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Your Member Monthly News & Updates
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Registration Open for the Fall Annual Association Member Meeting & Marketplace
Dates: October 10-11, 2018
Location: Bally's Hotel and Casino
Events Summary
October 10th
Annual Golf Outing - Atlantic City Country Club, 10:00 AM
Meet & Mingle - Arturo's at Bally's Hotel & Casino, 7:00 PM
Group Leader Appreciation Day & Marketplace - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Mini-Marketplace - 12:00 PM
Annual Meeting & Luncheon - 1:00 PM
Keynote Speaker: David W. Cooper, Industry Engagement Manager for Highway and Motor Carriers for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement, will discuss bus security as well as ways that operators can enhance their security assessments and planning, training and exercises, and information sharing.
There are sponsorship opportunities so you can stand out. Please
contact us to learn more! Click on the link below to register:
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Welcome New Member & Sponsor, Grech Motors!
Please join us in welcoming
Grech Motors as our newest Member and Platinum Sponsor. Ed Grech, founder and CEO, has been creating innovative vehicle designs and equipment since the early 1980s.
Grech Motors, his bus line manufacturing company, was the first coachbuilder to offer a bus on the new 2017 Ford F-550 chassis. The company strives to deliver the most innovative, highest-quality commercial vehicles by drawing on more than 30 years of experience in high-end bus and coach manufacturing.
We are excited to welcome Grech Motors to the GNJMA community! More information about our Sponsors can be found at http://www.gnjma.com/About-Us/Our-Sponsors.
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We are pleased and honored to announce Frank Smith
has recently joined the Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association (GNJMA) Board of Directors.
Frank is a former Marine, honorably discharged in 1970. Shortly after leaving the Military, he started his career in transportation and has been in the business for 47 years. Frank is the catalyst for
Yankee Line of New York, which he started out of his home in 1999. Today, the company is a top contender in the North-East Coast bus transportation industry.
In addition to operating Yankee Line of New York, Frank currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the National Association of Motor Coach Operators. Frank is also a member of UMA, ABA and, of course, the GNJMA. Further, F
rank is also a 19A Examiner for the State of New York.
Congratulations, Frank, and thank you for your time and contributions to help not only our Association Members, but our industry overall.
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Board Members Meet with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Newly Appointed Administrator
On July 6th, Members of the Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association (GNJMA) Board of Directors met with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Ray Martinez.
Ray expressed his interest in hearing from the Members on issues he could help with, as well as a general meet & greet. Our Membership appreciates the communication we have been receiving from the FMCSA, including Danielle Smith's guidance on ELD's at our past meetings and in a webinar held in May.
Following Ray Martinez' meeting last week, there is no doubt FMCSA communication toward improving transportation safety will be continuous.
For more information on discussions, please refer to the Member Alert emailed to all Members on July 14th.
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Harry Stout III Announced As Ernst & Young
2018 Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist
Ernst & Young announced Harry Stout, CEO of GNJMA Member Stout's Transportation, as one of the finalists in its Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 Awards in the New Jersey region.
The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who are excelling in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Harry's love and passion for the bus industry stems from his childhood when his parents established and operated a successful school bus service in Ewing, NJ. Harry has since mirrored his father's work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.
Way to go, Harry!
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Bailey Trailways Transports Rotarians to Convention
Bailey Trailways transported a group of South Central Pennsylvania Rotarians to Toronto in Baileys rotary-themed coach to attend the Rotary International Convention.
Almost 40,000 people from over 150 countries attended the convention this year
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Kudos on providing this community service!
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Welcome New Members!
One new member has joined the GNJMA since our June newsletter. Please join us in welcoming them!
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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminstration (FMCSA) Releases Personal Conveyance Guidance
On June 7, 2018, FMCSA published regulatory guidance (
83 Fed. Reg. 26377
) on the use of a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) for personal conveyance. A driver may record time operating a CMV for personal conveyance as off-duty only when the driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work by the motor carrier. Personal conveyance does not reduce a driver's or motor carrier's responsibility to operate a CMV safely. Motor carriers can establish personal conveyance limitations either within the scope of, or more restrictive than, this guidance, such as banning use of a CMV for personal conveyance purposes and/or imposing a distance limitation on personal conveyance.
Examples of appropriate use provided by the FMCSA:
- Traveling from en route lodging to restaurants or entertainment facilities
- Commuting between personal residence and terminals
- Moving to a safe location for rest after loading or unloading
- Time spent transporting personal property
The guidance is effective for five years from June 7, 2018 to June 7, 2023.
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Pilot Program Provides Boost
to Military;
Public Comments Sought
The Department of Transportation (DOT) will launch a pilot program to permit Veterans and Reservists 18-20 year olds who possess the U.S. Military equivalent of a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate large trucks in interstate commerce.
"This program will allow our Veterans and Reservists, to translate their extensive training into good-paying jobs operating commercial vehicles safely across the country, while also addressing the nationwide driver shortage," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.
Complete information on the pilot program may be found on the
FMCSA website
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In addition, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking public comment on the proposed pilot program over the next 60 days. In seeking comments, the Agency is asking the public, and industry stakeholders, to weigh in on whether there are specific criteria that should make a driver or carrier ineligible to participate in the proposed pilot program and whether carriers should be required to inform FMCSA of any information in addition to what is already required. Click here for the notice.
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New York State Stepping Up To Fund Infrastructure
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on June 14th that an additional $150 billion would go toward infrastructure investment over the next 5 years. That builds on Cuomo's existing $100 billion infrastructure which includes state and federal funds as well as private sector capital. B
eginning in FY 2020, these capital projects will rebuild transportation and mass transit systems, construct safe and secure affordable housing, drive economic and community development, build new and better school buildings for 21st century learning, create new environmental and park facilities, support our sustainable energy future, and generate 675,000 new jobs and expand opportunity for all New Yorkers.
"These efforts will improve travel and transportation, strengthen regional economies and increase our state's competitiveness, and make New York stronger and more resilient for future generations.
Read more...
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Deadly I-80 School Bus Crash Prompts 'Miranda's' Law
New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer and New York Rep. John Faso have co-sponsored
a bill which aims to fill in a gap in school bus safety. The
Miranda Vargas School Bus Driver Red Flag Act, named after 10-year-old Paramus student Miranda Vargas who was killed in a Paramus School Bus crash on May 17th,
would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to establish a nationwide system to notify employers of school bus drivers immediately when a driver's license is suspended.
The driver in the crash, Hudy Muldrow Sr., had his license suspended 14 times, most recently in December, but was still driving for the Paramus School District.
Prosecutors say that Muldrow attempted to make an illegal U-turn on the roadway just prior to the crash.
"It will require real-time, automatic notifications of driver violations to school districts and other employers of school bus drivers, so they can take immediate action to get unsafe drivers off the road," the congressman said.
In New Jersey, the state Motor Vehicle Commission notifies the state Department of Education when a school bus driver's licenses has been suspended. The department then notifies the school district. But according to Gottheimer, if a driver fails to self-report a traffic violation or license suspension, it could be up to a year before the driver's employer finds out.
The crash also prompted New Jersey state lawmakers to pass a bill to require three-point seat belts on all school buses in New Jersey. That bill is now waiting for Gov. Phil Murphy's signature.
Read more...
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ICYMI: Member Alerts
Member Alerts are sent out to our Members as needed. Since our June newsletter, we sent these alerts:
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Driver Recruitment Efforts Webinar Scheduled
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Tina Hamilton is the founder of
myHR Partner, a company that provides HR outsourcing to small to midsized businesses and organizations in 24 states around the country. She wrote a recent article about the worker shortage, with a focus on driver shortage as well.
In this webinar, we will speak about the state of hiring. The available workforce is dwindling and for the foreseeable future, employees entering the trades are not trending upwards. Add to this, that the traditional method of hiring, running an advertisement and waiting for applicants to come in, is over. Today's employers have to take a more modern approach to hiring and branding their organizations.
Please join us on September 6th at 10:00AM for this insightful and current topic. Tina will discuss ideas on how to put steps in place to adjust your hiring and applicant attraction efforts. And we will also leave a portion of the time to take questions and interact so that you can walk away with some ideas to implement immediately.
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Bus Groups Receive Free Admission to 2018 York Fair!
This year, tour operators have the opportunity to receive free admission for passengers and drivers, and FREE BUS PARKING at the York Fairgrounds. The fair runs from September 7-16th.
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Perfect Body & Fender Company Open House
Date: September 12th, 2018
Time: 11:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: 7100 West Side Avenue, North Bergen, NJ
Vendor partners will also be on hand to display their products. Lunch will be served! Please show your support for fellow GNJMA Members The Perfect Body Company!
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Happening Next Week:
Invitation to
Buses For Barletta Fundraising Event
You are invited to attend a luncheon in support of Rep. Lou Barletta on Monday, July 23, 2018 in Philadelphia. The "Buses for Barletta" event will take place from 11:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Society Hill.
The cost to attend is a $500 individual contribution. The luncheon is being hosted by the United Motorcoach Association, the National School Transportation Association, the Pennsylvania Bus Association, the Pennsylvania School Bus Association, and Prime Policy.
Please reply to Owen Taylor
at Prime Policy if you wish to attend.
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Annual Golf Outing - Atlantic City Country Club
Meet & Mingle - Arturo's
Board of Director's Meeting
Fall Annual Association Meeting
Group Leader Marketplace
Mini-Marketplace
November 7th
- Tropicana Casino
2018 Driver's Safety Meeting
March 11-12th, 2019
- Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem
Sponsor Appreciation Dinner
Spring Association Meeting & Motorcoach Professional Awards
Mini-Marketplace
October 9-10th, 2019 - Resorts Casino Hotel
Golf Outing
Meet & Mingle
Board of Director's Meeting
Fall Annual Association Meeting
Group Leader Marketplace
Mini-Marketplace
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Do You Have News?
If you have news you'd like to share about your company or one of your employees, please
email us a note. We'd love to share your news with the rest of the Association!
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2018 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
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Download our logo above to display proudly on your website.
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Contact: Pattie Cowley, Executive Director | Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association
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