August 15, 2008

Dems get coaches for convention Are you paying attention But procedures to your customer service? leave bad taste Are operators in touch? DENVER — Transportation SAN FRANCISCO — Laura drive around in a strange city,” planners for the Democratic Na- Maki wanted to hire a motorcoach says Maki, is lives in Louisville, tional Convention — to be held here to pick up and drop off her wed- Ky., and is a server in a barbeque late this month — have wrapped ding party at a local hotel for the restaurant. up contracts for 250 motorcoaches rehearsal dinner, the wedding, and Is Maki’s story an isolated ex- and now have only to wait to see sightseeing trips. ample of bad service, or an indica- how their strategy plays out. Simple enough, she thought. tion of an industry that somehow Events & Transportation Asso- Talk to a few companies, get a few has lost touch with its customers? ciates of Lakewood, Colo., said quotes, make a decision. It depends on who you ask. coaches from several local private What she experienced, howev- Most industry executives, when motorcoach operators, a national er, was weeks of frustration be- informed of Maki’s tale, expressed carrier, and two public transit Coach America will supply 150 coaches for the Democratic National Convention. cause coach companies would not disappointed that a potential client agencies will be used to shuttle the return her calls or provide quotes didn’t get the help she needed. 5,000 delegates, 15,000 members tion, complaining they were left information about the work was over the phone or by e-mail. In the “I don’t think much of that,” of the news media and thousands out of the big event or given short sent to dozens of carriers and nu- end, she would rent vans and ask said Gale Ellsworth, president and of others who will be attending the shrift. merous brokers from around the many of her guests to drive their CEO of Trailways Transportation four-day event, Aug. 25 to 28. But ETA owner Brian Clark country shortly after ETA was own vehicles. System. “That’s the best way to Some private operators have says his company did all it could awarded the transportation plan- “I did always hate that about lose future business.…I think it’s criticized Events & Transportation to notify charter companies of the ning contract in February. my wedding — that I made people CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 c Associates’ handling of the opera- convention opportunities. He said CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 c Run Mike Run! Transits file initial reports under charter service rule Former operator Sodrel makes new bid for Congress WASHINGTON D.C. — The are not required to file reports. JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — to 49 per- in Alaska along with six other Re- first quarterly reporting deadline Under the new rule, transit Mike Sodrel, the former Congress- cent, but Hill publican congressional challengers. for public transit agencies that pro- agencies may legally provide char- man and former motorcoach oper- rebounded in The wildlife refuge is at the vided charter bus service under the ters if they obtain a special waiver ator, appears to have a strategy 2006, win- center of the national debate over new federal charter service rule has from the Federal Transit Adminis- tied in part to high fuel prices that n i n g b y energy policy and future drilling come and gone with 52 of the na- tration, if no private charter com- he hopes will return him to 10,000 votes, for oil in the U.S. tion’s 550 agencies filing reports. pany is willing to handle the job, Congress. 50 percent to “In the short term, we must be- Many of the transit agencies or if the charter involves transport- For the fourth consecutive 45.5 percent. come independent of foreign submitted reports saying they did ing government officials or mem- not do any charter work or did only bers of qualified human service election cycle, Republican Sodrel A third can- sources of traditional energy,” says one or two small jobs during the organizations. The agencies also is facing off against Democratic d i d a t e i n Sodrel. “In the long term, we need Mike Sodrel April through June reporting period. may lease their buses to private Rep. Baron Hill, and not surpris- 2006, Liber- to become independent of tradi- According to the FTA rule that carriers for charters. ingly gasoline prices and energy tarian Eric Schansberg, who’s run- tional energy altogether.” took effect April 30, public transit Among the notable reports was are the hot-button issues, along ning again this year, picked up 4.5 On his return from Alaska, So- agencies that provide charter ser- one filed by Rochester-Genesee with tax relief and health care. percent of the vote. drel called for a major emphasis vice under one of four allowable Regional Transportation Authority Six years ago, in their first Sodrel, who formerly headed on drilling. He said that drilling exemptions are required to file de- in New York, which reported doing race to represent southern Indiana the Free Enterprise System, a large will help the quality of life in tailed reports about the work with- 16 charters in June that the transit in Congress, Hill topped Sodrel by motorcoach operation he founded Alaska and it would not have a in 30 days of the end of each quar- agency said private carriers were 9,500 votes, 51.2 percent to 46.1 in Jeffersonville, put the spotlight major environmental impact. It ter. The deadline for filing the first not interesting in doing. The agen- percent. on fuel prices and energy with a could, he said, save Americans tril- reports was July 30. cy received revenue of $2,671 for Sodrel squeezed out a win in tour last month of the Arctic Na- lions of dollars. Those that did not do any char- the work. 2004, by 1,400 votes, 49.5 percent tional Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR, CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 c ter work during a reporting period CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 c

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Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS August 15, 2008  Filter manufacturers are Sports Museum of America opens in NYC accused of fixing prices NEW YORK CITY — The for basketball, soccer, hockey, golf “We’ve designed (the Sports Sports Museum of America is the and 15 others. Museum of America) as a truly Upwards of 35 lawsuits have fuel and transmission filters in the newest destination in New York Located in Lower Manhattan universal sports experience and… been filed across the U.S., alleging aftermarket…to fix, raise, main- City. at the base of the famed “Canyon to be America’s number one sports a broad conspiracy among manu- tain or stabilize prices, rig bids, Billed as the nation’s first-ever, of Heroes,” the Sports Museum of destination for everyone in the facturers to fix and inflate prices and allocate customers for filters all-sports experience, the museum America is designed to showcase U. S., as well as for international of oil, air, fuel and transmission in the United States.” is an interactive experience cap- “the spirit of America through visitors to our shores,” said Philip filters. According to one suit, a confi- turing America’s sports heritage. sports,” including inspiring stories Schwalb, founder and CEO of the The conspiracy supposedly dential informant who was a senior More than 50 single-sport and sports heroes. museum. began in 1999 and continued into sales executive employed by two Halls of Fame, national governing It also is the new permanent The museum is at 26 Broad- this year. of the companies, says the defen- bodies and museums from across home of the Heisman Trophy, as way, next to the “Charging Bull” “Through meetings at industry dants conspired and agreed to co- North America are providing ma- well as the Billie Jean King Inter- statute and footsteps from the events and elsewhere, and (through) ordinate prices, rig bids and allo- terials to the museum. These in- national Women’s Sports Center, Statue of Liberty Ferry. For infor- the exchange of confidential pric- cate customers. clude the Pro Football Hall of which includes the first ever wom- mation, go to www.sportsmuseum. ing materials, defendants unlaw- Former Champion manager Fame, as well as the halls of fame en’s sports hall of fame. com. fully agreed to the magnitude and William Burch has admitted to the timing of price increases,” one of conspiracy, according to the suit the suits asserts. filed in federal court in Newark, Filed by automotive parts dis- N.J., by Central Warehouse Sales, tributors, service outlets and vehi- a Scranton, Pa., filter distributor. cle dealers, the suits are against Burch “testified in an Illinois Champion Laboratories, Purolator court proceeding that he was asked Filters, Honeywell International, to participate in fixing prices,” ac- Wix Filtration Products, Cummins cording to an attorney who repre- Filtration, the Donaldson Com­ sents Central Warehouse. pany, Baldwin Filters, Bosch, Burch tape-recorded his con- MANN + Hummel, Arvin Meritor, versations with other people in the United Components and The Car- industry, and copies of those tapes lyle Group. have been sent to the U.S. Justice The suits, which have been Department, the attorney said. filed in New Jersey, Connecticut, Champion sued Burch in 2006 and Illinois and Tennessee, allege “a accused him of submitting false massive conspiracy among the expense account charges, which he largest manufacturers of oil, air, denied. Coach safety crackdown targets Indiana operators INDIANAPOLIS — The Indi- cle Enforcement Division who ana State Police and the Federal have been certified by the FMCSA Motor Carrier Safety Administra- to conduct inspections of passen- tion are conducting a blitz inspec- ger carriers. tion of motorcoach operators Aug. The team will travel through- 4–16. out the state inspecting Indiana- The focused effort, called a based passenger carrier companies. National Passenger Carrier Strike While the primary objective of Force, is designed to ensure pas- the strike force will be to identify senger carriers are operating safely unsafe drivers and carriers and to and in compliance with federal put them out of service, the data regulations, according to the State gathered during the project will be Police Commercial Vehicle En- used “to facilitate the identifica- forcement Division. tion of those carriers who have a The Indiana inspection team history of poor performance which will consist of trained inspectors require follow-up intervention,” assigned to the Commercial Vehi- the State Police said. Prices hiked by up to 10% by Bridgestone Firestone NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bridge- hicle tires by 4 percent Nov. 1, cit- stone Firestone North American ing escalating costs for raw Tire plans to raise prices by up to materials. 10 percent on all of its bus, truck, Last month, Michelin & Cie., the pickup and passenger tires because world’s second-largest tire maker, of higher raw materials costs and announced its second price hike of persistently high fuel prices. 2008 when it said that it will in- The increase is effective Sept. 1, crease U.S. commercial vehicle tire the company said in a statement. prices as much as 8 percent be- Bridgestone Firestone last cause of higher costs for raw mate- raised prices on its commercial ve- rials, energy and transportation.  August 1, 2008 Bus & Motorcoach News

Toll hikes proposed for bridges Many CDL holders skirt CAMDEN, N.J. — The Dela- ment every two years. users have enough to contend with ware River Port Authority of Penn- The four bridges operated by already. They also point out that in federal health regulations sylvania and New Jersey has pro- the authority connect Philadelphia recent years some toll revenues posed a 67 percent rate increase and southern New Jersey, and an have been spent on economic de- WASHINGTON — The Gov- found that about 563,000 of such during the next two years on four estimated 55 million vehicles velopment projects rather than on ernment Accountability Office individuals had commercial driver toll bridges it operates. cross them each year. infrastructure improvements. says that hundreds of thousands of licenses.” The first increase would go The money raised by the toll in­ John Matheussens, CEO of the commercial vehicle drivers with The report, requested by the into effect Sept. 14, with the addi- crease will be spent on redecking, agency, responded that the addi- potentially serious medical condi- top two Democrats on the House tional revenue to be applied to $1 painting and corrosion protection tional funds raised by these pro- tions are being allowed to drive transportation committee, ac- billion in infrastructure and secu- on the Walt Whitman Bridge; paint- posed toll increases will only be heavy vehicles because of loop- knowledged that “not all serious rity improvements over the next ing and corrosion protection on spent on necessary investments in holes and weaknesses in the feder- medical conditions interfere with five years. the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, infrastructure. al government’s program to certify the safe operation of a commercial For buses, the initial rate in- and structural repairs and security The authority’s board, com- drivers. vehicle.” crease will be to $3 per axle, up improvements on the Commodore posed of eight commissioners However, executives from the It’s “impossible to determine from $2.25. In 2010, the rate will Barry and Betsy Ross bridges. each from Pennsylvania and New truck and bus industries said con- from data matching and mining jump to $3.75 per axle. After that Critics of the plan say that with Jersey, will vote on the proposal cerns raised by the report were alone the extent to which commer- there will be an inflation adjust- the increased cost of fuel, bridge later this month. overblown. cial drivers have medical condi- The Federal Motor Carrier tions that preclude them from Safety Administration’s medical safely driving a commercial vehi- Oregon to enforce ‘weight receipt’ certification program also was in cle,” GAO said. SALEM, Ore. — Starting Jan. ments in the SAFETEA-LU will be enforcing the requirements the cross hairs of the House Trans- Rep. James Oberstar (D- 1, the Oregon Motor Carrier Trans- Technical Corrections Act, signed of the Unified Carrier Registra- portation and Infrastructure Com- Minn.), the committee chairman, portation Division will again be into law in June, allow Oregon to tion Agreement as a part of motor mittee, which held a hearing to ex- citing the report and investigations enforcing a requirement that opera- re-establish its rule. carrier enforcement actions or ve- amine the GAO report and the done by his staff, blasted the agen- tors of large buses and trucks must Many companies never stopped hicle inspections. It is doing this program’s alleged failings. cy for not putting enough focus on carry an Oregon weight-distance carrying the receipt, since it was despite the fact Oregon is not par- In the report issued last month, safety and for operating what he tax cab card — called the weight necessary to buy diesel fuel in Or- ticipating in the UCRA. the GAO said that “analysis of felt was a deficient medical receipt — in their vehicles. egon tax-free at the pump. Oregon The fine for failing to produce commercial license data from (the program. The requirement had been sus- charges heavy vehicles a weight- a weight receipt or for operating in U.S. Department of Transporta- “There are simply too many pended for a time since it conflict- mile tax rather than a fuel tax. Oregon without having paid tion) and medical disability data defects in FMCSA’s medical certi- ed with federal law, but amend- The state also announced it UCRA fees will be $427. from (various federal agencies) fication program to adequately protect the traveling public,” he said at the hearing. The GAO’s report gave exam- ples of drivers who had forged medical certification, obtained certification fraudulently or been improperly examined by a doctor. FMCSA Administrator John Hill defended the agency’s activi- ties, saying in a statement that his agency was “aggressively pursu- ing a number of program initia- tives to support and strengthen our medical program.” Hill said FMCSA expected to publish rules to create a registry of certified doctors for drivers’ exams and linking the CDL with the med- ical certificate “in the next few months.” Many truck industry observers said the GAO report added little to the discussion about FMCSA’s medical program. It also was pointed out that the FMCSA’s study of crashes involv- ing large trucks found that when the truck was at fault, sleep or ill- ness was cited 3 percent of the time, while driver inattention, ag- gressive driving and excessive speed accounted for 77 percent of crashes. Still, advocacy groups said FMCSA was to blame for the al- legedly lax standards. Bus & Motorcoach News THE DOCKET August 15, 2008  Iowa launches IRS says ‘tool plans’ may be tax avoidance sham WASHINGTON — The Inter- and Equipment Plans … , under was forming a team to look into The paper concludes that these crackdown on nal Revenue Service has knocked which amounts are paid to em- such plans, which have been mar- suspicions were justified, at least the props out from under so-called ployees for the use of their tools keted as a way for employers to re- with respect to the sorts of plans ‘contractors’ “employee tool and equipment and equipment, do not meet the imburse the expenses their em- that have been marketed to busi- DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. plans” that allow employers, in- accountable plan requirements. ployees, such as mechanics, incur nesses recently. Chet Culver has signed an execu- cluding motorcoach companies, to “Therefore, the amounts … in purchasing tools and equipment While the IRS does not entire- tive order to explore employee reimburse employees for the cost must be included in the employee’s for the job. ly rule out the possibility that a misclassification among Iowa of purchasing job-related tools gross income, must be reported as The IRS suspected that such properly designed tool plan might companies attempting to cut em- and equipment. Such plans typi- wages or other compensation on plans (1) lacked substantiation qualify expenses for a deduction, ployee and state benefits to ille- cally are used for mechanics. the employee’s Form W-2, and are that the amounts expended were it emphasizes that such a plan gally save millions of dollars The IRS published what is subject to withholding and pay- solely for a certain employer, and would have to follow carefully all each year. called a Coordinated Issue Paper ment of federal employment (2) involved a re-characterization the necessary rules and not be in- Culver’s action creates a five- that concludes: “As the [IRS] has taxes,” the IRS said. of existing wages solely to get tax stituted just to let an employer es- member Independent Contractor seen them to date, Employee Tool In January, IRS announced it savings. cape taxation on the wages it pays. Reform Task Force to study the practice of classifying employees as “independent contractors” to School bus seatbelt rule expected early in ’09 avoid paying into Iowa’s unem- ployment insurance, worker com- A proposed federal rule chang- the NHTSA plans to issue its final mum seat-back height from 20 to ufacturers generally supported the pensation insurance, and tempo- ing seatbelt requirements for rule on seatbelt requirements for 24 inches on all new school buses. proposal to develop voluntary rary disability insurance. school buses has drawn more than school buses early next year. The Schiavone said the proposed standards for lap-shoulder belts on The order makes Iowa the lat- 120 comments, with most of them agency published its Notice of rule drew more than 120 com- large school buses. est state to establish a task force favoring seatbelts on school Proposed Rulemaking recom- ments from the general public, The NHTSA currently is test- to study employee misclassifica- buses. mending changes to enhance school transportation providers, ing new lap-shoulder-belt- tion. In New York, a task force Terrance Schiavone, southeast- school bus passenger crash protec- bus and seat belt manufacturers, equipped school bus seats made estimated that at least 10 percent ern regional administrator for the tion last year. industry associations and other by SafeGuard and M2K. The test- of employers audited practiced National Highway Traffic Safety Key aspects of the proposed groups. ing is scheduled to be completed employee misclassification, cost- Administration, provided an up- rule are to require lap-shoulder Among those who commented this fall. ing the state more than $550 mil- date on the federal rulemaking at belts on small school buses, pro- from the general public, 75 per- After the crash tests and an lion in the construction industry the Southeastern States Pupil vide guidance for voluntary instal- cent favored installation of seat analysis of the comments, the final alone. Transportation Conference in At- lation of lap-shoulder belts on belts on school buses. School rule will be issued. That is expect- lanta last month. Schiavone said large buses, and raise the mini- transportation providers and man- ed to happen by next spring.  August 15, 2008 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News Customer service we have to encourage the operator look at safety, the human connec- to do is to give the client an esti- tion, high standards in general. No charges in fatal Canadian bus crash CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 mate for today.” “Am I giving up safety, or am I rude and a great way to lose giving up peanuts on the bus?” GRAND PRAIRIE, Alberta woman who was on her way home business.” The whole story? “I’m very disappointed that — No charges will be filed in con- from cancer treatments in “That frustrates me,” added One official wondered aloud if she couldn’t get people to even re- nection with a highly publicized Edmonton. Steve Klika. He’s president of In- Maki gave enough information for spond. The quote is a different Greyhound bus crash that killed Royal Canadian Mounted Po- ternational Motor Coach Group a quote. issue,” says Crow, who also heads three passengers, including a lice Constable Scott Hagarty said Inc. “I think the specificity is im- Ontario Motor Coach Association. mother and her infant child, near an investigation concluded that “(Customers) have got to strug- portant,” said Victor Parra, presi- Companies may say: “I’d love your here in November. road and weather conditions gle through the system to get dent and CEO of the United Mo- business but I need more informa- The crash generated enormous caused the crash. through to a human being. The torcoach Association, of the tion,” or the company is booked. “I attention across Canada because The Greyhound coach skidded first person is the one they connect information given by Maki. “It’s guess the problem is that if the bus of the tragic death of the young on an icy patch of highway on the with. Your level of frustration gets surprising to me they wouldn’t companies didn’t even respond to mother and her 4½-month-old morning of Nov. 6, and rolled into so high because the human factor give her quotes. (But) the customer the call, they couldn’t even address son, along with a 72-year-old a ditch. is not there. needs to look at the value of the her questions.” But he wondered “You have fewer owners who sale and not the price of the sale.” about the nature of the exchange – systems in place to deal with (cases for example, all deserving of a have personal engagement, (and) a Brian Crow, president and CEO why didn’t the companies like Maki),” says Klika. higher rating. newer generation (focused) on of Motor Coach Canada, points respond? But such programs would have “This has been one of those technology and efficiency. People out that bus service isn’t a com- Still, he stressed he didn’t want to address complex issues in the projects we’d like to get to, but our in sales can’t shoot down calls.… modity; it can’t be sold like bush- to give the impression the industry industry. plate is pretty full. It’s not really in That is so sad. I just cringe when I els of wheat. There are so many couldn’t improve. Steve Kirchner, president of the works right now, but it’s some- hear that. factors in deciding if a company is National Motorcoach Network, thing we’d like to look at,” says “It’s just that the motorcoach the right choice. Prices in the mo- Defining customer service wonders if an already highly regu- Parra. system has broken down. There’s torcoach industry are more com- So, what is customer service? lated industry is going to embrace probably a lot more out there than plex than the price of gasoline at It’s multifaceted, says Ells- more regulation. What to do? we would like to think. Owners the pump. worth. “Customer service is every- “I don’t think I’m opposed to So what should companies do may think it’s going well, but if “It’s many factors. Were you thing from how you reply to the re- it, I just don’t see how it works,” to offer better initial customer they’re not hearing about it, sales safe on the trip; were your expecta- quest, to how you treat them during says Crow. “You can have a 20- service? is in a total disconnect.” tions met, if not exceeded? Not the journey, to how you treat them year-old coach that’s in top condi- Word of mouth and leads are getting a telephone call back, that’s afterwards. It’s public relations. tion.…What about customer ser- the best ways to get business, say On being responsive not meeting her expectations,” Period.” vice? How do you rate the company, executives. Many factors come into play says Crow. “In general, I would say if the the sales people, the vehicle … Trailways has a new employee when a potential client calls, say “You’re always going to get customer says at the end of the day, How could (a rating system) be set on board who works with drivers, industry executives. Is it a busy people who want to get a price; ‘That was great,’ then that’s cus- up?” agents and other employees on season? Are there special events they’re going to try to get the low- tomer service,” says Crow. A rating system would be dif- how to improve public relations. that weekend? But: “It’s still no est price, but if you get engaged in From time to time, the industry ficult to establish, agrees Parra. And the system also has a custom- excuse that people didn’t call (her the community, price isn’t a big has looked at different ways to “You need to look at everything er-service manual for operators back),” says Ellsworth. issue. It’s: ‘I know them,’” says self-monitor its customers service about the company — is it finan- that guides employees through You can’t commit a year out, or Klika. — a star system or a quality stan- cially sound, customer service, the such issues as handling phone even eight months out, but “what Klika points out that paying for dard program. safety record.” Also, the equip- calls. they should be doing is giving an a bus is so much more than the “It concerns me for the indus- ment is not all the same — coaches “You have to think of the mo- estimate,” insists Ellsworth. “What best price you can get. You have to try, when we don’t have our own may have a galley or plush seats, torcoach industry like the hospital- ity industry, and if you don’t get word of mouth back, then you’re going to lose business in the long run,” says Ellsworth. Mark Greer, owner of Bus- Rates.com, stresses that the phone and Internet are critical to today’s businesses. “Inbound calls are more productive than returning calls in terms of a sales call,” he says. When the customers call, they’re ready, in a buying mode. He stressed that promptly responding to calls and e-mails is an easy way to make business. He has found that professionally writ- ten e-mails, answered quickly, get the job. “I always tell bus companies that if you respond with just a price, you are throwing away your lead,” says Greer. “Our members (need to) re- engage back into our communities the way their dad, granddads and great-granddads did,” says Klika. “The general public doesn’t have a strong relationship with the opera- tors the way they used to. “If we don’t admit to the chal- lenges we deal with, how do we fix it?”

 August 15, 2008 NEWS ANALYSIS Bus & Motorcoach News The injury ‘gray areas’ of workers compensation By Christopher J. Boggs mal route, any injury suffered from the time not guarantee compensability. An employee scope” is not eligible for workers compensa- the employee leaves the premises until he or injured while engaged in a pick-up basketball tion protection; injured employees, even the Injury suffered by an employee traveling she returns to their normal route is likely game on the employer’s premises will not be nonparticipating (innocent) party, were rou- to or from work, or even while going to and compensable. Errands taking the employee eligible for workers compensation because tinely denied coverage. returning from lunch, is generally not com- outside his or her normal ways and means the employer is not directly benefiting from pensable by workers compensation. are considered “for the benefit” of the em- the activity nor is the employer directing the Prevailing opinion now centers on and Known as the coming-and-going rule, ployer making injury compensable. activity. Making recreational facilities avail- applies a treatise known as “Larson’s Workers the logic for this rule is that the employee is 3. Injury suffered by an “on call” em- able does not make the employer liable. Nor Compensation Law” (Larson). Larson ap- not furthering the employer’s business or ployee. Employees who must be ready to re- is it required that the injury occur on the plies a four-part test of the facts surrounding serving the needs of the business during the spond when “the call” comes are considered employer’s premises to be compensable. the horseplay-associated injury to establish travel. to be within the course and scope of employ- 2. Was the event or team organized by compensability. The four tests of fact are: The employee is serving his or her own ment immediately upon responding to the the employer? Company-organized softball 1. The extent and seriousness of the de- interest and furthering his or her own cause call. The drive is considered to be part of teams competing in “industrial leagues” viation. Was the horseplay “reasonable” or during the course of travel; namely going to furthering the employer’s business, making may qualify under this provision. However, did the parties go so far out of the way as to an employment situation where a paycheck injury compensable. several employees deciding to form a team constitute unreasonable deviation. In one is delivered for services rendered, going to 4. If the employer reimburses the em- is wholly different from a team organized by case, three men wrapped another employee lunch, or going home. ployee for transportation costs, the trip is the employer, encouraging “good” ball play- from his ankles to his shoulders in duct tape. The employer is not the proximate cause considered business related and for the ben- ers to participate. The injured employee was allowed to forego of the individual being on the road; the em- efit of the employer. Injury suffered is com- 3. Did the employer pay for the activity? the sole remedy offered by workers compen- ployee has not arrived at a place where ser- pensable unless abandonment of employ- It is unclear if this refers to the total cost or sation and sue the participants in tort as the vices are rendered to the employer so this ment is proven. a subsidy on behalf of the team. For exam- activities were considered too far outside injury suffered is not compensable. 5. Injury suffered once the employee en- ple, the league charges $50 from every play- “normal.” Exceptions do exist to the coming-and- ters the parking lot. Courts ascribe a reason- er, but the company pays $40 on behalf of 2. The completeness of the deviation. going rule. able time for employees to reach their as- each player. While the activity is not fully Was the horseplay co-mingled with the reg- Any time travel is an integral part of em- signed work station. During this time, the paid for by the employer, it could be viewed ular performance of duties or did it involve ployment, or such travel furthers the em- employee is considered to be in the course as employer-paid or sponsored (and partici- (and require) an abandonment of duty? ployer’s business, the coming-and-going and scope of employment. “The clock” be- pation encouraged). 3. The extent to which the practice of rule is superseded, making injury compen- gins to tick (so to speak) when the employee 4. Did the employer benefit? Advertising horseplay has become an accepted part of sable. Travel considered integral to the em- arrives in the parking lot. in the community (team shirts), improved the employment. If horseplay, practical ployment includes travel between jobsites The reverse is true, the employee is con- employee morale, or better team work. An jokes and hazing are common and not dis- and travel to meet clients. sidered to be within course and scope until employer can “benefit” from these activities couraged or forbidden by the employer, then Other “special hazard” exceptions to the they leave the parking lot. Injury suffered in more ways than tangible output. it is reasonably judged to be part of normal coming-and-going rule include: prior to and after leaving the parking lot is Employee picnics, team building outings employment and within course and scope. 1. Employer-furnished transportation. If not covered (unless one of the other excep- and Christmas dinners are a few examples 4. The extent to which the nature of em- the employer undertakes to provide group tions apply). States apply different interpre- of other types of recreational and social ac- ployment may be expected to include some transportation to and from the office or job tations of the breadth of this special tivities that may lead to compensable inju- horseplay. Some industries lend themselves site, injury suffered during the trip is com- exception. ries. State statutes should be reviewed re- to horseplay; those working in those indus- pensable. An off-beat example, especially in garding the issue of recreational activities. tries should expect to be exposed to it. As areas where there is little snow, is the small Play Ball! or “forced fun” Some states have adopted relative pro-em- such, it is a normal part of employment and business owner that picks up his/her em- Extending the “course and scope of em- ployer statutes to limit compensability to ac- injury may be compensable. ployees on snowy days to assure the office is ployment” doctrine to recreational activities tivities in which employees are “expected” According to Larson itself, it is not re- staffed and, altruistically, to keep the em- combines questions of fact decided by juries to participate. quired that all four tests be satisfied for an ployees from having to drive. Employee in- and questions of law decided by the court. injury to be compensable. “It is now clearly jury during this travel is compensable under Employees injured while participating in Horseplay/practical jokes established that the nonparticipating victim workers compensation. recreational activities while on the employer’s Court and legislative attitudes have shift- of horseplay may recover compensation,” 2. The employee performs a beneficial premises or at the employer’s “direction” ed regarding the compensability of injury according to Lawson. errand for the employer. Going to the bank, may qualify for workers compensation cov- suffered as a result of horseplay. Historically Christopher J. Boggs, CPCU, ARM, the post office or on any other errand to fur- erage. Four tests are applied to the facts sur- courts held that horseplay was such a devia- ALCM, LPCS, AAI, APA, is a senior risk an- ther the business of the employer qualifies rounding the injury to decide compensability: tion from the course and scope of employ- alyst for the insurance firm of McNeary Inc., as a beneficial errand. If the errand requires 1. Did the accident occur on the employ- ment as to qualify as an abandonment of in Charlotte, N.C. He teaches insurance on a the employee to deviate from his or her nor- er’s premises? An affirmative response does duty. Injury suffered outside the “course and contract basis. How to contact us ISSUE NO. 129 To submit or report news, Letters to To advertise or to mail advertising- Joan Libby the Editor, articles, news releases or to related materials: Cavalier Coach report corrections: Call: Johnny Steger at (866) 930-8426 A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION Boston, Mass. E-mail: E-mail: Marcia Milton [email protected] [email protected] First Priority Trailways Staff Advisory Board District Heights, Md. Fax: (405) 942-6201 Mail: 2200 N. Yarbrough, Suite B William Allen Bob Foley Michael Neustadt Mail: 3108 NW 54th Street Box No. 336 Editor & Publisher: Victor Parra Sierra Trailways ABC Companies Coach Tours Oklahoma City, OK 73112 El Paso, TX 79925 Sacramento, Calif. Faribault, Minn. Brookfield, Conn. Senior Editor: Bruce Sankey Call: (866) 930-8421 Larry Benjamin Gladys Gillis Jeff Polzien To send advertisements or Sales Director: Johnny Steger Northfield Lines Starline Transportation Red Carpet Tours To subscribe or inquire about your photographs via the Internet: Northfield, Minn. Seattle Oklahoma City subscription: Industry Editor: Ken Presley Dave Bolen Robert Hume Tom Ready E-mail: [email protected] New World Tours Travel Mates Trailways Ready Bus Lines E-mail: Accountant: Ted Williford Bristow, Va. Harrisonburg, Va. LaCrescent, Minn. [email protected] To contact the David Brown Daryl G. Johnson Brian Scott Fax: (405) 942-6201 United Motorcoach Association: Associate Editor: Ellen Balm Holiday Tours J & J Charters Escot Bus Lines Randlemann, N.C. Crosby, Texas Largo, Fla. Mail: 3108 NW 54th Street Call: (800) 424-8262 Art Director: Mary E. McCarty Oklahoma City, OK 73112 James Brown Sr. Dale Krapf Michelle Silvestro Online: www.uma.org Magic Carpet Tours Krapf Coaches National Interstate Insurance Co. Call: (866) 930-8421 Editorial Assistant: Amy Stalknecht Richmond, Va. West Chester, Pa. Richfield, Ohio Steve Brown Godfrey Lebron T. Ralph Young ©2008 by the United Motorcoach Association. Reproduction in whole or in part without Editorial Assistant: Mark Gedris Brown Coach Paradise Trailways Young Transportation written permission is prohibited. Amsterdam, N.Y. Hicksville, N.Y. Ashville, N.C. SEFAC Bus Ad 4x6.4 1/10/07 1:59 PM Page 1

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Most of the coaches and driv- Coach America said it will was not sure of the exact number transit agencies for the buses that Dems convention ers that will be used to handle move about 150 motorcoaches to — from two public transit agen- are capable of transporting people CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 shuttles between hotels throughout Denver from companies in its west cies, the Regional Transportation who are confined to wheelchairs. After the new federal charter the city and the Pepsi Center and and south-central regions, accord- District in Denver and Roaring “One of our biggest challenges service rules took effect April 30, other convention venues, includ- ing to spokesman Tim Moline. The Forks Transit in Aspen because he was filling the need for buses that he said a second round of notices ing Invesco Field where 76,000 remainder will come from Arrow was unable to fill the need for a re- could move people around who was sent to companies listed on the people are expected to hear Sen. Stage Lines, Colorado Charter and quired number of ADA-equipped were in wheelchairs,” he said. “We Federal Transit Administration Barack Obama deliver his accep- Ramblin Express, all companies buses. looked around the country to try to Website list of carriers that said tance speech as the party’s nomi- with Denver-area operations. A waiver from the federal char- service them and there were not they were willing to take on work nee for the presidency, will be pro- Clark said ETA was forced to ter service rule was obtained from enough (private coaches) so we in the Denver area. vided by Coach America. bring on some buses — he said he the FTA to contract with the public contacted the two transits for a small number of buses and we re- ceived a waiver from the FTA to do so.” He said while the buses are SEPTEMBER 16-17, 2008 NAVY PIER, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS coming from transit agencies, they will be driven by private charter drivers obtained from area companies. Clark said a second challenge was meeting a mandate by the Democratic National Committee that the coaches used in the opera- tion use biodiesel fuel. “In an effort to make this the greenest political convention ever, we tried to get as many coaches as possible that can run on B20 fuel,” he said. “We had a hard time with that, too, but ended up with only a few that cannot use biodiesel.” He said the city has an amble supply of biodiesel available and he does not foresee any problems keeping the coaches on the road with the fuel. Several private coach operators were critical of ETA’s handling of negotiations and arrangements, BUSCON and expressed disappointed with 2008 IS GOING the way the operation came down. Jake Byrd of Charter of the GREEN! Rockies in Denver said he was an early bidder, but never got a re- sponse. “They never even sent a letter saying ‘Thanks, but no thanks’,” he said. “And I heard that other companies got the same treatment.” Roger Riggent of Arrow Stage Attend America’s Biggest Bus Convention! Lines, one of the companies that will be providing coaches for the ■ The most extensive gathering of private and public-sector convention, said his company had decision-makers in the BUS industry. many more buses available, but was limited to 10. “We could have ■ A two-day information-packed conference with an educational program Visit come up with three or four times that will provide you with practical knowledge and take-home value. www.BusConExpo.com that many but they said they were ■ Exceptional networking opportunities. not interested,” he said. or call 800-576-8788 ■ A spectacular showcase of the latest vehicles, products, services Meantime, Andrew Ballard, the head of transportation for the and technologies. for more information convention, said he’s hopeful the plan that has been put in place will Lead Media Sponsor Media Sponsors not only work well but become a standard for other conventions. magazine “Due to the tremendous head Lead Sponsor Featured Sponsors Host Dealer General Show Sponsors start on our planning, we’ve now had more than a year to not only build a solid logistical foundation for our convention, but to also es- tablish and strengthen our relation- Association Sponsors ships with the local community,” he said. “From a transportation perspective, I want this convention to be the new yardstick to measure Produced by Bobit Business Media BCS07-97.08 future conventions by.”

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We Buy & Sell Buses. . . Call for a Quote 12 August 15, 2008 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News Greyhound gains ‘Eco-friendly’ fabric now available Calendar LAFRANCE, S.C. — The fabric that is both made from recy- auditor for environmental content AUGUST 2008 continued during “greening” of the motorcoach in- cled materials and specifically de- and practices to verify the claim of dustry, which largely has focused signed for motorcoach, shuttle bus, being 100 percent recycled. 14-17 National Association fiscal 1st quarter on reduced-emissions engines, and transit bus seat applications. According to Grant, the of Motorcoach Operators, ABERDEEN, Scotland — cleaner-burning fuel and higher LaFrance’s yarn supplier, Repreve fabric is lighter, stronger Doubletree Hotel Houston Inter- FirstGroup, parent company of energy efficiency, has a new “eco- UNIFI Inc. of Greensboro, N.C., and more durable than similar continental, Houston. Info: Go to Greyhound Lines, said Grey- friendly” attribute — recycled worked with Ken Archer, product types of transportation fabrics. www.namocoaches.org, or e-mail hound experienced solid revenue seating fabric. development manager at LaFrance, Trans-Bridge Lines of Bethle- [email protected]. growth during the three months LaFrance Industries, which and Danny Grant, a vice president hem, Pa., is the first motorcoach 24-28 Motorcoach Associa- ended June 30 — the first quarter calls itself the only U.S. producer of LaFrance, to develop a fabric operator to use the Repreve fabric. of its fiscal year. tion of South Carolina Annual of plush fabrics for bus and motor- collection that is produced with It had the Amaya seats in two new Meeting & Marketplace, Radis- FirstGroup had announced in coach seats and interiors, has an- 100 percent recycled materials MCI D4505 coaches upholstered son Hotel Columbia & Confer- May it had “reversed the declin- nounced development of the Ritz within an energy efficient jacquard using the recycled material. ing revenue trend we inherited ence Center, Columbia, S.C. Repreve® fabric collection. weaving system. “Our customers notice the seats when we acquired (Greyhound) Info: www.scmotorcoach.org. According to Joe Brinkmeyer, LaFrance says both Repreve and the material,” said Tom JeBran in October.” (See June 1 Bus & Motorcoach News.) sales executive for LaFrance, the yarns and fabrics have been inde- of Trans-Bridge. “People are talk- 27-29 Hawaii Transportation “We are delighted to deliver Ritz Repreve is the sole seating pendently certified by a leading ing about them.” Association Annual Leader- like-for-like revenue growth of ship Conference, Hawaii Prince 4.2 percent during the first quar- Hotel Waikiki, Honolulu. Info: ter of this year, a trend that accel- iTransit opens Orlando repair center Go to www.htahawaii.org. erated during June,” FirstGroup ORLANDO, Fla. — A subsid- lie Rydzewski, iTransit’s general Also, working with Gameday told its shareholders at its annual iary of Gameday Management manager for collision and repair Management Group and sister SEPTEMBER 2008 meeting last month. “We continue Group, iTransit Inc., has opened a work. company Click and Park, iTransit 12-15 Virginia Motorcoach to implement our plans to increase collision and refurbishment center Rydzewski spent more than 20 plans to offer a wide range of event Association Annual Conven- revenue, to reduce costs and to for motorcoaches and motorhomes years with ABC Bus Companies management and bus procurement tion, Gaylord National Resort grow the reach of Greyhound’s in Orlando. and Manheim Auto before joining services. Convention Center, National services. “We are excited to offer this iTransit. Gameday Management is best Harbor, Md. Info: Go to “BoltBus, our innovative low- easy, full-service center to the Or- In addition to operating the known for its event transportation cost, high-quality intercity coach lando area. With our years of expe- repair facility, iTransit plans to management. www.vamotorcoach.com. service, operating between key rience, customers can rely on us to distribute a new-to-the-market, iTransit is at 1424 West Ander- 16-17 Buscon, Chicago, Ill. cities on the (U.S.) East Coast, provide excellent, expert service 25-foot, rear-engine, low-floor son St. in Orlando; phone (407) has continued to grow.” Info: www.busconexpo.com. for any of their needs,” said Char- paratransit shuttle bus. 648-8737.

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For more information on the world’s most advanced bus a/c compressor or a tour of our plant in Georgia where we are building them, visit www.bitzerus.com Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS August 15, 2008 13 Lots to consider when going after contract business By Dave Millhouser (construction workers transported going to have to train people and and under what circumstances can newed or from a parking lot to work sites, buy buses. It may be worth it but it be altered or cancelled? How re-bid on a “We lose a little on each…BUT employee shuttles between loca- do the calculation. How hard is the badly will you be hurt if it does favorable we make it up on volume,” is an tions, and so on). contract service going to work end badly? If a contract is iffy, or basis be- old joke that may still have legs. When you’re deciding if you your coaches? Will they be loaf- cheap, you may benefit by letting a cause the Many coach operators have will “make it up on volume” here ing? Or ground into dust? competitor have it. He or she can contractor looked at long-term transportation are a few things to consider: • Who owns the equipment? take the risk and tie up resources, has done a contracts as a way of dealing with • Know your costs (don’t as- It’s great if you can operate the while you “do your thing.” good job. the boom-and-bust nature of the sume everything will go smooth- customer’s coaches but are you Everyone I asked about con- You’ve charter-and-tour business. ly). Many contracts go to the low- then allowed to use them during tract work was on the same page. If seen it when Dave Millhouser The rationale is that even est bidder, and you may hurt times that help you? Contracts you want this type of work, be ac- you’ve tried “breaking even” on contract work, yourself if you miscalculate. A lot with government entities generally tive in your community. You’ll hear to take the work from someone performed when equipment would of folks use “wishful thinking” as spell this out, but you’ve got to un- about opportunities, and get advice else, so now that you’re in the driv- normally be idle, covers some a cost basis. There can be valid derstand the terms. from the customer, if you’re seen er’s seat (another pesky bus pun), fixed overhead. This makes your reasons for working below cost • If you’re buying the buses, as involved. treat your customer as if they had a regular work more profitable, and but, if you do that, be honest with how long is the contract? What are Convince the customer you’re choice. In the long term they do. keeps valuable people and equip- yourself. If you want the business you going to do with them when his or her best value, and you may Bus lines have been stunned ment working, during traditionally too badly (we all do occasionally), the contract ends? (And, how much win without being the lowest bid- when they’ve lost contracts they’d slow times. with a contract the pain can last a will they REALLY be worth?) der. (“The other guy is based 100 had “forever” and took for granted. It’s a great idea, wildly suc- long time. • Who pays for the fuel? What miles away; you have MY home And DON’T do what a now cessful for some. But, if it was • How does it fit with what happens when it goes up? ’nuff phone number.” You’re already defunct bus line once did: Not only easy, everyone would do it. Like so you’re doing now, and does your said. doing it with other customers.) did the owner break contract rules much of business, with opportuni- company have the skills to squeeze • What are the startup costs? Know the process, study it by using his customer’s bus on a ty comes risk. out all the benefits? For example, a In addition to the obvious, like thoroughly, so when you offer a 1,000-mile charter, his driver got a Contracts come in many sizes daily commute leaves your buses equipment, hiring drivers and reg- bid it fits the customer’s require- bunch of parking tickets. Since the and shapes, including casino runs, free for weekend and evening char- ulatory details, there’s almost al- ments AND desires. bus was registered in his custom- daily commuter service, school ters, as well as daytime transfers or ways a lag in payment. You do all It’s critical that once you’ve er’s name, guess who the parking athletic work, corporate shuttles, sightseeing. Terrific if your opera- this “stuff,” begin the work and won any contract you continue to tickets were mailed to? and a bunch I haven’t thought of. tions and sales folks know how to then have to wait for your money. treat the customer, well, like a cus- Dave Millhouser is a bus indus- Heck, many companies have squish it together. Make sure you know the schedule tomer. In many cases these ar- try marketing consultant and free- invented their own contract servic- • Does your fleet and work- and can make the cash flow work. rangements become profitable in lance writer. Contact him at: dave_ es, and sold them to customers force fit the job? If not, you’re • How reliable is the contract, the long term, as they are either re- [email protected]. 14 August 15, 2008 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News

In Georgia, the Metropolitan They should check to make sure fice said the congressman wants to Charter reports Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority a transit agency is accurate when it Sordel run focus on drilling that can be done CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ran 63 charters, most of them short says it could not find willing and CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 more quickly in places where there Indianapolis Public Transpor- trips for human service agencies, able operators to handle a charter. Sodrel estimates there could be are already leases. Hill said that tation reporting using an FTA which are exempt from the charter The FTA Website contains infor- at least 16-billion barrels of oil “contrary to recent sound bites, waiver to run shuttles between the rule. Revenue for the work totaled mation about filing complaints. there, but he also says that conser- this Democratic Congress is sup- airport and downtown and the In- $3,100. The deadline for the next The quarterly reports can be vation is part of the energy portive of drilling.” dianapolis Motor Speedway for reporting period is Oct. 30. found on the FTA Website by going equation. Early this month, Sodrel lashed the Indianapolis 500 auto race. Because the Federal Transit to http://ftateamweb.fta.dot.gov/ “It’s about burning American out at the Democratic-controlled The agency reported picking up Administration has made it clear fta-flash2b.html and clicking on oil,” Sodrel said. “It’s about improv- Congress for taking a summer $128,000 in revenue for the service. it’s depending on private operators “team reports” and then “charter ing our balance of trade. It’s about break without having voted on leg- The Lane Transit District in to police the accuracy of the re- report.” improving our national security. It’s islation to lessen the nation’s de- Oregon obtained an FTA waiver to ports submitted by transit agen- The transit systems are listed about spending our money with pendence on foreign oil. handle shuttle work for the seven- cies, operators are urged to review only by their FTA ID numbers and other Americans,” says Sodrel. “When I was running my busi- day Olympic trials in Eugene and the reports filed by agencies in not by name so it will take patient A spokesperson for Hill’s of- ness, I never took a vacation while collected $55,440 for the work. their areas. searching to find a particular agency. there was critical work to be done,” Sodrel said. “Congressman Hill voted twice to adjourn and take a CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING five-week-long break while Hoo- siers are suffering with high gas BIEBER MCI J4500 Coaches for Sale prices. I urge Speaker (Nancy) Pe- losi to call an emergency session TOURWAYS of Congress and schedule a vote on expanding America’s energy IS MAKING supply.” Rick Thielen, owner of Thielen ROOM Bus Lines in Redwood Falls, (4) 2001 MCI D4500 55 pax National seats, 6 monitor DVD/VHS, B500R w/Series 60 12.7L Minn., is among motorcoach oper- (4) ‘02 56-Pass, S-60/B500, DVD/CD/PA, White, 292k-362k miles, (1) w/ Ricon factory wheelchair lifts, stainless steel sided. Extremely well maintained. ators who would like to send So- (2) 2003 MCI J4500 54 pax Amaya seats, 6 monitor DVD/VHS ZF transmission CAT C12B Wheelchair Lift, asking from $235,000. engines extremely well maintained. (2) ‘03 52/56-Pass, S-60/B500, DVD/CD/PA, (1) Grey, (1) White w/Galley, 244K- drel back to Congress. (1) 1994 MCI DL3 55 pax National seats, CAT 3176B with Allison HT746 transmission, 500k miles, asking $275,000 ea. “I just felt that this is an oppor- stainless steel sided, well maintained. (4) ‘06 56-Pass, C13/ZF, DVD/CD/PA, Wheelchair Lift, Electronic Dest. Sign, tunity for our industry to get direct (10) MCI 102A3 1988-89 automatic and 5 speeds, 4 monitor video, 47 pax with updated Blue/White, 260k-315k miles, asking $355,000 ea. representation in Congress, and we national interiors, some with engine and transmission warranty. Well maintained (4) ‘06 56-Pass, S-60/B500, DVD/CD/PA, Wheelchair Lift, Electronic Dest. Sign, really don’t want to miss this 8V92 engines. ® (3) 9643 1986 5 speeds with 47 passenger, updated national interiors. 8V92 engines. White, (2) w/Satellite TV & XM Radio, 100k-285k miles, asking $355,000 ea. chance,” said Thielen. “I have al- All maintenance records with pictures available. All buses are in regular daily service. All equipment maintenance records and certifications are current and ready donated $350 to his cam- available for review. All are sold without tires. For more information contact Silverado Stages. Call Steve at (610) 683-7333 [email protected] paign and hopefully other opera- www.SilveradoStages.com tors will help in this effort.” COACHES FOR SALE Call today! • 805-545-8400 Hill reported recently he had Excellent Condition raised $300,000 in the second 2 – 1995 102D3’s quarter of this year, giving him a Coach Miles – 820,000-880,000 Series 60 rebuilt –190,000-255,000 REDUCED TO total of $1.2 million on hand. So- HT746 rebuilt – 80,000-170,000 $175,000 drel has reported his cash level to New Interiors • Dual Bosch be about $380,000, nearly $1 mil- Firestone Mileage Tires Included lion less than Hill. 4 Monitor Video Sys. w/DVD & VHS 2000 MCI Thielen stresses the importance E4500 of getting behind Sodrel’s 3 available! Excellent Condition campaign: 2 – 2000 102D3’s Extremely low “How often do we get the op- Coach Miles – 475,000-500,000 miles, 1 owner, well cared for high-end charter coaches. You will portunity to elect someone from Series 60 • B500 • Dual Bosch not find any nicer! Series 60, B500R, 58 Seats with Lav, Michelins our own motorcoach fraternity? I Firestone mileage tires included on Alcoa rims, CD & DVD Players, cordless mikes. $175,000/offer. do feel strongly that it would be a 4 Monitor Video System w/DVD & VHS Marc 808.832.6261 Will deliver to West Coast definite advantage to have some- one from our industry in Congress. Contact Dan @ 609-587-0626 x 1223 I also feel strongly that we as mo- [email protected] FOR SALE torcoach operators need to support 1998 and elect those candidates who have a stake in our business.” COACHES FOR SALE Van Hool Sodrel said the only solution to 1996 Prevost H3-45 • $98,000 56 passenger with lav. 2140 the energy crisis coming from con- Rebuilt B500 transmission. gressional leaders “is to file law- Detroit Diesel Series 60 Great used motorcoach, 49 passenger with jump seat, AM/FM radio, suits, tax, investigate or regulate DVD player, 3 monitor Video System, cruise and new interior. w/Jake Brake — none of which will increase the 500K miles. $120,000.Coach available immediately supply or lower the price of gas.” This coach is in great For more information, contact John Bailey at: condition and is presently Sodrel suggested that prizes be working in service. 717-718-0490 awarded to Americans who come up with new machines and pro- 2000 102 EL3 • $139,000 56 passenger with lav • ADA Lift Just rebuilt transmission & New Turbo cesses that “let us do more with Loaded • ABS/Disc brakes 6 disc CD REPOS FOR SALE less energy.” changer • Wireless microphone Variety of makes and models of “If we incentivize the Ameri- Cassette tape player Alcoa alloy rims can people to become more effi- This coach is in great condition and is “Bank Repos” across the United cient and creative, open up areas of presently working in service. States and Priced to Sell! known oil and gas reserves, and Call Mark at 781-849-0200 get out of the way, the American or email at [email protected] 1-877-737-2221 Ext. 716 for more information! people can solve this problem.” Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS August 15, 2008 15 NTA, Destination Marketing Assn. to partner, National Interstate profits drop NTA tour operator membership hits new high RICHFIELD, Ohio, — Losses the $81.9 million in premiums chink out of ’08 earnings. resulting from two major crashes written during the second quarter “We have experienced an un- LAS VEGAS — The National “Together, NTA and DMAI sent earnings sharply lower during of last year. usual financial impact from large Tour Association and the Destina- will help destination marketing or- the second quarter and first half of For the first six months of this claims during the first six months tion Marketing Association Inter- ganizations gain access to tour op- this year at National Interstate year, gross premiums written of 2008,” said company President national announced a new partner- erator product and provide a quali- Corporation, parent company of amounted to $234.8 million, or and CEO Dave Michelson. ship during the 94th annual ty visitor experience for the leisure the bus industry’s No. 2 insurer, 15.8 percent above the $202.8 mil- “Claims that reach policy lim- convention of the marketing asso- traveler,” Hoelscher added. National Interstate Insurance Co. lion reported a year ago. its on our higher liability expo- ciation here. The agreement enables the two National Interstate Corp. re- The premium growth during sures do not occur often, and we Under the collaborative agree- organizations to develop programs ported net income of $4.4 million, this year’s second quarter was the have had two in the first half of the ment, the associations will work emphasizing leisure travel to assist or 23 cents per fully diluted share, strongest at National Interstate year. Our disciplined risk selection together to create enhanced educa- DMOs in reaching this market. for the three months ended June since the fourth quarter of 2006. criteria and underwriting approach tional, marketing and business op- The agreement will focus on col- 30, compared to second-quarter The company said all segments of have not changed. Most of the portunities for their members and laboration in the areas of education 2007 net income of $11.9 million, its business, except the Hawaiian large claims we have experienced have an increased presence at each and professional development. or 61 cents per diluted share. and Alaskan units, grew during the in 2008 involved customers that other’s conventions. Meanwhile, NTA has an- For the first half of this year, most recent quarter and first half we have insured for many years “NTA has been focused on nounced that more than 100 tour reaching out to sister associations operators joined the association National Interstate earned $13.9 of this year. and we have no reason to expect as part of (its) efforts to provide during the first half of this year, million, or 72 cents per share di- The company’s revenue rise this pattern to continue,” Michel- value for its members by advanc- bringing NTA’s tour operator mem- luted, compared to $22.3 million, was primarily attributed to new son noted. ing the packaged travel industry,” bership to nearly 700. The gains or $1.15 per share diluted, for six programs and favorable renewal Total assets at National Inter- said NTA Chairman and CEO Bob this year outpace growth for all of months ended June 30, 2007. rates in its alternative risk-transfer state climbed above $1 billion for Hoelscher. the association’s history. The earnings decline came de- business; the addition of new cus- the first time during this year’s spite a big rise in premium income. tomers in its transportation sector, second quarter. Gross premiums written dur- and growth of new products in its National Interstate declared a Travel groups oppose ‘exit rule’ ing the second quarter of this year specialty personal lines business. 6-cents-per-share dividend, pay- totaled $101.5 million, an increase But it was the big losses result- able Sept. 12 to stockholders of WASHINGTON — A large Twenty associations, ranging from of nearly 24 percent compared to ing from crashes that took a huge record Aug. 29. group of travel and tourism trade the Student Youth Travel Associa- associations have lined up to fight tion, to the National Tour Associa- the U.S. Department of Homeland The groups are urging Con- and border control are government the proposed federal “exit rule” tion, to the American Society of Security would impose a $12.5 bil- gress to take steps to prevent the responsibilities, not private sector that would require air and cruise Travel Agents, have joined to com- lion to $14 billion cost on the trav- department from “pursuing this functions, and that managing the lines to pay for the fingerprinting bat the proposed rule. el industry and create havoc with unworkable proposal.” Exit Rule program is the govern- 75176_10.25x6.4_BMN 3/3/08 2:32 PM Page 1 of foreign visitors exiting the U.S. The groups say the proposal by processing passengers. They argue that immigration ment’s job.

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