Oregon Officials Embrace Student Travel Via Motorcoach In Precedent-Setting Move

Dec. 10, 2007

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

The American Bus Association today praised the Oregon government's decision to grant a permanent variance allowing motorcoaches to continue serving as vital transportation means for student and youth activity travel across the state.

"We are gratified that Oregon officials did the right thing for student travel and safety," said ABA President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso. "All motorcoach operators nationwide should applaud the work of their West Coast colleagues in vigorously raising the awareness of motorcoach safety among state officials, and we should recognize the state's leaders for taking the prudent course of action that is the natural by-product of diligent study of the facts."

Earlier this year, the State of Oregon's School Board had said it was banning the use of motorcoaches for school activity travel, citing the state's statutory safety requirements for school buses were not met by motorcoaches. The ensuing protests from athletic coaches to activity directors across the state led to a temporary six-month variance for motorcoaches.

Finally, on Dec. 1, Oregon reversed their policy and published an amended rule in the "Oregon Bulletin" granting schools a permanent variance allowing the use of motorcoaches for school activity trips.

ABA worked closely with West Coast operators on this critical issue, and provided documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board showing the safety of motorcoach travel.

"We hope the Oregon victory for student travel serves as a model for action in other states and at the national level," Pantuso said. "Oregon has demonstrated a leadership role in safety policy, and sets a precedent for this issue that can be a positive example for other states and even the U.S. Congress."

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 2,600 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.