CALLING ALL MEMBERS!
As promised in ABA’s Oct. 13 alert, we are pleased to share additional details about how you can participate remotely in the upcoming Bus Leasing Roundtable Discussion on Monday, Oct. 31.
MEETING DETAILS
The Roundtable Discussion will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EST), Oct. 31 at the U.S. Department of Transportation Media Center – Oklahoma Room, located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. For those who intend to attend in person, you will need to be prepped for building security and you need to RSVP! Send an email to bbuchanan@buses.org, if you are planning to attend. There is very limited space available.
You can participate online via webcast by clicking on the following links:
Morning Session & Scheduled Presentations
Afternoon Session & Public Comment
Additional information to dial-in or ask questions via phone or email will appear on those web pages.
The Roundtable discussion is specifically for FMCSA to hear from the motorcoach industry and others on four issue areas the agency identified in its recent Aug.31 notice as open for revision:
- Exclusion of “chartering” from the leasing requirements
- CMV requirements for the location of markings
- “24-hour” notification requirement when subcontracting
- “48-hour” emergency exception to lease execution when no passengers on the bus
Here is the schedule for the Roundtable on Monday, Oct. 31:
9:30 – 9:45 a.m. Opening Remarks from FMCSA
9:45 – 10:30 a.m. Motorcoach Operator Perspective
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 – 11:15 a.m. Insurance Provider Perspective
11:15 – 11:45 a.m. Safety Advocate Perspective
11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch Break
1 – 2:25 p.m. Open Discussion & Public Comments
2:25 – 3 p.m. Closing Remarks
The Roundtable will continue beyond 3 p.m. and until the comments are exhausted.
WE NEED YOUR VOICE
We strongly encourage ABA members to participate in the afternoon segment and let your voices be heard in opposition to the final rule as currently written.
After the final rule was issued last year and ABA’s campaign to reconsider the rule was launched, FMCSA expressed dissatisfaction with the motorcoach industry for not providing enough detailed comments and not raising concerns with the components of the rule proposal during the initial rulemaking process.
SHARE YOUR STORY
FMCSA needs to understand how you operate your business and how this rule could change and impact it. Scenarios of normal business transactions or operational changes that you anticipate as a result of this rule are what we hope to hear you share.
The compliance date of the final rule has been pushed back to Jan. 1, 2018 pending any additional revision to the rule.
If you have any questions or need further information, contact ABA’s Vice President of Government Affairs & PolicySuzanne Te Beau Rohde at Srohde@buses.org or 202-218-7224.