June 18, 2019
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Drivers’ actions contributed to a staggering 94 percent of all traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA)  2015 Traffic Safety Facts  report.

In response to this issue, law enforcement personnel will be on the lookout for commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in dangerous driver behaviors July 14-20 as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver Week. Drivers engaging in unsafe driving behaviors will be pulled over by law enforcement and may be issued a warning and/or citation.

SAN FRANCISCO ( KPIX 5 ) — Uber and Lyft are trying to stop a proposed state law that officially defines its drivers as employees. They’re using questionable methods to get their drivers to oppose the bill as well.

The bill is called AB 5 and it would require companies like Uber and Lyft to treat drivers like employees, meaning they’d have to provide worker’s compensation, paid time off and minimum wages, among other things.

But Uber and Lyft have been using their own driver interface apps in an effort to get drivers to sign a petition opposing AB 5.

“What happened in the morning today, actually it was yesterday, when I press to go with Uber, I get a notification and the notification says, ‘Protect driver’s flexibility,’” said Al Aloudi, who drives for both companies.
“What happened in the morning . . . when I press to go with Uber, I get a notification and the notification says, ‘Protect driver’s flexibility,’” said Al Aloudi, who drives for both companies.
Two things successful new hires do differently
Inc.com | by Betsy Mikel | June 17, 2019

Laszlo Bock  is obsessed with optimizing employee happiness. He did it for 10 years as the head of Google's people operations. Under Bock's tenure, Google was named one of the best places to work and continues to hold that position. Googlers have him to thank for their generous benefits packages and onsite chefs.

Bock is now the CEO of his own startup, Humu. After a decade of observing what makes Google's high-performing employees successful, he's sharing those insights with other companies. The Humu platform sends employees science-backed nudges to help them improve productivity, happiness, and overall company culture.

Setting new hires up for success

One of Bock's many initiatives at Google was to help new hires quickly find their footing and excel at work. He used data from current employees to do this. What did Google's highest-performing employees have in common?
"We designed a nudge to help new hires succeed in their roles by reminding them of the behaviors our top performers practice regularly," Bock writes for  Harvard Business Review.  The results were a win-win for employees and for Google's bottom line. Bock says modeling these two behaviors increased new hires' productivity by 2 percent -- the equivalent of about $400 million in a single year.
ABA Motorcoach Census Shows Strong Industry
Washington, D.C. – The American Bus Association Foundation released its 2017 Motorcoach Census report, which showcases the size and scope of the motorcoach industry in North America.

According to the 2017 Census, motorcoach travel remains one of the most flexible, cost-effective and environmentally efficient modes of transportation. In 2017, the motorcoach industry provided 574.6 million passenger trips, this compares to 741.6 million enplanements on domestic air carriers and 31.7 million passengers for Amtrak. The industry moved individual passengers a total of 64.3 billion miles.

In 2017, the motorcoach industry consisted of 3,196 companies that operated 37,264 motorcoaches in North America. In the United States, 2,963 companies operated 32,920 motorcoaches, and in Canada 233 companies operated 4,344 motorcoaches. The majority of these companies (94%) were small companies that operated fewer than 25 motorcoaches. These firms ran 21,875 motorcoaches and provided 88.8 million passenger trips. Mid-sized companies, operating 25 to 99 motorcoaches, ran 6,604 motorcoaches for a total of 87.6 million passenger miles. Large companies, those that operate more than 100 motorcoaches, moved 8,785 motorcoaches that provided 398.1 million of the industry’s passenger trips. The industry provided 98,500 jobs.

The Omni has the largest number of rooms in UMA block
"Which is the host hotel?" is a common question leading up to EXPO, and the answer is, we have several. However, in terms of the largest number of rooms in one place, the Omni will be where the majority of EXPO attendees will likely stay. All hotels are adjacent to the Music City Center, though, so there are no bad options. All our properties and new and convenient, with great rates. The Tribrand Marriott has everything from suites, to efficiencies to European-inspired accommodations.

Always book in the UMA block through our hotel page . We do not authorize third parties to book your rooms and we will not phone you with hotel offers .
Nashville Trivia!

In Nashville’s Centennial Park, you’ll find the world’s only full-scale reproduction of the ancient Parthenon of Athens, Greece.  The Parthenon   houses an art gallery and a statue of the Greek goddess Athena. Standing at almost 42 feet in height, Athena is the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western world.

Learn more about top ten must-see attractions in the Music City at VisitMusicCity.com .
Canada will require ELDs on June 12, 2021
Last week the Canadian government announced it is mandating the use of electronic logging devices by federally regulated commercial truck and bus operators beginning in June of 2021. Canadian and U.S. operators will be able to use the same ELD in both countries under the mandate.

This requirement builds on the regulatory proposal that was published in Canada Gazette, Part I on December 16, 2017.

This new requirement addresses a Saskatchewan Coroners Service recommendation following the tragic collision involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.  Additionally, these new devices are aligned with the United States road safety regulations and will support economic growth, trade, and transportation on both sides of the border.

  • As part of the regulatory development process, Transport Canada is committed to aligning with vehicle regulations in the United States to the fullest extent possible provided that it is in the best interest of Canadians.

  • By further aligning Canadian and U.S. logging device regulations, Canadian and U.S. operators can use the same logging device in both countries

  • Transport Canada estimates that the mandatory requirement for electronic logging devices will reduce the risk of fatigue-related collisions by approximately 10 percent.
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.
Congestion pricing proposed for Los Angeles

Bus & Motorcoach News | June 12, 2019 | by Rick Stoff

A regional government planning agency has proposed a congestion pricing plan for a heavy traffic portion of Los Angeles. It would become the country’s second city imposing fees to discourage traffic.

Regional leaders seem to be in no hurry to implement the plan. And the LA plan focuses more on reducing traffic congestion and less on generating revenue than a similar program being developed in New York City.

The Southern California Association of Governments ( SCAG ) released a lengthy and detailed proposal for a “Mobility Go Zone” in the Los Angeles area known as Westside. It includes a portion of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica and two of the country’s most congested highways. 

Will new fees discourage national park tourism?
Bus & Motorcoach News | June 12, 2019 | by Rick Stoff

Tourism in national parks will be devastated by permit requirements and entrance fee hikes taking effect, according to a sampling of motorcoach operators. Increased paperwork requirements alone may discourage charter groups from visiting some parks, they said, adding that enforcement of the regulations may be nearly impossible at some parks.

It might even take Congressional action to protect tourism in the parks, said one member of the United Motorcoach Association board of directors.

"The National Park Service is doing something that is going to decrease tourism and have a devastating effect on motorcoach companies," said John Bailey, owner of Bailey Coach in York, Pennsylvania, and president of the Pennsylvania Bus Association.

It will likely lead to fewer options for bus tours of national park, says Gary Moody, vice president of Holiday Tours in Randleman, North Carolina. "If it's a park we may visit only once per year, is paying for the $300 commercial use authorization plus the per-person entrance fee worth the cost?"

"The National Park Service is doing something that is going to decrease tourism and have a devastating effect on motorcoach companies," said John Bailey, owner of Bailey Coach in York, Pennsylvania, and president of the Pennsylvania Bus Association.
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Advocating in Georgia
GMOA Legislative Committee Chairman Alan  Robinson  and UMA's Ken Presley joined other members of the Committee to meet with Georgia Department of Education and Georgia Department of Safety - commercial vehicles. 
MEMBER BENEFITS
Directory is online and in the mail to members
Keep this handy guide close by!
You can check your mailbox 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!