October 1, 2016

UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION FMCSA to consider changes MOTORCOACH EXPO 2017 to controversial lease rule WASHINGTON — Officials ciation in opposing the rule. of the United Motorcoach Associ- Those efforts led FMCSA ear- ation are cautiously optimistic that lier this year to extend the compli- federal regulators are considering ance date from Jan. 1, 2017, to Jan. making changes to the controver- 1, 2018, “to provide sufficient sial Lease and Interchange Rule is- time to address the issues raised by sued more than a year ago. the petitioners.” The rule was greeted with an Most recently, FMCSA an- onslaught of criticism by the in- nounced in the Federal Register dustry, and 37 petitions were filed that it is considering four changes asking the Federal Motor Carrier to the rule based on the petitions Safety Administration to reconsid- for reconsideration and that it er the rule. would hold a public meeting to UMA initiated the calls for re- discuss the proposed revisions consideration, and an influential with industry stakeholders. congressman joined with the asso- CONTINUED ON PAGE 17 c Speed limiters would affect Registration for UMA Motorcoach Expo 2017 in St. Louis is in full swing and exhibit spaces are filling fast. This issue of Bus & Motorcoach News includes a brochure insert with all the information you need to plan your Expo experience. Photo by Dan Donovan for the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. coach operators differently WASHINGTON — A federal requirements. proposal to require speed-limiting “The purpose of this joint rule- Curbside carriers helping reshape devices on new buses probably making is to reduce the severity of will affect motorcoach operators crashes involving these heavy ve- East Coast line-service industry differently depending on where hicles and to reduce the number of they operate. resulting fatalities,” NHTSA and BOSTON — Curbside carri- Maria Wong of Lucky Star Bus at ties to the Asian bus community. The proposal by the National FMCSA said in the proposed ers, Asian-owned operators in par- the company’s newly completed “Despite resistance from lega- Highway Traffic Safety Adminis- rulemaking. ticular, have been scrutinized and 50,000-square-foot maintenance cy carriers and regulatory agencies, tration and the Federal Motor Car- They also said the requirement sometimes stigmatized as rogues complex in South Boston. their entrepreneurial spirit has rier Safety Administration, pub- would result in cost benefits of by the bus industry and regulatory While the agenda was fluid, a forced major changes in the line- lished last month in the Federal more than $1 billion annually. agencies. major goal was to convince the service segment of our industry,” But the curbside concept has curbsides to join with established he said. “They are clever enough to Register, would require speed lim- Motorcoach industry officials been successful and several East carriers by participating in indus- set their schedules and pickup loca- iters on all buses, trucks and multi- said the impact of the requirement Coast companies have made giant try trade groups such as the United tions for the convenience of cus- purpose passenger vehicles weigh- on passenger carriers would depend strides in changing both the per- Motorcoach Association. tomers rather than forcing passen- ing at least 26,000 pounds. on whether they operate in the ception and reality of their opera- Participating in the meeting gers to travel when and where it’s Maximum speeds could be set western or eastern United States. tions, as representatives of several were Joan Libby of Cavalier Coach handy for the bus company.” at 60, 65 or 68 mph — the exact On the East Coast, where traf- established Boston-area motor- Trailways, Tom McCaughey of At a time when the motor- speed has yet to be determined. fic is more congested, it is often coach companies recently learned. Flagship Trailways, David Wang of coach industry is shrinking, curb- The agencies will be accepting difficult for a bus to exceed 60 or In what might have been the first Eastern Travel Chinatown Bus, side carriers have helped keep one comments on the proposal through 65 mph. In the West, which is more gathering of its kind, owners and UMA vice president and COO Ken segment viable, LeBron added. Nov. 7 from the bus and trucking in- wide open and where speed limits management of the motorcoach Presley, and former UMA board “Their scheduled service offers dustries, highway safety advocates, can exceed 80 mph, motorcoach companies met recently with their chairman Godfrey LeBron. the same virtues as all motorcoach law enforcement officials and any drivers would be forced to stay counterparts from New ­England- “The success of the curbside transportation, such as reducing other interested parties. well below those limits. based curbside carriers for a first- concept has been a benefit to the traffic and saving fuel while cutting Manufactures would be given NHTSA said the proposal has hand look at their operations. motorcoach industry,” said LeBron, pollutants and carbon emissions. three years from publication of a been under consideration for The meeting was hosted by a compliance consultant with deep CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 c final rule to meet the proposed CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 c Go with an MCI Pre-Owned Pro

View our pre-owned inventory online at

PERMIT NO 1424 NO PERMIT mcicoach.com/preowned A New Flyer company

PHOENIX AZ PHOENIX New Jersey Texas Illinois California Florida CANADA

US POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE US Walter Sturdivant Randy Wilcox Brian Hill Bob Dethloff Marshall Deems Janet Cathey Guy Charron Guy Tessier

PRESORT STD PRESORT

Oct. 1 Oct. on or before deliver Please ostmaster: P (609) 876-3713 (609) 876-3711 (214) 725-0490 (847) 867-5191 (818) 519-7193 (678) 472-1743 (514) 240-8448 (204)771-8271

BMN Banner ad 090916.indd 1 9/8/16 1:17 PM ALL 35ft COACHES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL

VAN HOOL CX35 is so MUCH MORE

V-Series Outlook with panoramic roof shown

A STAPLE OF NORTH AMERICAN FLEETS FOR 15 YEARS, THE VAN HOOL C-MODEL CONSISTENTLY DELIVERS RELIABILITYAND VERSATILITY TO FLEETS WHILE PROVIDING THE LUXURY AND AMENITIES YOUR CUSTOMERS HAVE COME TO EXPECT. DISCOVER THIS SAME BIG COACH LUXURY ON A SMALLER SCALE IN THE VAN HOOL CX35.

877-427-7278 www. abc-companies.com Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS October 1, 2016 3 Convicted operator Berg featured on ‘American Greed’ SEATTLE — Darren Berg, a at the time by The Seattle Times dering and bankruptcy fraud in the luxury bus company he found- dustry Achievement Award in former motorcoach industry star and the Puget Sound Business connection with his bilking of ed, MTR Western, and its sister 2007, and was elected to the board who is serving 18 years in prison Journal, the show lays out Berg’s hundreds of investors out of tens companies. of the American Bus Association. for defrauding hundreds of inves- history of financial scandal, dating of millions during his seven-year Prosecutors said Berg would Additionally, Berg funneled tors out of more than $100 million, back to college fraternity days at scam. pay MTR Western costs from the millions to himself to maintain an is now a TV star of sorts. the University of Oregon. He also is alleged to have tried Meridian investment accounts, extraordinarily lavish lifestyle that Berg’s sordid saga is the sub- Berg himself is not interviewed to conceal $400,000 during his then doctor the accounting entries included luxury yachts, private ject of a new segment on CNBC’s for the segment. He is incarcerated bankruptcy proceedings in an ef- to indicate the payments went to jets, expensive cars, multiple “American Greed,” which first at a low-security federal prison in fort to retain a portion of his ill- issuing mortgage loans. homes, and remodeling his $12 aired last month and can be found Lompoc, Calif., and won’t be re- gotten gains. Upwards of $45 million to $48 million waterfront Mercer Island in reruns on the cable business leased for at least a decade. Over the years, Berg told in- million of the $350 million inves- mansion into a showpiece. channel. But his boyish charm is on dis- vestors he was using their money tors gave Berg over the years was Prosecutors said Berg’s invest- The 20-minute segment, “Se- play in a video Meridian recorded to finance real estate develop- pumped into MTR Western, which ment funds operated fraudulently attle Roasted,” looks at Berg’s free- showing him making his pitch to ments and make loans. Instead, he between 2003 and 2009 grew from as early as 2002, its financial prob- spending lifestyle, his artful chica- potential investors in March 2009. misappropriated the money to four coaches to be the industry’s lems compounded by unauthor- nery with the Meridian Mortgage Grinning, he tells them grandiose- repay earlier investors — a Ponzi 12th largest operation with a fleet ized withdrawals to fund his lavish funds, and his obsession with ly, “I’m actually having fun in this scheme — while enriching of nearly 170 coaches. lifestyle and the tens of millions building a fleet of high-class tour economy. There’s nothing funner himself. Along the way Berg became sunk into creating MTR Western, a buses using tens of millions in than being right.” He also has been accused of the initial winner of the industry’s company that was sold in bank- misappropriated money. Berg pleaded guilty in August taking money meant for real estate Green Highway Award in 2008 ruptcy court and continues to oper- Drawing heavily on reporting 2011 to wire fraud, money laun- investments and diverting it into and the BusRide Motorcoach In- ate under new ownership. Long Island luxury bus company goes out of business CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — ry Liner, 7Bus and Classic Coach. vice after Labor Day and eliminat- for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last Sandy, which battered the East Three bus lines that ferried well- Judge Alan S. Trust approved ed the jobs of 53 full-time and September. Classic Coach and Coast in 2012. to-do New Yorkers to the Hamp- GA Global Partners, based in part-time employees. 1600 Locust Avenue Associates The bus company said in its tons and Long Island residents on Woodland Hills, Calif., as the auc- “The business is over,” owner LLC, which owns the building bankruptcy petition that it lost their commutes to Manhattan have tioneer. The company guaranteed William E. Schoolman told News- where the companies operate, more than $1.5 million as a result gone out of business. a minimum of $2.35 million from day after the judge’s decision. “I filed in March. The bankruptcy of the storm, forcing it to default A federal bankruptcy judge has the auction, which is expected to lost everything and good people court combined the cases in May. on its loans. The company report- approved an auction to sell the 27 take place later this month. lost their jobs.” Hampton said its financial ed assets of $6.6 million and debts buses belonging to Hampton Luxu- The bus lines suspended ser- Hampton Luxury Liner filed troubles stemmed from Hurricane of $5.1 million.

HUNDREDS OF FLEETS NOW PURCHASING TIRES FROM MOTORCOACH TIRE SALES

We have been very pleased with the service Bill and his team provide at Motorcoach Tire Sales. With multiple locations, having IMG Partner of the Year! AFFINITY PARTNER consistent pricing and scheduled delivery times helps us keep a handle on an important line item. The tires are performing well and the service is top notch.

Jeff Greteman, President Windstar Lines, Carroll, IA

For more information contact: www.motorcoachtiresales.com or call: 678-463-4110

829078_Motorcoach.indd 1 9/9/16 12:54 PM 4 October 1, 2016 Bus & Motorcoach News

Deadline approaching for operators to file ADA reports WASHINGTON — An annual Motor Carrier Safety Administra- of the prior year through Sept. 30 forms, the records of all individual Fleet Data. All companies must fall tradition for the motorcoach tion inspectors and their state part- of the current year. The reports requests for accessible service the submit this report. industry — filing reports mandat- ners are required to conduct an and the types of companies re- company receives. Operators are It contains basic information ed by the Americans with Disabili- ADA audit whenever they conduct quired to submit them are: required to maintain these service about the company, along with the ties Act — arrives later this month. a compliance review of a bus 1. Annual Summary Report of request forms for at least five total number of buses in the com- The deadline this year is Mon- company. Individual Accessible/Equivalent years, and to provide individual pany fleet, total number of acces- day, Oct. 31. If an inspector finds a carrier Service Requests and Responses/ customers with a copy of a com- sible buses, numbers of new and ADA reporting requirements failed to comply with the ADA re- Service Provided, which must be pleted form. used buses purchased or leased are mandatory for all bus opera- porting requirements and related filed by all bus companies. 2. Fixed Route OTRB Compa- during the previous year, and num- tors, even if they don’t have acces- regulations, the violator will be re- Along with basic information ny’s Annual Lift Use Summary, bers of new and used accessible sible buses and don’t provide ac- ported to the Justice Department about the company, the report con- which must be filed by large and buses leased or purchased. cessible service. and may be subject to a fine of up tains the number of requests for small fixed-route over-the-road Detailed information about Failure to comply with the re- to $10,000. accessible and/or equivalent ser- bus companies. It contains a sum- motorcoach industry ADA report- porting requirement may result in Under ADA regulations, over- vice the company received and mary of the number of passengers ing and record-keeping require- a fine big enough to put some car- the-road bus companies must sub- number of times that a request for with disabilities who used the lift ments can be found at: https:// riers out of business. mit three types of reports annually an accessible bus was satisfied or to board accessible buses during www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/ Since the Over-the-Road Bus by the last Monday of every equivalent service was provided. the reporting period. americans-disabilities-act-report- Transportation Accessibility Act October. In essence, the report is a di- 3. Annual Report of OTRBs ing-and-other-requirements-over- of 2007 became law, Federal Each report covers from Oct. 1 gest of the year’s service request Purchased/Leased and Overall road-bus-companies. Comments sought on guidelines for drivers with diabetes WASHINGTON — The Fed- tus to operate CMVs in interstate certificate at least annually if the has maintained an exemption pro- of retinopathy/macular edema and eral Motor Carrier Safety Admin- commerce. driver’s condition is stable and gram for individuals that use insu- the degree of retinopathy and/or istration is seeking public com- Diabetes mellitus affects the well controlled. lin to treat diabetes. macular edema if present. ments through Nov. 8 on proposed body’s ability to maintain normal General regulatory require- The medical review board said The medical board also recom- medical guidelines for commer- function of insulin, which controls ments deem a person physically that not only should drivers obtain mended that examiners be allowed cial motor vehicle drivers with glycemic levels in the blood. It can qualified to drive a CMV only if recommendations from their physi- to certify drivers with the disease diabetes. be a major health challenge for that person has no established cians, they also must receive a for no longer than one year if they FMCSA’s medical review CMV drivers, the agency said. medical history or clinical diagno- complete ophthalmology or optom- have not experienced any of these board guidelines follow a May The proposed rule would en- sis of diabetes mellitus currently etry exam, including dilated retinal eight disqualifying factors: 2015 proposed rule that would able individuals with the condition requiring insulin for control. exam, at least every two years doc- • Any episode of severe hypo- allow drivers with diabetes melli- to obtain a medical examiner’s However, since 2003, FMCSA umenting the presence or absence glycemia within the previous six months • Blood sugar less than 60 mil- ligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) dem- POT SHOT onstrated in current glucose logs • Hypoglycemia appearing in TRY IT the absence of warning symptoms • An episode of severe hypo- glycemia, blood sugar less than 60 SPECIAL mg/dl, or hypoglycemic unaware- ness within the previous six months (the driver should be med- 128 ically disqualified for at least six months) PREMEASURED • Uncontrolled diabetes, as SERVICES evidenced by Hemoglobin A1c WORKS THE BEST - COSTS LESS level greater than 10 percent (a driver could be reinstated when $37.95 the level is less than or equal to 10 FORMULATED RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!! percent) WHILE OTHERS ARE CONTINUALLY CHANGING FORMULAS, SUPER DELIVERED • Stage 3 or 4 diabetic retinop- athy (a driver should be perma- STRENGTH POT SHOT’S QUALITY REMAINS UNSURPASSED. THERE’S ANYWHERE SIMPLY NO BETTER ODOR CONTROL PRODUCT FOR THE RESTROOM. nently disqualified) • Signs of target organ dam- PLEASE CALL FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION AND YOUR FREE SAMPLE. IN USA AND age (a driver should be disquali- POT SHOT IS AVAILABLE IN 2 OZ, 8 OZ, GALLONS, PAILS AND DRUMS TERRITORIES fied until the matter is resolved by treatment) (800) 879-8648 - (702) 564-6454 - www.unitchemical.com • Inadequate record of self- monitoring of blood glucose (a 29¢ driver should be disqualified for 60 Years Manufacturing Environmentally Safe Products PER SERVICE inadequate records) From 1960’s From 1970’s From1980’s From 1990’s From 2000’s From 2010’s To Today!

Turtle Top Strong.

67819 State Road 15, New Paris, IN 800-296-2105 Manufacturing since 1962! 6 October 1, 2016 THE DOCKET Bus & Motorcoach News Calif. association fends off ‘unreasonable’ safety bills SACRAMENTO — California ed out and what transformed, this to $35,000 per coach. power source. manufacturers, Pane said. motorcoach operators succeeded in is a big win for the industry,” said The bill was introduced by Sen. The bill also would have man- As sent to the governor, SB 247 removing “unreasonable” provi- Josh Pane, lobbyist for the Califor- Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens. dated modifications to new coaches will require California carriers to sions from two safety-inspired laws nia Bus Association. “Both bills “Senator Lara has taken all of purchased by California operators “provide a written or video safety passed in the final days of the became more reasonable as they our CBA-requested amendments,” after July 1, 2020 — a secondary announcement” to passengers. The state’s 2015-2016 legislative went along.” Pane wrote in an update to associ- door for use as an emergency exit, California Highway Patrol is di- session. California Gov. Jerry Brown ation members at the end of the windows that could be “easily rected to “adopt standards and cri- Senate Bill 247, a charter-bus was expected to sign the bills. legislative session. opened and remain open during an teria for the implementation” of the safety law, was stripped of several There is no known opposition to ei- As originally submitted, SB emergency” and emergency light- requirement by July 1, 2018. sections that would have required ther bill and the governor’s office 247 would have required existing ing that would automatically illumi- By July 1, 2019, California motorcoaches to be fitted or retro- was involved in the legislative motorcoaches operated by Cali- nate upon an impact. carriers must “equip each coach fitted with equipment exceeding negotiations. fornia-based carriers to be retrofit- The retrofit provisions and with interior and exterior lumines- federal standards. The California Bus Associa- ted with event data recorders, most of the new equipment provi- cent or retro-reflective emergency In its final form, the law will tion estimated the motorcoach burn-resistant interior fabrics, sions were removed on the recom- signage.” require pre-trip safety announce- modifications originally contained modified windows and emergency mendations of CBA, the American Coaches sold in California ments, luminescent emergency in SB 247 would have cost $25,000 lighting with an independent Bus Association and motorcoach after July 1, 2020, will be required signage within two years and to carry emergency lighting trig- emergency lighting in four years. gered by a collision. Another proposal, Senate Bill Operation Safe Driver Week Oct. 16-22 Lara based SB 247 on National 812, would have drastically in- GREENBELT, Md. — Law en- crashes. The Federal Motor Carrier Week, there will be increased CMV Transportation Safety Board rec- creased inspections and fees for forcement agencies throughout Safety Administration’s “Large and passenger vehicle traffic en- ommendations issued following tour-bus operators. As it passed North America will engage in Truck Crash Causation Study” forcement targeting such unsafe its study of fatal motorcoach acci- through committees it, too, was heightened traffic-safety enforce- cites driver behavior as the critical driver behaviors as speeding, fail- dents, Pane said. revised. ment and education during the reason for more than 88 percent of ure to use a seatbelt, distracted “Originally SB 247 was totally The final law will focus in- week of Oct. 16-22. large truck crashes and 93 percent driving, failure to obey traffic con- illogical and unreasonable in want- creased enforcement efforts on op- The Commercial Vehicle Safe- of passenger-vehicle crashes. trol devices, traveling too closely, ing to implement the NTSB report erators previously found unsatis- ty Alliance’s annual Operation Safe CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver and improper lane change. without any science behind it. As factory. A new inspection fee Driver Week will focus on combat- program was created to help reduce To find out about Operation we know, the NTSB makes recom- structure was stripped from the ing unsafe driving behaviors by the number of crashes, deaths and Safe Driver Week enforcement mendations to the National High- bill to allow more time for study commercial motor vehicle and pas- injuries involving large trucks, events, visit http://cvsa.org/ way Safety Administration, which and possible action in the next leg- senger-vehicle (car) drivers. buses and cars due to unsafe driv- contactpage/contacts/ then scientifically studies them for islative session. Unsafe driver behaviors con- ing behaviors. law-enforcement-lead-agency-con- months and years to understand “Considering where they start- tinue to be the leading cause of During Operation Safe Driver tacts. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 c Replace Your Lights with these NEW LEDs! 7L-7-156LED Reduce Labor Costs as Compared to Incandescent Light Assemblies Direct Replacement Multi-function Light Assembly Use as Brake and Tail Light) Excessively Brighter than Incandescent Bulb Only $54.00 Each

“A good product, a good price.”

Contact Your Local Representative for Pricing and Availability. NATIONAL Mark Roberts 574-849-0080 [email protected] NORTHEAST Mike Hemby 352-430-7977 [email protected] WEST COAST Richard Olsonawski 253-219-0749 [email protected] All Orders Placed Over $100 Will be Shipped FREE of Charge Regular Ground Freight MID ATANTIC Howard Nichols 407-808-3322 [email protected] Prices Subject to Change OPERATIONS Charlie McCarron 407-403-2494 [email protected] CALL TOLL FREE 877-500-6999 8/2016

8 October 1, 2016 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News Curbside Edward’s wife, Maria Wong. Following a highly visible inci- carriers. the Chinatown carriers, in particu- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The initial response of the es- dent, regulators clamped down The curbsides pay cities as lar, seem good at it. tablished carriers to the curbside and, after a lengthy battle, forced much as $50,000 annually for a After weathering political and They save lives by keeping people movement was negative and fierce, Fung Wah out of business. bus stop on a downtown street. The regulatory storms, Lucky Star Bus out of cars, and we need to bring particularly in the profitable What seems to have been lost only cost to the municipality is a has a fleet of 21 modern coaches their energy and creativity into our Northeast corridor. in the news coverage of the com- street sign. A curbside carrier’s in- and operates 17 round trips daily be- mainstream,” he said. Two of the largest established pany’s demise was the fact that it frastructure is simply more flexi- tween New York City and Boston. LeBron also pointed out that a carriers, Peter Pan and Greyhound, had been audited and given a satis- ble and can be changed quickly to The company has invested number of the Asian companies had engaged in a fare war that factory rating just prior to the meet customer needs. heavily in infrastructure and tech- had engaged him and other consul- ended in 1994. At one point Bos- event that ultimately ended in the An unspoken fear of the estab- nology. Maintenance supervisor tants for extensive driver and man- ton-to-New York City fares dropped regulatory “death penalty.” lished bus lines is that politicians Steve Desmarais, a master motor- agement training, a sign of their as low as $5 as the two giants will notice the curbsides churning coach technician, is well known commitment to safety. slugged it out in a battle that ended Loyal customers up and down the highways, mak- and highly respected in the bus Industry observers say the ad- with them operating joint service. The public response to Fung ing money, creating jobs, paying maintenance community. He has vent and ultimate success of curb- Ticket prices rapidly rose to Wah being forced out should be a taxes and getting people out of two full-time technicians, both side carriers may be the biggest pre-fare-war levels. wake-up call for the industry. De- cars, all without taking any money with brake and coach inspection change to the motorcoach industry The companies and their spite bad press and dreadful jokes, from the government. certification. since deregulation in the early unionized workers didn’t want a its loyal customers were outraged. The revenue structure of most The company also has an of- 1980s, injecting entrepreneurship repeat of that battle and undertook Many believed it was a scheme by large scheduled carriers includes fice person who handles book- into traditional scheduled service a number of efforts to hobble the the authorities and established car- lots of subsidized routes. In most keeping, parts management and and pushing the industry in the upstart curbside carriers. riers to eliminate competition, a cases they are less concerned computer diagnostics and a staff of right direction. Many industry observers con- toxic combination of “crony capi- about losing passengers to com- cleaners and helpers. tend that legacy carriers put pres- talism” and “regulatory capture.” petitors than of taxpayers realizing Transporting workers sure on regulatory agencies to For months the Internet was that government is paying for Influencing the industry The concept of curbside pick- place extra scrutiny on the curb- ablaze with unhappy comments something it can get for free. David Wang, owner of Eastern up began gaining steam in 2000 side carriers. In several areas, po- from loyal Fung Wah customers To be fair, like the airlines Travel Chinatown Bus, has made when a number of Chinese restau- litical influence was brought to who missed the convenience and shortly after deregulation, these similar investments in his opera- rants were using vans to transport bear to drive the curbsides out of value they felt was ripped from companies are saddled with ex- tion, which offers scheduled ser- workers from distant cities. De- prime loading zones. them. As media reports pointed penses and route structures based vice between New York, Balti- mand grew to the point where they In Boston, they were forced out, it wasn’t just Fung Wah, but on their traditional business model, more, Washington, D.C., and graduated to motorcoaches, at first into South Station, which took several other Chinese operators one that curbsides are making ob- Richmond, Va. Wang is a member chartering buses but eventually away one of their competitive ad- that were singled out for compli- solete. Like the airlines, they are of UMA and several other profes- starting their own companies. vantages because while travelers ance colonoscopies. going to have to figure it out. sional associations. Soon after, they were “discov- might like buses, they don’t like One unforeseen consequence A number of legacy companies The two companies, along with a ered” by college students and other traditional bus stations. of hammering the curbsides is the established their own curbside op- number of other Asian carriers, seem travelers who wanted to save regulatory storm that has affected, erations. Ironically, many of them to be taking the steps necessary to money and travel direct. Level playing field to some extent, the rest of the in- use “yield-management” software succeed long term in the motorcoach Around that time, Albert Leung, The legacy carriers contended, dustry. The insistence on a level that prices tickets according to de- industry, and they will inevitably in- a successful Boston restaurateur, with some legitimacy, that there playing field ended up causing mand, with some dropping as low fluence the direction it takes. noticed a lot of people milling should be a level playing field with pain for everyone, yet may not as $1. A few even franchised their “Curbside carriers are great for around outside one of his business- everyone abiding by the same have impacted safety in any mean- systems. After making an issue of tourism as travelers can jump on a es waiting for a bus. Many of them rules. Some early curbsides clearly ingful way. curbside carrier price-cutting, bus and be in popular destinations came inside to use his restrooms. cut corners on maintenance, driver An industry executive obtained they’ve retaken the lead in that area. such as Washington, D.C., New A typical response to the in- training and discipline. the Federal Motor Carrier Safety York City and Boston in less time convenience would have been to In one anecdotal, but believ- Administration’s scores of several Copycat service than it takes to navigate the air- find a way to move the people off able, story, a now-defunct carrier curbsides and matched them with In another irony, several major ports, and at a fraction of the his sidewalk and to block them would line up folding chairs in the major legacy carriers. If you hide operators either purchased China- price,” UMA’s Presley said. from using the restrooms. Instead, aisles of buses when all the seats the name, they appeared to be town carriers or set up their own “UMA wants to encourage Leung saw all the people as poten- were filled. roughly the same, with no advan- clones based in Chinese neighbor- safe operation and expansion of all tial customers and started what be- Fung Wah buses entered Bos- tage to the old timers. hoods. In virtually every case bus services. More carriers ulti- came Lucky Star Bus, running ex- ton on several occasions trailing Under the “level playing field” those efforts failed, in large part mately bring more passengers and press service between Boston and smoke and became a punch line in pushed by the major companies, because the curbsides have devel- groups to the equation. Competing New York City. jokes. Public perception, influ- legacy carriers pay to use bus sta- oped a real bond with their cus- for those passengers improves The company is now operated enced by an amused media, lumped tions in urban centers. In small tomers. Business is ultimately safety and results in an expanded by Leung’s brother, Edward, and all Chinatown curbsides together. towns they become…curbside about fostering relationships, and array of services.”

ISSUE NO. 316 Jeff Polzien How to contact us Red Carpet Charters Oklahoma City To submit or report news, Letters to To advertise: Interested in placing an ad, Tom Ready the Editor, articles, news releases or and new to Bus & Motorcoach News? Ready Bus Lines LaCrescent, Minn. to report corrections: Call: Jamie Williams at (352) 333-3393 A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] Ray Sargoni Gray Lines of San Francisco [email protected] Staff Advisory Board San Francisco Mail: 2250 W. Roper Lane Existing advertisers, or to submit William Allen Larry Hundt Brian Scott Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Editor & Publisher: Victor Parra Amador Trailways Great Canadian Trailways Escot Bus Lines advertising materials: Sacramento, Calif. Kitchner, Ontario Call: (602) 284-6049 Senior Editor: Hal Mattern Largo, Fla. Call: Johnny Steger at (866) 930-8426 Brian Annett Dale Krapf Tim Stout Annett Bus Lines Krapf Coaches To subscribe or inquire about your E-mail: Sales Director: Johnny Steger Stout’s Transportation Sebring, Fla. West Chester, Pa. Ewing, N.J. subscription: [email protected] Industry Editor: Ken Presley Mail: 2200 N. Yarbrough, Suite B James Brown Sr. Joan Libby Dennis Strief E-mail: Magic Carpet Tours Cavalier Coach Trailways Vandalia Bus Lines Box No. 336, El Paso, TX 79925 Associate Editor: Ellen Balm Richmond, Va. Boston, Mass. [email protected] Caseyville, Ill. Fax: (405) 942-6201 Art Director: Mary E. McCarty Dave Dickson Marcia Milton Alan Thrasher To contact the Elite Coach First Priority Trailways Thrasher Brothers Trailways Mail: 3108 NW 54th Street United Motorcoach Association: Editorial Assistant: Ephrata, Pa. District Heights, Md. Birmingham, Ala. Oklahoma City, OK 73112 Luke Timothy Vander Eems Call: (800) 424-8262 Gladys Gillis David Moody Tim Wayland Call: (866) 930-8421 Starline Luxury Coaches Holiday Tours Online: www.uma.org ABC Companies Editorial Assistant: Seattle Randleman, N.C. Faribault, Minn. Meghan O’Brien Bob Greene Michael Neustadt T. Ralph Young ©2016 by the United Motorcoach Association. Reproduction in whole or in part without Accountant: Ted Williford Amaya-Astron Seating Coach Tours Young Transportation written permission is prohibited. Omaha, Neb. Brookfield, Conn. Asheville, N.C. 9Bus &October Motorcoach 1, 2016 News OPINION BusOctober & Motorcoach 1, 2016 News 9 Musings on Mickey Rooney, bad wigs and low overpasses By Dave Millhouser This accident was around 2001 only are low clearances generally they need to be correctly main- Years ago I and that overhead is still there. In marked, but if we pay attention tained and zipped up. got a call from The crash was horrendous, and writing this, it seemed wise to look they look low. Air suspensions depend on one of my most the only thing that makes it PG- up Logan’s height clearances on Is the posted height for the “leveling valves” to determine sophisticated rated is the fact that the coach was the Internet. Google and I searched center of the road or the height, and sometimes they get customers asking empty. for several minutes, but the only shoulders? confused or are incorrectly me the height of A New Jersey operator was reference I could find was on a site Some drivers trust GPS routing installed. the new model asked to pick up an inbound group run by drivers of entertainer’s crew designed for trucks. Remember, Bear in mind that no two buses, buses he had on at Boston’s Logan International buses. It shouldn’t be that no matter how long you’ve been on regardless of model and fleet, are order. When told Airport. The driver headed toward difficult. the road, that seductive electronic exactly the same height. that they were Dave Millhouser Terminal B and was doing pretty In ye olden days a key param- voice is NOT your friend. Clear- On some coaches, the highest 11-feet, 10-inch- well until he nailed an 11-foot- eter of bus design was keeping ances change, particularly during points on the roof are the roof es tall, he said they had to be 11- high overhead concrete structure overall height under 12 feet. It was the summer construction season hatches. When those jewels are feet, 8-inches tall. so hard that the top of the bus was a magic number because there when temporary bridges often fail popped open for ventilation, they It turned out that he’d be able to pushed back five feet. were still lots of 12-foot garage to notify the GPS gods. Some- add several inches to overall get them into one of his busiest The ceiling of the restroom doors scattered around the coun- times road signs lie. height, kinda like a bad wig. terminals, but the exit was 11-feet, dangled over the rear bumper and try. Modern doors are at least 14- Again, the occasional glance When a peek out the wind- 9-inches tall. Unless we wanted the front end looked like an old feet high to accommodate the 13- out the windshield can help. shield suggests clearance will be a them trapped there forever, like di- Scenicruiser. foot, 6-inch vehicles now allowed It’s good to know how tall the near thing, stopping and conduct- nosaurs in a tar pit, we needed to In this particular model of on interstate highways. vehicle you’re driving is. Lots of ing a scouting trip might be in lower them by two inches. coach, the driver’s seat was two A few 12-foot doors are a bit modern coaches exceed 12 feet order. If it’s still uncertain, a really A couple of frantic calls to en- steps below the passenger plat- like Mickey Rooney — short but and a few are over 13 feet. Most clever driver can con a friend into gineering and the problem was form, which may have saved his around for a very long time. manufacturers post that informa- pooching their head through the solved. On this model of bus, life. Sometimes slightly taller doors tion on the dash, but there are a emergency hatch for a close-up, dropping the leveling valves two To his credit, the driver was are sneaky. Layers of either addi- few considerations. real-time look. inches actually improved han- completely honest with investiga- tional paving or snow can create a I don’t speak metric, but our You want to be careful with dling. The only downside (pun in- tors, admitting that he hadn’t problem. Entering too fast may Canadian and Mexican neighbors that one. Go real slow because tended) was a reduced “angle of slowed or even applied the brakes. produce a bounce if the surface is do, so if you’re visiting either one, whacking your pals will make departure.” He’d never been to Logan before uneven. The faster you go, the a little calculation in advance them reluctant (or unable) to help No sweat in his particular but assumed that no one would be higher the bounce. You get the might be helpful. in the future. service. goofy enough to design an airport idea. The bus builder may not be Before ordering equipment, it’s Dave Millhouser is a bus indus- with clearances too low for mod- Which brings up a point. When aware of the TV antenna added worthwhile to consider your infra- try marketing consultant and free- ern motorcoaches. we’re driving, we need to look out after delivery. Rooftop HVAC’s are structure, and where your coaches lance writer. Contact him by email Welcome to Massachusetts. the windshield occasionally. Not common today, and vulnerable, so travel, for possible conflicts. at [email protected]. 10 October 1, 2016 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News Funding dispute in New Jersey could force MCI layoffs WINNIPEG, Manitoba — A awarded a contract by New Jersey the fund is the New Jersey Transit work that is funded by the TTFA.” ests of our key stakeholders: em- highway and public-transit fund- Transit that included options for contract for MCI coaches. Howev- That was quickly followed by ployees, customers, shareholders ing stalemate in New Jersey could more than 1,200 commuter coach- er, hundreds of other projects to an order from Dennis J. Martin, and supplier partners,” Soubry said. force Motor Coach Industries to es over six years. replace bridges, resurface roads executive director of New Jersey He added that if the New Jer- lay off employees, company offi- After delivering three pilot and renovate transit stations across Transit, that all contract work fi- sey Transit contract isn’t restarted cials say. coaches, which successfully passed New Jersey also were impacted by nanced by the fund begin an order- in 2016, an estimated 137 coaches Winnipeg-based bus manufac- an in-service testing and evaluation the funding dispute. ly shutdown, including work by in the company’s 2016 annual op- turer New Flyer Industries, MCI’s phase, MCI said it received a “no- New Jersey legislators and Gov. MCI on the commuter coaches. erating plan would not being deliv- parent company, said it has warned tice to proceed” in May for the first Chris Christie reached an impasse As of July, MCI had delivered ered. However, through production workers in Manitoba and North year production of 184 commuter in early July over a plan to raise fuel at least five commuter coaches to schedule adjustments and line rate Dakota that layoffs could begin in coaches, of which 142 were to be and sales taxes to provide the fund New Jersey Transit, with an addi- enhancements, which could be im- November if a dispute over transit delivered by year end. with additional revenue. tional 76 in various stages of pro- plemented in the second half of funding isn’t resolved. Then, in July, New Jersey Tran- That prompted Christie to duction or completed and in tran- 2016 at both New Flyer for transit As of press time, New Jersey sit informed MCI that the New Jer- issue an executive order declaring sit, Soubry said. buses and at MCI for non-N.J. officials were negotiating a plan sey Transportation Trust Fund was a state of emergency and directing He said MCI was planning to Transit J model motorcoaches, the for replenishing the state’s Trans- about to run out of money. The fund the commissioner of the state De- focus on the completion of non- company still expects to be able to portation Trust Fund with addi- foots the bill for New Jersey Transit partment of Transportation and the New Jersey Transit customer achieve its 2016 annual delivery tional revenue in hopes of resolv- and New Jersey Department of executive director of New Jersey coaches currently in process. “This guidance of 3,450 units. ing the issue by the end of Transportation capital projects. Transit “to plan an immediate and action is a prudent approach and a “With certain milestone pay- September. By far, the largest line item in orderly shutdown of all ongoing commitment to balancing the inter- ments received prior to the con- “With no indication of when the tract suspension, the ongoing TTFA funding issue will be re- delay in restarting the contract is solved and with contingency plans Navistar and Volkswagen form alliance expected to result in approximate- being developed by MCI that in- LISLE, Ill. — Navistar Inter- The companies in a Webcast benefits and is consistent with our ly $30 million to $35 million of clude possible future layoffs, the national Corporation and Volk- said that Navistar will gain a sig- open-integration strategy,” Troy incremental working capital de- company is required by law to pro- swagen Truck & Bus announced a nificant cash infusion, while Volk- Clarke, president and CEO of ployed for the N.J. Transit coaches vide advance notice to the govern- strategic alliance that includes a swagen gains presence in the U.S. Navistar, said in a news release. not yet delivered,” Soubry said. ments of the Province of Manitoba $256 million investment by the truck market for the first time. Navistar produces Internation- “Notwithstanding, management is and the State of North Dakota, German vehicle maker in Navistar “We are very pleased to part- al brand commercial and military confident in the company’s liquid- among others,” company CEO Paul as well as planned joint develop- ner with a global leader who trucks, proprietary diesel engines, ity and does not expect any disrup- Soubry said in a news release. ment of powertrain, procurement shares our view of the world in an and IC Bus brand school and com- tion to quarterly dividend In November 2015, MCI was and other collaborative efforts. alliance that will deliver multiple mercial buses. payments.”

LCD MONITORS | AUDIO • VIDEO SOLUTIONS | RADIO • PA SYSTEMS | OBSERVATION SYSTEMS | LCD MONITORS

CVRPS14 REAR SENSOR SYSTEM

It makes perfect sense. Our Voyager ® Rear Sensor System will broaden your senses with a wide-angle view, real-time warning zones and audible beeps from four sensors located along the back of your vehicle. Being able to see and hear when an object is in range will give you complete confidence when backing up. Note: Rear sensor system only compatible with JENSEN multi-media stereos with camera input (shown) or Voyager observation monitors.

www.BusElectronics.com SAME-DAY SHIPPING | IN-HOUSE TECH SUPPORT | COMPETITIVE PRICING 877.378.2267 • [email protected]

CVRPS14 w JRV900 qrtr-pg ad-BMN '16.indd 1 9/6/2016 2:39:47 PM Shore Funding Ad-CX xxxxx:Layout 1 11/30/15 4:00 PM Page 1 Financing & Leasing Since 1978 Not Just a Resource ... But Resourceful

Coach Financing and Leasing Specialists 12 October 1, 2016 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News ‘Robovans’ the future of package delivery? UMA safety seminar STUTTGART, Germany — Someday, hu- set for December 7-8 mans might be driven everywhere by driverless ASHBURN, Va. — The United cars guided by robot-like systems. Motorcoach Association’s 13th an- But for now, humans are still needed to nual Safety Management Seminar drive robots around will be held Dec. 7-8 at the Na- London-based Starship Technologies, tional Transportation Safety Board which makes squat six-wheeled robots that de- Training Center here. liver packages to businesses and homes, said it The program will be from 8 is working with Mercedes-Benz in Germany to a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. develop a Sprinter van to transport the robots 7, and from 8 a.m. to noon Thurs- and release them onto sidewalks to make day, Dec 8. deliveries. A hotel will be available for at- The “Robovans” will act as mother ships tendees near the seminar site and that drive through neighborhoods, stopping in Washington Dulles International Airport. A shuttle bus will be avail- designated locations, based on delivery density able between the hotel and the sem- and demand, to drop off and pick up robots to inar site. Starship Technologies, which makes squat six-wheeled robots that deliver packages to businesses complete customer deliveries. The seminar features how-to The vans will be driven by humans, at least and homes, is working with Mercedes-Benz to develop “Robovans” to transport the robots and release them onto sidewalks to make deliveries. applications of risk management to for now. educate participants on eliminating The system is designed to solve the “last- convenient local delivery method in the world.” ing to a delivery area, and then spending an en- as much risk from motorcoach and mile” problem in package delivery — the prob- Instead of completing door-to-door deliv- tire day on door-to-door deliveries,” said Allan bus operations as possible. lem being that delivery to individual homes and ery, the vans will drive to pre-arranged loca- Martinson, Starship’s chief operating officer. The seminar is limited to the businesses is expensive. Robots theoretically tions to load and unload goods and then dis- “By leaving the door-to-door part to deliv- first 130 registrants. will be more efficient and dependable than patch the robots in the final step for on-demand ery robots the van drivers’ productivity will sig- The day-and-a-half program human workers. delivery. Upon making the customer delivery, nificantly rise while reducing congestion on the includes updates from representa- “Starship Technologies has solved the last- the robots will autonomously find their way streets and CO2 emissions.” tives of agencies such as the Fed- mile problem by introducing sidewalk delivery back to the van for re-loading. Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes- eral Motor Carrier Safety Admin- robots,” said Ahti Heinla, CEO of Starship The robots will be loaded with their goods Benz Vans, said the company sees “a huge po- istration, the Transportation Technologies. “However, vans are best suited to in the Robovan using a racking system that en- tential for robotic delivery systems in the future Security Administration, the Na- bring goods to the local area from businesses ables 400 packages to be delivered every nine- and by combining our vans and the robots — tional Highway Traffic Safety Ad- ministration and the National and distribution centers. When the two trans- hour shift, compared with 180 packages using we call it the mother ship concept. With this we Transportation Safety Board. portation methods converge into one, the out- previously available methods. are able to increase the efficiency of delivery Information and registration de- “A typical van delivery today involves driv- by an order of magnitude.” come is the most efficient, cost-effective and tails can be found at www.uma.org.

15 Available THE SOLUTION IS OUR DISTRIBUTION “Exceptional Value on Executive COBURG, OR Class Vehicles” 2004-2011 Setra S417 ELKHART, IN 56 Passenger, Leatherette Seats, DVD, Low Miles- Detroit/Allison

5 2 Available Available PHOENIX, AZ LAKELAND, FL

You need glass and you need it fast. We get it. 2012-2013 Setra S407 2013 Volvo 9700 We have you covered with the industryʼs largest 56 Passenger, Leatherette Seats, 54 Passenger, ADA Equipped inventory of Motorcoach, Transit, School Bus, DVD, Low Miles- Detroit/Allison Volvo D13 – Low Miles Fire and RV Windshields and Side Glass — right where you need it, when you need it. • 24 Hour Shipping • Unbeatable pricing • Really, Really Great Customer Service

Call us Today for a Quote Pier 50 San Francisco, CA 94158 Financing Available: OAC 415-595-8164 * [email protected] 415-274-2995 800-714-7171 www.BauersCertifi edPre-Owned.com Certifi ed Pre-Owned Selection www.coachglass.com The Industry Leader in Specialty Vehicle Glass

CG_Bus & Motorcoach News Ad_FINAL.indd 1 5/4/16 8:33 AM 794366_Bauers.indd 1 2/12/16 5:18 AM GREAT BRANDS THINK ALIKE.

When it comes to power, maneuverability, comfort and reliability, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation sets the standard. Backed by the legendary engineering strength of the Daimler Family, FCCC is the only manufacturer to offer 24/7 Direct support and the largest nationwide service network. Visit www.freightlinercustomchassis.com to learn more about the chassis that will back your fl eet for life.

Specifi cations are subject to change without notice. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is registered to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004. Copyright © 2015 Daimler Trucks North America LLC. All rights reserved. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company. 14 October 1, 2016 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News Speed limits no more than 68 mph. said. would save 63 to 214 lives mph; 70 to 236 serious injuries CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The agencies said they consid- They also considered the ben- annually. and 1,299 to 4,535 minor injuries ered several factors in determining efits and costs of 60 mph, 65 mph, • Limiting the speed to 68 mph with a maximum set speed of 65 ­several years. In 2006, the agency the 26,000-pound weight thresh- and 68 mph maximum set speeds would save 27 to 96 lives annually. mph; and 30 to 106 serious inju- received petitions from the Ameri- old for the proposed rule. and found that: “Based on range of fatalities ries and 560 to 1,987 minor inju- can Trucking Associations and “These vehicles carry the heavi- • Limiting the speed of heavy prevented, this rulemaking would ries with a maximum set speed of Road Safe America asking that ve- est loads, and small increases in vehicles to 60 mph would save 162 prevent 179 to 551 serious injuries 68 mph,” the agencies said. hicle manufacturers be required to their speed have larger effects on to 498 lives annually. and 3,356 to 10,306 minor injuries “Additionally, we project that limit the speed of large trucks to the force of impact in a crash,” they • Limiting the speed to 65 mph with a maximum set speed of 60 this joint rulemaking would result in fuel savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions totaling $848 million annually, assuming a 7 percent discount for fuel and a 3 percent discount rate for GHG, for 60 mph and 65 mph speed limiter settings. For 68 mph speed limit- ers, we would expect fuel savings and GHG emissions reductions to result in benefits of $376 million annually.”

Tampering or adjusting In an effort to reduce the costs to manufacturers, the agencies are not proposing requirements to pre- vent tampering or to restrict ad- justing the speed setting. However, to assist enforcement officials with post-installation inspections and investigations to ensure com- pliance, NHTSA is proposing to require that the vehicle set speed and the speed determination pa- rameters be readable through the onboard diagnostic connection. The agencies said they expected the costs to be minimal, noting that most vehicles to which the pro- posed rule would apply are already equipped with electronic engine controls that include the capability to limit the speed of the vehicle, but they may not have these controls turned on automatically. “In addition to the costs to ve- hicle manufacturers, we have eval- uated the societal cost implications of these proposed rules. We esti- mate that the proposed rules would cost $1.561 billion for 60 mph speed limiters, $523 million for 65 mph speed limiters, and $209 mil- lion for 68 mph speed limiters an- nually, assuming a 7 percent dis- count rate, as a result of the potentially lower travel speeds and delay in the delivery of goods. “However, the estimated fuel savings benefits of this proposed rule exceed these estimated soci- etal costs. “The agencies estimate that this rule would be cost-beneficial. Even assuming that the proposed rule would result in the high cost estimate and the low benefit esti- mate, the net benefits of this rule- making are estimated to be $1.1 billion to $5 billion annually for 60 mph speed limiters, $1 billion to $2.8 billion annually for 65 mph speed limiters, and $0.5 billion to $1.3 billion annually for 68 mph speed limiters, assuming a 7 per- cent discount rate.” Bus & Motorcoach News CANADA NEWS October 1, 2016 15 Dear Americans: Leave your guns at home. Thanks, Canada OTTAWA, Ontario – Ameri- and have your firearm appropri- have to pay a penalty to get it back. and enforcement of firearms laws which is the site of an international cans are more than welcome to ately stored.” “We welcome our U.S. neigh- at the border “is an enforcement airport — in the final six months visit Canada, as long as they leave Failure to declare any firearm bors in Canada (and) to make your priority for Canada.” of 2015. their guns at home. may lead to the seizure of the journey more pleasant, travel light Earlier this year, the agency re- The 59 firearms seized at the That’s the message the Canada weapon, a penalty or prosecution and always remember to declare ported seizing 163 firearms during Ambassador Bridge, which con- Border Services Agency is sending in a court of law and may make the all goods with you,” the news re- 115 incidents from travelers cross- nects Windsor with Detroit, is al- through a new firearms awareness person inadmissible to Canada. lease said. ing the border into Canada through most double the next highest cross- campaign, reminding U.S. travel- A U.S. citizen’s vehicle may The border agency said fire- just Windsor, Sarnia, Fort Erie, Ni- ing. That’s at Fort Erie, Ont., where ers visiting Canada that their also be seized and the owner will arms are high-risk commodities agara Falls and London, Ont. — 31 firearms were seized. northern neighbor’s firearms laws are strict. Canadian laws are different than U.S. laws, the agency reiter- ated in a news release. The agency said most firearms seized at land border crossings are from U.S. travelers seeking entry “Our loss recovery on small damage claims into Canada. As such, it is suggesting Amer- has gone from nothing to hundreds of icans check the laws before arriv- ing at a Canadian port of entry. “It is strongly recommended thousands of dollars, thanks to Lancer.” that you not carry your firearm when traveling to Canada and/or transiting through Canada to reach another U.S. destination,” the news “It’s costly to take equipment out release said. of service, especially for a small “However, should you choose to travel with your firearms, you claim. With Lancer, we don’t have must declare all firearms in your to. We just send a photo of the possession at the first Canadian damage and a parts price list to designated port of entry. You must also have all the necessary permits Lancer and in 10 minutes, we get enough information to put together Niagara Falls a reasonable estimate of our losses. It’s almost like having our own ‘8th Wonder’? appraiser. And these claims are well NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario under our deductible, so Lancer is — Nearly 80 percent of Canadians want to see Niagara Falls declared providing loss recovery solely as a the eighth Wonder of the World. customer service. It’s a real change A recent poll by Ipsos Reid in the way an insurance company found that 78 percent of Canadians like the idea, which is being works, and it’s great!” pushed by Niagara Tourism offi- cials, and 75 percent already view If you want the financial rewards Niagara Falls as a world wonder. of proactive loss recovery by a Canadians are justifiably proud passenger transportation specialist, of one of the most wondrous wa- ask your agent for a Lancer quote or terfalls on the planet, which car- Dave Manko ries billions of gallons of water a Chief Financial O cer call Lancer directly and get assigned year over the edge of the Niagara Hampton Jitney to an agent. escarpment and down towards Southampton, NY Lancer customer since 1992 Lake Ontario. To learn more, call Niagara Falls sends 6 million cubic feet of water over the falls 800-782-8902, x3264 or email every minute at peak times. [email protected]. “As the conversation goes, people are familiar with the ‘7 Wonders of the World.’ Be it mod- ern, natural or manmade, there are recognized icons of nature and culture that are associated with this list,” said Jody Larose, execu- tive director of the Tourism Part- nership of Niagara. 370 W. Park Avenue, P.O. Box 9004, Long Beach, NY 11561 | www.lancerinsurance.com She said with support from local government officials, busi- nesses and residents, the campaign aims to prove why Niagara Falls should stake the claim as the eighth world wonder. 16 October 1, 2016 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News Bailey Coach of Pennsylvania joins Trailways system FAIRFAX, Va. -- Bailey Coach dent of Bailey Trailways and vice Glenn, co-founded the travel agen- Chicago World’s Fair. “I’m very pleased to be part of of York, Pa., has joined Trailways president of Travel Time. He co- cy as Bailey Travel Service in “My father taught me that you the Trailways family because of Transportation System, Inc. founded the charter coach compa- 1949. Glenn Bailey became at- can buy a product anywhere, but the strength of the Trailways net- Bailey Trailways transports ny in 1998 with Rodney Sechrist, tracted to the travel industry while the service you get with that prod- work. Our Trailways partners can 90,000 people annually through- Bailey Trailways vice president. organizing a train trip for school- uct makes all the difference,” John help us and we can help them with out the U.S. and Canada with its Bailey’s father, Fred, and uncle, children from York to the 1933 Bailey said. equipment issues, maintenance 26-vehicle fleet, which includes and service for their vehicles.” 55-, 47- and 26-passenger motor- Calif. bills hibited unsatisfactory tendencies. accidents, including the 2014 coaches, deluxe sedans, vans and a CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 As passed, SB 812 will require cross-over crash of a double-trail- sport utility vehicle. a bus that has received an unsatis- er truck into a motorcoach carry- Calendar The only transportation com- the effects on the traveling public factory compliance rating to be re- ing 45 passengers. October 2016 pany in York County certified by before they implement any of inspected in 30 to 90 days and di- The Federal Express truck- the U.S. Department of Defense to them. After our conversations, the rects inspectors to place a tour bus tractor combination crossed a 10-13 Northwest Motorcoach transport members of the U.S. mil- senator recognized the need for out of service upon determining 58-foot-wide median on Interstate Association Annual Bus itary, the company also focuses on scientific analysis by a federal that “it has multiple safety viola- 5 near Orland in northern Califor- ROADEO and Conference, Red travel for college sports teams and agency before these things should tions of a nature that the tour bus nia. The truck sideswiped a pas- Lion Hotel, Olympia, Wash. Info: K-12 schools. be implemented.” could constitute an imminent dan- senger car then struck a Silverado www.nwmotorcoach.com. It also offers shuttle service to California operators also con- ger to public safety.” The bus Stages motorcoach head-on. The would require a re-inspection be- collision ruptured a fuel tank on 16-18 California Bus Associa- area hotels and convention sites; vinced legislators to modify provi- tion 43rd Annual Convention sions of SB 812 that they consid- fore returning to service. the truck and sprayed fuel into the day trips to local attractions; and & Trade Show, Westin Mission door-to-door service to airports, ered onerous. This bill was filed A new menu of inspection motorcoach. Both vehicles were Hills Resort Golf & Spa, Rancho train stations and cruise terminals by Sen. Jerry Hill, a Democrat fees, part of the proposed bill, was engulfed in a fireball. The drivers Mirage, Calif. www.cbabus.com. in the Washington, D.C., to New representing San Mateo and Santa put on hold until the next legisla- and eight motorcoach passengers York City region. Clara counties, to increase inspec- tive session. were killed. 23-25 Bus Association of New Bailey Trailways is a sister tion frequencies on tour buses in “It was agreed that we could “This accident was caused by York Annual Meeting and company of Travel Time Travel the wake of recent accidents in continue to study the fees,” Pane the truck and not the bus,” Pane Marketplace, Otesaga Resort, Agency, which is ranked in the top San Francisco. said. “The current fee of $15 was said. “We were able to talk things Cooperstown, N.Y. More informa- 10 percent of U.S. travel agencies It also would have ordered a put in place in 1986. The industry through and make sure people un- tion: www.banybus.org. by sales volume. Travel Time is one motorcoach out of commission if understands that is not reasonable derstood that motorcoach travel is of the East Coast’s largest travel any item on it had been subject to and we want to figure out a fair one of the safest means of trans- 26-27 Greater New Jersey management, group and vacation a recall. position on that.” portation in the country. Where we Motorcoach Association Fall travel planning agencies and serves Operators encouraged legisla- The heightened focus on bus can improve safety the industry Meeting & Marketplace, primarily business clientele. tors to aim an increased inspection and motorcoach safety in Califor- wants to do as much as it can, and Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City, N.J. John W. Bailey serves as presi- regiment at carriers that have ex- nia was prompted by several fatal always has.” Info: www.gnjma.com.

ur Yo th ck g Pi en tr THE MOST POTENT PACKET AVAILABLE S ULTRA CALL NOW! 1-800-974-7383 PowrPaks• Rapid Effervescent Ext. 114 Dispersion • The Most Active Odor Control Formula Available Pick a • Amazing Fragrance performance level • Blue Non-Staining Color that meets your needs. • Non Formaldehyde ULTRA-LITE ULTRA-CLASSIC ULTRA 2X ULTRA 4X ULTRA 6X ULTRA BIO

800-974-7383 111-118 Industrial Dr. 817-478-3221 Kennedale, TX 76060 817-561-1293 (fax) cpacex.com Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS October 1, 2016 17 Lease rule adding language to the fiscal 2017 bill, asking them to add the UMA- mately responsible for compliance pens frequently. If two carriers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 transportation-funding bill that supported language to the bill. under its USDOT number. who both hold operating authority would block enforcement of the “This ill-advised rule creates The new rule would require the from the USDOT choose to assist Ken Presley, UMA’s vice presi- rule by withholding funds from an undue burden on the motor- contracting carrier to assume full each other in times of capacity or dent of industry relations and FMCSA coach industry and its passengers,” responsibility for the compliance emergency, no formal lease should Perry also wrote to the chair- Perry wrote. and violations of federal regula- be required, nor assumption of re- COO, said that while the an- B:9.5” man and ranking member of the He noted that motorcoach op- tions of another carrier, Perry sponsibility for another carrier’s nouncement is encouraging, it is T:7.5” only a notice of intent to issue a House Subcommittee on Trans- erators regularly contract with each wrote. safety performance.” S:7” rulemaking concerning revisions portation, Housing and Urban De- other for capacity issues or in case “The result will stifle the abili- In its most recent Federal Reg- and doesn’t modify the rule. velopment, and Related Industries, of emergencies, with violations and ty of motorcoach operators to ister announcement, FMCSA “The notice of intent reflects which will consider the funding fines assessed to the carrier ulti- work with one another, which hap- CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 c the petitions filed with FMCSA and UMA’s successful efforts to have Congress weigh in through the recent appropriations process,” Presley said. “However, the chal- lenge of amending the existing rule remains in front of the indus- try and the notice of intent, while encouraging, should not be read as conclusive, but rather the next step in the process.” FMCSA published the final rule concerning the lease and in- terchange of passenger-carrying commercial vehicles on May 27, 2015, with an effective date of July 27, 2015, and a compliance date of January 1, 2017. The proposed rule encompassed by definition “charters, farm-outs, contracting or subcontracting.” FMCSA said the purpose of the rule “is to identify the motor carrier operating a passenger car- rying CMV that is responsible for Best-in-class vehicle confi gurations.* Available seating confi gurations compliance with the Federal Motor for up to 15. Transit Passenger Wagon offers three roof heights, Carrier Safety Regulations and en- three body lengths and three engine choices to meet your specifi c sure that a lessor surrenders con- needs. And you can get up to 100.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the last row of seats.** Exactly what you’d expect from America’s trol of the CMV for the full term of best-selling full-size commercial van.† the lease or temporary exchange of CMV(s) and driver(s).” THE FORD TRANSIT B:11.5” T:10.5” The rule would add more regu- S:9.5” lations and paperwork to leases FORD.COM /// and farm-outs between coach op- erators in an effort to shut down il- legal carriers trying to skirt federal oversight. But UMA maintained it would actually hurt legal operators who depend on providing contract ser- vices by requiring them to execute a formal lease with another carrier. They also would be fully respon- sible for that company’s insurance and violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, even though they have no direct oversight or control over the carri- er’s business operations. The liability exposure carriers would face could preclude leasing and farm-outs from ever being practical again, UMA contended. The association called on its members to write letters or send emails to their representatives stat- ing their opposition to the rules, and those efforts paid off.

Congressman agrees *Class is Full-Size Vans based on Ford segmentation. (Based on body type, body length, wheelbase † Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., joined and roof height.) **When properly equipped. Based on total U.S. reported sales (2015 CY). UMA in opposing the rule. He wrote a letter to his colleagues in Congress asking them to support

2016 Transit /transit connect/med duty print File: FCOM00448_FMTN0135000a_TrPassWgn_Pg_R04.indd Date: 8-1-2016 4:45 PM Rev: 4 Galley: 1 Transit wagon page 4/c bld Inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Client: Ford Division Engraver: Park PrePress Fonts: ITC Franklin Gothic Std (Demi, Book Con- Links: Park_QC Steps.eps (100%), Bullet.eps (100%), FCOM00448_Transit- Ad #: FMTN0135000a Doc Scale: 100% densed, Demi Condensed, Book, Medium), Franklin Wagon_Hockey_V2_PPK240.psd (CMYK; 300 ppi; 100%), 16Texture_Tran- Agency #: 1135466 Output Size: 100% Gothic Std (Condensed) sit_Blue_4C_PPK240.psd (CMYK; 300 ppi, -300 ppi; 100%, -100%), FTRK_15B- Park #: FCOM-00448 Media/Type: Magazine FT2in_4CHt_R02_PPK240.psd (CMYK; 300 ppi; 100%) Live: 7” x 9.5” Trim: 7.5” x 10.5” Bleed: 9.5” x 11.5” Note: This document utilizes the Pantone + color library

Park ADD: S. Duerr Creative Director: B. Hambly Direct Mail Ops: Legal: Park Designer: F. Ciolino Art Director: Art Producer: J. Grosfield Product Info: Park PM: S. Watz Writer: Account Super: M. McAvoy Copy Editor: Park Prod Artist: A. Cruz Print Producer: C. Smith Account Exec: Traffic: P. Spillane 18 October 1, 2016 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach News Lease rule The commenter also named cause if an emergency mainte- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 two insurance companies that have nance issue occurs, it may not be restrictions in their policies that possible to notify the customer in a ­acknowledged that the critics who prohibit the use of non-owned timely manner, particularly if the filed petitions for reconsideration equipment and non-employed issue occurs on the weekend, when of the rule made “substantive argu- drivers, which were major con- the customer’s offices are closed, ments, which the agency will ad- cerns of the rule. and the start time is before the cus- dress in subsequent rulemaking.” FMCSA has narrowed the con- tomer’s Monday opening time. MCI & VANHOOL COACHES FOR SALE “The petitioners generally ar- cerns to four major categories it 4. Expanding the 48-hour delay MCI E4500s: (1) 2001 – (4) 2002 – (2) 2004 models gued that FMCSA has taken a reg- said “may require regulatory in preparing a lease to include changes.” Those categories, along emergencies when passengers are 58 pax, Carrier HVAC, Restroom, DDC S60 engine w/Jake, ulatory scheme from the trucking with FMCSA’s comments, are: not actually on board a bus. Allison B500 trans, REI 6-monitor video, excellent interiors, industry and applied it to the bus 1. Exclusion of chartering, or “Sometimes events requiring a paint & body, aluminum wheels, mileage 600K to 800K. Priced industry, which has a vastly differ- subcontracting, from the leasing replacement vehicle might occur to sell: 2001 – $64,900, 2002 – $84,900, 2004 – $119,900. ent operating structure and liabili- ty regimen,” the agency wrote. requirements. when there are no passengers on a Vanhool T2145s: (2) 2004 – (2) 2005 “Moreover, the application of “The 2015 rule merged the vehicle, such as when Amtrak or 57 pax, Carrier HVAC, restroom, Cummins and DDC S60 w/Jake these truck regulations to the bus concepts of leasing with ‘charter- airline service is suspended or dis- available, Allison B500 trans, REI 6- monitor video, excellent industry offers no additional pro- ing’ (subcontracting). Carriers rupted and buses are needed to interiors, paint & body, aluminum wheels, mileage 600K to 800K. tection to the public from illegal or routinely subcontract work to transport stranded passengers. A Priced to sell: 2004 non-lift – $119,900, 2004 lift – $124,900, unsafe bus operators. Instead, the other registered carriers to handle bus operator contracted to provide 2005 – $139,900. final rule simply adds administra- demand surges, emergencies or the rescue service might need to Florida buses…NO CORROSION! Contact Brian Scott tive costs and reduces operational events that require more than the obtain additional drivers and vehi- flexibility for bus operators. available capacity. Subcontractors cles from other carriers to meet the at 727-545-2088 or [email protected] “Petitioners further stated that with their own operating authority demand. There might be a last- the final rule creates an economic have traditionally assumed respon- minute maintenance or mechani- and regulatory burden on passen- sibility for their own vehicles/­ cal issue, or driver illness, that ger carriers that already operate drivers. Under the 2015 rule, how- arises late in the evening or during safely and have a high degree of ever, a passenger carrier that the night (such as on a multi-day compliance. Some of the petition- subcontracted work to another car- charter or tour trip), or just prior to ers argue that those lease require- rier would be responsible for that picking up a group for a charter or ments will not stop carriers that second carrier’s compliance with scheduled service run.” choose to violate the regulations, the regulations. Petitioners claim yet will burden those who already that making a carrier responsible Rulemaking planned operate safely and compliantly.” for the subcontractor’s vehicles, FMCSA said it planned to drivers and liability would make issue a rulemaking notice to ad- Roadmap to cheat most short-term subcontracts dress the four areas of concern. FMCSA also noted that one impossible.” “The agency believes that less petitioner stated that “while it sup- 2. Amending the CMV re- burdensome regulatory alterna- Excellent Condition…none nicer! ports efforts to identify and ad- quirements for the location of tem- tives that would not adversely im- 100k TCM • OEM 3 Point Seat Belts dress chameleon carriers or carri- porary markings for leased/inter- pact safety could be adopted be- Cummins B500 • 58 pax w/lav • CD/DVD ers that may try to operate under changed vehicles. fore January 1, 2018. The agency Michelin Tires • Alcoa Rims • Lots more options the cloak of another carrier, the “The petitioners argued that the denies the petitions for reconsid- Lower Price: $369k • Partial Financing O.A.C. final rule does not accomplish this frequent marking changes needed eration of all other aspects of the Trade for MCI D or DL3 Considered goal and in fact provides a road- during leases or interchanges would final rule. These petitions either More available map for irresponsible carriers to be impractical and unnecessary be- would have impaired the purpose Call or Email today for more operate legally under the authority cause the information required is of the final rule or did not include photos and info! 808.832.6261 of another carrier.” recorded on the driver’s records of practical alternatives.” [email protected] Another carrier stated that it duty status for roadside inspectors Presley said UMA was grateful had identified several instances and safety investigators to review; that FMCSA Administrator Scott where the final rule lacks suffi- carriers will have to depend com- Darling and other agency officials cient clarity to enable it to comply, pletely on their drivers to properly heard the industry’s concerns affecting all of its operations. The change vehicle markings dozens of about the rule. final rule also adds administrative times per day in remote locations; “I trust in the coming months costs and reduces operational flex- and it is unlikely that a member of we can find a mutual solution Shop Manager needed for a 24-hour shop located ibility for charter and tour bus op- the public is going to understand through the rulemaking process,” in Orlando, FL. We are looking for a strong diesel mechan- erations, which will, in the end, the significance of the markings in he said. “While not yet a victory, ic with great communication and leadership skills. Must be reduce connectivity and transpor- the event that he or she focuses on the notice of intent represents experienced in HVAC, electrical, air systems, brakes, diesel tation options for the traveling the temporary ‘operated by’ mark- progress. The agency believes they engines, and suspension systems. Must have tools and Class public, the carrier contended. ings rather than the permanent can resolve the issues before the B commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement Still another petitioner argued markings on the bus representing compliance date.” or the ability to obtain one within 90 days. Will be responsible that the three 2008 crashes cited in the vehicle owner.” Presley also reminded operat- for all mechanics on all shifts and the overnight wash crew. the September 20, 2013, notice of 3. Changing the requirement ing companies that the July 27, Salary determined with experience and qualifications. Ben- proposed rulemaking involved a that carriers notify customers 2015, effective date of the current efits include a wellness program with dental andvison dis- tire failure, driver error and an in- within 24 hours when they subcon- regulation remains unchanged. counts, health insurance, paid vacation, paid holidays, 401K, surance issue, “and that nothing in tract service to other carriers. “Despite the compliance date uniforms and cleaning provided as well as continuing ed- the final rule would have prevent- “Petitioners argued that a 24- of January 1, 2018, a liability hour deadline is impractical be- quandary could develop should an ucation opportunities. Pre- employment drug screening and ed any of these crashes.” operator be involved in civil litiga- background required. tion regarding an incident con- 400 West Landstreet Rd., Orlando, FL 32824 REPOS FOR SALE cerning a subcontracted carrier,” •“Bank Repos” across the US • Priced to Sell Phone 727-545-2088 • Fax 727-536-7848 he said. “Although they will not be • Variety of Makes & Models fined for noncompliance, they or email [email protected] 1-877-737-2221 x30716 may have civil liability exposures they should discuss with their legal Call 866-930-8426 for Advertising www.Bus-Buys.com — View “Repo Inventory” counsel and insurance company.” Saves fuel. Wastes the competition.

The Volvo 9700 makes productivity a priority, with superb handling, minimal maintenance and superior uptime. Now with a choice of transmission integrated with the power of a Volvo engine for maximum fuel efficiency. Your passengers will get a coach experience they’ll choose again and again.

www.prevostcar.com

Prevost-Volvo9700_Ads-052715-BMN.indd 1 5/27/15 5:01 PM Trusted to keep you out in front.

At MCI, we take our customers where they want to go with coaches that offer exceptional style, reliability and value, with low total cost of operation. From our North American-made MCI J4500, the best-selling coach in its class, to the Buy America-compliant D-Series, plus the luxury of the Setra brand, we offer exceptional models, all backed by a parts and support network that is driven to excel. And now, teamed with New Flyer, we’re even better equipped to help your business move ahead with confidence. Contact us today to get out in front.

Want to know more about MCI’s story? Check out our new Reliability Driven video at mcicoach.com A New Flyer company

Corporate ad_Out In Front_BMN.indd 1 9/8/16 1:16 PM