July 1, 2013 Feds shutdown four more egregious safety violators WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor are not facing criminal charges is baffling. party bus fell out the rear door and was fa- found to willfully violate the orders. Carrier Safety Administration “Operation In moving against Lucky Star, a Boston- tally struck by other vehicles. In each case, the carriers were cited for Quick Strike” maintained a blistering pace based curbside operator that served New Also ordered to cease operations were a “widespread and serious noncompliance as it shut down four more bus operators dur- York City Chinatown, the FMCSA said in- pair of Southern operators, Destiny Tours of with federal safety regulations” that involved ing the first two weeks of June, calling them vestigators found the company’s buses had Lake City, S.C., and Advanced Ventures of both vehicle defects and drivers’ duties. imminent hazards to public safety. broken down more than 80 times in the past Springfield, Va. The violations included operating with- The massive number and egregious na- year, forcing passengers to disembark on the All four companies were told to park out authority, no insurance, falsified annual ture of the violations accumulated by the four highway at times. their buses at their next stops and to report inspection records, blocked emergency exit companies and their near total disregard for Another company, Kansas-based Mid- the locations of all vehicles to the FMCSA windows, and allowing drivers placed out of safety rules is both stunning and appalling. night Express, was targeted after a female within eight hours. Their owners face service for an inability to speak English to Why some of the owners and managers passenger riding in the company’s modified $25,000 fines and a year in jail if they are CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 c Operators say they’re ready for tough hurricane season With forecasters predicting an storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major “above average” 2013 hurricane hurricanes.” season, motorcoach operators in NOAA’s acting administrator, Gulf and Eastern Seaboard states, Kathryn Sullivan, added a warn- along with the company that coor- ing that won’t surprise motorcoach dinates much of the evacuation ac- operators who’ve assisted in past tivity, say they’re well prepared for weather emergencies. any emergency response needs “As we saw first-hand with they may face this year. (Superstorm) Sandy, it’s important The Atlantic hurricane season, to remember that tropical storm as recognized by professional and hurricane impacts are not lim- CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 c forecasters, began June 1 and ex- ited to the coastline. tends to Nov. 30. “Strong winds, torrential rain, “There is a 70 percent likeli- flooding and tornadoes often hood of 13 to 20 named storms threaten inland areas far from (winds of 39 mph or higher), of where the storm first makes land- which 7 to 11 could become hur- fall,” she noted. ricanes (winds of 74 mph or high- A voluntary committee repre- New Orleans is installing 14-foot stick figures to mark bus pick-up points during evacuations. See story Page 13. er), including 3 to 6 major hurri- senting motorcoach operators from canes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 11 hurricane-prone states has begun Evacuation Committee (SEEVAC). drivers can be fed or lodged,” said “We are ready to assist any 111 mph or higher),” the National holding weekly teleconferences to “We have phone conversations Newton. state that needs our help. We want Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- review and update contingency every Thursday to talk about the “The committee is a sounding to facilitate a better, smoother istration reports. plans, reports Warren Newton, number of buses that we have board for operators to relay con- evacuation. We have worked pretty “These ranges are well above spokesman for the Southeastern available, evacuation procedures, cerns to the contracting state or much every major storm in the last the seasonal average of 12 named Motorcoach Operators Emergency where we can buy fuel, where contracting company. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 c Airlines reap billions in fees; can the coach industry? U.S. airlines create billions of more than $6 billion in baggage and (motorcoach) industry who are try- new perk that should at least pay for much. Student groups want to be on dollars in incremental revenue each reservation-change fees last year, ing to put buses out the door instead itself, says Ready. He knows one op- Wi-Fi all day. Fifty eighth-graders year by tacking extra fees onto ticket according to a report in USA Today. of putting profits in their pockets,” erator who has spent up to $400 are going to be downloading movies prices. In fact, the air industry’s 3.7-per- said Tom Ready of Ready Bus Lines monthly in Wi-Fi fees. and texting their friends in the back Some leading motorcoach oper- cent profit margin was created en- of La Crescent, Minn., a former “Most operators are eating all of the bus.” ators think their peers also should go tirely as a result of the fees levied on chairman of the United Motorcoach those costs. We (Ready Bus Lines) Callen Hotard of the Calco Ho- after more incremental revenue. passengers, many of who probably Association. charge $15 a day for Wi-Fi. That tard Group in New Orleans, said his Other operators, however, insist it’s thought their ticket price would “We are giving things away to should average what your costs are company doesn’t currently charge easier said than done. cover their trip. get business.” per month,” said Ready. for Wi-Fi, “but we have that under The nation’s airlines bagged “We see a lot of people in the Wireless internet service is a hot “Senior groups don’t use Wi-Fi CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 c WE’VE G T THAT PART! Whether we stock it, source it or provide a custom kit, ABC Parts has the solution for all of your parts requests! Our integrated transit and motorcoach parts distribution network covers the U.S. from coast-to-coast and in Canada, making ABC the nation’s largest independent parts supplier. And, our knowledgeable parts team is on the ground and in the shop with the expertise, inventory and access to every major brand to keep your fleet running at peak performance. GET WHAT YOU NEED, WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE WITH ABC PARTS! 24 hour shipping guaranteed on in-stock items FREE ground shipping for orders exceeding $100 Full parts inventory, sourcing and custom kits For basic parts, complex components, custom kits and more, all you need is one source for your parts requirements. Call 877- 427-7278/option 4. www.abc-companies.com/parts Bus & Motorcoach News INDUSTRY NEWS July 1, 2013 3 Academy buying Conway bus unit Tim Wayland named president, HOBOKEN, N.J. — Academy expect from Boston to Washing- market its tours throughout the Dane Cornell chairman, of ABC Bus, the largest privately owned ton, D.C.,” Tedesco added. northeast, from Boston to FARIBAULT, Minn. — ABC all facets of and operated motorcoach compa- Conway, which has been pro- Washington. Companies announced the promo- ABC sales ny in the U.S., is acquiring the viding bus service for 87 years, “They will focus on the beautiful tion of Tim Wayland to president activities. charter bus division of Conway will remain in business as a tour new buses,” said Peter Conway, “and and chief commercial officer. Wayland Bus Service/Conway Tours in operator, utilizing motorcoaches we can focus on providing afford- Additionally, it announced that joined ABC 19 Cumberland, R.I. supplied by Academy. able, first-class motorcoach tours. “The incorporation of Conway “We will now be able to do “Academy’s vision and overall company CEO, Dane Cornell, has years ago as Tours’ charter bus operation al- what we do best, which is create reputation is simply the right fit,” been elevated to chairman, and his president of lows Academy to further strength- and provide exceptional travel added Conway. father, ABC Companies’ founder, ABC Financial en our presence in both Rhode Is- tours without having to operate our All Conway Tours’ charter bus Clarence ‘Clancy’ Cornell, has Services and been appointed chairman was named land and the New England area,” own fleet of buses,” company vice employees have been given an op- Tim Wayland said Francis Tedesco, president of president and CEO Peter Conway portunity to go to work for Academy. emeritus. chief financial Academy. told a local newspaper. That includes 55 bus drivers, most of Clancy Cornell will remain an officer 5 years ago. He was promot- “Conway Tours shares Acade- “We can also turn our attention them part-time employees, and four adviser on ABC’s board. ed to chief commercial officer in my’s values of quality, safety and to our growing division of air tours maintenance staff members. In his new position, Wayland Oct. 2011. customer service, ensuring that to the western U.S. and Europe.” Conway Tours was started in will work closely with the ABC He will continue to hold a seat our customers will receive the Additionally, Academy will Cumberland in 1926 by John board and the company senior ex- on the ABC board. same great service they know and provide a platform for Conway to CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 c ecutive team to assure business “Tim Wayland has become an objectives for growth, profitabili- icon in our industry, and his broad ty and organizational develop- financial background and knowl- Anchor Tours buys Brantley Charter ment are met. edge of our markets have been an He also will be responsible for important part of ABC’s success Nashville, Tenn.