All are invited to attend this free industry event powered by UMA
February 19, 2019
New UMA member directory being compiled
Log in and update your member record, ASAP
It's time to update your member record! Look out for emails from info@uma.org with complete details.

The primary contact for your company can view and update everything from your company's contacts to details about the makeup of your fleet. This is important as UMA prepares to print our 2019-2020 member directory.

For information on how to update your record, there's a quick video to walk you through the process. Questions? Contact Jocelyn Delacruz at jdelacruz@uma.org.
Partner groups work to create shared legislative agenda
The Bus & Motorcoach Industry Legislative Fly-In, April 2-3, is bringing together UMA and 20 like-minded organizations to advocate for a shared agenda. Partner organizations are submitting items for consideration in the April agenda and the priorities will be announced in early March. Register to be part of this important industry event. There is no cost to attend beyond your hotel (great UMA rate of $209) and your personal transportation to DC. Please join us.
In partnership with Alabama Motorcoach Association * Asian American Motorcoach Association *
Bus Association of New York * California Bus Association * Georgia Motorcoach Operators Association *
Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association * Hawaii Transportation Association * International Motorcoach Group *
Maryland Motorcoach Association * Midwest Bus & Motorcoach Association * Minnesota Charter Bus Operators Association * Motorcoach Association of South Carolina * National Association of Motorcoach Operators * New England Bus Association * North Carolina Motorcoach Association * Northwest Motorcoach Association * Pennsylvania Bus Association *
South Central Motorcoach Association * Trailways Charter Bus Network * Virginia Motorcoach Association
Report shows strategies to add women to transportation
Enumerates strategies to recruit and retain women in transportation careers

A 40-page report released by San Jose University's Mineta Transportation Institute last week examines ways to recruit and retain more women in transportation, offering 11 recommendations to help improve both female- and minority-focused hiring practices.

The group’s report – entitled  Attracting and Retaining Women in the Transportation Industry  and authored by MTI Research Associates Jodi Godfrey and Dr. Robert Bertini – found that while the proportion of women aged 16 and older in the U.S. workforce has grown steadily from 29.6 percent in 1950 to 47.5 percent in 2017, women accounted for less than 15 percent of the transportation industry’s workforce in 2017.
Amazon patents system to use bus routes for deliveries
Home delivery service and working service mind_ Woman customer hand receiving a cardboard boxes parcel from service courier and deliveryman scan barcode to confirm delivery.
The San Jose Mercury News reported recently that ecommerce behemoth Amazon has patented a system that would rely on public transportation as part of its delivery network, using buses as mobile delivery stations. The consumer would choose a convenient bus stop for delivery and retrieve packages from a delivery module attached to the vehicle. The patent indicates the service would meet the needs of consumers who "may not live or work near pickup locations, or otherwise not want to take the time to travel to one."

OBITUARY
UMA mourns loss of John M. Tobin, Sr. of Yankee Trails
Long-time UMA member John M. Tobin Jr., 84, died Saturday, February 2, 2019.

Born in Albany, he was the son of the late John M. Tobin and Anna M. Tobin. John and his family started Yankee Trails in 1957 with two buses. Sixty years later, he grew the motorcoach business to one of the largest operations in the Northeast.

John is survived by his loving wife Mary F. (Franklin) Tobin; his devoted children Elizabeth (Kenneth) Harmer, Theresa (Joel) Keens, Michael (Laura) Tobin, Kathleen (Jeffrey) Adams, John (Jamie) Tobin, III, Stephen (Angela) Tobin and Erin (Steven) Duckett; his cherished grandchildren Matthew and Mary Harmer, Andrew and Benjamin Keens, Emma and Brian Tobin, Kayla, Christopher and Alex Adams and Lucas, Zachary, Mark and Eric Tobin; his siblings Anne Tobin Ashe, Edwin J. Tobin and James D. Tobin. He is also survived by several nieces and nephew.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Bus Stop Inc., please send payment to 10 Siena Lane, Rensselaer, NY 12144 www.busstopclub.com, or St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph Church.
UMA music licensing rate gives members a big discount
Discounts for ASCAP and BMI music licensing are a big reason this program is so successful. Per bus, operators in the UMA program pay $28.50 for BMI, while others pay $89.58 to get the same licensing agreement. That's a savings of more than $60 per bus! The savings rate for ASCAP is $56.84 per bus. Do not miss out on this great rate for important protection.

Forms are available now and must be returned with a check for payment by March 31, 2019 if you want to participate. UMA passes the discount directly to your company, so we can only accept payment by check.

The rates for 2019 are:

  • ASCAP: $28.66 per bus -- SAVE more than $55 per bus!
  • BMI: $28.50 per bus -- SAVE more than 60 per bus!

Questions? Contact Jocelyn Delacruz of the UMA staff at jdelacruz@uma.org
RESOURCES
FMCSA ELD Home Page provides vital info for operators
If you follow industry news, you know that Electronic Logging Devices continue to be a hot topic, even as we are approaching the one-year anniversary for enforcement. As operators and drivers adjust to the new requirements and learn more about the limits and opportunities of this technology, it's important to remember there are valuable resources available online at the DOT's ELD Home Page. In addition to information about providers and exemptions, there's a link to Web eRODS (Electronic Record of Duty Status), which allows operators to see how Hours of Service Data is presented to safety officials through the eRODS system.

MEMBER RESOURCES

Simplify vehicle inspections with WhipAround & get a member discount

Whip Around is a mobile app that handles daily vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) on smartphones through a mobile app. The company is based in Auckland, New Zealand, but the product’s acceptance in the U.S. has resulted in a North American headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., for sales, marketing and customer service staff. UMA members get a ten percent discount on this fast-growing, time saving technology. Find out more!


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.
So, what's all this hullabaloo about a Fly-In?
Bus and Motorcoach News | by Ken Presley | February 14, 2019

Dozens of representatives from the bus industry will descend on the Nation’s capital April 2 and 3 to participate in the 2019 Bus & Motorcoach Industry Legislative Fly-In . If you are considering participating this April but still wondering what all the hullabaloo is about, this article is for you.
 
Your mission

The purpose of your participation is to meet with your Federal legislators and inform them of the role you play in transportation in their district and state, national concerns and issues along with seeking their support. It is also likely you may be supporting other operators from your state when they visit with their Federal legislators. For most, it’s exciting to be part of the process.

Register now to attend this free all-industry event. Your only cost is hotel and getting to DC. After that, we've got you covered! We have secured a great rate for a new and conveniently located hotel to keep the event affordable, and your dinner and breakfast is provided. We make it easy so you can come and get the most out of your 30 hours in the nation's capital!
FMCSA Safety Planner: An interactive tool
Bus & Motorcoach News | by Shandra Martinez | February 15, 2019

For years, charter and tour operators have relied on “A Motor Carrier’s Guide to Improving Highway Safety” to understand Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and how to comply.
It’s been one way the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has provided education and technical assistance (ETA) to the industry.

FMCSA recently updated and renamed this important guide, making it easier to search and customize the content by presenting it as an interactive website called “ The Motor Carrier Safety Planner .”

Connect with UMA on social media and online
Have you connected with UMA on social media?  On our Facebook page you'll find videos and photos from all the fun at EXPO and updates on what's coming up for members. And if you follow us on Twitter you'll stay on top of what other operators and industry partners are doing and what UMA is up to as well. Join the conversation. Let's stay connected!

Click on the links below and stay in touch.
Motorcoach Industry Calendar

MARCH 2019
  • 11-12 GNJMA Sponsor Appreciation Dinner, Spring Association Meeting & Motorcoach Professional Awards, Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem http://www.gnjma.com/
  • 19 California Bus Association Sacramento General Membership Meeting, Masonic Temple, 1123 J Street – Club Room, Sacramento, CA Register
  • 26 PBA Board Meeting – Wyndham York, York, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 26 PBA Investing in the Motorcoach Industry: Increasing your ROI seminar, Wyndham York, York, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 26 PBA Drivers & Employees of Distinction Awards Program – Wyndham York, York, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 27 PBA Marketplace Group Leader Show, Wyndham York, York, PA
  • 27-28 Maryland Motorcoach Association Marketplace/Travel Showcase Dover Downs Casino, Dover, DE

APRIL 2019
  • 2 – 3 Bus & Motorcoach Industry Legislative Fly-In powered by UMA www.uma.org/capitol-hill
  • 7 – 9 Northwest Motorcoach Association Annual Mechanics & Tech & Tour Conference, Comfort Inn & Suites Boise Airport Boise, ID

JUNE 2019
  • 18-21 PBA Annual Meeting, Resorts Casino, Atlantic City, NJ (Hosted by Atlantic City/MeetAC)
  • 20-23 New England Bus Association Annual Conference, Nonantum Resort Kenneybunkport, ME
  • 21 PBA Board Meeting, Atlantic City http://pabus.org/

AUGUST 2019
  • 6-9 IMG Strategic Alliance Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 12-14 Midwest Bus & Motorcoach Association (MBMCA) Annual Convention and Trade Show (and Roadeo Competition), Isle Casino Hotel, Bettendorf, IA www.mbmca.org
  • 14 PBA Safety & Preparedness Workshop, York Springs, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 15-18 NAMO Annual Conference & Marketplace – Springfield, MO Oasis Hotel and Convention Center  http://www.namo-coaches.org/

SEPTEMBER 2019
  • 11, Maryland Motorcoach Association Annual Crab Feast, Kentmorr Restaurant and Crab House. Stevensville, MD

OCTOBER 2019
  • 9-10 GNJMA Fall Annual Meeting & Related Events including Group Leader Marketplace, Resorts Atlantic City http://www.gnjma.com/
  • 13 -15 California Bus Association’s 46th Annual Convention and Trade Show, Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa www.cbabus.com
  • 20-22 Bus Association of New York (BANY) Annual Meeting and Marketplace, Sands Bethlehem, Bethlehem, PA – bany@banybus.org
  • October 21-23, 201920th Annual North West Motorcoach Association ROADEO Location TBD

JANUARY 2020
OCTOBER 2020
  • 25- 27 California Bus Association’s 47th Annual Convention and Trade Show, Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, CA (Palm Springs) www.cbabus.com
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!