August 28, 2018
UMA launches regional online discussions starting with ELDs
UMA will host three online Regional Meetings for operators during the month of September. Operators in Regions I, II, and III will be receiving invitations by mail and email to participate in an hour-long online discussion with others in their region, regarding their individual experiences with ELDs. The goal is to come together to share information and best practices and to hear what others are thinking about and doing with this important technology. The meetings will be conducted on the Zoom video conferencing platform which allows users to attend the meeting from their computer, tablet or phone.

TSA warns transportation stakeholders to be alert to threats


The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has asked UMA to share a Security Awareness Message for the upcoming Labor Day holiday period, August 31 to September 4, when large numbers of travelers will be taking to the roads, rails, and skies. Additionally, soon after Labor Day will be the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. TSA says homegrown violent extremists may seek to take advantage of this peak travel period to launch attacks

TSA encourages surface transportation operators to remind employees to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activities in accordance with company procedures. Persons whose behavior does not fit their circumstances or surroundings should be brought to the attention of law enforcement—“If You See Something, Say Something.™”  

Dept. of Labor to hold listening sessions on overtime rules

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has announced they will hold public listening sessions in the upcoming weeks to gather views on the Part 541 or so-called white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the “Overtime Rule.”

Issued under the Fair Labor Standards Act, these regulations implement exemptions from the overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, professional, and certain other employees generally involved in management. The Department plans to update the “Overtime Rule” and is interested in hearing the views and ideas of participants on possible revisions to the regulations.

“Public listening sessions are an indispensable opportunity to not only voice your opinion, but to also learn what others are thinking,” said UMA’s Ken Presley. “The outcome of this important rule will affect bus and motorcoach companies for may rears to come.”

Listening sessions will be held in the following cities:
ATLANTA
September 7, 2018
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Intercontinental Buckhead Atlanta
3315 Peachtree Rd NE- Trippe Room
Atlanta, GA

SEATTLE
September 11, 2018
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Jackson Federal Building
912 2nd Ave., Ste. 566
Seattle, WA

KANSAS CITY
September 13, 2018
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Holiday Inn Country Club Plaza
One E 45th St, -Ballroom A/B
Kansas City, MO
DENVER
September 14, 2018
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Remington Arms Room
DFC- Building 41
Denver, CO

PROVIDENCE
September 24, 2018
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Rhode Island Convention Center
1 Sabin Street- Room 551A/B
Providence, RI
There is no fee to attend the listening sessions; however, registration is required. Register online for a session. Get more information on the Overtime Rule at the DOL website .
Register for the 2018 UMA Safety Management Seminar
Who: Risk Management and Safety Management Professionals
When: December 5-6
Where: NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA
Member Fee: $295
Non-Member Fee: $465

Registration is open for the 2018 UMA Safety Management Seminar and potential attendees are urged to sign up early as this event has limited space and sells out early each year. This event is for anyone who manages safety and compliance for motorcoach fleet operations. Sessions will focus on the industry's most pressing needs and provide take-away information that attendees can put into practice ASAP. The seminar also includes updates and forecasts from all major regulatory agency staff.

Bus & Motorcoach News is mailed twice monthly to all UMA members. In addition, it's available online 24/7 at www.busandmotorcoachnews.com and by email, on a schedule you choose! Invite everyone on your staff to stay informed about the industry by signing up for email updates from  Bus & Motorcoach News .  Sign up here. You can choose daily or weekly updates! Below is a sampling of what's in our latest digital and print editions.
Q&A with FMCSA spokesperson Duane DeBruyne
Bus & Motorcoach News | August 22, 2018 |

Bus & Motorcoach News recently conducted a brief question and answer interview with the spokesperson for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Duane DeBruyne. He covered a half dozen topic of interest to operators. Topics on the agenda included:
  • Lease/Interchange rule revisions
  • DOT's Blueprint for Safety recommendations
  • NAS recommendations in the CSA program
  • Crash reduction plans
MANAGEMENT
Assessment: How productive are you?

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your obligations at work and home? You are in good company. A majority of U.S. employees complain that they feel overwhelmed, according to  surveys .

To help professionals assess how well they are doing on each aspect of productivity, the author created a tool called the Pozen Productivity Rating, in conjunction with Trefis, a data analytics company. This tool consists of 21 questions, divided into seven categories. The first and second categories probe your habits on establishing daily routines and planning your schedule. The third and fourth ask about your ability to overcome the key personal constraints — like email and procrastination — that keep you from getting things done. The final three categories assess your skills at forging productive relationships within your organization, through effective meetings, communications, and delegation.  

CVSA offers OOSC app with much used info
Greenbelt, MD - The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announced today that the 2018 North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC) Handbook and Pictorial is now available for purchase as a downloadable app for your smart device.

CVSA is comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal commercial motor vehicle safety officials and industry representatives. The group establishes inspection criteria and out-of-service criteria to achieve uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial motor vehicle inspections and enforcement by certified inspectors.

The app provides access via smart phones or tablets to all the same information currently in the 233-page print version of the handbook, along with other helpful and important resources for the motor carrier industry, such as inspection bulletins, pictorials, inspection procedures, inspection and educational videos, brochures and webinars.

“The handbook has always been a must-have tool for compliance,” said Ken Presley. “Having the handbook on your smart phone now makes it indispensable.”

To download the 2018 North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, search for "CVSA" or "OOSC" in the Apple or Android store. The app is available for $49.99 USD.
PEOPLE #IamUMA
Bailey Coach recognizes driver performance
John W. Bailey President of Bailey Coach announced the motorcoach drivers of the year awards at their driver safety meeting held on Tuesday August 21, 2018. Bailey Coach recognizes their drivers in Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. The awards are based on safe driving practices including many factors provided by their insurance company that monitors each trip the driver drives during the past 12 months via their onboard camera system. Each driver received an award certificate along with gift cards for their accomplishments. 
 
The winners are:
 
  • Gold: Hal Brook 
  • Silver: Tammie Moore 
  • Bronze: Tom Shellenberger
2019 Motorcoach EXPO:
The future of the motorcoach industry!
INNOVATE - EDUCATE - CELEBRATE
Motorcoach Industry Calendar


SEPTEMBER 2018

OCTOBER 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

DECEMBER 2018
  • 5-6 UMA Safety Management Seminar, NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA, Hotel TBA - save the date! www.uma.org/safety

JANUARY 2019
  • 4-6 IMG Maintenance and Safety Forum, Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • 6-10 UMA Motorcoach EXPO, Fort Lauderdale, FL #UMAEXPO19 www.motorcoachexpo.com

FEBRUARY 2019

MARCH 2019
  • 11 GNJMA Sponsor Appreciation Dinner, Emeril's Chophouse, Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, PA http://www.gnjma.com/
  • 12 GNJMA Spring Association Member Meeting & Motorcoach Professional Awards Luncheon, Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, PA http://www.gnjma.com/

AUGUST 2019
  • 6-9 IMG Strategic Alliance Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
YOU ARE UMA
Remember, as a UMA member you have the power of discounts on the best products and services, access to relevant education, targeted professional resources, and colleagues all over the map. Remember to consult your member directory when you need help on the road, access to more vehicles to meet demand, or services out of your area. We are UMA! Want to find other members to do business with? Use the online directory.

Reach the UMA staff by calling (703) 838-2929 or by email at info@uma.org. We love to hear from our members!