Your GNJMA Member News for February

Your Member Monthly News & Updates

Member Headlines

Camille JeBran of Trans-Bridge Lines Celebrates 100th Birthday and is Honored With 2018 American Bus Association (ABA) Women in Buses Award!

Join us in wishing Camille JeBran of Trans-Bridge Lines a very Happy 100th Birthday!

The ABA helped Camille celebrate this milestone in late January by awarding her with their 2018 Women in Buses award....and a cake shared during the awards luncheon, while the entire audience sang happy birthday.

Each year, the ABA recognizes a woman in the motorcoach industry who has worked collaboratively on issues and concerns of women business leaders, and who has directly impacted the advancement and promotion of women.

Congratulations to Camille on receiving this award and thank you for a lifetime of contributions you have provided our industry!

Members Transport Fans to the Eagle's Celebration Parade

Eagle fans finally had the opportunity to celebrate a Super Bowl championship!

Many GNJMA Members helped to deliver ecstatic fans to the celebration parade last Thursday. A few to mention are: David Th omas Tours, Klein Transportation, Starr Tours, Stout's Transportation, Trans-Bridge Lines and Werner Coach.

Two Members we would like to highlight are Klein Transportation and Starr Tours. Klein chartered seven buses transporting nearly 400 people. Starr Tours transported approximately 2,000 fans on 35 buses to the City of Brotherly Love for the celebration.

Wayne Klein served many years on the GNJMA Board, and John Coakley, VP of Operations at Klein, currently serves on the Board. John Gillispie, Starr's President and COO, serves on the Board as well, and holds the position of Association Treasurer.

The parade started at the Eagles' home field - Lincoln Financial Field - traveled up Broad Street, made its way past City Hall, then headed down Benjamin Franklin Parkway and ended on the steps of the art museum, the steps made famous by the movie "Rocky." Congratulations to the World Champions: the Philadelphia Eagles! #flyeaglesfly!

Golden Nugget Now Accepting Friday Day Trips

Beginning in January, the Golden Nugget Atlantic City is now accepting day trip buses to their marina property on Fridays. For years, the Nugget eschewed buses on weekends due to their boutique size and overflowing valet garage. Passenger incentive and group leader buses will remain the same Sunday through Thursday, throughout the year.

Call (609) 441-8359 for more information.

Do You Have News?

If you have news you'd like to share about your company or one of your employees, please email us a note. We'd love to share your news with the rest of the Association!

Industry Information

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Seek Comments Regarding Automated Transit Buses

The FTA will begin a research program on automated transit systems already in use for transit operations. (83 Fed. Reg. 2321) The FTA is seeking the comments from parties involved in the development, demonstration, deployment, and evaluation of currently available, or near-market ready automated buses, systems and components that support bus automation, and ancillary systems that support non-driving bus operator functions including advanced driving assistance systems. Comments are due March 2 and may be submitted here.

The NHTSA is seeking public comments to identify any regulatory barriers in the existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to the testing, compliance certification and compliance verification of motor vehicles with Automated Driving Systems and certain unconventional interior designs. Please find more information here. Comments are due March 5 and may be submitted here.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy Announces Nomination for Executive Director of NJ Transit

Governor Phil Murphy announced the nomination of Kevin S. Corbett to serve as the Executive Director of NJ Transit. Governor Murphy recently signed an executive order mandating an audit of NJ Transit to identify inefficiencies and areas the agency can improve. Corbett will help implement these recommendations and rework the agency from the inside out. Corbett is currently the Vice President of Cross Services at AECOM. Prior to AECOM, Corbett served as CEO and Executive VP of Empire State Development Corporation as well as the Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development. He also currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Regional Plan Association as co-chair of its Transportation Committee. Read the full article here.

New York State Governor Proposes Fee for Inspections and Re-inspections for Motor Vehicles Transporting Passengers

Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled his New York State budget proposal in late December. If passed, the bill would create a new section in Transportation Law to allow the Department of Transportation (DOT) to collect a $120 fee for its semi-annual inspection on for-profit tour and charter bus fleets, ambulettes, and other large passenger vans and limousines. Currently, the DOT provides inspections at no cost for these vehicles.

We urge you to get involved in defeating this proposal by sending a letter to New York State legislators. Click here for a list of legislators.

Upcoming Events

Come support your peers, learn, network and have some fun! Our Association meetings are FREE to all Members.

11:00AM Mini-Marketplace Starts

12:00PM Meeting Starts

Click here for the Agenda and More Information!

We hope to see you there!

Guest Speaker

Mark Everest

Thank you to Our Host...

Register for March 13th Meeting

Capitol Hill Days Announced for Spring

B oth UMA and ABA have announced the dates for their 2018 Capitol Hill Days. These days are a great opportunity to meet with your elected Congressional delegates, officials an d regulators as well as network with others in the industry.

Owners and senior management from bus and motorcoach companies from around t he nation will gather to discuss the industry's most pressing legislative issues, particularly President Trump's upcoming Infrastructure Bill. These days are important to the future of your business and the industry as a whole. Get involved with the political process and make your voice heard. You can and will make a difference!

UMA Capitol Hill Days Fly Inn - April 10-11, 2018

Contact: Ken Presley, (703) 838-2929, [email protected].

ABA Capitol Hill Day - May 2, 2018

Contact: Suzanne Rohde, [email protected].

More information can be found on the ABA website.

Museum of Bus Transportation 2018 Spring Fling

The Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey is holding its 2018 Spring Fling June 2nd. The event will run from 8:00AM to 4:00PM. The museum is located at the Antique Automobile Museum Campus. Admission is free to museum members; there will be a $7.00 fee for non-members.

Please join the event and support our Platinum Sponsor Prevost's representative David Schmidt, who is also the museum's Board of Director's Chairman.

For more information, please visit their website. Please contact Becky Tollens at (585) 737-4046 or by email at [email protected] with any questions.

Further, the Museum is seeking donations to support acquisiti on of the last GMC Coach ever produced to be preserved at the Museum. If you are interested in donating, p lease contact David Schmidt at [email protected] for details.