July 15, 2004

THE NEWS RESOURCE FOR THE AND MOTORCOACH INDUSTRY ABA, UMA challenge DC transit agency on proposed circulator WASHINGTON — The and direct the use of federal and American Bus Association and the local capital and operating subsi- United Motorcoach Association dies to systematically dismantle a have accused the public transit sys- cost-effective local private bus dis- tem in Washington of violating tribution network that includes federal laws and regulations in fixed route, shuttle (16 federal developing plans for a downtown shuttles, plus Georgetown Shuttle circulator in the nation’s capital. Service), sightseeing and tour bus In a joint letter to Richard A. providers,” said ABA President & White, CEO and general manager CEO Peter Pantuso and UMA of the Washington Metropolitan President & CEO Victor Parra in a Area Transit Authority, the ABA six-page letter to Smith. and UMA said the proposed circu- If the circulator becomes opera- lator will devastate private bus tional, “the private bus transporta- operators and become a massive tion industry will be severely money pit, sucking up millions of impacted and a significant fixed- Greyhound announces major dollars in annual federal subsidies. route and “tour-bus” void will be “The circulator, as presently produced, having a ripple effect envisioned, would leverage (the across all aspects of the district’s Federal Transit Administration) cutbacks to regional routes CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 þ DALLAS — increasing prices on longer trips; dropped the first in a series of “That changes at slashed capital spending, and elim- bombshells on the intercity bus inated 300 management and UMA petition seeks industry late last month, revealing Greyhound were administrative jobs, or about 20 plans to abandon 260 stops in 13 percent of Greyhound’s supervisory to change new rule north-central and western states. desperately needed employees. During the next two to three Additionally, the company WASHINGTON — The reconsidered by FMCSA,” UMA years, Greyhound will issue similar was as obvious shut down seven routes, abandoned United Motorcoach Association says in its petition. announcements for its other re- 49 locations, and slashed overhead has formally requested the Federal “The purpose of UMA’s peti- gions as it completes what it calls a as the red ink wherever it could. Motor Carrier Safety Administra- tion,” says the association, is “not “network transformation.” gushing from the That changes at Greyhound tion to reconsider its new rule to attack or criticize FMCSA, but In essence, Greyhound’s trans- were desperately needed was as requiring training in four specific rather to assist it by ensuring that in formation is three things: company financial obvious as the red ink gushing from areas for beginner over-the-road its efforts to address one problem it • A bold gambit to exit hun- the company financial statements. bus and truck drivers. does not create additional and un- dreds of money losing markets. statements.” Greyhound lost a combined $140 UMA filed what is called a necessary problems.” • The most dramatic aspect of million in 2002 and 2003. “petition for reconsideration,” ask- In May, the FMCSA unveiled its year-long effort to develop a The route-slashing announce- Capital spending was reduced ing the FMCSA to fix what the the “Minimum Training Require- business model that will restore ment on June 25, came exactly one by $42 million, largely by halting association says are fatal flaws with ments for Entry-Level Commercial profitability to a company that has year to the day that Greyhound new bus purchases. An order for the rule. Motor Vehicle Operators” rule that not made money consistently for revealed it had installed Stephen 200 coaches was cancelled last year. “UMA submits that compli- had been on the drawing board for decades. Gorman as chief executive officer, In 2002, the company had pur- ance with the entry-level training more than a decade. The rule was • The start of a major make- with the goal of restoring growth chased 142 , and this year it requirements, insofar as they will fostered by Congress and feed by a over of regional intercity bus ser- and profitability to the company. has purchased but 20. apply to motorcoach and school 1995 assessment that concluded vice in the U.S., with hundreds of Within four months, Gorman These and other moves helped bus operators on and after July 20, training for new commercial vehi- small communities possibly losing began making moves designed to the company reduce its financial 2004, is not practical, is unreason- cle drivers was inadequate. their only public transportation stabilize the company. He upended able and will not be in the public UMA participated in the ’95 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 þ link with the outside world. the company pricing strategy, interest and should therefore be CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 þ Discover why we’re the Parts Pros ® 8 million parts, speedy delivery. MCI FLEET SUPPORT Order online at the Parts Store. U.S. 800-323-1238; Canada 800-665-0155; www.mcicoach.com 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 B500 Trans., Corian Counter Tops, 1998 T945 Dual Refrigerator VIN 29707 12 Bunks, Michelin Tires, In-Motion Satellite Converted by Caldwell 1999 T945 , 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 Seats 22, Corian Counter Tops, 12 Bunks, w-shower, In-Motion Satellite, Full Size Microwave, Corian Refrigerator Counter Tops, B500 Trans. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2004 — 3 OPERATOR NEWS Era Ends: Post House closes, victim of industry slump BREEZEWOOD, Pa. — The Post House A typical meal was fried chicken, Drivers delight Cafeteria, a bus industry institution patron- whipped potatoes and gravy, corn, home- “I’m kind of used to stopping here,” ized over the past 41 years by hundreds of style macaroni and cheese, and spinach. Edward Smith, driving a charter for Ohio- operators bringing coaches out of Middle At the same time, drivers could use the based Lakefront Lines, said a few days before America to the East Coast, has closed. facility’s service garage if they needed it. The the facility closed. “A lot of drivers look for- The facility, built in 1964 for Greyhound Post House could refuel, wash, provide rest- ward to it after being on the road for a while.” Lines, had been a main stopping point for room service or handle minor maintenance Shedrick Kye, a Greyhound driver, loved charter buses traveling the issues while the driver and passengers the Post House oatmeal cookies. He arrived Turnpike, and frequently was the final stop grabbed a meal. there around noon one day in late June and for coaches headed to Washington, D.C. “Our drivers will miss the convenience of would return the next morning at 9:30 on his from the Midwest. it,” said Rick Hillard of Tri-State Travel in way back through. dents in the cafeteria one minute, and the It’s situated about 120 miles east of Galena, Ill. “I haven't tasted anything in here that place empty the next. Pittsburgh, 185 miles west of , Aramark, the billion-dollar food service wasn't good,” said Kye, who lives in “There’s no place in Breezewood that can and 120 miles northeast of Washington. company that operated the Post House for . “It's going to be a real loss to the get them through as fast as we can,” said Sue The old-fashioned restaurant and rest the past five and one-half years, had its lease community and especially to Greyhound.” Rush, 59, who worked at the Post House for stop was popular with coach operators expire June 30. The property owners are sell- Ten Greyhounds pulled into the Post 20 years. From March until June — at the because its staff of veteran food service work- ing the 48,800-square-foot restaurant, garage House daily. height of field-trip season — she estimated ers and cooks could serve 300 students on a and surrounding 2.2 acres for $2 million, and Business at the rest stop was either feast they got 1,200 students per shift. field trip in less than a half-hour. Aramark wasn’t interested in buying. or famine. There could be hundreds of stu- CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 þ

Operator turns $20 bill into long-term contract FORT WORTH, Texas — A the shuttles. They won’t allow visi- Dallas-based tour and charter oper- tors to walk through the property,” ator has won one of the year’s most said Gary McMullin, vice president unusual shuttle contracts — mov- of Buses by Bill. ing tourists to and from a super- Inside, visitors tour two floors secure printing plant operated by of interactive exhibits showcasing the U.S. Treasury that turns out $1, the history of paper currency and $2, $5, $10 and $20 bills by the the intricacies of the money print- millions. ing process, watch a short movie, Buses by Bill was awarded the and then enjoy the highlight of the five-year contract to transfer hun- tour — traversing a long enclosed dreds of visitors daily to the U.S. walkway that’s suspended over the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s production floor where 4.5 billion Western Currency Facility that was bank notes are printed annually. opened to public tours this past McMillin describes the muse- spring. um as remarkable and watching the Free, 45-minute guided tours of money printing operation as fasci- the giant printing plant are offered nating. And though security is week days. However, gaining access tight, he says everyone as friendly. to the facility is akin to visiting a The Western Currency Facility prison or Fort Knox. Three barbed- was opened in Fort Worth 13 years wire fences surround the complex ago and is the nation’s only cur- and armed guards at strategic posi- rency printing plant outside Wash- tions watch everything. ington, D.C. It supplies 55 percent Visitors must pass through the of the U.S. banking system’s cur- latest airport-type security screen- rency, primarily to the South and ing before boarding one of two the western two-thirds of the U.S. ABC M1035 Series passenger Bureau of Engraving and coaches to be transported roughly Printing officials expect the num- 800 yards to the tour and visitor ber of visitors to the facility to grow center. “Once secure, they get on CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 þ

POSTMASTER: Return postage guaranteed for return of undeliverable copies of Bus&MotorcoachNEWS. Return to 717 W. Pierson, #260, Phoenix, AZ 85013 4 – July 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS The

Roadcheck checks more buses, more violations found WASHINGTON — A record ers put out of service jumped by that as the economy has improved were found during the inspection. number of motorcoaches were nearly one-third this year, going “The motorcoach the number of unsafe truckers on That is the highest number of vehi- inspected during International from a rate of 1.7 percent in 2003, American highways has increased. cles with no violations discovered Roadcheck 2004 last month, with to 2.7 percent this year. out-of-service “Unfortunately, we continue to in the history of the 16 previous a slightly higher percentage being Also, the number of violations see that a portion of the (commer- annual Roadchecks. put of service for various safety vio- discovered per motorcoach rose to rate this year was cial vehicle) industry is not Inspectors also found that only lations. 2.01, an increase over 1.78 viola- focused on making sure their 1.3 percent of all drivers inspected This year’s Roadcheck, con- tions in Roadcheck 2003. 9.6 percent, up equipment is properly main- during Roadcheck 2004 were not ducted over a continuous three- Roadcheck is conducted annu- tained,” said CVSA Executive wearing a safety belt. day period by nearly 8,200 com- ally under the aegis of the Com- modestly from Director Stephen F. Campbell. CVSA sponsors Roadcheck mercial vehicle inspectors, resulted mercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, “However, inspectors are using all with participation by the FMCSA, in 589 motorcoaches and their the leading commercial vehicle 9.5 percent.” the tools available to them to find the Canadian Council of Motor drivers being checked for possible safety enforcement organization in than 1 percent of the vehicles these offenders. We applaud those Transport Administrators, Trans- violations of out-of-service criteria North America. Its members in- inspected were motorcoaches. motor carriers and drivers who are port Canada, the Research and and driver rules. clude enforcement agencies and While the federal, state and improving highway safety by doing Special Programs Administration Last year, 515 coaches were industry representatives in Can- provincial inspectors found fewer things right.” and the Secretariat of Communi- inspected, up from 334 in 2002, ada, Mexico and the United hours-of-service violations among all There was good news out of cations and Transportation (Mexi- 501 in 2001 and 433 in 2000. States. drivers this year, the vehicle out-of- Roadcheck 2004. Of the 57,785 co). The National Highway Traffic The motorcoach out-of-service A total of 57,785 commercial service rates were higher — 23.9 per- driver and vehicle inspections con- Safety Administration and the rate this year was 9.6 percent, up vehicles were inspected this year, cent this year, versus 22.7 percent in ducted, a CVSA decal was placed U.S. Transportation Security Ad- modestly from 9.5 percent last the vast majority of which are 2003 and 22 percent in 2002. on 27,749 commercial vehicles, ministration also participated in year. However, the number of driv- over-the-road trucks. Slightly more Those numbers would indicate indicating that no safety violations Roadcheck 2004. Extension No. 4 for roads bill Seven transits seek WASHINGTON — Congress find middle ground for a new high- $318 billion. approved and President Bush way and public transit law. Without agreement on the private charter firms signed another extension of federal President Bush favors a $256 overall number, the House and The following public transit Hampton D. Haith Administrative highway and public transportation billion program, but the House Senate will have difficulty settling providers have informed the Building, 1060 North Trade St., funding, giving lawmakers until approved a $283 billion plan April on the formula that determines United Motorcoach Association of Winston-Salem, NC 27102. July 31 to find a compromise on a 2, and the Senate passed a $318 how federal funds are distributed their intent to provide charter bus Phone: (336) 727-2648. new six-year plan for roads and billion proposal Feb. 12. among the states. service unless willing and able pri- Delaware County, Ohio. mass transit spending. Despite the president’s threat to States are guaranteed a return vate operators step forward to offer Deadline: July 23, 2004. Write to: It was the fourth time Congress veto a bill higher than $256 billion, of 90.5 cents for every dollar they their services, or to bid on contract Denny Schooley, Executive Direc- has extended funding since the Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, chair- contribute to the highway trust opportunities. UMA urges appro- tor, Delaware County Transit original $218 billion legislation man of the House Transportation fund. Larger, more populated states priate operators to take the time to Board, 4981 County Home Rd., expired Sept. 30. Extensions are Committee, says he will remain that get back less than they pay respond to these notices: Delaware, Ohio 43015. Phone: necessary to keep programs operat- firm on at least $275 billion in talks into the fund are unhappy and Reading, Pa. Deadline: 2 p.m. (740) 368-9383. ing and to prevent the furlough of with the Senate on a final bill. demanding a return rate of at least July 16, 2004. Write to: Dennis D. Athens, Ohio. Deadline: July more than 5,000 Federal Highway However, negotiators from the 95 percent. That will be difficult to Louwerse, Executive Director, 26, 2004. Write to: Melissa Knight, Administration employees. Senate appear just as determined achieve unless total spending is Berks Area Reading Transportation Mayor’s Office, 8 E. Washington Meanwhile, chances appear to to keep spending at the level closer to the higher Senate- Authority, 1700 N. 11th St., St., Athens, Ohio. Phone: (740) be growing dimmer for Congress to approved by their colleagues — approved level. Reading PA 19604. Phone: (610) 592-3338. 921-0601 or (610) 921-0605. Bowling Green, Ohio. Dead- Saginaw, Mich. Deadline: July line: July 30, 2004. Write to: launches ID-card plan 19, 2004. Write to: Sylvester Grants Administrator, City of Payne, Executive Director, Sagi- Bowling Green, 304 N. Church St., TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Currently, Florida ports issue program would be up and running. naw Transit Authority Regional Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. state program to develop a single their own identification cards, Smith said there are myriad Services, 301 E. Genesee Ave. Ste. Phone: (419) 354-6203. transportation worker security resulting in a tangle of require- details that must be tied together, 500, Saginaw, MI 48607. Phone: Escambia County/Pensacola, identification card valid at any of ments and fees that bus and truck including the installation of (989) 907-4000. Fla. Deadline: July 31, 2004. Write the 14 seaports in Florida was offi- operators have sort out, cope with sophisticated security technology Winston-Salem, N.C. Dead- to: Resident Manager, Escambia cially launched July 1. and pay for. at each of the ports, before the pro- line: July 21, 2004. Write to: Art County Area Transit, 1515 West The Florida legislature man- There had been reports early gram becomes operational. Barnes, General Manager, Win- Fairfield Dr., Pensacola, FL 32501. dated the program that will even- this spring that the statewide pro- “The whole roll out will take ston-Salem Transit Authority, Phone: (850) 595-3228 Ext. 223. tually replace ID cards issued by gram was to become effective July 18 months,” Smith predicted. individual ports with a statewide 1, with the first state cards issued on The first two ports to get the Florida is developing its pro- expected to use computer chips card acceptable at all ports in that date. However, Florida’s sea- system will be Cape Canaveral and gram in coordination with the and biometric information to iden- Florida. port administrator, Nevin Smith, Pensacola, with the others to fol- U.S. Transportation Security Ad- tify the bearer. TSA has proposed a The cards will be issued to bus told Bus & Motorcoach News that low. Smith said bus and truck oper- ministration. It’s likely to serve as a similar national transportation and truck companies and their driv- the legislature’s expectation was ators will be notified when ports model for similar programs in other worker identification credential, or ers who pick up and drop off pas- that the rollout of the program changeover from individual cards states with seaports. TWIC card, for all interstate bus sengers and freight at Florida ports. would begin July 1, not that the to the statewide card. The Florida ID cards are and truck drivers. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2004 — 5 THE DOCKET FMCSA faulted for delay in fixing CDL oversight WASHINGTON — The virtually no way to assure that indi- idency, which is commonly forged dates don’t seek the hazmat certifi- CDL applicants seeking hazmat Inspector General of the U.S. viduals applying for CDLs are who or phony. They must verify their cate, so they aren’t required to endorsements are required to Department of Transportation has they say they are, or that they are Social Security numbers if they are prove they are legal residents of the prove their legal residence status, criticized the Federal Motor Carrier even lawful residents of the U.S. also applying for certification to country. Mead wrote. Safety Administration for failing to There has been widespread transport hazardous materials. “Given our current environ- A spokesman at the FMCSA improve its oversight of the com- concern among security specialists However, as Mead noted in his ment and the efforts to enhance said the agency is developing a mercial driver license program. that terrorists might try to use letter, 70 percent of CDL candi- security, we question why” only response to Mead’s letter. As a result of the lax oversight, trucks and their loads to attack tar- the U.S. is more vulnerable to ter- gets in the United States. Some ror attacks and must cope with also fear buses could be used, as poorly trained drivers, says DOT they are elsewhere in the world by Inspector General Kenneth Mead. international terrorists. In a letter to FMCSA officials, In addition to security issues, Mead said the federal government Mead’s spokesman, David Barnes, was doing a better job screening pointed to an investigation in Utah airline passengers since the 9/11 last year that found CDL testers attacks than the FMCSA had had passed 39 unqualified candi- done to ensure CDL holders are dates or candidates with faulty doc- who they claim to be. umentation. Half of the improper It was the second time this year licenses were granted to illegal Mead has blasted procedures at the aliens. One of those drivers was FMCSA. In February, he issued a involved in a fatal accident in New report that was highly critical of York. He was found to be an illegal the FMCSA’s SafeStat system that alien who didn’t know enough ranks the safety of motorcoach English to read the road signs or to operators and truckers. Since that talk to the police officers who report became public, the FMCSA responded to the crash scene. has issued warnings about using There have been a number SafeStat and launched an effort to incidents just this year where improve its information. CDLs were obtained fraudulently In his latest critique, Mead says from corrupt officials. that while FMCSA had agreed to Last month, four resi- tighten CDL procedures through a dents were charged in a criminal planned rulemaking in October of complaint of helping at least 600 last year, it now appears the agency people, most of them foreign will not improve the program until nationals, fraudulently obtain at least next May. commercial and regular driver “We are concerned that the licenses in Wisconsin. continuing delay in issuing this Many similar episodes have proposed regulation exposes us to occurred across the U.S. in recent increased risk,” Mead said a letter years. sent to FMCSA Administrator After the CDL loopholes Annette Sandberg and other top became known, FMCSA said it agency officials. would propose a new, tighter rule Mead said it is past time for the last fall. That date has slipped 20 FMCSA to toughen its rules for months. oversight of the commercial driver Today, CDL applicants are license program. Currently, there is only required to show proof of res- mounted climate control system, $20 bill Freedman seats, and Ricon in-step CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 wheelchair lift package. Additional features include a ride-enhance- to 500,000 annually, or to 1,500- ment package, Arens electronic 2,000 daily. Currently, 700-800 shifter control, remote-control people visit the facility each day. heated side mirrors with LED turn Buses by Bill used a unique signals, and six-speaker audio sys- wrap design for one of its ABC tem with AM/FM/CD/page. M1035 coaches to help it win the Buses By Bill also provides contract for the shuttle at the facil- charter and shuttle services for ity. It had the bus wrapped with the churches, schools, corporations, design of the new $20 bill. and sporting events — in addition The other ABC M1035 shuttle to tour groups. It contracts with operated by the company will be Dallas Area to oper- wrapped with the new design for ate two ABC M1000 shuttles on the $50 bill once that currency the campus of Southern Methodist goes into circulation Oct. 1. University. Buses by Bill has equipped its The 12-year-old company’s M1035 Series coach with 35 pas- fleet includes 25-passenger midsize senger seats, a ISB 205- cutaway buses, 40-passenger RTS horsepower engine, Allison 2400 buses, and 49-57 passenger Van transmission, Carrier AC310 roof- Hool coaches. 6 – July 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS Van Hool, ABC buses will get Caterpillar engines FARIBAULT, Minn. — ABC ABC Companies. Both the C7 and C13 feature system, using electro-hydraulic reportedly has the highest horse- Companies and its European bus- “By offering next-generation Cat’s Acert® engine emissions- valve actuators. power-to-weight rating in its class. building partner, Van Hool N.V., solutions like the Caterpillar C13 reduction technology, a significantly Unlike other emissions reduc- The 2,270-pound engine delivers have signed an agreement with and C7 engines, we demonstrate tion technology, Acert engines 380 to 430 horsepower, with 1,450 Caterpillar Inc. that means Cat our ongoing commitment to sup- “The C13 engine reduce emissions at the point of to 1,650 foot pounds of torque. engines will become available in porting all operational aspects — combustion through engine elec- The C7 engine for the ABC both Van Hool motorcoaches and from performance, value and qual- that will be avail- tronics, the fuel injection system M1000 coaches is available with ABC-branded M1000 cutaway ity, to reliability and compliance — able in Van Hool and combustion technology. It horsepower ratings ranging from buses. to the businesses we serve,” Cornell employs a higher compression 190 to 330, and 520 to 860 pound Cat’s heavy-duty C13 engine added. coaches reportedly ratio, greater cylinder pressure and feet of torque. It features Cat’s will offered in both the T2145 and Caterpillar engines will be series turbo-charging, which is said patented HEUI fuel system and the C2045 Van Hool touring and offered as options in both Van Hool has the highest to improve power, performance and uses a single, electronic wastegate- commuter coaches, while the C7 and ABC M1000 coaches, mean- horsepower-to- fuel economy. controlled turbocharger. Cat engine will available in the ing there will be a “minimal” up- Acert engines are fully compli- The C7 is built on the proven midsize ABC M1000 series coaches charge for specifying a Cat engine. weight rating in its ant with 2004 EPA emissions stan- platform of the Cat 3126E mid- that are available in 30- and 35- The new engines will be available dards, and the technology will be range engine. foot lengths. beginning December and the first class.” used as the foundation to meet ABC Companies distributes “Our decision to partner with quarter of next year. different approach to meeting fed- future emission regulations for Cat’s Van Hool coaches and sells and Caterpillar will deliver important In Van Hool coaches, the C13 eral clean-air standards. Among diesel product line. leases ABC M1000 series coaches benefits to our operators,” said Ron can be coupled to either an Allison other things, Acert technology The C13 engine that will be for shuttle, tour, charter, transit and Cornell, president and CEO of B500 or a ZF AS-Tronic transmission. employs a more complex cam/valve available in Van Hool coaches line haul service.

blocked it. Post House The profusion of businesses CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 competing to make their signs most The three women who staffed prominent overwhelmed the small the food lines and cash registers at Post House Cafeteria sign, with an the Post House Cafeteria had dedi- arrow pointing up to its hillside cated a combined 76 years of their location. lives to the place. From the outside, the red-brick, “I kind of figured I’d retire from one-story Post House contrasted here sometime,” said Rush. with the new, brightly lighted restaurants on the highway just The Town of Motels below. It felt dated inside, too. Breezewood, with a faded sign Computer-generated paper signs proclaiming it the “Town of covered the doors and windows, Motels” and the “Traveler’s Oasis,” announcing the specials for the day boomed after the Pennsylvania and the prices. The dining room A Turnpike opened in 1940 with one was divided into sections by large, gas station and the first traveler's stained-glass windows depicting stop, the Gateway Motel and scenes from the early days of Restaurant. Pennsylvania: a woman wearing a EXCELLENT Now, though, “The Strip,” as bonnet stoking a fire; a blacksmith it’s known to the 1,858 people in in suspenders working a piece of surrounding East Providence, Pa., metal. National Interstate Insurance Company is proud to announce that A.M. Best, has gone from a handful of motels the most widely recognized rating agency dedicated to the insurance industry, and family restaurants to a constel- No profits has upgraded the financial strength rating of National Interstate insurance lation of chain hotels and almost Those walls separated rows and company to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent). This high rating is only assigned any fast food a person could desire. rows of wooden tables, many with to Insurance companies that demonstrate overall excellent performance. James Bittner, assistant general slightly mismatched chairs and manager for the Gateway Travel black plastic ashtrays. Smoking was Thanks to our agents, brokers, customers and associates that made this and Plaza, attributes the boom in fast- permitted just about everywhere in our other accomplishments possible. food restaurants and the demise of the building, except a small area family-style dining to modern trav- near the front door. To experience proven quality in first dollar, deductible and captive insurance elers and their time constraints. In an effort to entertain the options, call us today. “Family demographics are changing, children who passed through the and fast food is the norm,” he said. doors, there was a room of arcade With 3.4 million vehicles exit- games, including the classic Ms. ing the turnpike through Breeze- Pac-Man. wood last year, it’s no wonder so In an age of wireless communi- many restaurants and gas stations cation, where it’s sometimes diffi- took root here. Travelers have to cult to find a single pay phone, the head through the town to get to Post House offered a bank of them Interstate 70, heading southeast to against the back wall. Washington and into . Debbie Albert, a spokeswoman There have been attempts over for Aramark, said the Post House the years to create a direct connec- was hurt significantly by a slow- 3250 Interstate dr. Richfield, Oh 44286 • 1-800-595-2553 • Fax: 330-659-8907 tion between the turnpike and the down in after the attacks of www.nationalinterstate.com interstate, but opposition from resi- 9/11. “It just hasn't been prof- dents and key politicians has itable,” she said. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2004 — 7 INDUSTRY NEWS

quate number of trainers for the motorcoach UMA petition and school bus industries are simply not CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 available,” UMA contends. “Thus compli- ance with the 90-day time frame provided is assessment and agreed with its findings. both impractical and unreasonable.” However, “the devil, as they say, is always in 3. FMCSA has given the industry an the details. Moreover, it is the because of unreasonable time frame for implementing details articulated — or not articulated — in the rule, which goes into effect July 20. the final rule that UMA has been prompted “Indeed, were there evidence of some sort to file this petition.” of safety crisis indicating the need to imple- The new rule requires training in four ment the final rule virtually immediately, areas: driver qualifications, driver wellness, UMA could understand why such a short hours-of-service and whistle-blower protec- time frame were needed. But no such crisis tion. FMCSA estimates that as much as 10 or emergency exists or has existed that war- MCI renovates N.J. facility hours of classroom instruction is needed by rants the time frames adopted by the final BLACKWOOD, N.J. — Motor Coach have created an environment that is cus- entry-level drivers to cover the four subjects. rule.” Industries has given its sales and service tomer friendly.” UMA has four basic complaints about 4. Finally, UMA contends the training facility here an extensive renovation, The Blackwood center functions as both the rule: should be made part of the CDL program. including the addition of a wash bay and a regional office and service center. It has 1. The rule sets out no standards for the “The most direct and, perhaps easiest, way to drivers’ lounge featuring a flat-screen tele- served MCI customers and other bus opera- training. “There are no identifiable and/or address the flaws (with the rule) would be for vision. tors from this site for the past dozen years. measurable criteria for either the training FMCSA to modify the final rule and make An open house last month marked com- The facility offers maintenance, repair content and/or outcome(s) of the training the entry-level training requirements part of pletion of the refurbishing project. and warranty service, along with coach that will be required by carriers,” says UMA. the states’ CDL programs,” says UMA. The Blackwood facility, which is about maintenance programs. Like all MCI Fleet “The final rule does not establish a standard If the FMCSA can’t see fit to reconsider 20 minutes south of Philadelphia and an Support centers, the Blackwood location is by any definition. To the contrary, in areas the rule and make it part of the CDL pro- hour up the Atlantic City Expressway from approved for Diesel, Allison in particular where training will be required gram, then the agency should “exempt Atlantic City, N.J., is staffed by factory-cer- Transmission and ZF AS-Tronic transmis- — fatigue management and driver wellness motorcoach and school bus operators from tified technicians, has a well-stocked parts sion warranty work. — the final rule is either devoid, or at the the final rule” and “work with the industry in center, and a friendly staff, says Jerry MCI new-coach sales for the East very least ambiguous, in its articulation of the development of a more comprehensive Cignarella, director of the MCI Fleet Coast also are centered at the Blackwood the minimum training topics and the focus training program for entry-level drivers that Support service centers. location, with E4500, J4500, D4500 and of the content to be provided by carriers.” will achieve meaningful outcomes far in “We’ve made a significant investment in G4500 models showcased. In addition, the 2. There aren’t enough trainers to pro- excess of anything that could be possible this facility,” said Cignarella. “We’re raising facility maintains an inventory of pre- vide the training the rule requires. “An ade- under the final rule,” says UMA. the bar on the services provided here, and owned coaches. 8 – July 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS OPINION Historic Truck executive asks Congress Once or twice a decade, the bus and motorcoach industry is rocked by events that tend to be transfor- mative. to adopt national fuel standard Like: Deregulation, consolidation, the explosion of WASHINGTON — Fuels blended lower aromatic content than the fuel sold increase fuel-system corrosion and prema- the gambling industry, 45-foot coaches, 9/11, the emer- specifically for certain localities or regions in the rest of the country,” resulting in ture filter plugging. gence of destination entertainment Meccas, automatic are driving up the price of diesel fuel, cost- prices that are substantially higher than In comparison to No. 2 diesel, transmissions, Greyhound’s purchase of Trailways Inc., ing the truck and bus industries billions of the national average, said Berry. biodiesel has a lower energy value. One and so on. dollars, says a top executive with a leading The cost of refining diesel gallon of No. 2 diesel has 129,000 British We’re likely seeing another one unfold with Grey- trucking company. adds 4 to 5 cents extra per gallon. After thermal units, while one gallon of hound’s announcement that it plans to remake the com- Congress should set a single national adjusting for the difference in state fuel biodiesel has only 118,000 BTUs. This pany into something that isn’t yet completely defined. Last month, Greyhound launched a rolling restruc- standard for diesel fuel, says Swift taxes, this makes for a 22-cent difference lower energy value may result in less turing of its system of 2,600 destinations. In one fell Transportation Vice President Dave that can only be explained by higher dis- power produced by the engine and a cor- swoop, it revealed plans to chop 14 million miles from its Berry. tribution costs and the oligopolistic pric- responding need to burn additional fuel to network, eliminating 260 stops in a region that had but Diesel fuel in California, for example, ing associated with boutique fuels, accord- produce an equivalent amount of work. 359. That’s 72 percent. That’s dramatic. is a special blend required by the state’s ing to Berry. “We also must point out the fallacy “We definitely have the intention to transform the Air Resources Board and costs more than He said that if the EPA believes there surrounding the important energy securi- whole company,” says Greyhound CEO Stephen 35 cents more per gallon than the nation- is an alternate diesel fuel formulation that ty argument — to which biodiesel is not Gorman. wide $1.70 average for standard diesel, will reduce emissions and not create oper- the answer. When one considers the fuel Once cuts to its northern region are wrapped up Berry said in testimony last month before ational problems for existing fleets, then necessary to grow and transport the raw Aug. 18, and additional cuts are completed in two to the Senate Energy and Commerce that fuel formulation should be mandated materials, producing a gallon of biodiesel three years, Greyhound will operate a simpler network Committee. He was testifying on behalf nationally. consumes more energy than burning that that focuses on short- and medium-haul trips of less of the American Trucking Associations. Berry also questioned Congress’ zeal same gallon releases,” said Berry. than 450 miles. Berry said Congress should do away to mandate so-called renewable fuel, such “A biodiesel mandate is merely a Most importantly, adds Gorman, the changes will with the EPA’s authority to permit so- as biodiesel. Such fuels are made from transfer of wealth from trucking to the allow passengers traveling to most destinations to arrive called boutique fuels. “Congress should vegetable oil or other biological sources, farmers who grow the raw materials. If sooner because more than half of the towns being cut are amend section 211 of the Clean Air Act and are bound to drive up the cost of fuel, farm subsidies are necessary, then provide stops Greyhound coaches make every day despite never to restore a single national diesel fuel he said. money to the farmers, but please do not picking up or dropping off a passenger. standard and remove EPA’s discretion to That’s because biodiesel is significant- force our industry to use a fuel that is dra- For example, the changes will permit the company to approve boutique fuel formulations,” said ly more expensive to produce than petro- matically more expensive and will cause cut travel times by about two hours on trips between Berry. leum-based diesel, said Berry. Also, unnecessary operational challenges.” Chicago and Minneapolis. “A single national diesel fuel standard because biodiesel is unlikely to move by According to Berry, one of the major Obviously, Greyhound’s decision to abandoned hun- is critical to limiting the duration and pipeline, its distribution costs will be reasons for price spikes for refined petrole- dreds of stops will impact hundreds of thousands of riders magnitude of fuel price spikes, which are higher than ordinary fuel. um products is the lack of capacity. “The but it also will impact scores of bus operators. Over-the- devastating to the health of the trucking “Putting the drastic price differential fact that no new U.S. refineries have been road companies from Illinois and Wisconsin, to industry,” he added. aside for the moment, trucking also has built in more than 25 years has resulted in Washington and Oregon are queing up to take a shot at “Varying state fuel requirements for operational concerns with the use of a situation where an upset at even one routes being abandoned by Greyhound. boutique fuels typically result in fuel price biodiesel: refinery will cause a significant supply dis- In some places, they will find townsfolk eager to differentials and prevent diesel fuel from Biodiesel tends to gel in cold weather. ruption, resulting in a dramatic price spike. have them. Like Bismarck, N.D. How worried are they simply being transported from one juris- Whereas No. 2 diesel typically gels at 16 “We feel strongly that the construc- in Bismarck about losing their Greyhound service? So diction to another in times of shortage. degrees Fahrenheit, soy-based biodiesel tion of additional refining capacity is long worried that a United States Senator by the name of “Boutique fuels, due to their limited gels at 32 degrees and biodiesel derived overdue and we support boosting U.S. Byron Dorgan met with about 30 Greyhound travelers markets, are produced by only a handful from animal fat gels at 68 degrees. Anti- refining capacity in an environmentally and representatives of organizations that rely on of refineries, resulting in less competition gelling systems and blending techniques safe fashion.” Greyhound in the Bismarck-Mandan transit station and higher prices. add to operating costs. The company that employs Berry is the evening of July 1. A U.S. Senator in a bus station? “California diesel, for example, is for- Biodiesel fuels are an excellent medi- the nation’s third-largest truckload carri- Now that’ll get your attention. mulated with a higher cetane index and um for microbial growth, which could er. It is based in Phoenix.

How to contact us: ISSUE NO. 34 To submit or report news, To contact the United Motorcoach Jeff Polzien Red Carpet Tours Letters to the Editor, articles: Association: Oklahoma City E-mail: [email protected] Call: (800) 424-8262 A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION Robert L. Quick Fax: (877) 510-5598 or go to: www.uma.org Staff Advisory Board Quick-Livick Inc. or (877) 510-5602 Stauton, Va. To e-mail advertisements Mail: 717 West Pierson #160 or photographs: Editor & Publisher Alex Allen Todd Holland Tom Ready Phoenix, AZ 85013 Victor Parra Amador Stage Lines Ramblin' Express Ready Bus Lines E-mail: [email protected] Sacramento, Calif. Colorado Springs LaCrescent, Minn. Call: (602) 242-7361 or upload at www.jezac.com/uploads Sales Director Senior Editor Bob Brisman Robert Hume Bill Rohrbaugh West Point Trailways Travel Mates Trailways Bill Rohrbaugh's Charter Services To advertise or to mail To subscribe or inquire Johnny Steger Bruce Sankey Vails Gate, N.Y. Harrisonburg, Va. Manchester, Md. advertising-related materials: about your subscription: Government Editor Art Director David Brown Daryl G. Johnson Brian Scott Call: Johnny Steger Call: (602) 242-7361 Holiday Tours J & J Charters Escot Bus Lines (602) 980-0840 Norman Littler Mary E. McCarty Randlemann, N.C. Crosby, Texas Largo, Fla. To send subscription orders E-mail: [email protected] or changes of address: Editorial Assistant Associate Editor Bob Foley Godfrey LeBron John Silvanie Mail: Post Office Box 12903 ABC Companies Paradise Trailways Suburban Charter Services E-mail: [email protected] Tara Sheehan Ellen Balm Faribault, Minn. West Hempstead, N.Y. White Plains, N.Y. Tempe, AZ 85284 Fax: (877) 510-5602 To complain: Editorial Assistant Editorial Assistant Steve Haddad Joan Libby Alan Spachman or (877) 510-5598 Carl R. Bieber Tourways Cavalier Coach National Interstate Insurance Co Mary Jung Amy Stalknecht Call: (602) 242-7361 Mail: 717 West Pierson #160 Kutstown, Pa. Boston, Mass. Richfield, Ohio E-mail: [email protected] Phoenix, AZ 85013 Rick Hillard Warren Miller T. Ralph Young Accountant Tri-State Tours Pacific Coach Bus Service Young Transportation ©2004 by the United Motorcoach Association. Reproduction in whole or in part John Giddens Galena, Ill. San Francisco, Calif. Ashville, N.C. without written permission is prohibited. SUBSCRIBE 10 – July 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS Greyhound transportation for needy individuals desperate to get to a family mem- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Greyhound to abandon 260 towns ber’s funeral or sick bed. The losses from $112 million in 2002, to Salvation Army routinely provides $29 million last year. In the first DALLAS — Grey- bus tickets to such individuals. hound Lines plans to Washington three months of this year, typically (21) However, in downtown Minne- its weakest period for revenue, abandon service to the Montana North Dakota Minnesota apolis, a rider who had ridden a Greyhound lost $15 million, down following communities (14) (11) (56) Greyhound for two days from Tuc- Oregon from $22 million in the first three next month. This is a son, Ariz., said the cutbacks would- (35) Idaho Wisconsin months of last year. preliminary list and South Dakota n’t bother him. He said he would (11) (3) (45) could change, the com- have gotten to Minnesota much pany cautions. Wyoming Long-term challenge (2) Iowa faster if the buses didn’t have to “In the past two decades, Nebraska (10) make so many stops. Greyhound has not had sufficient (4) profitability to fund its operating COLORADO Utah (8) Colorado Operators react and capital investment require- Berthoud Pass The biggest business impact of Brush (13) ments to be a viable company,” says Burlington the Greyhound decision is likely to Greyhound Vice President of Craig be felt in the offices of scores of bus Brainerd St. Peter Lexington S. DAKOTA Beaver Dam Corporate Communications Lynn Dinosaur companies that currently provide Canyon Twig North Platte Beresford Birnamwood Brown. Fraser Cass Lake Wadena Ogallala Black Earth in the 13 states, Ft. Morgan Sioux Falls “Beginning in the summer of Clara City Walker Sidney Black River Falls or those who see an opportunity to Granby Vermillion Cloquet Willmar York Bonduel 2001, Greyhound passenger levels Hayden provide point-to-point service. Cottonwood Windom Columbus declined along with revenues. Kremmling UTAH Among those companies look- Crockston Worthington OREGON Coon Valley With the terror attacks of Sept. 11, Steamboat Springs Duchesne Dassel Cross Plains ing to expand service to communi- Sterling Albany Echo 2001, this revenue and passenger Detroit Lakes Delafield ties abandoned by Greyhound is Winter Park MONTANA Arlington Heber City decline accelerated and created an Erskine Big Timber Ashland Logan Elcho Jefferson Lines of Minneapolis, one Eveleth Fremont additional burden for the company IOWA Deer Lodge Bandon Myton of the nation’s premier regional Forest Lake Bend Park City Germantown in the form of unprecedented cost Anita Dillon intercity operators. Fosston Roosevelt Hudson increases for insurance and security. Dubuque Drummond Biggs Jefferson Lines currently serves Four Corners Forsyth Boardman Vernal Janesville “In response, beginning in the Dyersville Lake Tomahawk five of the states where Greyhound Frazee Glendive Brightwood summer of 2003, we acted aggres- Newton Granite Falls WASHINGTON Lone Rock is abandoning cities — North and Onawa Laurel Brookings sively to stabilize the company,” Hackensack Blaine Mauston South Dakota, Nebraska, Minne- Shenandoah Lima Canyonville Hamel Camas Mazomanie said Brown. “We changed our pric- Sioux Center Miles City Chemult sota and Iowa. Plus, it serves Mis- Hinckley Castle Rock Menomonie ing strategy, particularly for long- Sioux City St Regis Coos Bay souri, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas and Hutchinson Cle Elum Minocqua haul service, and began eliminating Tama Toledo Three Forks Cottage Grove Monico Oklahoma. Independence Warmsprings Connell unprofitable and marginally prof- Walcott Florence Osseo “We’re looking at that,” said an Le Sueur Whitehall Gold Beach Ft. Lewis itable routes. This also included Litchfield Pelican Lake Wibaux Government Camp George operations manager at Jefferson IDAHO Little Falls Portage reducing jobs, capital expenditures Klamath Falls Goldendale Lines. “We’ve talked to people at Blackfoot Luverne Readstown and overhead costs. N. DAKOTA La Pine Grandview Greyhound.” Like other operators, Bliss Madelia Lyle Rhinelander “Streamlining the network,” Beach Lincoln City Dubois Mankato North Bend Richland Ctr however, Jefferson Lines was wait- Madras says Brown, “will make Greyhound Idaho Falls Marshall Bismarck North Bonneville Shawano ing for Greyhound to announce its Mcminnville a financially viable business in the Kellogg Melrose Dickinson Prosser Spring Green new route structure and timetable Grand Forks Newberg long term, increase profitability Mc Cammon Moose Lake Richland Stanley so it could develop its service plans. Mullan Mountain Lake Hillsboro Newport Ritzville Stevens Point and improve return on assets.” Pocatello Jamestown North Bend Summit Lake Obviously, Jefferson Lines and The route cutbacks in Grey- Nisswa Skamania Rexburg North Branch Medora Port Orford Snoqualmie Pass Sun Prairie other operators need to know when hound’s 13-state northern region, Rupert Perham Richardton Redmond Toppenish Viroqua Greyhound will come through spe- the company’s smallest, will result Wallace Pine City Steele Reedsport Walla Walla Waupaca cific locations so that when their in 150 job eliminations and 100 Pine River Sterling Rhododendr Wapato Waupun coaches pull up to a depot, the pas- Wausau buses being removed from the com- MINNESOTA Pipestone Valley City Sandy Washougal Sheridan Westby sengers they drop off won’t have to pany fleet. The company’s new Anoka Ruthton Atwater Sandstone NEBRASKA Troutdale WISCONSIN Wittenberg wait six hours for the connecting schedule is to go into effect Aug. Bagley Sauk Centre Cozad Waldport Abbotsford Greyhound service. 18. Bemidji Shakopee Grand Island Warm Springs Aniwa WYOMING Ron Moore, president of Bur- The northern-tier states repre- Big Lake St. James Kearney Wemme Antigo Cheyenne lington Trailways in West Burling- sent roughly 10 percent of the com- Bloomington St. Louis Park Kimball Zigzag Baldwin Jct Green River ton, Iowa, also is eyeing what is fea- pany’s total destinations. Many of time departures and arrivals,” Greyhound has been serving for 67 whose constituents may be losing sible in the wake of Greyhound’s the states are thinly populated and Brown added. years, is begin abandoned. their only intercity mode of public announcement. He said he and his about half the stations being elimi- Abandoning 260 stations will Greyhound also no longer will transportation. staff are studying traffic patterns nated had no outbound traffic last leave 99 stops in the 13 affected provide any service to South At the Bismarck-Mandan ter- and trying to gauge levels of prof- year, according to Brown. states, with 75 of those in towns Dakota, the only state among the minal in North Dakota, occasional itability. with fewer than 100,000 people. 13 where service is being totally and faithful riders alike cringed Burlington Trailways operates Simple is better The three largest cities that no abandoned. when told Greyhound was shutting in five Midwestern states, two of Greyhound’s revamped net- longer will see Greyhound service down 11 stops in North Dakota, which will see Greyhound cutbacks work will be more efficient because after Aug. 18, are Sioux Falls (pop- Impact widespread including Bismarck, the state capi- — Iowa and Nebraska. it will serve areas where customer ulation 101,000 and the largest city Greyhound’s announcement tal, and Grand Forks, the second- Also positioned to possibly fill demand is greatest through a small- in South Dakota); Cedar Rapids, reverberated across the U.S. . . . largest city. part of the void created by er, simpler system of routes that is Iowa (population 109,000), and • In homes and businesses of Calls to the terminal skyrocket- Greyhound’s service reduction is short- and medium-haul focused, Rochester, Minn. (population Greyhound riders; ed, with callers either irritated or Rimrock Trailways in Billings, says Brown. “In the simplified net- 71,000). • In terminals and at roadside depressed. Callers were being urged Mont. work, unprofitable and marginally The states seeing the biggest stops where individuals catch to contact the governor or the Company President Thorm profitable routes and schedules will cutbacks are Minnesota with 56 Greyhound coaches in the 13 state’s U.S. senators. Forseth said his firm might add be eliminated. stops being eliminated; Wisconsin states; Even the Salvation Army in service to North Dakota, but he is “Customers will experience with 43, and Oregon with 35. The • In offices of regional bus com- Bismarck expressed disappointment waiting to see Greyhound’s new improved convenience, faster serv- central coast of Oregon, along U.S. panies, and over the announcement, saying it schedule for the areas it will con- ice, fewer stops and improved on- Highway 101 and a region • In offices of local politicians would be more difficult for it to find tinue to serve. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2004 — 11 NEW DELIVERIES Prevost wins RTS rebuild contract NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Prevost Car Parts and Service Center here is refurbishing 14 RTS buses for Capital Area Transit of Raleigh, N.C. The reconditioning includes replacing the Series 50 engines, Allison 731 transmissions and RCA flooring. In addition, the front and rear sus- pensions are being rebuilt, as are the air conditioning systems. The major overhauls are expected to extend the The Martz Group buses’ service life by another 8 to 10 years. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Greg Barowski, director of maintenance for Capital The Martz Group has pur- Two of the 16 coaches will be Area Transit, said he is feeding the 1996-model chased 16 new MCI J4500 motor- going to Martz First Class Coach of NovaBus RTSs to the Prevost Nashville Parts and coaches, representing a significant St. Petersburg, Fla., one to Martz Service Center one at a time until all are finished. He investment to improve customer Gold Line/Gray Line of Washing- expects the flexible contract arrangement will end up service, reports company Chair- ton, D.C., and one to Martz Na- costing Capital Area Transit between $650,000 and entire staff was courteous, professional and very com- man Frank M. Henry. tional Coach of Fredericksburg, Va. $715,000. petent. I look forward to working with them through- Twelve of coaches are going to The new J4500s accommodate Barowski says he’s excited about the project. out this project.” Martz Trailways in Wilkes-Barre. 56 passengers in American seats. “The Nashville facility is great; the volume of parts Capital Area Transit operates 24 routes in Raleigh. Robert Chepalonis, general man- The units also are equipped with a they carry is impressive. During the rework of the first It also promotes economic opportunity, intermodal ager at Martz Trailways, said the Carrier climate-control system, bus, I was kept informed every step of the way. The connections and sustainable regional development. buses will replace older vehicles National drivers’ seats, Ricon S&S assigned to the firm's daily regional wheelchair lifts, REI A/V systems passenger service to City, with DVDs and VCRs, and Philadelphia. and Atlantic City. Accuride wheels. WHEELCHAIR LIFTS “Providing our daily commuters The coaches also have Series with the latest, most reliable equip- 60 Detroit Diesel engines, ZF AS- ment is extremely important in Tronic transmissions, and air sus- Installation and Retrofits maintaining our relationship with pensions with automatic leveling that segment of our customers,” and kneeling features. says Michael J. Sanfilippo, sales The Martz Group, founded in manager for Martz Trailways. 1908, has subsidiary bus companies “These particular customers depend in the District of Columbia, on our daily line runs to get them Maryland, , Pennsylvania to work each day.” and Florida.

Karst Stage Inc. Bozeman, Mont. Montana’s oldest motorcoach company gravitated to school bus Installations operator is updating its fleet with transportation. the addition of three Prevost H3- Following the Perkins purchase for heavy-duty 45 coaches. of the company in 1981, they Jerry Perkins, president of the expanded the school bus service buses and company that he and his wife, from the Bozeman district to other Cathleen, purchased 23 years ago, communities; developed an airport Coach puts the hustle and coaches said he “chose to go with Prevost shuttle; provided transit service, muscle back in your bus! for the modern look and the out- and expanded into charter motor- standing quality.… We purchased coach service. It has a diverse fleet More than 17 years experience our first Prevost buses in 1998 and of 65 vehicles, including 19 motor- have been very happy since, which coaches, 7 of which are Prevosts. Full range of repair, retrofit and rehab services is why we are adding three more.” Last year, the company pur- Karst Stage was founded 102 chased another Bozeman coach years ago to haul loggers and operator, Montana Motorcoach, freight. A half-dozen years after its and acquired an airport shuttle. founding, the company opened a Today, the company attracts dude ranch, and by 1916 it was tourists looking to experience the Minnesota 800-334-2871 Florida operating motor tours into beauty of Yellowstone Park, the 450 Armstrong Road 27616 “D” Hwy. 561 Yellowstone National Park. excitement of gambling junkets, Northfield, MN 55057 www.coachcrafters.com Tavares, FL 32778 In the 1950s, after the founder, the battlefield where Gen. George Ph: 507-645-1640 NEAR ORLANDO Pete Karst, sold the business and its Armstrong Custer died, and the Fax: 507-645-2739 Certified Ph: 321-229-5455 various ventures were split up, the thrills of the Las Vegas Rodeo. Technicians Fax: 352-742-7311 12 – July 15, 2004 – BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS Embarrassing scenes are avoided with wheelchair lift maintenance Few events related to the opera- However, it takes additional for proper mounting; ensure that all tion of a motorcoach will embarrass periodic maintenance to assure prop- fasteners are present and properly a company easier or destroy its rep- er operation and longevity of lifts. torqued. Also be sure to inspect lift utation for quality faster than hav- The following checklist, prepared by frame and lift for cracks, broken ing a wheelchair lift that doesn’t the Fleet Support unit of Motor welds, etc. function properly when it’s needed. Coach Industries, includes steps • Check all electrical connec- Using a wheelchair lift during a operators should take at least at every tions and harnesses for routing. move is an event. Everyone on the oil change interval or once a month, • Verify that switches are coach is aware of it, and most are depending on your lift model. smooth, that the lights function watching. Passersby often stop to (Consult your owner’s manual.) properly, and that the plug end is gawk. • Clean lift assembly thorough- undamaged. So, when a wheelchair lift is ly prior to inspection. • Repair fraying and corroded balky, binding or busted it reflects • Verify pump oil level and cor- components, including the hand con- After all repairs are complete, required and return the unit into almost as poorly on the company as rect as necessary. trol and its components. Make any test the lift while fully loaded (use a service. the entire bus turning brutish on a • Check lift operation while needed repairs as soon as possible. person or a weight equal to person, Consult the wheelchair lift lonely stretch of interstate. unloaded; verify for unusual noises, Following the lift manufactur- such as sandbags) to check for prop- owner’s manual for proper repair Wheelchair lifts are required by signs of binding, and bent or dam- er’s recommendations with regard er lift operation. Always listen for and adjustment procedures. These law to be cycled or operated daily as aged parts. to type and quantity of lubricant to unusual noises. Verify that the lift manuals are usually available via the part of the regular pre-trip routine. • Inspect the lift frame and lifts use, lubricate the lift. reaches proper heights. Correct as Internet from the lift manufacturer.

or involve private bus associations Previous descriptions of the cir- change in current tour bus opera- and Parra. DC Circulator and individual local bus companies culator indicated it would operate tions. According to Volpe analysts, “Once a circulator system of CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 in the lengthy deliberation process initially at an annual $4.2 million the circulator would ultimately these mammoth proportions is tourism industry, especially the (for the circulator), whose antici- deficit. “Further analysis shows that drive away tourists who now utilize superimposed on the existing pri- hotel industry, which has a heavy pated outcome could have pro- actual subsidies will top $7 million private bus services. vate and public network without concentration within the service found negative effects on a signifi- annually and then rise each year The letter also asserts that the proper coordination with all area of the first two Circulator cant number of national, regional thereafter,” according to the ABA- WMATA will have to undercut its other stakeholders, regional and routes,” wrote Pantuso and Parra. and local private bus carriers and UMA letter. “Full circulator oper- other services to subsidize the pro- local services will slowly begin to “The WMATA action to date taxicab owners. A number of feder- ating subsidies would top $14 mil- posed circulator. “The WWMATA collapse under the heavy weight of shows a complete lack of under- al statutes specifically require par- lion annually within the next five must divert as many trips from pri- WMATA’s taxpayer-funded assets. standing of the nature of the pri- ticipation with private enterprise to years,” the letter added. vate bus operators and from “The resulting loss of travelers vate passenger transportation sec- the maximum extent feasible,” the While early reports on the cir- WMATA’s own Metrobus and utilizing this complex and intricate tor. Unfortunately, this could have UMA-ABA letter says. culator said its first phase would Metrorail service to fill the seats of network will have a ripple effect been easily corrected had WMATA “There are reasons why these consist of 29 buses, the associations the circulator’s 55-passenger, 40- throughout the entire tourism mar- brought the private sector to the (private enterprise participation) obtained an “implementation foot buses at a 50-cent fare and ket in the Washington D.C. area. discussion table early in the devel- statutes and regulations are in plan” for the project prepared by a maintain minimum fare box-recov- The circulator, as currently opment process,” the pair added. place,” Pantuso and Parra remind- consultant that says the service will ery standards of the present system, planned, will also displace cost- (See the June 1 and 15 issues of ed White. “Since the establish- eventually grow to 90 buses and which according to (a) Brookings effective and efficient employee Bus & Motorcoach News for addition- ment of the Department of require a $56.4 million bus barn Institution study, is only 26.2 per- shuttles and other specialized serv- al background on the circulator.) Transportation, Congress has never and maintenance facility. cent. If WMATA fails to meet a 45 ices in favor of a high-subsidy net- intended for (public transit agen- According to the consultant, percent ratio standard, more annu- work that has no real market Formal complaint cies) to use federal capital, operat- the impact of such a massive system al operating subsidies will be potential to warrant capital subsi- In addition to severely criticiz- ing or formula funds to arbitrarily would fairly quickly: required,” say Pantuso and Parra. dies that will easily exceed $100 ing the proposed circulator as displace private bus operators or to • Reduce, in part, tour bus Although WMATA ranks 17th million for both equipment and uneconomical, the Pantuso-Parra force federal taxpayers to pay for operations out of the top 20 U.S. bus systems facilities before operating subsidies letter also served as a formal services that are already being • Replace numerous shuttles in fare box recovery ratios, it is pro- are accounted for.” “Private Enterprise Participation effectively and efficiently provided • Compete directly with other posing to operate the circulator at a ABA and UMA asked that Complaint.” Such complaints are by private enterprise, without at fixed-route operators, especially 45 percent fare box recovery rate before WMATA spends any local provided for in federal regulations least demonstrating that a project is Tourmobile which would surpass the No. 1- or federal money to purchase circu- that require transit agencies to an essential part of the region’s • Possibly create a redundant ranked bus system in the U.S. lator equipment from a third party, include private enterprise partici- transportation fabric and that pri- system if a soon-to-be-released Na- or begin preparations for the circu- pation in public transportation vate carriers have participated to tional Park Service study restruc- Eating its children lator service, the transit agency: planning and service development. the maximum extent feasible in the tures its system to overlap some of The report by the private con- 1. Disclose to all funding parties Although “private enterprise project’s development.” the circulator routes. sultant notes that the circulator how it intends to secure all the nec- participation” regulations and Elsewhere in the letter, the The ABA-UMA letter accuses will have “a significant predatory essary financial commitments for statutes have been mandated by associations say “it is fair to con- WMATA of being ignorant of the effect” on Metrorail and, to a lesser the circulator. Congress for nearly 40 years, and clude that the circulator will com- planning being done by the Park degree, Metrobus. The circulator is 2. Start implementing federal have been reinserted in federal laws pete directly, and in some cases, on Service and ignoring a major study likely to siphon off Metrorail and standards that require, to the great- from time to time, notably in the a stop-by-stop basis with private conducted last year by the Volpe Metrobus riders to fill up empty est extent possible, private-sector mid-1980s and early 1990s, they bus operators within the district.” National Transportation Systems seats, says the consultant. participation. are seldom enforced by the bureau- Center of tour bus management in “In almost all market segments, 3. Suspend all plans until the crats at the FTA, who generally New revelations Washington. there is palpable evidence showing National Park Service plan is circu- view the rules as nuisances. Perhaps the most damning that WMATA would divert rev- lated and commented on by all According to a report prepared aspect of the Pantuso-Parra letter Circulator impact enues from its own regional rail and stakeholders by WMATA staff, the transit was its revelations regarding the The Volpe study pointedly bus system to artificially prop up 4. Facilitate a district-wide dis- agency “never exercised its statuto- ultimate scope, impact and cost of notes that any circulator in the fare box revenues of the circu- cussion on parking and traffic issues ry responsibilities to invite, consult the proposed circulator. Washington would entail a major lator system,” according to Pantuso not fully resolved. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — July 15, 2004 — 13 INDUSTRY NEWS

REGION 3: In Canada: Quebec, New Brunswick,Newfoundland Deadline approaches and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Washington Prince Edward Island. New Hampshire Maine Minnesota Vermont for UMA nominations Montana North Dakota Oregon Massachusetts WASHINGTON — The regular, three-year expiring direc- Wisconsin Region 3 Idaho South Dakota New York Rhode United Motorcoach Association is torships under a bylaws change Michigan Island seeking nominations from among approved by UMA’s board at its Wyoming Iowa Pennsylvania its members to fill a half-dozen, mid-year meeting last month. Nebraska Ohio Nevada Region 1 Illinois Delaware three-year elected seats on its board UMA has been on a course for Indiana West Maryland Utah Virginia of directors in 2005. several years to eliminate its “per- Colorado Virginia California Kansas Missouri Sept. 1, is the deadline for let- manent” director seats. That Kentucky North Carolina ters of nomination for the director process is being accelerated under Tennessee South positions on UMA’s board. the bylaws change approved last Oklahoma Arkansas Carolina Arizona Two directors will be elected month. Three permanent director New Mexico Region 2 Missis- Alabama Georgia from each of UMA’s three member- seats will expire at the end of this sippi REGION 2: Canada: Ontario. ship regions (see accompanying year, with the remaining two expir- Texas REGION 1: Louisiana Florida map) for three-year terms. ing in 2007. In Canada: British Columbia, Three of the six seats being UMA’s board has 20 members, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, filled for 2005 are the result of 18 regional directors who must be Yukon, and the N.W. Territories. expiring terms of incumbent coach operators and who are elect- coach-operator directors, who may ed to three-year staggered terms. In seek re-election. addition, it has one non-coach- representative on the UMA board. tion generally reimburses directors region no later than Oct. 1. The directors whose seats ex- builder associate representative, Qualification standards for for travel and accommodations while Ballots will be mailed to UMA pire this year are: Region I (The who serves a three-year term, and UMA directors can be found in performing UMA business and/or members by Oct. 15, and must be West): Jeff Polzien of Red Carpet one coachbuilder associate, who Article VI of the UMA Bylaws attending committee meetings and returned no later than Nov. 15. Charters in Oklahoma City; Re- also serves a three-year term. printed in the back of the UMA the mid-year board meeting. Winners will be announced in the gion II (The Midwest): Rick The non-coachbuilder director Membership Directory. Written letters of nomination Dec. 1, issue of Bus & Motorcoach Hillard of Tri-State Tours in position also expires at the end of Nominations for the regional must state the candidate's name, News. Galena, Ill., and Region III (The this year and an election will be board directorships must come from company affiliation and home-base Any UMA member with ques- Northeast): Bob Brisman of West conducted at the annual meeting of active UMA members who are location. Nomination letters also tions about nominations should Point Trailways in Vails Gates, N.Y. associate members held in conjunc- motorcoach operators. Candidates must be postmarked no later than contact the association at (800) The other three seats being tion with Expo 2005 in Las Vegas in nominated for the board must repre- Sept. 1, 2004. Regional UMA 424-8262. Mail nomination letters elected this year are currently des- February. Alan Spachman of sent an active UMA-member com- Nominating Committees will certi- to: UMA Nominations, 113 S. ignated “permanent” director posi- National Interstate Insurance is the pany in good standing. Directors fy the eligibility of all candidates to West St., 4th Floor, Alexandria, tions but are being converted to current associate, non-coachbuilder serve without pay, but the associa- produce a list of nominees in each VA 22314-2824. 14 — July 15, 2004 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS CALENDAR JULY 2004 22-25 National Motorcoach 25-28 International Motorcoach SEPTEMBER 2004 13-14 Eagle Bus Rally, Branson 9-11 BusN USA Convention, Polk Network 2004 Network Invitational Group Strategic Alliance Meeting, 1 Operation Airbrake 2004. City Campground, Branson, Mo. Info: County Fairgrounds, Rickreal, Ore. 100, Radisson Hotel, Annapolis, Md. Mont Tremblant, Quebec. Info: (913) “Announced” roadside inspections in (417) 753-2285 or (417) 840-9343. Info: (541) 744-4333 or go to Info: (888) 733-5287 or go to 906-0111 or go to www.imgcoach.com. U.S. and Canada by CVSA-certified OCTOBER 2004 www.busnusa.com. www.motorcoach.com. inspectors. Info: (202) 775-1623 or 1-4 Virginia Motorcoach Association 15-19 Flxible Owners International 27-29 Southeastern Regional e-mail [email protected]. Annual Convention, Valley Forge, Va. Official Biennial Bus Rally, Loudon- Info: (434) 376-1150 or e-mail AUGUST 2004 Motorcoach Meeting, Wynfrey Hotel, 10-12 The Travel Institute 2004 ville, Ohio. Info: (419) 994-3869. [email protected]. 7-10 Alabama Motorcoach Asso- Birmingham, Ala. Info: (866) 376-7770 National Forum, Arizona Biltmore 18-20 Georgia Motorcoach Oper- 6 14th annual South Jersey Transpor- ciation Annual Meeting, The Lake or go to gamotorcoachoperators.org. Resort & Spa, Phoenix. Info: (800) ators Association Annual Meeting & tation Bus Roadeo, Atlanta City Trans- and Conference Center at Grand 542-4282 or go to www.thetravelin- portation Center. Info: (609) 345-5572 Market Place, Jekyll Inn, Jekyll 31-Sept. 2 Florida Motorcoach stitute.com. Island, Ga. Info: (866) 376-7770 or National, Opelika, Ala. Info: (866) Ext. 423. 376-7770 or e-mail Association 9th Annual Appointment go to gamotorcoachoperators.org. 12-14 Louisiana Motorcoach 10-13 2004 American Public Trans- [email protected]. Show, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf 20-22 FedFleet 2004, Jacob K. Association Annual Meeting, portation Assoc. Annual Meeting, Resort & Spa, Destin, Fla. Info: Javits Convention Center, New York 17-19 Family Motor Coach Radisson New Orleans. Info: Atlanta Marriot Marquis Hotel. Info: City. Info: (800) 315-4333 or go to Association Convention, Redmond, (407) 647-2491 or go to (877) 501-1878 or go to www.twml- Go to www.apta.com or call (202) www.fedfleet.org. Ore. Info: Go to www.fmca.com. www.floridamotorcoach.org. [email protected]. 496-4874.

You wouldn’tDon’t leaveleave your your drivers drivers Stranded stranded. if you could C LASSIFIED Howavoid canit, would you you?make Make sure sure they they have have the the toolstools A DVERTISING necessarynecessary to to get get helphelp if if they they need need it! it!

1996 MCI 102D3 Excellent Condition, 12.7 litre DD Series 60, NEW Allison B500R Auto Trans (under warr), 49 pass, Alum Wheels & Tires, Loaded. $129,000 Call David 1-888-382-8737 ext. 200 email for pictures [email protected] FOR SALE 1990 MCI 102 C3 47-pax, automatic, video monitors, aluminum wheel covers, enclosed parcel It Isuret sure seemsseems likelike Ssmoothmooth S sailing,ailing, D odoesn’tesn’t it? it? In Ina asplitsplit second,second, thethe ttypicalypical c hcharterarter ca cann go go racks, shades in service. wronwrong.g, very q Whouickl doy--W youho d callo you forcal lhelp?for help? Well Maintained. By locating one of the over 800 UMA operator members throughout the United States and Canada! Having a UMA $29,900 MembershipOne of Directory the over 800 on UMAevery Operator single one members, of your located coaches throughout ensures thethat United your driversStates and have Canada! the information By having they a UMA need, Call Michael rightMembership at their Directoryfingertips. on By every utilizing single the one Operator of your coaches, Location you’re Guide, ensuring your drivers that your get driverscontact have information, the information fleet information, they need, right at their fingertips. By utilizing the Operator Location Guide, your drivers can find contact information, fleet information, 800-875-4555 and the services provided for all UMA companies. Best of all, this information is arranged by major city. and the services provided for all UMA companies. Best of all, this information is arranged by major city. Business For Sale Is yourIs driver your driverunsure unsure of exactly of exactly where where they theyare butare butknows they it’s know close it’s toclose Atlanta? to Atlanta? No problem! No problem! Go to Go the to Operatorthe Operator Location GuideLocation and Guide look and up lookAtlanta up Atlanta--all– all the companies the companies located located around around Atlanta Atlanta are are listed. listed. Your Your driver driver can can call call any any one one of of them them for helpfor help and and they’ll they’ll be be on on their their way way--best – best ofof all,all, your your customers customers will will be be on ontheir their way. way. The The UMA UMA Membership Membership Directory--don’t directory – Alta Loma don’tleave yourleave drivers your drivers str stranded. Charter Lines Order extra copies of the 2004-2005 UMA Membership Directory today! Charter Bus Company Membership Directory Order Form serving Southern California. (Please send me additional directoriesMembership for $20 each) Directory Order Form Located outside of Los Angeles. Please send me additional directories for $20 each Five highway coaches in excellent condition. Company Name: ______Company Name: ______Address: ______Year-round charters and many Address: ______City/State/Zip: ______Phone: ______seasonal customers. City:______State: ______Zip: ______Payment Method: Unlimited growth potential. Phone:______Check Credit Card #: ______Authorized scheduled (PSC) ___ American Express Expiration Date: ______operator to LAX and Ontario Payment Method: ____ Check______Mastercard/Visa American Express ____ Signature: MasterCard/Visa ______International Airport. Credit Card #: ______Quantity______Exp. Date: ______9 local Indian Casino Contracts. Total $______Signature: ______10 Nevada Casino Contracts. *Send Coupon to 113 South West Street, 4th Floor, Alexandria, VA, 22314 or fax to (703) 838-2950. Quantity ______Total: ______Send coupon to: 113 South West Street, 4th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314 or fax to (703) 838-2950. (909) 987-5056 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. © , Inc. 2004, All Rights Reserved