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Trans-Bridge Lines Marks 80th Anniversary
PBA member, Trans-Bridge Lines, Inc. has transported millions of residents throughout the Lehigh Valley and northwestern New Jersey for 80 years! February marked this monumental milestone in what has been a bittersweet year for the Greater Lehigh Valley's leading motorcoach company. Congratulations to the JeBran family and the entire Trans-Bridge Line's team! Read the press release.
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John Bailey Testifies Before the House
On March 3, John Bailey, PBA Chair and President of Bailey Coach testified at the PA House Majority Policy Committee Hearing about Gov. Wolf's budget plan and what does it mean for small business. John told the state House Majority Policy Committee that his transportation business might not survive if Gov. Tom Wolf's minimum wage and income tax proposals are implemented. Read more...
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ABC Companies Enters into Strategic Partnership with Grande West
PBA member, ABC Companies, a leading provider of motorcoach, transit and specialty passenger transport equipment in the USA and Canada, announced that it has entered into a strategic U.S. distribution agreement with Grande West, a leading supplier of electric, CNG, gas and clean diesel buses. Read the press release.
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PBA Coffee Talk
March 11 - 8:30AM (EST)
Online
PBA Lunch & Learn
April 8 - 12PM (EST)
Online
PBA 2021 Annual Meeting
October 24-27
Wind Creek
Bethlehem, PA
PBA 2022 Marketplace
March 22, 2022
The Liberty Arena
Williamsport, PA
PBA 2022 Annual Meeting
June 2022
State College, PA
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PBA Opposes Bridge Tolling!
"Our industry already pays more than its fair share to operate on Pennsylvania roadways and additional tolls would only add to that increasing cost," says Patricia Cowley, PBA Executive Director in an Op-Ed published in The Express on February 22.
In addition, PBA sent a letter to PennDOT Secretary Gramian on February 27 expressing our opposition to tolling and we will also send a letter to the Senate and House supporting Senator Langerholc's bill (pending introduction) revising the P3 process and providing additional legislative oversight with respect to tolling. Finally, for your information, the PA House Transportation Committee has scheduled a public hearing on March 24 regarding PennDOT's P-3 Bridge Tolling Initiative. PBA submitted written testimony to be included as part of the hearing.
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2021 Annual Meeting - REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Register Today!
The meeting welcomes motorcoach operators and tour planners, associate members, and travel supplier members to increase business opportunities.
The ever-popular Industry Expo and the Sales Retreat will be back again!
A 2021 Annual Meeting Sponsorship is a great way to promote your organization! There are many opportunities in which you can choose, from sponsoring a session, meal or placing an advertisement in the meeting program. Visit the Annual Meeting webpage to access the Sponsorship Form.
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PBA Membership Dues News
Last April we announced free membership for one year. This was effective with the May 1, 2020 renewals. We hope this gesture helped you in at least a small way. As recently communicated in a Member Alert, we have two new items to share with you regarding membership:
1) New Common Membership Renewal Date: For a variety of reasons, we are now resetting our renewal cycle to one common date, October 1. We will be sending out invoices and update forms August 1 for the October 1 due date.
2) Refer-A-Friend; Save $50 In addition, between now and August 1, we are offering a Refer-A-Friend promotion. If you Refer-A-Friend who joins by August 1, you will receive $50 off of your October 1 renewal. Here is a link you can share with your "friends" to learn more about membership, or you can simply refer them to Patricia Cowley.
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PBA Benefits of Membership
Are you aware of all of the benefits available to you as a PBA Member? From having access to up-to-date, industry-specific resources and information, to educational and networking opportunities, to ways to save your organization money through our preferred vendor program, and more! View all of the benefits, which are published to our website and/or download the document.
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Operator-Only Survey Help Us, Help You!
In case you missed it, we sent a survey to our motorcoach operator members. If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to complete this survey. After you hit submit, you will receive an on-screen confirmation page. Thank you!
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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". 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!
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Hazardous Weather Conditions Information
We update our PBA Facebook, with detailed PennDOT CMV restrictions during hazardous weather conditions, as well as our Twitter account. Make sure you like and follow us on these social media channels! Click on the links above or below at the bottom of the newsletter.
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Members...Share Your News With Us!
Share with us your story, any special news, such as company anniversaries, etc. by sending an email to director@pabus.org.
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COVID-19 UPDATES AND INDUSTRY NEWS
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Wolf Revises Mitigation Order on Gatherings and Lifts Out-of-State Travel Restrictions
As COVID-19 cases continue to decline and the state's vaccination plan is amplified, the Wolf Administration announced revised and lifted mitigation restrictions that are effective statewide. Read more... |
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Wolf Announces Hospitality Industry Relief
Governor Wolf also announced last week that the hospitality industry will soon be able to apply for immediate relief through the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP), a new grant program to support local businesses in the hospitality industry that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. $145 million in State grants will become available this month for Pennsylvania's struggling bars, hotels, and restaurants (a business owner's guide).
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Wolf Announces Application Deadline Extension for Low-Interest Loans for Survivors of Flooding from Tropical Storm Isaias
Governor Tom Wolf announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his request to extend the deadline for survivors of Tropical Storm Isaias to apply for low-interest loans from SBA until March 18, 2021. Read more... |
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What NJ's Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Means for PA Employers
On February 22, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed three bills that legalize the use of cannabis for those over the age of 21. Denise Elliott of McNees Law explains how this impacts PA employers. Read more... |
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COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in PA
Vaccination numbers for Pennsylvania do not include Philadelphia, which is its own jurisdiction, or federal facilities, which are working directly with the federal government. Get more information. |
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PA Offers New Tool and Hotline for COVID-19 Vaccine Info, But Not Appointments
The Pennsylvania Department of Health launched a new online tool and hotline to help people know when they're eligible for COVID-19 vaccine and help them find a provider. Read more... |
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Updated Mask Mandate Frequently Asked Questions
Please see link for several updated FAQs on the transportation mask mandate. There are several new important questions in the FMCSA section clarifying the applicability of the mandate to different types of passenger carrier operations. Please submit any questions about implementation for motor carriers to FMCSAMaskUp@dot.gov.
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Covid Relief Could Leave Bus Companies Behind
The motorcoach sector has been devastated by the drop in pandemic-era travel, but there's been little federal aid for this 3,000-company transportation industry. Read more... |
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SBA Adopts Changes to PPP Program to Make it Easier for Small Businesses to Obtain Loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a plan to ensure that more funding from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) pandemic relief loans will go to the smallest of small businesses. Read more... |
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PPP Borrowers Can Use Gross Income, SBA Rules
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) rules that allow self-employed individuals who file Form 1040, Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business, to calculate their maximum loan amount using gross income instead of net profit. Read more... |
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FEMA Bus Security Grants Now Open for Applications
FEMA has announced that the 2021 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program is open for applications. $2 million in competitive grant funding will be available for bus operators. The Intercity Bus Security Grant helps protect surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and increase the resilience of transit infrastructure. Get more information.
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CDC Essential Workers COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
The CDC designed COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers to help employers build confidence in the vaccine. Get more information. |
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DHS Restricts Travel Restrictions to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Mexico and Canada
The Department of Homeland Security Secretary announced the continuation to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Mexico and Canada into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border. Read more... |
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Buttigieg Makes Equity a Top Priority for DOT
As Transportation secretary, Buttigieg is making the fight against systemic racism a centerpiece of his job. Read more... |
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FMCSA Waiver in Response to the COVID-19 National Emergency
This waiver is effective March 1, 2021 and expires on May 31, 2021 or upon the revocation of the Declaration of National Emergency under 42 U.S.C. § 5191(b) concerning the COVID-19 public health emergency, whichever is sooner. Read more... |
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PennDOT Extends Expiration Dates on Commercial Driver Licenses, Commercial Learner's Permits
PennDOT announced that expiration dates for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner's permits will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Read more... |
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New Baltimore Motorcoach Parking Information
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McNees Law Provide Summary of 2020 Key Employment Law Developments
The detailed summary provides a comprehensive overview of decisions made by the Board, as well as highlights some possible future areas of change related to labor relations. Read more... |
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COVID-19 Vaccine Rollouts Continue to Fuel Travelers' Optimism
The latest Longwoods International tracking study of Americans' collective sentiment towards travel has shown that roughly 80 percent of travelers have established travel plans during the next sixth months. Read more... |
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United Airlines Launches Denver Bus Service for Skiers
United Airlines is launching two new routes. The airline will provide passengers direct access to Breckenridge Ski Resort, in addition to Fort Collins. However, rather than offering flights, these routes will be operated by bus. Read more... |
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How To Write a Tour Description With a Step-by-Step Example
Why is it that when someone asks about a tour over the phone, you can explain it in a way that makes them enthusiastic about booking, but as soon as you sit down to write a tour description, your mind goes blank? Read more... |
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AACA Museum 2021 Spring and Summer Opportunities
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ICYMI- MEMBER ALERTS
 Member Alerts are sent out to our Members as needed. Here are the alerts we sent out since last Go News below. If you need a copy, please contact us:
- PA Turnpike Overnight Closures
- All-Member Call March 11th
- Driver and Employee of Distinction Awards Nominations Open!
- Annual Meeting October 24-27, 2021 Registration is Open!
- PennDOT Invites Public Comments on 2021 Transportation Performance Report
- PBA Membership Dues News
- FMCSA Webinar - Entry-Level Drivers
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Executive Coach, Fullington Trailways, Innovative Coach, Krapf Transportation, Mlaker Trailways, Trans-Bridge Lines and Wolf's Bus Lines have coaches and other items for sale now!
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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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PBA IS ACTIVE ON MULTIPLE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
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Stay Connected! 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
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Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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