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Hundreds of coaches from all across the U.S. descended upon the nation’s capital on May 13 for the Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness rally, an event that was coordinated by the American Bus Association (ABA) and the United Motorcoach Association (UMA).
L to R: ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso, UMA President & CEO Larry Killingsworth, and former UMA President & CEO Victor Parra
In what would have been a typical day of buses ferrying tourists to D.C. to enjoy beautiful spring weather and the numerous historic sites, empty coaches were instead adorned with positive messages about the impact that the industry makes not only to the U.S. economy, but to the tens of thousands of families that rely on coach travel for jobs. The event generated tons of media coverage, from local to national news, and the day was streamed live on Facebook.
“Our ask is simple,” said UMA president & CEO Larry Killingsworth in Bus & Motorcoach News. “The U.S motorcoach industry is requesting Congress put motorcoaches back on the road by making available $10 billion in grants for operational and payroll assistance and $5 billion in long-term 0 percent interest rate loans to the industry, $5 billion in long-term zero percent interest rate loans to the industry, and modifications to the PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] and EIDL [Economic Injury Disaster Loan], providing funding through the end of the calendar year. Our businesses need a lifeline so we can be there when the country needs us next.”
Across the nation, the motorcoach industry is composed of 3,000 companies, operating 36,000 motorcoaches, employing more than 100,000 workers, and transporting nearly 600 million Americans and visitors annually, generating more than $237 billion in transportation, travel, and tourism revenue. The event complemented the associations’ Congressional outreach campaigns.
Numerous companies in the chauffeured transportation space participated, including Chariots For Hire, Reston Limousine, A-1 Limousine, Passaic Valley Coaches (Broadway Elite Worldwide), JED Transportation, Rose Transportation, BEST-VIP Chauffeured Worldwide, Black Tie Transportation, Blue Ridge Transportation, Blue Diamond Transportation, Windy City Limousine & Bus, JET Limousines & Transportation, Infinity Transportation, SC Coach, Custom Coach and Limo, James River Transportation, RMA Worldwide, and DATTCO—to name a few.
“If you had asked me three weeks ago if we could have pulled this off this quickly, gotten 800-plus motorcoaches to come together for four hours in downtown D.C. to make their voices heard, I would have said no. But once the call went out and the small organizing committee put their shoulder to the grindstone, there was no way that it wouldn’t be successful,” said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso in a post-rally letter to members.
Pantuso also noted that vertical industries came out to offer their support, including coach manufacturers, travel providers, hotels, and suppliers.
The event may be over, but the fight wages on as Congress crafts the next package of aid for the country. Both associations encourage members to write, call, tweet, and email their representatives so that the industry is recognized in this newest bill. Information and sample letters can be found at busesmoveamerica.com.
To see pictures and videos from the event, visit the Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness event page.
[05.14.20]
Pictures courtesy of busesmoveamerica.com.
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Bus manufacturer Prevost recently released a detailed checklist to help motorcoach operators prepare for the next phase of business in the new “normal.” Called Clean + Care, the program offers advice on everthing from cleaning and storage to ramping up to again serve customers.
“Prevost is here for you: That’s the message we want to convey to our customers and to the industry as a whole,” says Prevost General Manager Francois Tremblay. “While so much of this crisis is out of our control, Prevost’s goal is to do everything we can to provide some peace of mind. With that guiding us, we have embraced a Clean + Care approach to all that we are doing for operators.”
Clean + Care includes:
- Warranty Extensions: Prevost says it was the first to offer a Warranty Extension program on parts and coaches for qualifying parked coaches and a 24-month parts warranty.
- Free Online Training from Prevost Technical Institute gives an learning management system that is trackable and provable. Use this time to learn new subject matter or brush up on existing skills for drivers and technicians.
- Technical Support: Prevost has set up a way for operators to contact them even when many are working remotely and operators may be unsure who is available. The email prevostcrisissupport@volvo.com is being monitored for any needs or requests.
- Storage and Cleaning: Easy access for downloading processes and procedures from Prevost’s Technical Publications are available on the company’s website and include storage and startup guidelines for parked coaches as well as cleaning procedures and instructions.
- Contact-Free: Operators can drop off and pick up vehicles through its contact-free protocol. Centers with parts warehouses have also instituted a process for contact-free parts pickup for customers’ convenience.
- Back to Business: In order for operators to be ready to get back to business, Prevost developed an offer that includes creating ways your riders feel comfortable about the equipment in which they are being transported. Current and future options include:
- New driver barriers
- Passenger warning and information decals for coach interior
- Air purifier systems
- Improved ventilation with fans in roof hatch options
- Hand sanitizer dispensers and installation suggestions and instructions
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (4L)
- Electrostatic misting systems
- Filtration systems
- Masks are available for operators to provide to riders for additional confidence and protection
- Seat distancing decals
- Passenger partitions (coming soon)
- Headrest covers (coming soon)
Details on these resources and programs can be found on Prevost’s website and customer communications page.
Prevost’s service network continues to be available as all Prevost service centers remain open. The manufacturer also notes that parts are available and being shipped daily, and its PASS line is available 24/7 for assisting with scheduling and warranty work (800.463.7738).
For additional information, follow Prevost on social media for updates, visit prevostcar.com, or utitlize its crisis support email address prevostcrisissupport@volvo.com for any questions.
[05.12.20]
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Doing what associations do best! When its last in-person meeting was thwarted by the no-gatherings order—originally scheduled for March 18, just two days after the mandate was announced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis—the West Florida Limousine Association (WFLA) Board shifted into virtual mode to keep its members informed and safe. After weeks of fellow members checking in on each other via phone and email, Secretary Tom Halsnik of Walsh Chauffeured Transportation floated the idea of a Zoom meeting, which was met with an amazing response. The first meeting on April 29 was a success with nearly 20 members in attendance.
“Immediately following that meeting, I was bombarded with thanks and requests for another,” said Halsnik. “It was a feeling of relief that we were all experiencing the same thing, questions were answered by our insurance and vehicle sales members, information and advice sharing, and just to see folks face to face that we haven't seen in a while.” Halsnik quickly invited members to a second meeting, which was held on May 6 with about a dozen members.
The laid-back meeting, led by President Jeremy Jenkins of His & Hers Limousine, Treasurer David DiDomenico of Showtime Transportation, and Halsnik, was filled with lots of good-natured banter between members and some possible adult beverages (we won’t tell!), but was also heavy on information.
WFLA Secretary Tom Halsnik
Members voiced some frustrations with the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a new loan program specifically designed for COVID-19 relief for small businesses with 500 or fewer employees. PPP, part of Congress stimulus CARES Act, was created to cover the costs and partial rent and utilities for businesses for an eight-week period, although it’s been an imperfect fit for those industries like ours that are shut down indefinitely. Some on the call said that they has been approved, but had yet to be funded, noting that they had better luck with small community banks over the larger financial institutions.
Earlier in the day, Halsnik shared an update from The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, the regulatory body of the Tampa International Airport. As of May 11, “all tenants and employees that work at Tampa International Airport will be required to wear a face covering when working or transiting any public space of the airport,” which includes chauffeurs and drivers. The Authority has launched its #TPAready initiative to ramp up for post-COVID travel, which includes ground markings for social distancing, plastic shields at ticket counters and boarding gates, enhanced cleaning of terminal facilities, and, of course, the use of face masks/coverings. More details can be found here. Additionally, the notice said that operators may temporarily be permitted to park in the short-term garage, although the situation will be monitored and updated as needed.
Vendor members Joseph Madiedo of PIC Insurance and Jim Armstrong of Limo World fielded tons of questions from those on the call, from insurance premiums to what the market looks like for selling vehicles as operators look to cut costs and sell any unneeded inventory. A big part of the conversation centered on the in-demand Plexiglas dividers that many companies are installing to keep customers and chauffeurs safe. Some commented that affiliates were requiring the installation, which Madiedo noted had been used—and applauded—in taxis for years.
WFLA plans on holding another Zoom meeting on May 13 at 5 p.m., as well as its official “lunch” meeting on May 20 at 12:30 p.m. Information on how to join the meeting can be found on WFLA’s Facebook page.
[05.08.20]