to make a in hat was busting at e country — Chic “Laidlaw wanted to a single facility t lude cities across th und horned in was spread inc among them — change,” Greyho e Executive Coach nd Salt Lake City visible the seams, whil Detroit a communi- Lynn Brown was ocations. in focus remains on spokeswoman t in three different l although its ma “Our company motto is ‘Worry ou good move for us,” st. quoted as saying. ned out to be a very s along the East Coa ini- “It tur nd general tie rk to its offerings twice the impressions and twice the xperience in , president a corporate wo “(Steve’s) e s Elvin McMichael It also added ttle allenging say which runs char- ore convention shu ating change in a ch f Executive Coach, started going after m ti or manager o and business into a Free Travel,’ and we simply want to ent will be a maj orth America. e tried to build our environm ters throughout N oes jobs. “We’v ound adjusts to ent of George’s, ech ays George. asset as Greyh Don George, presid one-stop shop,” s bus nsumer even fill up his ach in new business, the current weak co ting he couldn’t hael of Executive Co ccommodate the the hat view, no Mary McMic To a PAGE 12 evin t in the inter- Elvin and y by CONTINUED ON help the growing number of travel- markets,” said K he moved in, but grown their compan travel new facility when e ancaster, Pa., have reach. Plus, our 30 percent larger f y to th L ief executive o ded a second stor are-foot facility. Benson, ch ning years has ad building a 5,500-squ ON PAGE 10 ve rowth. CONTINUED odate company g building to accomm ers from Dubuque have less worry A Election The UM eats are up el Tax Rates r board of director s Fu g sea, plus Fou c- From sea to shinin in annual UMA ele KET rates. from grabs DOCK da, here are fuel tax about driving to the Quad City air- Cana tion. Page 5 format gives your marketing message Page 4 Bus Security e onsidering three nois’ New Fe Congress is c s More Illi ial Distribu- ould pro- Three Time The new Commerc port,” said David Lange, general separate bills that w dget crisis results in r- California bu ee is very costly. oney to bolster inte censing fee. tion F vide m tripling of vehicle li city bus security. Page 6 Page 4 greater punch. manager of Tri-State Travel. “There Page 4 are a growing number of passengers from the Dubuque area using the It all adds up: Quad City airport because of the lower fares,” he added Bus & Motorcoach News… The Quad Cities of Davenport Call Johnny Steger today, 602-980-0840. and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Rock twice the contact, Island and Moline, Ill., are 70-75 Fax Toll-Free: 877-510-5598 miles south of Dubuque, which has twice the influence, a smaller regional airport. However, E-mail: [email protected] last month, Northwest Airlines twice the impact. ended service to Dubuque, leaving the airport with a lone carrier, American, which has three daily flights from Dubuque to Chicago. The Quad City airport is served by six airlines with service to nine hubs, giving travelers from the region a greater choice. Twice as Smart Tri-State is using 36-seat coach- es for the shuttle. The fare is $13 one-way, $25 for a round trip. 8 – July 15, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS OPINION Dear Senator… These are fun days for your U.S. Committee. FMCSA skeptics beware senator or representative. That’s The fact is, the charter service rules nesses, both mental and physical. bets or shy away from his com- because the annual transportation need to be strenthened, not weakened, Unlike the bravado you hear mitments. appropriations bill is making its way and given real teeth, which they don’t from athletes today, collegiate He even went a step further through Congress. have now. Since public funding sources wrestling is one sport where talk and offered our board members The bill is a favorite among law- for transit agencies have withered in is meaningless and actions – his direct telephone number if makers because it gives them a chance the past year, the incidents of charter preferably fast and strong – are they have a concern about what to send money back home – frequent- service violations have soared, if the the only things that count. It’s a he or his agency does or does not ly, lots of money. Also, the bill usually anecdotal evidence is to believed. sport where honesty and integrity do in the months and years doesn’t generate much controversy. Both the ABA and the United Victor still matter, and where the ath- ahead. When I asked him if he So, the opportunity for you to gain Motorcoach Association have pro- Parra lete knows it’s best to under understood what he just opened the attention of your representative or posed language that would tighten the promise and over deliver, rather himself up to, he came back with senators is probably higher for this bill rules. At a minimum, the loophole that By Victor Parra than the reverse. a determined “YES” than for many others. And you should would allow transits to operate charter President & Chief Executive Hoemann describes his new We spent two days with do just that. And, right away. service if they provide transportation United Motorcoach Association job as that of a “plumber,” not a Acting Deputy Administrator In fact, you should use whatever to the elderly or disabled has got to go. pretty description for a presiden- Warren Hoemann and my take is tool you’ve used successfully in the past ABA has a nifty tool on its Web Lose the “doubting Thomas” tial appointee. His agency, he that he means business. to get their attention, referring them site that anyone can use to communi- syndrome. Things are changing. concedes, has a backlog of rule- Hoemann’s boss, Acting specifically to Section 3020 of the Safe, cate with their representative and sen- And this time it’s for the better. making that has desperately Administrator Annette Accountable, Flexible and Efficient ators. Go to www.buses.org and on the When the UMA Board of needed attention for years. Sandberg, and John Hill, the Transportation Equity Act of 2003. splash page scrowl down to the head- Directors met last month in First and foremost, he acting chief safety guy (boy, I That’s the section that would line that reads: Contact Congress Tampa, Fl., Warren Hoemann, announced that the long-awaited can’t wait ‘til they all lose their severely weaken the federal rules pro- About Transit Competition. Click on the newly appointed acting nine-passenger van rule would be actors’ guild card) are tough folks hibiting public transit agencies from the link and you can send instant e- deputy administrator of the coming out soon. Then he said who don’t shy away from chal- providing charter service. The section mail letters. Federal Motor Carrier Safety FMCSA would step up enforce- lenges. would give the Secretary of Transpor- Or, crank up your trusty Royal or Administration, came to the ment (hurray!). They’re willing to put their tation the authority to suspend the Remington and get three punchy let- meeting and shared his agency’s To support the new-entrant careers on the line to do the job charter rules if the transit agency could ters of your own out this week. Refer to plans for the coming year. Simply rule that went into effect Jan. 1, they were hired to do. say it provides service to the elderly or the ABA and UMA proposals. Cite put, he told us just about every- FMCSA is requesting an addi- While that may sound funda- the disabled. Section 3020. And if you’ve been a thing we wanted to hear. And I, tional $17 million for audits of mental to most, it’s not always As Woody Blunt, chairman of the victim of a transit system that has vio- for one, believe him. start-up bus and truck operators. the way things work here in public policy committee of the lated the charter service rules, concise- Now, I know what you’re Hoemann also promises to pin Washington. American Bus Association, told ly relate what happened to you. Or, thinking: ‘Vic, we’ve heard all down the “data problem” by get- Having met the leadership at Congress last month: “This section is a attach the letter you wrote to the that before. Why do you think ting the states to submit highway FMCSA, I am more than encour- dagger in the heart of the charter rules. Federal Transit Administration, your things are changing at FMCSA?’ safety data more accurately and aged. Perhaps the promise The essence of private charters in the trade assocaition or the transit agency First, a little background on in a more timely fashion. This FMCSA brought us three years United States is the provision of serv- itself to complain about what it did. our new man at FMCSA. will help identify problem spots ago (not a long time in ice to the ‘elderly.’ To allow anyone to As the letter on the ABA Web site Hoemann is a former wrestler. and pinpoint exactly where Washington years) is about to be abrogate the ‘willing and able’ test in says: “Transit agencies are subsidized to Collegiate wrestling (not the FMCSA needs to target its realized. this circumstance would be to throw provide transit service, not charter junk you see on TV) is a demand- enforcement efforts. Come to think of it, I’m out the charter rules. Creating an service. Their aggressive pursuit of the ing sport. I can tell you from per- These were not only the right already having a hard time exception for ‘disabled’ transportation charter market must be halted. … This sonal experience that it teaches words but they were spoken with- remembering the nickname they from the charter rules is no less perni- is no time to foster additional subsi- you a lot about yourself – specifi- out “bureaucratic speak.” In gave the Apostle Thomas. What cious,” Blunt told the Senate dized competition against small busi- cally your strengths and weak- other words, he didn’t hedge his did they call him again? Commerce, Science & Transportation ness.” Amen.

How to contact us: ISSUE NO. 10 Jeff Polzien To send or report news, To e-mail advertisements Red Carpet Tours Letters to the Editor, articles: or photographs: Oklahoma City A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Robert L. Quick Fax: (877) 510-5598 Staff Advisory Board Quick-Livick Inc. To subscribe or inquire Stauton, Va. or (877) 510-5602 about your subscription: Mail: 717 West Pierson #260 Editor & Publisher Alex Allen Todd Holland Tom Ready Call: Ellen Balm Victor Parra Amador Stage Lines Ramblin' Express Ready Bus Lines Phoenix, AZ 85013 (602) 488-8378 Sacramento, Calif. Colorado Springs LaCrescent, Minn. Call: (602) 242-7361 Managing Editor Senior Editor Bob Brisman Robert Hume Bill Rohrbaugh Travel Mates Trailways Bill Rohrbaugh's Charter Services To send subscription orders Danielle Staudt Bruce Sankey West Point Trailways To advertise or to mail or changes of address: Vails Gate, N.Y. Harrisonburg, Va. Manchester, Md. advertising-related materials: E-mail: [email protected] Government Editor Art Director David Brown Daryl G. Johnson Brian Scott Holiday Tours J & J Charters Escot Bus Lines Call: Johnny Steger Norman Littler G. Reid Helms (602) 980-0840 Fax: (877) 510-5602 Randlemann, N.C. Crosby, Texas Largo, Fla. E-mail: [email protected] or (877) 510-5598 Editorial Assistant Associate Editor Bob Foley Godfrey LeBron John Silvanie ABC Companies Paradise Trailways Suburban Charter Services Mail: Post Office Box 12903 Tara Sheehan Ellen Balm Mail: 16845 North 29th Ave. #759 Faribault, Minn. West Hempstead, N.Y. White Plains, N.Y. Tempe, AZ 85284 Phoenix, AZ 85053 Accountant Editorial Assistant Mitch Guralnick Joan Libby Alan Spachman Victoria Bus Cavalier Coach National Interstate Insurance Co John Giddens Rosa Funn-Bradby Boston, Mass. Boston, Mass. Richfield, Ohio

Sales Director Rick Hillard Warren Miller T. Ralph Young ©2003 by the United Motorcoach Association. Reproduction in whole or in Tri-State Tours Pacific Coach Bus Service Young Transportation part without written permission is prohibited. Johnny Steger Galena, Ill. San Francisco, Calif. Ashville, N.C. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2003 — 9 INDUSTRY NEWS signs, full air suspension, and month. The 32-foot buses will sup- Bradley Jo Charter Carrier transit A/C. The bus is plement existing fixed-route serv- Dubuque, Iowa configured to seat 42 passengers ice with plans to incorporate them with an option for two wheel- into NCTD’s future light-rail serv- Bradley Jo Charter, a three- chairs. The interior features ice. year-old coach company operating Freedman seating and luggage “Purchasing the SLF 200 buses out of Dubuque, Iowa, has pur- racks. The XCEL 102 will be used represents a second stage of our chased an E4500 from Motor for university shuttle service, as strategy to purchase vehicles that Coach Industries of Schaumburg, well as transporting students from provide the NCTD flexibility in Ill. The company, a father and son the main campus to off-site campus meeting passenger demand at both partnership between former driver facilities. Blue Bird of Tennessee peak and nonpeak times in subur- Brad Blum and his father, Bob, has handled the procurement. ban areas,” said North County grown to a fleet of eight coaches. Transit Marketing Representative The new E4500 has a Detroit Tom Kelleher. Diesel engine, Allison B500 Harald Landmann, executives in The SLF 200s purchased by World Transmission, Carrier Premier Coach charge of DaimlerChrysler’s world- NCTD are equipped with HVAC and REI audio-visual sys- wide bus and coach R&D and pro- Cummins B Gas Plus CNG Burlington, Vt. tem. duction, respectively; Andy engines, Allison B300R transmis- Premier Coach has taken deliv- Strecker, president of Daimler- sions, Ricon FoldOver ramps, ery of the first of 30 Setra S417 Chrysler Commercial Buses North Western Kentucky Carrier RM35 HVAC, Bendix coaches it has ordered. Ron America, and Patrick Scully, pres- anti-lock brake system, Freedman Charlebois, president of Premier, ident of Setra of North America. University North County CitiPro seating, USCC driver seat, accepted the coach at a special Charlebois drove the coach Bowling Green Tarabus flooring, Transpec energy presentation made by Wolfgang from North Carolina to Vermont. Transit District absorbing bumpers, and PPG exte- Diez, worldwide head of Daimler- “It’s really exciting to have the Western Kentucky University Oceanside, Calif. rior coating. The SLF air-ride sus- Chrysler buses and coaches. first one in our new fleet.” he said. has taken delivery of a 2003 Blue pension kneels as low as nine The event took place at Setra Premier Coach is replacing its Bird XCEL 102. The 40-foot, 102- The North County Transit inches. North America headquarters in existing Setra fleet with S417s. wide XCEL 102 is equipped with a District in Oceanside, Calif., is The SLFs were purchased Greensboro, N.C. With the completion of the deliv- Cummins ISC 260-horsepower adding 13 new SLF 200 lowfloor through BusWest, a Also on hand for the ceremony ery, Premier will be the largest diesel engine, Allison B300 trans- buses fueled with compressed nat- DaimlerChrysler dealer in were Richard Averbeck and S417 operator in the U. S. mission, front and side destination ural gas to its 159-bus fleet this Whittier, Calif. 10 – July 15, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS issue at Greyhound. As the only Gorman nationwide carrier, Greyhound CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 worries about being a target for Laidlaw, adding that Gorman was terrorists, but the company doesn’t chosen to help return the compa- have the resources or the technol- ny to growth. ogy to implement even a close Greyhound grew steadily dur- approximation of an airport-type ing the first six years of Lentzsch’s security system. tenure. Then the economy headed Plus, securing Greyhound is a South and Sept. 11 hit, producing far tougher job than tightening up a company hangover that contin- security at a couple of hundred air- ues to this day. Last year, ports. There are 4,000 intercity Greyhound lost almost $112 mil- bus stops in the U.S., and many lion on flat revenue of $992 mil- are at gasoline stations and coun- lion. The number of passengers try stores. For the past 22 months, declined 7.5 percent. Greyhound has lobbied heavily for Restoring Greyhound to a bus security money. growth mode will require every • ADA requirements. Half of skill the 48-year-old Gorman has Greyhound’s fleet has to be acquired during a career that has equipped with wheelchair lifts by taken him from a family owned 2006 and all its buses by 2012. printing business to Northwest Currently, about 18 percent are lift Airlines and, most recently, to one equipped. of the nation’s sexiest growth com- • Rising costs for insurance and panies, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. retiree pensions. Along the way, he has gained Still, it’s likely that one of the ing experience for Gorman. • Increasing liabilities load. experience and worked in envi- factors that went into the decision During the past year, the company Total liabilities increased nearly 35 ronments that on the surface to hire Gorman was the hope he ‘With the has been beset with problems percent in 2002, to $674.8 mil- appear well suited for dealing with can bring to Greyhound some of stemming from the turmoil in the lion. Much of the increase is some of Greyhound’s more formi- the excitement, energy and posi- company telecommunications and cellular attributable to swelling pension dable challenges. tive brand recognition that Krispy industries. ROHN has been forced obligations. Most recently, Gorman has Kreme enjoys. Gorman’s other bleeding red to close plants and other facilities • Poor performing routes, as been president, North America, responsibilities during his two and to layoff employees. Its stock well as package delivery and food and executive vice president of years at Krispy Kreme included ink, will has been moved from the Nasdaq service businesses that are marking operations at Krispy Kreme, the store development, manufactur- National Market to the Nasdaq time. specialty restaurant chain. In that ing, and research and develop- Gorman come SmallCap Market. Additionally, • How to maximize its tour and job, he both participated in and ment. there has been a wholesale charter and Gray Line operations. had a front-row seat for the busi- Prior to Krispy Kreme, Gorman out fighting?’ turnover of top management and Is a spin-off or new division with a ness phenomenon that is Krispy was executive vice president of two directors resigned because of new brand name possible? Kreme. technical and flight operations at continuing for nine years, Gorman conflicts. Greyhound Travel Service does The same week Gorman left Northwest Airlines, the nation’s held a variety of jobs at Aviall The problems at ROHN will be not exactly communicate luxury Krispy Kreme, the company was fourth largest air carrier. At Inc., the world’s largest independ- a cakewalk compared to the chal- motorcoach travel. featured on the cover of Fortune Northwest, he led an organization ent provider of jet engine repair lenges facing Gorman at Gorman acknowledges the magazine and it opened a store of 18,000 employees, including services and parts distribution Greyhound. Here’s a sampling: company faces “major challenges.” near Boston that did more than 8,000 mechanics and 6,300 pilots. services for the commercial avia- • Soft travel demand and “I don’t have all of the answers $500,000 in business — the first At Greyhound, Gorman heads tion industry. Aviall, like increased competition for passen- today” to the problems con- week, a company record. In seven an organization of 12,000 employ- Greyhound, is based in Dallas, gers. The poor demand continues fronting the company, Gorman days, that single doughnut shop ees, including thousands of which means Gorman is returning because of the weak economy and says in a telephone message to generated roughly 1/20th of the mechanics and drivers. And, like to an area where he and his family lingering affects of Sept. 11, the employees. But clearly the busi- revenue that Greyhound rival Northwest, it is heavily unionized. spent almost a decade until the war with Iraq and the general skit- ness “must adapt” to changing of nearby One of his first challenges will be mid-1990s. tishness about possible terror conditions, he adds. Springfield, Mass., will realize for to oversee negotiation of a new Gorman holds a bachelor’s attacks. The airlines are aggressive “That may mean changes in the all of this year. labor agreement with Greyhound degree from Eureka College in competitors and it has never been way we service customers,” he Despite the seeming dichoto- drivers and mechanics. Eureka, Ill., the alma mater of easier for potential passengers to continues. “Or, the type of service my, several of Gorman’s responsi- Organized workers at Ronald Reagan, and a master of obtain an automobile. Aggressive we provide.” However, the bilities at Krispy Kreme parallel Greyhound already are worried business administration degree new marketing strategies seem Greyhound mission of providing key Greyhound business demands, that Gorman was brought in from Bradley University in Peoria, paramount. safe, reliable and low-cost trans- including operations and real specifically to wring concessions Ill. He’s a native of the Peoria area • Labor negotiations. In May, portation remains unchanged, he estate. Krispy Kreme operates from them, a la the airline indus- and ran the family business, Greyhound mechanics and drivers notes. nearly 300 stores in 37 states, try. The current contract expires Gorman Typesetting in Peoria, for rejected a new labor agreement by While Gorman intends to talk while Greyhound has more than in January and bargaining for a six years. a 62-to-38 percent margin. The to lots of people about 1,600 terminals spread across the new agreement is expected to pick His ties to Peoria remain key issue appears to be health care Greyhound’s future, he says he U.S. up again in the next few weeks. strong, extending beyond family. coverage. Greyhound health won’t dawdle about developing a Of course, the differences are His negotiating skills will be put to Last year, he was named to the insurance costs have skyrocketed. plan. It’s “very important to take everywhere apparent. Krispy the test quickly. board of trustees of Bradley The company wants employees to the necessary actions soon” to turn Kreme is growing and expanding During his five years at University, and he sits on the bare a big share of the outlays but the company performance around, at an extraordinary rate and has Northwest, Gorman also was board of ROHN Industries, a the employees have balked. With he says. not been hurt by the recession, responsible for system operations Peoria-based manufacturer of the company still bleeding red ink, “I don’t know all of the details while Greyhound has spent much control, aircraft maintenance, radio, television and cell phone will Gorman come out fighting? of the plan, yet,” he concludes, but of this year figuring out ways to pilot training, flight simulators towers, masts, antennas and other • Bus security. Since once he does he promises employ- downsize because of the lousy and other operations. infrastructure equipment. September 11, bus and terminal ees will be among the first to learn economy. Beginning in the late 1980s and Even ROHN has been a learn- security has been a major, major what he intends to do. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2003 — 11 INDUSTRY NEWS Highs, lows mark Lentzsch era at Greyhound DALLAS, Texas — Holding the top job entire Greyhound system for the first time at Greyhound Lines is the highest profile ever. Buses are halted for nearly seven hours position in the motorcoach industry. It’s also ‘Under Lentzsch’s while it is determined whether the incident its toughest challenge. is a terrorist attack. It is not. For that reason, the tenure of CEOs at Like other untoward incidents, Lentzsch Greyhound tend to become eras. leadership, handles the episode well. In June 1998, a • The 16 years that Gerald Trautman Greyhound coach slams into the rear of a spent in the driver’s seat, lasting from the Greyhound tractor-trailer parked on the shoulder of the mid-1960s to 1982. Pennsylvania Turnpike. Seven people are • The John Teets’ reign to 1987. rebounded by killed, including the driver who was making • The Fred Currey disaster of the late his last trip; 18 others are hurt. Lentzsch is 1980s. widely quoted by the media by saying the • And, the Frank Schmeider schizophre- figuring out who incident is “the saddest day of my 22 years in nia of the early 1990s. the bus business.” Now, the book has closed on the Craig it’s customers Lentzsch is quick to latch onto business Lentzsch era. Lentzsch led Greyhound with opportunities, as well turn potential black eyes a strong hand for nine never-without-a-chal- into public relations coups. For example, he lenge years, taking over the mess Schmeider were and going recognized the immigrant wave from Mexico left him in late 1994. and the business potential it represented for Lentzsch’s departure from Greyhound two after them.’ Greyhound. He knows that 98 percent of the weeks ago appeared swift and, to many out- intercity travel in Mexico is by bus. siders, surprising. The announcement that Craig Lentzsch In October 1999, Greyhound announces the 54-year-old Lentzsch was being shunted — Charter 11 bankruptcy protection. Its can be an unforgettable experience. “You accessible bus service with 48 hours notice, aside on July 1, seemingly caught the indus- share of interstate travel drops from 30 per- can’t beat Greyhound for hands-on human beating the USDOT deadline by three years. try flat-footed. cent in 1960 to about 6 percent in 1994. interactivity, psychotic behavior, social Still, that doesn’t stop Greyhound from To a few, however, the change seemed Schmeider and his chief lieutenant, CFO intercourse and pure adventure,” is the way being a target of activists for the disabled. predictable. After all, Lentzsch was the last J. Michael Doyle, try to reengineer and rein- one life-long Greyhound rider describes his During the Lentzsch years, the company major holdover from the period before its vent Greyhound, including installing a com- thousands of miles riding the dog. implements on-line ticket ordering, offers parent company, Laidlaw Inc., went belly up puter-based central reservation system called The company turnaround led by new ticket pricing options, and generally under crushing losses of more than $2 billion Trips, with disastrous consequences. Lentzsch is not immediate, however. It takes holds down ticket prices. “Riders would three years ago. It made sense for the new Two months after Trips is rolled out, until 1998, for the company to turn its first rather have a cheap ticket than flash,” Laidlaw to want a new face at its highest pro- Greyhound announces that ridership has full-year profit since 1993. Despite the Lentzsch tells The Wall Street Journal. file subsidiary. (See related story on Page 1.) dropped 12 percent. The new system is a return of black ink to its income statement, Lentzsch also tries a bus yard full of ini- In the days since Lentzsch was replaced, nightmare. In the first half of 1994, Greyhound is never out of the financial tiatives, ranging from adding casino- and air- the industry has been rife with speculation Greyhound revenue plummets more than 12 woods. Help seemingly arrives in May 1999, port-shuttle services, to cross-border ven- about his future. Because Lentzsch is a 25- percent and the company has a net loss of when Laidlaw, the giant school bus and pub- tures, to expanding charter operations. He year veteran of the industry and because he $61.4 million. At the same time, the nine lic transit operator, decides to buy even tackles the package delivery business cut a wide swath, many believe he will seek largest Trailways carriers post a 2.2 percent Greyhound for $450 million, or $6.50 a and adds 45-foot coaches for the first time. to remain in the industry. increase in operating revenue. share. Laidlaw is seen as having ready access Greyhound also abandons its long-run- For years, Lentzsch was chief financial Wall Street pummels Greyhound stock. to capital with which to buy new equipment ning turf battle with Trailways carriers, officer of Motor Coach Industries, which In 1993, Greyhound shares trade above $21. and make other long-over-due improve- negotiating more interline agreements and was once owned by Greyhound. He also co- On September 23, 1994, the stock dropped ments at Greyhound. coordinating services. “We think if you have founded a company called BusLease, which $11.75 in one day, eventually falling to Lentzsch is generally credited with nego- more places for customers to go, you get owned and leased coaches to charter and $1.75 a share. Fortune magazine describes tiating takeover terms that are far better more customers,” Lentzsch is quoted as say- tour companies and Greyhound. BusLease the period prior to Lentzsch’s arrival “a dis- than anyone could have imagined just three ing. “If the pie is bigger, it’s easier to split up was merged with Greyhound in 1987, and astrous spell of strikes, bankruptcy and lost years earlier. the pie. We don’t see any reason to fight the eventually became MCI Financial Services, riders…its bleakest hour.” The following year, passenger traffic at other bus companies for customers.” which specializes in coach financing. Lentzsch gains favor on Wall Street and Greyhound reaches 25.4 million, up from He pushes intermodalism whenever and Some see Lentzsch as a leading candidate in the financial press by doing what Wall 15.9 million in 1994, while revenues top $1 wherever he can. Scores of terminals are to manage the Coach USA companies that Street and the financial press invariably billion for the first time. Profits, however, opened or rehabilitated. are being acquired by the New York invest- thinks is a good idea — returning to basics. remain erratic. A major accomplishment is the purchase ment company of Kohlberg & Co. Others Under Lentzsch’s leadership, Greyhound The year 2000 ends with new financial of relative labor peace with a six-year con- suggest he might start a new BusLease. After rebounds by figuring out who its customers disasters. Laidlaw loses billions and tract ratified in 1998, averting a repeat of the that, the talk gets too bizarre. are and going after them. Those customers Greyhound is forced to find its own financ- labor strife of 1983 and 1990. Many hope he will remain in the coach are Middle American grannies, young people ing. Shares of Laidlaw drop to 9 cents. Nine Despite Lentzsch’s obvious skills and industry, while others would just as soon see with no money, minorities and immigrants. months later, September 11 hits, creating management acumen, he is never quite able him go. He’s dynamic, tough and strong “We have a good product, a good reliable more hardship for Greyhound and more to move Greyhound away from the financial willed. He frequently is described as both the product. We let people travel where they challenges for Lentzsch. precipice. The losses last year meant the smartest financial man in the industry and want to travel, at an affordable price,” September 11 and its aftermath have company had to once again renegotiate the the biggest classroom bully. Lentzsch tells The Wall Street Journal. dealt Greyhound a triple whammy. Not only terms of its bank loans, totaling about $125 Regardless of how he’s viewed, there’s lit- Greyhound is able to attract riders from has ridership and revenue been hard hit, but million. The company said this spring it tle question about the impact Lentzsch had other modes, and increase first-time riders, competition is keener, and operating costs could still slip out of compliance with the on Greyhound. The period leading up to his young travelers and migrant workers. have swelled as a result of expensive, albeit loan covenants. hiring in November 1994, is as wrenching as Lentzsch is occasionally wrong, though. limited, security procedures. Lentzsch’s management of Greyhound any in company history. Like when he tells Fortune that riders are In October 2001, a deranged immigrant has been a long, winding, uphill road that A debilitating three-year strike, that “not buying a trip experience” when they attacks a Greyhound driver on a bus operat- came to an abrupt end at the start of this includes drivers being shot at, ends in 1993. purchase a ticket on Greyhound. As regular ing near Nashville, causing the coach to month. Still, he has offered to help Gorman The company files for — and emerges from riders know all to well, a trip on Greyhound crash, killing six. Lentzsch shuts down the develop a new strategic plan. 12 – July 15, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS Lots of coach associations meet in coming weeks The motorcoach industry meet- Bureau in Decatur. insurance; an operator roundtable; year’s event focuses on maintenance formed earlier this year to address ing season heats up, both literally Nearly 200 operators, suppliers appointment show, and talks by and will be at the Radisson Hotel key industry issues with a united and figuratively, in the next few and hospitality industry profession- Victor Parra, president and CEO of Opryland in Nashville. voice. Information about the meet- weeks. als are expected to attend. The the United Motorcoach Associ- Three maintenance seminars will ing and the association can be Organizations that include the meeting will feature a full slate of ation, and Peter Pantuso, president be conducted Tuesday, Aug. 5, by obtained by calling Morris Meeting Georgia Motorcoach Operators events, including a motorcoach and CEO of the American Bus maintenance instructors from Management at (336) 495-4970. Association, the Florida Motor- showcase. For information, contact Association. Motor Coach Industries. They will The International Motor Coach coach Association, the Tennessee Morris Meeting Management at A highlight will be presentations cover air conditioning, suspension Group Strategic Alliance Meeting Motorcoach Association, the (336) 495-4970. by Dan J. Commiato, branch chief and steering, and wheelchair lifts. will be Aug. 12-17 at the Keystone Alabama Motorcoach Association Meeting July 29-31 in Naples, of highway passenger security for the Other activities include a trade Resort & Conference Center in and the International Motorcoach Fla., will be the Florida Motorcoach Transportation Security Admini- show, coach display and the tradi- Keystone, Colo., which is about 90 Group have meetings scheduled Association, which will be conduct- stration, and Kenneth Concepcion, tional barbecue lunch. For informa- miles west of Denver in the Rocky between now and the middle of ing its 8th Annual Appointment TSA’s branch chief for maritime tion, call (423) 348-1385 or go to Mountain ski country. August. Show. The event will be at the lux- passenger security. www.tnmca.net. Keys topics this year include ses- Meeting late this week and early urious Ritz Carlton Golf Resort. Information is available by call- The new Alabama Motorcoach sions on improving sales programs next week is the Georgia Motor- Activities include a fundraising ing (407) 657-2491, or by going to Association will have its first and family business issues. There coach Operators Association. The reception for the association’s politi- www.floridamotorcoach.org. Meeting and MarketPlace on Aug. also will be three Business Trade association is being hosted by the cal action committee; education ses- Aug. 5-6 are the dates for the 10-12, at the Wynfrey Hotel in Meetings, plus networking and mar- Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center sions on team building and improv- annual summer event of the Birmingham. Upwards of 200 peo- keting sessions. hotel in North Atlanta and the ing presentation and communica- Tennessee Motor Coach Associ- ple are expected to attend. IMCG can be contacted by call- DeKalb Convention and Visitors tion skills; a panel discussion on ation, called Pig Pick’n-2003. This The Alabama association was ing (913) 906-0111.

Warning about licensing letter OMAHA, Neb, — Radio Engineering Industries says a letter being sent by a Dallas law firm — to assert a patent claim for an indicator light — is caus- ing confusion among bus and coach operators. The patent claim on behalf of American Building Control of Lewisville, Texas, refers to an indicator light that appar- ently is used on bus surveil- lance systems similar to those manufactured and sold by REI. However, the indicator light covered by the patent “is not on any REI Analog or Digital BUS-WATCH on- Executive Coach’s new facility includes space for adminstrative offices as well as servicing coaches. board surveillance system,” 4,400-square-foot service area Executive Coach have felt the to have his company name become REI said in a statement. Finding success includes two service bays and a affects of the slowed national even more familiar among existing Included with the letter sent CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 wash bay, while the 1,100-square- economy, the Iraq War and the and potential customers. To help, by the law firm is an offer to fleet was expanded to 40 motor- foot office area is spread over two terrorist attacks of 9/11. Yet, both he’s planning special informational purchase a license. coaches, transit buses and minibus- stories and contains a drivers’ remain optimistic. gatherings at his offices for his cor- According to REI, “using es from 26; six corporate sedans lounge and meeting rooms. George credits his staff for help- porate clients and meeting and this approach to notify the also were added. The number of Although Executive Coach’s ing sustain the company. “The peo- convention planners. “You get so market of the patent claims employees climbed to 60 from 27. fleet has increased the past five ple who work for me get the real tied up doing charters every day has caused unnecessary con- Before moving into its 5,500- years by just two buses to 12, and credit,” he says. “It’s mainly the that you don’t get an opportunity cern for some REI BUS- square-foot home, Executive its staff size remains at about 30, its people who are in the forefront, to tell your story to the people who WATCH customers, distribu- Coach ran its office functions from business has grown substantially. from the people who take the calls, should hear it,” he says. tors, dealers, operators and one building, washed its coaches Its main pickup points have been continuing through to the person At Executive Coach, Mc- end-users.” Because the indi- at a second facility and parked expanded from a single county to who takes the charter order, and on Michael created a new marketing cator light is not used in REI’s them at a third site. “We were four additional counties in to the driver. The driver is really position this year to bolster sales. BUS-WATCH system, it is not doing a lot of running around and Pennsylvania and into Maryland. the one who sells the company Jim Garman, a long-time industry necessary for anyone using the needed a place where everything Also, its charter runs have grown because what a customer sees in executive, has been aggressively system to purchase a license. was together,” notes McMichael. from mostly the East Coast to all the driver is what they see in the expanding the company’s cus- The company says its repre- To accomplish that, the compa- points in North America. image of the company.” tomer base. “It used to be you wait- sentatives are available to ny built a 5,500-square-foot build- “We really need some more To hold onto customers, as well ed for the phone to ring and the answer questions about the ing that was divided into two sec- buses right now, but we also need as capture new ones, George has customers to call,” he says. “But issue. Call REI toll-free at tions, one for operations and the money to buy them,” he laughs. developed a marketing program now you need to get out there and (800) 228-9275. Ask for Chris administrative offices, and the Like just about everyone else that includes mailings and tele- knock on the doors, and that’s just Wiig, Joe Sova or John Depa. other for servicing coaches. The in the industry, George’s and phone calls. George also is pushing what we’re doing.” BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2003 — 13 INDUSTRY NEWS Marvin Walsh writes story of career, life People LENOIR, N.C. — A motorcoach industry legend, June Bratcher, founder and Marvin E. Walsh, has written a book about his life and CEO of Daisy Tours/ career — and he wants to give you a copy. Conventions San Antonio, Walsh started his bus career in 1925 at the age of received the Lifetime Achieve- 19. ment Award from the National June Bratcher Julie Austin Yes, 1925. Defense Transportation Associ- Yes, age 19. ation. The award was presented ond-largest fixed-route bus sys-

D late last month at a ceremony at And, yes, that makes him 97. R tem in Los Angeles County, A E

In 1935, Walsh was present in Chicago for the cre- B Fort Sam Houston in San after Los Angeles County MTA, B O ation of the Trailways Bus System. Much of his career B Antonio, Texas. Daisy Tours is a serving nearly 17 million riders Y B

— 34 years, in fact — was spent as chief executive of O 23-year-old operator that has annually. Its 299-bus fleet cov- T O

H twice received the Defense ers 327 square miles.

Safeway Trailways of Washington, D.C., which P became a key piece of Continential Trailways when it Department’s Military Traffic Warren S. George, a former was formed in the mid-1960s. Walsh continued to Management Command Ex- bus driver for the defunct manage the Safeway Trailways operation in 16 north- cellence Award. Critchlow Bus Lines, became eastern states, which included 500 buses and 2,500 Marvin Walsh, right, Julie Austin, who has been president of the Amalgamated employees. poses with Jimmy executive director of Foothill Transit Union International on In 1980, four years after retiring from Safeway Gladden, long-time Transit in West Covina, Calif., July 1. He succeeds Jim LaSala. Trailways, Walsh became president of the association charter and tour for the past six and a half years, Michael J. Siano replaces of Trailways operators, known then as the National employee for Trailways, is resigning effective Aug. 1. George as international execu- Trailways Bus System. He held that job for 12 years. at the Trailways annual Austin, an employee of Foothill tive vice president. He is an honorary lifetime board member of the picnic in Buena Vista, Transit’s contractor, ATC, plans The go-to guy in the U.S. Trailways Transportation System and the American Va., in June. to become an independent con- Department of Transportation, Bus Association. sultant. Succeeding Austin will Deputy Secretary Michael Unlike today’s celebrities who wait until they’re all be former Foothill Deputy Jackson, is resigning Aug. 1 and of 26 before writing their life stories, Walsh waited checks payable to Executive Director Doran returning to the private sector, until he had a good 96 years under his belt before Marvin E. Walsh. Barnes, who has been CEO and the Washington Post reports. committing his story to paper. Wait six weeks. general manager of Tulsa Jackson has been the Bush His 110-page hardcover book is entitled: My Story Now that the book is out of the way, Walsh can Transit in Oklahoma since leav- administration’s main contact — The Scenic Route. If you’d like a copy, mail him $3 return to his golf game, calisthenics in his home exer- ing Foothill in August 2001. for all major transportation ini- for postage and he’ll send you one. Send to: My Story, cise room and piloting his auto through the nearby Foothill Transit is the sec- tiatives. 210 Robinwing Circle N.E., Lenoir, NC 28645. Make Brushy Mountains.

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B can subscribe to Bus & Motorcoach News. Satisfaction is Guaranteed The cost is $49 for one year (24 issues; Our promise: If you are not satisfied with Bus & Motorcoach NEWS, we will send you a full refund on all unmailed copies. You may cancel at any time, for any reason. twice a month), $79 for two years (48 U issues). 16845 North 29th Avenue #759, Phoenix, AZ 85053 Fax toll-free to: (877) 510-5602; if busy, (877) 510-5598 Questions: [email protected] . . . or call (602) 488-8378. S 14 – July 15, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS ClassifiedClassified AdvertisingAdvertisingAdvertising VERY VERY COACHES MUST SELL FOR SALE EQUIPMENT! CLEAN CLEAN Company Sold 1987-88 MCI 102A3s Prevost LeMirage XLs MCI COACHES New interiors, 8V-92 All in Very Good Condition FOR SALE low-mileage engines. 1990 $58,000 Some automatic or Protect your Passengers 1992 $78,000* (1) 1989 102A3 Series 50, Auto 5-speed (willing to 1992 $84,000** Pro-Tex-Hair is a specially woven synthetic Attention Coaches 1994 $98,000 convert), maintenance that adheres to any style of headrest, helping Headed to northern Virginia, (2) 1988 102C3 8V-92, Auto reduce maintenance cost of the headrest and 1997 $172,000 records. Coaches are Washington, D.C. currently in service. protecting your passengers. Pro-Tex-Hair 1998 $178,000 Currently in Service. makes for more sanitary conditions from any Carl R. Bieber Tourways * Rebuilt engine Hot pizza is awaiting at these Virginia loca- contact with dandruff, hair grease or other ** Rebuilt engine; new upholstery. Great Weekend Overflow Coaches tions: Culpeper (south side of Skyline Drive in Kutztown, Pennsylvania scalpel concerns allowing your passengers a Aluminum wheels, (800) 243-2374 more enjoyable ride. When arriving at your des- Shenandoah Nat'l Park); Warrenton (north RAMBLIN EXPRESS all automatics, side of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah Nat'l Ask for Steve tination, simply dispose of Pro-Tek-Hair when passengers depart. Lav, PA/VCR, aux A/C Park); Front Royal (on West 14th St. in town); Call Gary Agnes at E-mail: Shaddad@ For more information contact (except 1994), with tires. Manassas (2 locations at Bull Run National (800) 772-6254 x 1271 BieberTourways.com PRO-TEK-HAIR at 831-768-0252 Make Offer!! Battlefield Park). All locations are bus accessi- or [email protected] ble. All are 25-60 miles from Washington D.C. Fax: (831) 768-1359 (407) 425-9519 tourist attractions. All have buffet lunch and will accommodate large parties. Call ahead to central reservation line Classified Advertising COACH FOR SALE (571) 220-1516. Ask for Mike Marney. ORDER FORM FOR SALE MCI Coaches Bus & Motorcoach NEWS is published on the 1st and 15th of the month. First-rate MC-8 Excellent condition, Ad deadlines are one week prior to publication. charter/tour coaches, Display 1977 MC-8, 8V-71 with less 47-pax, lav, PA, VCRs. Classified Please print or type your advertising copy. than 30,000 miles on engine, • 1992 102C3 Auto Advertisements If you prefer, print or type your ad on a separate sheet and attach to this straight shift, auxiliary air, Detroit Diesel form. All Classified Advertising must be accompanied by payment before 42-pax with built-in bar. • 1993 102C3 Auto 1 column x 2” minimum size. insertion. VISA, MasterCard and American Express cards are accepted. Detroit Diesel Frequency discounts available. Coach is in service. • 1994 102C3 CLASSIFIED: Type of ad you prefer: __Display__Line Must be seen to appreciate. Cummins, 7 speed $20 per column inch. Samples and ad rates on reverse side. Asking $13,000. • 1995 102D3 RECRUITMENT: Number of issues you would like this ad to appear in: 1 2 3 4 5 6 More? Cats (5), 7-speed $30 per column inch. Happy Travelers Tours Name Wilson, North Carolina Call Rick or Mike at Line Classified Advertisements Person Authorizing Advertisement - Please Print (800) 779-4869 or Set in 6 pt. Type, in paragraph (252) 237-9327 e-mail rhillard@tristatetravel. Company form only, with the first four or (252) 243-6255 com. Fax inquiries to words in capital letters. Address Fax: (252) 243-7560 CLASSIFIED: $20 for the first 6 (815) 777-8128 lines per insert. $15 each addi- City State Zip tional line per insert. Payment Signature Wanted: Referrals Prepayment required for all ad Don't send away customers who want to lease a conversion coach! Refer them to placements unless credit has been Credit Card Information Executive Motor Coach. We'll treat them right and we'll send you $$$ to show our established. MasterCard, Visa, thanks. Our coaches seat up to 21 and have lounge seating, a galley kitchen, a American Express accepted. Card No. restroom, TV and many other amenities. Mid- to long-term leasing is our specialty. Deadlines Executive Motor Coach (614) 733-0006 Seven days prior to publication Expiration Date dates of 1st and 15th of the www.executive-motor-coach.com month. Name on Card Hours MCIs FOR SALE Coaches for Sale Call Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. Fax or Mail this form to Bus & Motorcoach NEWS to 4:30 p.m. MST. ONE OWNER MC-9s / 102 Look Sales Representative Toll-free fax: (877) 510-5598 (2) 1993 MCI 102 C3 1979-82 MC-9s. Johnny Steger Rebuilt w/102 look. VCRs. Mail to: 16845 North 29th Avenue # 759, Phoenix, AZ 85053 L10-330 Cummins, Phone: (602) 980-0840 Allison Autos, Some w/auxiliary A/C; w/tires. Fax Toll-Free: (877) 510-5598 47-passenger, w/restroom, Price: $19,500 Make checks payable to: Bus & Motorcoach NEWS E-mail: [email protected] loaded, no rust. Quick’s Bus Co. Bus & Motorcoach News Questions? Call Johnny: (602) 980-0840 Call Mark at Staunton, Va. 16845 North 29th Ave. #759 Email: [email protected] (540) 886-6297 Phoenix, AZ 85053 972/623-1100, ext. 213 E-mail: [email protected]. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2003 — 15 CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 2003 17-22 Busworld, Kortrijk, Belgium. NOVEMBER 2003 Annual Conference & Marketplace, to www.cutaactu.ca. 20-22 Georgia Motorcoach Operators Info: Go to www.busworld.org or 1-5 California Bus Assn.: Convention, Toronto.Info: (416) 229-6622. Go to Assn.: Annual Meeting & e-mail: [email protected] Doral Palm Springs Resort, Cathedral www.omca.com. 10-12 SAE Int’l Truck & Bus: 2003 Marketplace, Marriott at Perimeter, City, Calif. Info: (800) 664-2877 or go Meeting & Exhibition, Fort Worth Atlanta. Info: (404) 589-8783. 26-28 BusCon 2003, Las Vegas. Info: to www.cbabus.com 8-12 Canadian Urban Transit Assn.: Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas. (310) 533-2556 or e-mail info@bobi- Fall Conference & Trans-Expo, Info: (724) 776-4841 or go to 29-31 Florida Motorcoach texpos.com. 2-5 Ontario Motor Coach Assn.: Toronto. Info: (416) 365-9800 or go www.sae.org. Association Annual Meeting & Show, Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Fla. Info: (407) 647-2491 or go to www.floridamotorcoach.org.

AUGUST 2003 5-6 Tennessee Motor Coach Assn.: annual Pig Pick’n. Featured events: Maintenance & Parts Marketplace and Maintenance Seminar. Radisson- Opryland, Nashville, Tenn. Info: (423) 348-1385.

9-12 Pennsylvania Public Transportation Assn.: Summer Meeting and Roadeo, Erie, Pa. Info: (717) 234-7176 or go to www.ppta.net.

10-12 Alabama Motorcoach Assn.: Annual Meeting & Marketplace, Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala. Info: (336) 495-4970.

11-17 International Motorcoach Group Inc.: Strategic Alliance Meeting, Keystone Resort & Conference Center, Keystone, Colo. Info: (913) 906-0111 or go to www.imgcoach.com.

17-20 South Carolina Motorcoach Assn.: Annual Meeting & Marketplace, Westin Resort, Savannah, Ga. Info: (336) 495-4970.

22-24 Greyhound Birthplace Bus Bash 2003, Hibbing, Minn. Info will be available at www.bus-mag.com, click on Bus Bash link, or call (815) 946-2341.

SEPTEMBER 2003 J4500 5-9 Virginia Motorcoach Assn.: Annual Convention, Dover Sheraton, Dover, Del. Info: (434) 376-1150, or go to www.vamotorcoach.com.

10 California Bus Assn: General Membership Meeting, LTBA, Calif. ur name says it all. From the factory floor to the sales When you select an MCI model for your fleet, your investment Info: (800) 664-2877 or go to showroom, engineers to field service representatives, brings unmatched experience, integrity and a proven track www.cbabus.com. O Motor Coach Industries is all about building North America’s record of excellence. From design and production to sales, 14-16 Kansas Public Transit Assn.: best motor coaches. Not only do we make more motor coaches service, parts and maintenance, MCI continues to make its Annual Conference and Expo, Overland Park, Kan. Info: (913) 491- than anyone, we offer more customer service, more parts and name on North America’s roads. 9094 or go to www.ktransit.com. more trained technicians.

OCTOBER 2003 11-12 The Motorcoach Bus Society: Now celebrating 70 years of serving the motor coach industry. Annual Convention, Boston, Mass. It is all we do. Info: Go to www.motorbussociety MOTOR COACH .org, or e-mail Jerry Squier, vice INDUSTRIES president conventions, at www.mcicoach.com [email protected]. 1-800-RIDE MCI (1-800-743-3624) We are America’s coach.