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PBA Driver and Employee of Distinction Award Nominations are Open!
Nominate a driver or an employee whom you feel deserves special recognition for their 2021 dedication, safety record, and commitment to your company and the motorcoach industry in general. The awards will be presented at PBA's Annual Meeting & Conference in June. Time will be allotted at the presentation for your personal comments, by a company representative, on the achievements of the employee. Deadline to nominate is May 1. Get the details!
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Reminder! Register for FMCSA “Motorcoach 18-CARAT” Virtual Workshop | |
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Pennsylvania Division is virtually hosting their annual outreach & educational workshop, tailored for all Pennsylvania motorcoach carriers on January 27, 2022. Get more information and register today! | |
Calling All Destinations! | |
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We are currently accepting proposals to host our 2024 Marketplace and Annual Meeting.
If you are interested, please visit our 2024 event pages for a copy of the bid specs. As always, please contact us if questions!
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PBA Executive Director Wins Award | |
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We are proud to announce our Executive Director, Pattie Cowley, was named as the award recipient of the American Bus Association Women in Buses Operational Excellence Award!
Presented last Friday in Grapevine Texas by sponsor MCI, the announcement was made during the Women in Buses meeting. The award is given to an individual who displays excellence in service to their organization. This includes customer operations, drivers, mechanics, sales or any other impactful area in the travel and tourism industry. Pattie was nominated by operators and other associates in the bus industry familiar with her work as an association manager and grassroots legislative advocate.
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REMINDER: Register for PBA's 2022 Marketplace!
Marketplace will be begin on March 21, 2022 with set-up, and March 22, 2021 as the exciting event day at the Liberty Arena, Williamsport, PA. Join us to visit with group leaders arriving in beautiful PBA member motorcoaches looking for places to travel in 2022 and beyond! This is a great opportunity to bring buses and large groups to your location. Visit the webpage for details and register today!
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AACA Museum Officially Honors Betty White
The AACA Museum, Inc. will officially honor Betty White's memory on Sunday, January 16th, with "Betty White Day at the Museum.” The day planned originally as a 100th birthday celebration will now honor the veteran actress's life and special connection to the AACA Museum, Inc.
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Governor Wolf Responds to Congressional Redistricting Map Proposed by the House State Government Committee
Governor Tom Wolf sent a letter to House leadership and the chairs of the House State Government Committee outlining his concerns with the proposed new map for Pennsylvania’s congressional districts passed by the committee on Dec. 15, 2021. Read more...
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PA Turnpike Officials Say They Have Plans To Reduce Unpaid Tolls, Which Hit $105M Last Year
The numbers are large and sound awful: The Pennsylvania Turnpike failed to collect just under $105 million in tolls last year, up about $24 million from 2019. Read more...
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Biden Administration Defends its Authority on Vaccine Policies to Supreme Court
The Biden administration told the Supreme Court that federal law gives it the authority to impose a nationwide vaccine-or-testing requirement for large employers, and the court should not stand in the way of a program that will save thousands of lives. Read more...
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Biden Admin Tries To Fix Bus Driver Shortage by Waiving Requirement To Identify Engine Parts
The Department of Transportation and Department of Education announced that they will temporarily waive the requirement for bus drivers to be able to identify engine components in order to obtain their CDL license. Read more...
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What To Know About CERTS Compliance Reporting ; Gather Your Resources
The Treasury Department has issued some guidance on Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) reporting. The first report for how you spent CERTS funds through Dec. 31, 2021, is due by Feb. 15, 2022. Read more...
Your report will need to cover activities during the time period from the effective date of the CERTS grant agreement through the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021 (December 31, 2021). Make sure you are ready to file on time.
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OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard on COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing Is Back On (for Now)
As of December 17, 2021, the stay has been lifted and the ETS is currently in effect. Read more...
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Sign Up for or Review Your Existing FTA Charter Service Listing
The FTA Charter Service Registry is critical to protecting privately owned motorcoach companies from having transit operators encroach on their ability to do business. Make sure your company is listed and that your information is correct. A robust registry is necessary to maintain this important advantage. Get listed.
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NHTSA Publishes New Safety Standard for Motorcoach and Large Bus Rollovers
The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a final rule that establishes a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 227) and adopts a new testing procedure (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulation 66) for motorcoaches and large buses. Read more...
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Omicron Triggers Business Outcry for Washington Lifeline
The Omicron surge is forcing pandemic-battered businesses to once again scale back and close their doors, energizing a lobbying push for billions of dollars of new aid for struggling employers and their workers. Read more...
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Intercity Bus Lines Look To Win Over Wary Travelers With Upgraded, Expanded Services
Intercity bus travel may have been challenged, yet new entrants and existing operators are upping their game in bids to take on both the airlines and Amtrak. Read more...
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January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month
National Human Trafficking Awareness Month (NHTAM) is a specific time set aside by presidential proclamation for everyone to educate themselves about human trafficking and how to spot the signs of trafficking. It’s also a time to spread that education to workplaces, churches, schools, government leaders and elsewhere. And January is that month each year. Get more information.
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FREE Webinar with Sally Davis Berry on January 13, 2022 11:00 AM
"Group Sales Tactics for our New Reality"
Are you new to the Group tour market or just trying to figure out your next steps? Join Sally for this webinar where she will discuss actionable ways to face our new realities. Tour operators are desperate to have informed people on the other end of the phone. Here is your chance to be one of them! Sign up today!
Sally Davis Berry has over 20 years of experience in the Group Tour Market. She has been named one of the Top 10 Most Influential Women in the Group Tour Market, and a Top 25 U.S. Tourism Sales and Marketing Professional. Clients say that Sally has a way of presenting topics that make them easily understood and energizes attendees to take action!
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ICYMI
Alerts, Invitations, Press Releases, and more are sent out to our Members as needed. Here are the emails we sent out since last Go News below.
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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 | | | | |
