1 . Senate releases 'skinny' relief bill
by Ken Presley

Senate and House Members may be in their home states and districts, but that has not stopped them from being creative and at least trying to march forward.

Currently, there are no negotiations on the larger relief bill that hopefully would include the CERTS Act.

Today, S. 178 was introduced as a “skinny” coronavirus relief bill in the midst of the impasse in negotiations between the White House and Democratic leaders.

Released late this afternoon, a quick review of the measure shows that it includes:
  • boosted weekly federal unemployment benefits until December 27
  • another round of money for the Paycheck Protection Program, including a second loans for some
  • an additional $10 billion for the U.S. Postal Service and
  • liability protections that have been much sought after by the bus and motorcoach industry.

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2 . Call your representatives and tell them our industry is essential and needs economic relief now

3. UMA Member Escot Bus Lines knows video sells and shows what everyone is missing when they drive
4 . Travel insurance products have more currency than ever. Learn how UMA Members can offer coverage.
As we continue to navigate this pandemic together in the travel industry, we wait patiently for what we know will inevitably come: an increase in travel demand back to pre-pandemic levels... and perhaps beyond. For now, we can focus on getting our business positioned for that time, or as we like to call it, "operational readiness."

Does your business have a strong travel insurance program in place?
In an unpredictable time, travelers will be more inclined than ever to protect their trips from the unexpected with a travel insurance plan. UMA Members can set up their program with USI Travel Insurance Services now so you can offer what will very likely be an attractive product to your customers.

Sign up is free and fast and we provide everything you need to market the plan, including a branded website and marketing flyer. Your business will earn a program fee for all sales.
Download a PDF of information about the program and contact Sharon Broo at sharon.broo@usi.com or by phone at (770) 905-4065.

5. Nation's capital adds bus lanes in on 7th Street and M Street as part of city's Bus Priority Program
In Washington, DC the District Department of Transportation announced plans today to begin constructing bus lanes in parts of town that are heavily traveled by commuters and tourists alike. Seventh Street NW, just north of the National Mall, an area adjacent to popular dining destinations in Penn Quarter and tourist hot spots like the National Archives, will have bus-only lanes added over the next 30 days.

In Southeast DC, M Street just north of Nationals Park baseball stadium will receive bus lanes as well. The intent is to paint curbs and lanes red to improve traffic along with pedestrian safety. The project includes expanded sidewalks, too.

These projects are part of the District of Columbia's Bus Priority Program.


6 . Ohio faces dilemma over private school busing requirements when public schools are closed
Mansfield Journal | August 17, 2020 | by Anna Staver

Parents across Ohio are coming to terms with what back-to-school looks like in their districts, but families with kids in private and charter schools still have one big unanswered question: busing.

Ohio law requires public schools to transport all eligible students — including those who pick private schools. But that rule has caveats, and one possible exception being raised during the coronavirus pandemic is how it applies to districts that choose remote learning.

If a district isn’t busing its own students, does it have to bus others?
7 . Reminder: Beware of hotel booking scams related to UMA Motorcoach EXPO
Please be vigilant about phone calls from companies offering to book your hotel rooms for UMA Motorcoach EXPO. They are not authorized by UMA or affiliated with UMA.

UMA will never phone you to book rooms and we encourage attendees and exhibitors to consult the www.motorcoachexpo.com website for legitimate information so you can book your rooms in the UMA room block.
UMA Membership is FREE through 12/31/2020
Because our industry is stronger together, we invite operators to try UMA Membership FREE through year's end. Join us.
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8. NY, NJ, CT add Alaska and Delaware to quarantine list
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday announced that individuals traveling to their states from Alaska and Delaware would be required to quarantine for 14 days as the states experience a surge in coronavirus cases.

Cuomo, Murphy and Lamont in June announced a travel advisory requiring individuals traveling to the region from states experiencing a spike in positive COVID-19 cases to self-quarantine.


UMA Resource Spotlight
UMA Members have access to a variety of resources to help sustain your business and our industry.

Check out our Social Media Tool Kit to enhance your online profile and promote our industry and UMA's AssurCLEAN Program to put your passengers at ease so they can travel confidently.

And remember to read and subscribe to Bus & Motorcoach News, which is powered by UMA, and your source for the weekly Motorcoach Minute video.

Upcoming UMA Events
Consult the UMA Industry Calendar for more information about events.

2020

  • UMA Town Halls, every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET Learn more.

  • UMA Safety Management Seminar, December 2-3, 2020, Ashburn, VA Learn more.
2021

  • UMA Motorcoach EXPO, March 3-7, 2021, Orlando, FL Learn more.

Stay informed
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