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4/11/2023

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Register for the 2023 Annual Conference!

You don't want to miss the PBA 2023 Annual Conference, scheduled for June 18-21, 2023! We will be in the hometown of Lucille Ball and staying in a luxury resort on the lake. Our theme this year: Keeping a sense of humor in business! We all need a reminder now and then.


Hosted by Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, the primary location will be at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, while the opening and closing events to be held also at Chautauqua Institution and National Comedy Center.


The multi-day event welcomes motorcoach operators, tour planners, associate members, and travel supplier members to Network, Educate and Showcase to increase business opportunities.

Download the schedule.

Get full details and register today!

MEMBER NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS

U.S. Tours Joins PBA!

U.S. Tours creates American group tours and events for professional tour companies and non-profit organizations.


Contact: Rita Ritenour at 304-485-8687 or rita@ustours.biz

Anderson Coach & Travel Driver Is a Hero

Si Thurber, a driver for PBA Member, Anderson Coach & Travel, was leaving his home at about 6:00AM on March 31 when he saw two children standing in a neighboring driveway. They told him their house was on fire. Read more...

T-START Security Plan Workshop This Week!

April 13, 2023

Bailey's Coach or Virtual

Registration is closed.

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2023 PBA’s 100th Anniversary Family Day

June 10, 2023

Museum of Bus Transportation's

Spring Fling in

Hershey, PA

Get information!

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2023 Annual Meeting

June 18-21, 2023

Hosted by Chautauqua County at the

Chautauqua Harbor Hotel!

Register Today!

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Motorcoach Safety & Preparedness Workshop

August 16, 2023

Save the Date!

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2025 Marketplace &

Annual Meetings: 

Interested in Hosting a PBA 2025 Event? 

Please visit our 2025 event pages for a copy of the bid specs:

-2025 Annual Meeting

-2025 Marketplace

Deadline 1/1/24

Greyhound Partners with Paysafe to Offer Customers Cash Payments for Online Bookings 

PBA Member, Greyhound Lines, Inc. has partnered with leading payments platform Paysafe to roll-out online cash services. Greyhound customers can now use Paysafe’s eCash solution Paysafecash to make safe and secure cash payments when booking a trip online. Read more...

McIlwain School Bus Lines Transporting Students for 76 Years 

PBA Member, McIlwain School Bus Lines and McIlwain Charters and Tours, 1551 Ferndale Ave., is a third-generation family business. McIlwain School Bus Lines started in 1947, just after World War II, when my grandfather, Robert McIlwain, started transporting students to Conemaugh Township School District in Somerset County. He was a farmer and my grandmother, Margaret McIlwain, was a schoolteacher. Read more...

2023 PBA’s 100th Anniversary Family Day is June 10, 2023

PBA’s 100th Anniversary Family Day on Saturday June 10, 2023 will run from 12:00PM - 3:00PM at the Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey, PA. We are delighted to join our friends at the museum to celebrate our 100th anniversary during their Annual Spring Fling.


Please join us for a Cake and Ice Cream Social, a fun Scavenger Hunt with prizes and more! In addition, the bus annex will be open. This is an opportunity to view the collection which is not on display at the museum and is only offered once a year during Spring Fling. Buses once operated by PA carriers will be on display at the museum, in addition to those which the PA Operators drive in to show for the day.


The Museum of Bus Transportation/AACA Museum will be presenting commemorative coins to every "visiting bus" at this year's Spring Fling, June 9 and 10. PBA Member, Hershey's Chocolate World will host PBA’s 100th Anniversary Family Day participants to their new attraction, HERSHEY’S Great Candy Expedition, following our Family Day, on June 10! Stayed tuned for more information on this.


  • If PBA Members want to drive a bus to the event, please contact Pattie to register, so we can help plan for parking.
  • For all Members, including operators not bringing a bus, please register here.


Overnight Accommodations

Best Western Premier, the Central Hotel

800 East Park Drive | Harrisburg, PA 17111

Book Online: or Call: 717-561-2800, dial 0, then give the front desk agent check-in and check out date, as well as the group name; PA Bus Association.

2023 Marketplace Recap

The PBA Marketplace was held March 27-28, 2023 in Berks County. The PBA team, the Pennsylvania's Americana Region Visitors Bureau, the Holiday Inn Morgantown and the Classic Auto Mall collaborated to deliver a successful event. The partners showcased Berks County's many tourism assets and attractions to PBA member tour operators and tour bus companies as the host location and hotel.


In total, we welcomed over 600 Group Leaders arriving on 17 Motorcoaches, plus four Tour Companies who visited over 100 travel and tourism booths.


During the two-day event, we held our Board of Director’s meeting, a Tourism Seminar facilitated by Lois Stoltzfus, a lively networking reception, presented the Driver & Employee of Distinction Awards, a Dine-Around night, a breakfast briefing, and the main event: Marketplace. Check out all of the pictures from the event here.


The early bird and PBA door prize winners are:


  • Sight & Sound - Early Bird Gift Card 
  • Rookie Cooks Academy - 1 year PBA membership
  • Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau - 2023 Annual Conference Registration
  • Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board - 2024 Marketplace Booth
  • Ohio Star Theater - 2024 Marketplace Directory Full-page color ad

Employee and Driver of Distinction Award Honorees!

The Driver and Employee of Distinction Awards was developed for our Members to honor their drivers and employees who have demonstrated an exceptional performance record and service to their employer.


Employee of Distinction Honoree

  • Ed Black, Anderson Coach & Travel


Driver of Distinction Honorees

  • David Holmes, Anderson Coach & Travel
  • Bill Angove, Benedict's Bus Service
  • Daniel Fegal, Werner Bus Lines
  • Paul Nolter, Wolf's Bus Lines


Each honoree received a plaque, a pin and a watch. Congratulations to all!

Pictured below are Paul Nolter with Tammy Wolf-Baker and Tracy Wolf-Stroyny, Maria Frank and Tammy Benedict accepting the award for Bill Angove and Daniel Fegal with Heath Ochroch.

2024 Events - Save the Dates!

Marketplace - March 25-26, 2024

The 2024 Marketplace will be hosted by Happy Valley Adventure Bureau at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre in State College, PA on Tuesday, March 26.


Annual Conference - June 17-20, 2024

The 2024 Annual Conference will be hosted by Visit Ithaca in Ithaca, NY! While we will be experiencing the area with FAMS, Dine-Around Night and Opening & Closing venues at area partners, the meetings will be held at Hotel Ithaca. The beautiful, renovated Hotel Ithaca is located in the heart of downtown Ithaca and is less than 1 mile from both Cornell University and Ithaca College.

ICYMI: PBA Scholarship Program for Operator Members

A new member benefit was announced recently: the PBA Scholarship Program. The goal of the PBA scholarship is to support Member education goals and to encourage the pursuit of formal education. Formal education includes trade certification, specialized training and of course, college. There will be two annual scholarships awarded. 


The first scholarship will be awarded in 2024, while fundraising will start this year. The PBA Executive Committee will accept applications between January 1 and April 30 annually. Read the Announcement.

Set-Up an Autopay Option and Keep Your

Organizational Information Updated in the PBA Member Portal

The Autopay & Billing tab allows you to set-up and manage any stored payment profiles you may have, view your membership billings, and manage any autopay options you may have set-up. Get more information.

PBA Member Benefits and Testimonials

When was the last time you checked out the benefits of PBA Membership? Take a peak! Also, read what some Members have to say about what PBA Membership means to them! We would love your testimonial too, click here to submit yours.

Motorcoach PAC

Pennsylvania Bus Association has an active Motorcoach PAC.


Your contributions enable the PBA to advance the industry’s agenda while also stopping legislation that would be harmful to our industry.



PBA’s board of directors, staff and lobbyists will continue to advance the industry’s agenda and push for positive change, but your individual financial commitment to Motorcoach PAC is needed.


Please consider donating (corporate checks are prohibited by state law) to Motorcoach PAC, for $50, $100, $250, $500, or $1,000 today and mail a check payable to "Motorcoach PAC" to 200 North Third Street, Suite 1500 Harrisburg, PA 17101. This is our lobbyist firm's address. Alternately, we have a new payment method: you can pay online via PayPal.

PBA Sends Letter to House Transportation Committee

PBA sent a letter to the House Transportation Committee to express our support for Senate Bill 121 (Langerholc-R) and our support for the removal of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) from the Motor License Fund (MLF). Removing PSP from the MLF will help to free up resources to ensure that Pennsylvania’s infrastructure is maintained to an adequate level. Read the letter

INDUSTRY NEWS

PennDOT Invites Pennsylvanians to Join the Conversation

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that registration has opened for its upcoming 12-Year Program (TYP) update, which will be held on Wednesday, April 12, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The Online Public Forum will be broadcast live via PAcast and PennDOT social media channels.



Pennsylvanians can ask transportation-related questions to PennDOT leadership and members of the STC during the forum's Q&A session. Questions may also be submitted in advance of the forum by filling out the registration form or by emailing RA-PennDOTSTC@pa.gov. The public may also call PennDOT and share their questions at 717-783-2262. Get more information.

Summary of PennDOT's Appropriation's Hearing

The committee held a budget hearing with the Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Read the summary.

PennDOT Accepting Unsolicited Public-Private Partnership Proposals Until April 30

The submission period applies to PennDOT-owned projects, infrastructure, and services. During this period, the private sector can submit proposals offering innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation, and ports. Proposals can also include more efficient models to manage existing transportation-related services and programs. Read more...

PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC), and Associated Pennsylvania Constructors (APC) hosted an event urging motorists to slow down and pay attention in work zones ahead of National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW). The week, which runs April 11-15, is designated to highlight the critical importance of safe driving through work zones. Read more...

April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads. Cell phone use — specifically, texting, talking, and social media use — has become the most common distraction. Other risky actions include adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating and drinking. Read more...

Revised Carrier Safety Measurement System

Since 2010, FMCSA has used its Safety Measurement System (SMS) to identify motor carriers for safety interventions. The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recommended on June 27, 2017, that FMCSA develop and test a new statistical model. This notice explains FMCSA's analysis and the Agency's proposed changes to SMS, announces FMCSA's preview of the proposed changes, and requests comments and input on the Agency's system to identify motor carriers for safety interventions. Comments must be received on or before May 16, 2023. Read more...

US Passport Application Delays Surge Amid ‘Unprecedented’ Demand

The State Department warns it is taking 10 to 13 weeks to receive a passport and the expedited process, which costs an extra $60, will take seven to nine weeks this year. Staffing shortages are being blamed for some of the delays. Read more...

Anything Is Possible by Steve Gilliland

Like New Year’s resolutions, spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings. In our hurried, fast-paced world, it is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As we exit March, slow down, take notice of the people and events of the day, and be present in every moment. Read more...

Millennials Are Turning 40 - And They’re Changing Travel As We Know It

they’re bringing their tech-savviness, social consciousness and spending habits in tow, which is transforming a travel industry intent on staying ahead of the times. Read more...

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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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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