At a meeting last week between Congressman Rick Crawford (R- Ark) and ABA President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso , the trade association for the tour and travel motorcoach industry endorsed the Congressman's bill to establish and maintain a national clearinghouse for records relating to alcohol and controlled substances testing of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) operators.

House bill H.R. 2459 introduced by the first term Congressman from Jonesboro, Arkansas would require the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to establish the clearinghouse as a repository for records relating to the verified positive test results and test refusals of CMV operators and violations by operators of drug and alcohol prohibitions. The bill would authorize USDOT to collect fees from employers for requests for information from the clearinghouse. Reports in the clearinghouse would be authenticated and the process for including reports in the clearinghouse would be required to be secure.

Moreover, USDOT would establish a process by which employers would request and review any clearinghouse records with the consent of the individual. The clearinghouse would have to notify an employer of positive test results or noncompliance by and individual within seven days of an employer's inquiry. The bill would prohibit a motor carrier employer from hiring a CMV driver unless the employer has determined that the driver, during the preceding 3 year period, has been tested for drug and alcohol and has not tested positive or has tested positive and has completed a required return to duty process described in Title 49 of the United States Code.

At the meeting President Pantuso praised the Congressman for his interest in road safety which "parallels ABA's interest in ensuring that the unsurpassed safety record of the motorcoach industry remains inviolate. We at ABA look forward to working with Congressman Crawford and anyone else who is truly interested in motorcoach safety to see this bill through the legislative process and implemented, either as a part of the ongoing transportation reauthorization process or as a stand-alone bill."

Congressman Crawford represents the first district of Arkansas and is the first Republican elected to this district since the Reconstruction era in the late 1860s. Congressman Crawford is a graduate of Arkansas State University, a veteran of the U.S. Army and a former broadcaster, and news anchor. He and his wife Stacy reside in Jonesboro with their two children.

ABA is the trade association of the motorcoach tour and travel industry. The ABA is made up of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants and destinations as well as motorcoach operators for a total of 3500 members. Over 800 ABA members are motorcoach operators. 

In the coming weeks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will send every motorcoach operator in the United States a DVD copy of a security training film that will help operators meet federally mandated security training requirements for their employees.

The regulations stem from a 2007 act of Congress that required TSA to issue a rule mandating that all "frontline" employees of motorcoach companies receive security training. TSA has almost completed the rulemaking process, and has designed this training film specifically meet the training requirements contained in the congressional mandate. And, in TSA's opinion, motorcoach companies that use the film to train their employees will have met these requirements.

"Every motorcoach operator needs to take advantage of this opportunity," said Norm Littler, ABA Vice President for Regulatory & Industry Affairs. "This program that TSA is delivering was developed by the industry under federal grant money for the industry."

To meet the requirements, operators need to only give their employees the training, keep a record of who received the training and when they received it, and issue every employee a letter or certificate of completion after they have finished the training.

If you have questions about TSA security training regulations, call Norm Littler at (202) 218-7246. 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced last week that the New York State Department of Transportation conducted 1,185 roadside bus inspections statewide as part of a two-week inspection initiative. The inspections, conducted between September and October, resulted in 116 bus drivers and 95 buses being taken off the road throughout the state. In the New York City area alone, 48 drivers and 26 buses were taken out of service.

"Since March, we have conducted more than 5,000 inspections to make sure that bus drivers and their vehicles are fit to operate in New York State," Governor Cuomo said. "The bus industry is a critical element of our transportation system and the many New Yorkers who rely upon it need to know they will reach their destinations safely."

Roadside checks conducted in the New York City area continue to produce the greatest number of drivers and vehicles with serious violations. Of the 2,437 roadside bus inspections conducted there since March, 379 drivers and 387 vehicles have been taken out of service.

As part of the state's effort to enhance commercial bus safety, the Cuomo Administration in July announced that the Department of Transportation suspended the operating licenses of eight poor-performing charter tour bus operators. The companies had failed three or more roadside inspections of buses or drivers in the previous six months, failed their scheduled semi-annual bus inspections, or received a federal out-of-service order. Two of these companies closed operations, one gave up its license to operate within New York State, and five were required to take immediate corrective actions regarding their drivers and vehicle maintenance in order to regain their New York licenses.

In addition to the bus safety crackdown, investigators with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles continue to look for bus drivers who may fraudulently obtain multiple driver licenses using aliases. Facial recognition technology is used to identify individuals who have a valid Commercial Driver License in one name and additional driver license documents in another. 

Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman, Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), Ranking Member of the Committee, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, and Senator David Vitter (R-LA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, announced that they will markup a two-year surface transportation bill on Wednesday, November 9 at 10:00 a.m.

The bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), is a bipartisan effort that holds spending at current levels plus inflation, greatly increases leveraging of federal dollars, and modernizes and reforms the nation's transportation systems to help create jobs.

"This is an encouraging sign, but there is still a lot of work to do before a final bill becomes law," said Clyde Hart, ABA's Senior V.P. for Government Affairs and Policy. "The House of Representatives has yet to unveil their version of the bill. And once that's done, legislators will have to come up with a compromise bill that can pass the House and the Senate. So, while we remain hopeful that they will be able to pass a bill in this Congress, there is a lot to do in a short period of time." 

The American Bus Association is breaking new ground in communicating with its members with the mid-November debut of Motorcoach Travel News (MTN), a new monthly, web-based newscast that will be exclusively targeted to professionals in the motorcoach and tourism industry.

"This is a real opportunity to deliver a top notch news program, specifically for people in the motorcoach and tourism industry, with stories that impact their business," said ABA President/CEO Peter J. Pantuso. "The ABA is very pleased to make this available to our members at no cost to them. Truthful, high quality, timely information about our business is very much needed and Motorcoach Travel News will a must watch program every month," Peter Pantuso added.

The newscast is anchored and produced by the ABA's Senior Director of Communications Dan Ronan, who in his 20 year television career was honored by his colleagues with nine Emmys and two Edward R. Murrow awards while at CNN, WAGA-Atlanta, WFAA-Dallas and CBS News-Dallas.

The program will run in length between 12 and 15 minutes. Terrapin Blue Productions of Athens, Georgia is a partner in the production and Terrapin Blue is selling commercial time in the amount of two to three minutes per webcast.

"Dan Ronan had a distinguished career as a network and large market correspondent. He has the extensive knowledge and understanding of the transportation industry and he's a great story teller," said Peter Pantuso. "Dan, along with Terrapin Blue and the ABA staff working on the program will do a great job."

Motorcoach Travel News will provide in depth coverage of important issues facing the industry whether it's a story about safety, crisis management, legislative developments or a feature on a Top 100 Destination.

In the November, 2012 inaugural edition, Motorcoach Travel News looks at the significant contribution companies are making to assist America's military veterans and their families.

There are also stories concerning the status of legislation to improve bus safety and ABA's new study showing how the Federal Government could save nearly 90 million dollars a year by having competing motorcoach service in small towns where the government's Essential Air Service is now running.

Motorcoach Travel News will be delivered digitally to ABA members on or about the 15th of every month and it will be posted on line on our website www.buses.org.

If you have a story suggestion for Motorcoach Travel News send it to mtn@buses.org

Advertising is available on Motorcoach Travel News. Contact Ryan Kelly, rkelly@terrapinblue.com, for more information about availability and rates. 

Some 200 travel business leaders and EU officials came together for the 7th European Bus and Coach Forum, jointly organized by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the Belgian Federation of Bus and Coach operators (FBAA), the European Travel Agents' and tour operators' Associations (ECTAA) and the European Tour Operators' Association (ETOA) last month.

The Forum focused on how policies can help achieve a legal and administrative framework that promotes and rewards tourists' and travellers' green mobility choices, as well as the travel industry's contribution and best practices.

Isabelle Durant, Vice President of the European Parliament, insisted on the very positive contributions made by the bus and coach industry towards greener and more fuel-efficient travel, but also towards job creation in this and other sectors as well as towards affordable travel: "The Union as well as Member States could and should do more to put an end to the discriminatory fiscal practices that unfairly disadvantage buses and coaches against other, more polluting, transport modes on the travel market. This is obviously not a time for lower fuel levies, as this would send out the wrong signal to transporters and travellers alike, at a time when finite oil resources should be used more sparsely than ever, but it is time to recognize that the preferential tax regimes granted to competing transport modes hurt this vital industry and should be gradually phased out."

"Besides economic incentives, more should be done to promote and support the advantages and merits of bus and coach travel over private cars and airplanes in terms of sustainable mobility and this kind of Forum is certainly a good place to start", she added.

Forum participants concluded that government action should follow, or in many cases precede, the necessary change in the mindset and perception of buses and coaches in society. This includes rules and regulations such as sector-specific driving and rest time rules, fair VAT regime, appropriate weights and dimensions of vehicles, industry-friendly low-emission zones, incentives and sufficient public funding for collective passenger transport services by bus and coach, to name but a few.

Graham Smith, Vice President of the IRU, concluded, "Since 90% of all European citizens' mobility and travel needs are realised below a 100 km distance, the most credible policy and customer transport solution is undoubtedly the bus and the coach. Only by placing buses and coaches at the heart of policy making and by setting a clear political strategy and business target to double their use can policy-makers at EU, national, regional and local level create a legislative, market and operational environment conducive to produce a shift in the behaviour of customers and tourists. In short, only bus and coach transport offers the possibility to achieve inclusive, efficient, affordable and sustainable mobility for European citizens and visitors, at the lowest cost to society." 

Trailways Transportation System and Prevost teamed up to organize a safety and marketing conference. The took place at the Prevost facility in Mira Loma, California. Attendees included maintenance and operations personnel, dispatch supervisors, safety representatives, and charter/tour sales associates.

The first day of the conference was directed towards the safety and operations personal. The training was led by former Marketplace speaker Joe Osterman. Osterman discussed many topics including motorcoach fires (cause, countermeasures, and consequences); managing the Driver as a Business Asset (Economics of Driver Management, New Approaches to Train the Driver, and Driver Rotation); and Preparing for a Crisis (the progress stages, crisis readiness, roles and responsibilities, liabilities, and vicarious liabilities).

The first day ended with the "Train-the-Trainer" training provided by First Observer representative, Betty Kelepecz. Betty's areas of focus were Master Trainer documents, case studies, computer system operating requirements (Troubleshooting Guide), and training videos. The attendees were given a First Observer certificate of completion after the training.

During this time, the maintenance training was being conducted as well. This particular session was hosted by Prevost Service Trainers, at the Prevost's local service center in Mira Loma, CA. The discussion presented topics which included coach networks and communications, 2010 emissions technology, HVAC fundamentals, and ABS Systems.

The conference concluded with a presentation by Trailways Vice President, Mark Szyperski, on different types of marketing tools that Trailways stockholders can benefit from.

Debbie Piner, of the Marketing and Communications Department at Prevost said in a statement "We are proud to have been part of the maintenance and safety training as well as offering marketing support for a very successful meeting." 

Southport, England was awarded the International Road Transport Union's City Trophy 2011 by an international jury for its long term business friendly and customer oriented policies, which have led to almost doubling the number of visiting tourist coaches (from 2883 to 5252) between 2000-2010.

The excellence of Southport's services offered to coach drivers, weighed in the jury's decision. The city provides quality parking facilities, assistance and accommodation, meet-and-greet services and information for drivers and tourists.

Cllr Mike Booth, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture & Tourism, said "we have been working closely with the travel trade for ten years now and it's wonderful that all the hard work undertaken by our tourism team has been recognized with this international award. The economic impact of coach visits to Southport cannot be underestimated and for many hotels and retailers it is a substantial part of their business."

IRU Vice President, Graham Smith, emphasized: "This Global IRU award is meant to showcase and promote cities, such as Southport, that effectively implement policies favorable for group tourism by coach and invest in appropriate facilities to improve access for coaches and their customers. By encouraging group tourism by coach, such policies reduce congestion and pollution, while boosting local income from tourism. Together with our partners from the global travel industry, we will make sure that travel organizers promote such excellent destinations to their customers across the globe."

The IRU City Trophy is awarded biennially. It acknowledges and rewards municipal authorities across the world that implement exemplary proactive policies favoring sustainable group tourism by coach. 

St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission's Director of Leisure Travel Sales, Renee Eichelberger received the 2011 Ambassador Award from the Missouri Division of Tourism (MDT). The award is presented to an individual who supports Missouri's tourism efforts by cooperating with MDT's advertising and publicity projects for the state's attractions, and supports other efforts designed to help travelers enjoy the Show-Me State.

Eichelberger received the award during the Governor's Conference on Tourism, which was held in Jefferson City from October 11-13.

A statement released by the MDT stated that Eichelberger was honored because she "realizes that before you can sell an individual attraction or location, you must first sell the entire state as a destination. She serves on the board of several travel-related associations; is a past board member of the National Travel Association; is a current board member of the Missouri Travel Council (MTC); serves on the Missouri Showcase Committee; and is chair of Missouri Bank Travel—MTC's successful program which is focused on attracting Bank Travel Club outings to Missouri." 

ABA will exhibit at the U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow, in Los Angeles, CA April 21-25, 2012. Pow Wow is the world's premier market for Visit USA travel business. ABA invites U.S. motorcoach operator members, who work with inbound international groups, to share ABA's booth and take appointments to meet with international tour wholesalers and sell members' North American motorcoach and tour services. ABA is offering this opportunity to gain valuable exposure in overseas markets at $3,500 per attendee (1/3 below the cost of having an individual booth). Please contact Roderick Lewis in the Member Services Department immediately at (202) 218-7216 or rlewis@buses.org to express interest. Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click here for more information on Pow Wow. 

ABA will hold a webinar to help members prepare for Marketplace 2012 on Wednesday, November 2 at 2:00 PM EST. 

The webinar, ""Using Profile Sheets and Other Planning Tools for a Successful Marketplace Experience" will include a review of available resources and will show Marketplace delegates how to access the tools and sample materials available to all delegates to help make their week effective.

* Planning your Marketplace week: A look at how to develop your personal Marketplace schedule as well as tips on navigating and surviving the week's events.

* A review of checklists: A simple look at recommended pre-show checklists of activities for Buyers, Attractions, DMOs, and Lodging attendees as well as how to take advantage of food options.

* Guidelines to developing your company's profile sheet: Your on-site Profile Sheet is your "calling card" at Marketplace. Profile sheets and business cards are the only collateral allowed on the Business Floor for distribution during appointments.

* Learn how to do appointment research and preparation: Strategies for setting targets for your pre-scheduled appointments. Also hear tips for making appointment requests online.

* How to make additional contacts during Marketplace: A few recommendations include attending State/Provincial caucuses, walking the Business Floor, alternative networking opportunities and creative ways to fill open appointments, and leveraging sponsorship opportunities.

* A review of a list of sample questions to use during your appointment.

Click here to register.

The American Bus Association has partnered with Enrollment First, Inc. and World Wide Insurance Services, Inc. to launch ABA Insurance Services, which will give the association's members access to affordable insurance products for its employees.

ABA Insurance Services is designed to be a one-stop insurance shop for ABA members. Through this innovative partnership any ABA member will be able to offer their employees first-rate insurance products including major medical, dental, vision, life, hospital indemnity and 401K (i). All of the plans offered will require minimal administration and no employer contribution.

"We are excited to partner with Enrollment First and WorldWide Insurance Services to offer this new benefit to our members," said ABA President and CEO Peter Pantuso. "Most of our members are small businesses. And in the current economic climate it can be difficult for them to offer their employees the type of benefits larger corporations provide. ABA Insurance Services will allow all of our members to give their employees a competitive benefits package without hurting their bottom line."

WorldWide Insurance Services was established in 1989 and services the insurance needs of more than twenty business associations.

Founded in 2002, Enrollment First helps companies nationwide within a number of industries make cost-effective insurance benefits available for their employees.

Click here for more information on ABA Insurance Services.

The American Bus Association is launching a new initiative called "Women In Buses" that would bring together women owners and general managers of bus companies. The group will hold its first meeting at Marketplace 2012 in Grapevine, Texas.

"ABA is committed to supporting all segments of the motorcoach and tour industry," said ABA President and CEO Peter Pantuso. "We want to hear from the women in our industry about the challenges that they face, as well as any services or resources ABA can provide them."

Email Vicki Osman at vosman@buses.org if you are interested in joining the group. Please note that membership is only open to owners, general managers and similar upper level staff positions. 

Simple. Secure. Low Rates! A provider for your credit card, debit card, gift card, and check guarantee processing, BluePay has designed specially discounted rates for American Bus Association members. These programs save you money and positively affect your bottom line. Having processed over $3 billion for 75,000+ merchants in all 50 states, BluePay is a true one-stop solution for all of your electronic payment processing needs.

Special Discounted rates for American Bus Association members:

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Please call one of BluePay's Specialists TODAY at 1-800-314-5390 or visit their website at www.bluepay.com. 

New Members- Print and Add to your 2011 ABA Motorcoach Marketer

ASSOCIATE

NCR - Travel Line of Business
Owen Wild, V.P. of Mktg.
701 International Pkwy., Ste. 300
Lake Mary, FL 32746
PH: (407) 562-9262 Fax: (407) 562-9300
Service Supplier - Other

TRAVEL INDUSTRY

Days Inn & Suites Traverse City
Mark Belanger, Dir. of Sales & Mktg.
420 Munson Ave.
Traverse City, MI 49686
PH: (231) 941-0208 Fax: (231) 941-7521
Lodging

French Travel Partners
Ameline Santin, Sales Mgr.
40 rue Amelot
Paris, France 75011
PH: 011-33-143484080 Fax: 011-33-143483120
Receptive Operator

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lancaster
Jennifer Thieman, G.M.
1861 Riverway Dr.
Lancaster, OH 43130
PH: (740) 654-4445 Fax: (740) 654-5546
Lodging

James Madison's Montpelier
Julie Reed, Trsm. Coord.
P.O. Box 911
Orange, VA 22960
PH: (540) 672-2728 Fax: (540) 301-3554
Attraction - Other

LEGOLAND Discovery Center & SEA LIFE Grapevine
Craig Hardin, Sales Coord.
3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy.
Grapevine, TX 76051
PH: (469) 444-3004 Fax: (972) 691-2715
Attraction - Other

Lodge of Four Seasons
Maria Davis, Sales Mgr.
315 Four Seasons Dr.
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
PH: (573) 365-8790 Fax: (573) 365-8555
Lodging

McHenry County Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau
Jaki Berggren, Mgr., Gp. Sales
5435 Bull Valley Rd., #324B
McHenry, IL 60050
PH: (815) 363-6177 Fax: (815) 363-0464
DMO - Convention & Visitors Bureaus

Real Hospitality Group
Rick Day, Chief Operating Officer
9748 Stephen Decatur Hwy., Ste. 111
Ocean City, MD 21842
PH: (410) 213-1970 Fax: (410) 213-1972
Lodging, Management Group 

QUALIFIED OPERATORS

The following Motorcoach & Tour Operators have submitted application(s) for membership between October 11, 2011 through October 24, 2011 and have met all membership requirements. They are currently in the mandatory 30 Day period for member comments. Should members have comments regarding these applications, please contact abamembership@buses.org.

Atlanta Shuttle Limousine Service
(DOT #: 1730430)
Oscar Dixon, CEO
Fayetteville, GA

Hemisphere Educational Travel
Brad Rosenbaum, G.M.
Schaumburg, IL