OCTOBER 16, 2018
Learn about tech weapons to ramp up your performance
Everyday technology and apps
can make your life fun and easier
What if you could schedule a meeting without having to send three dozen emails to find a time everyone could meet? Or automate your little tasks that keep you from your real work? Or pass off annoying projects to someone else - without breaking the bank? And what if you could pull all of this off straight from your mobile device - without an IT degree?

Join Your Nerdy Best Friend, aka Author Beth Ziesenis at UMA Motorcoach EXPO to discover how to use free and bargain technology tools you never knew existed to work more efficiently with your teams, create professional-level graphics and wow your colleagues. This high-energy session will give you 30+ tools that will leave people asking, "How DO they do that?"

  • Discover low-cost, high-value apps and tech tools that you can start using right away
  • Learn great tech tips and app ideas from your colleagues
  • Get new ideas to increase efficiency, improve relationships and get things done!
Beth Ziesenis:
Author. Speaker. Nerd.

Go to www.motorcoachexpo.com to learn more about EXPO and how you can make sure you are there to hear from Your Nerdy Best Friend and all the other dynamic presenters at the 2019 Motorcoach EXPO in Fort Lauderdale.
UMA board elections underway; ballots in mail
The nominations process for the 2019-2020 UMA Board of Directors is complete and ballots are in the mail to operator members. Members in Region I will be voting for one open seat, Region II voters will choose two candidates to fill open two seats, and Region III voters will choose one candidate to fill one open seat.

See the slate of candidates at Bus and Motorcoach News online and watch your mailbox for an official ballot.

One ballot has been mailed to each primary location and returns must be postmarked by Nov. 15, 2018 to be counted. Results will be announced in early December.
Transit union forms coalition to oppose autonomous buses in Ohio

The Transport Workers Union of America has announced the formation of a statewide coalition to stop autonomous buses from hitting Ohio’s streets.

At a recent demonstration in Columbus, union members held a sign reading, “A Bus Is Nothing Without Us.”

“The bus operator provides a vital public service that the robot doesn’t,” says John Samuelsen, Transport Workers Union president. According to Samuelsen, drivers call 9-1-1 in an emergency, assist elderly riders and people with disabilities, and sometimes even help reunite lost children with their parents.

Driverless buses would also put roughly 17,000 bus operators out of work across the state, he says. If transportation authorities introduce autonomous vehicles or wages start to fall, Samuelsen says the union will organize a strike.
UMA welcomes 21 new members in third quarter

UMA added 21 new member companies to its ranks between July and September. Eleven new operators, 10 new associate members, and one travel partner joined UMA.
OPERATORS

Argyll Transport & Support Services, LLC
Leesburg, VA

BEST-VIP Chauffeured Worldwide
Santa Ana, CA

Big Hat Party Buses LLC
Valley View, TX

Empire CLS
Secaucus, NJ

FUN BUS INC.
Pittsfield, MA

K & V Limousine Service LLC
Capitol Heights, MD

Majestic Coach LLC
Memphis, TN

McCray Busing, Inc.
Cumberland, MD

Mike's Limousine, Inc.
Tallahassee, FL

Propst Bussing & Transportation Company Inc.
Archbald, PA

RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation
Rockville, MD

ASSOCIATES

A&A Brake Service Co, Inc.
Brooklyn, NY

Elreg Distributors Ltd
Burlington, ON

Fusebox Marketing
Carroll, IA

Group Management Services, Inc.           
Richfield, OH

Icomera US Inc.
Rockville, MD

InterClean Equipment, LLC
Ypsilanti, MI

Modine Manufacturing Company
Racine, WI

No-Spill Systems
Pembina, ND

SPAL Automotive
Ankeny, IA

Transit Cooling Solutions
Laredo, TX

TRAVEL PARTNERS

Paintsville Tourism
Staffordshire, KY
GNJMA announces scholarship program
Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association members have a valuable new benefit! Last week at their A nnual Member Meeting in Atlantic City, the group's president, Tim Stout, announced the creation of an annual scholarship program. The program was developed to promote higher education goals of GNJMA members and their families, whether toward a college degree or a trade certification.

There will be two annual scholarships awarded. The amount of the scholarships initially will be $1,500 each. One will be awarded for GNJMA Operator Members and one award will be for GNJMA Allied Members. Those eligible to apply for scholarships are full-time employees or the dependent children of full-time employees of Operator Member companies. Also eligible are the employees of Allied Members companies or the dependent children of employees of the Allied Member companies.

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.
Five ELD problems and how to fix them
Bus & Motorcoach News | by Sandra Martinez | October 16, 2018

Installing Electronic Logging Devices required by new federal rules has created some headaches for operators. A recent UMA survey, completed by 53 respondents, indicated 85 percent had compatibility issues with their coaches.

Complaints have ranged from screen failure to engine malfunctions, and 40 percent of those surveyed said they wouldn’t purchase the same product. UMA addressed this hot topic at its first round of regional town halls by bringing in experts to answer operators’ questions. The call featured a panel of representatives from bus manufacturers ABC/Van Hool, Prevost and Motor Coach Industries; and ELD device makers Saucon and UBT. Device makers and manufacturers offered advice on steps to take to either prevent or resolve issues, some of which is summarized here.


Proposed sleep apnea rule suspended
sleep apnea using CPAP machine SLEEP APNEA Diagnosis Sleep apnea SLEEP APNEA
Bus & Motorcoach News | by Rick Stoff | October 16, 2018

WASHINGTON—Federal regulators have withdrawn a proposed rule to study increased regulation of obstructive sleep apnea in commercial vehicle operators after determining the issue was adequately covered under existing medical examinations.

FMCSA is considering an update, though, to its Jan. 2015 “Bulletin to Medical Examiners and Training Organizations Regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” according to the Aug. 8 notice, as a way to ensure that drivers with a propensity toward drowsiness are adequately checked.

“The purpose of any action updating the bulletin is to ensure that medical examiners fully understand their role in screening drivers for OSA, identifying drivers at the greatest risk of having OSA, and refer only those individuals to a sleep specialist for testing. The Agency reminds medical examiners that there are no FMCSA rules or other regulatory guidance beyond what is referenced in this paragraph above with guidelines for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of OSA in CMV drivers.

2019 Motorcoach EXPO
The future of the motorcoach industry!
INNOVATE - EDUCATE - CELEBRATE
Uber IPO could top $120 billion
Could be worth more than GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler combined
Inc . | by Guadalupe Gonzalez | October 16, 2018

Wall Street is betting  Uber  could be worth as much as $120 billion if it goes public in 2019--proving new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has been successful in  cleaning up the company's reputation.

The ride-hailing giant recently received proposals from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley valuing the company at nearly double its most recent valuation only two months ago, the  Wall Street Journal reports .
MEMBER RESOURCES

UMA Motorcoach Travel PAC is
working for operators like you

With the election season upon us, it's important to remember that the outcomes of national elections have consequences for our businesses. The UMA Motorcoach Travel PAC (UMA PAC) is a political action committee (PAC) that uses member contributions to help elect individuals to Congress who support the goals of the United Motorcoach Association.
​
The UMA PAC is a valuable resource that gives UMA's representatives the opportunity to see key Washington lawmakers at their campaign events and discuss UMA positions on important issues. In recent years, UMA has made great progress in reaching out to members of Congress and their staffs, educating them on the needs and challenges of professional bus and motorcoach companies like yours and securing their support.

Northwest Motorcoach Association briefed on new TSA program
William Cooper, Lead Transportation Security Inspector (AL, MT, WA), US Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration introduces the First Observer PLUS to participants attending the 2018 Northwest Motorcoach Association Roadeo and Conference in Spokane, WA today.

The First Observer Plus™ Program provides transportation professionals with the knowledge needed to recognize suspicious activity possibly related to terrorism, guidance in assessing what they see, and a method for reporting those observations. Learn more at the TSA website .
Motorcoach Industry Calendar

OCTOBER 2018
  • 20-23 California Bus Association 45th Annual Convention
  • 21-23 Bus Association of New York, 2018 Annual Meeting and Marketplace, The Otesaga Resort Hotel, Cooperstown, NY http://www.banybus.org/marketplace/
  • 28-30 Asian American Motorcoach Association Meeting, Resorts Casino, Atlantic City, NJ www.asianamericanma.org

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
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
  • 14-18 NAMO Annual Conference & Marketplace - Springfield, MO  http://www.namo-coaches.org/
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!