SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
VISION AWARDS DEADLINE: Oct. 15

Nominate a deserving operator for the highest honor the United Motorcoach Association bestows on an operation each year. Get a nomination form and the details at www.motorcoachexpo.com.
Good news for operators!
FMCSA proposes revised Lease/Interchange language
Washington, DC – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the long-awaited proposed revision of the “Lease and Interchange of Vehicles: Motor Carriers of Passengers” final rule. The newly proposed language lines up with the policy priorities of the United Motorcoach Association as it would remove a duplicative and burdensome regulation that yielded no benefits to the traveling public.

“Although the proposed revision was a long time coming,” said UMA President and CEO Stacy Tetschner, “Initially, we are very pleased with the proposed language and we thank Administrator Martinez and the FMCSA team for listening to our concerns and proposed solutions.”

The original final rule compelled operators to enter into mandatory lease arrangements when chartering or subcontracting the services of another carrier. The contracting carrier would be responsible for inspection violations and insurance despite the fact both companies had separate operating authority and insurance.

The proposed revision states: “FMCSA proposes changes that would reduce the number of required leases because authorized carriers would not be subject to this proposed rule when using vehicles or acquiring transportation services from other authorized carriers.

UMA members are encouraged to review  the proposed revisions  and  comment.  Comments must be received by November 19, 2018.
SOLUTION SESSIONS
Learn how to 'Prepare & Protect Your Company from Terrorism & Cyber Terrorism'
An expert panel will equip you to "Protect and Prepare Your Company from Terrorism and Cyber Terrorism" at a UMA Solution Session on January 8. ABC Companies' Chief Legal Officer Tom DeMatteo, cyber law expert Jean M. Daly, and TSA's David Cooper will inform participants of the cost of not being prepared and share practical, replicable methods for safeguarding companies from threats by terrorists and cyber terrorists seeking to harm or disrupt and destabilize America's infrastructure and transportation operations. Join them from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. on January 8 during UMA's EXPO.
Aerial photo shows a flooded stretch of I-95 through
Lumberton, NC following Hurricane Florence. REUTERS/Jason Miczek
All of I-95 in North Carolina reopens after flooding
Interstate 95 has reopened throughout North Carolina, but other major roads in the southeastern part of the state remain closed more than a week after Hurricane Florence bombed the region with a foot or more of rain, according to North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper who spoke late Sunday night.

A 31-mile stretch of Interstate 40 between the cities of Wilmington and Wallace that had closed because of the storm reopened Monday, although one of two westbound lanes was still blocked.

Safe routes to Wilmington, the largest city in Florence's path, reopened over the weekend, the state Department of Transportation said. However, some drivers will have to take detours to get to the city.
"I-95 is a major artery for North Carolina and the entire East Coast that’s essential for commerce,” Cooper said in a statement.
Addressing the driver shortage
Twin Cities Metro Transit launches
apprenticeships for bus drivers

Star Tribune | by Janet Moore | Sept. 19, 2018

Faced with an acute shortage of bus drivers — to the point where trips are often canceled — Metro Transit is embracing a state initiative that uses apprenticeships to help new employees adapt to the rigors of the job.

Metro Transit currently employs 1,600 bus drivers but still has 90 positions open — up from 57 openings in May. Transit agencies across the country are faced with the same challenge of attracting new drivers, due largely to a strong economy and a low unemployment rate.
Register for the 2018 UMA Safety Management Seminar
Who: Risk Management and Safety Management Professionals
When: December 5-6
Where: NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA
Member Fee: $295
Non-Member Fee: $465

Registration is open for the 2018 UMA Safety Management Seminar and potential attendees are urged to sign up early as this event has limited space and sells out early each year. This event is for anyone who manages safety and compliance for motorcoach fleet operations. Sessions will focus on the industry's most pressing needs and provide take-away information that attendees can put into practice ASAP. The seminar also includes updates and forecasts from all major regulatory agency staff.

First regional Town Halls yield good participation
UMA board members convened three Regional Town Hall meetings over the past week, bringing together operators and vendors to discuss ELDs and to identify and explore regulatory and operational topics and trends of importance. The first round of meetings covered all U.S. regions and took place on the Zoom videoconferencing platform, and total attendance was around 100 participants. The meetings allowed operators to discuss results of a recent UMA survey about ELD usage and to hear from leading vendors of ELD technology and vehicle manufacturers about ways to circumvent and diagnose problems operators have identified.

In addition, regulatory and legislative issues were on the agenda and operators were reminded to check their status with the FTA Charter Service Registry. Operators must re-register every two years and can opt to receive nationwide or regional notifications of opportunities. Currently only a very small number of operators are on the registry which means they have no standing with the Federal Transit Administration and cannot make a complaint or oppose a transit operation that is providing charter service. Participants were reminded that the email address they use for the registry must be one that is checked frequently since renewal reminders will come to that address.

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: That 'bargain' may really cost you
Bus & Motorcoach News | by Dave Milhouser | September 20, 2018

Ouch. Our boss had found another “deal,” and experience had taught us that his bargains were often costly.

Our 4106 needed an engine, and Joe found a Detroit Diesel in a salvage yard, a truck pullout. After stuffing that jewel into the ’06 and firing it up, off he went—backwards. Four speeds in reverse and one forward. Gee whiz, who knew that an 8V71 would happily turn in either direction, depending on which camshafts and idler gear it had? Trucks like right hand, but GM buses demanded a lefty.

We once bolted a used differential pumpkin in a Silversides. Apparently, the ratio was slightly different than the original, because that puppy went fast enough to make Chuck Yeager flinch.

Just because something fits doesn’t mean it’s right. Coaches have a long service life and as they age, providing parts can become a challenge.

CVSA releases Operation Safe Driver results for 2018
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance reports that during its July 2018 Operation Safe Driver Week, a 51,000 law enforcement officers made contact with 113,331 CMV drivers and passenger vehicle drivers and issued 57,405 citations. A total of 42,144 CMV contacts were made with 10,709 citations issued and 71,187 passenger vehicle contacts were made with 46,696 citations issued.
Top five citations to CMV drivers were:
  1. State/Local Laws – 6,008 citations
  2. Speeding – 1,908 citations
  3. Failing to use a seat belt while operating a CMV – 1,169 citations
  4. Failure to obey a traffic control device – 754 citations
  5. Using a handheld phone – 262 citations
Top five citations to passenger vehicle drivers:
  1. State/Local Laws – 21,511 citations
  2. Speeding – 16,909 citations
  3. Failing to use a seat belt – 3,103 citations
  4. Inattentive and/or careless driving – 1,655 citations
  5. Failure to obey a traffic control device – 739 citations
UMA Board nominations due Monday, Oct. 1
October 1, 2018 is the deadline to submit nominations for four open seats on the UMA Board of Directors.  This year there will be one seat available in Region 1, two seats available in Region 2 and one seat available in Region 3.

For a comprehensive breakdown of states included in each region, please visit the UMA website at  www.uma.org . Each year up to two seats in each region may become available as terms of service for existing Directors expire. Candidates nominated for the Board must represent an active UMA-member company in good standing with the association. 
 
Written letters of nomination must state the candidate’s name, company affiliation and home-base location. Nomination letters also must be postmarked, emailed or faxed before October 1, 2018.

CONTACT: If you have questions or wish to submit a letter of nomination (for yourself or another UMA member), please contact UMA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner at stetschner@uma.org .
2019 Motorcoach EXPO
The future of the motorcoach industry!
INNOVATE - EDUCATE - CELEBRATE
Motorcoach Industry Calendar


SEPTEMBER 2018
  • 27 GNJMA Webinar on Building a Business that Can Run Without You REGISTER

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
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
  • 14-18 NAMO Annual Conference & Marketplace - Springfield, MO  http://www.namo-coaches.org/
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!