ASK THE ABA EXPERTS
A Women In Buses Council Webinar
WELCOME
Mission Statement
Women in Buses Council is to recognize and advance the role of women in the
motorcoach industry through networking, education and mentoring programs.
Membership
Primary Membership: CEO, General Managers and other bus company
executives/decision-makers who are women
Support Membership: Product and Services Suppliers,
Bus Operator Sales and Marketing staff
and Travel Industry staff
DESKSIDE ASSISTANCE
The Right People: ABA provides desk-side assistance to help members comply with federal and state/provincial operating regulations.
Peter Pantuso, CTIS
President & CEO
Daniel Hoff
Director of Government
Affairs and Policy
Clyde J. Hart Jr.
Sr. Vice President,
Government Affairs &
Policy
Matthew Cahill
Legislative Coordinator
Brandon Buchanan
Director of Regulatory
Affairs
ABA is your
VOICE
in Washington DC
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
 Lobby for key bus provisions and tax legislation.
 Ensure full enforcement of the charter bus rule to prevent publicly funded transit agencies
from providing charter service.
 Expand and or maintain the federal fuel tax rebate that bus operators currently receive.
 Ensure that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s enforcement actions target and close
illegal and unsafe operators.
 Work with Congress to access different granting opportunities (i.e. bus security and
wheelchair lift grants.)
 Integrate private bus operators into national, state and
local transportation planning.
 Promote motorcoach travel as a safe,
ABA is your
cost effective, environmentally conscience
mode of transportation.
VOICE
in Washington DC
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
Transportation reauthorization—next MAP-21
MAP-21 expires in September 2014
Bus issues: fuel tax parity; tolling authority; security funding; facility access for
buses; bus inspections (DOD, close “safe harbor” States) for unsafe operators
Tax Reform effort and the Highway Trust Fund (HTF)
HTF outlays surpass revenues by $7 billion in 2015
Congress needs to add 10 cents per gal to keep HTF solvent in fiscal year 2015
So far: No “will” for a gas tax increase, VMT tax or general funds transfer to the
HTF (other suggestions: tax on stock sales, tax on gas at wellhead)
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and HOS
ATU effort to eliminate HOS exemption from FLSA
Rail Passenger Reauthorization and Motorcoaches
Integrate bus service with rail corridor services
Funding for intermodal terminals for intercity bus operators
DOD/DOT Bus Safety Inspections
Intercity Bus Security Grants
The Travel Regional Investment Partnership Act (TRIP)
Establishes a competitive grant program to promote
domestic regional tourism.
Travel Promotion, Enhancement and Modernization Act HR-4450
Work for continued funding for Brand USA, which
has helped increase foreign visitations to the US to 60 million visitors.
OTHER ISSUES TO WATCH
New Jersey Franchise Tax
Intercity Bus Permits
New York City
Bus Inspections at Weigh Stations
Charter Bus Rules
Operators state that this issue of transit competition is a top priority, yet very few
remain registered with the FTA website.
Florida and Tennessee Ticket Reseller’s Laws
REGULATORY ISSUES
NHTSA Rulemakings
Seat belts final rule – 2013; 2016 required on all new coaches
Rollover prevention
Electronic Stability Control - NPRM at OMB for review.
Emergency Egress standards – decision to proceed
Fire hardening and suppression standards – study done.
Advanced glazing standards – research ongoing
REGULATORY ISSUES
FMCSA Rulemakings
Speed limiters: ATA-supported, no time limit given
EOBRs - NPRM Issued. Comment Date Closed.
Carrier fitness determinations
ADA interpretation
DHS Rulemakings
Bus security protocols
SAFETY IS OUR #1 PRIORITY
ABA is actively involved in the safe operations of our bus operator members. ABA
staff checks on company safety records quarterly. Formerly an annual selfcertification.
Companies with Conditional ratings are given 6 months to make changes or be
asked to leave ABA.
Companies with Unsatisfactory ratings are asked to leave ABA.
Look at more than just the satisfactory/unsatisfactory rating.
Companies with several alerts,
, in their SMS score are advised to attend
BISC and directed towards resources that can help before they reach
Unsatisfactory status.
SAFETY IS OUR #1 PRIORITY
THE PASSENGER TOOLS
Safer Bus App
National Consumer Complaint Database
1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238)
Safety Complaint
Service Issues
ADA Issues
Free Download:
iTunes
Google Play
BUS INDUSTRY SAFETY COUNCIL
The BISC is comprised of security, mechanical, safety, operational and
maintenance professionals as well as consultants from all segments of
the industry.
Government agencies represented -DHS, TSA, FTA, FMCSA, NHTSA.
The group meets regularly to discuss issues, best practices and
innovations in the areas of safety, regulatory compliance, mechanics,
technology and security.
Travel reimbursement for operators
that attend.
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
Call ABA’s Crisis Management Team. We’re here to help get you through this
and be your spokesman.
Don’t speak with media until you have called ABA’s Crisis Management Team, your
insurance company and your attorney.
Compile a list of phone numbers and emails of media members who have called.
Identify a spokesman. Instruct your driver and other staff not to speak with the
media, direct media to spokesman.
Concentrate as much time as you can on helping your
passengers, dealing with police, insurance and Federal
and State investigators.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Let us know what is on your mind.
 Questions
 Concerns
 Issues
WAYS ABA KEEPS YOU CONNECTED
EDUCATION
SESSIONS
MEMBER
ALERTS
MEETINGS &
ANNUAL
CONVENTION
E-NEWSLETTERS
PUBLICATIONS
TRIP PLANNING TOOLS
ABA provides a list of parking, idling, drop-off
& pick-up areas and motorcoach permit
guidelines for areas throughout North America
designed to make trip planning easier
for motorcoach and
tour operators.
THANK YOU
Thank you for your participation today.
Look for future announcements on new
webinars and Women in Buses events.
www.buses.org