BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — JulyApril 1, 1, 2005 2005 — 1 INDUSTRY NEWS
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE BUS INDUSTRY Can a tiny state association succeed? Oklahomans try OKLAHOMA CITY — A looking out for motorcoach carriers trucks and buses hasn’t always first got together, but three of the The new motorcoach associa- failed attempt to build a new four- at the state legislature. worked well in other states, but it operators have since gone out of tion actually is the product of a state motorcoach association in the However, because the fledging seems to be working well here,” business, leaving it with eight of the failed effort to put together a Southwest has led to the creation of organization has only eight dues- says association president Robert 12 or so carriers based in the state. regional association of operators a new state trade organization in paying members, it had to look out- O’Brien of Time Lines in O’Brien said the lobbying from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Oklahoma and a close relationship side the coach industry to make it Oklahoma City. “It was worth the efforts this year won the industry New Mexico. Formed early last with that state’s trucking industry. happen. It partnered with the chance because as small as we are legislation that exempts motor- year, the four-state group hired an The Oklahoma Motorcoach Oklahoma Trucking Association, there was no way we could afford a coach companies from state sales executive director and was in the Association not only is up and run- and is using its professional lobby- fulltime lobbyist.” taxes and sets the same minimum midst of developing an agenda ning but it has already scored some ist to tend to its legislative business. The new association had about liability insurance standard for both when it collapsed because too many success with its main mission of “I know the combination of a dozen members when the group intrastate and interstate carriers. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 þ New safety features to be stock on MCIs SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Motor tire pressure and temperature, and Coach Industries is about to be- warns drivers of tire-related prob- come the first coach manufacturer lems via the dashboard control in North America to add three panel. A small, wireless sensor is important safety innovations as mounted on each wheel and col- standard equipment on its coaches: lects temperature and pressure a tire-pressure monitoring system, data. This data is transmitted to a a fire suppression system, and in- receiver and is output on the dash bumper back-up sensors. display. Pete Cotter, MCI senior vice A red and yellow LED display president of sales, said that includ- will indicate if the pressure in a ing the three systems on new tire falls below an established set- Martz Group innovates, adjusts coaches will help customers pro- ting or if the air temperature in a tect their investment. “Adding tire rises above a certain level to cope with times, stay on top these value-added technologies as while the coach is moving. standard features enhances safety “SmarTire not only serves as WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The the co-founding of a national bus Motorcoach Association Safety while helping to lower operational an asset-protection device, it sim- company slogan at The Martz transportation system. Leader of the Year Award, the top costs,” said Cotter. plifies pre-trip inspections and Group isn’t a variation of the say- More recently, it was tested by safety honor in the over-the-road The Amerex Fire Suppression should make it easier to prevent ing about “teaching old dogs new the economic downturn of the late bus industry. And, the Martz System that will become standard unscheduled downtime, and help tricks” ... but it could be. 1990s, leading to a company over- Group and Henry were the co- on all MCI models beginning in to improve tire wear and fuel effi- That’s because the folks at The haul and streamlining, the adopt- recipients of the UMA Vision the third quarter of this year is ciency,” said Bryan Couch, MCI Martz Group have been through ing of new policies and mandates, Award, which honors outstanding designed to warn drivers and sup- vice president of product develop- both tough times and good, always and an upgrading of its safety sys- operator innovation, business press fires in their earliest stages, ment and technical support. managing to change and improve, tem, resulting in a reduction in practices and safety, along with protecting both passengers and the As an option, MCI will offer an making the best of either situation. accident frequency. Carl R. Bieber Tourways and its coach. In the event of a fire, the upgraded version of SmarTire. The And, they’ve been doing it for Earlier this year, The Martz president, Steven Haddad. system automatically suppresses more sophisticated unit will in- nearly 100 years. Group and its long-time chairman, More recently, Henry received flames with a special agent, limit- clude a digital display that gives the The mix of business chal- Frank M. Henry, received two of the Industry Vanguard Award for ing damage and minimizing down pressure and temperature of each lenges has ranged from the finan- the motorcoach industry’s top hon- his personal and professional time. tire to readily identify any tire that’s cial collapse of a successful airline ors in recognition of its achieve- accomplishments, and industry Amerex is one of North Amer- a problem. The digital display service and the death of the com- ments in recent years. influence and leadership. The ica’s leading manufacturers of SmarTire system also will be avail- pany president in a helicopter In presentations made at Mo- award was presented by the Trail- fire-fighting equipment. able soon as an aftermarket retrofit crash, to the development of an torcoach Expo 2005 in Las Vegas, ways Transportation System. The SmarTire™ system being through MCI Fleet Support. extensive line-run operation and Henry was given the United CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 þ installed on MCIs monitors both CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 þ 9OUR -#) EXPERIENCES CAN BE EVEN MORE REWARDING .OW THROUGH !UG QUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN s #AREFREE 2ESORT %SCAPE OR OUR '2!.$ 02):% s ! v ($46 A ,EASED #ADILLAC 8,2 s "OSE (OME 4HEATRE 2ESTRICTIONS APPLY 3EE COMPLETE RULES ON THE s 0OULAN 0RO 4RACTOR WEB SITE LISTED BELOW 6OID WHERE PROHIBITED 6ISIT MCICOACHCOM FOR MORE DETAILS We Know Your Equipment Like the Back of Our Hand.
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www.abc-companies.com Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS July 1, 2005 3 Company entices operators to outsource tour planning LAS VEGAS — Motorcoach a fraction of the cost of what they Hill, who operates Americana Actually, it’s the second launch ficult to get them to understand operators that don’t have much of probably would spend on their Tours in Las Vegas, and Marcus of the service. what we do so we had to go back a group tour-planning department own. Tucker, who operates Custom The first effort earlier in the to the drawing board.” can try a new approach to get the “We like to tell them to consid- Tours in Pasco, Wash., began year failed to attract much atten- For their second try, they job done. er us their tour planning depart- working on the concept about four tion because the program was developed a detailed “member Compass Tours of Las Vegas is ment, but off site,” says company years ago and are in the beginning tough to explain to operators. perspective” that outlines the pro- offering a training and planning president Rodney Hill, a tour stages of marketing it to motor- “They all had the preconceived gram and how operators will ben- package that provides operators operator in the Pacific Northwest coach operators in the United notion we just sold tours, and we efit by being a part of it. “Once with full-service tour planning for and West for more than 20 years. States and Canada. don’t,” said Hill. “It was very dif- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 þ Keys to Success Diversifying, luck help operator grow
PLACENTIA, Calif. — While blers to Harrah’s Rincon Casino in operating company, the business Tony Fiorini believes diversity and north San Diego County. added a dozen coaches through the relationships make for business “Fortunately, people kept go- purchase of new buses and the success, he’s among the first to ing to the casinos after 9-11, so acquisition of two small motorcoach acknowledge that it’s always good our business stayed steady and companies. When 9-11 struck, it had to be riding a bit of good luck as then grew without the major 14 coaches. Today it has 34. well. impact that many of my fellow bus “We never planned to grow That’s just what the president people experienced,” said Fiorini, this big. Our original intent was to of Silver State Coach of Placentia who runs the business with his have just eight coaches, so my was doing when the 9-11 terrorist wife, Jill. wife and I could run the office and attacks sent the travel industry into Founded nearly 20 years ago in we would only need to hire one a steep nosedive that forced many Reno, Nev., as a small bus leasing mechanic and a few drivers,” said beyond his initial plan — becom- its revenue sources. motorcoach operators to downsize company and converted into a Fiorini. “How does that work? It ing diversified and building strong It started a small operation in and lots of them to shut down. two-coach operating business in just happens. You get a little more relationships with everybody. Hemet, Calif., where most of its Silver State several months the Los Angeles area 10 years ago, work and then a little more work.” In addition to the normal char- customers are snowbirds — most earlier had decided to expand into Silver State has more than doubled Fiorini points to two success- ter work that every bus company of them Canadians — who favor the gaming industry and obtained the size of its fleet since 9-11. ful business strategies that caused relies on heavily, Silver State short one-day trips around a lucrative contract to shuttle gam- During its first five years as an him to change course and grow moved into other areas that spread CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 þ
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No Relief State & Provincial Fuel Tax Rates FMCSA likes idea of A handful of states and provinces boosted fuel tax rates during the first quarter of 2005. Diesel to remain Here are the updated rates for all states and provinces, plus the federal tax rate in the U.S. State Gasoline Diesel State Gasoline Diesel medical examiner list; pricey thru 2006 Alabama 16 19 North Carolina 26.6 26.6 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Alaska 8 8 North Dakota 21 21 certifier wins plaudits Arizona 18 26 Ohio 28 28 Department of Energy expects ARLINGTON, Va. — The School of Medicine in New York. average retail diesel fuel prices to Arkansas 21.7 22.7 Oklahoma 16 13 administrator of the Federal Motor The organization is the Na- remain above regular gasoline California 36.48 29.5 Oregon 24 0 Carrier Safety Administration has tional Academy of DOT Medical prices through next year. Colorado 22 20.5 Pennsylvania 30 36.4 endorsed language in the Senate Examiners and it was formed to In its latest Short-Term Energy Connecticut 31 32 Rhode Island 30 30 version of the federal highway and improve the quality of professional Outlook, the DOE projected the Delaware 23 22 South Carolina 16.75 16.75 public transit reauthorization bill knowledge and skills of medical average price for retail diesel this D.C. 20 20 South Dakota 24 24 that calls for establishing a national professionals performing DOT summer will be $2.22 per gallon, Florida 26.47 29.37 Tennessee 21.4 18.4 registry of individuals certified to medical exams. (See June 1 Bus & up about 45 cents a gallon from Georgia 12.6 12.77 Texas 20 20 perform medical examinations of Motorcoach News.) last summer. That’s roughly 10 Hawaii 16 16 Utah 24.5 24.5 commercial vehicle drivers. Last month it was announced cents a gallon below recent nation- Idaho 25 25 Vermont 20 26 FMCSA Administrator Annette that the Mount Sinai Medical al average prices, suggesting the Illinois 29.8 32.5 Virginia 19.9 19.9 Sandberg told a public meeting here School has certified an online DOE projection may be ultra con- Indiana 29.8 27.8 Washington 28 28 late last month her agency supports learning system developed by the servative. Iowa 21.5 23.5 West Virginia 27 27 National retail prices of diesel Kansas 24 26 language in the Senate bill requir- academy. Beginning this month, Wisconsin 32.9 32.9 ing that a national registry of med- Mount Sinai will award six contin- have been higher than gasoline for Kentucky 19.8 20.1 Wyoming 14 14 ical examiners be maintained by the uing medical education credit hours more than 40 straight weeks, a Louisiana 20 20 U.S. 18.4 24.4 U.S. Department of Transportation. to medical examiners completing record, according to DOE’s Energy Maine 26.18 26.82 Tax Rate in U.S. is cents per gallon The provision is in the bill the academy’s training program. Administration, which tracks Maryland 23.5 24.25 thanks in large measure to the Mount Sinai’s educational cred- prices. The previous record was 37 Massachusetts 21 21 Province Gasoline Diesel efforts of the United Motorcoach its will be available not only to weeks from August 1996 through Michigan 29.875 27.675 Alberta 9 9 Association. physicians who hold either a med- May 1997. Minnesota 20 20 British Columbia 14.5 15 The FMCSA conducted a pub- ical doctor or doctor of osteopathic Distillate demand, which in- Mississippi 18.4 18.4 Manitoba 11.5 11.5 lic session June 22 to explore the medicine degree, but also to chiro- cludes diesel and heating oil, is pro- Missouri 17 17 New Brunswick 14.5 16.9 controversial concept of a national practors, physician assistants and jected to climb by an average of 1.9 Montana 27.75 28.5 Newfoundland 16.5 16.5 registry, and to hear from experts. nurse practitioners. percent this year and next, which Nebraska 25.7 25.1 Nova Scotia 15.5 15.4 Sandberg kicked off the forum. In addition to receiving cred- EIA described as “steady growth Nevada 23.81 27.81 Ontario 14.7 14.3 but well below the average rate of For more than 25 years, the fed- its, medical examiners passing the New Hampshire 20.625 20.625 Prince Edward Is. 19.6 19.3 3.3 percent recorded for 2004.” eral government has been consider- academy’s examination — after New Jersey 14.5 17.5 Quebec 15.2 16.2 Retail gasoline national aver- ing the idea of certifying individu- completing the training — will be New Mexico 18.875 22.875 Saskatchewan 15 15 age prices are projected to be Tax Rate in Canada = cents per liter als to perform medical exams of awarded certification in recogni- $2.17 a gallon through September. New York 35.3 35.35 over-the-road bus and truck drivers. tion of having demonstrated their For much of that time, however, the knowledge and understanding of issue has lain dormant. DOT requirements. Two insurance Speed-limited tires on CVSA agenda New life was breathed into the companies also have endorsed the concept following a bus crash near academy. WASHINGTON — A recom- buses, not over-the-road highway Should the Passenger Carrier New Orleans that killed more than Robert Crescenzo, vice presi- mendation that the Commercial coaches that travel at speeds of Committee come up with a safety 20 people on Mother’s Day 1999. dent of safety and loss control at Vehicle Safety Alliance develop more than 55 miles per hour. recommendation, the issue will go The driver of the bus had several Lancer Insurance Co., said Lancer an out-of-service standard for Although they were not a factor in to the CVSA Executive Commit- life-threatening medical condi- applauds the establishment of the speed-limited tires has been the crash, the NTSB expressed con- tee for consideration and then to tions but a physician had signed academy and fully supports its mis- referred to the CVSA Passenger cern about their use and asked the the CVSA membership. Prompt off on his physical exam, allowing sion. A similar endorsement came Carrier Committee for action. CVSA to look at the issue. action by the various CVSA levels him to drive. from James Nobel, director of the The recommendation was In a memo to the NTSB, CVSA could result in a new out-of-serv- After that, UMA, ABA and commercial auto line of business at made by the National Transporta- Executive Director Stephen Camp- ice standard for speed-limited others began pushing for medical Zurich Services Corp., who said tion Safety Board following its bell said the Passenger Carrier tires in the April 2006 criteria. examiner certification and an the academy’s training and certifi- investigation of a fatal motor- Committee will consult with the CVSA is a nonprofit organiza- approved provider list. cation programs will address many coach crash that occurred in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admin- tion of state and federal motor Meanwhile, a new organization of the concerns expressed by the October 2003, near Tallulah, La. istration Passenger Carrier Technical carrier safety officials. Among that seeks to certify the proficiency National Transportation Safety of medical professionals who con- Board and will increase Zurich’s (See June 15 and May 1 issues of Advisory Group and consider a other things, it publishes the duct DOT driver exams has gained level of confidence in the knowl- Bus & Motorcoach News.) potential amendment to the North North American Standard Out-of- important endorsements and has edge and proficiency of certified The NTSB found that the coach American Standard Out-of-Service Service Criteria for over-the-road been recognized by the Mount Sinai medical examiners. was using tires designed for transit Criteria for speed-limited tires. buses and trucks. July 4 weekend will set travel records Transit seeks charter firms CHICAGO — More Ameri- icans will travel 50 miles or from last year, AAA said. The following public transit operators to take the time to cans will travel around the more from home this holiday, up Another 4.6 million, or 11 provider has informed the United respond to this notice: Fourth of July than have ever 2.8 percent from the 39.2 million percent, plan to travel by air- Motorcoach Association of its Owensboro, Ky. Deadline: July traveled for a holiday weekend, who traveled last year. plane, up 4.2 percent from last intent to provide charter bus service 5, 2005. Write to: Louis Lindsay, according to AAA’s holiday trav- About 33.9 million travelers, year, and a projected 1.8 million unless willing and able private Transit Manager, City of Owens- el forecast. or 84 percent of all holiday trav- vacationers, or 5 percent, will operators step forward to offer their boro, P.O. Box 10003, Owensboro, The auto travel group esti- elers, expect to travel by private travel by train, bus or other mode services or to bid on contract oppor- KY 42302. Phone: (270) 687- mates that 40.3 million Amer- motor vehicle, a 2.6 percent rise of transportation. tunities. UMA urges appropriate 8570. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS DOCKET July 1, 2005 5 Coach crash in New York work zone spurs legislation ALBANY, N.Y. — A motor- The proposal follows a May Cincinnatus. officials. whose crew was working at the coach crash that killed three high- 20 crash on Interstate 81 in The bus driver was seriously “One of the things I didn’t I-81 site, sees the threat of license way workers has promoted the Chenango, N.Y., that killed three injured. want to do right after the accident suspensions and police presence introduction of state legislation highway workers. A tour coach Libous’ bill is the product of is have a knee-jerk reaction and as the key provisions of the bill. designed to reduce the possibility slammed into a work zone, killing hours of meetings with state trans- just put in legislation,” Libous “People do not risk their licenses,” of serious accidents in roadway Jonathon Randall, 32, and Wayne portation and motor vehicle repre- said. he said. work zones. Bonsell, 39, both of Binghamton, sentatives, laborers, contractors, Joseph H. Compagni, presi- A state assembly version of New York State Sen. Thomas and Jason Pessoni, 30, of state police and highway safety dent of the paving company Libous’ bill also was introduced. W. Libous, R-Binghamton, said his Work Zone Safety Act would: • Call for a 60-day driver license suspension when someone is convicted of two or more speed- ing violations in a work zone. • Mandate police presence in major work zones. • Require radar speed display signs in major work zones. • Fund a safety education campaign with a $50 surcharge on all speeding violations in work zones. DC Circulator begins service WASHINGTON — The down- town Washington DC Circulator will begin service Sunday, July 10. The circulator will use a fleet of 29 low-floor Van Hool buses to connect many of the city’s tourist spots and major business centers. It will operate seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., transporting residents, workers and visitors along two initial routes: • An east-west link between Union Station and Georgetown along K Street, N.W. • A north-south route connect- ing the Southwest Waterfront with the Convention Center via the Mall and 7th Street, N.W. • Patrons using the service will pay $1 per ride or they can purchase a ticket at fare machines on side- walks along the designated routes. Riders will flash their tickets to “checkers” on the buses. • The circulator will run at 5- to 10-minute intervals. The Van Hool buses seat 55 and feature three, street-level doors and large windows. There will be 24 buses in service with five buses in reserve. The district’s Department of Transportation owns the circulator. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority manages the service, and First Transit, a private- sector transit company, will operate it. (See the June 1 issue of Bus & Motorcoach News.) The district, the federal govern- ment and city businesses that sup- ported the service will help fund operating costs. Annual ridership is expected to reach 4.6 million when the system is fully implemented in 2008. For more information, go to www.dccirculator.com. 6 July 1, 2005 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Pennsylvania coach owner Carl Bieber Jr. dies at 62 ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Carl R. company after attending The Cita- to major eastern cities and tourists later, he sold it to his general man- He was born in Allentown and Bieber Jr., retired president of Carl del and Susquehanna University to destinations nationwide. The ager, Steven Haddad, who operates graduated from high school in R. Bieber Tourways of Kutztown, and completing his military service, company has frequently appeared the company — under the Bieber Kutztown, where the company is Pa., died last month. He was 62. becoming president in 1976. on lists of the nation’s largest pri- name — today. based. Mr. Bieber, a former Marine Carl R. Bieber Tourways is a vate coach operators. Mr. Bieber was a member of the He is survived by his widow, and Vietnam War veteran, grew up high-profile coach company in the In 1991, following the death of Lutheran Church, Kutztown Lions Victoria; a son, Brent; a daughter, in the coach company founded by Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, car- his father, Mr. Bieber became Club and Huguenot Masonic Jessica, and two sisters. his father in 1946. He joined the rying thousands of commuters daily owner of the business. Ten years Lodge, and a former board member A memorial has been estab- of the Kutztown and Allentown fair lished with the American Cancer associations, Moselem Springs Society at 3893 Adler Place, Beth- Golf Club and Forest Lake Club. lehem, PA 18107. You can Safety Features major prizes. Through Aug. 27, the MCI Experiences Event allows CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 coach operators that buy new and always count The in-bumper back-up sensor pre-owned MCI coaches, parts, will detect obstacles when backing. Signature Shop items, training, on us down Status is monitored through the maintenance or repair services to be control panel and communicated to entered in prize drawings. the road the driver by LED indicators and Operators will receive one entry audible alarm warning. for every $1,000 their company “This feature creates a much spends with MCI. The grand prize is Corghi HD600 safer situation and will help to a two-year lease on a Cadillac XLR reduce body damage,” said Couch. sports car. Other prizes include Tire Changer “We’re very pleased to be the first Carefree Resort Escape resort stays; Team up with the best Semiautomatic truck tire coach manufacturer in North Amer- a 51-inch, high-definition projec- in wheel service changer mounts/ ica to offer it as a standard feature.” tion TV; a Poulan Pro Tractor, or a equipment demounts tire by means of Initially, MCI’s back-up sensor Bose DVD home theater system. a roller, eliminating damage will be available only on E4500 and Drawings will take place in to expensive wheels. J4500 models. It will be added to D mid-July and mid-August, with the models by the end of the year. grand prize Cadillac-lease drawing Corghi AG52L MCI declined to specify how in mid-September. much the safety equipment will add The MCI Experiences Event Corghi has the right Tire Changer to the base price of a new coach, is open only to commercial motor- equipment to service your fleet. The latest achievement in saying only that “prices will be coach operators and tour com- Back up this lineup with Corghi research and the increased to reflect the cost associ- panies in the U.S. and Canada. McCourt Industries' 250 service most advanced way ated with the additional features.” Details and rules can be found centers, full-time training of changing tires today. Meanwhile, MCI has launched on the MCI Web site at center in Akron, Ohio, six a summer sales event that includes www.mcicoach.com/experiences. mobile training units and over 60 nationwide trained field rep- Corghi 9824TI resentatives, and you can see Tire Changer CHARTER why it's time to team up with Corghi/McCourt. Powerful tire changer is 50% Dump faster than any other tire changer on the market in its price range. CLEAN... ISO 9001 CERTIFIED APTA Member Corghi ET66WL Truck Dump Wheel Balancer LEGAL! Team up today! 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^Óääx ÌÀ >V `ÕÃÌÀià ÌiÀ>Ì>] V° >` Ìà ÃÕLÃ`>Àið À} Ìà ÀiÃiÀÛi`° 8 July 1, 2005 OPINION Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Engine incentives: Step One Good News Roundup Three U.S. senators have intro- incentives for new vehicles as a way duced legislation that would give to ease the transition to the cleaner bus and truck fleets a 5 percent tax burning engines beginning in 2007. House votes for 7(a) loan program credit on the purchase of 2007- Advocates say that enacting a WASHINGTON — In a sur- House Appropriations Chairman operators. Funding for the program model, heavy-duty vehicles short-term tax incentive would put prise vote, the U.S. House of Rep- Frank Wolf, R-Va., and Small was eliminated last year, which equipped with cleaner burning the cost of the latest clean-diesel resentatives passed a bill to Business Committee Chairman doubled the cost for both small diesel engines. technology on a level playing field restore funding to the U.S. Small Don Manzullo, R-Ill., who voted businesses and lenders, adding The bill also would allow for with the cost of today’s vehicles. Business Administration 7(a) against the amendment. The $1,500 to $3,000 in upfront fees expensing the full purchase price of It would assure that companies loan program. appropriations bill containing the and, for larger loans, fees are now those vehicles on a single year’s tax have the financial ability to pur- An amendment containing 7(a) amendment now goes to the as much as $50,000. Following the return. chase the cleaner diesels so the money for the program was added Senate where its fate is uncertain. fee increases, the cost of the pro- Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., nation can reap the full air quality to the House version of the fiscal The House fight to restore the gram rose, the number of lenders introduced the incentives bill last benefits intended by EPA’s clean- 2006 Science, State, Justice and 7(a) program to the fiscal 2004 declined and the size of loans month to “ensure the widest possi- diesel rule. Commerce appropriation bill. It funding level of $79 million was shrank. ble distribution of this clean-diesel Clearly, clean air comes at a was adopted when 36 Republicans led by Rep. Nydia Velazquez of Congresswomen Velazquez technology” into the U.S. bus and price, and if motorcoach companies joined House Democrats in voting New York, ranking Democrat on and Rep. Steve LaTourette, R- truck fleet. and truckers aren’t willing to pay for the measure (234 aye, 189 nay, the House Small Business Com- Ohio, worked with a coalition of the price then the air won’t be 10 not voting). mittee. 15 trade associations, including the ‘Buyers of new over- cleaned as quickly as policymakers The provision was adopted The 7(a) program long has United Motorcoach Association, to anticipate. despite strenuous objections from been a favorite of motorcoach win passage of the amendment. the-road buses and The motorcoaches and trucks trucks may initially be that are equipped with the clean- diesel engines that meet the EPA Coach market improves in Canada reluctant to purchase regulation in 2007 will have inno- vative emissions control technology TORONTO — Motor Coach and the rebound of two of our He also quoted from a new 2007 models.’ that will increase purchase and Canada says the bus industry is major markets,” said Brian Crow, study that also provides other indi- maintenance costs. stirring north of the border. president of Motor Coach Canada. cations of recovery of the coach An industry lobbyist says the The burden of these costs main- The association points to in- “The one concern we have is being market in Canada. For example, bill could become a part of the ly will fall on truckers and, to a less- creases this year in the sale of Pre- able to get enough equipment and 144,000 coaches enter Banff Park comprehensive energy bill that is er extent, on the coach industry. If vost and MCI coaches to Canadian drivers to meet demand in certain annually; 85,000 enter Niagara now before the Senate. these costs are too high, carriers operators, plus upswings in student parts of Canada this fall.” Falls; 7,000 travel to the CN Tower Smith’s bill was co-sponsored will try to avoid purchasing the tours and advanced bookings from Crow noted that the student in Toronto, and more than 75,000 by Sens. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., 2007-model vehicles. Instead, com- the inbound Asian market. tour market has been “very strong” travel to Quebec City. and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and panies might buy used trucks and “After the problems of 2002 this year, while the number of “A rebound to these numbers offers incentives for motor carriers buses, recondition their existing and 2003, it is great to see opera- Asian tourists is on par or above contributes greatly to the tourism to purchase 2007-model trucks and fleets, or buy more new buses and tors investing in new equipment last year’s level. community,” Crow said. buses with their lower-emission en- trucks before the new engines come gines in the first year they are made. to market. There is mounting concern, just Congress must understand that Tour operators diversify products as there was in 2002, that buyers of the EPA’s projected environmental LEXINGTON, Ky. — New tors (51 percent) offer one-day conventions, while 18 percent are new over-the-road trucks and buses benefits will materialize only if research from the National Tour sightseeing tours, with the same involved with some or all of the may initially be reluctant to pur- trucking companies and bus opera- Association indicates tour opera- number offering receptive services components of meeting planning. chase 2007 models because they tors can afford to purchase the tors are adapting their businesses to other tour operators. Finally, 15 percent of compa- will be equipped with engines that cleaner, more expensive vehicles — to today’s changing market- Additionally, nearly half (49 nies offer an independent charter emit much lower levels of particu- equipped with the clean-diesel place — by offering a broader percent) of the companies offer service with their own motorcoach- late matter and nitrogen oxides. engines. range of products. independent packages — a 26 per- es to groups other than the ones A coalition, composed mainly It appears Sens. Smith, Lincoln The study of NTA-member cent increase from 2003. Thirty- traveling on their regular group of trucking industry interests, has and Alexander understand that real- tour operators shows that nearly all five percent of the member compa- tours. been urging Congress for months to ity. Let’s hope their colleagues see (96 percent) offer escorted group nies offer sightseeing tours as a For more information, go to consider legislation offering tax the light as well. tours. More than half of the opera- component of conferences and www.NTAonline.com. How to contact us: ISSUE NO. 57 Dale Krapf To submit or report news, Letters to the Krapf Coaches To contact the West Chester, Pa. Editor, articles: United Motorcoach Association: A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION E-mail: [email protected] Godfrey LeBron Call: (800) 424-8262 Paradise Trailways Fax: (866) 930-8426 Online: www.uma.org Staff Advisory Board West Hempstead, N.Y. Mail: 4930 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 6 To send advertisements or Editor & Publisher William Allen Bob Foley Joan Libby Glendale, AZ 85301 Sierra Trailways ABC Companies Cavalier Coach photographs via the Internet: Victor Parra Call: (623) 930-8423 Sacramento, Calif. Faribault, Minn. Boston, Mass. E-mail: [email protected] Larry Benjamin Steve Haddad Jeff Polzien Upload: www.jezac.com/uploads Sales Director Senior Editor To advertise or to mail advertising- Johnny Steger Northfield Lines Carl R. Bieber Tourways Red Carpet Tours Bruce Sankey Northfield, Minn. Kutstown, Pa. Oklahoma City related materials: To subscribe or inquire about your Call: Johnny Steger subscription: Government Editor Associate Editor Dave Bolen Rick Hillard Tom Ready (623) 930-8422 or (602) 980-0840 New World Tours Tri-State Tours Ready Bus Lines Call: (623) 930-8421 Norman Littler Ellen Balm Bristow, Va. Galena, Ill. LaCrescent, Minn. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Mail: 4930 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 6 Editorial Assistant Editorial Assistant Bob Brisman Todd Holland Brian Scott Fax: (866) 930-8426 West Point Trailways Ramblin' Express Escot Bus Lines Glendale, AZ 85301 Tara Sheehan Amy Stalknecht Vails Gate, N.Y. Colorado Springs Largo, Fla. Mail: 4930 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 6 To complain: Glendale, AZ 85301 Accountant Editorial Assistant David Brown Robert Hume Michelle Silvestro Holiday Tours Travel Mates Trailways National Interstate Insurance Co. Call: (623) 930-8421 John Giddens Melissa Harden Randlemann, N.C. Harrisonburg, Va. Richfield, Ohio E-mail: [email protected] ©2005 by the United Motorcoach Association. Reproduction in whole or in part without Art Director Steve Brown Daryl G. Johnson T. Ralph Young written permission is prohibited. Brown Coach J & J Charters Young Transportation Mary E. McCarty Amsterdam, N.Y. Crosby, Texas Ashville, N.C. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS July 1, 2005 9 Unit Chemical relocates to new Las Vegas-area facility HENDERSON, NEVADA — Chemical feels that a good way to our customer’s money,” notes Unit increasing the ultimate price to the environmentally safe products,” Unit Chemical Corporation, manu- reduce prices is to offer operators Chemical President Ray Chaplar. customer. Water does not add said Ray Chaplar. facturer of POT SHOT™ toilet an option where they can stop by its “We have designed all of our prod- value.” The company introduced POT deodorants, has moved its head- facility and pick up the cleaning ucts to minimize the amount of Since 1949, Unit Chemical, a SHOT, the first non-formaldehyde quarters to the Las Vegas area to and deodorizing products they water that goes into the formula- family-owned and operated compa- liquid deodorant product designed better serve its most important busi- need, eliminating the freight com- tion. In fact, some of our liquid ny, has been providing motorcoach for use in motorcoach holding ness, the motorcoach industry. ponent. Out-of-state customers will products do not contain one drop of operators with disinfectant, deodor- tanks, more than 30 years ago. For Unit Chemical’s new facility is save even more because they will added water. Adding water to a ant and professional cleaning prod- more information, go to more than three times larger then its not be charged sales tax. product only increases weight, ucts. “From its inception, Unit www.unitchemical.com, or call previous 55-year-old Los Angeles “This is only one way we save adding to the freight cost and thus Chemical has been a pioneer in (800) 879-8648. location. It also sits on more than two acres of land, offering ample motorcoach parking. The new facility is easily acces- sible from the U.S. 95 freeway and is close to the Sunset Station Casino ÿ ÿ off Warm Springs Road. “The fact that the Las Vegas ÿ Á Âÿ ÃÄÄ Áÿ market is centralized and that it is a destination for so many motorcoach à à ÿÃ Ã Ä Ã operators allows us to offer a new ÿà ÿ à Á sales program we have coined, “pick-up pricing,” said company ÃÁÁÿ à Vice President Mike Chaplar. ÁÁÁÿ Ä Ä Ä Ä With freight costs becoming a larger percentage of a product’s total cost, says Chaplar, Unit LFS shuttle is unveiled by Nova Bus SAINT-EUSTACHE, Quebec — Nova Bus has introduced the Nova LFS Shuttle designed specifi- ÿ ## ÿ à Á ! Á ÿ 1 ÿ1 ÿ ÿÿ ÿÿ Á à ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ cally for high-traffic situations. ÿ ÿ ÿ Á ÿ ÿ ÿ ÁÁ Á The 40-foot bus offers ÂÃÿÄ ÂÃÿÄ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ Á ÿ Á ÿ Á ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ) ÿ ÿ) ÿ ÿ à ÿ improved maneuverability, com- ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ Ãà ÿ ÿ ÿ pared to other low-floor shuttles, Á ÁÃÁ ÁÃ Ä $ÿ$ÿ ÿ à ÿ Ä ( ÿ % ÿ % ÿ% ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ plus high durability. ÿ ÿ )) ÿ ÿ Á ÿ' ( ÿ Á 2 ÿ2 ÿ Äÿ ÿ ÿ' “This initiative is part of our   ÿ ÿ! ÿ ÿ ! ÿÿ ÿ Á à ÿ ongoing strategy to bring innova- ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ! ÿ ! 0 ÿ0 ÿ ÿ Á ÿ Á Á ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ tive solutions to both private and "" ÿ Á %.%. ' ÿ' ÿ ÿ Á ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿÄ ÿ ÿ public operators in North America,” # # à ÿ ÿ à ÿ ÿ! ÿ! Ãÿ Ãÿ Á ! said Gilles Dion, president and Ä % ÿ % ÿ ÿ ! ÿ' Á ÿ Á Á ÿ CEO at Nova Bus. Ãà Ãà Á ÿ ÿ Ä ! ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ' ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ! Á ÿ Á ÿ “The Nova LFS has proven its ÃÃ Ä ! % ÿ % ÿ ÿ Á à ÃÃÿ 3 ÿ43 ÿ4 reliability and durability with near-   ÿ Ãà Á ÿ " Á" Á à Á Á à ÿ ÿ ) ) ÿ Á Á Á à à à ly 3,000 units sold over the past $ $ ÿ ! Á ÿ à ! ÿ ( 3( 3 à + ÿ nine years. We feel this new shuttle ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ Á ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ Á vehicle will meet our clients’ grow- % !% ! Á ÿ ÿÄ . . ÿÄÿ !à ÿ ÿ Äÿ ! à ÿ ÿ ÿ! ÿ Äÿ ÿ! ing needs and we are convinced it % ÿ% ÿ & ! # # à ÿÿ ÃÃÿ ! ÿ ÿÿ ÿÿ ÿ ÿ ! will represent added-value to any Ãà ÿ Ãà ÿ ' ÿ ÿ à ÿà ÿ ÿ fleet operator,” Dion added. à  !!ÿ !!ÿ ! ÿ ÿ à ÿ 2 2 ÿ' à à ÿ The LFS Shuttle differs from Ãÿ à ÿ ! ## ÿ Á ÿÿ ÄÿÄÿ ÿ ÿ! conventional LFS models in that it ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ à ÿ Á Á 5!' )6& !! à has a wider door in back, facilitat- % ÿ % ÿ ! ÿ' à ÿ ÿ' ( ÿ ( ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ7 ing quick passenger entry and exit; ( ÿ' Á ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ Ã Ä ÿ à + ÿÿ a great variety of seating configura- ) ÿ ÿ) ÿ ÿ ÿÿÿ à   à .Á à ÿ Ãÿ Ãÿ ÿ ÿ ÿÿ !ÿ ÿ ÿ tions; the availability of luggage ÿ ÿ ÿ % ÿ % ÿ !ÿ Ä + ÿÿ ( racks, and a wide aisle, which also # # ÿ ! Äÿ ÿ ÿ ! % ÿ % ÿ ÿ ' ÿ ' ( ÿ ÿ! ÿ ' ÿ à ' will ease passenger movement. ( ÿ #Äà #Äà ( ÿ' ! ÿ ÿ' ÿ! ÿÿ! ÿ ' ÿ à ' * * ÿ ÿ Á Ä ÿ ÿ'ÿ' ÿ à .ÿ! ÿ 3"2"2 #&2 ,%4 For disabled passengers, the Nova + ÿÿ + ÿÿ !Áà !Áà "#!$ ÁÄ Á Á LFS features an easy-access ramp for , , ÿ ( ÿ ÿ Äÿ ÁÃÄ Ä simple boarding and exiting. - ./- ./ - ./ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿà Á % The new model was designed )+ ÿ)+ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ à ÿ ÿ for airports, parking facilities, hotels and resorts, rental car com- panies and others needing high- capacity shuttles. Nova Bus is a division of Pre- vost Car and is owned by Volvo Bus Corp. For information go to www.novabus.com. 10 July 1, 2005 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Oklahoma tors and allowed them full use of The motorcoach carriers argued state excise taxes during a cam- price of fuel, illegal motorcoach their lobbyist. that the bulk of their business was paign to try to attract more truck operators and insurance costs. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “What we needed was a combi- transporting school, college, church terminals to the state. And on the back burner is the members failed to pay their dues. nation lobbyist and legislative and nonprofit groups, all of which Legislators ignored the motor- excise tax issue. “We ran out of money and had watchdog,” said O’Brien. “Now, are exempt from paying state sales coach industry in the tax measure, O’Brien said the truckers are to give it up,” said O’Brien. any time the word ‘bus’ comes up taxes. Their few other customers, leaving bus operators to continue concerned that if the coach operators However, a few of the operators or if he even thinks something they contended, would produce paying a substantially higher tax on were to push lawmakers to reduce who wanted to give it one more shot might apply to us, we’re notified.” very little revenue for the state, new equipment. Truckers now pay the excise tax for the motorcoach agreed to try to put together smaller Case said the marriage is a good probably not even enough to cover about $500 in excise tax when they industry, they might turn around and coalitions in their own areas that one, too, mostly because the truck- the cost of collecting the tax. register a new truck, while motor- increase it for truckers. “Revenue eventually could again link up as a ing and motorcoach industries have The tax commission eventually coach operators pay $12,000 to negative issues are not very popular single regional organization. much in common, including tax bought the reasoning and eventu- $14,000 in registration fees and in our state right now,” he said. “But “It turns out we were the only and fuel issues. “They had some ally agreed to add a motorcoach taxes for a new coach. the truckers agreed that when the ones able to do it,” added O’Brien, needs and they felt that the best way exemption to the main tax package “Had someone not been asleep time is ripe, they would support a who, along with Jeff Polzein of Red to meet those needs was to join with it presented to the state legislature at the switch or been involved from proposal to have it changed to Carpet Charters, put up the initial us,” he said. this year. Lawmakers, after some the bus industry, it would have been include buses in the deal.” funds to get the group off the ground. While the failed regional group intense lobbying, passed the pro- very easy to include buses in that He said he’s looking to grow the Recognizing, though, that they gets credit for being the catalyst for posal in April on the last day of their tax package,” suggested O’Brien. organization to include every would never be large or wealthy the association’s birth, it was a state legislative session. The association now is cam- motorcoach operator in the state, enough to hire their own lobbyist, sales tax issue that put everybody in In addition to the sales tax issue paigning with the truckers against a noting that those who do not belong the Oklahoma carriers turned to the Oklahoma on the same page from prodding the carriers to get togeth- Sept. 13 state ballot issue that will not have their voices heard at trucking association and its execu- the get-go. The State Tax Commis- er, the motorcoach operators still would raise gasoline taxes by 5 the legislature. “We still have some tive director and lobbyist Dan Case sion decided to begin enforcing an had a bitter taste in their mouths cents a gallon to 21 cents and diesel work to do, some arms to twist to for help. The truckers responded old law that required motorcoach from a few years back when they fuel taxes 8 cents to 22 cents, and is get people to sign up,” he said. “But favorably and for an annual fee carriers to pay sales taxes on their had nobody at the state capital look- studying other issues to tackle when those of us who are committed to agreed to give motorcoach opera- business, and was considering mak- ing after their interests and lawmak- lawmakers get together again next fund it no matter what are going to tors a seat on their board of direc- ing the requirement retroactive. ers gave truckers a big break on the year. Among them are the high keep it going.” Compass The concept involves individ- attractions and arranges side trips. cities from anywhere in the United is no membership fee, no annual ual operators putting together their It will then turn the packages over States and Canada where they fee and no additional cost for the CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 own local tours of less than five to the operators to market to their would take bus tours run by the tour planning. Compass makes its they find out what we’re all about, days, and Compass setting up their own customers. member company in each of those money through commissions it then that generates some excite- longer and more elaborate tours. Hill said the company will put cities. gets from the hotels, restaurants ment,” said Hill. “The operators know their own together trips two years in ad- To get started, operators pay and attractions it books for the He said while the company areas and their own customers and vance, which will allow operators $1,835 for a 30-lesson training tours. plans to market the program to all can best plan their short, local to plan their businesses better class that they take via the “That way the operators get motorcoach operators, it has iden- tours,” said Hill. because they will know where Internet. The lessons cover all 100 percent of the profit from tified 82 gateway cities in the U.S. Compass then arranges the they will be traveling down the facets of the tour industry — from each of their tours,” Hill empha- and Canada and wants to have one major tours – those it recommends road. setting up short tours to selling sizes. “And, they will have much carrier signed on in at least 30 of and those requested by member At the same time, Compass and operating both short and more time to run their businesses them before actually beginning the operators. It maps the routes, puts together fly trips as well, get- multi-day tours. without having to worry about service. books the hotels, restaurants and ting people to those 82 gateway And, that’s all they pay. There tour planning.” He said the need for such a service is emphasized by the changing tour market, especially serving baby boomers who want to go on active trips and are not content with sitting in a bus and just looking out the window. “A lot of motorcoach compa- nies just don’t have the experience for this market,” says Hill, adding that Compass’ action trips include stopovers for jet skiing, hiking and snowmobiling. Hill said he got the idea for the service when he began seeing that many motorcoach operators were spending too much time working on multiday tours and not enough time on local tours. “I kept think- ing there should be a business like this so that community-based op- erators would have more time to do what they do best, serve their local customers and provide them with good service,” he said. He sees Compass as a bargain for operators. “Research and plan- ning long trips is expensive and I think we can plan them at less cost than they would be able to do on their own,” he said. More information can be found at www.compassmembership.com. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS July 1, 2005 11 Coach USA/Coach Canada post 2005 sales, profit gains PERTH, Scotland — Stage- North America growth during the rating online sales. To see them, The company continued to cap some of its variable diesel fuel coach Group PLC reports that its past year was in its charter and go to www.coachusa.com or reduce its losses from the disposal costs. Had it not had a hedging pro- North American subsidiaries, sightseeing markets, which posted a www.coachcanada.com. of operations. Its loss in fiscal 2005 gram, a $10 a barrel increase in the Coach USA and Coach Canada, had 26.4 percent increase in sales. Capital spending by Coach was $10.75 million, down from price of diesel fuel would have much-improved financial results for Additionally, nearly 29 percent USA/Coach Canada in fiscal 2005 $12.94 million in fiscal 2004. impacted its annual fuel costs by fiscal 2005. more tickets were sold in fiscal totaled $61.59 million, versus Stagecoach also reported that $18 million to $19 million. Stagecoach said Coach USA/ 2005 by its New York Sightseeing $42.09 million in fiscal 2004. its fuel hedging operation helped Coach Canada had sales for the service, which operates double- year ended April 30 of $396 mil- decker tour buses in the city. lion, up 12.7 percent from fiscal At the same time, the line- and 2004 sales of $351.3 million. commuter-run services operated by Earnings from continuing oper- Coach USA and Coach Canada ations for the 12 months ended were up 7.8 percent during the year April 30 were $27.4 million, or 7.9 ended April 30. The company’s percent higher than fiscal 2004 school bus and other contract serv- profits of $25.4 million. ices posted a 6.2 percent revenue The combined companies’ op- gain for the year. erating margin for fiscal 2005 was Stagecoach noted that Coach 6.7 percent, up from 4.4 percent in USA and Coach Canada have fiscal 2004. launched new Web sites designed to Stagecoach said its strongest further simulate growth by incorpo- Laidlaw to overhaul debt, including Greyhound Lines NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Laidlaw sale,” Benson added. International, parent company of Here are the major elements of Greyhound Lines and a major the recapitalization plan: provider of school and public tran- • A new $600 million senior sit services, has announced plans to credit facility is being arranged, con- recapitalize its balance sheet. sisting of a $300 million term loan Laidlaw will use the proceeds maturing in 2010 and a $300 mil- from a new bank credit facility, plus lion revolving credit line. Citigroup its own cash, to retire existing debt Global Markets Inc. and UBS of roughly $560 million, including Securities LLC will jointly lead and more than $150 million in arrange the new debt facility. Greyhound debt. • There will be a cash tender “The sale of (Laidlaw’s) health- and solicitation offer for Laidlaw’s care companies earlier in the year $404 million in 10.75 percent sen- enabled us to focus on (our) core ior notes due 2011 transportation businesses, while • Greyhound Lines’ $150 mil- also substantially strengthening the lion in 11.5 percent notes that are balance sheet,” said Kevin Benson, due in 2007 will be redeemed, as president and CEO of Laidlaw. will Greyhound’s $5 million in 8.5 “The transactions we are outlin- percent convertible debentures due ing today take advantage of that in 2007. strength to further improve our The new revolving credit line is financial position and our prof- intended to provide seasonal and itability over the next several years. interim borrowings for Laidlaw and Completion of our financing plans its subsidiaries, including Grey- will significantly reduce the cost of hound. Laidlaw intends to assume our debt and put to work the cash the position as Greyhound’s senior we generated with the healthcare lender. Greyhound attacker sentenced FRESNO, Calif. — The man scissors. The bus flipped over, who stabbed a Greyhound bus driv- killing two women passengers. er two years ago, causing a wreck Twenty-six other passengers were on Interstate 5 north of Coalinga, injured. Hernandez survived. Calif., is headed to prison. Relatives of one of the women Arturo Tapia pleaded no contest killed in the crash asked the judge and agreed to 25 years to life in to have Tapia put to death. But prison. Tapia reached a plea deal that ruled Tapia spent a year undergoing out the death penalty. psychiatric testing before it was Defense attorney Ralph Torres ruled he was competent to stand said it was a tragic case involving a trial. man who was severely mentally ill. In September 2002, Tapia was “After months of treatment, he real- on a Greyhound headed from Los ized the pain and suffering he Angeles to San Francisco, when for caused and freely admitted all some reason he stabbed the driver, counts and wants to be responsi- Abel Hernandez, with a pair of ble,” Torres said. 12 July 1, 2005 INDUSTRY NEWS Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Martz The loss, however, allowed Martz to performed, and did an in-depth study of the concentrate on his bus operation and he practicality of continuing or increasing the CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 quickly zeroed in on the need for a national various modes of operations.” That a company that has been around transportation system. Working with other The bottom-to-top look at the company since 1908 is still innovating and improving independent carriers, he helped form the led to the sale of its Orlando, Fla., business — when so many multigenerational com- National Trailways Bus System (now and much of the bus fleet that went with it, panies falter — is noteworthy. Trailways Transportation System) and its the closure of its Philadelphia office, and The business was founded by Frank coast-to-coast service. His company, of the merger of its Manassas, Va., tour-and- Martz as the White Transit Co., a family- course, was a key member of the new serv- charter operation with its Fredricksburg, owned business that eventually grew into ice and the only surviving member of the Va., operation. In addition, it made manage- one of the premier motorcoach companies founding Trailways companies. ment changes and developed an extensive in the country, offering travel throughout When Martz died in 1936, the business debt-reduction program. the U.S. and Canada from operations in was turned over to his son, Frank Martz Jr., Today, the company makeup includes Frank Henry three states and Washington D.C. who had worked closely with his father and Martz Trailways in Wilkes-Barre; Martz Its beginning, though, was modest, was ready for the challenge. He successful- Poconos; Martz First Class Coach in Tampa annually to make sure they continue to per- starting out with runs between several tiny ly grew the company for the next 28 years, Bay, Fla.; Martz/Goldline/Grayline of form well. Drivers involved in a preventable mining towns near the small community of until 1964, when he was killed in a helicop- Washington D.C.; Martz of Fredricksburg; accident or who get a traffic ticket are Plymouth, Pa. Times were good then and — ter accident. His death thrust Frank M. and Martz Travel of Wilkes-Barre. observed for a time by an observer who in 1912 — Martz expanded the service to Henry, grandson of the founder, to the While Henry likes to talk about the suc- either rides with them or follows them. And cities throughout the northeastern and chairmanship, and he was ready, too. cess of the business and the improvements it those that aren’t driving up to company north-central parts of the state. Under his watch, the business expanded has made, he’s particularly excited about the standards must attend classes. Wanting to expand further, Martz through a series of acquisitions of smaller safety program it began developing three “Driver safety is very big with Martz,” formed the Frank Martz Coach Co. in 1922 coach companies and start-up operations in years ago. “We took a look at our safety said Daecher, “You get a real big dose of it and began running buses between major several states. Additionally, it opened bus program and decided we could do much when you come in the door, as long as you cities – Detroit, Chicago and New York City sales and repair operations and formed a better,” he said. stay with them you are going to continue to among them – in several states in the travel agency that offers air and cruise serv- He brought in consultant Carmen get training and the company is going to Northeast and Midwest. ices. Daecher of Harrisburg, Pa., who worked continue to see that you drive well.” Always looking for opportunities, he Like a lot of companies, Martz hit some closely with the company’s managers and Other carriers, he said, would do well to took a shot at the fledging air travel indus- bumps in the late-1990s and early in this safety team and helped develop a program follow the Martz lead. try in 1926, creating an airline in New York decade that tested its resilience and the that has reduced accidents by about two- Henry’s dedication to safety and his that served New York City, Elmira and business acumen of its executives. thirds. efforts to improve his business earned him Buffalo. While successful in its early years, “We spent a lot of time talking about “With Frank Henry leading the charge, and the company the honors at Motorcoach the company hit hard times when the costs and we looked at work that would be they have implemented a program geared Expo. In accepting the awards, Henry was national economy went sour in the early profitable work, not just revenue work,” toward making sure that the behavior of quick to acknowledge the employees of 1930s. By 1933, Martz was forced to give said Henry. “We also looked at each loca- their drivers are safe behaviors,” noted Martz, as well as the contributions of top up the business. tion and each type of operation that they Daecher. managers. “Pick people who are smarter The program includes four full weeks of than you are and you’ll always come out on training for all new drivers. The 165-hour top,” he said. course includes 48 hours in the classroom, “I believe Martz continues to be one of 24 hours driving on an off-road course and the premier operators in our business 93 hours of road driving with an instructor. because they are not afraid to change and do Management also conducts quarterly things when they see that they are not doing safety meetings and drivers are road-tested something right,” observed Daecher. 973 589-9265 • Toll Free 800-526-8055 FAX 973-589-2253 • P.O. BOX 5157 • NEWARK, NJ 07105 www.nimcobus.com Supplying the Transportation Industry with Used, Serviceable & Rebuildable Bus Parts for Over 25 Years! VOLUME DISCOUNTS • PRIDE IN PERFORMANCE DEEP DISCOUNTS! on all Detroit Diesel & Allison Transmissions SAVE MONEY ~ SAVE TIME We sell good running qualified bus components. NO RISK PURCHASE PLAN We unconditionally guarantee our customers satisfaction. WE ALSO STOCK • Front and Rear Axle Parts • Engine Accessories • Alternators and other Electrical Components • Air Conditioning Components • Body Parts We Buy & Sell Buses. . . Call for a Quote Bus & Motorcoach NEWS PEOPLE July 1, 2005 13
Paul F. Haffner has been named DeYoung, who has a seven-year Lukas, who joined MCI 11 years ago, vice president, secretary and gener- career at MCI, continues to be responsi- was named MCI’s salesman of the year al counsel of National Interstate ble for the company’s central U.S. territo- last year. He’s responsible for new coach Corp. Haffner, 36, joins National ry. Additionally, he will be responsible sales in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mary- Interstate from Great American for building MCI brand awareness. “After land, western New York, Washington, Insurance Co. where he served as 24 years in the industry working for just D.C., and Delaware. His promotion rec- divisional assistant vice president two companies, I enjoy my work and the ognizes his success and dedication to the and senior corporate counsel for the friendships I have with my customers,” industry, notes Pete Cotter, MCI senior past five years. He began his legal said DeYoung. vice president of coach sales. Mark Rosenthal Richard DeYoung Greg Lukas career 11 years ago as an associate with a law firm owned by Great American. He holds an undergradu- ate degree from Dartmouth College and a law degree from the Univer- sity of Cincinnati College of Law. ABC Companies announced the retirement of Mark Rosenthal. ABC Cos. founder Clancy Cornell January 18-22 • Tampa, Florida hired Rosenthal as a salesman in the California facility nearly 20 years ago. During his tenure with the company, Rosenthal was pro- moted to general manager in 1988 and regional vice president for the western region in 1993. Five years ago, Rosenthal was named vice president of pre-owned sales and was responsible for the sales and marketing of more than 1,200 used coaches acquired from New Jersey Transit. Most recently, Rosenthal was the account executive covering Northern California, Alaska, Wash- ington, Oregon, and Idaho. A Brighter Future for “When I hired Mark, he was running his own bus line and I could see the potential there for a great sales person, said ABC Your Business Chairman Clancy Cornell. ABC President & CEO Ron Cornell The Premier Industry Event noted that Rosenthal has consistent- Preliminary Program ly been a top performer for the • New Education Sessions, including: Schedule - Identifying new business opportunities company. Wednesday, January 18, 2006 Rosenthal will be doing con- - Implementing a fuel surcharge o State Association Summit sulting, and dividing his time - Easy-to-use market research techniques (1:00PM - 5:00PM) between California and his home - Developing packaged travel o Welcome Reception (6:00PM - 9:00PM) along the Pacific Coast in Mexico. Motor Coach Industries an- - PLUS special sessions designed for the small operator Thursday, January 19, 2006 o nounced that Richard DeYoung, UMA Active Member Meeting and • An expanded show floor, including more minibuses, school Continental Breakfast (8:00AM) Midwest regional sales manager, buses and all the equipment and services you need to run o and Greg Lukas, East regional sales Maintenance Interchange (8:00AM - 4:00PM) o manager, have been promoted to your business successfully. Education Sessions (9:00AM - 4:15PM) o regional vice presidents. • Hospitality events including the not-to-be missed Operator Luncheon o Exhibit Hall Open – “Sneak Preview” UMA Vision Awards Banquet! (4:30PM - 7:30PM) Theft charges • Industry networking opportunities you Only Get at Expo! Friday, January 20, 2006 o • Over 13 exclusive exhibit hours! Education Sessions (8:00AM - 10:30AM) are dismissed o Exhibit Hall Open (10:30AM - 5:30PM) SALT LAKE CITY — Theft …Plus Save More in 2006! o Lunch on Exhibit Floor charges against Salt Lake City- o NEW Vision Awards Banquet (6:30PM - 11:00PM) based motorcoach operator Steven Save When Registering Multiple Operators! Register three or more operators from the same company and receive $25 off each registration Saturday, January 21, 2006 Orson Lewis have been dismissed. after you pay in full for the first two operator registrants. o Exhibit Hall Open (9:00AM - 12:00PM) Lewis, 56, president of Lewis o Brunch on Exhibit Floor Bros. Stages, had been charged in Save Another $25 per Registrant! May with theft by deception and Book a room at one of the fine Expo host hotels – The Marriott, the Wyndham Harbour Island, Sunday, January 22, 2006 or the Hyatt Regency – and provide us with your confirmation number; you'll receive another failure to deliver a title, a second- o 2nd Annual Ray Dupuis Memorial $25 off each Expo registration. degree felony. (See May 15 Bus & Golf Tournament (8:00AM) Motorcoach News.) Package Deal for UMA Membership and 2006 Expo! Receive UMA membership for one year PLUS 2 full registrations for Motorcoach Expo 2006. According to court documents, Call us at 1.800.424.8262 for more details. (Only available to those who have not had an active the charges stemmed from Lewis’ UMA membership within the last 12 months.) alleged sale of a bus without paying off a lien. But Lewis’ attorney, Ken Brown, called it a business misun- Register today at www.motorcoachexpo.com derstanding that has been cleared Comments? Questions? Call 800-424-8262 or e-mail us at [email protected] up and never should have been charged as a crime. 14 July 1, 2005 NEW DELIVERIES Bus & Motorcoach NEWS
Tri-State gets new MCI Ds Tri-State Travel has taken delivery of six New standard features on the D models Scenic America sees growth new-look 40-foot MCI D4005 coaches. Tri- include disc brakes, LED exterior lighting BRISTOW, Va. – When Scott and Sandy “Choosing ABC Companies for our State’s order was first announced when MCI and a solid-state, plug-and-play multiplex unveiled the updated D model at Motorcoach system. The D4505 seats as many as 55 pas- Merriman started Scenic America six years motorcoach fleet needs was based upon three Expo earlier this year. sengers; the D4005 can be specified for as ago, they had “zero buses, no money and a lot major areas: The quality and efficiency of Tri-State Travel prefers to use 40-foot few as 39 or as many as 47 passengers. of faith.” their product - the Van Hool C2045; their coaches for many of its tour groups. “The D- Tri-State’s D4005s are equipped with Since then, the company has grown to a willingness to take the time to help us analyze series coaches have been the workhorse of Caterpillar C13 engines and ZF AS-tronic multi-million-dollar business with 42 our motorcoach needs, and the customer and our fleet,” said Rick Hillard, company vice transmissions. They also feature Amaya seat- employees and a fleet of 17 motorcoaches. product support they have provided both pre- president. Tri-State is partial to D models ing for 47; an REI A/V system with DVD- Scott Merriman began his industry career and post-delivery,” said Scott Merriman. because they stay on the road and not in the VHS and six flat-screen monitors; Alcoa as a part-time school bus driver 26 years ago. “No major equipment purchase is an easy shop, said Hillard. wheels; Goodyear tires; R.C.A. flooring; Between 1979 and 1994, he held positions accomplishment. However, the ownership “We’re very pleased with the way the National 93B driver seats; enclosed overhead with several bus companies. In 1994, he was and staff of ABC Companies, as well as their (updated D-model) coaches turned out. We parcel racks, retractable passenger window named vice president/general manager of vendors, have made this a very pleasant and particularly like the D4005. It serves our shades and two card-table positions. Franklin Motorcoach, a unit of Martz Bus amicable experience and we are very pleased needs very well.” Rick Hillard, his cousin and company Lines. Sandy Merriman had also worked at with our new business partnerships,” he Hillard said the most-requested coaches president, Mike Hillard, and Mike’s brother, Martz in the accounting and human resources added. in the company fleet are its 35-foot, 36-pas- Mark, who heads maintenance, represent a departments. All 12 of Scenic America’s new Van senger models, followed by its 40-foot D second generation running the family busi- After several attempts to acquire a bus Hool’s feature Caterpillar C13 engines, ZF models. Tri-State, which has been buying ness that was founded in 1940 by their company, the Merrimans decided to start their AS-tronic transmissions with intarders, MCI coaches for 35 years, operates 16 40- fathers. A third generation has joined the own operation. Amaya Brasil passenger seats, Isringhausen foot D-series coaches as part of a fleet that company. The recent delivery of nine 2005 Van driver seats, enclosed parcel racks, Firestone includes 41 MCIs. Celebrating its 65th anniversary in busi- Hool C2045 coaches is part of the couple’s tires, fog lights, restrooms equipped with MCI restyled its D-series models with ness this year, Tri-State is offering three spe- strategic growth plan, and program to update Monogram flush-type recirculating toilets, input from operators and the assistance of cial group tours led by family members. their fleet. The company offers local and REI A/V systems with DVD players, VCPs, BMW DesignworksUSA. The new-look Rick’s parents are leading a Cheyenne national charter services and tour planning, as radios and four monitors. D4005 and D4505 coaches have a curvier Frontier Days tour later this month. Daughter well as receptive, convention and event plan- Two of the coaches scheduled for delivery front end, flared headlights, LED direction- Angela Decker and her husband will take a ning services, and is in the process of expand- this month will be equipped with Ricon als, a new exterior upper cap, frameless ther- group to New York City in August. And Mike ing its tour division. Three more Van Hool wheelchair lifts. mopane laminated side-sash windows, and a Hillard is planning a Mackinaw Island bash. C2045’s are scheduled for delivery this For more information go to www.scenic- one-piece front bumper that curves toward Learn more about the company at month. usa.com. the entrance door for a more stylish look. www.tristatetravel.com.
managers to make sure the bus company is Silver State providing Harrah’s customers with the serv- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 ice the casino expects them to get. Southern California. Then it added a small Silver State also has developed close full-service transportation service in Las ties to other motorcoach companies, both Vegas and negotiated contracts with two locally and nationally, which opens the way busy tour companies that do a combination for them to exchange business referrals. of short and long trips, several schools, a Among them is a limousine company that government agency and Harrah’s Rincon. uses Silver State coaches for combination “I have always felt that you have to diver- motorcoach and limousine service pack- sify to be successful,” said Fiorini, adding ages that it promotes. that at the time of 9-11 many companies had It also has built strong relationships too much of their business tied to the foreign with its vendors, too, and is especially tight travel market, which was one of the hardest- with ABC Companies, the exclusive U.S. hit segments of the industry. “We didn’t have distributor of the Van Hool coaches that fill everything in that one market.” the Silver State fleet. “If we have a problem Silver State’s relationship building with a coach, we get excellent service from begins with its customers and extends to ABC because of that relationship,” Fiorini everybody with whom the company comes emphasizes. in contact. “There is no better advertising Down the road, Fiorini is looking to pos- than someone out there talking about your sibly grow by expanding its Las Vegas oper- company in a positive way,” offered Fiorini. ation and adding a few more coaches to its Customers, of course, get the most fleet. “From that point, we’ll just try to do attention. “When we talk to our customers, what we do a little bit better and make it a we try to make each of them feel like they little more profitable,” he said. are our No. 1 client, and we talk to all of Meantime, it plans to hold tight to the them the same way we talk to Harrah’s, gaming market as a possible hedge again which is our No. 1 client,” Fiorini said. against any type of industry downturn. “I Harrah’s does get extra attention, think that market will always be there, and though. Fiorini, his drivers and other I think most people believe that, too,” he employees meet regularly with the casino suggested. Bus & Motorcoach NEWS NEW DELIVERIES July 1, 2005 15 Discovery Coach Sheboygan, Wis. Discovery Coach, a fourth-generation, family- owned charter and tour operator, has taken delivery of two Prevost 2005 H3-41 motorcoaches. This is the first purchase of Prevost coaches by the 56-year-old company. The Discovery fleet includes eight other motorcoaches, plus school buses. Haymarket Transportation David Prigge, marketing director at Discovery, said customers to the new vehicles has been extremely pos- that one of the factors leading to the purchase decision itive, he added. Sterling, Va. was Prevost’s reputation for building dependable and Discovery Coach spec’d its Prevosts with Detroit Haymarket Transportation Inc. ness with ABC/Van Hool for 10 of consistently reliable coaches. Other factors that influ- Diesel Series 60 engines, ZF AS-tronic transmissions, has taken delivery of two of Van those years. “The No. 1 reason for enced the company decision to go with Prevost includ- Jake Brakes, American passenger seats, Isringhausen Hool’s flagship T2145 coaches. The staying is ABC’s service support. ed customer appeal and satisfaction. driver seats, REI A/V systems with three monitors, two new coaches are in addition to We have never been down and “We were looking for a 47- or 48-passenger vehicle Alcoa wheels, Michelin tires and Carrier A/C systems. two T2145s that were delivered to unable to transfer people. We’ve to replace some older vehicles and were impressed by Go online at www.discovery coach.com for more Haymarket in late December. tried others but have found that the Prevost’s curb appeal,” said Prigge. Initial reaction from information. With its principal business fo- best support comes from Van Hool cused along the busy mid-Atlantic and ABC,” added Mouratidis. seaboard, Haymarket Transporta- All four of the T2145s are tion provides airport transfers, shut- equipped with Cummins ISM tle and charter services, and custom engines, Allison B500 transmis- tour packages. sions and Jake Brakes. Other equip- Its fleet ranges from luxury, ment includes 57-passenger Ameri- late-model sedans and limousines, can Seating, Isringhausen driver to 13-passenger conversion vans, seats, enclosed parcel racks, Alcoa mini and midsize buses, and 49- wheels, Goodyear tires, fog lights, and 57-passenger coaches. REI A/V systems with five moni- “With a customer base that con- tors, in-dash CD, and DVD Player sists primarily of high-ranking gov- with VCP. Additionally, all coaches ernment officials and diplomats, are equipped with Intec back-up we have a demand for high-end cameras with five-inch monitors. vehicles. The T2145 with its The coaches have a strikingly European styling and very attrac- simple exterior paint scheme that tive look fits that profile,” said features large block letters in a deep George Mouratidis, owner of forest green on a rich tan body Haymarket Transportation. color. The company has been in busi- For more information go to ness for 11 years and has done busi- www.haymarkettrans.com. Shuttle Bus Leasing "Your Solution For Shuttling & Fixed Route Contracting" Leases Terms Available From 3 Months to 2 Years High Quality, Transit Shuttle Buses Over 1000 Buses In Inventory 22' To 60' Models Available
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