July 24, 2018
Bus & Motorcoach News gets refreshed image
Watch your mailbox: New look debuts with August 1 issue
The August 1 issue of Bus & Motorcoach will arrive in your mailbox like clockwork, as it does twice a month, but our next issue will look different and feature more varied content within its pages. The changes will help us maintain our unique coverage of important news and events that matter to operators, while mixing in helpful features like tour planning ideas, a look inside other businesses, and interviews with the people who shape our industry.

You can continue to count on the timely and important Docket items and in the August 1 issue, readers will also find a lighthearted but informative interview with FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez.

Let us know what you think! And remember to sign up for email updates from Bus & Motorcoach News and follow Bus & Motorcoach News online, too. The digital edition is updated with new stories almost every day. It's required reading if you want to know what's going on in the bus industry!

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.
Chairman Shuster releases infrastructure bill proposal
Bus & Motorcoach News | July 24, 2018

Washington, DC – House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster has released an infrastructure bill discussion draft that proposes to revitalize the Nation’s surface transportation infrastructure needs.

The discussion draft proposes to address the short and long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund by raising fuel taxes and eliminating exemptions, including the public transit full exemption and the over-the-road bus partial exemption.

At least initially, the bill proposal does not contain policies; however, that is likely to change as the hundreds of factions begin to weigh in.

The shuttle had no driver—and a millennial rider says that’s okay

 Bus & Motorcoach News |by Zoe Allen-Wickler| July 18, 2018 

Hover-cars may still be a thing of the future, but what’s already here in Michigan, at least, is a shuttle that drives itself. Mcity’s Driverless Shuttle can be seen traveling along its roughly mile-long route at the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex (NCRC) in Ann Arbor.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Irizar Announces Irizar USA LLC
Ormaiztegi, SPAIN - Irizar, a major global manufacturer of luxury motorcoaches, announced today that it is reinforcing its commitment to the US market with the creation of Irizar USA LLC. Slated to be headquartered in Las Vegas, the US operation will carry forward the distribution and after sales support of the Irizar i6 luxury motorcoach. The establishment of Irizar USA is designed to ensure sustainable success for Irizar in the US market, according to a news release distributed today.

UMA applauds lawmakers proposing new bill to authorize
fourth White House Conference on Small Business

Washington, DC - On Thursday afternoon, Congressman Rod Blum (R-Iowa) along with Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-Florida) and Al Lawson (D-Florida) announced introduced legislation that authorizes the fourth White House Conference on Small Business.

H.R. 6446 - White House Conference on Small Business (WHCSB) utilizes state conferences, regional conferences, and finally the National Conference to be held in Washington, DC, to provide forums for small-business owners to develop and advance the key issues facing small businesses nationwide. The United Motorcoach Association has supported the effort since its inception.

The WHCSB has occurred three times in the past; in 1980 under President Jimmy Carter, 1986 under President Ronald Reagan, and 1995 under President Bill Clinton.

Watch for expanded coverage in the upcoming Bus & Motorcoach News!
Group forms to address Chicago party bus ordinance issues
An ad hoc committee concerned with the onerous Chicago ordinance regarding party buses has formed and held a first meeting to address a path forward. Now incorporated into the Midwest Bus & Motorcoach Association, the group met Friday, July 13 to discuss and plan ways to amend the language in a manner that does not ensnare typical charter buses into an ordinance intended for party buses.

John Dunn of McGuire-Woods Consulting has been retained to represent the effort. He previously served for eight years in the office of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, most recently as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA). As IGA Director, he reported directly to Mayor Daley an was the senior advisor on all legislative and political matters. He served as the mayor's liaison to all federal, state and local elected officials. 

Along with UMA's Ken Presley, others attending in support of the meeting included: Cherie Hime, Executive Director, Midwest Bus & Motorcoach Association, Dan Shoup, Board Member, Midwest Bus & Motorcoach Association (Cardinal Coach), Andrew Newhart, Director of Policy and Legislation, American Bus Association, Tracy Raimer, President, Illinois Limousine Association (Your Private Limousine), Marty Vitelli, Sales Manager, Grech Motors, Richard DeYoung, New Coach Sales, Motorcoach Industries .
MEMBER BENEFITS
UMA operators get discount on electronic DVIR by Whip Around

Electronic Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports are an effective tool for operators seeking to streamline fleet inspections and now UMA members qualify for a 10 percent discount on the smartphone-based DVIR system from Whip Around. This discount represents an exclusive benefit only for UMA members.

Using Whip Around, drivers conduct their daily vehicle inspection reports (DVIR) on their smartphones using a mobile app. Fleet managers control which vehicles are inspected, and users can add photos and comments and automate time, date and GPS stamping. The technology makes it easy to generate work orders when faults are flagged, and operators can view analytics and leader-boards to ensure that the business is compliant and efficient. 

EXPO NEWS
Popular maintenance events scheduled for Ft. Lauderdale
Two popular motorcoach maintenance events are set for the 2019 Motorcoach EXPO in Fort Lauderdale. The Maintenance Interchange and the Maintenance Competition are must-attend events for industry professionals involved in maintaining safe and efficient vehicles and fleets.

The Interchange focuses on common issues faced by today's maintenance professionals and adheres to a policy of keeping the discourse strictly operator to operator without vendors, manufacturers, suppliers, or sales people permitted to attend. The event fosters frank conversations, group problem solving, and creates a peer-to-peer learning experience that builds strong professional relationships and friendships.

The Maintenance Competition pits the best maintenance professionals against one another as they test their technical knowledge and skills. There's a written component and a diagnostic test for participants. Two runners up and a grand champion are honored with cash awards and trophies by event sponsor ABC Companies.

MANAGEMENT
Retain more employees with 'stay interviews'
Forbes.com | by Bill Connerly |July 21, 2018

Hiring good employees can be a challenge, but once an employer onboards a recruit, then the real challenge begins: how to keep them. In an industry where we rely on skilled employees and provide training to get workers up to speed, failure to retain an employee can be costly.

A recent article featured on Forbes.com looks at the challenges employers face in retaining a quality workforce and explores the benefits of "stay interviews" as a tool to stem the tide of departures. Completely different from an exit interview, author Bill Connerly explains the difference: "Exit interviews are like talking to cows about why they left the barn." By contrast, the stay interview keeps the focus on why employees stay.

2019 Motorcoach EXPO:
The future of the motorcoach industry!
INNOVATE - EDUCATE - CELEBRATE
Guide helps you decide how long to keep paperwork
No one wants to be accused of being a hoarder, but operators want to stay on the right side of the law and protect themselves from future problems. So how to decide what paperwork to keep and what you can dispose of and when you can do it? The UMA Guide to Retaining Official Paperwork can help.

Download this useful resource from the Members Only section of the UMA website so you can manage your records with peace of mind.

Remember to check the Members only section of the UMA website for helpful resources designed to assist operators with shared challenges.

Motorcoach Industry Calendar

AUGUST 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018

OCTOBER 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

DECEMBER 2018
  • 5-6 UMA Safety Management Seminar, NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA, Hotel TBA - save the date! www.uma.org/safety

JANUARY 2019
  • 4-6 IMG Maintenance and Safety Forum, Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • 6-10 UMA Motorcoach EXPO, Fort Lauderdale, FL #UMAEXPO19 www.motorcoachexpo.com

FEBRUARY 2019

MARCH 2019
  • 11 GNJMA Sponsor Appreciation Dinner, Emeril's Chophouse, Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, PA http://www.gnjma.com/
  • 12 GNJMA Spring Association Member Meeting & Motorcoach Professional Awards Luncheon, Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, PA http://www.gnjma.com/

AUGUST 2019
  • 6-9 IMG Strategic Alliance Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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!