April 16, 2019
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Notice of Funding Opportunity from DHS
FY2019 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program
The Intercity Bus Security Grant Program ( IBSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System by supporting the building, sustainment and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient Nation.

The Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) provides $2 million to owners and operators of intercity bus systems to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure.

Operators who intend to apply for this opportunity for the first time or who are not currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) must first obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, if applicable, and then to register immediately in SAM. It may take four weeks or more after you submit your SAM registration before your registration is active in SAM, then an additional 24 hours for Grants.gov to recognize your information. Information on obtaining a DUNS number and registering in SAM is available from Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html . See a PDF of the full notice .
You're invited to view photos from the Legislative Fly-In

Hundreds of photos of the 2019 Bus & Motorcoach Industry Legislative Fly-In are available online. It's all there: the group photo at Clyde's and candid shots at dinner along with hundreds of photos that capture all the action on Capitol Hill during meetings.

Visit Bus & Motorcoach News online to see what happened when leading motorcoach operators took their message to our federal legislators. And watch for full coverage in the print version on May 1.
Liberty Mutual study shows workplace injuries cost US companies more than $1 billion per week
The annual  Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index  documents the top ten causes of the most serious workplace injuries – those causing an employee to miss five or more days from work – and ranks them by their direct cost to employers, which consists of medical and lost-wage payments.

The 2019 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index is the first to also report the causes and costs of the most serious workplace injuries for eight specific industries that account for a high proportion of all national workplace injuries:

"The latest ranking helps employers, risk managers and safety professionals improve workplace safety by highlighting its financial impact in total and for specific industries," notes James Merendino, General Manager, Risk Control, National Insurance, Liberty Mutual. "To better protect employees and the bottom line, each employer needs to understand the root causes of the most serious workplace injuries they face. Only then can they effectively mitigate and manage these through work design, system controls, technology, training, and strategic risk management. Insurance companies and brokers can be a key ally in these efforts."

National Small Business Week to host second virtual conference via webinar, May 7-8
WASHINGTON  – As part of the  National Small Business Week  (NSBW), the  U.S. Small Business Administration  and  SCORE , mentors to America’s small businesses, will cohost the second annual NSBW Virtual Conference from May 7 – 8, 2019. The conference will include educational webinars presented by NSBW Cosponsors, virtual exhibit booths, and a networking room where business owners have an opportunity to connect with a mentor. The virtual exhibit hall and networking areas will be open from 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET daily. The webinar registration is currently open, and each virtual session will be available  on demand  thereafter. The event is free of charge, but registration is required.

Topics include:

  • The U.S. Economic Outlook and Its Impact on Small Business
  • SBA Funding Programs Explained
  • The Cultural Imperative: Drive Growth with Customer Obsession
  • Creating Effective Online Ads
  • Making Sense of Online Marketing: A Simple Checklist for Success
  • How to Do Business with the U.S. Government
  • Mastering Control of Your Cash Flow
  • Disasters Happen - How to Prepare Your Business and Recover
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.
Read the latest in Bus & Motorcoach News
Coalition of East Coast bus operators from six states meets

April 16, 2019 | by Bus & Motorcoach News  

More than 85 motorcoach industry participants turned up for a regional gathering of the Bus Association of New York State, New England Bus Association, Connecticut Bus Association and Massachusetts Bus Association that included operators of six states and a sharing of common issues.

Operators discussed potential solutions for shared problems including the driver shortage, and the regulatory environment, reaching the consensus that improving drivers pay would largely solve the shortage, but getting the public to pay well enough to afford it was difficult.

The five-hour event included operators from at least six states; speaking highlights included the potential impact of congestion pricing and other issues facing operators in New York City.
Advertisement: New opportunities in Bus & Motorcoach News
UMA travel protection plans from USI help operators serve customers and generate revenue
Eight leading motorcoach operators are taking advantage of the UMA travel protection plans exclusively offered to our members by USI Travel Insurance Services. It is one of the newer programs UMA has, designed specifically for private motorcoach operators. The programs offer consumers protection that makes booking travel less risky and allows participating companies to generate revenue.

  • Participants can help sell their services by explaining to consumers how a Tour Protection Plan protects travel investments against any number of circumstances that could derail a trip, from Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption to Travel Delays and more. And perhaps more importantly, the plan protects your customers while They're away from home with coverage for Accident and Sickness Medical Expense and Emergency Medical Evacuation. And because USI's exclusive UMA plans come with 24/7 Travel Assistance services, your customers can travel with peace of mind knowing while they're away from home, they always have someone to call with questions or for help of any kind.
Next International Roadcheck is June 4-6
International Roadcheck is an annual three-day event when CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle and driver safety.

International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 15 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute across North America during a 72-hour period.
Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted during International Roadcheck have numbered more than 1.4 million. Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.

CVSA sponsors International Roadcheck with participation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico).

The next International Roadcheck is scheduled for June 4-6, 2019.
Bus Museum Spring Fling is set for June 1
The annual “Homecoming of the Bus Industry” will take place June 1 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) at the Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

This annual event opens the museum’s entire fleet for viewing and also welcomes vendors selling bus memorabilia and food. Another highlight, says Mark Szyperski, marketing committee chair, is the chance to view the many vintage buses brought by visitors and entered into contests including: classic/historic; longest distance; best conversion; and school bus.

Entry is free for Bus Museum Members, $7 for non-members and includes entry into the on-site museum. 

Proterra amps up battery leasing program
Green Tech Media | April 16, 2019 | by Karl-Erik Stromsta

All-electric buses hold many benefits over their diesel counterparts, including lower operating costs. The sting is in their bigger upfront price tag, clouding purchasing decisions for fleet operators.

Those clouds may finally be about to part.

U.S. electric bus maker Proterra on Tuesday announced a $200 million credit facility to scale up its fledgling battery leasing program, a program the company says will strip out the upfront cost premium of buying an electric bus.

The credit facility is backed by Japanese investment giant Mitsui & Co., potentially signaling an influx of capital by global infrastructure investors into the slow-to-takeoff U.S. electric bus market.

Motorcoach Industry Calendar


APRIL 2019
  • 24 NPS Webinar on road-based commercial tour CUA requirements and commercial tour entrance fee changes effective October 1, 2019 -- Time and link TBA
  • 29 GNJMA Webinar: How the bus industry can combat human trafficking LEARN MORE

MAY 2019
  • 6 NPS Webinar on road-based commercial tour CUA requirements and commercial tour entrance fee changes effective October 1, 2019 -- Time and link TBA
  • 29-30 UMA Inaugural Sales Summit, Mall of America, Bloomington, MN Learn more and register

JUNE 2019
  • 1 Spring Fling at the Museum of Bus Transportation, Hershey, PA https://busmuseum.org/events/spring-fling/
  • 4-6 CVSA International Roadcheck
  • 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 Kennebunkport, ME
  • 21 PBA Board Meeting, Atlantic City http://pabus.org/

JULY 2019
  • 28- August 1 , Regional Meeting of AMA, GMOA, and SCMA, Renaissance Hotel/Convention Center, Montgomery, AL Learn More

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
  • 18-22 Regional Meeting of NCMA, VMA, and MCASC, Embassy/Marriott/Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, NC Learn More

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
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Reach the UMA staff by calling (703) 838-2929 or by email at info@uma.org . We love to hear from our members!