June 1, 2003

THE NEWS RESOURCE FOR THE AND MOTORCOACH INDUSTRY operators to feel impact of Bush plan WASHINGTON—The six- ments that have been at the top of fully ignores an out-of-service Another section of the law The bill also would allow the year, $247 billion highway and the most-wanted safety priorities order is liable for imprisonment for addresses the issue of rogue opera- U.S. Department of Transport- public transportation plan of the United Motorcoach Assoc- up to a year or a fine of $100,000 if tors who routinely violate com- ation to create standards that doc- unveiled by the Bush Administra- iation and American Bus Assoc- the violation does not result in mercial motor vehicle laws and tors would have to follow when tion last month will impact motor- iation for years. Some go beyond. death. An out-of-service order when they get caught they simply performing physical exams for coach operators at many turns, For example, the Bush Admin- violation that results in a death declare bankruptcy and begin drivers. And, DOT could create a especially when it comes to safe istration wants to impose huge increases the fine to $250,000. operations anew under a different national registry of approved doc- operation of coaches. fines or prison sentences for violat- The bill also proposes doubling name. A pattern of this kind of tors. The massive legislative propos- ing out-of-service orders. An penalties for routine out-of-service conduct will result in the operator “We have been urging Congress al contains a half-a-dozen key ele- employer who knowingly and will- order violations. being shut down. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 Tax cuts will help operators The Bush Administration’s Jobs and Growth Tax Act of 2003, adopted by Congress and signed into law on the eve of the Memorial Day holiday, will be a boon to small motorcoach The New Blue operators. It will: • Increase small-business ’s Fort Valley, Ga. expensing limits from $25,000 coach assembly plant is producing the to $100,000, and increase the new Express 4500 motorcoach. Across overall investment limit to the street is a former plant that is turning out three commercial bus $400,000. In addition, these models. All of the are new designs two figures would be indexed developed after Blue Bird was purchased for inflation. by Henlys’ of Great Britian. Economists like the idea of allowing small-business owners to immediately expense critical investments, saying it is a key component to expanding the Blue Bird stakes claim to be major player economy since this money will FORT VALLEY, Ga.—Blue commercial bus unit held a series of and riders. Within months of the acquisi- be used to grow businesses and Bird, a name synonymous with briefings, one-on-one interviews The new panache at Blue Bird tion, Blue Bird and Henlys’ execu- create new jobs. school buses for 76 years, has offi- and tours of the companies retooled stems from a wholesale corporate, tives and engineers began develop- • Accelerate the income-tax cially served notice that it expects manufacturing facilities. culture and product makeover that ing and executing a comprehen- relief enacted in 2001. At least to become a significant and com- Maddox and his chief lieu- has taken place since the company sive strategy designed to position 85 percent of small-business mitted player in the North tenants, including Barry Hines, was purchased three and one-half and drive Blue Bird to the fore- owners file their tax returns as American commercial bus market, vice president and general manag- years ago by Henlys Group plc of front of the commercial bus mar- individuals—so any tax refunds including the motorcoach sector. er of Blue Bird Commercial Bus, Herts, England. Henlys is the ket. and increased earnings will go Richard Maddox, president and state matter-of-factly that “the largest bus and coach manufactur- A key element of the strategy is back into their businesses. CEO of Blue Bird Corp., delivered new Blue” intends to set the stan- er in North America by virtue of one many Blue Bird customers will • Significantly reduce the that message late last month to the dard for commercial buses by mar- its ownership of Blue Bird and a 50 appreciate: Avoid making the tax rate on capital gains and bus industry trade press. Maddox keting innovative products that percent stake in Prevost Car and same mistakes the company made dividends. and top executives of Blue Bird’s are popular with both customers . CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

TheThe Action in Illinois motorcoach drivers to have a DOCKETDOCKET Back-to-back run-ins with school bus driver license. Now it’s Illinois state government has up to the governor. Page 6 TAG Briefing prompted operators to form a UMA organizes an all-day state association. Page 6 After a slow start, operators in briefing for members of the Illinois are organizing to fight a Federal Motor Carrier Safety The Illinois General Assembly proposal to take away the rolling Administration motorcoach adopts a bill that eliminates an stock sales tax exemption. TAG team. Page 4 onerous requirement that forced Page 6 • 17 – 1993 -1995 40ft. Buses • Excellent Interiors • 33 – 1995 -1997 45ft. Buses • 43 Coaches Equipped with • Seating up to 58 Passengers 6 Monitor Video • Automatic Transmission • Many Coaches with • Low Total Coach Miles Aluminum Wheels • Restroom Equipped • Financing Available DETROIT SERIES 60 ENGINES QUANTITY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!

MIDWEST NORTHEAST SOUTHWEST 800-222-2875 800-222-2873 800-222-2877 SOUTHEAST WESTERN 877-222-2879 800-222-2871 800-322-2877 For additional photos and information visit our website www.abc-companies.com BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 1, 2003 — 3 OPERATOR NEWS Sale of more Coach USA units may be close, sources report PERTH, Scotland — Stage- Nevada and Colorado, while the the motorcoach operations of its coach Group, parent company of southern region includes Texas, Coach USA subsidiary. The sell- Coach USA, may have lined up a New Mexico and a handful of off is part of a strategy to transform Coach USA transit division is sold buyer for a huge chunk of the com- states in the south. Coach Coach USA from a predominately PERTH, Scotland — First York, North and South Carolina, pany’s motorcoach operations. is the name Coach USA operates tour and charter company to a Transit, which manages more Puerto Rico and Washington, Sources tell Bus & Motorcoach under in Ontario and Quebec. commuter and contract operator. than 60 public transit systems in D.C. News that Stagecoach has reached Employees at some Coach USA In December, Stagecoach the U.S., is purchasing the transit The division has roughly 2,000 a tentative agreement to sell the operations have been told the buy- announced it was selling five com- division of Coach USA. employees and operates 1,200 western and southern regions of ers intend to retain the staff at each panies that comprise its New The $22.5 million cash deal is vehicles. Coach USA, plus Coach Canada, of the locations being acquired. England region. The buyer is Peter expected to close by the end of The transaction was announc- to an unidentified Canadian “They will depend on us to con- Pan Bus Lines of Springfield, Mass. this month. ed by Perth-based Stagecoach investment company. tinue to provide the quality servic- That deal cleared a major hurdle Like First Transit, Coach USA Group, the parent company of The deal could be wrapped up es that we do now, and continue to two weeks ago when the Surface Transit manages bus services on a Coach USA. Martin Griffiths, by the end of this month, following look for more opportunities,” said a Transportation Board in Washing- contract basis for public transit Stagecoach Group finance direc- completion of due diligence by the senior manager at one Coach USA ton, D.C., approved the transac- systems and other organizations. It tor, said proceeds from the sale potential buyer last month. location. tion for a second time. operates in 35 U.S. locations, will initially be used to reduce out- Coach USA’s western region Stagecoach Group has been Coach USA declined comment including California, Florida, New standing debt. includes California, Arizona, working since late last year to sell for this story. Combining of cruise ship companies produces huge coach operation in Alaska SEATTLE—One of the largest heavy schedule is probably the motorcoach operations in North toughest duty cycle of any coach America has been created as a operation in the United States. byproduct of the operational No changes to Gray Line of merger of the parent companies of Alaska and Princess Tours will be several of the world’s leading implemented during the current cruise ship lines, including season, but operations will be Carnival, Princess and Holland streamlined and any redundancies America. eliminated by next year, said The $5.4 billion deal that com- Beagle. bined Carnival Corporation of In addition to their motorcoach Miami and P&O Princess Cruises fleets, both Gray Line of Alaska A 1940 White Model 786-1 (above) and a 1971 Golden O5 (bottom) will be on display at the museum. PLC of London includes the size- and Princess Tours also have more able motorcoach fleets operated by than 100 vans and operate more subsidiaries of the cruise ship com- than a dozen sightseeing railcars. Bus museum opens June 29 panies in Alaska. Holland This year, Gray Line added four of LEMOYNE, Pa. — The only tion signs, scale model buses and grand opening in the fall, probably America Line, a subsidiary of the largest railcars in the world to museum devoted exclusively to historic bus photographs. October. Carnival, operates Gray Line of its Alaska sightseeing fleet. The the North American bus industry J. Thomas Collins, president of The museum location is cen- Alaska, and Princess Cruises oper- cars, built in Colorado and has its soft opening Sunday, June the museum, said there will be at tral to a number of tourist attrac- ates Princess Tours in Alaska. shipped by ocean barge from the 29, with more than a half-dozen of least one vintage bus on display to tions, including Chocolate David Beagle, vice president of West Coast to Alaska, are 89 feet its vintage buses going on display. represent each decade from the Kingdom, the Gettysburg Na- Holland America Tours and Gray long and 18 feet high. They cost The Museum of Bus Transpor- 1910s through the 1970s. tional Battlefield and Lancaster Line of Alaska, said the combined $3 million each. tation, which has been in devel- The museum is sharing space County, home to Amish and fleet of Gray Line of Alaska and The mega deal that brought opment for more than a decade, is with the Antique Automobile Mennonite communities. Princess Tours totals more than Carnival and P&O Princess on Route 39 near Hershey, Pa. Club of America Museum, which Information about the museum 350 motorcoaches. together is an unusual business Besides historic buses, the also is opening its display of can be obtained by calling muse- That would make the com- arrangement, allowing the compa- museum also will display bus-relat- antique automobiles. um Vice President John bined operation the sixth largest nies to combine their management ed memorabilia, including bus sta- The museum will have a formal Dockendorf at (717) 787-1220. fleet of 40-foot and longer coaches and operations as if they were a in North America, behind Coach single company, while retaining USA, , Academy their separate legal identities. The Bus, Pacific Western and Liberty arrangement is called a dual listed Lines, according to figures com- company structure. piled by Metro magazine. The structure allows P&O The Alaska operations of Gray Princess shareholders to retain Line and Princess primarily trans- their shares, while the operational port thousands of cruise ship pas- merger creates the world’s largest sengers daily to major sightseeing cruise vacation group, with a num- destinations in land from the sea ber of well-known brands and the and waterway ports. The coaches potential to generate significant operate virtually nonstop during cost savings. P&O Princess has Alaska’s busy tourist season from changed its name to Carnival late spring to Labor Day. The PLC. 4 – June 1, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS TheTThehe DOCKETDDOCKETOCKET Top FMCSA officials get industry briefing RANDALMAN, N.C. — Top including Wes Barber from the good meeting.” turing characteristics of contem- officials from the Federal Motor FMCSA office in Little Falls, N.J. The activities began with Parra porary motorcoaches, and point- Carrier Safety Administration, “They clearly came away with providing the federal regulators ing out the critical differences who regulate the coach industry, a better understanding of motor- with an industry and UMA between over-the-road coaches got a comprehensive briefing on coaches, the coach industry and overview. Parra’s presentation also and trucks and school buses. “I the industry at a day-long event the challenges facing operators,” included key industry statistics, as think they now have a very good coordinated by the United said Patrick Scully, president of well a rundown on important understanding of the differences Motorcoach Association. of North America. “They industry organizations. and the significances of those dif- The fast-paced program in late were happy and excited that so Norman Littler, UMA senior ferences,” said Scully. May included presentations by much time had been devoted to vice president of government and Scully also led the group on a the owner of an award-winning bringing them up to date.” industry relations, followed with a tour of Setra’s facility, which Patrick Scully of Setra. motorcoach company, executives Added Victor Parra, president state-of-the-industry presenta- includes a parts distribution cen- from Setra of North America, and and CEO of UMA: “I think the tion, as well as a briefing on the ter and maintenance operation. Brown briefed the FMCSA officials from UMA. TAG members walked away with key operational, legislative and The afternoon was devoted to officials on such critical operator Those participating in the a great appreciation for the safety regulatory issues facing motor- a visit and briefing at Holiday issues as maintenance, safety, pric- briefings from the FMCSA of our equipment, and how it coach operators. Tours, a charter and tour operator ing, management, operations, included John Steinhoff, chief of compares to trucks and school At Setra’s headquarters in based in Randalman. The compa- scheduling, packaging tours, sell- the commercial passenger carrier buses, and how a coach company Greensboro, N.C., Scully provid- ny is headed by Dave Brown, who ing charters, customers, and sales safety division, and the members works, including how charters are ed an equipment overview, is an officer of both the North and marketing. He also gave an of Steinhoff’s National Motor- booked and tours are packaged including a discussion of the Carolina Motorcoach Assoc- overview of the International coach Technical Advisory Group, and sold at retail. It was a very design, engineering and manufac- iation and UMA. Motorcoach Group. NTA urges administration Tour alliance, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico to support tourism industry receptive group motorcoach operators unite LEXINGTON, Ky. — In an rates not seen for more than 10 form new link ARLINGTON, Texas—What Fort Worth for a dozen years effort to boost the struggling years, and more than 500,000 LEXINGTON, Ky. — The started out as a meeting to discuss before selling to Coach USA in tourism industry, the National travel and tourism industry-relat- National Tour Association and forming an association to repre- the mid-1990s. He’s now regional Tour Association has sent a letter ed jobs have been lost since Sept. the Receptive Services Assoc- sent motorcoach operators in vice president for ABC at its sales to President Bush urging his 11, 2001.” iation have formed an alliance to Texas quickly became a tri-state and service center in Grand administration to support travel. The letter went on to ask Bush create business opportunities for affair here last month. Prairie, Texas. The NTA board of directors “to encourage Americans to trav- each other’s members. A total of 33 private coach The five members of the steer- made a decision at its April meet- el and experience the sites, NTA and RSA also say they operators from Texas, Oklahoma ing committee chosen at the ing to contact President Bush and sounds and cultures that comprise will cooperate to develop joint and New Mexico showed up for meeting were: Glen Adair of ask for his support for the travel the fabric of this great land. In education programs and govern- the meeting at a restaurant near Whirlwind Tours in Clovis, N.M.; and tourism industry. The letter is 1991, your mother showed sup- ment relations initiatives. Six Flags over Texas. The event Mark Steelman of Amtour & part of an ongoing effort that port for the travel industry by tak- The National Tour Associa- had been organized by former Lone Coaches in Grand began when NTA contact U.S. ing a commercial flight during a tion is an organization of nearly motorcoach operator turned Prairie; Jeff Polzien of Red Carpet governors and Canadian premiers period of industry distress and 4,000 tourism professionals rep- coach sales executive Tim Vaught Charters in Oklahoma City; encouraging them to back the your father recorded public serv- resenting the packaged travel of ABC Companies. Patrick Conner of Sierra industry as well. ice announcements on behalf of industry. The gathering covered a lot of Trailways in South Houston, “Americans need to travel the industry. And your public RSA is the leading travel ground, including the naming of a Texas, and Robie Morgan of Tyler again and experience the many service announcements on behalf association dedicated to inbound five-member steering committee, Shuttle in Tyler, Texas. and varied natural and historic of the industry immediately fol- travel to North America with setting a date for a second meet- The committee represents a sites our country has to offer,” said lowing Sept. 11, 2001 were appre- more than 300 receptive opera- ing, and completing a to-do list cross-section of operators, includ- the NTA board in its letter to ciated. tors, hotel, destination, attrac- for steering committee members. ing an intercity carrier, a compa- President Bush. “We respectfully ask you to tion and other supplier members. Among other things, the steer- ny with a fleet weighted toward The letter made no attempt to once again seek out some means “Reaching out to industry ing committee is compiling possi- 15-passenger vans and minibuses, sugar coat the travel industry’s for showing your support of the partners and looking at new ways ble names for the association, put- and tour and charter operators. problems. “The American travel American travel and tourism to enhance value for both RSA ting together a roster of potential Steelman was named chairman of industry is in distress. The econo- industry.” and NTA members is key for members who will be solicited to the group. my, heightened security advisory NTA also is urging members of future success,” RSA President join the group, and assembling Also attending the meeting levels, the war in Iraq and SARS- the travel industry to promote Suzi Steiger Kavanaugh stated. samples of bylaws from similar were Peter Pantuso, president of related anxiety have all combined tourism in their own states. NTA “Now more than ever, the organizations. The next meeting the American Bus Association; to depress America’s travel indus- Chairman Charlie McIlvain said travel industry needs to find will be July 1, at a place and time Norman Littler, senior vice presi- try, the nation’s largest services grassroots promotion of travel is creative ways of working to be determined by the steering dent of the United Motorcoach export industry, responsible for essential to improving the indus- together in order to bring more committee. Association, and Linda Morris of more than $555 billion in gross try overall. business opportunities to our “We’re putting the pieces of Morris Meeting Management, receipts in 2001. The NTA is an organization of members.” the puzzle together,” says Vaught, which specializes in managing “Hotels have low occupancy nearly 4,000 tourism professionals. who operated Vaught Charters of state motorcoach associations. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 1, 2003 — 5 THE DOCKET Pa. Turnpike makes changes to western leg

HARRISBURG, Pa.—A 19- month project to revamp the westernmost segment of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was wrapped up the first week of the month with the opening of a $23 million, 13-lane toll plaza at milepost 30. The new complex, called the Warrendale Toll Plaza, stream- lines fare collection and improves traffic flow through one of the fastest growing and most congestion-prone sections of the turnpike. The plaza extends across Interstate 76 at the former site of the Butler Service Plaza, which was closed last year to make way for the new toll plaza. The Warrendale plaza is just one aspect of what the Pennsylvania Turnpike calls its Western Toll Improvement Project. Also taking effect June 1, is the elimination of tolls at three western interchanges and conversion of the Gateway plaza to a cash-exchange facility. Here’s what all of the changes mean to coach operators: The Warrendale plaza be- comes the western limit of the turnpike’s “ticket” system. That is, all westbound or exiting vehi- cles—except E-ZPass users—will stop, hand in their tickets and pay their toll. Eastbound or entering vehicles—except E-ZPass users— will stop to pick up a ticket. Warrendale has E-ZPass lanes. The Gateway Plaza, which previously has been the western limit of the turnpike ticket sys- tem near Ohio, has been convert- ed into a flat-fee, ticketless facili- ty. Now, both eastbound and westbound vehicles pay a fixed rate (over-the-road coaches pay $3.25 or $4 depending on size). Previously, coaches paid $1.30 to $3.95 to travel among the four exits nearest the Ohio state line, depending on the weight of the coach and how far it traveled. Tolls, tollbooths and fare-col- lection offices have been elimi- nated at three interchanges between the Gateway and Warrendale plazas, allowing unimpeded travel to the New Castle, Beaver Valley and Cranberry exits. 6 – June 1, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS TheTThehe DOCKETDDOCKETOCKET Association in works Illinois license bill for Illinois operators moves to governor; A one-two punch by Illinois involving a handful of operators, state government has prompted plus representatives from ABC second bill possible a group of operators and ven- Companies and Motor Coach dors to begin discussions that Industries, and staff members from SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—Legisla- the bill, he may find a second are expected to culminate in Consulting 4Biz Inc., a tion that revises an Illinois law piece of legislation vying for his the formation of a state associa- Springfield, Ill.-based association requiring coach drivers to have signature. That’s because the tion of Illinois coach operators. management and lobbying firm. state school bus drivers licenses Senate version of the bill is still For 10 months, operators in The operators included before transporting children on alive and kicking. Illinois have been battling to Ferrone, Richard Hausman of Rick Hillard of Tri-State Travel in school trips has passed both hous- Separate House and Senate revise a five-month-old state law Robinson Coach in Evanston, Bill Galen, Ill., has been designated es of the Illinois legislature and is bills have moved through the leg- that requires coach drivers to Winkler of Peoria Charter Coach point person by those organizing a now sitting on the governor’s desk. islature simultaneously this have an Illinois school bus driv- in Peoria, Dennis Streif of state motorcoach association. “While we’re pleased we were spring. The two bills are identical er license before transporting Vandalia Bus Lines in Caseyville, able to turn this situation around expect for a provision the Illinois children on school-related trips. Larry Cavallo of Cavallo Bus Lines ing the lobbying effort to fight the sooner than anyone expected, a State Police got inserted in the (See related story on this page.) in Gillespie, Karen and Richard school bus licensing law. It was threat remains as the state of Senate version. The state patrol As that battle was heating up Bingham of Mid-American able to get bills out of both houses Illinois considers eliminating the wants language that spells out earlier this year, Illinois Gov. Charter Lines in Elk Grove of the Illinois legislature and onto rolling stock exemption,’ said how the law’s fingerprinting Rod Blagojevich suddenly Village, Rick Hillard of Tri-State the governor’s desk. Victor Parra, president & CEO of requirements are handled. announced plans to repeal the Travel in Galena and others. Next, the group agreed to begin the United Motorcoach Assoc- Among other things, the State state’s rolling stock exemption. Participating from MCI was Pat the effort to form an association. iation. Police want to be reimbursed for The exemption means coach Ziska, and Lee Loper represented Consulting 4Biz was tasked to “As I’ve been saying for the cost of processing fingerprint companies, along with truckers, ABC Cos. determine the feasibility, includ- almost a year, our policy battles requests. railroads and airplane operators, Hillard, who is chairman of the ing gauging whether there is suffi- at the local and state levels will Supporters of the House bill don’t have to pay sales taxes on United Motorcoach Association, cient commitment and potential intensify as budget deficits grow that is on the governor’s desk are the equipment they purchase to was designated point person for financial support from operators and states and municipalities see not opposing the Senate bill or move people and goods in and the group. and potential associate members our industry as a potential new the State Police provisions. There out of Illinois. (See related story During one of the conference to sustain an association. revenue source.” apparently is opposition, however, at bottom of page.) calls, the group agreed to tackle Consulting 4Biz also will look The final hurdle in the legisla- from some members of the House That blow was enough for two issues right away. First, they into setting up a database of ture was cleared when the Senate to the police request. In any Donald Ferrone, president of approved the hiring of Consulting potential members, establishing adopted House Bill 2840 and sent event, if the police are successful American Sightseeing Tours in 4Biz to fight the governor on his bylaws and filing legal paperwork. it to Gov. Rod Blagojevich for and get their version of the bill Chicago, to take action. rolling stock tax exemption pro- Both ABC and MCI will supply signature. through both houses and to the Ferrone wrote a letter to fellow posal. Each of the operators has mailing lists of operators for the What the governor will do governor, he will have a choice of operators across the state, urg- been asked to kick in $2,000 to potential member database. with the legislation is anyone’s which legislation to sign. ing formation of an organiza- retain Consulting 4Biz. By this fall, there is expected to guess, but lobbying of his staff has That possibility does not dis- tion that would serve as a state Any money left over from that be a solicitation effort to join an begun. The governor was not appoint those who have been watchdog and lobby for coach effort will be used to help finance association. A successful member- expected to act on the measure advocating the legislation. Two operators. the Illinois Motorcoach Assoc- ship drive likely would result in until after the legislature ad- bills are thought to increase the Ferrone’s letter was followed iation. the start-up of an association on journed on the last day of May. chances of one of them being by at least two conference calls Consulting 4Biz has been lead- January 1. When the governor turns to signed. Illinois operators organize to fight sales tax proposal SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—Motor- The exemption applies to sales bying firm, Consulting 4Biz Inc. of operators are footing the bill for budget cuts are made. Neither is coach operators in Illinois are of passenger buses, trucks, truck- Springfield, to represent them. Hennessey to tackle the sales tax very likely. organizing to fight a proposal by tractors, trailers, aircraft and rail- Consulting 4Biz and its lobbyist, exemption issue. About the only prospect on the Gov. Rod Blagojevich to eliminate road equipment used in interstate Tim Hennessey, represented opera- Although there is a large coali- horizon is a gambling expansion the state sales tax exemption on transportation. The exemption tors this spring in the fight to revise tion of trucking, railroad and other bill that, if adopted, could take off rolling stock. They face a tough, also extends to parts that become a an Illinois law that requires motor- organizations opposing elimination some of the pressure, says uphill battle, however. component of a vehicle, including coach drivers to have a state school of the rolling stock exemption, the Hennessey. Still, the industries Blagojevich wants to get rid of such items as brakes and anti- bus driver license before they can governor appears to be in the dri- opposing the plan have no choice the exemption as part of his plan freeze. All of the states surrounding transport children for school-relat- ver’s seat on the issue. but to fight the proposal. for balancing the state budget, Illinois have similar rolling stock ed events. Because his budget plan is pred- “This is bad for everybody and it which has a $5.2 billion hole in it. exemptions. Hennessey was retained by the icated in part on eliminating the will not benefit the people of Eliminating the near-50-year-old A group of Illinois operators got United Motorcoach Association rolling stock exemption, he is not Illinois in the long run,” said rolling stock exemption would pro- together by conference call in mid- and the American Bus Assoc- likely to back down unless an alter- William D. McCreary, general duce an estimated $92 million to May to discuss fighting the gover- iation to lead the fight on the native revenue source can be mangaer of Bluebird Express and $120 million annually for the state. nor’s plan. The group hired a lob- school bus licensing issue. Illinois found, or $92 million in further Charter in Aurora, Ill. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 1, 2003 — 7 INDUSTRY NEWS

On-Highway Diesel Fuel Prices Diesel prices stabilize Cents per Gallon Coach software maker 185 Diesel fuel prices appear to have stabilized as the nation headed into the Memorial Day weekend. 170 appoints U.S. distributor The average retail price was virtually unchanged —at $1.44 a gallon—in the most recent national 155 HAMILTON SQUARE, Distinctive Systems is a 20- Y

survey by the Energy Information Administration of G N.J.—Distinctive Systems of York, year-old company that has sup-

140 R E the U.S. Department of Energy. N England, a leading supplier of plied more than 1,250 Coach E F Diesel fuel prices are now roughly 33 cents a gal- 125 O computerized booking systems for

. Manager systems to operators . T P lon less than they were during the all-time highs E motorcoach operators in the throughout the U.K. and Ireland. D

110 . S posted in March, but still 10 to 20 cents a gallon . United Kingdom, has appointed a Paradigm is a four-year-old compa- Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun U : E higher, than they were a year ago, depending on the C U.S. distributor for its software. ny whose primary business service R

2001-02 2002-03 U region you live in. O The appointment of Paradigm is providing software solutions. S As crude oil prices have stabilized or moved Technology Consulting of Paradigm becomes responsible for slightly higher, the price decline of diesel fuel also Hamilton Square, N.J., follows all U.S. sales, training and support has slowed. Additionally, the diesel fuel spot market- Diesel Fuel Prices successful introduction of of Coach Manager. Technical sup- to-retail-price spread is now close to traditional lev- Cents per Gallon Change from Distinctive Systems’ Coach port is available weekdays from els, another strong indication that prices will halt Price Week Ago Year Ago Manager Charter Booking System 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., eastern their 10-week decline. ® at the United Motorcoach time. U.S. 144.3 -0.1® 13.4 Regionally, the latest survey showed that prices ® Association Motorcoach Expo Michael Whitehead, managing East Coast 147.7 -2.0® 16.4 declined 3 cents a gallon in New England, 2 cents a ® 2003 and the American Bus director of Distinctive Systems,

New England 158.1 -3.1® 18.4 gallon in East Coast and Lower Atlantic states, and ® Association Marketplace earlier said that Paradigm’s enthusiasm

Central Atlantic 159.0 -1.7® 19.3 a penny or more in the Central Atlantic states and ® this year. Distinctive Systems has about the appointment, combined California. Prices increased a cent a gallon in the Lower Atlantic 141.9 -2.1® 15.0 developed a Windows-based U.S. with the flexibility, power and ease ® Midwest and on the Gulf Coast, which still has the Midwest 143.4® 1.0 14.0 version of its software. of use of the product, means “an ® lowest diesel fuel prices in the nation, averaging Gulf Coast 137.5 0.9® 10.1 In addition to Coach Manager, absolutely unbeatable software ®

$1.37 a gallon. Rocky Mountain 148.3 -0.5® 12.7 Paradigm Technology also will dis- solution for the U.S. motorcoach ®

In New England and the Central Atlantic states, West Coast 148.4 -0.7® 10.1 tribute Distinctive System’s soon- industry.” the price is below $1.60 a gallon since mid January. ® to-be-launched Vehicle Mainten- Further information: (866) 782- California 152.2 -1.2® 12.3 ance System. 4636 or go to www.ptcllc.com. 8 – June 1, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS OPINION

particularly if you run the corpora- • Are funds commingled in A lot to like tion as your alter ego. same bank accounts? A disproportionate amount of Here are other provisions we Of course, if you sign a personal • Are the same properties space in this issue of Bus & like: guaranty, you are also liable for the used by both entities? Motorcoach News is devoted to There is authorization for DOT debt of the corporate entity. • Are employees shared coverage of the Bush Administra- to finally take concrete steps to Courts may also disregard the cor- between the related companies? tion highway and public trans- clean up the physical examination porate entity when the corporate • Are employees covered by portation reauthorization plan — mess. The department could cre- set up is used: the same employee benefit Tom • As a means of perpetrating a plans? SAFETEA. ate standards that medical exam- DeMatteo Doubtless you saw the story on iners would have to meet before fraud, • Is there a consolidated tax Page 1 and its jump on Page 11. they could perform physical exams • As a protection of crime or to return? There’s also a long, gray analysis of of drivers. The department could Doing it right justify a wrong, • Are separate books and eight sections of the bill starting on even create a list of medical exam- • To circumvent a statute or records kept? Page 10. Plus, there’s this editorial. iners who have received qualifica- to maintain the avoid a legal obligation, or • Do the entities share oper- Obviously, we think there’s a lot of tion training to perform examina- Corporate Veil • As a tool or conduit of anoth- ating capital? meat in the latest TEA legislation. tions. The airline industry has had er corporation. • Do the companies have Frankly, the more we dissect provisions of this sort for years. By Thomas D. DeMatteo Courts will not disregard a cor- separate board of directors and the bill, the more goodies we find. A couple of sections of the bill Vice President and General Counsel porate entity merely because of a shareholders meetings? On a slow day, you might want to target rogue operators. Companies ABC Companies commonality of financial interest, • Does the related entity wade into the Internet yourself that knowingly and willful violate Many operators run separate ownership, management or con- have the power to control the and take a look at the U.S. out-of-service orders could be in corporations for their charter, trol, though these items are impor- policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation’s for a tough and expensive time. school and limousine businesses. tant considerations. Courts focus company in question? own analysis of the various sec- Fines of $100,000 or more and jail Many operators also have other on the financial strength or weak- No one factor is determina- tions of the bill. Be forewarned, time would be possible. family-owned businesses they ness of the corporation to deter- tive; the courts look at the total- however. The department’s break- Or, the operator who knowing- help operate, manage or have a mine if the corporate fiction is ity of the circumstances. down runs to more than 175 pages. ly orders a driver to proceed financial interest in. used as a device to achieve an Following separate corporate for- Buried in all of that verbiage despite an out-of-service order This article will help you inequitable result to an injured malities for each entity will help are scores of nuggets that suggest could end up paying a civil penal- identify the principles used by party. you avoid having the corporate someone at USDOT has been pay- ty big enough to pay for regulators’ the courts to disregard a corpo- Courts also will focus on the veil pierced and exposing the ing attention to what the motor- junkets for years. rate entity to get to the assets of following factors to determine assets of related entities.1 coach industry has been preaching And, the folks who open and related companies. whether a corporate entity should 1 Joel Reese, Texas Bar Journal, No.5 lo these many years. close coach operations when they The general rule is that share- be disregarded to reach the assets One of the latest tidbits we get caught violating the law could holders of a corporation are not of a related company: Thomas D. DeMatteo also is an noticed is that DOT wants to more easily be shut down. personally liable for the obliga- • Is the entity adequately capi- adjunct Professor of Law at Hamline require private, not-for-hire carri- We especially like the idea that tions of the corporation.There talized for the type of business that University School of Law in St. Paul, ers of passengers to hold the same federal charter rules would be are many exceptions, however, it is involved in? Minn. level of insurance as private, for- toughened, making it possible for a hire carriers. Given the current transit system that violates the rules state of insurance pricing, that to loss part of the federal largesse Does anyone really know what’s going on? provision could be significant. It that buys their shiny new buses. U.S. Treasury Secretary John my is poised to grow at a faster . about the current underlying could act as a powerful disincen- We could go on, but you get the Snow says the U.S. is suffering from Greenspan told the Joint strength of the real economy.” tive to not-for-profits, especially idea. Now, you need to write your a “soggy” economy and President Economic Committee he believes Greenspan thinks the quick Iraq church buses, from competing ille- representative and senators and Bush’s tax cut package will help interest rates are low enough to spur war boosted the economy some. gally against motorcoach operators implore them to keep these kinds solve the problem by creating jobs. consumer and business spending. Snow says Bush’s tax cut will or from operating at all. of provisions in the bill. Someone Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Meanwhile, he says Fed officials boost the economy because most of Potentially, this could be very will be there to fight every one of Greenspan says that despite recent do not yet have enough post-Iraq the $350 billion in tax cuts come in good for operators’ business. them, you can count on that. disappointing data, the U.S. econo- war data “to make a firm judgment the early years of the legislation.

How to contact us: ISSUE NO. 7 Jeff Polzien To send or report news, To e-mail advertisements Red Carpet Tours Letters to the Editor, articles: or photographs: Oklahoma City A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Robert L. Quick Fax: (877) 510-5598 Staff Advisory Board Quick-Livick Inc. To subscribe or inquire Stauton, Va. or (877) 510-5602 about your subscription: Mail: 717 West Pierson #260 Editor & Publisher Alex Allen Todd Holland Tom Ready Call: Ellen Balm Victor Parra Amador Stage Lines Ramblin' Express Ready Bus Lines Phoenix, AZ 85013 (602) 488-8378 Sacramento, Calif. Colorado Springs LaCrescent, Minn. Call: (602) 242-7361 Managing Editor Senior Editor Bob Brisman Robert Hume Bill Rohrbaugh Travel Mates Trailways Bill Rohrbaugh's Charter Services To send subscription orders Danielle Staudt Bruce Sankey West Point Trailways To advertise or to mail or changes of address: Vails Gate, N.Y. Harrisonburg, Va. Manchester, Md. advertising-related materials: E-mail: [email protected] Government Editor Art Director David Brown Daryl G. Johnson Brian Scott Holiday Tours J & J Charters Escot Bus Lines Call: Johnny Steger Norman Littler G. Reid Helms (602) 980-0840 Fax: (877) 510-5602 Randlemann, N.C. Crosby, Texas Largo, Fla. E-mail: [email protected] or (877) 510-5598 Editorial Assistant Associate Editor Bob Foley Godfrey LeBron John Silvanie ABC Companies Paradise Trailways Suburban Charter Services Mail: Post Office Box 12903 Tara Sheehan Ellen Balm Mail: 16845 North 29th Ave. #759 Faribault, Minn. West Hempstead, N.Y. White Plains, N.Y. Tempe, AZ 85284 Phoenix, AZ 85053 Accountant Editorial Assistant Mitch Guralnick Joan Libby Alan Spachman Victoria Bus Cavalier Coach National Interstate Insurance Co John Giddens Rosa Funn-Bradby Boston, Mass. Boston, Mass. Richfield, Ohio

Sales Director Rick Hillard Warren Miller T. Ralph Young ©2003 by the United Motorcoach Association. Reproduction in whole or in Tri-State Tours Pacific Coach Bus Service Young Transportation part without written permission is prohibited. Johnny Steger Galena, Ill. San Francisco, Calif. Ashville, N.C. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 1, 2003 — 9 SUPPLIER NEWS

Blue Bird’s new commerical bus line-up includes the Ultra LF, The Ultra LMB and the XCEL 102.

Henlys has invested $85 mil- wide. Independent front suspen- available in the 10-year market at • A parts and service network Blue Bird lion during the past three years to sion, air disk brakes, fully multi- under 28 feet. for commercial buses. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 essentially bring four new models plexed and available with a diesel, Other innovations adopted for • A customer-focused sales in the past when it made forays to market and retool Blue Bird’s CNG or LPG engine. the new product line include: team. into the commercial market. manufacturing operations to pro- Ultra LMB low-floor commer- • Low-mass engineering that • An internal bid team to sup- Gone, for example, are a whole duce them. Substantial money was cial bus. A 10-year, purpose-built, makes heavy use of aluminum in port FTA procurements. range of less-than-stellar commer- saved and development time aluminum-bodied bus for the an integral body structure, produc- Buddy Cox, sales manager for cial buses that were derivatives of reduced by borrowing and fusing light- to medium-duty shuttle and ing a bus that is light but remark- both commercial buses and motor- Blue Bird school buses—minus European design technology and paratransit markets. Under 28 feet; ably strong and durable. The coaches, says the new emphasis on many of the exterior rivets—or concepts. 96 inches wide. Will compete with lighter weight means a smaller, parts and service support is critical Wanderlodge recreational coach- The result is buses that appear 5-year cutways and 7-year rail more fuel-efficient engine can be if Blue Bird is to compete success- es. Relegated to the corporate to be a quantum improvement in chassis products. used to power the bus. (Ultra LF fully in the commercial market. “If memory bank are such well-inten- terms of quality, innovation, serv- XCEL 102 standard-floor com- and Ultra LMB models.) we do everything we say and we tioned but under-performing com- iceability, flexibility and reliability mercial bus. A 12-year bus aimed • Independent front suspension don’t support it, we fail.” mercial products as the Q-Bus, the over the commercial buses previ- at transit and shuttle markets. that not only improves the ride The goal of the beefed up parts CS Series, the TranShuttle and ously built by Blue Bird. In many Available in 29-, 35- and 40-foot but increases maneuverability. and service operation, says Cox, is the LTC coaches. cases, the buses offer features and lengths, 102 inches wide. Diesel or (Express, Ultra LMB and Ultra LF to provide prompt, consistent Replacing them are purpose- amenities not yet found on prod- CNG engines. models.) service. That means eventual 24/7 designed and manufactured buses ucts offered by competitors. Blue Bird executives say • Multiplexed electrical sys- customer service and 24/7 techni- that target specific niches of the Here’s how Blue Bird’s new because they are playing catch-up tems. (Express, Ultra LMB and cal support. An 80,000-square- commercial bus and coach market. product line shapes up: with the competition, they must Ultra LF models.) foot parts distribution center Another key element of the Express 4500 and 4000 motor- both differentiate their products Blue Bird has addressed other staffed by veteran parts profession- Blue Bird-Henlys’ strategy is to coaches. Semi-integrated, stain- and leapfrog the competition if issues that have long undermined als has been set up at the compa- avoid going head-to-head with any less-steel construction. Independ- they’re to win sales when the bus its position in the commercial ny’s sprawling Fort Valley com- of the coaches produced by its “sis- ent front suspension, air ride, I/O market recovers from the econom- market—parts availability, service, plex. ter” companies, Prevost and Nova Controls’ multiplex electrical sys- ic slowdown and the slump in reliability, distribution, sales No longer at Fort Valley, how- Bus. That means Blue Bird will tem, roof exhaust, American funding available to purchase tran- organization, and quality. ever, is school . not be building a 40-foot, heavy- Seating, Recaro air driver’s seat sit buses. For the first time, Blue Bird has: That, in and of itself, is evidence heavy-duty, low-floor and insulated panoramic windows. For example, three of Blue • An engineering team for its of a remarkable company transfor- to compete with the Nova Bus Ultra LF low-floor commercial Bird’s new products are designed to commercial buses. mation. For decades, Blue Bird LTS. Nor, will it be building a top- bus. A 12-year bus aimed at the meet the 12-year, 500,000-mile • A quality Control team. Body cranked out thousands of of-the-line motorcoach or conver- transit and shuttle markets. 29- Altoona testing requirements, and • A production facility and school buses annually, making the sion shell that will compete with and 35-foot lengths; 102 inches the fourth is said to be the first bus production team. company the largest school bus the Prevost H3-45 and the maker in the world. LeMirage XLII. Today, the company’s two Fort Instead, Blue Bird has launched Valley plants produce only com- a new-from-the-ground-up, Lawsuits settled in crash, no admission of liability mercial buses and motorcoaches. “value-priced” motorcoach that NEW ORLEANS—All but ment. In August 1998, Jones, an Healthcare Corp., Hospital The former school bus plant has has all of the brand-name compo- one lawsuit against a doctor who internist at a Tenet HealthSystems Underwriting Group and several been heavily reconfigured to han- nents of other manufacturers’ cleared the driver involved in the clinic in Marrero, La., examined physicians who are partners in the dle the new shuttle and transit coaches but sells for $40,000 to infamous Mother’s Day 1999 bus Bedell and cleared him to contin- network. models. Work on overhauling the $60,000 less. “It’s positioned one crash that killed 22 people have ue driving buses even though he The plaintiffs were either riders interior of the plant continues. step below Prevost,” says Maddox. been settled out of court, a New was suffering from congestive heart who survived the crash or relatives The product and cultural Blue Bird won’t be targeting Orleans newspaper reports. failure and a host of other mal- of those who died in the crash. makeover at Blue Bird, or “the New high-end tour and charter opera- Nearly 70 people had sued Dr. adies. Individual settlements have been Blue” as the company has dubbed tors, instead it is going after what Shaunda Jones, insurance compa- Peter Sperling, an attorney for reached with plaintiffs over the its transformation, is being driven, it calls the day-charter market, nies, a physicians’ network and Jones, said the doctor “did not past couple of months, according of course, by its aggressive owner. colleges and universities, shuttle Jones’ partners for unspecified admit liability” as part of the set- to court records, with the most Henlys said at the time it bought operators and the commuter mar- damages in connection with the tlement. He declined to elaborate, recent settlement occurring about Blue Bird it intended to expand the ket. That puts the new Blue Bird crash on Interstate 610 near City saying a confidentially agreement three weeks ago. company’s commercial sales. Express 4000 and 4500 coaches in Park, La. Terms of the settlements tied to the settlement prohibited One suit remains to be settled Three years, $85 million and a line to compete with MCI’s popu- were confidential, according to a him from commenting further or involving the estate of a passenger nearly unbelievable amount of lar D-model Commuter Coaches. report in the New Orleans Times providing details. “I think it was a who survived the crash but died of change later, Blue Bird says it is Blue Bird, like MCI, meets Federal Picayune. fair settlement for all concerned,” unrelated causes later, said Robert ready to become a player. “We will Transit Administration Buy Dr. Jones had given a clean bill he allowed. Ates, one of the lead attorneys for become a leading commercial bus America requirements, notes Bill of health to the driver, Frank Originally, 30 suits were filed the plaintiffs. Ates said that “all of and coach manufacturer in North Fay, product sales manager for Bedell, 46, who died three months against Jones, Physician Network the individual plaintiffs are happy” America,” asserts commercial bus commercial buses and coaches. after the crash a heart-related ail- Corp. of Louisiana, Tenet with the settlements. boss Barry Hines. 10 – June 1, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS SAFETEA provisions will help, haunt coach operators for years The Bush Administration’s ceed despite an out-of-service helps states improve implementa- sell its assets to a pre-existing shell state and intrastate operations, massive highway and public trans- order. tion of their commercial driver’s corporation owned and managed while a state safety determination portation spending bill contains An employer that knowingly license programs. The Motor by the same people. that an intrastate carrier is unfit literally hundreds of programs, ini- and willfully ignores out-of-service Carrier Safety Improvement Act of They also attempt to evade the will halt both its intrastate and any tiatives and regulatory elements. orders is liable to imprisonment for 1999 and the USA Patriot Act of payment of civil penalties, obscure interstate operations. An unfit car- Here are a handful of examples up to a year, or a fine of up to 2001 imposed CDL requirements the identity of the motor carrier rier should not be allowed to oper- that motorcoach $100,000 if the vio- that demand additional expendi- and thus its safety record, and per- ate anywhere. operators may bump ‘Notably, lation did not result tures by the states. These grants petuate a casual indifference to up against in the next in death, or up to would ensure states are able to public safety. Although the total Intermodal Facilities few years. DOT could $250,000 if it did keep pace with the responsibilities number of such managers is small, USDOT says there is a critical designate up result in death, or placed upon them. their actions create a risk dispro- need for the nation’s surface public Increased both. portionate to their numbers. transportation modes to link to Penalties for to $17 million If a driver decides Medical Examinations SAFETEA addresses these each other and to airports at inter- Out-of-Service annually to on his or her own to This section would authorize problems. It authorizes USDOT to modal facilities. Only a few inter- Violations ignore an out-of- the Transportation Department, suspend, amend, or revoke the reg- modal passenger terminals in the This section dou- conduct new service order, the through notice and comment rule- istration of a for-hire motor carrier country bring together all the sur- bles penalties for vio- entrant audits.’ driver’s penalty for a making, to create standards that if any of its officers has engaged in face public transportation modes: lations related to out- first offense would medical examiners would have to a pattern or practice of avoiding motorcoach, intercity rail, urban of-service orders, be increased to a meet to perform physical examina- compliance or concealing non- mass transportation, and rural local including provisions that could 180-day disqualification and a civil tions of commercial motor vehicle compliance with federal motor car- transit. Further, current surface send violators to prison. penalty of at least $2,500, and, for operators. rier safety standards. transportation programs fail to Currently, the civil penalties for a second offense, to a two to five DOT also would be authorized USDOT could also deny an address the importance of intercity recordkeeping violations are $500 year disqualification and a civil to create a list of medical examin- application to register as a for-hire bus service to the nation’s trans- for each day the offense continues, penalty of up to $5,000. ers who have received qualifica- motor carrier if any of the proposed portation infrastructure. Intercity up to a maximum of $5,000; or, tion training to perform the exam- officers of the carrier has engaged buses serve over 4,200 U.S. com- $5,000 for each recordkeeping vio- Motor Carrier Safety Grants inations. After the adoption of the in a pattern of non-compliance. In munities in regular service and vir- lation that can be shown to have This program would make a list, only medical examiners on the this context, “officer” means tually every community in the misrepresented a fact constituting number of changes to the Motor list could examine a commercial owner, chief executive officer, United States through regular a non-recordkeeping violation. Carrier Safety Assistance Program driver and issue a medical certifi- chief operating officer, chief finan- route, charter or tour service. These penalties would double, (MCSAP). No. 1, it increases cate. cial officer, safety director, vehicle Intercity bus service connects up to $1,000 for each day the funding levels. No. 2, it requires The intent of this provision is maintenance supervisor and driver sparsely populated rural routes to offense continues, or up to $10,000 states to include information about to assure that medical professionals supervisor. larger corridors. for an offense that misrepresents a best practices for safely sharing the are knowledgeable of driver quali- For these reasons, USDOT non-recordkeeping violation. road with trucks and cars in the Intrastate vs. Interstate believes it is in the economic inter- Recordkeeping violations fre- training manuals states give for This section requires that when est of the United States to improve quently have no other purpose auto and truck licensing examina- ‘DOT would be the USDOT is determining the the efficiency of public surface than to conceal a safety violation, tions. No. 3, it requires states to safety fitness of commercial bus or transportation modes by ensuring and they often succeed. Higher place out of service vehicles that authorized to truck owners and operators, it must their connection with and access penalties should reduce both the are unregistered or operating create a list of consider the accident and inspec- to intermodal passenger terminals, number of recordkeeping viola- beyond the scope of their registra- tion record of such owners and thereby streamlining the transfer tions and, indirectly, the number of tions. medical examiners operators both on interstate and of passengers among modes, safety violations as well. States also would be authorized to perform exams.’ intrastate trips. Previously, enhancing travel options and The current penalties for a driv- to use MCSAP funds to enforce intrastate accidents and violations increasing passenger transporta- er who violates an out-of-service traffic laws and regulations against were not considered or escaped the tion operating efficiencies. order are, for a first offense, a 90- non-commercial vehicles when fication standards and guidelines, attention of USDOT inspectors. This section of SAFETEA day disqualification from operating the behavior of drivers of smaller understand the physical and men- In addition, owners and opera- would accelerate intermodal inte- a bus or truck and a civil penalty of vehicles increases the risk of acci- tal demands involved in driving a tors of motorcoaches and truckers gration among North America’s at least $1,000 and for a second dents with buses and trucks. commercial vehicle, and perform who are determined to be unfit and passenger transportation modes by offense, disqualification for one to Notably, the Transportation physical examinations with full prohibited from operating in inter- assuring intercity public trans- five years and a civil penalty of at Department could designate up to awareness of the conditions in state commerce, would also be pro- portation access to intermodal pas- least $1,000. $17 million annually of MCSAP which the examinee will be work- hibited from operat- senger facilities; An employer who knowingly funds to conduct the new entrant ing. ing in intrastate encouraging the allows or requires a driver to vio- motor carrier audits required by the A new Medical Review Board commerce until they ‘There is a development of an late an out-of-service order is sub- Motor Carrier Safety Improvement would be set up to provide up-to- are able to demon- integrated system of ject to a civil penalty of up to Act of 1999. date medical advice to the Federal strate their fitness. critical need public transportation $10,000. The funds would be allocated to Motor Carrier Safety Administra- Finally, USDOT for public information, and Because enforcement officers states and local governments with- tion on matters related to driver would be required to providing intercity cannot afford to spend hours mon- out a matching contribution. It is qualification rules, guidelines for place all interstate transportation bus intermodal facili- itoring a single out-of-service vehi- expected that these jurisdictions medical examiners, and standards operations of a ty grants. cle—and tracking possible move- would normally use government for medical exemptions. motor carrier out of modes to link Under this sec- ments of an entire out-of-service employees, not contractors, to service if a state uses to each other.’ tion, USDOT would fleet is even more difficult—many carry out the audits. Should they Pattern of violations federal safety fitness make grants, on a out-of-service orders are violated. be unable to do so, the Transpor- by company managers standards to place competitive basis, to One effective deterrent to vio- tation Department would be Some motor carrier managers out of service the intrastate opera- state and local governmental lating an order is to raise the cost authorized, but not required, to order, encourage or tolerate wide- tions of a carrier that has its princi- authorities for financing inter- to violators. This section increases expend the funds directly to carry spread regulatory violations and, pal place of business in that state. modal facilities that are related to a maximum of $25,000 the civil out new entrant audits in those when caught, declare bankruptcy, A federal safety determination physically and functionally to penalty for a motor carrier that jurisdictions. rename the motor carrier and that an interstate motor carrier is intercity bus service and that estab- knowingly orders a driver to pro- There is a grant program that reshuffle the managers’ titles, and unfit would thus halt both its inter- CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 1, 2003 — 11 INDUSTRY NEWS blow the federal deficit sky high. SAFETEA Notably, the administration’s CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 What’s in proposal would more than double Intermodal facility tour for years to make the medical com- federal spending for highway safe- munity more accountable for its SAFETEA? ty compared to the levels in TEA- role in highway safety,” said 21, including increased funding for attracts USDOT officials Norman Littler, senior vice presi- Highlights of the Bush commercial vehicle safety and WASHINGTON — Operator few intermodal facilities have dent for government and industry Administration $247 billion sur- research programs, and expanding members and staff of the been developed in the U.S., and relations at UMA. “Too many face transportation and highway and improving safety auditing of American Bus Association not many of them have includ- doctors are either ignorant of the bill. If adopted by Congress, it new entrant motorcoach operators hosted federal and state trans- ed facilities for intercity buses. requirements or treat them too would succeed the current pro- and trucking companies. portation officials last month That’s because there has been casually,” said Littler. gram that expires Oct. 31. Mineta said that saving lives is for tours of intermodal facilities no money dedicated to such The American Bus Association the No. 1 priority of USDOT and in three northeastern states. facilities, said Pantuso, and warmly welcomed the administra- Total spending would increase the proposed law. Another major The tours were designed to because “the intercity bus tion’s plan to include an Intermodal 13 percent to $247 billion, from goal of the bill is to minimize emphasize the congestion miti- industry has not been included Passenger Facilities Program in the $218 billion authorized in 1998. delays on major highway projects. gation and transportation effi- in the planning process neces- bill. The program would establish or This would be accomplished by ciencies gained by using inter- sary for development of state enhance coordination between Spending for public transit streamlining the environmental modal facilities, as well as the and local transportation proj- intercity bus service and other would increase 2 percent to near- review process through better link- importance of the intercity bus ects.” modes of transportation. ly $46 billion. ages between the transportation system to the U.S. transporta- He said ABA is hopeful There’s also a provision in the planning and project development tion network. SAFETEA will change that. bill that strengthens the federal Federal gasoline or diesel fuel processes, strengthening provi- The intermodal facilities vis- The legislation includes an charter rules by requiring the sec- taxes would not be increased from sions that establish time frames for ited on the tours were the Intermodal Passenger Facilities retary of transportation to bar an the present 18.4 cents a gallon, resource agencies to conduct envi- Boston South Station, the program to be funded at $85 operator from receiving at least nor would they be indexed to infla- ronmental reviews and make deci- Portsmouth (N.H.) Transporta- million annually from fiscal some portion of its federal transit tion. sions on permits, and simplify the tion Center and the Portland 2005 through 2009. The initia- assistance if found to be in viola- processing of Categorical Exclu- (Maine) Intermodal Facility. tive is designed specifically to tion of the charter rules. Environmental permitting sion approvals. Jeff Shane, under secretary integrate intercity buses into The administration’s Safe, processes for major highway proj- It also would provide for timely for policy at the U.S. Depart- the intermodal transportation Accountable, Flexible and Effi- ects would be streamlined. resolution of outstanding legal dis- ment of Transportation; Emil network. cient Transportation Equity Act of putes by establishing a six-month Frankel, assistant secretary for “We are encouraged by the 2003, or SAFETEA, was unveiled Interstates would be exempt statute of limitations for appeals policy and director of the Office administration’s recognition of by U.S. Secretary of Transporta- from historic preservation reviews. on the adequacy of projects’ envi- of Intermodalism at USDOT, the industry and look forward to tion Norman Y. Mineta. In mak- ronmental impact statements and and department of transporta- working to implement these ing the announcement, Mineta Spending for highway safety other environmental documents. tion officials from the three proposals,” Pantuso said. touted the fact the bill represents programs would more than double The only increases in highway states participated in the tours. Among the ABA operators the largest highway and public to $8.66 billion. spending contained in the admin- Leading the program was Peter participating in the event were transit investment in history. istration bill are modest by Pantuso, ABA president and Jim Jalbert of C&J Trailways in Still, while the administration Congressional standards. The 2.5 CEO. Portsmouth; Harry “Woody” wants a 13 percent increase in grams. Most Washington observers cents per gallon tax on gasohol The tours coincided with Blunt of Concord Coach Lines highway and public transportation are anticipating a knock-down that currently goes into the federal National Transportation Week in New Hampshire; John T. Cyr spending, many in Congress are drag-out fight over the administra- government’s general fund would and the release of the Bush & Sons Inc./Cyr Northstar saying far more money is needed to tion proposal. be redirected to the Highway Trust Administration’s Safe, Acc- Tours in Old Town, Maine; relieve highway congestion and The law it replaces, the Fund, and an additional $1 billion ountable, Flexible and Efficient Vermont Transit of Burlington; strengthen public transit. Transportation Equity Act for the a year of Highway Trust Fund dol- Transportation Equity Act of Peter Pan Bus Lines of Key members of the House, for 21st Century, or TEA-21, expires lars over and above each year’s 2003 (SAFETEA). Springfield, Mass., and example, are advocating spending at the end of October. Fierce bat- estimated receipts would go into Pantuso noted that relatively Greyhound Lines of Dallas. as much as $375 billion over the tles are likely between the Senate the Highway Trust Fund to next six years for highway and and the House because of the improve highway infrastructure other ground transportation pro- Senate’s current reluctance to performance and maintenance. Washington fuel taxes increase July 1 Washington state motor fuel for highways, $605 million for Impact ing through airports, public trans- commercial operations for other taxes will jump by a nickel a gallon public transportation and $100 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 portation facilities, train stations highway projects. to 28 cents on July 1, the first million for new four new auto fer- lish or enhance coordination and seaports with their final home, increase in 12 years. ries and work on existing vessels. between intercity bus service and work, and tourism destinations. Idling Reduction Facilities The increase is part of a $4.2 News services reported that a other modes of transportation. on Interstate Rights-of-Way billion transportation package local “tax rebel,” Tim Eyman, has The federal share for such facil- Rest Area Pilot Projects This would allow states (either signed by Gov. Gary Locke. It also threatened a “voter veto” of all tax ities would not exceed 50 percent This program allows states to directly or through contracts) to features a boost in various fees. and fee increases, and may mount of the net project costs. Up to 30 set up pilot projects on the inter- place electrification or other idling The 10-year transportation pro- a referendum or initiative to try to percent of the non-federal share states that permit commercial reduction facilities in rest areas that gram includes about $3.4 billion overturn the transportation deal. could include amounts appropriat- operations at existing or new rest could be used to provide heating, ed to or made available to a feder- areas.Such commercial operations air conditioning, electricity and al department or agency for trans- include providing goods, services communication to motor vehicles New York wants old E-ZPass tags returned portation purposes. and information that are of inter- used for commercial purposes. Vehicle operators in New York have failed to return their old tags Under the proposal, $100 mil- est to travelers, state promotional Through these facilities, motor could face a $23 penalty if they do so far. lion in contract authority would or tourism-oriented items, and vehicles operators would be able to not return worn-out E-ZPass tags. The old tags can be returned by be available from the Highway commercial advertising and dis- receive these services without turn- The New York Thruway mail or brought to an E-ZPass Trust Fund for each of fiscal 2005 plays (visible only in the rest ing on their engines, thereby reduc- Authority has sent out almost Service Center. through 2009. areas). The state could permit pri- ing vehicle emissions. States, other 140,000 new tags to replace old The state wants the old tags The funding would further assist vate operators to run the projects. public agencies and private entities ones that are failing earlier than back to ensure the devices, which the intercity bus industry in link- The states would be required to would be allowed to charge for anticipated. contain lithium batteries, are dis- ing passengers arriving and depart- use the income derived from the these services. An estimated 20,000 customers posed of properly 12 – June 1, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS OPERATOR NEWS Greyhound Greyhound workers reject contract Bus Recall The National Highway Traffic DALLAS — It’s back to the The union executive board had Among the contract high- is honored Safety Administration has bargain table for Greyhound Lines recommended ratification of the lights: announced a safety recall of and the union representing its deal, saying it saved health bene- • Wage increases of 4 percent by AFL-CIO AmTran school buses. PITTSBURGH—Greyhound drivers and mechanics. fits and represented as much as the in August 2003, 2 percent in NHTSA publicizes recalls to Lines has received a top award from Members of the Amalgamated company could afford to shell out. January 2005 and 3 percent in alert vehicle owners to safety prob- the AFL-CIO for demonstrating a Transit Union who drive and In fact, Mike Jin, a labor econo- April 2006. lems and encourages them to take “commitment to the collective bar- repair Greyhound coaches have mist for the union, said the agree- • A 67-33 percent split on pre- action. Under federal law, safety gaining process” and “exemplary overwhelmingly rejected a new ment was “the best deal the union miums for health benefits, with problems must be remedied by the labor-management relations” while labor agreement that called for could currently negotiate.” Greyhound paying the higher per- manufacturer or dealer without “producing competitive, union- wage increases totaling 9 percent In a statement released to Bus centage. cost to the owner. made products and services.” during the 44-month life of the & Motorcoach News, Greyhound • $150 yearly tool allowance In most cases, the federal The 2003 Labor-Management proposed contract. spokeswoman Kim Plaskett said for mechanics. agency recommends owners wait Award from the Union Label & The contract would have the company “entered into negoti- Currently, Greyhound drivers until they receive notification Service Trades Department of the replaced the current five-year ations a year early because dramat- with five or more years experience before contacting the manufactur- AFL-CIO was presented last agreement that expires at the end ic cost increases in health care operating on scheduled routes are er or dealer to schedule repair. month at the annual Union of January. over the last few years put the paid $19.85 hourly. A driver with Here’s the AmTran recall: Industries Show in Pittsburgh. A total of 2,149 Greyhound health and welfare benefit plan in more than a year of service but less IC Corporation of Conway, Ark. Greyhound was nominated for employees participated in the con- crisis. than two years earns 90 percent of Model: AmTran CE for 2002-03. Total the award by Amalgamated Transit tract balloting, with 813, or nearly “The company and union the experienced rate. Charter pay number of vehicles recalled: 159. Union President Jim La Sala. The 38 percent, voting in favor of the worked hard to reach an agree- is 75 percent of the schedule rate. Certain units fail to comply with ATU represents Greyhound’s driv- agreement, while 1,336, or 62 per- ment. We are disappointed that Pay for mechanics varies by requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle ers and mechanics. cent, voted against. Nearly 20 per- this tentative agreement was not location. An experienced Safety Standard No. 217, “Bus Greyhound and the union have cent of the votes were cast over ratified. However, we will contin- Greyhound mechanic in Syracuse, Emergency Exits and Window rebuilt labor-management rela- the Internet. There were 3,647 eli- ue to work with the union as in N.Y., is paid $15.43 hourly, while a Retention and Release.” Seats with gible voters. the past.” company mechanic 2,768 miles tions after a devastating 39-month seat belts were bolted to the floor with- strike that ended a decade ago. The tentative contract was The union estimated the pro- away in Seattle earns $22.14 an out the use of required reinforcements La Sala described the current negotiated during 30 days of what posed contract would cost hour. Those are the two extremes; under the floor as required by the stan- relationship between ATU and Local 1700 of the ATU said was Greyhound a total of $53 million everyone else is somewhere in dard. The seats could come loose dur- Greyhound as a “model that others intense bargaining in Tucson, over the life of the agreement. At between. ing a crash. Remedy: Dealers will add might profit from studying,” Ariz., ending in late March. the beginning of negotiations, The current Greyhound-ATU reinforcements to the seat mountings adding that “after almost a decade, Voting took place during April Greyhound offered $39 million in agreement went into effect Oct. 1, at the floor. Notices were to be mailed I think we can declare this process and May. wage and benefit increases. 1998, and expires Jan. 31, 2004. last month. Owners may contact IC at a success.” (800)843-5615. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 1, 2003 — 13 INDUSTRY NEWS Thomas Dennis’ name is People switched to Daimler-Chysler Earl Mountain, a fixture mercial vehicle enforcement division commander, GREENSBORO, N.C. — Strecker said production levels of at ’ with the rank of major. Thomas Dennis Co. has changed the SLF 200 and CL 100 models delivery center at Pembina, Hill’s appointment came as something of a sur- its name to DaimlerChrysler continue to grow. N.D., for more than 20 prise. He replaces longtime FMCSA official Brian Commercial Buses North As a result of the name change, years, has retired. McLaughlin, who had been acting chief safety Carolina, completing the separa- the SLF 200 will now be branded For most of 22 years, officer for five months. McLaughlin goes to the tion of the founders of the joint- an Orion bus and carry an Orion Mountain gave operators National Highway Safety Administration as sen- venture, and name plate. Orion also is owned the red-carpet treatment ior associate administrator for traffic injury control The Mayflower Corporation’s by DaimlerChrysler Commercial when they picked up new President Bush approved Hill’s appointment. Dennis Company. Buses North America. The CL Earl Mountain coaches. Sporting his trade- Candidates for FMCSA chief safety officer require “When DaimlerChrysler Com- 100, which is built on a Ford chas- mark cowboy hat and MCI belt buckles, Mountain presidential approval before they can take office. mercial Buses North America took sis, will continue to have a CL 100 built a reputation for inspecting and delivering It is one of three career employee positions in the complete ownership of Thomas label affixed to the body. new coaches. Department of Transportation to require such Dennis Co. earlier this year, a new Late last month, Daimler Mountain joined MCI after a long career on the approval. company name was necessary to introduced a 29-foot ver- family farm and part-time work as a school bus driv- Alan Mann has joined DriveCam Video best reflect its products and ties to sion of the SLF 200, with availabil- er. At MCI, he began driving coaches and picking Systems of San Diego as vice president of sales. DaimlerChrysler,” said Andy ity of a Mercedes-Benz engine, mul- up parts, which led to coordinating deliveries. Mann has more than 20 years experience in high Strecker, president of Daimler- tiplexed electrical system and other In retirement, the 72-year-old Mountain is technology sales management with a number of Chrysler Commercial Buses North features. The SLF 200 also is avail- returning to his 800-acre farm. He plans to spend a companies, including Sun Microsystems. Most America. able in 32-foot and 35-foot models. good deal of time tinkering in his workshop where recently he operated Sales Elevation, a sales The renamed company will Designs and concept vehicles a high priority project will be to encase his collec- process consulting company. continue to manufacture the SLF for additional products are under- tion of bus models, many given by customers. Steve G. Sprague, former chief operating officer 200 low-floor and CL 100 shuttle way with plans for market intro- Mountain’s new address is P.O. Box 245, of the United Motorcoach Association, has been buses at its plant in Greensboro. ductions later in the year. Cavalier, ND 58220. named branch chief for highway infrastructure at John H. Hill has been named chief safety offi- the Transportation Security Administration. Bikes to take over Lake Shore Drive in Chicago cer and assistant administrator of the Federal Tony Douglas, former vice president of safety Chicago’s popular Lake Shore The drive’s southbound lanes Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Hill joined and risk management at Easton Coach Co. of Drive will be closed from 5 to 10 will be closed from Hollywood the FMCSA on the first day of this month from Easton, Pa., and Cryogenic Transportation of a.m. Sunday, June 15, for the sec- Blvd. to 57th Street during the tour. the Indiana State Police where he had worked Houston, has been name president of Smith ond annual Bike The Drive, a For more information, go to since 1974. Most recently he had been the com- System Driver Improvement of Richardson, Texas. bicycle tour event expected to www.BikeTheDrive.org., or call draw upwards of 18,000 cyclists. (312) 427-3325.

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U www.realwheels.com 16845 North 29th Avenue #759, Phoenix, AZ 85053 Fax toll-free to: (877) 510-5602; if busy, (877) 510-5598 RealWheels Cover Co., Inc. • 847-662-7722 • Fax 847-662-7744 Questions: [email protected] . . . or call (602) 488-8378. Made In The U.S.A. • Best Guarantee In The Industry S 14 – June 1, 2003 — BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS ClassifiedClassified AdvertisingAdvertisingAdvertising

COACHES WANTED FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE T-835 MUST BE CLEAN, MCI Coaches Excellent condition, 1987-88 MCI 102A3s 1993 FORD/DIAMOND MINI- NO RUST OR DENTS. charter/tour coaches, New interiors, 8V-92 DEALERS WANTED! COACH, 7.3 DIESEL. SEATS 20 ALL RECORDS MUST BE low-mileage engines. For Optare's Model AVAILABLE. 47-pax, lav, PA, VCRs. 1992 102C3 Auto Some automatic or 30-LFN heavy duty OR 16 + 2 W/C. FREEDMAN (800) 231-4391 5-speed (willing to convert), maintenance low-floor shuttle bus. HI-BACK RECLINER SEATS. ALL 1993 102C3 Auto records. Coaches are Contact: RECORDS SINCE NEW. VERY Attention Detroit Diesel John M. Maddox JONCKHEERE currently in service. GOOD CONDITION. 1994 102C3 Carl R. Bieber Tourways Optare International OWNERS 7-speed We own two 1984 Kutztown, Pennsylvania US Sales & Marketing Dir. HIGH MILES. Jonckheere coaches. 1995 102D3 (800) 243-2374 We are looking for 7-speed Ask for Steve 760-941-1448 individuals who might have $7,500. parts to sell for these buses. Cats (5) E-mail: SHADDAD@ Call: Nick at Call Rick or Mike at (800) BIEBERTOURWAYS.COM (715) 659-4391 (800) 492-2601 779-4869 or e-mail rhillard@tristatetravel. com. Fax inquiries to Classified Advertising COACH For Sale (815) 777-8128 FOR SALE Charter Bus & ORDER FORM Limousine Company Bus & Motorcoach NEWS is published on the 1st and 15th of the month. First-rate MC-8 Ad deadlines are one week prior to publication. 1977 MC-8, 8V-71 with less Well-established charter bus Display than 30,000 miles on engine, and limo company serving Classified Please print or type your advertising copy. straight shift, auxiliary air, southeast. Located in Atlanta. Advertisements If you prefer, print or type your ad on a separate sheet and attach to this 42-pax with built-in bar. New fleet of motorcoaches form. All Classified Advertising must be accompanied by payment before Coach is in service. and limousines. Real estate 1 column x 2” minimum size. insertion. VISA, MasterCard and American Express cards are accepted. included. Owner retiring. Bank Frequency discounts available. Must be seen to appreciate. and owner financing available. CLASSIFIED: Type of ad you prefer: __Display__Line Asking $13,000. $20 per column inch. Samples and ad rates on reverse side. For additional info, contact: RECRUITMENT: Number of issues you would like this ad to appear in: 1 2 3 4 5 6 More? Happy Travelers Tours John Adams Assoc. Broker $30 per column inch. Wilson, North Carolina Re/Max Greater Atlanta Line Classified Name Advertisements Set in 6 pt. Type, in paragraph Person Authorizing Advertisement - Please Print (252) 237-9327 (866) 256-2181 Toll Free form only, with the first four Company or (252) 243-6255 words in capital letters. Fax: (252) 243-7560 (678) 508-1590 CLASSIFIED: $20 for the first 6 Address lines per insert. $15 each addi- tional line per insert. City State Zip Payment Wanted: Referrals Prepayment required for all ad Signature placements unless credit has been Don't send away customers who want to lease a conversion coach! Refer them to established. MasterCard, Visa, Credit Card Information Executive Motor Coach. We'll treat them right and we'll send you $$$ to show our American Express thanks. Our coaches seat up to 21 and have lounge seating, a galley kitchen, a accepted. Card No. restroom, TV and many other amenities. Mid- to long-term leasing is our specialty. Deadlines Executive Motor Coach (614) 733-0006 Seven days prior to publication Expiration Date www.executive-motor-coach.com dates of 1st and 15th of the month. Name on Card Hours Coaches for Sale Call Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. Fax or Mail this form to Bus & Motorcoach NEWS For Sale 4:30 p.m. MST. Midwest Charter MC-9s / 102 Look Toll-free fax: (877) 510-5598 1979-82 MC-9s. Sales Representative & Tour Company Johnny Steger Rebuilt w/102 look. VCRs. Mail to: 16845 North 29th Avenue # 759, Phoenix, AZ 85053 25-bus fleet. Phone: (602) 980-0840 In business since '53. Some w/auxiliary A/C; w/tires. Fax Toll-Free: (877) 510-5598 Price: $19,500 Make checks payable to: Bus & Motorcoach NEWS Good business and reputation. E-mail: [email protected] Please write to: Quick’s Bus Co. Bus & Motorcoach News Questions? Call Johnny: (602) 980-0840 Ima Busowner, Staunton, Va. 16845 North 29th Ave. #759 Email: [email protected] 3717 Watt Road, Ste. 2003, (540) 886-6297 Phoenix, AZ 85053 Gahanna, Ohio 43230 E-mail: [email protected]. BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS — June 1, 2003 — 15 CALENDAR OF EVENTS JUNE 2003 14-16 Kansas Public Transit Assn.: Lake City, Utah. Info: (202) 496- 26-28 BusCon 2003, Las Vegas. Info: Resort, Cathedral City, Calif. Info: 14-18 Pennsylvania Bus Assn.: Annual Conference and Expo, 4800, or go to www.apta.com. (310) 533-2556 or e-mail: (800) 664-2877 or go to Annual Meeting, Wisp Mountain Overland Park, Kan. Info: (913) 491- [email protected]. www.cbabus.com Hotel, Deep Creek Lake, Md. 9094 or go to www.ktransit.com. 17-22 Busworld, Kortrijk, Belgium. Info: (717) 236-9042 or go to Info: Go to www.busworld.org or NOVEMBER 2003 2-5 Ontario Motor Coach Assn.: www.pabus.com. OCTOBER 2003 e-mail [email protected] 1-5 California Bus Assn.: Convention Annual Conference, Toronto. 12-16 APTA: Annual Meeting, Salt & Trade Show, Doral Palm Springs Info: (416) 229-6622. 15-17 Transportation Marketing & Communications Assn.: Annual Conference, Hilton Head Island, S.C. Info: Contact Brian Everett (952) 442- 5638.

19 California Bus Assn.: General Membership Meeting, Ontario, Calif. Info: (800) 664-2877 or go to www.cbabus.com.

21-24 National Motorcoach Network: 20th anniversary Network Marketing Seminar & Invitational 100, Radisson Hotel, Branson, Mo. Info: (888) 733- 5287.

JULY 2003 18-20 Family Motor Coach Assn. Convention, Buffalo, N.Y. Info: (800) 543-3622 or go to www.fmca.com.

20-22 Georgia Motorcoach Operators Assn.: Annual Meeting & Marketplace, Marriott at Perimeter, Atlanta. Info: (404) 589-8783.

29-31 Florida Motorcoach Association Annual Meeting & Show, Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Fla. Info: (407) 647-2491 or go to www.floridamotorcoach.org.

AUGUST 2003 9-12 Pennsylvania Public Transportation Assn.: Summer Meeting and Roadeo, Erie, Pa. Info: (717) 234-7176 or go to www.ppta.net.

10-12 Alabama Motorcoach Assn.: Annual Meeting & Marketplace, Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala. J4500 Info: (336) 495-4970.

17-20 South Carolina Motorcoach Assn.: Annual Meeting & Marketplace, Westin Resort, Savannah, Ga. Info: (336) 495-4970. ur name says it all. From the factory floor to the sales When you select an MCI model for your fleet, your investment 22-24 Greyhound Birthplace Bus showroom, engineers to field service representatives, brings unmatched experience, integrity and a proven track Bash 2003, Hibbing, Minn. Info will O be available at www.bus-mag.com, Motor Coach Industries is all about building North America’s record of excellence. From design and production to sales, click on Bus Bash link, or call (815) best motor coaches. Not only do we make more motor coaches service, parts and maintenance, MCI continues to make its 946-2341. than anyone, we offer more customer service, more parts and name on North America’s roads. SEPTEMBER 2003 more trained technicians. 5-9 Virginia Motorcoach Assn.: Annual Convention, Dover Sheraton, Dover, Del. Info: (434) 376-1150, or Now celebrating 70 years of serving the motor coach industry. go to www.vamotorcoach.com. It is all we do. MOTOR COACH 10 California Bus Assn: General INDUSTRIES Membership Meeting, LTBA, Calif. www.mcicoach.com Info: (800) 664-2877 or go to 1-800-RIDE MCI (1-800-743-3624) We are America’s coach. www.cbabus.com.