June 15, 2004

THE NEWS RESOURCE FOR THE BUS AND MOTORCOACH INDUSTRY UMA to fight driver rule, legal action weighed WASHINGTON – The in five weeks and applies to all Industry Relations Norman Littler. ments of the rule. rule’s implementation. United Motorcoach Association drivers with less than a year’s expe- After analyzing the rule and “UMA also is considering seek- “To say that we are appalled by has blasted the new federal entry- rience behind the wheel, was consulting with operators, as well ing a court injunction to stay the implications of this rule is a level driver training rule, saying it unveiled late last month by the as representatives from the school implementation of the rule until huge understatement,” said Littler. has “appalling implications” for Federal Motor Carrier Safety bus and trucking industries and the FMCSA dispenses with our “While UMA is (generally) very small coach operators and should Administration. others, Littler said UMA intends to petition,” said Littler. “Should the pleased with the very positive be blocked – with legal action if “The rule – as it stands – is a file a formal “petition of reconsider- agency fail to provide favorable changes that are occurring necessary. hopeless mess,” said UMA Senior ation,” asking the FMCSA to redress on the petition, UMA may throughout the FMCSA under the

The rule, which goes into effect Vice President for Government & rethink and revise specific require- seek further legal action to stop this CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 þ Electronic logs Operators may Wary drivers warm fight circulator to new technology WASHINGTON – At least one of the private OKLAHOMA CITY – Two years operators of sightseeing buses in the nation’s capital ago, the drivers at Red Carpet Tours were may be planning to oppose plans by the public transit in an uproar. Their boss had just told agency serving Washington to launch a circulator serv- them he was installing electronic logs in ice that will compete with the private companies. the company motorcoaches. Industry sources say one of the operators has Today, about a year after the units retained a consultant to study whether the proposed have been up and running, those same “downtown D.C. circulator” service will violate federal drivers would be even more upset if he rules prohibiting public transit competition with pri- were to remove the computer equipment vate operators and whether planning for the service from their buses. violated rules requiring private-sector participation in “When I first told them we were the development of public transit services. going to do this, they were ready to lynch Plans for the circulator were unveiled by the me,” says Jeff Polzien, company presi- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority last dent. “Now, if I threatened to take them month. WMATA said it wanted to have the service in off, they would lynch me.” A driver for Red Carpet Tours in Oklahoma City demonstrates the hand-held logging system. operation by next spring’s National Cherry Blossom The drivers need not worry, though. Festival. “I am very pleased with it and if I had inate driver logbooks. They’ve helped On its face, the service appears to pose a threat to That’s because there’s little chance to do it over, I would do it again,” he him track average fuel mileage per driver Polzien is going to tamper with the three private tour services that carry millions of tourists maintains. and coach, highlighted the wasting of annually between attractions throughout the capital. Tripmaster DT 240 equipment he has on Polzien said the small computers fuel and mishandling of buses, and pro- all 54 Red Carpet coaches. The electron- Those threatened by the proposed service are the installed on the buses and the compan- vided early information about possible Li’l Red Trolley, operated by a subsidiary of the Martz ic logging system, he said, has proven to ion software installed on office comput- safety violations. be much too valuable to toss aside now. ers have done much more than just elim- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 þ CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 þ NTSB to investigate series of rear-end collisions WASHINGTON – The National Triggering the investigation was where a coach rammed into the back A third crash involving a bus hit- surrounding big trucks pulling back Transportation Safety Board has an incident along I-10 near Houston of tractor-trailer that had just pulled ting the back of a tractor-trailer also onto a highway and coaches coming launched an investigation into a on May 24, when a coach returning from the shoulder back onto the is being scrutinized. In April, a coach up on slow-moving tractor-trailers, series of crashes involving motor- from a casino run plowed into the highway. operated by a part-time driver for NTSB investigators also will be look- coaches slamming into the back of rear of a tractor-trailer that was “If you look at a picture of these Holiday Tours in Randelmann, N.C., ing into driver fatigue as a possible tractor-trailer rigs. pulling back onto the interstate. accidents, they almost look identi- struck the rear of a moving tractor- causation factor in the crashes. The similar circumstances of two The NTSB will be comparing cal,” said Joe Osterman, the board’s trailer rig, killing driver Jerry In last month’s crash 30 miles of the crashes will be a primary focus that crash with a similar one that safety director. “We will make a Shackleford. east of Houston, the driver of the bus, of the probe. occurred Oct. 13, in Tallulah, La., report on both at the same time.” In addition to the safety issues CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 þ 1997 T945 VIN 28580 Seats 11, Jacuzzi Tub w/shower, Full Size Refrigerator, 2 Burner Cook Top 1999 T945 VIN 29759 Shower, 2 Refrigerators, Restroom, Alum. Wheels, B500R Trans.

1996 T845 VIN 28537 1998 T945 B500 Trans., Corian Counter Tops, VIN 29707 Dual Refrigerator 12 Bunks, Michelin Tires, In-Motion Satellite Converted by Caldwell 1999 T945 Coach, B500 Trans. VIN 29742 Seats 26, Corian Counter Tops, In-Motion Satellite, Deluxe A/V, Trash Compactor 2000 T945 VIN 29741 12 Bunks, w-Shower, 1999 T945 Tow Hook, Goodyear Tires, VIN 29710 B500R Trans. 12 Bunks, 2 TV’s with Video Cassette, Refrigerator, Microwave, 2 Stereos

1996 T845 2000 T945 VIN 28492 VIN 29731 12 Bunks, w-shower, Seats 22, Corian Counter Tops, Microwave, Corian In-Motion Satellite, Full Size Counter Tops, Refrigerator B500 Trans. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 15, 2004 — 3 OPERATOR NEWS FMCSA shuts down Illegal dumping brings arrests VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – misdemeanor in Virginia Beach, the drivers did not dump every small Illinois operator Two drivers for a Maryland-based punishable by up to a year in jail night. They apparently were motorcoach company have been and a $2,500 fine, it is possible dumping when the lavatory tank arrested and charged with illegally Zhang, Xiao and their employer was full. following crash probe dumping lavatory waste into a could also be prosecuted under The 45-foot coach the drivers storm water drain. federal statutes. were operating was making daily WASHINGTON – The Federal while another agency database says Wei Ping Zhang and Yun The storm sewer where the runs from Virginia Beach to New Motor Carrier Safety Administra- the company’s authority was Xiang Xiao, drivers for Lotus Tours dumping supposedly occurred York City’s Chinatown. Godwin tion has forced a rogue motorcoach revoked 18 months ago. Fonseca’s of Rockville, Md., were arrested drains into Chesapeake Bay – a said Zhang would drive the bus operator out of business after deter- phone number is answered as after a near month-long investiga- recreation area popular with one day and Xiao the next. mining that a bus operated by the Sunlight Coach. tion and stakeout by Virginia boaters, fishermen and swimmers. The pair was arrested on sepa- company had defective brakes The principles of Fonseca are Beach Police and two curious Virginia Beach Master Police rate occasions, a few days apart, when it crashed into a house in Fidel Fonseca and Fidel Fonseca Jr., women who had observed the Officer Dean Godwin said his when police observed each of Athens, Ill., in April. Twenty-two and the principal of Sunlight is dumping and video taped it. department’s investigation took of the 33 people aboard the bus Ricardo Fonseca. Addresses for the them dumping around midnight. Although illegal dumping is a several days to complete because were injured. two companies are blocks apart on CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 þ Sunlight Coach Inc. of metro Chicago’s south side. Summit, Ill., was served with an The two companies’ troubles FMCSA out-of-service order and became serious business in late At your service told to cease all interstate commer- April when a bus with Fonseca cial operations. The FMCSA threw the book for every service at the company. Specifically, the “An examination agency said Sunlight was operating buses in an unsafe condition, it had of FMCSA Web a lousy maintenance program, and it ignored Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, including sites suggests hours-of-service rules. The company also didn’t have a the company random drug- and alcohol-testing program, and it didn’t have any or enough insurance. probably should As a result, Sunlight posed an Top five reasons to rely on MCI Fleet Support: “imminent hazard to public safety” have been shut and needed to be shut down, the Full-service capabilities FMCSA said. However, an examination of down much Factory-trained certified technicians FMCSA Web sites suggests the Genuine MCI® Parts in stock company probably should have earlier.” been shut down much earlier. Convenient hours—open early and late Sunlight had been ordered out of Quick turnaround times service during previous compliance Coach Lines painted on the side, reviews, its insurance was iffy, and but operated under the name We’re always looking to save you money! the FMCSA revoked its operating Sunlight Coach, crashed into an authority in January but the com- unoccupied house that was being Ask about one of our Coach Maintenance Agreements. pany continued to haul passengers. renovated. The impact knocked Sunlight’s status as a legitimate out walls and pushed the house off Look to MCI Fleet Support for: business also was questionable. its foundation. SERVICE • HVAC Records in the Illinois Secretary of Twenty-two of the 33 people on SPECIALS THROUGH • Alignment State’s office indicate Sunlight was the bus, a mix of adults and 9/30/04: not a corporation in good standing. teenagers, reported injuries, includ- • Washing and Detailing Oil Change The Sunlight crash gave all ing head and neck pain. The bus • Engine and Transmission (Oil/filters/labor) Illinois coach operators a black eye was carrying members of Chicago’s • Over-the-Counter OEM $159.99 because local media dredged up Hispanic Literacy Council back Parts Sales A/C Express Service regional State Police bus inspec- from Lincoln’s New Salem when it • Wheelchair Lift Repair & Retrofit* $499.99 tion reports for the past four years, crashed in Athens, about 15 miles showing that 21 percent of 319 northwest of the state capital in buses inspected had been put out of Springfield. service – usually for bad brakes. An investigation by the Illinois MCI FLEET SUPPORT SERVICE CENTERS AUTHORIZED MCI SERVICE PROVIDERS Blackwood, NJ Dallas, TX Alban Engine W.W. Williams Foley Inc. Sunlight Coach was formed State Police, Illinois Department of 800 262 1287 800 248-4942 Power Systems Atlanta, GA Piscataway, NJ about two years ago when an appar- Transportation and the FMCSA Des Plaines, IL Los Alamitos, CA* Baltimore, MD 888 826 9106 800 228 3406 ently related company, Fonseca found the bus had bad brakes. The 800 743-3624 800 777 4101 800 443 9813 Coach Lines of La Grange, Ill., had crash is still under investigation by Loudonville, OH* Orlando, FL Cashman 877 754-4404 800 390-0287 Equipment Co. its insurance cancelled five times the Menard County State’s Attor- Las Vegas, NV Montreal, P.Q. 800 937 2326 within a three-year period. ney Ken Baumgarten. A spokes- 800 663-3328 One FMCSA Web site indi- man for Baumgarten said charges cates Fonseca Coach Lines still could yet be filed against the com- © Motor Coach Industries International, Inc. retains its operating authority, pany and the driver. 2004, All Rights Reserved www.mcicoach.com Nobody knows your coach better. POSTMASTER: Return postage guaranteed for return of undeliverable copies of Bus&MotorcoachNEWS. Return to 717 W. Pierson, #260, Phoenix, AZ 85013 4 – June 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS The

Feds issue warning to operators of 15-passenger vans

WASHINGTON – For the systems on 15-passenger vans. third time in four years, the New research confirms rollover risk The study, using a 2003 Ford F- National Highway Traffic Safety 350 and a 2004 GMC Savana, found Administration has issued a warn- passengers increases to full capacity. users of 15-passenger vans be aware were not buckled up. that ESC could have some safety ing to users of 15-passenger vans Research has shown that the of these risks,” said NHTSA • If possible, have passengers benefits under certain conditions. because of their increased rollover likelihood of a rollover when a 15- Administrator Jeffrey W. Runge, and cargo forward of the rear axle General Motors plans to install risk under certain conditions. passenger van is fully loaded is M.D. “It is critical that users follow and avoid placing any loads on the an electronic stability control sys- Similar warnings were issued in about five times greater than when safety precautions to significantly roof. tem on its 2006 models; Ford is 2001 and 2002. the vehicle contains only a driver. reduce those risks.” • Check the tires: Excessively considering the technology. The safety agency also While an increased likelihood of Among the safety recommen- worn or improperly inflated tires While federal law prohibits the unveiled an updated consumer rollover is present for other types of dations are the following: can lead to a loss-of-control situa- sale of 15-passenger vans for the hangtag for the vans and released fully loaded passenger vehicles, it is • 15-passenger vans should be tion and a rollover. At least once a school-related transport of high three related research reports. One most pronounced for 15-passenger operated by trained, experienced month, check that the vans tires school age and younger students, of the reports is a detailed analysis vans. drivers. are properly inflated and the tread no such prohibition exists for vehi- of 15-passenger van crashes The new NHTSA analysis also • All occupants should wear is not worn down. cles to transport college students or between 1990 and 2002. showed that the risk of rollover safety belts at all times. In separate research reports, other adult passengers. The new research reinforces increased significantly at speeds In fact, 76 percent of those NHTSA also examined the effects For more information, go to the fact that 15-passenger vans over 50 miles per hour and on who died in 15-passenger van of tire pressure on rollover resist- www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/prob have a rollover risk that increases curved roads. rollovers nationwide in single ance and assessed the viability of lems/studies/15PassVans/15Pass dramatically as the number of “It is vitally important that vehicle crashes from 1990 to 2002 electronic stability control (ESC) CustomerAdvisory.htm Iowa counties, 52 House conferees are named Four transits cities ask for for highway, transportation bill seek private transit plans charter firms MASON CITY, Iowa – Pro- WASHINGTON – The House has White House. Jim Nussle, R-Iowa; Reps. Chris The following public transit posals to operate the public tran- appointed 52 conferees to the The biggest fights are expected Shays, R-Conn, and John Spratt, D- sit or paratransit systems in three Senate and House committee that over money, with the Senate want- S.C. providers have informed the communities and three counties will shape the final version of mas- ing to spend $318 billion during the Education and the Workforce United Motorcoach Association in Iowa are being solicited this sive highway and public transporta- next six years, the House $284 bil- Committee: Reps. Cass Ballenger, R- of their intent to provide charter month. tion reauthorization bill that Con- lion, and the White House wanting N.C.; Judy Biggert, R-Ill., and bus service unless willing and able The North Iowa Area Council gress has been considering for two to hold spending to around $256 George Miller, D-Calif. private operators step forward to of Governments in Mason City years. billion. Energy and Commerce Com- offer their services, or to bid on issued a request for proposals last The conferees come from nine To help assure that something mittee: Chairman Joe Barton, R- contract opportunities. month for transit service in the permanent House committees that can actually get accomplished by a Texas; Reps. Chip Pickering, R-Miss, UMA urges appropriate oper- communities of Algona, Clear claim at least partial jurisdiction committee of 73 strong-willed indi- and John Dingell, D-Mich. ators to take the time to respond Lake and Mason City, plus the over the transportation legislation. viduals, members are restricted by Government Reform Commit- to these notices: counties of Cerro Gordo, Kossuth There are 31 Republican and 20 parliamentary rules as to which sec- tee: Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va.; St. Johns, Mich. Deadline: and Mitchell. June 16, 2004. Write to: Steven A variety of services are pro- Democrat conferees, representing tions of the bill they can negotiate. Reps. Ed Shrock, R-Va., and Henry the House transportation and infra- Here are the House conferees Waxman, D-Calif. Leiby, General Manager, Clinton vided for these communities and Area Transit System, 304 N. counties: structure, budget, education and and the committees they represent: Judiciary Committee: Chairman Brush St., St. John, MI 48879. Cerro Gordo County, Clear workforce, energy and commerce, Transportation Committee: Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis.; Reps. • Phone: (989) 224-8127. Lake, Kossuth County and government reform, judiciary, Chairman Don Young, R-Alaska; Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and John Xenia, Ohio. Deadline: June Mitchell County are seeking pro- resources, rules, science, and ways Ranking Member James Oberstar, D- Conyers, D-Mich. 21, 2004. Write to: Rich posals for demand-response transit and means committees. Minn; Reps. Vernon Ehlers, R- Resources Committee: Chair- Schultze, Executive Director, service. In addition, House Majority Mich.; Tom Petri, R-Wis.; Spencer man Richard Pombo, R-Calif.; Reps. Greene County Transit Board, Cerro Gordo County also Leader Tom Delay, R-Texas, was Bauchus, R-Ala.; Sherwood Boeh- Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., and Ron Kind, • 245 Valley Road, Xenia, OH wants evening and weekend tran- named a roving conferee who can sit lert, R-N.Y.; Steve LaTourette, R- D-Wis. 45385. Phone: (937) 562-6522. sit service. in on all negotiations. Ohio; Howard Coble, R-N.C.; Gary Rules Committee: Chairman Lenawee County, Mich. • Mason City wants a para- The House members join 21 Miller, R-Calif.; John Duncan, R- David Dreier, R-Calif; Reps. Pete transit provider. Senate conferees appointed late last Tenn.; Denny Rehberg, R-Mont.; Sessions, R-Texas, and Martin Frost, Deadline: June 21, 2004. Write to: Charter Service Public Notice, • Algona seeks proposals for month (see June 1 issue of Bus & John Mica, R-Fla.; Bob Beauprez, R- D-Texas. weekday public transit service. Motorcoach News). The Senate Colo.; Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich; Nick Science Committee: Reps. Lenawee Transportation Corp., For information, including a conference committee is composed Rahall, D-W.Va.; William O. Wayne Gilchrest, R-Md.; Randy 100 East Church St., Adrian, MI Format for Proposal instruction of 11 Republicans, 9 Democrats and Lipinski, D-Ill.; Peter A. DeFazio, D- Neugebauer, R-Texas, and Bart 49221. Phone: (517) 263-2161. document, contact: Kevin Kramer, 1 Independent. Ore.; Jerry Costello, D-Ill.; Eleanor Gordon, D-Tenn. Erie County, Pa. Deadline: transit administrator, North Iowa The 73-member committee will Holmes Norton, D-D.C.; Jerry Ways and Means Committee: July 7, 2003. Write to: Dennis G. Area Council of Governments, attempt to reconcile two significantly Nadler, D-N.Y.; Robert Menendez, Chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif.; Solensky, Executive Director, 121 Third St. N.W., Mason City, different transportation bills passed D-N.J.; Corrine Brown, D-Fla.; Bob Reps. Jim McCrery, R-La., and Erie Metropolitan Transit Iowa 50401. Phone: (641) 423- by the House and Senate earlier this Filner, D-Calif., and Eddie Bernice Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. Authority, P.O. Box 2057, Erie, 0491. Deadline for proposals is 10 year, and blend in aspects of the Johnson, D-Texas. Leadership: Majority Leader Tom PA 16512-2057. Phone: (814) a.m. June 18. transportation bill pushed by the Budget Committee: Chairman DeLay, (R-Texas). 459-4287. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 15, 2004 — 5 THE DOCKET

Free TSA security brochures are Expansion kicked off for available to motorcoach operators Highway Watch program WASHINGTON – The first step million truck and bus drivers, other WASHINGTON – With ter- eight panels stuffed with informa- towards expanding the national truck and bus personnel, law enforce- rorism experts of every stripe pre- tion. Topics include: Highway Watch program to the ment officers, highway maintenance dicting some sort of attack in the • Identifying Security Threats over-the-road bus industry occurred crews, bridge and tunnel toll collec- U.S. this year, it is only prudent for and Incidents here last month. tors and emergency responders. over-the-road bus companies to • Recommended Procedures for Representing the motorcoach A primary focus is to prevent take steps to build employee aware- Employees industry at an organizational meet- attacks by teaching highway and ing convened by the American other transportation-related profes- ness of the importance of passenger • Monitoring Suspicious Activ- and bus security. ities and Items Trucking Associations were execu- sionals to avoid becoming a target of tives from the United Motorcoach terrorists who would attack trucks The Transportation Security Identifying and Responding to • Association and the American Bus and buses, or use large vehicles or Administration says it wants to help Suspicious People Association. hazardous cargoes as a weapon. A by making available security aware- • Responding to a Security Highway Watch, which was cre- secondary goal is to train highway ness pamphlets and driver tip cards. Incident ated six years ago to train truck driv- professionals to recognize and report The TSA has 100,000 security • Collecting and Reporting ers to spot and report unsafe highway suspicious activity. pamphlets it is anxious to get into Information conditions, has been expanded since Information provided by program the hands of coach company owners • Vehicle Inspections and Area 9/11 to include the reporting of participants will allow law enforce- and managers so they can share Observations potential security threats, including ment officials, safety agencies and them with their employees. There’s even a phone number activities related to terrorism. first responders to move quickly to “These two free products will for reporting security incidents. The program is being developed prevent an attack or to immediately provide your employees with valu- To order pamphlets for your phone number, e-mail address, and by the ATA in partnership with the respond if an attack occurs. able security awareness,” says Darrin employees, send an e-mail to high- number pamphlets and/or driver tip federal government, many state gov- The TSA’s Transportation Secu- M. McGreevy a program analyst for [email protected]. It might expe- cards you want. ernments, motor carriers and drivers. rity Coordination Center in Hern- TSA. “The security of the motor- dite things to put something like The tip cards are on backorder Currently, Highway Watch oper- don, Va., will link the various partic- ates in about 30 states. As a result of ipants together. coach industry starts with you, the “Request for Motorcoach Security but the brochures should be shipped a big increase in funding this year The Highway Watch program is operators, so please take the time to Awareness Brochures” in the sub- fairly quickly. TSA pays the postage. from the U.S. Transportation Secu- expected to compliment the bus If there are any difficulties, con- get these materials for your employ- ject line of the e-mail. rity Administration, the program is industry security training being fund- ees,” adds McGreevy. When ordering, provide com- tact McGreevy by e-mail at being expanded to all states and ed this year by the TSA and deliv- The Highway Passenger Secu- plete contact information: Contact [email protected], or by beyond the trucking industry. ered to coach operators by UMA and rity/Motorcoach pamphlets have person, company name, address, phone at (571) 227-1463. The goal is to train upwards of 3 the ABA. 6 – June 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS ABA also said it was disap- establishes the new safety standards Cover Article pointed transit bus drivers were not within the Federal Motor Carrier Drivers, operators given CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 included in the rule. Safety Regulations, yet applies dynamic leadership of Adminis- UMA, on the other hand, them only to new drivers. reminders of fundamental trator Annette Sandberg, in this found fundamental flaws through- “It is ludicrous to believe that instance we are not only extremely out the rule. Particularly upsetting, only new drivers, or drivers with priorities, requirements disappointed but are also left says Littler, is the fact the FMCSA under a year’s experience, will need scratching our heads in wonder.” failed to establish minimum stan- to be trained,” said Littler. “All Let’s take a moment to “get CDL must have the current address The new “entry-level” driver dards for the proposed training, CDL holders will have to undergo back to driver basics.” of the holder. rule applies to individuals who meaning any training provided the training so as not to establish A handful of recent items and The motor vehicles division have been driving for less than a under the rule will be inconsistent two pools of drivers – those with incidents serve to remind that nei- reportedly sent out notices to truck year and are subject to CDL and vary from operator to operator, enhanced training and those with ther drivers nor their bosses can drivers having hazmat endorse- requirements for operating motor- creating concerns not only about insufficient training. This conclu- take even the most mundane items ments on their CDLs and many of coaches, school buses, trucks or the quality of the training but sion has been affirmed to UMA by for granted when it comes to fol- the notices came back to the DMV combination vehicles in interstate about legal liability. several of the motorcoach indus- lowing the rules of the road. as undeliverable. commerce. Exempted from the rule “For example, the wellness try’s major insurers.” For instance: Wisconsin drivers having a are transit bus drivers and school training lists a number of topic UMA also contends that cer- Greyhound managers and CDL with a bad address can be bus drivers employed by public areas, but fails to define priority tificates placed in a driver’s file supervisors in Florida reportedly are ticketed. Changing the address school districts. topics, scope or depth. This means affirming that the new training has cracking down on requirements requires a trip to a DMV office. The rule goes into effect July that operators are left at the mercy been given will be meaningless. related to log books, CDLs, U.S. Lancer Insurance Co. reports 20, but current drivers with less of anyone who claims to be an “Without the FMCSA qualify- DOT cards, uniforms and even that the fine in New Jersey for fail- than a year driving will have a 90- expert in this,” said Littler. ing the trainers and establishing an name badges. The supervisors ing to carry a driver’s license, regis- day grace period to take the classes. approved trainer list, the inspector reportedly are checking that all tration or proof of insurance has Under the rule, both the new conducting a compliance review drivers: been increased to $173. The fine is driver and the employer share “Operators have will have no idea whether the cer- • Have valid commercial driver in addition to the U.S. DOT pen- responsibility for ensuring the driv- tificate is legitimate or not. licenses and are carrying them. alty for failing to carry a CDL, er gets the required training. The to pay for the “In these days when most peo- • Have up-to-date log books which can result in a one-year FMCSA estimates the training will ple have personal computers and and all past logs have been turned license suspension. require 10.5 hours of classroom training rather color printers, it is no problem to in. Lancer also has reminded its instruction. create an official-looking certifi- Have their DOT card with insureds that DOT rules require all One of the key elements of the cate in minutes. Create the certifi- • than the them. drivers to have a record review rule is that drivers receiving the cate and sign any name – who’s to Are wearing uniforms that every 12 months. Any gap in training must be certified, meaning know that it isn’t legitimate as long • FMCSA meet company guidelines, includ- review time is considered a rules thousands of small coach compa- as the certificate content matches ing visible name tags. violation and could result in a cita- nies will have to find or develop what is required in the regulation. their own training program that reimbursing An approved trainer list is essential The Greyhound drivers are tion for having used a driver who is contains all of the elements man- to avoid the problem we now face being checked at hubs, with safety not fully qualified. The same is true dated by the FMCSA, and self cer- the states for with the sale of on-line university meetings and refresher courses for physical exams, Lancer notes. tify that all new drivers they hire degrees,” said Littler. being conducted in conjunction The annual review includes the have been trained. expanding their To underscore this problem fur- with the initiative. evaluation and filing of driving The rule requires training and ther, UMA approached one of the In Wisconsin, that state’s Divi- records, as well as a written state- certification in four specific areas: CDL training industry’s principal insurers. This sion of Motor Vehicles is consider- ment from the driver listing any Driver qualifications, hours- company provides training to its ing stepping up enforcement of a accidents and/or violations during of-service, driver wellness and programs.” customers as a service. When asked state requirement that a driver the year. whistle-blower protection. The whether it will now provide drivers FMCSA says that increased driver with certificates, the company knowledge in these areas is critical Without training standards, he demurred. “It appears the company USDOT may expand its to large bus and truck safety. adds, “it can and will be argued in is unwilling to assume the substan- While UMA is exercised about court that an operator should have tial risk exposure the certificate driver drug-testing program a number of aspects of the rule, it is used the training program from opens to them.” WASHINGTON – The U.S. apply to federal employees,” said particularly upset the FMCSA ABC company instead of that of Finally, UMA says the imple- Department of Transportation may Bill Mosley, a DOT spokesman. decided that individual bus and XYZ company. The insurers are mentation time frame “is impossi- truck operators must provide train- very nervous (about this).” bly short” and ignores the issues adopt changes in drug-testing pro- “But DOT often takes its cue from ing that the association says should Littler also pointed out that in worrying the insurance companies. cedures that would include testing HHS.” be part and parcel of the CDL pro- justifying the requirements of the As noted above, UMA con- hair samples and on-the-spot Meanwhile, John Bobo, a for- gram at the state level. And, oper- new rule, the FMCSA repeatedly tends operators will end up having mouth swabs for safety-related mer prosecutor and most recently ators have to pay for the training cited a 1995 study that found inad- to provide the new-entry training employment such as bus and truck director of the National Traffic Law rather than the FMCSA reimburs- equacies in the training provided to to all of their drivers because their drivers, an agency spokesman says. Center at the American ing the states for expanding their new drivers by over-the-road bus insurance companies will demand The DOT outlined possible Prosecutors Research Institute, has CDL training programs. and truck companies. However, it. But, adds UMA, even if the reg- changes last month in a notice pub- been named head of DOT’s Office The burden – both practical notes Littler, “the FMCSA ignored ulation only calls for new drivers to lished in the Federal Register, which of Drug and Alcohol Policy and and financial – was “tossed over the the conclusions and recommenda- be trained, there is no way there said it may use changes the Compliance. fence to the operators,” said Littler. tions made in the 1995 study. will be enough qualified trainers Department of Health and Human Two years ago, Bobo assisted Meanwhile, the American Bus “They ignored the recommen- available in such a short period. Services is planning for federal the White House Office of Association, which generally sup- dations that called for the agency Worse, adds Littler, “without employees. National Drug Control Policy in ports the new rule, expressed disap- to establish baseline minimal train- defining what a qualified trainer is The DOT notice said that forming policies and programs for pointment “that the FMCSA did ing curriculums for the three sec- in the regulation, we are left with- interested parties should comment handling intoxicated drivers. not choose to enact the training tors; make the new standards part out even the means of searching requirements as part of the CDL of the CDL training at the state out persons with the necessary skill to HHS on the new regulations Before going to Washington, Bobo process. … We believe that includ- level, and fund the states for the sets.” because “there is a close relation- was a prosecutor in several Ten- ing the training in the CDL process costs incurred for CDL program Littler sees no alternative to ship between the HHS Mandatory nessee jurisdictions. Along with would make them more effective expansion.” seeking reconsideration of the rule Guidelines and the DOT testing violent crime cases, he was the lead and less burdensome to the indus- UMA says another major or attempting to block it through procedures” in federal law. prosecutor for impaired driving and try,” the ABA told its members. incongruity of the rule is that it legal action. “Right now this is only going to vehicular homicide cases. MCI is with you all the way.

It’s no surprise that MCI sells more coaches than Fleet Support Managers to count on all other manufacturers combined. It begins with the models themselves. From our industry-leading J4500 and D4500 to our premier E4500 model, MCI works to bring you the operational features you need and the Experienced Technical Product Specialists amenities that keep passengers coming back for more.

We’re just as responsive once you take delivery. With a SM growing network of service centers and more coach parts than CoachEXPRESS Maintenance Programs anyone, MCI Fleet Support anticipates your needs, right down to online warranty tracking, factory-trained technical support and Emergency Roadside Assistance. Call us today. See how MCI goes Over 8 million parts available the extra mile for you.

MCI Fleet Support Parts • Service • Technical Support • Warranty • Product Assurance • Technician Training • Roadside Assistance MCI Sales & Service Locations West Southwest Midwest Southeast East Canada MOTOR COACH Los Alamitos, CA Dallas, TX Des Plaines, IL Orlando, FL Blackwood, NJ Montreal, PQ INDUSTRIES 800 777-4101 800 248-4942 800 743-3624 800 390-0287 800 262-1287 800 663-3328 or visit www.mcicoach.com for a complete listing of authorized MCI Service Centers. We are America’s coach. © Motor Coach Industries, Inc. 2004, All Rights Reserved 8 – June 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS OPINION One chance to learn New World Tours’ pollution case is strong warning

Editor’s Note: The following is feel at any time, but one that tions, and she was convinced that environmental crimes would not compare it with the stories you taken from the June 1, 2002, issue of seemed particularly magnified Dave Bolen’s willingness to share have the “get out of jail” card read about massive industrial and this publication’s predecessor, The when it was imposed in the wake his story with others would help available. In fact, she suggested governmental polluters who seem Docket. It has been edited and of the recovery from the 9/11 them avoid similar crimes. Bolen someone would pay a very heavy to get nothing more than a slap on updated. tragedy. The company also was was so diligent about telling his price, indeed. the wrist and a pink slip from the placed on probation for a year. story – hundreds of motorcoach EPA that reads: “Please don’t do In the board game Monopoly, And, at the age of 41, Bolen operators have heard it in person that again.” If you discount Bolen’s when the “get out of jail free” card has a criminal record he must carry or read about it – that his proba- Justice in the lesson case as justice gone awry, you only is used, it is returned to the bottom with him the rest of his life. tion was reduced to one year. If there’s only one card for the devalue the pain that’s already of the deck. And what was Bolen’s crime? Judge Brinkema made it clear entire coach industry, we don’t been forfeited and you miss the Just over two years ago, Dave He failed to put in place the that the federal government is know of anyone who begrudges point. Bolen of New World Tours in management controls and compa- serious about stopping environ- Bolen for using it. There are a lot So, what’s the point? Bristow, Va., narrowly escaped ny policies that might have pre- mental crimes by operators in their of good operators in this industry. Somewhere in America right being sent to jail for “negligent vented on employee from dump- handling of motorcoach wastes. By There are many innovators. You now, a well-meaning driver could management” in an incident ing a visiting can still find be pulling the handle on the lav involving his company dumping a coach’s lav tank plenty of opera- tank of your coach over a ditch coach lavatory waste tank into a into a storm sewer “If the government had pursued tors who will get along a country road. That driver storm sewer. Instead of getting jail when it proved out of bed at 3 could even be working for a trust- time, Bolen was sentenced to a incompatible prosecution at the maximum a.m. to help a ing, nice-guy manager who has term of two years probation. with New World’s stranger in dis- issued verbal warnings to his staff In sentencing Bolen, the judge waste recovery tress or who will about illegal dumping. said in so many words that he had system. Bolen had allowable levels, his sentence volunteer their But that driver may not know used the motorcoach industry’s verbally warned time to teach col- that the motorcoach industry’s one-and-only “get out of jail” card. his employees could have been a very long stay leagues – even one-and-old “get out of jail” card The next offender, she indicated, against such an their competitors has been used. He may not realize would be rewarded with jail time. act. He wasn’t – how to improve that both you and he could spend But unlike the Monopoly card, there when it was in jail.” their company. real time in real prison. He could, there was nothing free about the done and he had- And there are in fact, be determining your “get out of jail” card Bolen was n’t approved it. The judge that, she meant not only lav some, like Bolen, who will work future. granted. It cost him and his com- acknowledged that probation was wastes but also oil, antifreeze, hard to keep others out of trouble It’s up to you to make sure that pany dearly. imposed instead of jail time, in cleaning fluids and a host of other even while weathering enormous driver knows. It’s (past) time for Bolen was largely confined to part, because Bolen’s was a crime substances. personal and business challenges. even nice guys to “put it in writ- his home for six months and had of negligence rather than one of She reminded those attending He earned the right to use the ing,” and have every employee to wear an electronic monitoring intent. But she said far more. Bolen’s sentencing that he was card. who could dump anything anklet, allowing U.S. marshals to allowed to plead guilty to a misde- acknowledge they have been know his whereabouts every warned. Environmental crimes meanor; and that if the govern- The big picture minute. He was fined $500 and he ment had pursued prosecution at We were, of course, reminded had to bear the cost of the moni- U.S. District Court Judge the maximum allowable levels, his It’s easy to be angry about of the Dave Bolen saga by the toring, another $600 or more. Leonie M. Brinkema said she was sentence could have been a very Bolen’s case. It should not, how- story on page 3. As Dave told us His company was fined “impressed” with the news cover- long stay in jail. There was a very ever, be filed away under the head- the other day, “I don’t want to see $50,000, a price that any motor- age that Bolen’s case was afforded direct inference that the next ing of “bad things happen to good anybody go through this.” coach company in America would by motorcoach industry publica- coach company found guilty of people.” It’s also fruitless to try to Neither do we.

How to contact us: ISSUE NO. 32 Jeff Polzien To submit or report news, To complain: Red Carpet Tours Letters to the Editor, articles: Call: (602) 242-7361 Oklahoma City A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION E-mail: [email protected] Robert L. Quick To e-mail advertisements Quick-Livick Inc. Fax: (877) 510-5598 Staff Advisory Board or photographs: Stauton, Va. or (877) 510-5602 [email protected] Mail: 717 West Pierson #160 Editor & Publisher Alex Allen Todd Holland Tom Ready Victor Parra Amador Stage Lines Ramblin' Express Ready Bus Lines Phoenix, AZ 85013 To subscribe or inquire Sacramento, Calif. Colorado Springs LaCrescent, Minn. Call: (602) 242-7361 about your subscription: Sales Director Senior Editor Bob Brisman Robert Hume Bill Rohrbaugh Travel Mates Trailways Bill Rohrbaugh's Charter Services Call: (602) 242-7361 Johnny Steger Bruce Sankey West Point Trailways To advertise or to mail Vails Gate, N.Y. Harrisonburg, Va. Manchester, Md. advertising-related materials: To send subscription orders Government Editor Art Director David Brown Daryl G. Johnson Brian Scott Holiday Tours J & J Charters Escot Bus Lines Call: Johnny Steger or changes of address: Norman Littler Mary E. McCarty (602) 980-0840 E-mail: [email protected] Randlemann, N.C. Crosby, Texas Largo, Fla. E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (877) 510-5602 Editorial Assistant Associate Editor Bob Foley Godfrey LeBron John Silvanie or (877) 510-5598 ABC Companies Paradise Trailways Suburban Charter Services Mail: Post Office Box 12903 Tara Sheehan Ellen Balm Mail: 717 West Pierson #160 Faribault, Minn. West Hempstead, N.Y. White Plains, N.Y. Tempe, AZ 85284 Phoenix, AZ 85013 Accountant Editorial Assistant Steve Haddad Joan Libby Alan Spachman Carl R. Bieber Tourways Cavalier Coach National Interstate Insurance Co John Giddens Amy Stalknecht Kutstown, Pa. Boston, Mass. Richfield, Ohio

Rick Hillard Warren Miller T. Ralph Young ©2004 by the United Motorcoach Association. Reproduction in whole or in Tri-State Tours Pacific Coach Bus Service Young Transportation part without written permission is prohibited. Galena, Ill. San Francisco, Calif. Ashville, N.C. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 15, 2004 — 9 INDUSTRY NEWS

Price of diesel On-Highway Diesel Fuel Prices Valuable tips for Cents per Gallon 200 drops slightly 185 improving mileage, 170 Y G R E N

155 E

The modest retreat in diesel fuel prices that F O . .

T cutting fuel cost P

began a month ago continued during the second 140 E D . S .

week of June, coincidentally reflecting the drop in U

: are properly aligned and tires are

125 E C R

international crude oil prices. U properly inflated. Follow the manu- O After climbing in May to within a penny a gallon 110 S Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul facturer’s guidelines for wheel-bear- of the record – $1.77, the national average price has 2002-03 2003-04 ing torque, and ensure brakes are settled back to just over $1.73 a gallon. It remains properly maintained. Proper main- well above $2 a gallon in California. Diesel Fuel Prices tenance can make a big difference On May 15, the national average price was $1.76 Cents per Gallon Change from when it comes to getting better a gallon; two months ago it was just over $1.68 a gal- Price Week Ago Year Ago mileage. lon, and six months ago it was $1.49 a gallon. U.S. 173.4 M-1.2 L31.2 Don’t overload the engine. The West Coast and the Rocky Mountains East Coast 170.0 M-0.5 L25.9 Keep the HVAC, electrical and remain the leaders in high-priced diesel fuel. The New England 181.6 L 0.1 L25.3 engine cooling systems operating at average selling price along the entire West Coast, Central Atlantic 179.2 M-0.8 L23.7 peak efficiency by following main- Lower Atlantic 164.9 -0.6 26.8 from Southern California to the Canadian border, M L By Bryan Couch tenance guidelines. Reduce the Midwest 167.5 -0.9 L25.7 was $2.06 a gallon during the second week of June, M Executive Director amount of time the HVAC com- Gulf Coast 165.5 M-0.6 L29.0 down from $2.25 a month ago. Product Development and Planning pressor is in lockup and the number Rocky Mountain 192.1 M-1.9 L48.1 In California, the price decline has been even Motor Coach Industries of compressor cylinders that are more dramatic. A month ago, diesel averaged more West Coast 206.3 M-4.2 L59.0 California 212.1 -6.5 60.4 loaded. Once the cabin reaches the than $2.34 a gallon in the Golden State. The price M L With the average motorcoach peak comfort level, reduce the has fallen roughly 22 cents a gallon in the interval, to The cartel also promised to add an additional racking up 100,000 miles annually HVAC fan speed. $2.12 a gallon. 500,000 barrels a day in August. and diesel fuel averaging more than Electrical loads can be reduced In the Rocky Mountain region, the average price However, analysts point out that the increased $1.73 cents a gallon ($2.06 on the by selecting a lower interior light slipped to $1.92 a gallon, versus $1.95 a month ago. production isn’t likely to make a lot of difference to West Coast), operators are paying setting and replacing incandescent All other regions of the U.S., except New actual supplies from the cartel because its output close attention to fuel efficiency bulbs with energy efficient LED England, posted drops in weekly diesel fuel prices already is at or above the official new quota limits. more than ever. lamps. during the early part of June, with the declines rang- Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Just how much more in fuel costs When it comes to vehicle spec- ing from less than a penny a gallon in the Midwest, only two countries with significant spare capacity, are operators paying these days? ifications, remember to consider Lower Atlantic, Gulf Coast, Central Atlantic and have started delivering additional volumes. fuel efficiency in powertrain options East Coast. The long-term outlook for diesel fuel prices is not Assuming the average coach during a new coach purchase. MCI, In New England, the price went up one-tenth of encouraging, according to The Wall Street Journal. burns nearly 15,000 gallons of diesel a cent a gallon. The financial newspaper reported that global a year, that coach would consume for example, offers both the Detroit The short-term outlook for diesel fuel prices is demand is straining the world’s ability to produce and more than $26,000 worth of fuel at Diesel Series 60 engine with still anybody’s guess – despite news in recent days deliver crude oil and gasoline. current prices. That same fuel cost cooled-EGR technology and the that seemingly would bode well for the future. For The Journal noted that strong demand growth in just over $21,000 last year. That’s CAT C-13 ACERT™ engine, example, the OPEC oil cartel agreed to raise output the United States, China and other nations is bring- $5,000 lost to the bottom line for which can be combined with either limits this month by 2 million barrels a day, or 8.5 ing the oil industry closer to the limits of its ability to each coach. an Allison B500 or a ZF ASTronic percent, the biggest increase in more than six years. supply, refine and transport oil. Fundamentally, there are three transmission. Certain combinations factors that impact fuel economy: of these are said to decrease fuel (1) Vehicle characteristics, includ- consumption. ing drag, rolling resistance and Consideration also should be FMCSA to limit public access ancillary engine loads; (2) vehicle given to axle-ratio options based specifications, including powertrain on applications and performance to some data in SafeStat system options, and (3) driver performance. demands of the coach. While equipment, engine and Despite the advances made to engines and transmissions by manu- WASHINGTON – The Fed- “By the end of this summer, we address the recommendations out- transmission manufacturers contin- facturers and the fuel-saving proce- eral Motor Carrier Safety Admin- will temporarily remove the acci- lined in the auditor’s report. ue to explore ways to get more miles dures adopted by operators, it’s often istration has announced that it dent Safety Evaluation Area These include an effort to per gallon, there also are steps oper- the right feet of drivers that have the plans to restrict access to some of (SEA) and the overall SafeStat require states, when they apply for ators can take to save fuel. Let’s the data in its SafeStat system. scores from the Web site,” enforcement funding, to describe explore those options. most control over improving a fleet’s The restrictions are being Sandberg wrote. “The delayed their data collection process and Drag starts to become the pre- fuel economy. imposed in the wake of a critical receipt of crash report data can strategies for improving it; expan- dominant factor affecting fuel con- Here are three good tips for report completed earlier this year skew the overall carrier scoring. We sion of the Commercial Vehicle sumption at speeds above 55 mph. improving driver fuel economy: by the Department of Transporta- recognize the need for more accu- Analysis Reporting System, and To reduce drag, lower the cruise con- • Recommend that your drivers tion’s inspector general. rate data.” the upcoming publication of a trol and vehicle speed limit parame- let the coach coast when coming to The safety agency also said it Because of the data problems, “data quality map” on the SafeStat ter settings. By reducing the engine’s a stop rather than having the would make changes in the way it the inspector general urged the Web site to help states judge their programmed vehicle speed limit retarder or Jake Brake in the latch collects and analyzes safety data as FMCSA to use the information current data quality. parameter from 72 miles per hour to mode. That will produce better fuel part of its response to the report by internally only until those prob- FMCSA plans to judge data 66 miles per hour, one of our cus- economy in heavy traffic. the DOT’s internal watchdog, who lems were fixed. quality on its timeliness, complete- tomers found a 10 percent increase • Ask drivers to avoid extended criticized FMCSA’s SafeStat system SafeStat is an online data ness and accuracy of inspection and in average fuel economy. periods of idling while taking breaks for problems with the timeliness analysis program FMCSA uses as crash information. A 10 percent fuel economy gain or waiting for tour groups. and accuracy of its data. the basis for initiating bus and In addition, the FMCSA has at today’s prices translates to more • Have drivers shop for fuel The changes were announced truck fleet compliance audits. implemented an electronic system than $2,500 in reduced annual fuel carefully. Savvy drivers know which by FMCSA Administrator Annette FMCSA has implemented, or is for carriers to comment on the costs for the average coach. states, counties and facilities offer Sandberg in an op-ed article she in the process of implementing, a way their safety data have been To ensure rolling resistance is as the best prices and plan their fill-ups wrote for a trucking newspaper. number of improvements that recorded. low as possible, make sure wheels accordingly. 10 – June 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS Coaches retrofitted 100 mechanics with easy in-’n-out attend Prevost coach training chair lift systems ST.-CLAIRE, Quebec – More than 100 coach technicians from ST.-NICOLAS, Quebec – Blue system. Prevost operators across North Bird Coach Lines of North Tona- The system also is available as a America have attended factory wanda, N.Y., and Butler Motor factory install on new Prevost maintenance training here since Transit of Butler, Pa., both sub- coaches. the first of the year. sidiaries of Coach USA, have had “You simply can’t tell the differ- In a news release, Prevost said late-model H3-45 Prevost coaches ence (from a factory installation),” the week of maintenance educa- retrofitted with Prevost Car’s said Bob Kaylor of Coach USA. tion involved hands-on training on Swap&Plug wheelchair lift system. “It’s just like each retrofit coach H3-45 and XL II model coaches. The Swap&Plug system con- came straight off the production space when a lift is not required,” tained hydraulic system, eliminat- Prevost’s After-Sales Service sists of an interchangeable wheel- line. Kaylor added. ing bleeding of the coach hydraulic Department set-up and provided chair-lift cassette that can be “This ingenious plug-and-play With the Prevost system, the system, and once it is in place it the training at no charge to techni- moved from coach to coach. Retro- concept will have a great benefit to wheelchair lift cassette can be shuf- simply plugs into the coach electri- cians from customer companies. fitting a Prevost for the portable lift us in the future as we retrofit addi- fled from one coach to another in cal system. The wide range of topics covered involves modifying the coach sub- tional coaches,” said Kaylor. “This less than 30 minutes. No special Blue Bird and Butler used Over- during the training included main- structure and moving some feature allows us to use the same lift tools are needed either to remove or the-Road Bus Accessibility Grants tenance and troubleshooting of the mechanical systems to accept the cassette to make any of our lift- move a lift. When the lift is not they were awarded by the Federal electrical system, HVAC, Ricon mounting hardware. ready Prevost coaches ADA com- needed, it mounts on its own Transit Administration to pay for wheelchair lifts, REI A/V systems, Both Blue Bird and Butler pliant within minutes. And yet, it portable legs, allowing for easy stor- the installations. Blue Bird was and maintenance and rebuild of Motor Transit had two coaches provides us with no payload pen- age or transferring between coaches. awarded $87,000 and Butler Bosch alternators. modified for the Swap&Plug lift alty and full utilization of baggage The lift cassette has a self-con- $37,800 last year by the FTA. Each attendee went home with course documentation and refer- but no less significant, like putting ence materials in paper and elec- Electronic logs an end to the costly practice of tronic form. The training was by CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 excessive idling, which the veteran Prevost service managers, For the drivers, they no longer onboard equipment is capable of as well as representatives from have to spend time following a trip monitoring. “Some drivers would suppliers. recording all of their activities in a take a group to a football game and The Prevost service team will logbook. They just pickup an elec- let the bus idle the entire time tronic card from the office at the while waiting for the game to get be conducting training sessions at start of the day, insert it into a card over,” notes Polzien. “Now, they many locations across North reader on the bus, punch in their don’t do that any more, and that America in the coming months driver identification number and saves us money.” and plans another round of factory they’re done. The equipment also alerts the training early next year. When they return from their company to possible safety issues, Prevost factory training courses run hours or days later, they hand which, if undetected, could lead to are free. Participants must pay for the card over to the office staff, accidents and higher insurance pre- their own transportation and lodg- which feeds it into another reader miums. Tops among them are hard ing at the site. Prevost operators that copies it onto company braking, which indicates drivers are interested in having their employ- records. following too closely behind other ees participate in future sessions Polzien said drivers initially vehicles, and exceeding the speed should contact a regional Prevost Driver Phil McPherren poses with the electronic logging device. feared the transition to electronic limit. “It’s hard to put a dollar value service manager. logging because of concerns about on the safety side,” he notes. only been fully operational for upswing in the motorcoach adjusting to a new technology. The equipment also allows Red about a year, Polzien says it has per- industry. They became converts, however, Carpet to respond more complete- formed well and been largely trou- Joe Beal, a spokesman for the Driver blames when they began realizing how ly, accurately and effectively to cus- ble free. “We’ve had a few glitches Arlington, Texas–based Tripmaster, much time it saves them. In fact, tomer complaints. but they’ve only involved our hav- said coach companies are express- London crash the drivers liked it so much they The company recently fielded a ing to put back in the parameters ing more interest in the equipment were willing to overlook the “big call from a man who complained and that’s not a very difficult thing as a means of saving money and on distraction brother” implications that such a that a roundtrip run between to do,” he explains. finding potential safety problems. system can present. Oklahoma City and Denver took Now that he has experience “The record-keeping can be very LONDON — Model Helen For Red Carpet, electronic log- too long. Using the global posi- with the equipment, Polzien is nice, but a lot of the interest comes Chamberlain, posing in a skimpy ging has saved money and time, tioning system equipment built looking for new ways to use it. For from the cost benefit of controlling new sports bra and bikini bottoms although it is difficult to calculate into the units, the company print- example, he’s working to use the the fleet and improving safety.” in a Trafalgar Square fountain, the payback possibilities for the ed out a time-and-route schedule onboard computers to automate his And, he believes there is a cus- caused a bus to crash. $3,000 per unit that was spent for for the trip, showing that the run quarterly fuel tax reports and pre- tomer comfort benefit as well. According to The Sun, the the equipment and software. went as advertised. pare payroll records. Because the onboard computer stunned driver was so distracted by Polzien said there have been “If you get into a discussion Additionally, he hopes to use it equipment can monitor speeding the blonde model that he drove some obvious savings from the with a customer about how many to develop exception reports, which and excessive braking, drivers are past Trafalgar Square and right into reduced paper work resulting from miles they traveled, how many would help the company determine influenced to maintain “comfort” the rear of another bus. drivers no longer having to keep hours they had the bus or how if it has additional billings for com- control of their vehicles. “I think the bra must be really handwritten logbooks and office many stops they made, we can send pleted trips. “That should help us “Passengers who get their heads good. I’ve certainly never made a workers no longer having to trans- them a printout showing them the capture more money and spend less tossed around because of aggressive bus crash before,” the newspaper fer the logbook information into a entire trip, and that usually takes time doing it,” he notes. driving can get pretty cranky,” he quoted Chamberlain as saying. computer. care of things,” Polzien said. Meantime, interest in elec- said. “After all, it’s not like a truck The double-decker city bus sus- Other savings are less obvious Although the equipment has tronic logging appears to be on the with a load of chickens.” tained front-end damage. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 15, 2004 — 11 INDUSTRY NEWS Rear-end collisions CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 DATTCO buys American Eagle Herman Benton, was quoted by local media as saying he was uncertain NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – In a move how the accident happened. A pas- designed to strengthen its market position in senger, however, said he thought southern New England, DATTCO Inc. has Benton was asleep. purchased American Eagle Motor Coach Inc., The crash of the bus, bearing and American Eagle Tours Inc., both of Coach USA livery, occurred at about Fairhaven, Mass. 6 a.m. The trip had begun at 4 a.m., Terms were not disclosed. after the tour group had spent four The American Eagle companies were hours at a Lake Charles, La., casino. founded 25 years ago by John and Sally Benton’s boss was quoted by a Medeiros, owners of Medeiros Bus Co. Houston newspaper as saying he In 1991, Medeiros Bus Company, which thought one of the contributing fac- operated school buses, was sold to Laidlaw. The tors was the tractor-trailer trying to Medeiros continued to operate coaches in current line-run service between the New With the acquisition, DATTCO will add 9 move from the shoulder back onto scheduled commuter service between the Bedford area and Boston, as well as offering motorcoaches and close to 20 employees. the interstate. Massachusetts communities of New Bedford new daily service from New Bedford and Fall DATTCO Chief Operating Officer Donald The truck had been pulled over and Taunton and South Station in Boston, as River, Mass., to the Mohegan Sun Casino in DeVivo said he looks forward to expanding on for a routine inspection by a state well as charters throughout the Northeast and Connecticut. Individual and group tour pack- the successful business built by the Medeiros. trooper and had moved back onto Canada. ages also will be offered. As part of the acquisition plan, Bob the highway shortly before the crash. Dennis Lyons, DATTCO’s vice president of “Sally and I are very pleased with the sale of Hopwood is joining DATTCO next month as “It scares me to death to think of coach and tour, served as general manager of American Eagle to DATTCO,” said American manager of the Fairhaven location. Hopwood a big rig being pulled over like that American Eagle for a decade ending in 1998, Eagle President John Medeiros. “We’re confi- has 25 years experience in both the tour and on a fast freeway,” Robert Rugg, before joining DATTCO. dent they will continue our traditions of com- charter segments of the industry, including five Benton’s boss, was quoted as saying. “There’s a tremendous amount of opportu- mitment to customer service and to the com- years as tour operations manager for Paragon “Why didn’t they use the inspection nity for a well-diversified transportation com- munity that has been established over the past Tours in New Bedford, Mass. Hopwood also station a mile down the road or pull pany, such as DATTCO, in southeastern 25 years.” was general manager of Premier Coach in onto the feeder?” Massachusetts,” said Lyons. “With the Added Sally Medeiros: “We are also pleased Colchester Vt., for 12 years. The tractor-trailer driver told resources of DATTCO and the team at they will continue to employ all of our people, DATTCO is a 60-year-old, family-owned authorities he was traveling at 45 American Eagle, many of whom I’ve worked including our daughter Pamela who has been company that operates more than 700 school mph when hit. But Rugg questioned with before, I feel that we’re in a great place to with us for 13 years, most recently serving as buses, 53 motorcoaches and 28 school bus-like the speed, noting it is the minimum capitalize on these opportunities,” he added. general manager.” activity transport vehicles. allowed on an interstate. DATTCO will continue to maintain the 12 – June 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS NEW DELIVERY Vandalia Bus Lines grows; new building, new coaches CASEYVILLE, Ill. – Vandalia lift) coach was made in March. Bus Lines, the largest family-owned Established in 1932 with an ini- motorcoach company in metropol- tial fleet of five buses, Vandalia Bus itan St. Louis, is expanding, includ- Lines provided service between ing adding new Van Hool coaches several Illinois towns and St. Louis. to its fleet. It moved to Caseyville, Ill., which The 72-year-old company is is across the Mississippi River from building a facility that will house its St. Louis, in 1949, operating both business and administrative offices, scheduled runs and charter services. service garage, wash bay and parts About 30 years ago, Leon Streif room. Company President Dale Streif purchased Vandalia and merged it says the new building will be ready for with his own company, Streif Bus occupancy later this summer. Service. With more acquisitions Meanwhile, Vandalia has taken and steady growth, the need for late delivery of its third Van Hool model equipment for tour and C2045 lift-equipped coach. The charter groups became apparent. Vandalia’s new facility (right). 57-passenger coach is outfitted Today, Vandalia Bus Lines exclusive motorcoach carrier for with a Cummins ISM 370-horse- operates a fleet of 62 vehicles, the St. Louis Rams NFL team and power engine with Jake Brake, including 30 late-model Van Hool the St. Louis Cardinals major Allison B500 transmission, REI coaches. Directing the business is league baseball team. The company four-monitor video with radio, Leon’s wife, Judy, and their sons, owns the Gray Line franchise for Amaya Gaudi seats, Isringhausen Dale, Dennis and Roger, and their metro St. Louis, operating several driver seat, flush-type Monogram daughters, Melissa and Lori. seasonal city tours. Vandalia also is toilet, and Ricon S&S bay-lift. In addition to providing charter a member of the International Delivery of a fourth C2045 (non- and tour services, Vandalia is the Motor Coach Group.

Illegal dumping motorcoach industry that the ABC to add ZF Intarder federal government would not tol- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 erate illegal dumping of waste – of to new Van Hool models Ironically, the first driver snared did any kind. not warn the other driver he had When the federal judge passed FARIBAULT, Minn. – ABC “Driver enhancement features been arrested, so police were able to sentence on Bolen and his compa- Companies has announced that it will deliver numerous safety, main- nab both. ny she said that if a similar incident is making a significant addition to tenance and operating features to When the arrests occurred, the occurred in the future, the federal the powertrain offerings available maximize equipment service life on Van Hool coaches: The ZF-AS and customer comfort,” Hotard drivers claimed they did not speak government would not go lightly Tronic transmission will be an added. English, although they had com- on any company that did not learn option beginning this fall. Among features and fleet oper- mercial driver licenses. For the sec- from the punishment she had Not only will the 12-speed AS ator benefits of the ZF package are: ond arrest, police had an inter- meted out. The next offender could Tronic transmission be available on • Increased fuel economy with preter with them. expect jail time, was the clear C2045 and T2145 Van Hool gearbox design versus powershift Godwin said both drivers also implication of her comments. coaches, but the new package also transmissions said they did not know the dump- An officer with the Virginia will include the integrated drive- • Smooth maneuverability, ing was illegal. Beach Police told Bus & Motor- line ZF Intarder. with almost no clutch wear Wei Ping Zhang ABC and Van Hool will be the • Consistent level of shift com- It was just over two years ago coach News that a referral to federal first coach companies to offer the fort with pressure regulation during that a motorcoach operator in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Ad- authorities is under consideration combined ZF package as a standard gear-shifts northern Virginia, New World in connection with the dumping ministration compliance review in feature in the U.S. market. • Improved safety with inte- Tours of Bristow, was convicted of incident in their community. February, with a SafeStat score of “The offering of the fully-inte- grated intarder and continuously illegal dumping into a storm water The arrests of Zhang and Xiao 238.4. The only accident listed in grated ZF transmission/intarder variable control drain. In that incident, a U.S. Dis- in Virginia Beach turned up addi- the FMCSA database for Lotus package is designed to provide cus- • Increased road safety via easy trict Court judge sentenced New tional problems, according to Tours is a minor crash on the New tomers with a smooth, quiet, light- operation; fewer operator errors World’s owner, David Bolen, to a Officer Godwin. Log books main- Jersey Turnpike in March. The com- weight and fuel-efficient power- • Easy installation and mainte- two-year term of supervised proba- tained by the drivers indicated they pany reportedly has a fleet of about train,” said Louis Hotard, director nance with central wiring system of technical services for ABC • Extended oil change intervals tion, starting with six months of at- were making runs between a dozen coaches, midsize buses and Companies. “This equipment will • Simplified diagnostics with home electronic monitoring, and vans, and employs 18 drivers, Washington, D.C. and New York allow more flexibility for newer menu logic fined him $500. Additionally, the City; not Virginia Beach and New according to information the com- engines to operate in the most fuel The ZF system will be available company was fined $50,000. (See York’s Chinatown. The phony pany filed at the end of last year. efficient RPM range possible. with multiple engine combinations. editorial on page eight.) entries would cut about three hours Video of the alleged dumping In the Bolen case, the crime off the drivers’ actual hours of serv- by Xiao and Zhang, shot by the two Goodyear sues chemical companies was considered one of negligence, ice, according to Godwin. The pair Virginia City women, was aired AKRON, Ohio – The Good- compensation it is seeking, saying rather than intent. also did not have medical cards. May 26, by WAVY-TV/Fox 43, a year Tire & Rubber Co. has filed that would be determined in the Agents from the FBI investi- Lotus Tours, which is believed television outlet serving eastern suit against a dozen chemical com- legal proceedings. gated and attorneys from the U.S. to have been in business for about Virginia. The video can be seen by panies, claiming they illegally fixed The company claimed that Justice Department prosecuted the 10 years, is the DBA name for a going to the station’s Web site, the price of the synthetic rubber from 1994 to 2002, the defendants New World case on behalf of the company called S.J. Travel Corp. of www.wavy.com, and conducting a used in tires, hoses, belts and other broke antitrust laws by conspiring U.S. Environmental Protection Rockville. Efforts to contact com- search on the words “illegal dump- rubber products. to fix the price of ethylene propy- Agency. At the time, the Justice pany General Manager Jimmy ing.” A window will pop up, show- The companies being sued are lene diene monomer, which is a Department and EPA were looking Cheng were unsuccessful. ing the station’s news report and based in the U.S. and Europe. rubber chemical used to strengthen to send a message to the entire The company completed a the incriminating video. Goodyear did not specify what tires and other rubber products. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 15, 2004 — 13 NEW DELIVERIES Peter Pan touts new coaches to customers People Mover

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Peter Anchorage Pan Bus Lines is making its new J- model MCI coaches a selling point People Mover, the public tran- in its bid to win more customers for sit system for Anchorage, is adding its Washington-to-New York City five new SLF 200 low-floor buses to line-run service. its fleet of 50. The 29-footers, from Using newspaper advertising, DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses, Peter Pan is touting travel aboard feature extra heating capacity and its new 45-foot J-coaches, as well as remote, heated mirrors. its $20 one-way ticket price, as it The cold-weather package for battles Amtrak, Greyhound and the SLF 200s also includes an aux- other carriers, including cut-rate iliary heater, convection heating in operators, in the Washington-to- the floor of the lower seating area, New York corridor. heavy-duty insulation on the “We operate in a very competi- HVAC lines, and heavy foil-faced tive environment,” says Michele insulation for improved thermal Goldberg, director of marketing for protection. DaimlerChrysler says Peter Pan. “Our new MCI J4500 B500 transmissions, National 4210 performance a corporate-wide goal. rior graphic scheme. After a decade the package, combined with the coaches are responsible for attract- seats, National driver seats, REI As part of the effort, which extends of portraying the characters associ- roof-mounted heating system, will ing more passengers.... Clean, mod- A/V systems with four monitors, from the executive offices to the ated with the fairytale story of Peter keep passengers warm on the cold- ern, good-looking, comfortable RCA flooring, and Ricon S&S driver’s seat, the company is testing Pan, the company adopted a more est days and allow the bus mechan- coaches are part of our marketing wheelchair lifts. a GPS system on 16 coaches and contemporary look when its Boston ical systems to run more efficiently. message.” Three of the company’s newest has installed cell phones with operation suggested new graphics to “We are starting a deviated Peter Pan has become the J-models have seatback audio-visual walkie-talkie capability on all of its appeal to its convention, cruise ship fixed route in low-density areas and nation’s second-largest operator of J systems. These coaches have been coaches. and corporate clientele. our current buses are just too big,” models (No. 1 is the central region placed in the Peter Pan Bonanza By improving communications “Management liked the new said Gary Taylor, People Mover’s of Coach USA), with 50 in regular- fleet where they’re used for the between drivers, and between the design so well, it was decided to superintendent of operations and route service, including a dozen Providence, R.I., to New York City company and drivers, Peter Pan rewrap our entire fleet,” said maintenance. that were added earlier this spring. runs. expects to bolster its on-time Goldberg. “The new graphics also The buses were purchased Peter Pan specs its J coaches Peter Pan also is attempting to record. complement the modern design of through Schetky Northwest Sales with Series 60 Detroit Diesel out perform its competition by Peter Pan’s newest coaches the J4500 coaches. And Peter Pan, Inc., the DaimlerChrysler commer- engines with Jake Brakes, Allison making improvement in on-time sport the company’s revamped exte- the little boy, is still a big part of it.” cial bus dealer in Portland, Ore. NTA supports passport deadline extension

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The National Tour pliance. It is extremely unlikely that any of Association is supporting a Bush Adminis- the 27 countries will be able to comply with tration proposal to extend the deadline for the deadline. visa-waiver program nations to distribute bio- While the NTA wants the deadline metric passports to their citizens. delayed, it noted it continues to support a In a letter to House Judiciary Committee secure travel experience for all inbound trav- Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), elers to the U.S. the association urged the committee to con- The National Tour Association is an sider extending the deadline to Dec. 30, 2006. organization of nearly 4,000 tourism profes- Currently, the 27 visa-waiver countries sionals from 20 countries representing the face an Oct. 26, 2004, deadline for com- packaged travel industry. 14 – June 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS

the state of Wyoming. circulator to help shore up its long- The audit said the problem had As a result, they must drive around – D.C. Circulator But while WMATA (com- term financial situation. been “ignored for several years,” basically in circles – until it’s time to CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 monly called wa-mot-uh) is big and Right off the bat, however, the creating a “significant impact” on pick up their passengers, or else run Group in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Old has received awards and citations circulator will lose a ton of money. the agency’s finances since at least the risk of parking somewhere ille- Town Trolley Tours of Washington, from APTA and others, it also has The initial annual operating deficit 2000. gally … since the district still hasn’t a unit of Historic Tours of America its share of problems. is projected at $4.2 million and, The United Motorcoach Asso- found adequate parking locations for in Key West, Fla., and Tourmobile A brand new report from The based on its highly ambitious pro- ciation has put the mayor of Wash- these tour buses,” Parra noted. Sightseeing, a private company Brookings Institution, a jections for ridership, that number ington on notice that the coach “As you read this letter, tour bus that is contracted by the National Washington-based think tank, says may be badly understated. industry may oppose the circulator. operators in D.C. are being chased WMATA faces serious future fund- A series of public hearings con- In a letter to D.C. Mayor from place to place and often fined. Park Service. ing problems and budgetary chal- ducted earlier this summer found Anthony Williams, UMA Presi- Moreover, these summonses are There was an unconfirmed lenges. Fiscal difficulties among the overwhelming opposition to dent and CEO Victor Parra not presented in person, but report that WMATA had contact- local and state governments that WMATA’s plans to raise fares for expressed “grave concern” with the instead sent in the mail.” ed Tourmobile in recent days to ask help finance WMATA, including the second year in a row, and wide- circulator idea. Parra pointed out that the if it was interested in bidding on the the states of Maryland and Vir- spread disgust over revelations “This is an ill-conceived idea motorcoach industry brings hun- proposed service. Tourmobile seems ginia, the District of Columbia and WMATA had lost millions of dol- born out of the lack of parking dreds of thousands of visitors to like an unlikely candidate to con- other area communities, has left lars in parking revenue to employee locations for tour buses in the dis- Washington each year, “filling duct such service since it largely the transit system financially vul- theft. The agency also was criti- trict,” wrote Parra. “As we under- hotel rooms and restaurants and operates midsize shuttle bus trains. nerable, says the Brookings report. cized for being exasperatingly slow stand it, one of the goals of the cir- contributing millions of dollars to If one of the operators decides to In addition, it’s fast growth and to take action to stop the stealing. culator is to reduce downtown con- the local businesses and the dis- contest the service, it will be taking the aging of its equipment and The agency’s auditor general gestion by eliminating and/or trict’s economy. on one of the nation’s transit giants. infrastructure auger even more seri- has estimated that $500,000 to $1 reducing the number of tour buses “More than two years ago, our WMATA, also known as ous problems ahead. This year, million has been stolen annually by driving around the city. The circu- organization, along with several Metro, is the fourth-largest transit WMATA is facing a near-$25 mil- cashiers at WMATA parking lots lator, however, won’t solve this travel and tour associations, district system in the U.S. with an annual lion deficit that likely will be made and garages over several years. In problem but, instead, add to the officials, and various motorcoach budget of $1.24 billion. That’s more up by a fare increase and possible the past few months, 33 cashiers congestion. and tour operators from this region money than the entire Amtrak sys- service cutbacks. have been fired and felony charges “The problem is that the tour were invited to help the district tem gets from the U.S. Treasury Some have speculated that have been filed against two of buses don’t have any place to park government address the problem of and about the size of the budget of WMATA will claim it needs the them. after they drop off their passengers. inadequate parking for tour buses. At that time, we came to the table in good faith believing we were all working towards the same end. CC LASSIFIEDLASSIFIED AA DVERTISINGDVERTISING After several meetings, we were told nothing could be done until a Business For Sale study was completed. “Finally, the highly respected Classified Advertising U.S. Department of Transportation Alta Loma Volpe Transportation Center was hired to conduct a feasibility study ORDER FORM Charter Lines and, in the process, also examine “best practices” in other metropoli- Charter Bus Company Bus & Motorcoach NEWS is published on the 1996 MCI 102DL3 tan areas. While the study was serving Southern California. Excellent Condition, DD Series completed in February of this year, 1st and 15th of the month. 60, NEW Allison B500R Auto Ad deadlines are one week prior to publication. Located outside of Los Angeles. Trans (under warr.), 55 pass, nothing has happened …until now. Five highway coaches in excellent Alum Wheels & Tires, Loaded. “It appears that rather than use Please print or type your advertising copy. condition. $139,000 the data collected from the study to Call David find appropriate bus parking solu- If you prefer, print or type your ad on a separate sheet and Year-round charters and many 1-888-382-8737 ext. 200 attach to this form. All Classified Advertising must be accom- email for pictures tions, the district instead is propos- seasonal customers. [email protected] ing to use taxpayer dollars to com- panied by payment before insertion. VISA, MasterCard and Unlimited growth potential. American Express cards are accepted. pete with private operators. Having Authorized scheduled (PSC) Metro operate the downtown D.C. Type of ad you prefer: __Display__Line operator to LAX and Ontario FOR SALE circulator not only pits a large, pub- Samples and ad rates on reverse side. International Airport. licly supported organization against Number of issues you would like this ad to appear in: 1 2 3 4 5 6 More?__ 9 local Indian Casino Contracts. small, private business, but it also Name 10 Nevada Casino Contracts. 1992 may violate federal law. More Person Authorizing Advertisement - Please Print importantly, this proposal subjects students and other groups to greater Company (909) 987-5056 MCI C-3 risk and liability.” Address There is widespread fear in the City State Zip FOR SALE 47-passenger coach, coach industry that the long-term Florida Keys Bus goal of the circulator is to force tour Signature Excellent condition. Charter Company groups out of motorcoaches and private shuttle services and onto Credit Card Information Established since 1988. Serious inquires buses operated by the circulator. Card No. Fleet: Two MCI 102s. should contact Such a system would risk stu- Expiration Date Last chance. Price reduced. dents traveling unsupervised Also have one 1988 MCI 102 for sale. Phillip Clark Jr. at Name on Card throughout the capital, an unac- Fax letter of interest to Michael: (724) 658-2000 ceptable prospect to parents and Fax or Mail this form to Bus & Motorcoach NEWS (305) 743-2018 tour bus operators. Toll-free fax: (877) 510-5598 “On behalf of the more that 1,000 tour buses that enter D.C. Mail to: 717 West Pierson #160, Phoenix, AZ 85013 For Sale: Small Pennsylvania Charter Company daily, we urge you to abandon the downtown D.C circulator and, Make checks payable to: Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Well established, Good Customer list, growth potential unlimited. E-mail instead, find adequate parking for Questions? Call Johnny: (602) 980-0840 serious inquiries to [email protected] or mail to P. Clark, Suite 300 these buses,” Parra wrote Mayor Email: [email protected] Sky Bank Building, 14 North Mercer Street, New Castle, PA 16101 Williams. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 15, 2004 — 15 INDUSTRY NEWS Calendar Short drivers? No problem, try the United Kingdom JUNE 2004 SASKATOON, Saskatchewan the Star Phoenix newspaper reports. ing bonuses, but that Saska- Association said the campaign 19-23 Pennsylvania Bus Association – Three trucking companies in the Westcan Bulk Transport, toon’s cost of living seemed to has focused on drivers from the Annual Meeting, The Queensbury Hotel, Canadian province of Saskatche- Yanke Group and Siemens Trans- be incentive enough. The pro- United Kingdom because many Glen Falls, N.Y. Info: (717) 236-9042 or go to www.pabus.org. wan are recruiting drivers from portation Group said the campaign gram requires the companies to of them would have to cross into England and the United Kingdom. has succeeded beyond their expec- cover an airline ticket for the the United States, and it is easier 21-22 Bus Industry Safety Council summer meeting, Dallas. Info: (800) 283- The recruitment drive will tations, the newspaper said. driver and a return ticket if the for them to get security clearance 2877 or go to www.buses.org. bring 120 truck drivers and their The Saskatoon companies job does not work out. than if they are from other coun- 22-25 National Motorcoach Network families to Canada from the U.K., said they are not providing sign- The Saskatchewan Trucking tries. 2004 Network Invitational 100, Radisson Hotel, Annapolis, Md. Info: (888) 733- 5287 or go to www.motorcoach.com. JULY 2004 Is trying to manage your fuel 9-11 BusN USA Convention, Polk County Fairgrounds, Rickreal, Ore. Info: (541) 744-4333 or go to www.busnusa.com. costs a never-ending battle? 15-19 Flxible Owners International Office Biennial Bus Rally, Loudonville, Ohio. Info: (419) 994-3869. 18-20 Georgia Motorcoach Operators The Wright Express Fuel Card can save you Association Annual Meeting & Market Place, Jekyll Inn, Jekyll Island, Ga. time, money and Paperwork! 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