All are invited to attend this free industry event powered by UMA
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
February 12, 2019
20 partner organizations sign on for UMA-powered event
The Bus & Motorcoach Industry Legislative Fly-In, April 2-3, will bring together operators from UMA and 20 national, state and regional associations who will rally behind a shared agenda. Expected to be the largest industry advocacy event to date, the event is free and provides a professional briefing and customized appointment schedule for each participant.
Data on trucks show US traffic pain points
NYC supplants Atlanta on list of worst bottlenecks in nation
It's not just your imagination. The roads of Fort Lee, NJ, leading into Manhattan represent the worst traffic bottleneck in the nation, moving to the top spot in the American Transportation Research Institute's annual list of traffic hotspots.

The 2019 Top Truck Bottleneck List assesses the level of truck-oriented congestion at 300 locations on the national highway system. For the first time since 2014, the intersection of I-95 and SR 4 in Fort Lee, New Jersey is back on top as the Number One freight bottleneck in the country. 

The analysis, based on truck GPS data from nearly 1 million heavy duty trucks uses several customized software applications and analysis methods, along with terabytes of data from trucking operations to produce a congestion impact ranking for each location. ATRI’s truck GPS data is used to support the USDOT’s freight mobility initiatives. The locations detailed in this latest ATRI list represent the top 100 congested locations.

Click the image to enlarge
The full Top 10 includes:
  1. Fort Lee, NJ/NYC I-95 and SR4
  2. Atlanta: I-285 at I-85 (North)
  3. Atlanta: I-75 at I-285 (North)
  4. Los Angeles: SR 60 at SR 57
  5. Houston: I-45 at I-69/US 59
  6. Cincinnati: I-71 at I-75
  7. Chicago: I-290 at I-90/I-94
  8. Nashville: I-24/I-40 at I-440 (East)
  9. Atlanta: I-20 at I-285 (West)
  10. Los Angeles: I-710 at I-105
NTSB calls for 46 safety recommendations to be implemented
Washington , DC – The National Transportation Safety Board announced its  2019 - 2020 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements , during an event held at the National Press Club, last week. Their full priorities number nearly 50, but the most wanted list is NTSB's ten most sought-after improvements.

First issued in 1990, the NTSB Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements serves as the agency’s primary advocacy tool to help save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce property damage resulting from transportation accidents.

 
Renew music licensing through ASCAP, BMI by Mar. 31
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

Questions? Contact Jocelyn Delacruz of the UMA staff at jdelacruz@uma.org
ELD News
New York State begins enforcement
Transportation Topics | by Eleanor Lamb | Jan. 18, 2019

The New York State Department of Transportation announced that state inspectors will begin enforcing federal electronic logging device rules, ending a year-plus stretch during which a lawsuit kept the state law enforcement in limbo and left federal inspectors as the sole enforcers of the rule in the state.

“The purpose of this rulemaking is to comply with federal requirements,” NYSDOT said in a document posted to a public site on Jan. 16, more than two weeks after the New York Supreme Court on Dec. 31 rejected a lawsuit that sought to block the state’s ability to enforce the law.

That lawsuit, brought against the state by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, sought to restrain New York officials from enforcing the ELD mandate, which requires most motor carriers to equip trucks with the devices to track hours-of-service, and took effect in December 2017.

Canadian task force will look into seatbelts on school buses
Global News | by Rahul Kalvapalle | January 21, 2019

The Canadian government is creating a task force to explore the possibility of retrofitting school buses with seatbelts, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said recently.

The provinces, territories, school boards and school bus manufacturers will be included in the task force, which will analyze the implications of installing seatbelts on existing buses, Garneau said in Montreal where he was meeting with provincial transport ministers.

While the federal government can mandate the use of seatbelts on new buses, Garneau said the retrofitting of existing school buses falls under the jurisdiction of the provinces.

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.
Explore Music City at EXPO 2020
Bus & Motorcoach News | by Jackie Sheckler Finch | February 5, 2019

One of the nation’s fastest growing cities, Nashville is booming. Settled along the Cumberland River, the capital of Tennessee has not only been increasing its population by an estimated 89 people per day, it has also won accolades as a “Hottest Travel Destination” and “Best Place to Travel.”
A progressive and sophisticated city, Nashville has long earned its reputation as “Music City.” Home of the Grand Ole Opry and known as “The Country Music Capital of the World,” Nashville also boasts a strong tradition of pop, rock and gospel music. Don’t be surprised if you see diverse musical superstars like Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Jack White, John Mellencamp, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Vince Gill around town.

To learn more about Nashville’s musical roots, visit The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, which takes up a whole city block with an amazing collection of memorabilia. You can see a rhinestone-studded stage suit worn by Hank Williams, Elvis Presley’s 1960 gold Cadillac, a photo of a beardless AND short-haired Willie Nelson in a suit and tie, and much more.

Social Media Background Concept with Speech Bubbles
Social media: not always friendly
Bus & Motorcoach News | by Jillian LaCross | February 4, 2019

Social media has become paramount to a business’s marketing strategy — as well as how the public learns about, comprehends, and responds to brands. There are a lot of pluses to social media, but there is also a dark side. Things can take on a life of their own and sweep your company in its wake, causing damage to your company’s image and stirring public distrust if not dealt with appropriately.

Yet, as with all emergency situations, you can prepare. This was the main topic for speaker Chris Duffy, Goff Public, at the 2019 Motorcoach EXPO. He opened his session “How to respond appropriately to a negative review or bad social media posts” with an observation that modern companies have come to know all too well: “Twenty-five years ago, if you had a negative experience and you wanted to publicly share it you wrote a letter to the editor, organized a protest, or called a TV reporter. Thanks to phones, everyone is a walking, talking journalist and has the power to share their experience.”

MEMBER RESOURCES

 UMA members benefit from free BOC-3 process service

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that all motor carriers operating in interstate commerce must maintain a process agent (also referred to as a resident agent) in every state where the carrier is authorized to do business. UMA offers this service FREE of charge for all members in good standing. If you wish to take advantage of this free service please complete the  form  on the UMA website and the attached BOC-3 form according to the directions.

Upon completion, you will be filed electronically within 5 business days of receipt and you will receive a list of the process agent in each state. Keep the process agent list and a copy of both forms for your records. Remember that the interstate operating authority issued to you by FMCSA is not valid until you have filed both proof of insurance and a proof of valid process agent services. 

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
  • 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
  • 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!