Sept. 30, 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Eron Shosteck
Phone: 202-218-7220

WASHINGTON-- The American Bus Association (ABA) announced the addition of a new Environmental Committee last week during its Fall Board of Directors meeting at the Gaylord National Convention Center to promote motorcoaches as the greenest way to travel.

"The addition of an Environmental Committee at the Board of Directors level is a critical component of our industry's efforts to elevate awareness of how motorcoach travel emits the least carbon dioxide per passenger of any transportation mode, and to ensure that our green credentials are part of the discussion of any pubic policy debate at every level of government," said ABA Chairman Doug Anderson. "We save energy, we take cars off of the road, we reduce congestion, and we get 184 miles-per-gallon on a per-passenger basis, the highest of any transportation option."

ABA Board Member Darren Berg, CEO of MTR Western in Seattle, will chair the new Environmental Committee.

"I am honored to be serving all ABA members on this new committee, and look forward to raising the visibility of motorcoaches as part of our energy and ecological solutions," Berg said. "We have a full agenda in front of us, and the goal of the new Committee will be to tell the great story about our industry's role in fighting climate change and preserving the environment for future generations."

"The timing is ideal for the ABA Environmental Committee," said ABA President & CEO Peter J. Pantuso. "With the 2009 Highway Reauthorization Bill certain to be the center of many discussions on the Hill in the near future, we have a unique opportunity to position our industry as the green travel leader before Members of Congress and regulators."

The American Bus Association is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry with more than 1000 motorcoach owner and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,800 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.

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