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Yaofa Shung of Greyhound Lines Joins PBA Board
 Please join us in welcoming Yaofa Shung,
Greyhound Lines, to the
PBA Board of Directors.
Yaofa replaced Howard Nice, who retired earlier this year.
Yao is the Regional Manager, Northeast Region, for Greyhound Lines, Inc. He has served in this position since October 2017, and is responsible for Baltimore, Charlotte, Mt. Laurel and Philadelphia. Welcome, Yao!
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PBA Board Accepts Invitation to Participate in GNJMA Marketplace
As you know, the PBA Marketplace and Annual Meeting were cancelled for 2020 due to Covid-19. The PBA Board received an invitation from
GNJMA to attend their
October 15, 2020 Marketplace at Caesars in Atlantic City. PBA is endorsing this as
we hope to provide an opportunity for operators to get your Group Leaders on the road to learn about destinations and attractions (to book trips), as well as a chance to meet-up with industry friends. GNJMA's 2020 Marketplace will have a Halloween Theme! Interested?
Travel Suppliers: This Marketplace is not as large as the PBA Marketplace, so space is limited, we advise you to act fast. There is an early bird 20% discount if you register by 8/1. Travel Supplier members of PBA will receive the GNJMA member exhibitor pricing of $495 (less 20% if registered and paid by 8/1). To register and get more information, please visit the GNJMA Marketplace webpage.
Operators: There is no charge to bring your Group Leaders.
Operator arrival time slots will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, reserve your timeslot today! Your Group Leaders will receive for FREE:
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REGISTER OR
SAVE-THE-DATE!
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Human Trafficking Coalition Build
Date TBD
Virtual
CANCELLED-2020 Safety Preparedness Workshop
August 11, 2020
York Springs Fire Hall
York Springs, PA
PBA 2021 Marketplace
March 23, 2021
York Expo Center
York, PA
PBA 2021 Annual Meeting
June 20-23, 2021
Wind Creek
Bethlehem
Bethlehem, PA
PBA 2022 Marketplace
March 2022 (22 or 29th)
The Liberty Arena
Williamsport, PA
PBA 2022 Annual Meeting
June 2022
Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
State College, PA
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2022 PBA Annual Meeting Host Selected
The PBA Annual Meeting Committee is excited to announce that they made the decision to accept Happy Valley Adventure Bureau as the host of our June 2022 Annual Meeting. Check out their fun #HappyValley YouTube channel!
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PBA Travel Suppliers - Survey Results
Last month, we sent travel supplier members an email asking to complete a short form to let us know the status of being "open for business".
As communicated, we shared the survey results with our operator members.
That survey is now closed and the results are available to
download and view
.
We will reopen the survey in mid-July, so please keep an eye on your email. Thank you!
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Did You Miss #TakeActionThursdays?
If you missed the 3-part web series we hosted, you're in luck. Are you looking for a tool to help you focus your thoughts on all the changes in our industry? Do you want some guidance on developing a plan that will help you focus on your strengths and unique opportunities? Then sign up for the Virtual Training Program 'Take Action Today, Plan for Tomorrow".
This 3-part series concluded last Thursday, taught by Sally Davis Berry, but the course is available only $49. You can take this at your own pace and download the resources as you complete the modules. You will have an action plan with next steps to take at the end of the training. If interested,
please email us.
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PBA Website Updates
We have rearranged a few items on the PBA website.
Announcements have been moved under the
Members top level navigation and the
For Sale/Wanted page has been moved under the
For Operators top level navigation. Please update any bookmarks you may have saved.
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COVID-19 UPDATES AND INDUSTRY NEWS
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$10 Billion Relief Package Introduced For Motorcoach Industry
Congress took a a big step toward providing $10 billion in economic relief for over-the-road buses, including the private motorcoach, tour and charter industry, with the introduction of the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act (
CERTS Act). It was introduced by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI) on Wednesday, July 1. The $10 billion would be used to provide grants and other forms of emergency assistance. At least half of the funds would go toward grants.
PBA has written letters and spoke to both PA senator's offices about this Act. We were assured they will support it. All members are encouraged to keep the pressure on!
Keep writing to your Senators
and and tell them to
vote YES for the CERTS Act
! The graphic below shows almost 10,000 letters already submitted through the above link.
(source UMA)
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Masks Now Mandatory in All Public Places in PA., Gov. Wolf Says
Masks are now required to be worn in all public places in Pennsylvania, according to a new order signed last Wednesday by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine.
The order aimed at further limiting the spread of COVID-19 expands on a previous one signed by Levine in April that requires the wearing of masks in businesses. Now, with some exceptions, masks must be worn when anyone leaves their home.
Read more...
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Are You Ready to Reopen? Transportation Companies Should Immediately Implement "Return to Work Safety Plans" to Avoid Lawsuits & Claims
Over the past several weeks, states and regions have moved to reopen from the government-ordered shutdowns that have shuttered businesses, closed schools and limited travel in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have re-opened business in various phases, and while transportation companies are essential workers, the opening up of client businesses that are non-essential will hopefully increase ridership, but also viral exposure risks.
Read more...
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COVID-19 Pandemic Update from the EEOC
The EEOC has updated its Technical Assistance publication addressing questions arising under the ADA and the ADEA related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the EEOC explains certain return-to-work actions by employers are discriminatory. Read more...
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CDC Offers Free Hand Washing and Germ Fighting Digital And Paper Posters
The CDC offers free digital and paper posters regarding washing hands and fighting germs. The posters can be used to help raise awareness about handwashing in highly visible public areas, such as schools, workplaces, and restrooms. They are designed for all audiences, and some are available in multiple sizes and languages,
Print Your Own or
Order from the CDC-Info on Demand.
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PA Extends Unemployment Compensation Benefits for 13 More Weeks
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today announced that people who exhaust their regular unemployment compensation (UC) and federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) may now qualify for 13 additional weeks of payments through the state's Unemployment Compensation Extended Benefits program.
Read more...
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PennDOT Extends Expiration Dates on Driver Licenses, ID Cards, and Learner's Permits
Effective June 23, 2020, expiration dates for driver licenses, photo ID cards and learner's permits scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020 through July 31, 2020, have been extended until July 31, 2020. These extensions are in addition to those announced on May 27, 2020.
A camera card is considered a driver's license, so it is covered by the same terms and conditions extending other driver's license products. Camera cards with expiration dates within this timeframe are also extended through July 31, 2020. Read more...
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Paycheck Protection Program Extended; Billions Remain Available
U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday signed into law a deadline extension to August 8 for small businesses to apply for relief loans under a federal aid program to help businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic, the White House said. The extension to the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), which was launched in April to keep Americans on company payrolls and off unemployment assistance, gives business owners an additional five weeks to apply for funding assistance plagued by problems.
An estimated $130 billion of the $659 billion provided by Congress is still up for grabs. Critics worry the U.S. Small Business Administrator's office, which administers the loan, may continue to experience challenges in fairly distributing the funds.
From the outset, the unprecedented first-come-first-served program struggled with technology and paperwork problems that led some businesses to miss out while some affluent firms got funds.
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SBA Says PPP Recipients Can Apply Early For Loan Forgiveness
New Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) guidance recently released declares that PPP recipients can apply for loan forgiveness early but that doing so could cost them money.
Read more...
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A Little Known Clause in the CARES Act Can Mean Big Savings for Some Small Businesses
When the CARES Act was passed back in late March, much attention was paid to the relief given to small businesses by the Paycheck Protection Program. But another, lesser-known part of the bill is also providing for many small-business owners who are smart enough to take advantage of a significant opportunity.
Read more...
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Motorcoach Industry Losing $11B Due to Pandemic
The American Bus Association (ABA) now estimates that the U.S. motorcoach industry will see its economic loss reach nearly $11 billion, a 71% decline in annual business, despite the easing of restrictions across the country. Read more...
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AAA Predicts Around 700 Million Trips This Summer
As the United States continues to reopen following coronavirus-related closures, AAA Travel is predicting that Americans will take 700 million trips this summer. According to the 2020 AAA Summer Travel Forecast, Americans are once again making travel plans, but most are being cautious, which has resulted in a 15-percent decline in journeys as compared to last July through September. The 2020 forecast marks the first decline in summer travel since 2009. Read more...
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FMCSA Updates
FMCSA Further Extends Expiring Licenses, Certifications Amid Pandemic
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended a previous waiver of expiring driver's license and medical examiner's certificates by an additional 90 days, as many commercial vehicle drivers (CMV) are unable to renew or provide documentation to their State Driver Licensing Agencies during COVID-19 closures. The FMCSA extended through Sept. 30 a previous notice that was effective from March 24 until June 30. FMCSA said the extension provides the needed relief from specified Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) for commercial license permit holders (CLP), commercial driver license (CDL) holders, non-CDL drivers, and motor carriers.
Read more...
Additional resources:
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FMCSA Report on Drugs Commonly Abused by CDL Drivers
The FMCSA has issued a report through its Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse noting trends in the types of drugs commonly abused by CDL drivers and how many drivers are currently enrolled in the clearinghouse.
Read the report.
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FMCSA Considering Inclusion of Hair Testing Results in Drug Clearinghouse
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is considering whether carriers should include positive drug tests obtained via hair follicle testing in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, according to Jim Mullen, acting administrator.
Read more...
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Operation Safe Driver Week is July 12-18 With a Focus on Speeding
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) 2020 Operation Safe Driver Week will go on as scheduled, July 12-18. During this week-long traffic enforcement safety initiative, law enforcement personnel throughout North America will be looking for drivers who are engaging in unsafe driving behaviors on our roadways. Identified drivers will be pulled over by law enforcement and may be issued a warning or citation.
Read more...
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Amendment to Raise Minimum Liability Insurance for Carriers to $2 Million
A measure that would increase from $750,000 to $2 million the minimum liability insurance requirement for commercial motor vehicles was approved by a House panel and included in a recent highway funding bill.
Read more...
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TSA Releases Motorcoach BASE Report 2019
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Office of Policy, Plans, & Engagement created a report to help those in the Transportation Systems Sector enhance their organization's security by sharing transportation industry security best practices. Data in the report is compiled from
BASE assessments conducted by TSA between 2017 and 2019. BASE is a free, voluntary risk-based program that evaluates the security posture of transportation systems. Overall, the data shows improved scores between 2017 and 2019. SAI #6 "Do you Safeguard Business and Security Critical Information?" had the greatest increase in score with 23% more participants passing the SAI than in 2017. SAI #19, "Do you Ensure Chain of Custody and Shipment or Service Verification?," had the greatest decrease in score with 30% less participants passing that SAI than in 2017. They are looking for feedback on the report, please take a moment and respond to this
survey.
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ICYMI- MEMBER ALERTS
Member Alerts are sent out to our Members as needed. Here is a sampling of what has been sent recently:
- CERTS Act, CARES Act Funding, PA Department of Education Report Released
- PBA Board Accepts Invitation To Join GNJMA Marketplace
- Back To Booking Webinar: Kickstarting Sales In A Post-Coronavirus World
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PBA'S MAILING ADDRESS
As a reminder, we moved our offices last July. Please make sure your databases have been updated with our NEW address. We are still getting mail forwarded to us, but that will expire in July.
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Trans-Bridge Lines, Wolf's Bus Lines, Fullington Trailways &
Krapf Transportation
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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