2/9/2021
MEMBER NEWS
PBA Wraps Up January with Two Important Educational Sessions 
The annual 18-CARAT program was held virtually this year.  Over 50 members attended this valuable educational workshop facilitated by FMCSA PA Division representative Tim Cotter and his team.  In addition, members enjoyed presentations from TSA, PSP and an insurance panel by fellow members, Bob Crescenzo and Michelle Wiltgen (of Lancer and National Interstate respectively).  We thank our partners for delivering a great program!

Also, the TREDS Train-the-Trainer program was also delivered virtually to provide training to Commercial Drivers about the dangers of driving distracted. The Just Drive: Deliver Distraction-Free curriculum is a one-hour multimedia program, using videos, group participation and a PowerPoint slide presentation.   Registered PBA instructors attended a three-hour program, where they were provided all materials necessary to deliver this training. 

If you missed these sessions and want more information, please contact us.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Paycheck Protection Program 2.0 Webinar
February 16, 2021
Virtual

PBA 2021 Annual Meeting
October 24-27, 2021
Wind Creek 
Bethlehem, PA

PBA 2022 Marketplace
March 22, 2022 
The Liberty Arena
Williamsport, PA

PBA 2022 Annual Meeting
June 2022
State College, PA
Paycheck Protection Program 2.0 Webinar; February 16th 2:00 PM 
The second round of Payroll Protection Program (PPP) is open. Some businesses have already received their funding, while others are still completing the applications.  Tracy Fickett, a fellow PBA Member with BUSBooks, will give an overview of how PPP 2.0 differs from the original PPP, an overview of the process, forgiveness tidbits, and answer questions.  Register today!
Free MCI Learning Opportunities
PBA member, MCI,  would like to share the many ways your team can stay connected to the industry and stay up to date with the latest learning opportunities.  MCI Academy's online library of 550 FREE courses directed at technicians, drivers and operator staff, you can encourage your team to improve their skills wherever they're located right now. Register at https://www.mciacademy.com/
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!
Chamber of Commerce Coalition Letter 
PBA is a member of this coalition.  A final version of the coalition letter, in support of COVID liability reform, can be found here. The letter was sent to the full Congress. 
2021 Annual Meeting - REGISTRATION OPENING SOON!

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!
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
 
COVID-19 UPDATES AND INDUSTRY NEWS
Senators Ask Treasury Secretary for Speedy Action on Certs Act
Led by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI), Senate supporters of the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act wrote the incoming Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen to ask for quick action to fund the program.  Read more...
House T&I Committee Leaves Out Buses from Relief Proposal
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's COVID-19 relief proposal contains a new fund for aviation manufacturing workers and a big boost to transit funding in its portion of what will eventually form a package Democrats expect to move through the budget reconciliation process, which will not require any support from Republicans.  Read more...
CERTS Coalition Letter
The private bus and motorcoach, school bus and US flag passenger vessel industries collectively asks Congress for $40 billion in government assistance.  Read the letter.
Gov. Wolf 2021 Agenda Prioritizes Economic Recovery, Building on Bipartisan Measures, Government Reform 
Governor Tom Wolf outlined his agenda, in which he continues to prioritize ensuring that Pennsylvania businesses and workers have a path toward recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, building on bipartisan progress by removing barriers to help everyday Pennsylvanians succeed, and demanding accountability through government reform.  Read more...
Higher Minimum Wage, Natural Gas Tax and Allowing Marijuana Sales: Gov. Wolf Outlines Goals in 2021 
Gov. Tom Wolf is once again pushing for a higher minimum wage, a tax on natural gas drilling and the legalization of marijuana for recreational uses as top priorities in the coming year.   Read more...
Budget Breakdown: Wolf Proposes $37.8 Billion Budget, Tax Policy Changes
Gov. Tom Wolf announced his proposal for a $37.8 billion budget that would direct significant amounts of money to education, workforce development and vulnerable population needs, and would be buoyed by an increase in the state's personal income tax.  Read more...
Gov. Tom Wolf To Propose Tax Increase To Benefit Public Schools
Gov. Tom Wolf's 2021-22 budget proposal contains the largest increase in education spending Pennsylvania has ever seen along with a sizable increase in the state's personal income tax rate.  Read more...
PA Capitol & COVID Weekly Report: $912 Million Relief Package, 21 Day Emergencies, Wolf's Priorities
Bipartisanship accidentally broke out in Harrisburg when the Senate and House and Gov. Wolf worked to move a $912 million COVID-related relief package for businesses, individuals and school districts.  Read more...
PA Senate Bill 109 Creates The Hospitality Industry Recovery Program
Under the bill, $145 million is to be allocated proportionally to all 67 counties for grants to hotels, restaurants, bars and taverns.  Read more...
'What Is the Plan?' Senate Panel Airs Frustrations With Vaccine Rollout
State senators pressed administration officials and vaccine providers for nearly four hours, asking them to explain why Pennsylvania is falling behind other states in administering doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.  Read more...
New Law Updates CDL Requirements for PA Veterans, Service Members
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) announced that a new Pennsylvania law waives the requirement for Pennsylvania residents who are current and former military members and who operated a commercial vehicle as part of their duties, to take a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Knowledge Test when applying for a CDL.  Read more...
PA Senate Committee Holds Hearing on PennDOT Bridge Tolling Proposal
On January 25, the Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing to take testimony on a proposal by PennDOT to begin tolling designated bridges in Pennsylvania.  Read more...
PA Potential Tax Credits and Grants 
View a compilation of potential tax credits and grants. To keep up to date with developments, members can reference the PA Department of Community and Economic Development website, which offers a list of current grants, loans and tax incentives.
PA Turnpike Transfers $337.5 Million to PennDOT
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) yesterday transferred $337.5 million to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to fulfill its legal obligation to provide supplemental transit funding for PennDOT under PA Act 44 of 2007.  Read more...
Buttigieg Says Transportation Dept Will Push 'Bold' Thinking
Pete Buttigieg urged his 55,000 employees to embrace "imaginative, bold, forward thinking" as the Transportation Department embarks on a vital mission to rebuild America's infrastructure and foster equality.  Read more...
How Much Federal Funding Will Each State DOT Receive?
State departments of transportation are set to receive funds totaling $9.8 billion as a result of emergency aid from the $900 billion COVID-19 relief measure passed late last year.  Read more...
President Biden Signs Executive Order to Protect Travel Industry During COVID-19 
President Biden signed an Executive Order promoting safety for domestic and international travel during this COVID-19 pandemic.  Read more...
Green Bus Tax Credit Bill Reintroduced
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20) has reintroduced a bill that would grant bus manufacturers a tax credit for battery electric or hydrogen fuel-cell buses.  Read more...
Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued stronger worker safety guidance to help employers and workers implement a coronavirus prevention program and better identify risks which could lead to exposure and contraction.  Read more...
New DOT FAQs on the CDC Mask Order
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order on January 29, 2021, requiring the wearing of masks by travelers to prevent spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.  Read more...
FMSCA Updates
FMCSA is Conducting Stakeholder Calls on Federal Mask Requirements
FMCSA is conducting stakeholder calls to address questions and provide information on the new federal mask requirements. Joined by representatives from the CDC and TSA, Acting Administrator Joshi is reiterating the overarching goal of working together to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  "This is about restoring confidence in our transportation system and saving lives. Let's get our workers and passengers masked up for their safety."  To learn more, visit https://www.transportation.gov/safety/mask-travel-guidance  For any additional questions, contact FMCSA at FMCSAMaskUp@dot.gov.
FMCSA's The Motor Carrier Safety Planner
The guide is available to anyone, but carriers with an FMCSA Portal account have the added capability to create a customized version of the guide called "My Safety Planner" to save chapters and forms, and make highlights and notes about the content most relevant to their operations.  Read more...
Meera Joshi Named FMCSA Deputy Administrator
Meera Joshi, a New York City transportation executive, has been appointed by President Joe Biden as deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  Read more...
Unions, Groups Seek $112.8 billion in U.S. Transportation Assistance
Unions and trade groups are seeking at least $112.8 billion in additional government assistance to rescue the struggling U.S. transport sector hit hard by the collapse in travel demand because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Reuters review of funding requests.  Read more...
What Will It Take To Get Back on the Bus? 
Up to one-third of people in some cities have stopped using public transport because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether they'll ever get back on board is impossible to predict.  Read more...
Creative Things To Do With Idle Buses??? 
The market is currently ugly.... so, what do we do with idle buses? We can sell some to churches and schools, and turn a bunch into motorhomes... but over the years you've come to expect more from this column... so here's a list of 10 really bad uses for coaches.  Read more...
ICYMI- MEMBER ALERTS 
Member Alerts are sent out to our Members as needed.  Here are the alerts we sent out since last Go News:
  • You're Invited to Participate in PBA's Paycheck Protection Program 2.0 Webinar 
  • Your Input is Needed; See Survey Within
  • Port Authority Bus Terminal (NY) Request for Applications & Roadway Restriction Updates
  • TSA Directive
  • 9AM Update from PennDOT
  • Weather Restrictions & Mask Mandate 
  • ABA Call For Action! Participate in a Research Study by January 29, 2021
ITEMS FOR SALE OR WANTED
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!
SUPPORT MOTORCOACH PAC

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.
PBA IS ACTIVE ON MULTIPLE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS 
If you are not aware, 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


Click on logo, then right click and save to display proudly on your website.

STAY CONNECTED WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA