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A new loan program championed by The Transportation Alliance (TTA) has gained significant traction over the past 10 days, and has now caught the attention of Congress and the White House.
TTA President Tom Arrighi
According to a press release from the association, the proposed $500 billion federal loan package would provide low-interest loans of up to $10 million per eligible small business, to be repaid to U.S. government after 10 years. The loans would be reserved for small businesses that are critical to the supply chain and help with the immediate reopening of the economy. It focuses on critical sectors like manufacturers, resellers, defense industrial base, health care, financial services, construction, and transportation providers.
Loans would be intended for small businesses with fewer than 1,500 employees with revenues under $40 million. Only U.S.-owned and -operated small businesses that have been in operation for at least seven years with a proven track record would be eligible.
The pragmatic and fiscally responsible plan has received immediate support from hundreds of businesses and trade associations representing more than 310,000 companies and employing 8 million workers across the United States. There has been a growing interest from Congressional leaders and White House staff over the details of this plan, its focus on immediately "jump-starting" the economy, and the fiscal responsibility that proves you can move the economy forward without further increasing the deficit. Leaders have applauded this plan designed for small businesses by small businesses and not government.
"Small businesses have the workers and the proven track record, and the U.S. government has the investment capital," said TTA President Tom Arrighi. "This is an investment that focuses on Made in America by small businesses who employ tens of millions of American workers. Together, we can get America back on its feet through a partnership with government, small businesses, and our amazing workforce."
To voice your support for Small Business Jump-Start America Act, contact Paul Miller, legislative counsel to TTA, at pmiller@mwcapitol.com and 703.383.1330.
Visit thetransportationalliance.org for more information.
[05.26.20]
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- Category: Industry News
Springfield Coach Group has come up with an innovative method to ease the concerns of operators, chauffeurs, and passengers in regards to spreading viral and bacterial infections. The Springfield, Mo.-based builder has introduced a germ-killing ultraviolet (UV) light option into the air circulation system of their new vehicles. When installed into the “hub” of the HVAC unit, a band of broad-spectrum invisible UV light will kill bacteria and germs as the air blows through the vents.
Broad-spectrum UV light installed in a vent
The idea was developed by the father-son team of Springfield CEO Gary Spaniak Jr. and Vice President of Marketing Gary “G3” Spaniak III.
“We got the idea from the air conditioning units I have at home,” says G3. “The UV lights we’re installing in vehicles work with the same parameters as a home unit.”
The broad-spectrum UV lighting is commonly used to disinfect water, sterilize surfaces, destroy micro-organisms in food products, and kill airborne bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi. This tech is similar to the UV wands that many operators are using today.
L to R: Gary Spaniak III, CEO Gary Spaniak Jr., Congressman Billy Long (R-Mo.), and Dustin Campbell
The Spaniaks first introduced the UV lighting into Springfield’s removal vehicles built for coroners and the funeral industry. As bodies often still transmit germs and bacteria, this technology added a layer of safety for the drivers and medical personnel.
Since the brand-new COVID-19 is still being studied and tested, Springfield makes no claim that their UV light option will kill the virus, although G3 says that having this in a limousine only increases the duty of care that sets the chauffeured ground transportation industry apart. Springfield is offering UV light installation free of charge in new limousine builds.
On Thursday, May 21, Springfield Coach welcomed Congressman Billy Long (R-Mo.) for a tour of their facility, and to give him an up-close look at their new Mercedes “medical-grade first-call” vehicle for medical examiners and forensic specialists to transport bodies. The first-ever 100 percent purpose-built vehicle of its kind, Springfield lined the interior with stainless steel to make cleaning and sanitation easier than ever. The vehicle also utilizes the UV technology.
The interior of Springfield’s new “medical-grade first-call” vehicle
“There are hardworking people … that risk themselves to exposure, and they need [a vehicle] to keep them safe,” G3 said to KY3 News, who was on scene to cover Long’s visit. “Once the process is made where they’ve removed the deceased, they can wash it out within minutes, disinfect it, and limit exposure to themselves and their family.”
Long also used the opportunity to speak about the struggle faced by small and family-owned businesses in the Ozarks region. The Congressman pledged his support for the luxury ground transportation industry and is looking to increase efforts to assist operators who are struggling.
Visit limoland.com for more information.
Editor’s note: HVAC UV light systems should only be installed by professionals. While they have been shown to be effective in killing viruses, improper installation can cause harm to humans. UV wands should only be used on surfaces with the proper safeguards so that eyes and skin are protected.
[05.26.20]
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As coach operators are seeking solutions to keep their traveling passengers safe in the age of this pandemic, Irizar USA, the exclusive U.S. dealer and distributor of Irizar motorcoaches, has debuted several new products that can help with those efforts.
Irizar's passenger shields
Plexiglass barriers have been popping up as the first line of defense in many industries, and has been recommended for use by OSHA in vehicles to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, so Irizar has innovated shields that protect drivers and passengers alike. The clear shields are easily bolted around the driver’s cabin and on the back of each seat to provide an additional level of safety without impacting visibility or impeding conversation between passengers. These partitions fit all Irizar models, are removable, and can be installed by Irizar service professionals or by your own maintenance team.
The fear of breathing “recycled” air in a closed space has long been cited as a concern for passengers who want to travel but worry about exposure to viruses. For a more active method of protection, the eco3 air purifier—developed by Irizar’s sister company Hispacold—attaches to the HVAC system and uses negative ionic technology, which can be effective in reducing viruses, bacteria, unpleasant odors, and allergens consistently throughout the cabin while the system is running, according to Irizar USA President Axier Etxezarreta. He says that 24-volt unit has a negligible impact on energy consumption and is virtually maintenance-free.
Additionally, temperature checks have become another way to protect traveling passengers, and has been considered by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) as a future screening tool at airports. For coach passengers, Irizar now offers a camera system through its sister company Datik that not only checks for elevated temperature, but also ensures that the passenger is in compliance with a facemask. Before boarding, the passenger is thermally scanned by a camera. Datik specializes in IT safety solutions for transportation as part of the Irizar Group.
Irizar's driver shield
“It works like a traffic light,” says Etxezarreta. “If the passenger’s temperature is greater than 99.5 F (37.5 C), the screen turns red. In many countries, wearing a facemask is compulsory. If the passenger is not wearing a facemask, the screen displays yellow. The camera also counts the number of passengers as they board to help companies limit the number and ensure social distancing. The information is shared with the driver and can be linked to company’s head office when the vehicle is connected to the net.”
To complement deep cleaning and disinfection of buses after a tour, Irizar also offers an atomizer that releases a mist throughout the cabin that can also infiltrate those hard-to-reach crevices with your EPA-approved solution of choice. The shields can also be cleaned with EPA-approved solutions (a list can be found here).
“As we learn more about the disease, we will continue to develop our products to help keep passengers safe,” Etxezarreta says.
Datik's camera scans for temperature and facemasks
“The information we have about this virus is very fluid, and we have a technologically savvy team available to develop additional items that may be required for transportation in the future,” says VP of Sales and Marketing Jason Rounsaville.
Irizar, Datik and Hispacold products, all part of the Irizar Group, are sold in more than 95 countries. As this is truly a global pandemic, its research and development teams use data across companies and from leading health organizations all around the world to improve its products and create solutions with COVID-19 in mind. These products will also be available for factory installation on all new I6 models moving forward.
The sales and service teams are available for more information about or installation of any of these products, including on-site installation. Visit irizarusa.com or call 916.802.9802 for more information.
[05.26.20]