Remember! Register by March 5 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 are provided. We make it easy so you can come and get the most out of your 30 hours in the nation's capital!
February 25, 2019
Stand with colleagues to support our industry's priorities
UBT signs on as Signature Sponsor for Fly-In
United Bus Technology, an industry leader in onboard technology innovation, is the Signature Sponsor of the 2019 Bus & Motorcoach Industry Fly-In. The industry-wide advocacy event, April 2-3 in Washington DC, is powered by the United Motorcoach Association in partnership with 20 like-minded organizations from across the U.S.

"On behalf of UMA and all our partner organizations, I am pleased to welcome UBT's generous underwriting of a truly essential industry endeavor. UBT's support as the Signature Sponsor for the 2019 Fly-In is proof that this forward-thinking company is focused on keeping our industry vibrant and growing. We are proud to have their support."

Corporate sponsorship keeps the Fly-In affordable. Dinner, breakfast, a reception and all transportation to Fly-In events are provided at no charge. Attendees only need pay for their transportation to and from Washington, DC and their hotel room ($209 per night). The hotel rate is good through March 11, so register for the Fly-In and book your room now at the sleek, modern Homewood Suites/Hampton Inn property minutes from Capitol Hill.

In order to ensure an appointment with legislative leaders, participants must register for the Fly-In by March 4 at www.uma.org/legislative-fly-in/. A complete schedule of events is available at www.uma.org/capitol-hill.
Three reasons you belong at the Bus & Motorcoach Industry Legislative Fly-In, April 2-3 in Washington, DC
1. This event is an INVESTMENT in your business and in our industry as a whole. When you educate your Representative or Senator you help them to understand your business concerns as a local employer, service provider, and community stakeholder.
2. YOU are the VIP when you visit your legislators in Washington, DC. You represent votes, jobs, and economic power. Your Representatives and Senators work for you! Yes, UMA advocates on your behalf, but constituent voices are powerful in the halls of Congress.
3. We all win! An informed Congress can help rein in ill-advised regulations, craft legislation, and organize priorities that create an environment that promotes a healthy industry in which all motorcoach operators can grow and prosper, creating jobs and providing clean, safe and reliable transportation for Americans.

BONUS: This is a free event, including a dinner on April 2, breakfast and a reception on the 3rd and transportation to and from the Hill for appointments. Your only cost is the hotel and getting to DC and home again. All your appointments are scheduled for you and you will receive a professional briefing on the issues to put you at ease. Please join us!
A look back on first year of the ELD mandate
Fleet Equipment Magazine | February 19, 2019

When the Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration (FMCSA) published the ELD Final Rule in 2015, fleets and carriers had two years to prepare for the switch from paper logs to electronic logging devices (ELDs). Despite this timeline, many in the transportation industry weren’t fully prepared for the December 2017 deadline and experienced culture shock about the realities of  operating with ELDs . Now, more than a year later, most of the growing pains around the new technology have dissipated and a few key trends and challenges have emerged.

Singapore looks to self-driving cars to aid aging society
CNN.com | by Zahra Jamshed | February 25, 2019

(Singapore) It may look like a giant robotic bug but the MooAV could be the car of the future.

Made by startup  MooVita , it's one of dozens of autonomous vehicles being put to the test at  a special center in Singapore  that aims to advance the development of self-driving car technology.
Startups from around the world are coming to the purpose-built track that recreates an urban environment over 5 acres at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. The roads look like any other in the city, with stop lights, crosswalks and traffic signs.

There's even a rain simulator.

The clock is ticking for moving from AOBRDs to ELDs
Conversion might be more painful than shift from paper
by Ken Presley, UMA staff

For those carriers still operating Automatic Onboard Recording Devices (AOBRDs), time is ticking by to convert to Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). Frankly, the conversion for many may be more painful that converting from paper logs.

Ray Martinez, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at a recent conference stated, “please prepare for the December transition from AOBRDs to ELDs now, if you have not done so.”

Some have expressed concerns that some companies that have AOBRDs may think they have ELDs. Company officials unsure should check with their providers. Some provider’s systems can run AOBRDs and ELDs concurrently, perhaps allowing for a smoother transition.

Click on the thumbnail chart at right to see a PDF that summarizes the FMCSA's comparison and section 395.15 to show how the two devices record data, locations, and editing history.
Click the thumbnail chart to view a PDF
MANAGEMENT
Give your employees goals and the freedom to figure out how to reach them
Harvard Business Review | by John Hagel III and Cathy Engelbert | February 25, 2019

As more aspects of work become automated, it is increasingly important for people to focus on building skills that support creative and innovative tasks only human beings can perform. Efficiency is turning into the watchword of machines, and the opportunity for humans is work that addresses unseen problems and opportunities.

Such talk, in our experience, makes executives anxious. If we give people more freedom and responsibility, how do we know they will use it well? How do we know people will use freedom in the most productive way, rather than losing focus or wasting time and effort through lack of coordination?
Help us get it right!
Log in to UMA and update your member record, ASAP
It's time to update your member record! Look in your inbox for emails from info@uma.org with complete details. Keeping your member record current means it will appear correctly in the UMA member directory that will be printed this spring.

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.
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.
MILHOUSER
Standing tall is tough in era of over-regulation
Bus and Motorcoach News | by Dave Milhouser | February 20, 2019

My most recent DOT physical was a nightmare. I knew I was old, fat, deaf and nearsighted, but finding out I am 5’7” tall was traumatic.

Holy moly. All my life I’ve been 5’9”. Where did those two inches go?

The coach industry is undergoing a similar experience. The size of the national fleet is shrinking, with small and mid-sized operators disappearing from the scene. Since those (often family-owned) businesses are the mainstay of the used bus market, it’s in disarray.

There’s no single reason we are shrinking, but over-regulation belongs near the top of any list of probable causes.
Industry leader Bill Luke celebrates 95 years today
Bus and Motorcoach News | Special to Bus & Motorcoach News by David Hubbard | February 26, 2019

Who in the bus industry doesn’t occasionally wonder how William A. “Bill” Luke is doing, what the eminent author, publisher and bus historian is up to these days? While it’s a safe bet everyone knows Bill, it is only fitting the countless newcomers to the business who weren’t around during his heyday at least know of Bill’s pioneering efforts. We join in applauding him for his lifelong involvement with the people who build, operate and ride buses and motorcoaches.

Today (Tuesday, Feb. 26), Bill celebrates 95 years. I had the pleasure of spending a few days with Bill earlier this month in Spokane, Washington, catching up and looking ahead; and I am here to say he is very much in the game and his saga continues.

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
  • 4 Deadline to register for the 2019 Bus & Motorcoach Industry Legislative Fly-In www.uma.org/capitol-hill
  • 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!