ABC Expands Turtle Top Distribution Partnership | |
ABC Companies, expanded its distribution agreement with Turtle Top to offer its popular Odyssey, Terra Transit and Vanterra product line in locations covering the eastern seaboard from Georgia to New York State, as well as the states of Oklahoma and Texas. Read more...
| |
MCI’s Parent Company Unveils Financing for Electric Vehicles | |
MCI's parent company NFI Group Inc., has introduced with NFI Financial Solutions, a new financing option to support the purchase of the company’s new electric vehicles, infrastructure and batteries.
Financing covers new and pre-owned buses and coaches, infrastructure development – including hardware, software and support services offered by NFI Infrastructure Solutions – and vehicle batteries. Read more...
| |
Discover Kitchen Kettle Village in the Winter | |
Winter at Kitchen Kettle Village is ideal for exploring the many ways we celebrate the holidays - take in the aromas of freshly baked seasonal treats, wander through our simply decorated Village and pick up a few Christmas gifts along the way. You just might find an unexpected treasure to take home! See all the events they have planned!
| |
Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad's Magical Christmas Train Ride | |
Experience the holidays with newfound joy as you and your children board Potomac Eagle Railroad's North Pole Express and get whisked away to the North Pole and pick up Santa Clause to save Christmas. From caroling, to milk and cookies, hot cocoa and cider, everyone can relive the magic this winter. Read more...
| |
PBA Supports Senate Bill 382 - Reforming Pennsylvania’s Public-Private Transportation Partnership Statute | |
On December 2, 2021, PBA sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader, Kim Ward and Senate Democratic Leader, Jay Costa to express PBA’s support for Senate Bill 382 (Langerholc-R) and respectfully request that the Senate concur in House amendments to this legislation. Read the letter. | |
Reminder, Event Proposals Due January 1 for 2023 | |
If you're interested in having a PBA event in your area for 2023, this is a reminder the proposals are due January 1. Please visit our 2023 event pages at www.pabus.org for a copy of the bid specs. Thank you! | |
PBA 2022 Marketplace Registration is Open!
Save $50.00 Discount Available Now for Exhibitors: Marketplace will be begin on March 21, 2022 with set-up, and March 22, 2021 as the exciting event day at the Liberty Arena, Williamsport, PA. Join us to visit with group leaders arriving in beautiful PBA member motorcoaches looking for places to travel in 2022 and beyond! This is a great opportunity to bring buses and large groups to your location. Visit the webpage for details and register today!
Operators & Tour Planners: Start thinking about who is looking for new destination ideas and bring them to Marketplace! Register today!
| |
|
PBA 100th Anniversary Update
The 100th Anniversary Committee held their first meeting.
They established a monthly meeting schedule and brainstormed ideas. A press release will be sent out in advance of the ABA Marketplace.
We have a special hashtag chosen for promoting our anniversary coming up in 2023: #PBArollsinto100!
We have ribbon badges on order to hand-out at ABA and upcoming PBA Events.
| | |
CERTS Grant Report Draft Available, New FAQs Posted
Treasury has announced that quarterly reporting for CERTS grant recipients will begin in 2022. Grantees will be required to submit their first CERTS quarterly report by Feb. 15, 2022, which will cover grantee activities during the period from the effective date of the CERTS grant agreement through the end of the fourth quarter of the calendar year 2021. Today, Treasury has published a copy of the quarterly report format to their website. Click here to view the draft quarterly report.
The quarterly report has two primary purposes: 1), it will require grantees to complete a table that shows how they spent their CERTS award from the date they first received funds through Dec. 31 (see page 7 of the draft). 2) it will require grantees to make certain certifications required by the CERTS statute (see pages 8-12 of the draft), including certifications related to employment practices such as recalls and rehires. If questions, please submit questions by December 31, 2021 to CERTS@treasury.gov.
Treasury recently published an updated FAQ document to their website that you will want to check out. They added 6 new questions and answers:
• Is advertising for the grantee’s business an eligible use of funds?
• Is the purchase of office equipment and supplies an eligible use of funds?
• Are bonuses an eligible use of funds?
• Can CERTS funds be used to make lump sum payments to employees for restored compensation?
• If the CERTS grantee is acquired by another company or merged into another company after receiving a CERTS grant, can the CERTS funding continue to be used after the acquisition or merger?
• What is the effective date of the CERTS grant agreement
| |
PA Supreme Court Takes Up School Mask Mandate
The wait continues as the Pennslyvania Supreme Court decides whether masks should be worn in Pennsylvania schools. Arguments on both sides were recently heard in a Philadelphia courtroom. Read more...
| |
Dr. Oz, Celebrity Physician, Launches Campaign for Senate in PA As a Republican
Dr. Mehmet Oz, a physician known to national TV audiences, announced that he will run for the Senate in Pennsylvania as a Republican. Read more...
| |
The Alternative Fuel Corridor Program in Pennsylvania
The AFC Program is designed to expand the nation's alternative fueling network for electric, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas vehicles. Read more...
| |
Third-Party CDL Examiner Charged With Wire Fraud
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania filed an information against Roberto Correas, a third-party commercial driver’s license (CDL) examiner, alleging that Correas committed wire fraud in connection with a CDL scheme. Read more...
| |
TSA Extending Mask Mandate for Domestic Travel Through March 2022
The Biden administration will extend the requirement that passengers on domestic flights, trains and public transportation wear face masks through mid-March amid concerns about the new omicron coronavirus variant. Read more...
| |
Transportation Committee Chairman Rep. DeFazio Won’t Seek Re-Election
DeFazio, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced he would retire from elected office at the end of his term next year. He was first elected to Congress in 1986. Read more...
| |
FMCSA Waives MEC Requirement Until February 29, 2022
Per new federal guidance posted November 29, 2021, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) waived, until February 28, 2022, the requirement that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification (MEC), provided they have proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance issued for a period of 90 days or longer and expired on or after September 1, 2021. Drivers whose MEC expired on or after September 1, 2021 must have a current valid MEC on file with DMV by February 28, 2022. On March 1st, 2022, drivers in this category who do not have an MEC on file will be placed in a “Not Certified” status and will be notified that their license will be downgraded to a non-CDL class.
Effective December 1, 2021, drivers whose MEC expired prior to September 1, 2021 will be placed in a “Not Certified” status and will be notified by mail that their license will be downgraded to a non-CDL class if an updated medical certificate is not received and posted to their DMV record within 55 days. Read more...
| |
FMCSA Office of Registration has a New Instructional Video
The FMCSA Office of Registration has a new resource. This instructional video, “How To Register, FMCSA Registration Overview for Motor Carriers,” provides new motor carrier applicants, offices, agencies, and persons supporting applicants with clear, need-to-know information on how to complete the registration process using FMCSA’s online Unified Registration System (URS). The video also refers carriers to additional resources to answer questions pertaining to their unique operation. Watch the video.
| |
FMCSA Post Educates Bus Travelers How to Choose Transportation Provider
Buses will safely travel thousands of miles around the United States to connect millions of Americans with their loved ones this holiday season. Traveling by bus is a low-cost travel option that allows passengers to avoid long lines at airports and enjoy the scenery rather than fight the traffic. Most bus companies are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for passengers. However, before booking a trip this holiday season, use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations’ bus safety search tool. Here you can search for your desired bus company and view their safety data to make the best choice for holiday bus travel. Read more...
| |
The Best Christmas Light Displays in Every State
Whether you live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or North Pole, Alaska, it just wouldn't be Christmastime without twinkling lights. Check it out!
| |
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.
| |
|
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 | | | | |