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Congress is currently deliberating the next package of aid to American citizens and businesses as COVID-19’s effects linger. With the election less than 85 days away—and early voting starting in a few weeks—politicking is getting in the way of meaningful legislation.
Behind the scenes, the American Bus Association (ABA) and United Motorcoach Association (UMA) continue to push hard for legislation that would assist the struggling bus industry, which has been largely sidelined since mid-March. Among the major bills still circulating are the Senate’s Reviving the Economy Sustainably Towards a Recovery in 2020 (RESTART) Act, or S.3814, as well as Continuing Small Business Recovery and Paycheck Protection Program Act, or S.4321, both of which would extend the popular PPP loans to small businesses.
However, the bills with the greatest potential impact on the industry are the Senate’s and House’s CERTS Act (S.4150 and H.R.7642, respectively), which each have broad bipartisan support and would offer $10 billion in grants and loans to help sustain the recovery of motorcoach companies. Now that both houses of Congress are again on recess, and with election fervor heating up, the larger and more wide-sweeping issues that most affect the general population are being tackled first. President Trump’s executive orders over the weekend also added a wrinkle to the negotiations on unemployment and stimulus checks.
Both UMA and ABA are urging operators and friends of the industry to write, call, and visit representatives—including those outside their state or district—to keep the pressure on. The airline industry, which has seen an increase in traffic in the past month, is asking for an additional $25 billion in aid after receiving $50 billion early in the crisis. As the bus industry isn’t likely to see meaningful recovery until 2021 as many events, sports, and tourism remain stagnant, the aid is critical. The ABA’s research arm, the American Bus Association Foundation, released its second-quarter 2020 Motorcoach Builder Survey that showed just how deep the impact has been on the overall industry.
Visit UMA’s and ABA’s contact pages for form letters and more information on state and local representatives.
UMA hosts its Town Hall each Thursday at 2PM ET. Register for the event here. The next installment of the UMA’s Virtual Summit, which first debuted in June, will take place on August 12 at 11AM ET.
ABA will hold a Virtual Town Hall on August 18 from 2-3PM ET. Click here for more information and to register.
[08.11.20]
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Was it the wine or the company? Yes!
The vino (courtesy of Sire Estate, which is owned by Thomas Buck of Beau Wine Tours) and the stories were flowing as operators from all over the country tuned in to the New England Livery Association (NELA) virtual Cabernet & COVID Stories on August 5.
The two-hour event was hosted by NELA Director Brett Barenholtz of Above All Transportation/Boston Car/ETS and the 11 speakers included Douglas Schwartz of Executive Ground Transportation, Diane Forgy of Overland Chauffeured Services, Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, Briana & Chelsea Candeub of Park Avenue Limousine, Jeff Nyikos of Leros Point to Point/Royal Coachman, Shariff McMichael of Dav El/BostonCoach, NLA President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide, George Jacobs of Windy City Limousine & Bus, and Dawson Rutter & Tami Saccoccio of Commonwealth Worldwide.
The tales ranged from side-splitting—sombreros and condoms?—to tear-jerking as the storytellers shared their craziest and most heartwarming experiences of the pandemic. Several operators recalled the bittersweet moment of having to close their office—only to find out that they’ve forgotten how or couldn’t remember the alarm codes! There was plenty of self-improvement as McMichael, Weiss, and Alexander revealed their quarantine workouts and progress. McMichael also detailed the frustrating process of having to help his kids with “overcomplicated” schoolwork. When did learning the basics become so convoluted?
Nyikos, Forgy, and Jacobs each shared how COVID has impacted them close to home: Nyikos’ wife is still recovering, Jacobs and several members of his team were sidelined temporarily after being stricken with the virus, while Forgy’s chauffeur sadly passed away. The Candeubs shared the burden of having to layoff many members of their team, some of whom had worked for the company for decades—a task all too familiar to everyone on the call.
CD Publisher Chris Weiss with his bottle of Sire Estate Cabernet
Through the sadness and laughter, however, the overarching message was one of hope. Alexander and Weiss expressed their optimism for the recovery, while Nyikos reminded everyone that most of the operators on the call had survived 9/11 and the recession to make them “mentally tough.” Jacobs, who is excited about the return of baseball (for now?) and is relishing the challenge of the moment, advised everyone to lean into the curve as the world has permanently changed and offering interesting opportunities.
Of course, the guest that stole the show wasn’t a speaker at all, or even human. Rutter and Saccoccio showed off their adorable furbaby Winston, a puppy that they adopted during quarantine.
If you missed the event, you can listen here.
Gold Sponsors: Above All Transportation, Century Business Solutions/EBizCharge, Chosen Payments, Dolphin Transportation Specialists, and Lancer Insurance.
Silver Sponsors: A&A Metro Transportation, Center Insurance Agency, Dav El/BostonCoach, and Park Avenue Limousine.
Bronze Sponsors: Alternative Claims Management, Avery Insurance, Chauffeur Driven, Create-A-Card, LA Limousine, Lexian Management, The Limousine Expert, The LMC Groups, Research Underwriters, Transport the People, and Volvo.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
[08.11.20]
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The National Limousine Association (NLA) Board recently approved its new Association Grant Program, which is aimed at helping organizations of all sizes across the U.S. and internationally support their local operators and vendors through education, advocacy, and networking. NLA President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide made the announcement in his weekly President’s Letter last week.
Battles have always been fought on the local level—long before TNCs were changing the landscape—although national support has never been more critical. Since 2012, the NLA has granted more than $250,000 to local associations through its rebate program, which the new program replaces.
NLA President Robert Alexander
According to Alexander, the biggest difference between the programs is the amount that an association may receive is no longer based on how many operators are members of both the local association and the NLA, but rather on the application and what the association intends to use the funds for. NLA is accepting applications now through September 10 and will be unable to accept late applications.
Full details about the program and how to apply are available here.
“If you are involved with your local association, I highly recommend you forward this information along to your association leaders. This is a valuable opportunity that you do not want to miss out on,” Alexander said.
Visit limo.org for more information.
[08.10.20]