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JANUARY 7, 2020
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System overload mars FMCSA clearinghouse debut
Users report delays, error messages
Operators experiencing difficulties are encouraged to document their efforts with screen captures, etc., to show attempts at compliance.

by Ken Presley

Washington, DC - By most reports, the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is off to a bumpy start. UMA members report long delays and error messages as they attempted to register or submit queries. Although registration opened in October, many companies waited until the last week, including Monday, to register. Most of those experienced significant problems.
One report said it appeared that a high volume of users may have crashed the system and the call volume at FMCSA was 10 to 20 times higher than normal.

Beginning January 6, 2020, all new driver applicants must be screened through the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and all CDL drivers applying for new driving positions are required to register. The new process is designed to close a major loophole that previously allowed drivers with drug or alcohol violations to get hired by passenger carriers by simply lying about past test failures.

FMCSA has acknowledged they experienced connectivity issues due to the high volume of traffic; however, they report that as of 7:45 PM last night, the Portal was operational and there were no issues logging into the Clearinghouse with a Portal account.

FMCSA reports the vast majority of the difficulties motor carriers have had with registering in the clearinghouse are a result of not having “DACH Admin” role designated in the Portal.

The attached guides were prepared by FMCSA to assist you in navigating the new requirement:

FMCSA reports that most questions regarding the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse can be answered by reading and understanding the regulations. We recommend members review and understand. For your convenience please review the following:

If you consistently experience problems, it may be the web browser you are using. Many have discovered that using an alternative browser got them right in.

Finally, inasmuch as the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse regulation is now in effect, if you incur difficulties accessing the website for queries and/or registration, DOCUMENT YOUR EFFORTS!

Nominate a professional to shape industry's future
40 Under 45 Roundtable will convene in Nashville
The 40 Under 45 Bus and Motorcoach Industry Roundtable will take place at UMA Motorcoach EXPO in Nashville next month and the group is seeking new participants to join the effort.

UMA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner stated “We at UMA are so excited for this program that was launched a year ago. It has become a vehicle to allow the newest generation of leaders for the bus and motorcoach industry to connect, share ideas, consider trends and serve as one of our thinktanks for the future of our industry.”
 
The initial meeting for the roundtable will be held on Sunday, January 19 during UMA’s Motorcoach EXPO in Nashville, TN. During the roundtable meeting, the group will hold facilitated discussions about industry trends and challenges they are facing along with solutions they have discovered. Additionally, the group will be determining how they want to connect and see the roundtable develop for the future, both virtually and in-person.
How to Nominate

If you would like to nominate someone to the 40 Under 45 Bus & Motorcoach Industry Roundtable, requirements are:

  • Must have been a manager or operator at a bus or motorcoach company for at least one year

  • Should be under 45 years of age (exceptions can be made if someone is close in age)

  • Is willing to serve and participate at their own expense (or on behalf of their company)

Please send nominations or questions to UMA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner via e-mail at   stetschner@uma.org
NTSB: Motorcoach had no seatbelts, struck median barrier in PA tour bus crash
WLTW TV | January 6, 2020

A Cincinnati-bound tour bus was involved in a crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike early Sunday morning that left at least five people dead, officials confirm.

Approximately 60 people were taken to area hospitals, according to a spokesperson from the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The National Transportation Safety Board discussed the crash publicly Monday on their investigation into the crash, which occurred at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Officials said driver of the bus lost control and set off a chain reaction that involved three tractor-trailers and a passenger car.

Jennifer Homendy, an NTSB board member, said a motor coach passed a FedEx truck and then later struck a concrete median barrier, came back across the travel lanes and eventually rolled onto its side, blocking the road.
Homendy said there were no seat belts on the motor coach.
SAFETY
Managing risk to survive the 'polar coaster'
Winter weather is a factor on the roads no matter what you're driving, so here are some tips from the trucking industry on ways to minimize risk when the roads are icy.

FleetOwner.com | Jan 7, 2020 | By John Luciani

The weather outside may be frightful this winter for many areas of the U.S., but no matter what the elements may bring, the freight shipments critical to our economy and livelihood still require prompt transportation and distribution. With computer forecast models calling for  colder than average  temperatures for northern and eastern states, and the  Farmers’ Almanac citing an unpredictable polar coaster  of highs and lows, fleet owners and supply chain professionals should take the appropriate measures for securely weatherproofing their operations.

Winterizing operations is a full-spectrum effort: protecting employees with the right equipment and training, ensuring preventative maintenance is current on all power and trailing equipment, preparing warehouses for freezing temperatures, and offering services that protect temperature-sensitive shipments help form a solid groundwork for success. As colder temperatures settle in, fleet owners can follow the tips outlined below to protect from harsh winter conditions.
4 big changes coming to HR in 2020
Job Application Hiring Document Form Concept
A low unemployment rate means more companies are leveraging data and tech for hiring purposes--and bringing people with nontraditional backgrounds into their human resources departments.

Inc.com | January 7, 2020 |by Brit Morse

Your company is only as good as your employees, but finding and keeping  high-quality talent  is one of the most challenging aspects of running any business. And it's not getting any easier.

In April  the unemployment rate in the U.S. fell to 3.6 percent , a nearly five-decade low, which has led some businesses to take creative approaches to recruiting, retention, and other human resources functions. More and more, they're leveraging new technology to cut costs, and relying heavily on data to make decisions about hiring, raises, and promotions.

Here are a few ways HR will evolve in 2020 and what business owners should do now to prepare for those changes.
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Pennsylvania bus operator sentenced and fined
Bus & Motorcoach News | January 7, 2020
law theme_ mallet of the judge_ wooden desk_ scales of justice_ books_ statue of justice and hourglass
Pau Hua Yu, former president and shareholder of multiple Pennsylvania bus companies, was sentenced to 24 months’ probation, a $10,000 fine, a $100 assessment and a forfeiture of $150,000 for making “materially false statements on commercial motor carrier forms regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.”

Yu was sentenced on Nov. 19 in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she entered a guilty plea on the charges in February. She and 13 other owners and employees were indicted in March 2016 for their roles in a multi-state scheme to fraudulently operate commercial passenger bus companies.
The defendants operated numerous suspect bus companies, including All-State Travel Bus, Asia Tours, Apex Bus, New Egg Bus and Universe Bus.
THE LATEST FROM BUS & MOTORCOACH NEWS
Motorcoach Industry Calendar
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JANUARY 2020
  • 15 Maryland Motorcoach Association Legislative Reception, Gov. Calvert House
  • 19-23 UMA Motorcoach EXPO, Nashville, TN www.motorcoachexpo.com
  • 21 National Association of Motorcoach Operators Semi Annual Members Meeting, Nashville, TN (During UMA Motorcoach EXPO)
  • 27-29 Tennessee Motorcoach Association Convention and Marketplace, Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa, Florence, AL https://tnmca.net/

FEBRUARY 2020

MARCH 2020
APRIL
  • 5-7 Northwest Motorcoach Association Annual Mechanics & Tech, Location TBD www.northwestmotorcoach.com
  • 19-22 Ontario Transportation EXPO, The International Centre, Mississauga, ON, Canada www.omca.com

JUNE 2020
  • 21-24 PBA Annual Meeting, Wind Creek, Bethlehem, PA Details
  • 25-28 New England Bus Association Annual Conference, Northfalmouth, MA www.newenglandbus.org
AUGUST 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020

OCTOBER 2020
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