April 2, 2019
Low rate for Sales Summit extended through April 5
Sales professionals from motorcoach companies will have a unique opportunity to train with and learn from the industry's leading thought leaders and sales pros, May 29-30, at Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. The member early bird discount of $100 off has been extended through Friday, April 5. Members: Sign up now for $325!

Sign up by April 5 to SAVE $100!
Presenters at the sales summit will include:

  • Numaan Akram, Founder and CEO of Rally
  • Brent Maitland, VP Marketing and Product Planning MCI
  • Jim McCann of Spader Business Management
  • Shawna Suckow, Travel Industry Sales Thought Leader
  • Bethany Schubert, Vice President, Trobec's Bus Service
Upcoming GPS rollover and how it affects you
Never heard of it? You are not alone,

On April 6, the GPS rollover will occur. The Global Positioning System is one of the critical mechanisms that supports the accurate measurement of time—by accurate, the nanosecond and beyond. Every 19 years the week-counter must be reset to zero. Does this matter? As they say, timing is everything. A nanosecond error in GPS time can equate to one foot of position error. Aviation, power grid, financial services and telecommunications are equally dependent and disastrous consequences could ensue without it.

Homeland Security Department has issued guidance on how best to prepare for the upcoming rollover and underscores the importance of resilience for entities that rely upon precision timing. The ability to safely maintain continuity of operations, and to bounce back quickly in the event of a disruption, is of paramount importance—we simply cannot protect everything, everywhere, all the time.

As April 6 approaches, The Department of Homeland Security encourages everyone to think through carefully the implications of the GPS rollover with an eye to remaining resilient.

For the curious, click here for more information.
The group photo had to be inside at our dinner at Clyde's of Gallery Place.
Nation's motorcoach and bus operators gather in DC
Industry Legislative Fly-In Draws Leaders from 21 Associations

Today, close to 100 bus and motorcoach operators representing UMA and 20 other partner organizations convened in Washington, DC to get a legislative briefing to prepare them for tomorrow's hundreds of meetings with members of Congress and their staffs.

The operators will inform their elected officials about the benefits the motorcoach industry brings to the US, from jobs to green transportation to reducing road congestion. And they'll advocate to keep the partial fuel tax exemption for private motorcoaches. Operators will share the publication, The Motorcoach Industry by the Numbers, with Representatives and Senators and their staffs.

If you are not attending this year, please consider joining us next year. There is no cost to attend beyond your airfare and lodging. The Bus & Motorcoach Industry Fly-In is open to every bus and motorcoach operator and their various state, local and national associations. #industryunited
Unified Carrier Registration Enforcement Date Delayed

Washington, DC - The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Board has recommended to enforcement agencies a further extension of the enforcement date to May 1, 2019 for the 2019 registration period.

Many will recall the UCR Board of Directors’ implementation of the 2019 rates were delayed late last year while the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) completed its rulemaking process on fee levels.

Overall, fees were reduced for 2019. Bus and motorcoach companies required to comply with the Unified Carrier Registration should make sure they are registered, and the 2019 fees have been remitted before the May 1, 2019 enforcement date.
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.
Are you ready for an economic downturn?
Three strategies to recession-proof your business
Bus and Motorcoach News | by Shandra Martinez | March 28, 2019

In recent months, there’s been a wave of longtime motorcoach businesses closing their doors for reasons ranging from too much debt to a lack of qualified drivers.

The trend has some wondering if the rash of closures is telltale sign of an economic downturn or owner fatigue from working in a highly regulated, competitive industry. In addition, some economists have in recent months predicted the U.S. economy is due for a slowdown. The current bull market, which started in early 2009, is the longest period of expansion on record since World War II.

One potential early warning sign of a recession is the inversion of the three- and five-year bond markets in December, which means the return on the shorter bonds is better than the longer ones. This same scenario happened before recessions in 1990, 2001 and 2007. If that is the case, the silver lining is that companies have time to get ready.


Between seat belts and a hard place
Motorcoaches are highly safe, but Canadian
companies are struggling to have that message heard
Bus and Motorcoach News | by Hal Mattern | March 31, 2019

Hockey is king in Canada, and the country’s love for the sport was never more apparent than in the aftermath of a fatal 2018 collision involving a motorcoach carrying the Humboldt Broncos youth hockey team.

Sixteen passengers, including players and their coach, died in the crash, which was caused when a semi-truck collided with the motorcoach on April 6 in Saskatchewan.

The accident shocked and captivated Canadians, and the story rocketed to the number one spot in the nation’s media last year. It also helped spark a nationwide call for seatbelts on motorcoaches that has left operators scrambling to prepare for a major hit to their businesses as they work to get the message out about just how safe motorcoaches are—seatbelts or no.

UMA adds new members for first quarter of 2019

UMA added 13 new members in the first quarter of this year. Welcome our four new associate members and nine operators.
OPERATOR MEMBERS

FTI Coach Lines
Raymond NH

MBF Charters LLC
Southaven MS

New England Coach Inc.
Evergreen Park IL

The Walker Group
Mount Vernon MO

Regal Coach Lines, Inc.
Nashville TN

Gray Line of Tennessee
Woodstock GA

Style Charters & Tours, LLC
Athens GA

Brewster Travel
Martinsburg OH

West Valley Charter
Campbell CA
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Flixbus Inc
Los Angeles, CA

Gerflor
Linewood, MA

Reyco Granning Suspensions
Bensenville, IL

Terrapin Blue
Pawleys Island, SC
Motorcoach Industry Calendar



APRIL 2019
  • 2 – 3 Bus & Motorcoach Industry Legislative Fly-In powered by UMA www.uma.org/capitol-hill
  • 7 – 9 Northwest Motorcoach Association Annual Mechanics & Tech & Tour Conference, Comfort Inn & Suites Boise Airport Boise, ID
  • 29 GNJMA Webinar: How the bus industry can combat human trafficking LEARN MORE

MAY 2019

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
  • 28- August 1 , Regional Meeting of AMA, GMOA, and SCMA, Renaissance Hotel/Convention Center, Montgomery, AL Learn More

AUGUST 2019
  • 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

JANUARY 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!