All are invited to attend this free industry event powered by UMA
February 5, 2019
Industry partners throw support behind legislative fly-in
Nine regional and national bus and motorcoach associations have partnered with UMA to back an all-industry day of legislative advocacy in the nation's capital this coming April 2-3.

"The groundswell of support for the Bus & Motorcoach Industry Legislative Fly-In shows this event is critical for our industry and well-timed. With close to a dozen organizations on board already, we expect to have a very powerful voice when we take to Capitol Hill on April 3. I strongly encourage every operator to join us."

The fly-in is powered by UMA in partnership with:
  • Alabama Motorcoach Association
  • Georgia Motorcoach Operators Association
  • Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association
  • International Motorcoach Group
  • Motorcoach Association of South Carolina
  • North Carolina Motorcoach Association
  • South Central Motorcoach Association
  • International Motorcoach Group (IMG)
  • Trailways Charter Bus Networks
  • Virginia Motorcoach Association

All national and regional industry associations have been invited to be partners for this important event at no cost. If you are in any groups that have not signed on, please encourage them to join us. They can sign up with pmarshall@uma.org.

There is no cost to attend beyond your personal transportation and lodging.
Last year's fly-in was big and 2019 will be even bigger!
Homicide detective seeks industry's help with 1991 cold case
Magnify Glass Blue Grunge
The following request came in via Bus & Motorcoach News columnist Dave Milhouser. Can you help provide any older bus route information?

"I am a detective in the Indiana County Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Office. My office is in need of information for a Cold Case Homicide which occurred in Indiana County in December 1991. We arrested a person for the crime and the case is scheduled for trial in March, 2019. 
 
What we are seeking are any historical records from December 1991 relating to bus routes (from Wilkes Barre, PA westbound through Indiana, PA and from Pittsburgh, PA westbound to Billings, MT) along with fare schedules, time of departure, length of trips, etc. I am also interested in learning procedures from 1991 for getting off and back on a bus that you had a ticket for."

Contact Detective Shields with any information you can provide.
 
Detective Brad Shields
Indiana County District Attorney’s Office
825 Philadelphia Street, 3 rd  Floor
Indiana, PA 15701
Direct Phone 724-465-3841
Office 724-465-3835
Fax 724-465-3842
Time to renew music licensing through ASCAP, BMI
It's time to renew your special UMA rate for music licensing with ASCAP and BMI for the calendar year 2019. 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 new rates for 2019 are:

  • ASCAP: $28.66 per bus
  • BMI: $28.50 per bus

This special UMA rate is up to 70% off what you would pay by going directly through ASCAP or BMI and when you multiply the rate per bus, it's a significant savings! The license covers the performance of the music in the ASCAP and/or BMI repertories on all “Licensed Buses” – that is all United States registered motorcoaches you own or operate that are equipped for the performance of music. The license covers audio-visual uses (CD’s, tapes, radio, TV, video*, etc.).

Questions? Contact Jocelyn Delacruz of the UMA staff at jdelacruz@uma.org

The ASCAP & BMI licenses only apply to the music portion of the video presentation. Video (movie, etc.) require separate licensing, such as that provided by Motorcoach Movies. UMA Members also receive a discount on movie licensing through Motorcoach Movies. For more information, please contact Terri Colyer of Motorcoach Movies at 888.416.2572 or visit www.motorcoachmovies.com.
TRENDS
Premium bus lines challenging airlines
Forbes.com | by Jeff McMahon | February 4, 2019

The amenities that have vanished from airlines in recent years—swift departures, comfortable seats, fine dining—are appearing on premium bus lines sprouting across the U.S., some staffed by attendants and equipped with leather chairs, wide video screens and tables for work or dining.

The bus lines are competing with airlines in important corridors like D.C. to New York and Los Angeles to San Francisco. The largest carrier, Vonlane in Texas, refers to its service as "a private jet on wheels." Premium buses may also draw riders from Amtrak, but airlines stand to lose the most, according to Joseph Schwieterman, director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University.

Five reasons autonomous vehicles aren't coming soon
An optimistic assessment is 10 years. Many others say decades.
The Press Herald | by Tom Krisher | February 4, 2019

PITTSBURGH — In the world of autonomous vehicles, Pittsburgh and Silicon Valley are bustling hubs of development and testing. But ask those involved in self-driving vehicles when we might actually see them carrying passengers in every city, and you’ll get an almost universal answer: Not anytime soon.

An optimistic assessment is 10 years. Many others say decades as researchers try to conquer a number of obstacles. The vehicles themselves will debut in limited, well-mapped areas within cities and spread outward.

The fatal crash in Arizona involving an Uber autonomous vehicle in March slowed progress, largely because it hurt the public’s perception of the safety of vehicles. Companies slowed research to be more careful.
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.
Longtime trucker-turned-bus driver wins UMA driving competition: Norman Ewen
Bus & Motorcoach News | January 24, 2019

Norman Ewen took home serious bragging rights from the 2019 United Motorcoach Association EXPO. He won the third annual International Driver Competition for motorcoach drivers—on his first try.

But the longtime driver was so shocked to hear his name called at the Awards Dinner he could barely stand up.

“I was still sitting there and just looking at everyone else, and they looked at me. They said, ‘Are you going to go up?’” Ewen recalled.

He did make it up to the stage to collect his award. Ewen, of Escot Bus Lines in Largo, FL, was joined by first runner-up Anthony Griffith, with AW Griffith Transportation Consultation in Springfield Gardens, New York, and second runner-up Rick “RJ” Johnson with MTR Western in Seattle.

This maintenance champion keeps the buses running: Darren Haines
Bus & Motorcoach News | by Rick Stoff | January 30, 2019

Darren Haines earned the title of 2019 Maintenance Challenge Grand Champion at Motorcoach EXPO but still thinks he gained experience by watching his competitors at work.

“These guys are tough,” he said. “After I finished the challenge I could watch the following competitors and see how they were looking at the bus for defects. Some of those folks have 300 motorcoaches. They knew exactly where to look.”

This year’s other finalists also were previous champions: Greg Lammers of Cavalier Coaches in Owatonna, Minnesota; and Dave Meyerhofer of Kobussen Buses in Kaukauna, Minnesota.
Haines oversees 190 MCI coaches at the shop of JAG Motorcoach in Gladwin, Michigan. He has been a bus mechanic for 28 years and was competing in his fifth Maintenance Challenge. His previous best finish was first runner-up.

MEMBER BENEFITS

Show your professionalism with a UMA member badge on your website

UMA Members are given the opportunity to use the UMA logo on any of their promotional materials. Two formats of the logo are available - high resolution for use with printed material and low resolution for use on your website with web-based products. The logo can be added to your stationery, business cards, and promotional material to proudly display your membership with the United Motorcoach Association.   Get details on the UMA website in the members-only section.

And did you know that UMA members on Busrates.com get special treatment for their profile to make it stand out, and can use the UMA logo on their listing to show their professionalism? It's another way UMA membership helps your business stay on top.

Please contact us at 1.800.424.8262 should you experience any difficulties in downloading the image files. A UMA staff member will be happy to assist you. Similarly, email Julie Ryder at   jryder@uma.org  and you can receive the artwork via email.

Motorcoach Industry Calendar

FEBRUARY 2019

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
  • 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
  • 19-23 UMA Motorcoach EXPO, Nashville, TN REGISTER at pre-registration rate of $295

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!