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- Category: Industry News
There was reason to celebrate during the most recent United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Town Hall, held on July 2 and hosted by President & CEO Larry Killingsworth and COO Ken Presley. Just 24 hours earlier, Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) introduced the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act, or CERTS Act (S. 4150), that would provide up to $10 billion in economic relief through loans and grants for the motorcoach industry. In fact, the bill was so new that it didn’t even have a bill number at the start of the call.
UMA President & CEO Larry Killingsworth
“The CERTS Act is specifically targeted to motorcoach operators to help bridge the gap until motorcoaches are rolling again. It recognizes the capital-intensive nature of our members and will help them maintain their skilled team members, as well,” said Killingsworth.
Presley and Killingworth were joined by UMA lobbyist Becky Weber of Prime Policy to give the tentative details of the proposed bill, including:
- Not less than 50 percent of the amount will be used to provide grants.
- Funding for an over-the-road bus company may not exceed their 2019 calendar year revenue.
- Operators must recall or rehire any employee laid off, furloughed, or terminated because of reduced service and maintain employment through December 31, 2020 (pay, paid administrative leave, and paid benefits as of the date of enactment).
- Funds can be used for continued operations and maintenance of existing capital equipment and facilities including rent, leases, insurance payments, and debt service, as well as any special COVID requirements (PPE, Plexiglas barriers, cleaning materials).
The full text of the bill can be read here.
UMA COO Ken Presley
The emergency assistance would be facilitated through the Department of the Treasury and with guidance from the Secretary of Transportation. Although it’s very early in the process, Presley said that the program could resemble a mix of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Main Street Lending Program.
While UMA has been working behind the scenes with other bus associations—including the American Motorcoach Association—to help get the bill launched, Presley noted that it was the indefatigable efforts of members and industry supporters contacting their lawmakers with more than 46,000 letters over the campaign that drove it home.
“The legislative team at UMA has been quietly working with Senators Collins’ and Reed’s staffs for weeks now,” said Presley. “The bill has gone through several drafts, so it was important to allow the process to take its normal course. We all need to work together to get it passed."
Weber stressed that it was crucial not to take the foot off the gas with Congressional outreach as the critical window to get the bill passed ends when both chambers recess again on August 7—just five weeks from now. As the House and Senate are both on recess until July 20 and legislators are in their districts, now is the time to schedule in-person meetings, phone calls, and send letters to keep the pressure on. While the CERTS Act will be part of the overall next round of COVID relief, the appetite for a bill exceeding $1 trillion is low for Republicans.
Weber added that if met with resistance from lawmakers who refer them to the PPP, she said to thank them for that short-term assistance but to stress that this unique industry will have a longer-term recovery than most that desperately need additional emergency aid—and “hammer home the WHY.”
She also recommended building a coalition of peers—OEMs, DMCs, hotels, travel and hospitality professionals, and even friends and family—to contact Congress.
UMA member Kim Grzywacz of CIT Signature Transportation—who had great success when contacting her representatives in her home state of Iowa—also encouraged her fellow members to treat these efforts like you’re fighting for your biggest sale. In addition to the form letters that can be found here and here, she recommended sending your own personalized letter to tell your own story and “be a little vulnerable.”
The PPP, which was extended through August 8 after the original June 30 deadline saw $130 billion in untapped funds, is also being considered for a second phase where business owners could reapply to cover salaries and partial expenses for another eight-week period. Presley reported that many members have found a way to make the program work well for their companies as travel slowly begins again.
In other news, UMA Risk Management Chair Matt Dance of Champion Coach announced developments in UMA's AssurCLEAN, a free training and certification program for members on COVID-19 safety protocols. More details about the program can be found here.
UMA Town Halls are scheduled for every Thursday at 2 PM ET. Visit uma.org for more information on how to join the weekly meeting.
[07.07.20]
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- Category: Industry News
Making progress! After months of letter writing, phone calls, and in-person meetings urging members of Congress to assist the COVID-shuttered bus and motorcoach industry, Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) have introduced a bill that would be part of the next round of pandemic economic relief. The Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act (CERTS Act, S. 4150) calls for $10 billion in grants and loans that would aid the industry in the long-haul recovery that is expected for the travel and tourism sector. The emergency assistance would be facilitated through the Department of the Treasury and with guidance from the Secretary of Transportation.
This bill is specific to over-the-road private motorcoach operators including those that provide services for local and intercity fixed routes, commuters, charters and tours, and school transportation.
These legislative efforts were coordinated and spearheaded by the United Motorcoach Association (UMA), the American Bus Association (ABA), the National School Transportation Association, the Passenger Vessel Association, and the Amalgamated Transit Union, and through the intensive efforts of their members and supporters.
Although the bill is still in its infancy, some of the proposed key highlights include:
- Not less than 50 percent of the amount will be used to provide grants.
- Funding for an over-the-road bus company may not exceed their 2019 calendar year revenue.
- Operators must recall or rehire any employee laid off, furloughed, or terminated because of reduced service and maintain employment through December 31, 2020 (pay, paid administrative leave, and paid benefits as of the date of enactment).
- Funds can be used for continued operations and maintenance of existing capital equipment and facilities including rent, leases, insurance payments, and debt service, as well as any special COVID requirements (PPE, Plexiglas barriers, cleaning materials).
The full text of the bill can be read here.
Because the bill is time sensitive and the legislative window is quickly closing for the summer, UMA and ABA are urging members, vendors, suppliers, and supporters of the industry to take action and keep the pressure on the Senate to take action. The associations have created a form letter that can immediately be sent to Congress, which can be found at busesmoveamerica.com.
[07.07.20]
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- Category: Industry News
In an effort to court new and existing members, the Minnesota Chauffeured Transportation Association (MCTA) has announced that they have reduced the price of membership dues for 2020.
MCTA President Gus Ortis
For the remaining months of 2020 and the first month of 2021, MCTA dues are just $30 per in-service vehicle, with a minimum investment per operator of $100. This is a reduction of last year’s $100 per vehicle, and this spring’s $90 per vehicle. The Board of Directors also voted to adjust partner (vendor) memberships. The MCTA’s flash sale and membership drive will last until July 15. Operators are encouraged to join MCTA online here.
“Our industry is in crisis and transformation. We also know that sticking together to continue to be a source of information, access, clout, and more is as important now than ever, which is why we’ve made some changes to the membership dues for 2020,” says MCTA President Gus Ortis of Executive Transportation.
For the remainder of 2020, MCTA is planning on quarterly meetings at new and different locations with a focus on education and tips to network and save money. The 2020 membership offer will include the association’s annual holiday reception in January. The MCTA is also looking at bringing back casual happy hours for more networking and member tips.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the association held numerous teleconference calls that provided valuable information to their members and friends.
“We hope you will join us because of the value and affordability. We’re a strong team in Minnesota and feel that with membership working together, our industry will remain strong and profitable,” says Ortis.
Partner Memberships
$500 Gold Membership sponsorship package. Includes Silver and Bronze packages, plus:
- No additional cost for two people attending MCTA meetings, happy hours, and holiday reception.
- Name, logo, and contact information listed on every email sent by MCTA to the membership
- Membership spotlight in a quarterly MCTA newsletter
- Membership spotlight on MCTA Facebook and social media
- Opportunity to address MCTA members at every membership meeting/event
- First opportunity to select golf sponsorship & pairings
$300 Silver Membership sponsorship package. Includes Bronze package, plus:
- Invitations to semi-regular “happy hours” with MCTA members ($100 value)
- Invitation to annual January Holiday Reception ($100 value)
- Name and logo listed for every meeting email
- Opportunity for presentation on topic of your choice at a MCTA meeting during the year
$100 Bronze Membership sponsor package. Includes:
- Invitations to quarterly membership meetings ($200 value)
- Recipient of all MCTA update emails (latest news, information, etc.)
- Listing on MCTA website and newsletters
- Framed membership certificate
Operator Memberships
Membership dues: $30 per vehicle in-service and includes:
- Invitations to quarterly membership meetings ($200 value)
- Invitations to semi-regular “happy hours” with MCTA members ($100 value)
- Invitation to annual January Holiday reception (dinner/drinks included for two people—$100 value)
- Recipient of all MCTA update emails (latest news, information, etc.)
- Listing on MCTA website and newsletters
- Framed membership certificate
- Networking, access, impact, recognition, and more!
Note: To cover costs, the minimum operator membership fee is $100.
Visit mnlimo.com for more information. More details about membership levels and benefits can be found here.
[07.07.20]