Bus & Motorcoach News

May 15, 2006

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE BUS INDUSTRY ‘Come on Down’ Federal flu report New Orleans pitches coach operators paints grim picture NEW ORLEANS — Tourism coach, has lagged, reports Lisa Running through the end of the officials here have posted special Holland, tourism sales manager for year, the promotion includes spe- “come-on-down” signs for motor- the New Orleans Metropolitan cial room rates at nearly 20 hotels. for travel industry coach tour operators in a bid to Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Many hotels are offering value WASHINGTON — A White forced out of business — perma- boost group travel to the hurricane- So, to encourage coach opera- rates to encourage groups to come House report issued earlier this nently — “due to the operational/ damaged city. tors to put New Orleans back in back,” said Holland. month offers a dismal outlook for financial burdens caused by the Visits to New Orleans by vaca- their tour brochures, the New Additionally, discounts are tioning individuals, couples and Orleans Convention & Visitors available for groups at restaurants, the North American travel and pandemic.” families have mushroomed since the Bureau has launched a special attractions, riverboats, tours and tourism industry if a serious pan- No one knows when or if a first of the year, but group travel, group promotion called “Back to adventures, and even for a private demic flu outbreak hits the United pandemic will occur, but experts especially those arriving by motor- the Big Easy.” States. fear that a bird-flu virus that is CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 þ While a pandemic likely would slowly spreading across the globe produce pervasive social and eco- could spark one should it mutate nomic chaos, including wide- and develop the ability to spread spread illness, 40 percent worker easily among humans. absenteeism and school closings, it The report provides a reasoned would be particularly devastating look at what might happen if a pan- for the passenger transportation demic occurs, and it lays out what industry because of potential travel the government response should be. restrictions and widespread fear A major tenant of the federal among individuals, resulting in lit- strategy is that much of the burden tle, if any, discretionary travel. for dealing with a pandemic be At one point, the report states placed on state and local govern- flatly that some carriers may be CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 þ ’07-engine fuel economy looks better, fuel doesn’t As the nationwide introduction nitely cost more — $10,000 or of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel more for most 45-foot models, the New Orleans’ new cruise-ship terminal is to be completed in September begins next month, there is mixed engine makers are indicating they news — good and not-so-good — have managed not only to avoid for coach operators. potential performance setbacks Comin’ Home First, engine manufacturers are with the ’07 emissions equipment, hinting the fuel economy of the but they’ve also been able to com- 2007 engines will be on par with pensate for the poorer perform- Cruise lines plan return to New Orleans current versions of their power ance of the ultra-low-sulfur fuel NEW ORLEANS — Hurri- Helping feed the growth will be the first to return with its Norwe- plants. In other words, there likely the new engines must use. cane Katrina washed New Or- be the $37-million Erato Street gian Sun on Oct. 15, sailing seven- won’t be a significant “mileage Refiners and engine makers leans’ cruise ship business right Cruise Terminal that is under con- day western Caribbean cruises. penalty” like there was in 2002, have consistently said that ultra- out of the city eight months ago, struction and scheduled to be com- Carnival has scheduled the when the new generation of low- low-sulfur diesel fuel will have but the industry is moving steadily pleted by Sept. 15. Sensation to return to operate year- emission engines was introduced. about 1 percent less power in it — and fairly quickly — to regain But even before the huge ter- round, four- and five-day cruises Next, the ultra-low-sulfur than current higher-sulfur blends. its bearings. minal opens, the city and port say this fall, while the Carnival Fan- diesel fuel will cost at least five But engine builders have suggest- In fact, there’s little doubt that they’re ready today for cruise tasy will return Oct. 26. cents a gallon more than current ed at recent conferences that the backers believe the city cruise ships. However, most cruise lines Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of diesel fuel. fuel economy of their ’07 models industry not only will recover com- won’t be back in port until the Seas returns Dec. 2, with While 2007-model motor- will largely match the results of pletely but grow significantly dur- October. seven-night sailings. coaches equipped with the latest the engines they are replacing. þ ing the rest of this decade. Norwegian Cruise Lines will CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 þ clean-burning engines will defi- CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 Hundreds of 1992-1994 MC-12s Available Now – Priced from $15,000

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Used vehicle sold "as is." No warranties expressed or implied. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS OPERATOR NEWS May 15, 2006 3 Florida coach operators settle in for ‘three-H’ summer ORLANDO — Heat, humidity But coach operators in other looks quite grim. We’re receiving There is no positive comparison as — from January through May, and hurricanes — the dreaded parts of the state must fight harder very few reservations for trips. the fuel-oil situation also makes it with a minimum of 57 passengers three “H’s” — oft-times plunge to cast off the gloom despite We’ve had to cancel over a dozen difficult for people to spend on each, to the Hard Rock Hotel & Florida motorcoach operators into Florida’s abundant sunshine. trips.” entertainment.” Casino Resort in Hollywood, Fla. the dog days of summer. Just ask Frank A. Sambino, While the St. Lucie area is Asked if he’s still experiencing This year, the company has only In the Orlando area, the myriad president-owner of Ann’s Royal growing, and Ann’s Royal Tours is fallout from last summer’s hurri- one trip booked for May, with 20 attractions, plus major efforts to Tours in Port St. Lucie, how the attracting business from newcom- canes, as well as predictions of passengers. A second trip was can- attract conventions and other busi- summer tourist season is shaping ers, Sambino says the overall out- another active hurricane season celed. ness meetings to the city, keep up. Port St. Lucie is off the Florida look for the next several months is this year, without mincing words “We’re very concerned,” says summer-time visitors coming to Turnpike, 50 miles north of West weak. he responds: “Yes and yes.” Sambino. “It’s not just Ann’s the theme-park and entertainment Palm Beach. “I hate sounding so negative,” In the past, Ann’s Royal Tours Royal Tours that this hurts. We mecca. “Unfortunately,” he says, “it he says. “However, it is what it is. has booked two day-trips monthly CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 þ Operators in CUSA adopts Texas forming different name, ‘association’ completes buy DALLAS — Since it was 1 SAN ANTONIO — Texas formed 2 /2 years, CUSA has been motorcoach operators, led by a North America’s largest charter and handful of Trailways members, are tour operator, but with virtually no making an effort to form a new identity of its own. state association. That’s because it was formed Three years ago, more than out of chunks of Coach USA and two-dozen operators, from Texas, many of its locations continued to operate under the Coach USA Oklahoma and New Mexico at- name. tempted to form a Texas-based All that’s about to change. association but the effort floun- CUSA revealed late last month dered when several companies it’s adopting a new corporate name, failed to pony-up their membership Coach America. dues and an executive director megabus.com catches on quickly The name change coincides hired by the group proved to be CHICAGO — Although dent and chief executive of Coach nals, is patterned after a similar with the completion of CUSA’s ineffective. megabus.com has been on the road USA. service Coach USA’s parent com- purchase of American Coach The Trailways operators putting for barely more than a month, the The service offers between pany, Stagecoach Group, intro- Lines, the largest motorcoach oper- together the new association have low-cost, Internet-driven express five and 12 nonstop roundtrip duced in the United Kingdom ator in the southeastern U.S. taken a different approach and are service that Coach USA estab- daily runs from its base in Chicago three years ago. That service now “Our two companies are the best in each market they serve,” working under the aegis of the lished in the Midwest already is to Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, carries about two million passen- attracting a crowd. Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minne- gers annually. said Craig Lentzsch, chief execu- Texas Tourism Industry Association. tive of CUSA/Coach America. “We Ticket sales for the Chicago- apolis, St. Louis and Columbus, Moser said the response to A Ground Transportation have a common approach to the Council of the TTIA has been based service are running between Ohio, and multiple daily trips megabus.com actually has been customer, which should insure a formed that will provide a collec- 800 and 1,000 a day — and that between Indianapolis and positive from the start, with more smooth consolidation. tive voice and function as a state- was after more than 7,000 tickets Cincinnati and Indianapolis and than 150,000 visitors to the com- “The new name reflects the size wide coalition for motorcoach were sold during a three-week run- Columbus. pany Web site during the three- and capacity of the new company, operators operating from Texas. up before the April 10 launch of Tickets, which are sold only on week promotional push prior to which covers the southern half of Doug Beach, owner of San the service. the Internet, range from $1, plus a the start of the service. Another the country from coast to coast, of- Antonio Trailways and co-chair of “We seem to have hit a niche 50 cents reservation fee — each 250,000 visits to the site were fering expanded service to our na- the Ground Transportation Council out there that’s a little different in run has three or four seats at that logged in the three weeks follow- tional accounts,” Lentzsch added. The renamed company also has of the TTIA, said council member- this industry and we are very price — to between $8 and $39. ing the launch last month. pleased with how well it’s being The service, which operates While Moser stressed that the launched a new Web site, accessi- ship is open to all Texas coach ble at www.coachamerica.com. received,” said Dale Moser, presi- from city curbsides and not termi- CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 þ operators, and he laid out a number The combined Coach America of goals for the organization: Those standards include satis- Working through TTIA also of members.” and American Coach Lines oper- • Help elevate the industry’s factory safety ratings from either gives the council and its members Beach said council marketing ates 2,535 vehicles, with motor- image in Texas the Federal Motor Carrier Safety good networking access to other efforts through the TTIA will make coaches making up 60 percent of • Identify and follow critical Administration or Texas Depart- TTIA members, including hotels, the traveling public aware that the fleet. legislative issues ment of Transportation, or a certifi- attractions and airlines, he noted. member operators belong to the That means Coach America • Promote safety standards cate of approval from the U.S. Williams said he and other council because they maintain high operates more than 1,500 coaches, and ethical business practices Department of Defense Military operators considered trying to form operating standards. compared to just over 1,600 for • Increase public awareness of Surface Deployment and Distri- another state association but decid- The council is hosting a Get- Greyhound Lines and more than 1,700 operated by Coach USA, the value of motorcoach travel bution Command.. ed “we can be more effective Acquainted Reception & Meeting according to figures published ear- “Membership in our new coun- Jerry Williams, president of through TTIA. It already has a on Wednesday afternoon, June 7, in lier this year by Metro Magazine. cil is based on safety evaluations Lone Star Trailways in Tyler, has well-established voice and clout in Austin. Texas ground transporta- The former American Coach made by the department of trans- been named the council’s represen- the state legislative process. tion operators interested in attend- Lines is being folded into portation, as well as third-party tative on the TTIA legislative “Other states have their associ- ing, or who would like to learn CUSA/Coach America as one of its entities and proven acceptable busi- affairs committee. ations,” Williams continued, “but more about membership, must con- five regional operations. Bill Berg- ness practices,” said Beach. Williams said his participation most don’t necessarily ask for the tact either Williams by calling strom, former president and chief “Membership is open to any on the committee will provide a high standards we require. Our (903) 561-6095, or e-mail lone- operating officer of American Texas commercial ground trans- needed voice for the industry on members will have safety inspec- [email protected], or Beach at (210) Coach Lines, becomes a regional portation operator who meets the such state issues as taxation and tions every three years, and most 247-4616, or e-mail DBeach@ vice president of Coach America. prescribed standards.” safety standards. state associations don’t require that IMAX-SA.com. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 þ 4 May 15, 2006 Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

Coach operators in Alabama win big-time tax relief MONTGOMERY, Ala. — president of the association, and Trailways in Birmingham, Ala. assessors in each county on a annual licensing fee of $830 per Alabama motorcoach operators president of Southern Transporta- The new law was unanimously seemingly ham-handed and hap- coach for buses that are from one won a major battle late last month tion Leasing of Jacksons Gap, Ala. adopted by both the Alabama hazard basis. to nine years old, and $300 per when the state legislature passed a “The association pulled togeth- House and Senate, and signed by An operator in one county coach for all buses 10 years old or bill that exempted their buses from er. The legislative committee called Alabama Gov. Bob Riley during might pay $2,500 in ad valorem older. state ad valorem taxes. on members of the legislature. And the last week of April. It becomes taxes on a new coach, while an For Tilton, who runs mostly The drive to repeal the onerous we got the job done.” effective Oct. 1. operator in an adjoining county, new coaches, he previously paid taxes was lead by the Alabama The campaign to exempt buses Previously, private motorcoach with an identical coach, would face Tallapoosa County ad valorem Motorcoach Association, which and coaches from the burdensome and bus operators in Alabama were a levy of $5,500 or more. taxes totally more than $24,000 was formed in large measure three ad valorem taxes was begun under required to pay annual ad valorem “The problem we had with the annually. Now, he’ll pay the new years ago to fight for operator the leadership of Jim Thrasher, the taxes of between $2,000 and ad valorem taxes was that they “special common carrier of pas- relief from ad valorem taxes. founding president of the Alabama $6,000 per bus. were not being administered fairly sengers business operating li- “It was two years of real hard Motorcoach Association, and pres- What made the tax particularly or consistently,” said Tilton. cense” fees of less than $5,000 work,” said an elated Bill Tilton, ident of Thrasher Brothers rotten was that it was levied by Now, operators will pay an each year. Colo. tackles CDL fraud, FMCSA official Audit criticizes FMCSA out-of-service violations provides update over repeat enforcement DENVER — Colorado has to-five years, and a third convic- on pending rules WASHINGTON — The Feder- mum fines, but said it would main- al Motor Carrier Safety Adminis- tain discretion on which violations new laws that increase fines for tion within 10 years will result in HARTFORD, Conn. — Speak- tration has made progress in its it documented. drivers who violate out-of-service a suspension of three-to-five ing at a conference here, Federal orders and hike penalties for using years. oversight of over-the-road bus and The agency disagreed with the Motor Carrier Safety Administra- truck safety but needs to be auditors’ recommendation that car- a fraudulent commercial driver If the driver is carrying more tion Assistant Administrator John license. than 16 passengers, suspension tougher on operators with repeat riers be fined for not filing the data H. Hill provided a broad timetable Gov. Bill Owens signed into times are doubled. safety violations, an audit of the that SafeStat uses to rank safety for important rulemakings pend- law a measure that makes it a class Under the law, suspensions will agency has concluded. performance. The agency said The U.S. Department of Trans- fines would not be cost effective, one traffic misdemeanor for a automatically be set at the maxi- ing at the agency and revealed that portation’s Office of Inspector but it would take other measures to commercial bus or truck driver to mum. However a driver can the U.S. Department of Transpor- tation is planning an anti–traffic General issued an audit late last encourage compliance. violate an out-of-service order. request an administrative hearing, month of the FMCSA’s implemen- The FMCSA agreed with a Under the law, drivers who keep after which, the hearing officer has congestion initiative. Hill told the Commercial Vehi- tation of the Motor Carrier Safety number of the audit’s recommen- rolling after they’ve received an the ability to reduce the time of Improvement Act of 1999. dations, including: cle Safety Alliance annual meeting out-of-service order must make a suspension, but not below the min- The USDOT’s internal watch- • Rapid implementation of mandatory court appearance, and imums spelled out in law. that the FMCSA will issue a: dog office said the FMCSA needs the Crash Data Improvement Pro- face fines of up to $1,000 and one A second bill signed by Owens • Rulemaking on the merging to do more to address congression- ject and establishing milestones for year in jail, plus mandatory license is designed to curb the sale and use of CDL records with the medical al mandates such as the new-entrant improving states’ compliance with suspension. The violation cannot of illegal CDLs. Prior to passage of certification database “in the next and medical certification programs. standardizing crash reports. be plea bargained and there will be the bill, the fine for having a fraud- few weeks.” In general, the OIG’s audit said • Continued monitoring state no deferred sentencing. ulent CDL was $78. • Rulemaking for electronic that while the motor carrier safety safety audits to ensure timely com- Upon a first conviction, driv- The new law makes the use of onboard recorders later this year. agency had increased its enforce- pletion. ers will have their license sus- an illegal CDL a misdemeanor • Revised rule for new en- ment activities, it had fallen short • Continued efforts to identify pended for 90 days to one year, a with a fine ranging from $500 to trants later this year. in a number of areas. needed safety enforcement changes second conviction within 10 years $1,000. The fine escalates substan- • Notice of proposed rule- In a meeting with the OIG prior in the new entrant program. to release of the audit, FMCSA • Expeditious completion of will result in a suspension for one- tially for any future offenses. making to better track bus and officials agreed to make sure the rules for a driver medical certi- truck companies that avoid bad repeat violators don’t escape maxi- ficate. Jail for fake CDLs in Mich. safety records by shutting down and re-opening under a different DETROIT — A U.S. District residency or valid identification, name. FMCSA to hold input sessions Court has sentenced a Detroit man prosecutors said. A USDOT initiative to reduce to a year in prison for helping the Welch has pleaded guilty to highway congestion and stop-and- for medical examiner program sale of fake driver’s licenses, conspiracy and is scheduled for go traffic will be announced later WASHINGTON — The Feder- June in Arlington, Va. including CDLs. sentencing this month. al Motor Carrier Safety Adminis- The FMCSA is particularly in- Andre Donaldson, 34, was tration has scheduled two public terested in getting input from med- sentenced last month after plead- Transits seek charter firms sessions for getting additional ical examiners; motorcoach, bus and ing guilty to the felony charge in The following public transit Write to: Alison D. Jones, Trans- input into its plan for establishing a truck operators; drivers; representa- January. National Registry of Certified tives of medical associations; certi- providers have informed the United portation Director, Community Al- Medical Examiners for over-the- fication and accreditation organiza- According to prosecutors, Motorcoach Association of their liance of Human Services, Com- Donaldson referred people who road bus and truck drivers and tions; medical training organizations; intent to provide charter bus serv- munity Transportation Services making a comprehensive review of state motor carrier enforcement wanted fake licenses to an ice unless willing and able private Inc., P.O. Box 689, Claremont, NH employee of the Michigan Federal Motor Carrier Safety Reg- agencies and safety organizations. operators step forward to offer 03743. Phone: (603) 863-0003. ulations medical standards. To register for one of the meet- Department of State, Regjean service. Grand Forks, N.D. Deadline: The two “public listening ses- ings, go to www.nrcme.fmcsa.dot. Welch, 26. Welch no longer works UMA urges appropriate opera- May 31, 2006. Write to: Roger D. sions” will be June 29, at the Hilton gov/conferences.aspx. for the state. tors to take the time to respond to Foster, Superintendent of Public San Diego Airport/Harbor Island in More information on the Na- For $100 to $500 each, Welch these notices: Transportation, Cities Area Transit, San Diego, and July 26 at The Ren- tional Registry of Certified Medi- provided fake licenses without Claremont/Newport/Sunapee, P.O. Box 5200, Grand Forks, ND aissance Grand hotel in St. Louis. cal Examiners program, go to requiring a written test, proof of N.H. Deadline: May 22, 2006. 58201. Phone: (701) 746-2590. The first such session was last www.nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS THE DOCKET May 15, 2006 5 Diesel fuels must be ‘separated’; ULSD will be ready WASHINGTON — Starting central refueling facilities will be low-sulfur diesel. have no more than 15 ppm sulfur. end of the transition. June 1, motorcoach and trucking required to label their pumps as U.S. Environmental Protection The reduced-sulfur fuel is “We will learn our lessons and companies that operate in-house either ultra-low-sulfur diesel or Agency regulations that go into needed for the 2007-model bus then move forward,” said Mike effect on the first day of next and truck engines to operate prop- Leister, manager of fuels technolo- month say operators that buy their erly and produce fewer emissions. gy for Marathon Petroleum Co. of New engines will require own fuel in bulk must segregate Meanwhile, engineers from the Findlay, Ohio. ULSD, which must contain no federal government and oil com- Transporting the early batches cleaner-formula oil: CJ-4 more than 15 parts per million of panies say ultra-low-sulfur diesel of ULSD to retail fueling stations sulfur, from so-called low-sulfur fuel should be ready on time this will provide lots of information on Tests are being wrapped on the Texaco CJ-4 oil will be known as diesel, which contains anywhere fall, but that introduction of the what works in the distribution sys- next generation of diesel engine oil Texaco Ursa LA (Low Ash) SAE from 16 ppm to 500 ppm of sulfur. fuel will present challenges. tem and what needs to be fixed, — to be called CJ-4, that will be 15W-40, the company said. The regulation is part of EPA’s The engineers told a trucking according to Leister. rolled out between now and the end Both new CJ-4 products will be 2006 ULSD rule, due to take com- industry conference in San Diego Still, he predicted refiners and of the year. available at the end of October. plete effect later this year. last month that ULSD could be distributors will work out any kinks Refiners say the oil is a leap in “There is a lot of anxiety over Under the rule, 80 percent of difficult for fuel carriers to trans- and motor carriers will see the new the evolution of engine lubricants new engines, fuels, exhaust treat- highway diesel fuel refined after port, at least at first, and other dif- diesel fuel by Labor Day, well be- because CJ-4 has been engineered ments and lubricants,” said Nicole June and sold after Oct. 15 may ficulties are possible before the fore the retail deadline of Oct. 15. to help the 2007 engines meet the Fujishige, commercial marketing new emission standards. manager, North America, for The ’07 engines, with their Chevron Products Co. diesel oxidation catalysts and par- “It’s important for our cus- ticulate filters, will require a much tomers to know they will have one cleaner formula than previous less thing to worry about as 2007 diesel engine oils that contain per- approaches,” she said. formance additives, according to a “Historically Chevron has fully Shell Lubricants executive. embraced each new heavy-duty Meanwhile, Chevron has be- engine oil specification. In this sit- come one of the first oil companies uation, there is clearly a need to to announce it will continue to retain the CI-4 Plus oil, while offer its CI-4 Plus oil, in addition introducing the CJ-4 product. to new CJ-4 oil, next year. “Although backwards compati- The company said its two- ble, CJ-4 will likely be more ex- product strategy is based on feed- pensive than CI-4 Plus. …Based back from customers and expected on fleet composition, the majority market demand. of Chevron’s customers will have a The Chevron CJ-4 oil will be greater need for CI-4 Plus, so we’ll known as Delo 400 LE (Low keep that product on the market Emissions) Multigrade SAE 15W- until conditions change,” Fujishige 40. At the same time, the new added.

more time to develop and test Fuel economy their new engines. In 2002, the CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 engine builders were rushed to Various modifications have bring out lower-emission engines been made to the new engines, 18 months ahead of schedule. including retuned combustion Some ’07 test engines report- systems, to compensate for the edly already have upwards of fuel’s reduced potency. three million test miles on them. That, of course, is good news as Concerns about the transition fuel prices continue to skyrocket. by fuel stations and truck stops to Additionally, engine makers ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel contin- say the new engines will be as ue to abound, however. There are reliable as existing models, mean- worries about contamination of ing ’07 coaches won’t experience the fuel by higher-sulfur diesel, the difficulties operators faced volatility and possible difficulties following the hurried introduction in transporting the new fuel. And, of the 2002 engines. “very serious” concerns have been The big difference, of course, expressed by some in the trucking is that manufacturers have had industry about availability. More taxes to Nebraska roads Lincoln, Neb. — The Nebraska cent, the extra half a percent from Legislature has passed and Gov. motor vehicle sales was sent to the Dave Heineman has signed a bill (SB general fund. 904) that puts all sales and use tax The new law, effective in Octo- collected from sales of motor vehi- ber, reverses that. cles into the state’s highway fund. The bill also requires local gov- Revenue from the sales tax on ernments to use motor vehicle motor vehicles has for years gone sales and use tax collections for to roads in Nebraska, but the last their roads, unless those revenues time the rate of Nebraska’s sales have already been pledged to sup- tax was raised, from 5 to 5.5 per- port bond issues. 6 May 15, 2006 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

they seem to be pretty much dif- megabus.com ferent than what we are,” noted CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Greyhound spokeswoman Anna big draw appears to be a combina- Folmnsbee. tion of the low fares, nonstop runs, She said while megabus.com guaranteed seating and the conven- offers only Internet ticket sales, ience of buying on the Internet, he Greyhound provides walk-up serv- acknowledged that good timing ice and most of its customers pur- also may have played a major role. chase their tickets at the terminals “I would think it probably is rel- on the day of their travel. In addi- evant to the things that are going on tion, she stressed that Greyhound’s in the nation with fuel,” he said. extensive national network allows “We’ve hit the threshold where passengers to travel beyond the people are getting frustrated paying cities where the two companies $3 a gallon for fuel and they’re say- compete, giving riders many more ing if they can get to where they travel options than what are avail- want to go in about the same able on megabus.com. “It all depends on where you amount of time as driving and have runs between the two cities daily. are coming here when their teams article hits, that very next day we want to go and when you want to more money left over to spend While megabus.com has been play.” see the volumes increase dramati- go,” she emphasized. when they get there, then go for it.” carrying some business people and In addition, Moser said large cally,” said Moser. Still, megabus.com promotes Moser said gasoline prices were commuters, he said most of the numbers of other customers are Hoping to build on the momen- its service as low-cost and its ad- not part of the pre-launch planning passengers have been leisure travel- making reservations so they can be tum that megabus.com has going vertised fares run lower than those and the spring startup date actually ers, including many vacationing in Chicago for some of the city’s for it now, the company plans to of Greyhound. For example, the was timed to capture some Easter families. popular summer activities such as closely monitor the performance of megabus.com Chicago to Milwau- holiday and college travelers and to An early trend developing is the Tall Ships visit, King Tut exhib- each of the runs and the feedback it kee fare is $8, compared to Grey- give the company enough time to baseball fans using the service to it, Taste of Chicago festival and air gets from passengers so adjust- hound’s $13, and the megabus.com work out any bugs before the sum- follow their teams to other cities. and water shows. ments can be made promptly if Chicago to Minneapolis ticket is mer travel season begins. “We happen to be in Chicago, Although Coach USA has they’re needed. $39, compared to Greyhound’s $67. While the cities served by which has two baseball teams and advertised the business in newspa- “But we are really pleased and Moser said the busiest route for megabus.com are all in Greyhound our system goes to other cities pers and on billboards, it’s gotten optimistic of what we have seen at the megabus.com service so far has Lines’ territory, the established bus where those teams play,” he said. its biggest boost from news articles this point, and we are just going to been the Chicago to Milwaukee line does not appear too concerned “Chicago fans are going to the about the service that have continue to try to deliver a quality run, which takes about two hours. about the upstart carrier. other cities to see their teams play appeared in newspapers throughout service for people so they keep The company has 12 scheduled “We welcome competition, but and people living in the other cities the Midwest. “Whenever a news coming back,” Moser stressed.

of entry and the nation’s vast trans- community,” the report states. patterns based on what they per- The anticipated drop in travel Pandemic portation network. “Communities, states, the pri- ceive will reduce their personal because of public fear of possible CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Border measures will attempt vate sector and the federal govern- risk and the risk to their families flu exposure is expected to begin in ments on the theory that disasters to stop, slow or otherwise limit the ment will need to carefully weigh and friends. international aviation, cruise ships are local events and require local spread of a pandemic, but no one the costs and benefits of trans- “Communities might see a and highway border crossings, says responses. believes these efforts will succeed portation measures when develop- surge in local travel as people gath- the report. “The center of gravity of the for very long. ing their response plans, including er groceries and other items similar “Once cases are present in the pandemic response will be in com- The sheer volume of traffic the effectiveness of an action in to patterns before large snow United States, this decrease in pas- munities,” says the report, and fed- coming across U.S. borders and the slowing the spread of a pandemic, storms where the public expects senger travel will occur domesti- eral support will be very pre- difficulty of developing screening its social and economic conse- limitations in local travel for short cally in private automobile, avia- scribed. techniques to detect an influenza- quences, and its operational feasi- durations.” tion, mass transit, passenger rail, That aspect of the 227-page like illness pose huge challenges. bility,” the report adds. and motorcoach travel. strategy has been criticized by While the federal government Should a pandemic hit, “the Communications key “However, there may also be a experts who say it places too great says it intends to consider all public will almost certainly auto- The report urges state and local small surge of movement into a burden on states. Criticism also options to limit the spread of a matically limit vacation travel, and officials to be very careful in their affected areas as individuals try to has focused on other recommenda- pandemic virus, officials assert this would be recommended by planning for travel restrictions and return home or help stranded or ill tions, such as the quarantining of that complete border closure public health authorities,” states to be clear how long travel will be relatives. Others may attempt to potentially exposed air travelers, would be difficult, if not impossi- the report. limited. “The planned length of temporarily relocate to less popu- which some experts say is not fea- ble, to enforce; would present “It is anticipated that signifi- travel curtailment is a significant lated areas in an attempt to reduce sible. major international complications, cant portions of business travel factor that will help families and the likelihood of infection. But while the report argues for and would have very adverse social would be curtailed as well, with communities prepare for potential “At the beginning of the pan- substantial state and local respon- and economic consequences. only essential travel continuing restrictions,” it says. demic, there will also be requests sibility for dealing with the poten- (related to overall pandemic re- “Clear messages regarding to move emergency workers, tial catastrophe, it makes clear Travel options sponse, sustaining critical infra- travel, risk of transmission and equipment and resources. As the there remains a very significant Measures to limit domestic structure and sustaining essential specific travel recommendations disease spreads to multiple urban federal role, including critical tasks travel also could delay the spread business functions). for each stage of a pandemic will areas, emergency transportation of for the U.S. Department of Trans- of disease, the report notes. The “The purpose of long-distance be important during a pandemic, supplies and personnel could portation. range of options includes reduc- travel will also change,” according and even more critical to guide decrease because resources will be tions in nonessential travel and, as to the report. “Initially, there may preparedness efforts.” needed locally.” The job ahead a last resort, mandatory travel be a small surge in trips as people According to the report, a criti- The report contains a number In clear, concise and unemo- restrictions. who are out of town return home. cal factor in sustaining transporta- of recommendations for business- tional language, the report lays out “While delaying the spread of “During an evolving pandemic tion services — whether people or es for planning for and dealing the enormity of trying to contain the epidemic may provide time for it would not be surprising to expect cargo — will be the expected high with a pandemic (See April 1 Bus and cope with a pandemic similar communities to prepare and possi- family members to attempt to absenteeism rate of drivers, dis- & Motorcoach News.) to the one that hit the U.S. in 1918 bly allow the production and admin- return home, as well as travel to patchers, technicians and other There are even recommenda- and killed millions worldwide. istration of pre-pandemic vaccine assist other family members in support personnel. Consequently, tions for individuals while at at work, Most of the report is written on and antiviral medications, travel need, such as elderly parents, ill “transportation services may be such as avoiding hand-shaking, the supposition that a pandemic restrictions, per se, are unlikely to family members or others requir- limited. Interstate movement will maintaining a three-foot distance will enter the U.S. from infected reduce the total number of people ing special assistance. become increasingly constrained from co-workers and frequent hand individuals coming through one or who become ill or the impact the “In addition, it is presumed that as the pandemic peaks and local washing. Flexible work hours and more of the 317 official U.S. ports pandemic will have on any one the public will change daily travel travel restrictions may increase.” telecommuting are recommended. © 2006 Motor Coach Industries Int'l, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks used with permission of their respective owners. 8 May 15, 2006 NEWS ANALYSIS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Variety of incentives used to motivate employees In a continuing effort to Ohio, has been giving employees a installing an upgrade, a GPS, or says. “That’s about 30 years with- bonus for a job well done. improve employee performance piece of company profits for 18 global positioning system. We’ll out an accident — didn’t even At Bieber Tourways of and enhance customer service, years. The amount varies from know where the buses are at all damage a mirror.” Kutztown, Pa., company president motorcoach companies are offer- year to year, depending on times.” Many of the company buses Steve Haddad gives his employees ing an assortment of perks and Lakefront’s bottom line, but Peter Pan also uses mystery are named after Peter Pan charac- and their families medical insur- incentives, ranging from safety amounts generally range from riders who rate drivers and other ters and, in some cases, drivers are ance coverage with no co-pay and bonuses to gift cards for gasoline. $6,000 to $12,000. employees, with an eye toward honored by having a bus named a 401-K savings plan. At least one company is close- “As long as they’re a full-time safety and customer service. after them, she says. Haddad also pays for all 100- Approximately 20 percent of the ly monitoring how drivers set their employee for a full year, whether Dave Bolen, owner of New plus full-time employees to rearview mirrors as a means of they’re a bus washer or a CPA, company’s 500 drivers earn at World Tours in Bristow, Va., says receive a free subscription to Bus reducing fixed-object accidents they all get the same bonus,” least $800, Goldberg says. he offers incentives to increase & Motorcoach News. and rewarding them for the proper Goebel says. “There are deduc- compensation for drivers and The articles are current and placement. tions for accidents, or if they don’t reduce insurance costs. provide information that is helpful Another operator offers profit- report for work. The takeaways go “If you reduce the frequency to every aspect of his company, he sharing that annually pays $6,000 into a pool for other employees (to ‘Peter Pan uses of claims, you can reduce the cost to $12,000 per staff member. share). It doesn’t come back to the of insurance,” says Bolen. “Driver says, adding: “The newspaper Employees of Bailey Coach company.” compensation is not as high as it keeps my drivers abreast of what’s and Bailey Travel in York, Pa., June 15, the day the bonuses mystery riders should be. But we can’t just going on in different states and the ones given cards for free gasoline go out, is a happy one at Lakefront charge our customers more, so we mechanics keep up on new tech- at local Exxon stations. Lines. came up with a system to reduce nologies.” John W. Bailey, president of “In March and April people who rate drivers insurance costs and transfer the Carmen Daecher of Daecher the company bearing his name, start asking me how much is it money into their pocket. That Consulting Group designed a mir- says he gave close to $3,000 worth going to be?” Goebel says. increases the happiness of the ror check station that has enabled of free gasoline cards to about 40 Another incentive is paid to and other drivers and improves customer the Martz Group of Fredericks- employees. the company’s bus cleaners in service. burg, Va., to reduce the number of “When gas prices spiked, I Cleveland. “It’s not the end-all, it’s a fixed-object accidents. decided I had to do something,” “They’re paid by piece work,” employees, with beginning,” he adds. Brian Anderson, director of says Bailey. “Everybody got he says. “That’s a little unusual but Launched a year ago, the New safety and training at Martz, something, including full-time it works in Cleveland because we an eye toward World Tours’ program rewards watches as drivers position the and part-time drivers and clean- have plenty of buses there.” drivers for safety and smart driv- mirror so it enables them to see a ers.” Peter Pan Bus Lines of ing habits, like avoiding jack-rab- target area on the ground. If they On the travel agency side, Springfield, Mass., offers a $2,000 bit starts and excessive idling. do it right, they get a $5 gift card Bailey awards long-weekend trips hiring bonus for new drivers and safety and Performance is monitored on a that’s good at a local convenience to St. Thomas to employees for cash bonuses of up to $1,000 for daily basis and bonuses are paid store chain. quality performance. drivers who have an accident-free every month. “Last year, we had problems Another company incentive is year and adhere to sound driving customer service.’ Depending on how a driver with fixed-object accidents,” tied to the United Way campaign. habits. and his team operate, the reward Anderson says. “They would hit a If the company has 100 percent To verify how a driver handles can hit $450, Bolen says. Em- participation from its employees, a a coach, Peter Pan is using a The company recognizes driv- ployees like the immediacy of pole or a parked car, and we tried name is pulled from a hat, win- Rockwell system, says Michele ers who have logged at least 1 mil- receiving a bonus every month, to find a way to reduce those by ning round-trip air fare and a Goldberg, director of marketing. lion accident-free miles with and if they don’t get one the slate making sure the mirrors are three-night cruise on Carnival An onboard computer monitors plaques and press releases and is clean for the next month. adjusted properly.” Cruise Lines. Employee Larry braking, speed, idling and stop posts their pictures on the compa- “We reduced expense cate- Martz has been using the pro- Stutts and his wife won a trip to time. ny Wall of Fame. gories that didn’t benefit the com- gram for about a year. The result: the Bahamas, Bailey says. “We’ve had the Rockwell “We have one driver, Ed Hope, pany and transferred the money to Those pesky fixed-object acci- Tom Goebel, president of incentive since 1992,” explains who has gone three million miles the drivers,” he says. dents have been reduced by 30 Lakefront Lines in Brook Park, Goldberg. “We’re in the process of without an accident,” Goldberg Cleaning crews also receive a percent, says Anderson.

How to contact us: ISSUE NO. 77 Dale Krapf To submit or report news, Letters to the Editor, Krapf Coaches To advertise or to mail advertising-related West Chester, Pa. articles, news releases: materials: A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION E-mail: [email protected] Call: Johnny Steger Godfrey LeBron (623) 930-8422 or (602) 980-0840 Paradise Trailways Fax: (866) 930-8426 Staff Advisory Board West Hempstead, N.Y. Mail: 4930 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 6 E-mail: [email protected] Editor & Publisher William Allen Bob Foley Joan Libby Glendale, AZ 85301 Mail: 4930 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 6 Sierra Trailways ABC Companies Cavalier Coach Victor Parra Call: (623) 930-8423 Glendale, AZ 85301 Sacramento, Calif. Faribault, Minn. Boston, Mass. To contact the Sales Director Senior Editor Larry Benjamin Steve Haddad Jeff Polzien To subscribe or inquire about your subscription: Northfield Lines Carl R. Bieber Tourways Red Carpet Tours United Motorcoach Association: Johnny Steger Bruce Sankey Call: (623) 930-8421 Northfield, Minn. Kutstown, Pa. Oklahoma City Call: (800) 424-8262 E-mail: [email protected] Editorial Assistant Associate Editor Dave Bolen Rick Hillard Tom Ready Online: www.uma.org New World Tours Tri-State Tours Ready Bus Lines Fax: (866) 930-8426 Tara Sheehan Ellen Balm Bristow, Va. Galena, Ill. LaCrescent, Minn. Mail: 4930 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 6 To send advertisements or photographs Accountant Editorial Assistant Bob Brisman Todd Holland Brian Scott Glendale, AZ 85301 via the Internet: West Point Trailways Ramblin' Express John Giddens Amy Stalknecht Escot Bus Lines E-mail: [email protected] Vails Gate, N.Y. Colorado Springs Largo, Fla. To report corrections: Art Director David Brown Robert Hume Michelle Silvestro Call: (623) 930-8421 Holiday Tours Travel Mates Trailways National Interstate Insurance Co. E-mail: [email protected] Mary E. McCarty Randlemann, N.C. Harrisonburg, Va. Richfield, Ohio ©2006 by the United Motorcoach Association. Steve Brown Daryl G. Johnson T. Ralph Young Reproduction in whole or in part without Brown Coach J & J Charters Young Transportation written permission is prohibited. Amsterdam, N.Y. Crosby, Texas Ashville, N.C. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS May 15, 2006 9 Highway Mama provides warnings about the road ahead BEDFORD, Texas — A service a computer-generated female “Like most truckers, I don’t use using a credit or debit card to set state.” that provides information about voice, speaking a clipped English. a laptop or access the internet up a prepaid account. Twenty-five The driver says: “I-95 in South highway bottlenecks anywhere in The service is the brainchild of while driving,” says Highway cents is deducted from the user’s Carolina.” the U.S. and Canada has been two brothers — one an over-the- Mama co-founder Phil Morris. “I account each minute, and when the Highway Mama responds: “I launched by a trucker and his com- road trucker and the other an inter- wanted a way to just use my plain account is nearly empty, it charges found two problems on I-95 in puter-savvy brother. net entrepreneur. It costs 25 cents old cell phone to find out about the credit card again. South Carolina.” Then she reads off “Highway Mama” is a toll-free per minute and can report on thou- construction on major highways. Here’s how the system works: each construction problem report- phone service designed to give sands of construction projects, lane All (over-the-road) drivers have A coach driver traveling Inter- ed by the DOT. She pauses drivers advanced warning of restrictions, road closures, bridge phones with them. I can just put on state 95 in Florida wants to know between each problem to ask if you potential road delays. repairs and other potential delays my hands-free headset and talk to what road conditions are up ahead. want the information repeated. Drivers can call (877) 499- on interstates and federal and state Highway Mama.” To find out, the driver dials (877) She’ll also ask if you want infor- 6262 [or (877) HWY-MAMA] for highways. The information is com- Drivers can register by calling HWY-MAMA on a cell phone. mation on another highway. the road information. The system piled from state and provincial Highway Mama or going to Highway Mama answers by For a demonstration, go to communicates with callers through DOT reports. www.HighwayMama.com, and saying, “Tell me the highway and www.highwaymama.com. Rohrer, Cross Country are newest members of Trailways FAIRFAX, Va. — The Trail- primarily a scheduled route carrier. believe people are taking more son. “We guarantee what we sell, rience organizing charter trips for ways Transportation System has Branding Rohrer as a distinct cruises than ever, and that market that customers will have a good trip community groups. When a fellow added two coach operators to its Trailways company gives tour will continue to build as it com- with everything and everybody in church-member suggested a con- charter and tour division. operators the cache they need with bines two important parts of any good working order. This doesn’t certed business approach, the Rohrer Trailways of Harris- the traveling public, said company travel product — cruising and mean we offer the cheapest service, Johnsons decided to leave their cor- burg, Pa., is the newest Trailways President H. Robert ‘Skip’ Becker. ground transport to the cruise port. just good and dependable quality.” porate careers, buy their first member, receiving the designation And it gives Rohrer managers the Our objective is to be a one-stop The company offers packaged motorcoach and build a company. a few days before Cross Country flexibility to fashion a company shopping place for these cus- tours and charter services for In the intervening years they Trailways of Spartanburg, S.C. that moves to a different beat. tomers,” Becker said. schools, churches, business groups have grown Cross Country to a For most of the past decade, Rohrer Trailways offers tour Cross Country Trailways is and for special events like family fleet of 16 motorcoaches and about Rohrer Trailways has operated as a products just for women and Baby mainly a charter company that reunions and weddings. 40 full- and part-time employees. subsidiary of Capitol Trailways, Boomers, and special-interest trips offers “good quality transportation Elaine and Robert Johnson For more information, go to also of Harrisburg. Though Capitol for NASCAR racing events, ecolo- services at affordable prices,” says began the company in the mid-90’s www.rohrertravel.com and does some charter business, it is gy studies and ocean cruising. “We company President Robert John- after accumulating volunteer expe- www.crosscountrycharter.net. 10 May 15, 2006 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Grand Tour event is bigger MCI launches promotional programs success than MCI expected SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Motor new MCI Fast Track J4500 coach on the table, re-challenging our- NEW ORLEANS — In March, Plaines, Ill., early next month. Coach Industries has rolled out a during May, with delivery by June selves,” said Stan Dzierzega, MCI when Motor Coach Industries The New Orleans visit was new customer rewards program and 15, can choose 100,000 American Fleet Support demand and inven- announced it was conducting a meant to not only promote MCI, announced it’s significantly ex- AAdvantage miles or a $2,500 tory planning manager. “We’re spring promotional tour across the but also to show support for opera- panding the “Fast or Free” parts parts credit per coach purchased. adding the high-volume parts that U.S. and Canada, it had little idea tors in the storm-ravaged region. guarantee program introduced After it was launched last year, our customers need now as they whether many coach operators Operators came from as far away early last year. the MCI Experiences Event gained enter the busy spring and summer would show up. as Baton Rouge. In the latest version of its MCI the participation of more than months.” Midway through the event, MCI also honored two of its Experiences Event, coach opera- 1,200 operators. MCI gave away The new parts will include called the Grand Tour, it has been own at the New Orleans stop, pre- tors earn rewards in the form of prizes, including cruises and vaca- wiper blades, hoses, clamps and pleasantly surprised by the number senting plaques to service techni- redeemable airline points when tion packages. other popular items for MCI D of people who’ve come to its sales cians, Darryl Johnson and Felix they purchase MCI coaches, parts The MCI Fast or Free program series, E4500 and J4500 coaches. and service centers to meet with Osuna, who spent two weeks living or service. promises that when a customer MCI also said it plans to begin vendors, have lunch, network, kick out of a conversion coach while MCI says it will give away one orders a listed part, it will be offering its Fast or Free parts list the tires on new and used coaches, providing maintenance to buses million American Airlines shipped by the end of the next busi- through many of its service loca- and participate in prize drawings. participating in the hurricane evac- AAdvantage® miles during the next ness day. If not, MCI will either tions as well. “Having a greater “We’ve been very pleased with uations. The pair often worked 18- nine months. Here’s how the pro- ship the part free or issue a credit. number of parts on hand is . . . a big the response,” said Patricia Ziska, hour days from their roadside base gram works: For every $1,000 Customers must order through fleet customer convenience that reduces MCI vice president of corporate in La Place, La., about 30 miles spent with MCI on parts, service or support managers or by calling an down time,” said Ken Russell, vice marketing. west of New Orleans. new and pre-owned coaches, cus- MCI 800 number. president of aftermarket customer The tour kicked off last month Louisiana Trailways showed tomers earn an entry for a monthly MCI says it has achieved an on- support. “Our Fast or Free program in California, moved to Dallas off a 4,000-square-foot addition to drawing to win 100,000 American time fill rate exceeding 98 percent. will soon be available at all MCI where door-busting attendance its facility in Marrero, which is AAdvantage miles. Now, the company is adding 100 new service centers where space strained caterers, and on to the across the Mississippi River from The drawings start next month parts to the 440 parts already on the allows.” New Orleans area where it bor- New Orleans. The building houses and end in January. (No purchase is Fast or Free list. All Fast or Free parts For more information about rowed the newly expanded facili- a drive-through bay, featuring an necessary to win if you register for are listed online at www.mcicoach.com. MCI Fleet Support, go to www.mci- ties of Louisiana Trailways. This ACC International bus wash. the MCI Rewards program at The Fast or Free guarantee does not coach.com. month, stops were made in Orlan- The company has largely re- www.mcicoach.com.) apply to purchases made online To learn more about MCI do and Blackwood, N.J., and this covered from last summer’s hurri- To kick off the event, MCI is through the MCI Web site. Rewards, call (800) 466-1446. week the caravan stops in Montreal canes, despite losing a number of offering a special promotion this “We’ve exceeded our fill rate Details and rules can be found at before hitting Toronto and Des drivers and contract workers. month. Operators that purchase a expectations and want to put more www.mcicoach.com/experiences.

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Call for a Quote Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS May 15, 2006 11 San Francisco, Orlando get Expo Calendar JUNE 2006 23-25 ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The options make both San Francisco Convention Center, the nation’s Bus History Association 2006 Convention, Holiday Inn United Motorcoach Association and Orlando perfect destinations second-largest convention venue. 3-6 Georgia Motorcoach has chosen two of North America’s for Expo attendees and exhibitors San Francisco and Orlando Toronto-Markham, Toronto. Info: Operators Association Annual Go to www.bus-history.org. most popular motorcoach travel alike,” said Parra. were picked, Parra explained, be- Meeting and Marketplace, destinations, San Francisco and San Francisco will host Motor- cause they have world-class con- Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Info: Go to JULY 2006 Orlando, as the sites for Motor- coach Expo 2008 from Jan. 15-19, vention facilities, exciting new de- www.gamotorcoachoperators.org. coach Expo 2008 and Motorcoach with the event’s educational ses- velopments, and a wide range of 20-23 National Motorcoach Expo 2009. sions and trade show activities run- attractions, cultural destinations 7 Texas Ground Transporta- Network 2006 Invitational 100, “We are extremely pleased to ning from Jan. 16-19 at The Mos- and entertainment options that will tion Council Get-Acquainted Stonewall Jackson Hotel & be heading to two of the nation’s cone Center, the city’s convention be of interest to the motorcoach Reception & Meeting, Austin. Conference Center, Staunton, Va. Info: (540) 477-3323 or go to most exciting vacation centers and facility. and tour operators who attend. Info: Doug Beach at (210) 247- www.motorcoach.com. must-see cities for Motorcoach For the third time in this Motorcoach Expo 2007 will be 4616 or e-mail DBeach@IMAX- Expo in 2008 and 2009,” said decade, Motorcoach Expo is re- Jan. 16-20 in New Orleans. For SA.com, or Jerry Williams at 29-Aug. 3 International Victor Parra, president and CEO of turning to Orlando. Most recently, information, go to www.uma.org. (903) 561-6095 or e-mail lones- Motor Coach Group, 2006 the United Motorcoach Associa- Expo was in Orlando three years Each year, hundreds of motor- [email protected]. Strategic Alliance Meeting, tion, which annually sponsors the ago, and the city also hosted the coach operators attend Motorcoach Carnival Cruise Lines’ ship private bus industry’s leading trade show in 2000. The 2009 Expo will Expo for its educational programs 11-15 Pennsylvania Bus Carnival Victory, New York City. show and educational forum. be between Jan 13-17, with exhibit and to see the latest products and Association Annual Meeting, Info: Go to www.imgcoach.com. “Accessibility, mild climates and educational programs running services being offered by the indus- Music Road Hospitality, Pigeon and a multitude of entertainment Jan 15-17, at the Orange County try’s leading vendors and suppliers. Forge, Tenn. Info: (717) 236- AUGUST 2006 9042, or go to www.pabus.org. 12-15 Alabama Motorcoach On-line registration for Invitational 100 20-22 FedFleet 2006, Association Annual Meeting Los Angeles Convention Center, and Marketplace, Riverview MOUNT JACKSON, VA. — to 100 suppliers. When that limit Center in Staunton, in the heart of Los Angeles. Info: Go to Plaza Hotel, Mobile. Info: Go to Registration for the Invitational is reached, the meeting is sold out. the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. www.fedfleet.org. www.alabamamotorcoach.org. 100, which annually brings to- The event is organized annually The renovated hotel was re- gether coach charter-and-tour by the National Motorcoach Net- cently recognized by the National mark the 23rd consecutive year the Network at (888) 733-5287 or the operators from throughout the work. For the third year, the Trailways Trust for Historic Preservation as meeting as been held. It is recog- Trailways Transportation System U.S. and leading tourism and asso- Transportation System has joined Virginia’s first winner of the nized in the industry for its quality at (703) 691-3052. ciate suppliers, is available on- as a co-host for the meeting. Great American Main Street and business-casual format, says For preliminary program infor- line for the first time. The 2006 Invitational will be Award. Staunton is at the junction organizer Steve Kirchner. mation and on-line registration, go The Invitational 100 is unique July 20-26, at the historic Stone- of Interstates 64 and 81. For additional information, to www.motorcoach.com/invita- in the industry in that it is limited wall Jackson Hotel and Conference This year’s invitational will contact the National Motorcoach tionalregi.html.

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New Orleans interview in the convention and Cruise lines lay-up until the spring when they’re visitors bureau offices on St. scheduled to resume operations out CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Charles Ave. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of New Orleans. Their sister ship, culinary class at the New Orleans Also open and catering to Other cruise ships could be the American Queen, is laying up School of Cooking. tourists are the National D-Day Mu- coming. for the rest of this year in New “We’re ready. Come on down,” seum; the Ripley’s Believe It or Executives from Princess Cruises Orleans. said Holland, who urges individual Not! Museum; the Riverwalk and reportedly are scheduled to visit Meanwhile, construction is operators to travel to the city, see Canal Place shopping complexes; New Orleans in August to assess progressing full bore on the port’s the sights, and gauge the situation the Magazine Street antique district, whether it can serve as home port Erato Street terminal, which will for themselves if they remain skit- and scores of famous restaurants. for one of its vessels. add a 90,000-square-foot building “No one has to worry whether tish about sending coaches and cus- On New Year’s Eve, the Del- and 1,000-vehicle parking garage. they’ll be able to eat at their Easy” promotion should go to the tomers back to the city. phin Renaissance was the first The garage will service the existing favorite restaurant,” said Holland. convention and visitors bureau Web “We want to encourage tour cruise ship to dock at the Port of Julia Street terminals, as well as the Only a few major attractions site at www.neworleanscvb.com. operators to come back and see for New Orleans post-Katrina. The new Erato terminal. themselves,” she said. remain closed, notably the Once on the Web site splash page, Audubon Aquarium of the click on the “travel professionals” 600-passenger ship arrived at the Construction of the Erato ter- As Bus & Motorcoach News Thalia Street Wharf, alongside the minal, which was planned before has reported, much of New Americas and Entergy IMAX button at the top center. On the port’s administration building. (See Katrina, was delayed nearly five Orleans’ tourism infrastructure suf- Theatre, both of which reopen Travel Professionals page, click on Jan. 15 Bus & Motorcoach News.) months by the storm. fered little by either Hurricane May 26, and Commander’s Palace, the links in the middle of the page. Not scheduled to return until The port also plans to convert Katrina or Rita. which is being renovated and is Or, operators can call Holland next year, however, are New Or- the Poland Avenue Wharf cargo ter- The French Quarter was largely expected to reopen the middle of at (800) 748-8695. unscathed. The same for the city’s next month. The group travel promotion is leans’ legendary paddle-wheel minal to a cruise terminal by late famed Garden District, most of the An encouraging sign for coach only available through the New riverboats, the Delta Queen and the next year. cemeteries, area plantation homes and tour operators is that competi- Orleans CVB and Holland’s office. Mississippi Queen. During the first eight months of and tour steamboats. Other famous tion has at last returned to New Hard evidence that normalcy is The Delta Queen Steamboat last year, nearly 580,000 passen- attractions have been repaired or Orleans’ hotel industry. Far fewer returning to New Orleans’ tourism Company, which changed owner- gers moved through the Port of rebuilt and reopened, including the rooms are being occupied by feder- industry was best demonstrated late ship last month, sailed its namesake New Orleans — on pace for rough- Audubon Zoo, one of the top five al government contractors, stu- last month and earlier this month boat and the Mississippi Queen up ly 850,000 boardings for the year. in the U.S., and the Audubon dents, city residents and others dis- when the city hosted the New the Mississippi River this summer “You’re really in the big leagues Nature Center. placed by the hurricanes, meaning Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. for a schedule that completely once you get around a million pas- “The tourism infrastructure is hotels have rooms to sell. “Rates Record or near-record crowds excludes New Orleans for the next sengers,” says Port of New Orleans still there. If we’d lost the French have fallen,” said Holland. packed the repaired city Fair six months. President and CEO Gary LaGrange, Quarter, we wouldn’t be here,” Operators who want informa- Grounds, drawn by big-name Both ships return to New who believes the port will hit that Holland noted as she sat for an tion about the “Back to the Big CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 þ Orleans in late November and will number before year-end 2008.

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HUDSON RIVER CORPORATION Call toll free: 1-866-LAV-DUMP | Fax: 1-201-420-3322 Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS May 15, 2006 13 New Orleans CUSA

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 Industry supports Gulf Coast clean-up CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 entertainers who came at reduced BILOXI, Miss. — Motorcoach in the travel industry this spring by some comfort and convenience to “We believe the combination fees to give New Orleans a boost. industry operators and suppliers donating coach transportation dur- those who so willingly gave their (of the two companies) will further Meanwhile, the other face of continue to aid efforts to rebuild ing a Tourism Cares for Tomorrow time,” said Dane Cornell, president enhance our excellent customer New Orleans — the storm-ravaged the Mississippi Gulf Coast devas- clean-up project in four Missis- and CEO of ABC Companies. service through the rapid transfer face — also is available for tour tated last year by Hurricane sippi Gulf Coast communities — Becker of Capitol Trailways of best practices among all locations,” said Lentzsch. groups to see. Katrina. Biloxi, Gulfport, Pass Christian said 53 Lend-A-Hand volunteers Gray Line of New Orleans offers He noted that both companies Capital Trailways of Harris- and D’Iberville. left on a company coach at the end conduct extensive driver training a comprehensive tour of some of burg, Pa., has been supporting a Tourism Cares for Tomorrow is of April for the two-day drive to the city’s most-devastated areas. A and safety programs and maintain nonprofit organization based in a public charity of the tourism in- D’Iberville. The volunteers worked high ratings on inspections by fed- tour unlike any most people have central Pennsylvania that sends dustry dedicated to the restoration five days and took another two eral and state agencies. ever seen or will see. busloads of volunteers each month and preservation of tourism sites. days coming home. Unless someone saw the bombed to D’Iberville, Miss. Founded four years ago, the Gulf He said 210 volunteers have cities of Europe following World The Lend-A-Hand Mission of Coast clean-up project was the made the trip since October. War II, there is nothing in their life the Presbytery of Carlisle (Pa.) has organization’s biggest effort so far. Additional trips are scheduled for experience to prepare them for a Based in Dallas, Coach Amer- tour of what Gray Line calls been repairing and removing debris More than 330 volunteers spent later this month and in June, from homes in D’Iberville since two days, devoting 5,000 man September, October, November, ica operates in 20 major markets of “America’s greatest catastrophe.” the Southwest and West Coast. October. Its volunteers eat and hours, working to restore culturally December. Trips for 2007 are “in The tour takes visitors through Those 20 locations are organized mile after mile, block after block, sleep in cardboard tents encased in significant coastal sites. the works.” under regional headquarters based and neighborhood after neighbor- plastic while staying on the coast. ABC helped transport volunteers Capital Trailways, which has in Dallas, Sacramento and Hous- hood of horrible flood damage. It is “Capitol Trailways drivers vol- to multiple sites in the Biloxi area in been supporting the Lend-A-Hand ton. The Dallas operation controls up-close and personal in every way. unteer for Lend-A-Hand trips a new Van Hool T2145. Erroll organization for 17 years, always the western and mountain loca- Even now, eight months after the knowing they will have sparse Hotard of Hotard Coaches in Biloxi runs its trips for the group at tions, while Houston oversees the flooding, huge areas of the city accommodations and meals,” said said the event was a huge success “wheel cost” — where possible, south central region and Sacra- remain as they were the day the company executive Robert ‘Skip’ and the transportation really helped said Becker. mento the northwest region. water receded about a month after Becker. “They also volunteer to keep things running smoothly. Lend-A-Hand will hold a American Coach Lines, which the hurricane. Only a few houses assist with the work being done at “ABC is happy to show our reunion of its Mississippi volun- was based in Lake Worth, Fla., had have even been boarded up. the sites, in addition to being the support for this noble cause. We teers in July on the Harrisburg 10 locations on the East Coast, from Baltimore to Miami. For information about the con- driver for the trip.” hope that by donating coach trans- campus of Pennsylvania State CUSA and American Coach troversial tour, go to www.grayline- ABC Companies joined others portation, we were able to bring University neworelans.com. Lines were privately held and terms of the deal were not disclosed. 14 May 15, 2006 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS

Florida At Escot Bus Lines, which is convention business. He discounts full in summer and it’s too hot. July based in Largo and has significant any impact from hurricanes. is totally dead, but we have gotten CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 operations in Tampa Bay and “They’re not a factor in Tampa some calls for August,” she notes. have vendors and suppliers that Orlando, company vice president Bay,” he says. “Every year we send buses to depend on us also.” Brian Scott offers a brighter pic- “In Palm Beach, maybe a little California. If we had more things After Hurricane Katrina devas- ture. bit, but Florida didn’t get hit like to do, it wouldn’t be so bad, but we tated the Gulf Coast last year, The numbers through April New Orleans. Any damage in still have our old faithfuls, and we Sambino says, the company lost 80 were good, the outlook for May is Orlando or Tampa Bay was take some tourists to the Port of percent of its business. “We had a good, and July “looks real good,” cleaned up the next day.” Miami for cruises.” gambling junket to Biloxi (Miss.) says Scott. June appears to be the Ingrid Hinklemann, owner and The prospect of hurricanes called The Biloxi Express,” he only weak month of the summer, vice president of SO USA Tours in might be a factor in the business says, “and 65 percent of that was but he continues, “we’ve still got Miami, is another operator who slowdown in Miami, she says, repeat business, with day and time to sell June. We’re not panick- has trouble finding much to be though SO USA Tours has hurri- Brian Scott overnight tours.” ing.” August and September also optimistic about this summer. cane insurance. Despite the dismal outlook, appear to be promising. “It looks very bad — dead. It’s Likewise, Davis Tours/Cruises Davis says. Sambino retains a sense of opti- Scott says Escot’s summer too hot and people are a lot more & Charter Bus Company in Ft. Jerri Smith, general manager mism. “We are looking forward to business has increased annually for enchanted with California. Except Lauderdale, has hurricane insur- of Good Time Tours of Pensacola better times — soon,” he says the past five years, boosted by for Orlando, Florida doesn’t have ance. “People who know us have on the Florida panhandle, is anoth- hopefully. family vacations and an increase in much to offer. The parks are too no problem putting up a deposit. If er operator who laments the dog a hurricane comes, we’ll make days of summer. During the winter things right,” says Chief of Oper- months, she makes regular runs for ations Jeff Davis. winter visitors — snowbirds, to the Davis Tours, in its 29th year, casinos in Biloxi. Summer visitors, enjoys about 85 percent repeat cus- on the other hand, only want to tomers. come and stay on the beach, she The company is having a good says. spring, but Davis looks forward to “We have no Disneylands the fall when business from here,” says Smith. “The only other schools, churches, football games attraction is the Naval Air Station and conventions typically picks up. Museum. It’s really very nice.” In addition to benefiting from Efraim Fixler, president of repeat customers, Davis Tours sees Gold Coach in Miami, has a more an increase in demand because of resigned view of the summer the coming and going of competi- tourist season. “We never com- tors. “Some companies went out of plain,” he says. “When we’re doing business and new ones started up, fine, that’s OK. When we don’t but it takes them time to catch on,” have work, we rest.” CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING FOR SALE 5 – 1997 Dina Viaggio 1000s 52 PAX + 1 Escort Seat $55,000 each, including tires 2 – 1999 VanHool T-945s 57 PAX + 1 Escort Seat $165,000 each, including tires Call Joe @ 508-993-4503 or e-mail [email protected]

REPOS FOR SALE Variety of makes and models of “Bank Repos” across the United States and Priced to Sell! Call 1-877-737-2221 Ext. 716 for more information! FOR SALE (1) 1999 MCI 102EL3 – 54 pax, Series 60, B- 500R, 250,000 miles, one owner, factory updates, VCR w/6 monitors, 6 disc CD w/ wireless mic. Overhead blowers, shades, enclosed racks, beem central vac w/ inverter (not installed), fabric on sidewalls, rear bulkhead, under racks, kneeling, flush lav. New white paint. $175,000.00 845-658-3960 ask for Gary Arrow Bus Line, Inc. • Tillson, NY Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS May 15, 2006 15 Donna Jean Smith, wife of UMA founder, dies FORT MYERS, Fla. — Donna her hobbies, including crafting, Smith is survived by her children, children. Jean Smith, wife of the founder crocheting, knitting and amassing Kelly W. Smith of Tampa, Fla., A memorial has been estab- and long-time executive director an extensive collection of clown Annette Ott of Centreville, Va., lished in her name with the Ft. of the United Motorcoach Asso- figurines. She was an avid fan of and Tony Smith of Fairfax, Va.; her Myers High School Marching ciation, Wayne J. Smith, died here the Washington Redskins. father William Cross; four broth- Band, 2635 Cortez Blvd., Fort late last month after a long-term Besides her husband, Mrs. ers; two sisters, and three grand- Myers, FL 33901. Donna Smith illness. She was 66. Mrs. Smith, a native of Wauke- gan, Ill., graduated from Kenosha (Ill.) High School and afterward earned a certificate in cosmetology. She and Wayne Smith were married in 1959, and resided for most of the past 40 years in the Maryland-Virginia-Washington, D.C. area. In recent years, the Smiths split their time between Fort Myers, and their home in Annandale, Va. Mrs. Smith loved traveling and Guarantee plan from Brennan SEATTLE, Wash. — Motor- coach-oriented travel company, Brennan Vacations, has announced a guaranteed-departure program for many of its European itiner- aries. The guaranteed departures include such trips as Scottish Majes- ty, Glorious Britain, Irish Fantasy, Mystical Ireland, German Ro- mance, Tuscan Opulence, and Italian Splendor. “We understand that it takes a lot of time to arrange travel plans,… so we are continually reviewing our bookings in order to provide the security that when you book, your clients vacations are guaranteed to go,” said the company. Brennan Vacations has been operating motorcoach and rail vacations since 1978. It operates escorted vacations throughout RESTROOM COMPLAINTS? North America, and internationally. For more information, e-mail [email protected], or go to www.brennanvacations.com YOU’RE NOT USING … or www.canadaAlacarte.com. Sullivan joins Transit Sales RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Richard Sullivan has joined Transit Sales International and Shuttle Bus Leasing as vice president sales. Sullivan brings a strong bus industry sales, parts and service background to the position. “Richard’s transportation skills and his personal commitment to always provide exemplary customer service make him an excellent addition to our team,” said Dean Carson, president of Transit CALL US TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN ENTIRELY ELIMINATE Sales International and Shuttle Bus Leasing. Transit Sales specializes in sup- SUMMER RESTROOM COMPLAINTS AND SAVE UP TO 50% OR MORE. plying used transit buses to customers in the U.S. and other coun- tries, while Shuttle Bus Leasing UNIT CHEMICAL CORP (800) 879-8648 www.unitchemical.com offers leasing of used transit buses. The SMART Choice

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