June 11, 2019
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by Ken Presley

Following last year’s limousine crash in Schoharie County, New York, the state Senate approved new safety regulations for limousines, following an upstate crash that killed 20—17 passengers, the driver, and two pedestrians who were in a parking lot.

Nine bills include provisions that will require stretch limousines to have seatbelts, increase licensing requirements for limousine drivers, strengthen criminal penalties for drivers who violate traffic laws, and make it easier for the state of New York to impound unsafe vehicles.
The bills await a vote in the New York Assembly. More . . .
"I've tried to change the dynamic at FMCSA because I sensed when I walked in the door that there was this 'us and them' mentality; and that's not good for us," FMCSA Administrator Raymond Martinez told members of the UMA Board of Directors last week. In a wide-ranging address that included Q and A with the board, he discussed everything from autonomous vehicles to the driver shortage and hot-button regulatory issues like Hours of Service and meal breaks.

Martinez joined UMA board during lunch on Thursday, June 6, at their meeting in National Harbor in Prince George's County, MD. The administrator discussed current developments in the industry and described his vision of an FMCSA that works with stakeholders to try to be a better partner and bring a "spirit of collaboration."

He stressed the importance of operators knowing their state FMCSA representatives saying FMCSA and operators should be "fully engaged at the state level and not wait until there is a problem." More . . .
FMCSA Administrator Raymond Martinez joined UMA's Board of Directors for lunch last week and shared his priorities and goals for the motor carrier industry with operators.
At left, UMA Board Chair Gladys Gillis welcomes FMCSA Administrator Raymond Martinez to speak at the UMA Board Meeting. Above, the Administrator stayed to greet and take a group photo with board members following his speech. See more photos online.
UMA Board Members board and buckle up for the 12 mph ride on Olli, the autonomous shuttle built by Local Motors. Click the video link to see them take off for a quick tour.
UMA Board assesses autonomous vehicle technology
UMA’s Board of Directors took a short field trip away from the board room during their meeting at National Harbor last week, walking to nearby Local Motors to tour a facility where they use 3D printing technology to create their vehicles, including an autonomous shuttle, the Olli.

The visit was planned to coincide with a board discussion on the future of driverless technology as an industry disrupter.

Following a tour of the Local Motors showroom, small groups boarded Olli for quick tours around National Harbor, showcasing the vehicle’s safety and environmental features. Olli is all electric and operates quietly, has onboard IBM Watson technology, LIDAR remote sensing that enables 360-degree awareness at all times, and comfortably seats 8 passengers. Olli is printed in a 3D printer about the size of a minibus and manufactured on site at Local Motors. 
Room block has variety of options
EXPO registration is open and so is our hotel block. Attendees will be pleased with the new, convenient properties that are hosting us for the 2020 EXPO. Remember to book in the UMA block. The safest way to book your rooms is through our hotel page . We do not authorize third parties to book your rooms. Learn more about features of the Tribrand Marriott and the Omni and make your choice. These combined properties offer a variety of lodging choices all adjacent to the Music City Center. You are going to love Nashville!
Nashville Trivia!

Hot Chicken is a Nashville original, invented by a scorned lover seeking revenge nearly 100 years ago and first served at the famed Prince’s Hot Chicken. Today, the fried chicken dish doused in fiery spices and served on a bed of white bread with a pickle can be found at restaurants throughout the city, with heat levels ranging from mild to XXX Hot.

Learn more about the dining scene in the Music City at VisitMusicCity.com .
MEMBERS

Seen around town near UMA headquarters
UMA's Ken Presley spotted a Young Transportation Coach near our office in Alexandria, VA, a popular charter destination.
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.
Risky driving behavior on the rise according to risk management firm

Bus & Motorcoach News | June 6, 2019 | by Jillian LaCross

Drivers who engage in one risky activity are often guilty of several risky behaviors at the same time, according to telematics data from  Lytx , a San Diego-based global driver risk management company.

In 23 percent of the events the company scored, drivers were engaged in multiple potentially risky behaviors and were also twice as likely to encounter a risk as a driver engaged in just one potentially risky, distracting behavior.
There was a 10 percent increase in the volume of events in which the drivers using hands-free devices were involved in another potentially risky distraction such as eating, drinking, smoking or using another device.

The art of collaboration

How helping others can grow your business

Bus & Motorcoach News | June 9, 2019 | by Shandra Martinez

Marcia Milton believes in the power of collaboration. She credits her strategy of partnering with companies to go after projects and contracts with boosting her business, First Priority Trailways, which will mark its 20th anniversary this summer.

“That philosophy has made a world of difference,” Milton said. “I started out with one coach, so to get a stream of work I had to partner with people. It’s the best way to get your piece of the pie.”

The quickest way to find industry partners is to join organizations, says Milton, who practices what she preaches. Milton is a member of five industry organizations that put her in contact with a cross-section of people—the United Motorcoach Association, American Bus Association, National Association of Motorcoach Operators, Maryland Motorcoach Association and the Virginia Motorcoach Association. She holds leadership roles on the UMA, NAMO and Trailways boards. She estimates she spends 10 percent of her work hours on her association duties but says the investment pays off.

Advertisement: New opportunities in Bus & Motorcoach News
Sustainability summit has eye-opening possibilities
Bus and Motorcoach News was invited to attend the Movin' On Summit in Montreal this week. The international conference is looking at ways to make transportation more sustainable. Click the video link above to see Navya's Will Sosson give BMN an update on the French company's autonomous, electric shuttle that is being tested by the University of Michigan. BMN reported on this groundbreaking project earlier this year. Click the photo at right to see a slideshow from Fleet Owner showing the various technologies on display at the summit, f rom Michelin's unveiling of the airless tire in partnership with General Motors to a 3-D printed car, innovations were at every turn. 
MEMBER BENEFITS
Directory is online and in the mail to members
Keep this handy guide close by!
You can check your mail box for the printed version of the UMA Membership Directory which was mailed to members recently, or you can go online to access this important member benefit.
The UMA Membership Directory has contact information for fellow operators you can count on in the event of a breakdown or need to partner with for a job and for reliable vendors that support our industry.
Motorcoach Industry Calendar

JUNE 2019
  • 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
  • 14-20 Operation Safe Driver Week Learn More
  • 28- August 1 , Regional Meeting of AMA, GMOA, and SCMA, Renaissance Hotel/Convention Center, Montgomery, AL Learn More

AUGUST 2019
  • 1 Deadline to nominate candidates for UMA Board of Directors
  • 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

NOVEMBER 2019

DECEMBER

JANUARY 2020

MARCH 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
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!