9/01/2020
MEMBER NEWS
PBA Members Explain Need For Relief 
An article in the Altoona Mirror yesterday featured 3 PBA members who spoke for all members and the entire industry.  Thank you to Bollman Charter Services, Freedom Excursions by Scully and Fullington Trailways for sharing their thoughts.  
Philadelphia is Back in Business Virtual Event -Rescheduled
PBA Operators, join PBA Philly area members and other members of the Destination Philly: Philadelphia Tour and Travel Collective for a Zoom event on Wednesday, September 30th.  Find out who they are, learn how they can help you and your business, and most importantly, discover what's open and how excited they are to welcome you back to PHILADELPHIA!
PBA Members Rally to Reopen Casinos
New York casinos are still closed.  "The hard part for me is I don't know what to tell my employees on whether to wait or look for another job," said Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, both PBA Members.  Read more...
Amid Challenges, Members Go Back-To-School
A photo from Klein Transportation, who have been working hard over the past few weeks in preparation for the 2020-21 school year.  To the members are who are also going back-to-school, we wish you a great school year!
REGISTER OR 
SAVE-THE-DATE!

PBA 2021 Marketplace
March 23, 2021
York Expo Center
York, PA


PBA 2021 Annual Meeting
June 20-23, 2021
Wind Creek 
Bethlehem
Bethlehem, PA



PBA 2022 Marketplace
March 2022 (22 or 29th)
The Liberty Arena
Williamsport, PA


PBA 2022 Annual Meeting
June 2022
Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
State College, PA


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PBA to Offer Distracted Driver Train-the-Trainer Program 
FMCSA has awarded a cooperative agreement to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Training, Research and Education for Driving Safety (TREDS) program to provide training to Commercial Drivers about the dangers of driving distracted. 

TREDS is interested in developing instructor teams in ten different states to prepare traffic safety professionals to deliver the Just Drive: Deliver Distraction-Free curriculum to commercial drivers. 

Keep your eye on your email for more information and registration soon!  
PBA and FMCSA PA Division Seminar on Changes to HOS Regulations 
On August 26th, PBA provided an online learning opportunity facilitated by FMCSA PA division on changes to the HOS regulations.  If you were unable to attend, we are sharing the presentation and supplemental information below.
Pennsylvania Human Trafficking Coalition Held August 19, 2020 
PBA co-hosted a 90-minute online briefing on commercial sexual exploitation and ways Pennsylvania-based industry stakeholders from the trucking, truck stop, bus and energy industries can work together with law enforcement and government agencies to learn how to successfully work together to combat human trafficking.  

If you were unable to participate, you can:
PBA Travel Suppliers - Are You Open for Business? 
We sent travel supplier members emails asking to complete a short survey form to let us know the status of being "open for business".  So far, 105 members have responded!  We are sharing this information so our operator members know who is open for trip planning.  We also asked for contact updates for our database.  Missed the memo?  Here's a link to complete the form.  Updated results are available to download and view. #letsgetrolling!
PBA is Active on Multiple Social Media Platforms 
If you are not aware, PBA maintains active Social Media Platforms.  In addition to the emailed communications we send to you, we actively share information to our Facebook and Twitter accounts and our new LinkedIn.  We encourage you to LIKE US, FOLLOW US and ENGAGE with us! #pabus

PBA Member Benefits 
Are you aware of all of the benefits of membership?  Visit the Member Benefits section of our website to review them all.   
COVID-19 UPDATES AND INDUSTRY NEWS
STIMULUS PACKAGE ON-HOLD:  YOUR ACTION STILL NEEDED  
Reach out to your representatives today to tell them to support the CERTS Act.  

56% of PA congressional delegates and 50% of PA senators have already co-sponsored.  Below is a list of PA representatives that have co-sponsored the House bill H.R. 7642: 

Representative Cartwright, Matt
Representative Doyle, Mike
Representative Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Representative Keller, Fred
Representative Kelly, Mike
Representative Lamb, Conor
Representative Reschenthaler, Guy
Representative Smucker, Lloyd
Representative Thompson, Glenn
Representative Wild, Susan

There is a total of 18 PA House Reps, so we are more than half way there. However, we have had meetings with all who have not co-sponsored yet.  Please help by reaching out to those representatives.  Download an email and contact list of those that have not co-sponsored yet.

On the Senate bill (S 4150),  Sen. Bob Casey has co-sponsored the bill.  Sen. Pat Toomey has not co-sponsored yet.  We have had several meetings with Sen. Toomey.
Coalition Urges White House to Work With Congress for Industry Relief 
Four national organizations representing the nation's operators of motorcoaches, school buses, and passenger vessels called on the Administration to support the bi-partisan Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act.  Read more...
Senate Republican 'Skinny' Proposal May Yield Productive Negotiations 
The "skinny" plan, a proposal floated by Senate Republicans that could be attached to a budget continuing resolution but is half of the original spending in the HEALS Act.  Read more...
Bartolotta, Ward Introduce COVID-19 Small Business Tax Relief Legislation 
Senators Camera Bartolotta (R-46) and Judy Ward (R-30) introduced legislation to update state tax laws in order to provide critical assistance to small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Read more...
COVID-19 Derails Plans to Address State Funding for PennDOT 
Senate hearings haven't been set yet. And the atmosphere has changed dramatically, with the economy reeling in general and transportation suffering specifically with reduced travel cutting revenue from the gasoline tax and reducing tolls paid to the turnpike.  Read more...
PA Approved for Extra $300 Per Week to Eligible Unemployed Workers 
Pennsylvania will get nearly $1.5 billion to provide an extra $300 per week to eligible unemployed workers through the temporary federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Read more...
PA To Launch Free App to Alert Users of Potential COVID-19 Exposure 
Pennsylvanians will soon be able to download a phone app that will alert them if they've had close contact with a COVID-19 patient.  Read more...
Four Post-PPP Coronavirus Relief Programs for Small Businesses 
The Paycheck Protection Program expired on August 8. These coronavirus relief programs will still be available.  Read more...
CDC Drops Quarantine Recommendation, Says to Follow State Guidelines 
The agency now says travelers can follow quarantine guidelines of the state or territory they're visiting or returning to.  Read more...
CDC Says Not To Argue With Anti-Mask Customers 
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently issued updated guidance recommending certain practices for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The guidance adds that should employees be confronted with threats or violence; they should remove themselves and find a safe area. Click here for expanded guidelines for employers.
FMCSA Updates
FMCSA Grants Nearly $2 Million to Bus and Truck Driver Training Schools 
Recipients of these funds will work to expand the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training to help reduce the severity and number of crashes on U.S. roads involving commercial motor vehicles; and assist current or former members of the United States Armed Forces (including National Guard members and Reservists) and their spouses to receive training to transition to the CMV operation industry.  Read more...
Acting Administrator Jim Mullen to Leave FMCSA  
The agency will get a new acting administrator in former FMCSA Director of Government Affairs Wiley Deck.  Read more...
USDOT Awards Nearly $80 Million in Grants to Improve Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety 
"These awards of nearly $80 million represent the highest funding level for these critical safety grants to enhance commercial motor vehicle and road safety," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.  Read more...
Celebrities Come Out To Support CERTS Act
An outpouring of support from a few entertainers for the CERTS Act.  You can find them on the Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness Facebook page posted by Ryan Kelly of Terrapin Blue.  Here's one from the one and only, Kid Rock: https://loudwire.com/kid-rock-support-certs-act-aid-bus-motor-coach-industry/ #BusesMoveEntertainers!
NJ Transit Is Leaving Private Bus Passengers in the Lurch 
NJ Transit is the beneficiary of $1.4 billion in federal relief funds that it refuses to share with private buses responsible for an estimated one-third of scheduled bus service in New Jersey.  Read more...
Bus Firms Fold as Pleas for Aid Go Unanswered, Stranding Needy
Bus companies, which every year shuttle hundreds of millions of Americans, most of them working class, are being forced by the pandemic to suspend service and close shop while trains and airlines stay afloat with federal aid.  Read more...
New Report Details Motorcoach Industry's Dire Situation 
DePaul University's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development recently released a report outlining the dire situation currently facing the motorcoach industry.  Read more...
Will Trump Let Congestion Pricing Happen? 
The MTA expects to face a $16 billion shortfall through 2024, and that's on top of long-neglected infrastructure modernization needs.  Read more...
NY/NJ/CT Remove Arizona, Four Other States From Quarantine List 
The list of states subject to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut's COVID-19 travel order just got smaller.  Read more...
U.S. Canada Border Restrictions Extend to at Least September 21st
The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to nonessential travel.  The land border restrictions aimed at controlling the coronavirus pandemic were first announced in March and have been renewed monthly.  Read more...
Texting While Driving Results in Prison Sentence 
A woman who was texting while driving when she crashed into the back of a car that struck and killed a pedestrian was sentenced to five years in prison.  Read more...
The Three C's of Destination Marketing 
When it comes to destination marketing, technology has put tremendous power into people's hands.  Read more...
ICYMI- MEMBER ALERTS 
Member Alerts are sent out to our Members as needed.  Here is a sampling of what has been sent recently:
  • REMINDER: FMCSA Hours of Service Free Virtual Seminar is Tomorrow! Register Today! 
ITEMS FOR SALE OR WANTED
Executive Coach, Fullington Trailways, Krapf Transportation, Mlaker Trailways, Trans-Bridge Lines and Wolf's Bus Lines have coaches and other items for sale now!
SUPPORT MOTORCOACH PAC

The Motorcoach PAC allows the Pennsylvania Bus Association to support legislators who work with us to promote, change or defeat legislation that impacts our industry. Contributing to Motorcoach PAC gives us a stronger voice in Harrisburg. Please consider giving $200, $300 or more.

Personal checks may be made payable and sent to:

Motorcoach PAC
200 North Third Street, Suite 1500
Harrisburg, PA 17101
 
Corporate funds are not permitted in any form. Unincorporated business checks are acceptable providing no owner or partner of the business is a corporation. Please contact Milliron & Goodman if you have any questions at (717) 232-5322. Political Action Committee donations are not tax deductible.

Download the solicitation form for more information.  


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