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Bailey Coach Brings First Coach Tour to Seneca Casino in NY
PBA Chair, John Bailey of Bailey Coach shared some great news that puts the past year into perspective. "We have a group led by John and Connie Patterson in Niagara Falls today in the Explore York themed coach," John reported. "They are pictured in front of PBA member, Seneca Casino. The casino stated they were the first motorcoach group to visit the casino/hotel since the Pandemic started last year."
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Klein Transportation: A Generational Motorcoach Company
PBA member, Klein Transportation is more than 60 years old and four generations strong. John Klein started the family-owned company in the 1950s and passed it along in the 1960s to his son, Bill, who continued running the business until the 1990s. Read more...
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Next PBA Coffee Talk!
May 13, 2021
9:30 AM EST
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 19-22, 2022
State College, PA
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Mohegan Sun Pocono Accepting Buses
Some details:
- No packages will be issued.
- 5-hour minimum length of stay has been waived.
- No bus greeter.
- All guests will undergo temperature checks prior to entering.
- Guests are required to wear masks at all times.
- Mohegan Sun Pocono is currently a non-smoking property.
- Designated smoking areas are located outside.
Contact Kim Krushnowski, Motorcoach Reservationist, at krushnowski@mohegansunpocono.com or 570-831-2268.
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Eberspächer Names ABC Companies as Certified Service Partner
PBA member, ABC Companies has been designated as the Eberspächer Certified Service Partner for the United States. After an extensive vetting process, Eberspächer selected ABC Companies' Speciality Vehicles and Technologies (SVT) division to provide Eberspächer customers a comprehensive range of service, parts and dedicated technical support. Read more...
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Michelle Wiltgen of National Interstate, Retiring
 After 30 years of service, Michelle Wiltgen has decided to retire from PBA member, National Interstate. While we will greatly miss Michelle, we do not have to say goodbye, just yet, as she will be working as a consultant for National Interstate at industry events and their group captive advisory board meetings throughout the next year. Read more...
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 Important Reminders - Don't Forget!
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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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Driver and Employee of Distinction Awards Nominations Open!
This year, the award presentation will take place at the 2021 Annual Meeting luncheon on October 26th at Wind Creek Bethlehem.
Nominate a driver or an employee whom you feel deserves special recognition for their dedication, safety record, and commitment to your company and the motorcoach industry in general. Time will be allotted at the presentation for your personal comments, by a company representative, on the achievements of the employee.
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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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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.
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REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
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Today, the Move Over Law Takes Effect
Pennsylvania's Move Over Law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching an emergency response area. Updates to the law, which include a new point system for violators and sets a fine of $500 for first-time offenders, $1,000 for a second offense, and $2,000 plus 90-day license suspension for a third or subsequent offense, takes effect on April 27. The revamped Move Over Law also mandates drivers change lanes or slow down when approaching disabled vehicles when at least two emergency displays, such as vehicle hazard lamps, road flares, and/or cones or caution signs are present.
According to PennDOT data, in 2020 there were 1,412 work zone crashes, resulting in 15 fatalities. Additionally, since 1970, PennDOT has lost 89 workers in the line of duty. The PA Turnpike has lost 45 workers since 1940.
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National Work Zone Awareness Week 2021
National Work Zone Awareness Week 2021 is this week, April 26-30.
This year's theme is Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.
Travelers drive across Pennsylvania's 40,000 miles of roadways and 25,000 bridges daily, encountering active work zones at any time, any day of the week.
- PA ranks in the top 10 states for fatal crashes involving CMVs in work zones.
- The most recent analysis from 2019 shows 38% of work zone fatalities involved a CMV driver.
- Also from 2019, PA saw 6 crashes involving a CMV, resulting in 6 fatalities.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that in 2020, statewide traffic deaths increased to 1,129 from the record low of 1,059 in 2019. Read more...
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Museum of Bus Transportation Displays Bus History
The Museum of Bus Transportation (MOBT) was on the road at the 2021 United Motorcoach Association (UMA) annual event - UMA graciously provided space for MOBT to display an authentic 1954 PD-4501 Scenicruiser. John Oakman traveled on I-4 on the way to the industry's 50th anniversary Motorcoach Expo in Orlando, FL. Check out a clip from John's journey to the event. The Scenicruiser is on loan from Ashton Dovel.
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Biden Proposes Transportation Budget Increase
President Joe Biden has previewed a $1.5 trillion fiscal 2022 budget plan that would increase discretionary spending for transportation systems and severe weather resilience programs. Read more...
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American Rescue Plan: COBRA Premium Subsidy
When the Senate voted to pass the bill, it increased the government's subsidy to 100 percent of COBRA premiums for laid off workers and covered relatives from April 1 through Sept. 30, 2021, up from an 85 percent subsidy in the House bill. Read more...
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Rep. Díaz-Balart To DOT Secretary: Don't Forget Motorcoach Industry
The motorcoach industry's essential role in transporting hurricane evacuees was noted by Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) during a Capitol Hill hearing on appropriations. Read more...
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Senate Confirms Polly Trottenberg as Deputy Transportation Secretary
The Senate confirmed Polly Trottenberg as deputy transportation secretary Tuesday, installing the veteran official, who most recently ran New York City's transportation department, into the federal agency's No. 2 spot. Read more...
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Deep Divisions Over Transit Threaten Highway Bill Bipartisanship
Transit is emerging as a key partisan split as lawmakers draft legislation to reauthorize surface transportation programs and respond to President Joe Biden's $2.25 trillion infrastructure plan. Read more...
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Meera Joshi Nominated to be Permanent FMCSA Administrator
President Joe Biden has announced his intent to nominate Meera Joshi to take the permanent role as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Read more...
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SBA Increases Loan Limits for COVID-19 EIDL Program
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced a policy change to help businesses weather the financial hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic by significantly increasing loan limits up to 24 months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. Read more...
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CERTS Coalition Requests Additional Appropriations from Congressional Committee Leaders
The coalition of organizations that lobbied successfully for passage of the CERTS Act is urgently requesting that the House Appropriations Committee put forth additional funding. They were joined by the AFL-CIO and the Transportation Division of the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers union in sending a letter sent to the committee leadership. In addition to these unions and the United Motorcoach Association, the coalition includes the American Bus Association, Passenger Vessel Association, National School Transportation Association, and Amalgamated Transit Union. Read the full text of the letter.
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SBA, EIDL and CERTS Summary from April 15 UMA Town Hall
- SBA Paycheck Protection Program - Extending the filing deadline for submitting applications through May 31. Additional 30 days to process applications submitted by May 31. Approximately $51 billion remains of $284 billion appropriated.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan - 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. SBA will reach out directly via email and provide more details about how businesses can request an increase
- SBA deferring periods for all disaster loans, including COVID-19 EIDLs, until 2022
- CERTS continued: Treasury will post program guidelines, applications procedures, and other materials on this website, and open the CERTS application portal to begin accepting applications in the future. Please check this site regularly for updates.
- CERTS, getting ready: have your income statements ready (2019 and 2020). Payroll information (2019 and 2020). Total of any previous aid (PPP, EIDL, MSLP, grants, etc.
Download the slides.
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CDC Warns Americans Against Travel to Canada Even for Those Vaccinated
Right now, Canada is in the throes of a third COVID-19 wave and is reportedly on track to outpace the U.S. in terms of its rate of new infections relative to the overall population. Worse yet, the country is seeing significant outbreaks of dangerous coronavirus strains that are more transmissible than the original virus and potentially even vaccine-resistant. Read more...
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CDC Study: Leaving Middle Seat Open on Planes Could Reduce COVID-19 Exposure
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study found leaving the middle seat vacant on planes could reduce COVID-19 exposure for passengers, supporting a practice that has now been abandoned by most airlines. Read more...
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COVID-19 Vaccination Locations on VaccineFinder
The CDC recommends using VaccineFinder to find clinics, pharmacies and other locations offering COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. Read more...
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Operation Safe Driver Week Set for July 11-17 With Focus on Speeding
This year's Operation Safe Driver Week will take place July 11-17 with an emphasis on speeding. During Operation Safe Driver Week, law enforcement personnel will be on the lookout for commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in risky driving behaviors in or around a commercial motor vehicle. Identified unsafe drivers will be pulled over and issued a citation or warning. Read more...
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FMCSA Seeking 4-Year Delay for Medical Certificate Compliance
Drivers and their employers will be responsible until June 2025 for ensuring medical certifications are properly registered so that state and federal regulators will have enough time to work through IT problems that are holding up a more streamlined compliance system. Read more...
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Are Vaccine Passports the Way Forward?
With vaccine distribution efforts around the world reaching more people each day, future travels are very much on the mind. Out of it all, an interesting development has emerged that has the potential to change travel as we know it post-pandemic: vaccine passports. Read more...
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The Pandemic Conversations That Leaders Need to Have Now
It's time for leaders to rebuild the bonds that COVID-19 has shaken. First step: Start talking. Get some advice for making these conversations meaningful.
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Getting Employees Back to the Office Safely
Now that more people have been vaccinated and children are heading back to school, the challenge for employers is how to bring employees back to physical workplaces safely. Read more...
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Missed ABA's Virtual Capitol Hill Fly-In Last Week?
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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:
- Lancer Insurance Company to Merge with Core Specialty
- Operators, Time to Again Contact Congress!
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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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