Bus & Motorcoach News
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November 1, 2006 WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE BUS INDUSTRY Bus industry Coach industry shrinks is becoming but may be on rebound WASHINGTON — The North may have halted last year, though a lot greener American motorcoach industry that assessment is based on a “mini Looking for some “buzz” to shrank dramatically during the years survey” that was responded to by wow your customers and passengers? 2000-2005, resulting in the loss of fewer than 6 percent of the opera- Try throwing this at ‘em: its ranking as the No. 1 passenger- tors in North America. Your motorcoaches are an in- carrying industry to the airlines, Other key findings from the tegral part of “the single-greatest newly released figures indicate. ABA-sponsored research: achievement in clean fuel since During those years, there was a • Motorcoach companies op- lead was removed from gasoline measurable drop in the number of erating 50-99 buses have been hav- more than 25 years ago.” motorcoach companies operating ing a harder time coping with in- And you’re doing it every time in the industry, the number of buses dustry challenges than other opera- your buses are refueled. operated by the industry, and the tors — both larger and smaller. That’s because you’re most number of people employed in the • Nearly three-quarters of the likely buying ultra-low-sulfur die- industry. operators that compose the indus- sel fuel that began showing up at At the same time, new figures try are mom-and-pop companies, fueling stations this past summer from the federal government show having fewer than 10 coaches. and became a federal mandate last the industry’s safety performance • More industry miles are month for 80 percent of the diesel also declined, resulting in signifi- racked up annually by charter-and- fuel sold at retail in the U.S. cantly more passenger deaths than tour operators than line-run compa- The new fuel is 97 percent on commercial airlines. nies — 55 percent vs. 28 percent. lower in sulfur content than the Still, updated figures put to- About half of all coach opera- diesel it’s replacing, reducing the gether for the American Bus Asso- tors say they have faced competition sulfur content from 500 parts per ciation suggest the industry slide CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 þ million to 15. That’s why U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator THE MICHAEL JORDON OF BUS DRIVERS? Anthony Griffith of FMCSA inches toward Stephen L. Johnson, other govern- Traveling in Style won the South Jersey Transportation Authority ment officials and environmental- annual Bus Roadeo driver competition for the fourth time in this requiring passenger info ists say the switch to ultra-low- decade. See story on Page 12. sulfur diesel is the biggest boost to WASHINGTON — Seven that will permit several methods for cleaner air since lead was removed years after the National Transpor- informing coach passengers of from gasoline in the 1970s. FTA says Charleston agency tation Safety Board recommended what to do if there is an emergency. For the buses and coaches cur- that motorcoach operators be And, what’s more, the program rently in your fleet, the ultra-low- violated federal charter rules required to provide passengers with will allow operators to pick and sulfur diesel is expected to result CHARLESTON, S.C. — The vate operators provided the shuttles a pre-trip safety briefing, federal chose the type of briefing they con- in a 10 percent reduction in exhaust Federal Transit Administration has for the exposition. This year, howev- regulators are getting close to sider “appropriate.” emissions. ruled that the public transit agency er, CARTA grabbed the service. adopting a requirement for “a bus In late July 1997, there was a And, if you buy a new coach next here violated federal charter rules The local private companies passenger safety awareness pro- particularly ugly bus crash along year that complies with the 2007 when it provided bus service earli- competing for the contract lost out gram.” Interstate 95 near Stony Creek, Va. EPA emissions standards, that bus er this year for an event called the on the business, said Linda Morris, However, what is likely to A coach drifted off the side of the will produce 90 percent less partic- Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. executive director of the Motorcoach emerge from the Federal Motor highway and down an embankment ulate matter than today’s coaches The expo brought thousands of Association of South Carolina, which Carrier Safety Administration won’t into the Nottoway River where it and will greatly reduce emissions visitors to Charleston for three lodged a formal complaint with the be a mandate that requires opera- landed on its side. One passenger of nitrogen oxides. It also will be days in February. The event’s or- FTA. (See May 1 and July 1 issues tors to hire a bus attendant who was fatally injured. The driver and among the most environmentally ganizers paid Charleston Area Re- of Bus & Motorcoach News.) stands in front of the passengers, three passengers sustained serious friendly vehicles on the road. gional Transportation Authority, “When there’s a willing and wearing a life vest, and explains all injuries, and 28 passengers had CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 þ known locally as CARTA, $23,000 able private carrier available, of the dos and don’ts of an emer- minor injuries. to provide shuttle service for the (CARTA is) not supposed to pro- gency evacuation. After its investigation, NTSB Greener than airlines? attendees. vide charter service,” said Morris. Instead, the FMCSA has indi- said the crash highlighted the need See story page 9 During the previous 15 years, pri- CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 þ cated it will propose a flexible plan CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 þ P INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW... TOP QUALITY PARTS. BOTTOM LINE SAVINGS. 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Call or visit a nearby ABC Parts Source counter or order online at www.abc-companies.com/parts and save an additional 2% on all your online parts orders. www.abc-companies.com MIDWEST NORTHEAST SOUTHEAST SOUTHWEST WESTERN 800-222-2875 800-222-2873 800-222-2871 800-222-2877 800-322-2877 Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS November 1, 2006 3 Trailways gains four, Coach industry donations favor Dems Political donations from the bus ican Bus Association contributed House contests. For example, only but loses big member and motorcoach industry this year nearly $71,000 to political candi- five Senate candidates have gotten are favoring Democrat candidates dates as of late October, with 60 money from the ABA PAC, while FAIRFAX, Va. — The Trail- ments for its member operators. by a 3-2 margin, according to percent of the money going to 31 incumbent congressional candi- ways Transportation System has (See Nov. 1, 2005 Bus & Motor- research groups that track political Democratic candidates and 40 per- dates have received money. House added four members but lost its coach News.) And it decided to contributions. cent headed to Republicans. candidates also tend to get more largest member, Peter Pan Bus add teeth to its rules, meaning That trend runs counter to polit- The United Motorcoach Asso- money. Lines. “strict enforcement” of the Trail- ical giving by associations and ciation does not have a political Interestingly, Mike Sodrel, the The four new members are: ways licensing agreement. executives in industries allied with action committee. former motorcoach and trucking • Sun Travel Inc. of Beaumont, Among other things, the re- the motorcoach industry. The leading recipients of bus company owner who is in a tight Texas, now Sun Travel Trailways vamped rules required operators to For example, the political ac- industry political largesse are who race to retain his House seat from • Gold Line Inc. of Hyattsville, prominently display the Trailways tion committee operated by the you would expect – members of the Indiana’s 9th district, has gotten Md., now Gold Line Trailways name or logo in at least two sepa- National Tour Association favors House Transportation and Infra- less money from motorcoach in- • National Coach of Frede- rate locations on each coach, with Republicans by better than a 5 to 1 structure Committee. dustry political donors than some ricksburg, Va., now National Coach the name or logo a minimum of margin, while giving through the At least 18 members of the other candidates. Trailways two-feet wide. National School Transportation committee, including Chairman Most of the large individual • Eagle Tours Inc. of Irving, Additionally, the Trailways Association has favored Repub- Don Young of Alaska and his No. 2, political donors from the bus indus- Texas, now Eagle Trailways of Texas logo must be displayed or included licans this year by a 3 to 1 margin. Thomas Petri of Wisconsin, got try are top executives at the biggest The departure of Peter Pan was on virtually all company printed And, as of the middle of money from motorcoach industry outfits — think Greyhound, Coach precipitated by a dispute over us- materials, from brochures and con- October, the Taxicab, Limousine & political givers, as did the ranking America, Coach USA, Jefferson ing the Trailways name.