Easton Coach Company Has New Owners | |
Easton Coach Company was recently sold to Beacon Mobility.
“Beacon is one of the largest specialty transportation providers in the country and is run by people we’ve known for many years. It’s a great partnership for us because it’s a company with considerable resources and allows us to continue to grow beyond the capabilities of our previous owners.” said Joe Scott, President and CEO of Easton Coach Company.
The Easton Coach Company will continue to operate independently under the same name, with the same 18 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. There is no change in customers such as LANTA, Warren, Hunterdon County, NJ Transit and Septam.
According to Joe, the company will remain at the Forks Township headquarters. The company’s senior management team, including Joe, will continue their existing roles. Read more...
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Rockefeller Christmas Tree Coming From Cecil County This Year | |
The 2021 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be coming from Elkton, Maryland in Cecil County. Cecil County is a member of PBA. The Tree is a 79 foot tall Norway Spruce, 46 feet wide, weighing 12 tons and will be lit on December 1st.
What PBA member Cecil County Tourism says about their beautiful location: Moments after leaving the hustle and bustle of I-95, you're in beautiful Cecil County. Resting along the upper banks of the Chesapeake Bay, halfway between Philadelphia and Baltimore, we offer travelers a change of pace, and breathtaking scenery. Once you sample our shimmering harbors and history, rolling hillsides and horse country, antiques and outlets, and unforgettable eateries and inns, we know you'll visit us again and again.
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Update from Wind Creek Bethlehem | |
As of Wednesday, November 10, 2021, they DO NOT have availability on ANY weekend for the remainder of this year. Their first available weekend is January 8th, 2022.
If you have a last-minute cancellation or late arrival to them, please reach out to Jacob Heft at the contact information below, so he can let the greeter know if they should be expecting your bus, or not.
Also, please contact them two months in advance if you are interested in booking on Wednesdays and Thursdays. They have set a limit for how many buses they are able to accept each day. This decision was made to eliminate delays.
Their busiest times are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The latest bus they can accept on any day is 3 p.m. Also, if someone on your bus needs to rent a mobility scooter, please reach out to Bob Palik of Segway of the Lehigh Valley at Bobpalik222@gmail.com or 610-349-5333. Please make sure to book at least 2 weeks prior to your trip.
Jacob Heft, Motor Coach Coordinator Jacob.Heft@windcreek.com
Office: 484-777-7445 | Fax: 484-777-7689 | Cell: 484-523-5069
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PBA Supports SB 382
The House Transportation Committee voted November 9th on SB 382, the bill that would stop PennDOT’s 9-bridge tolling project, provide more transparency in the P3 process moving forward, and prevent tolling without legislative approval. Read the Member Alert. Read the letter PBA sent to The Honorable Kerry Benninghoff, House Majority Leader and The Honorable Joanna McClinton, House Democratic Leader on November 11th. The House is expected to consider SB 382 on second consideration on Monday, November 15th. We can expect the House to consider this amendment, which will be offered by Rep. Delozier. Read more...
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PBA 2022 Marketplace Registration is Open!
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!
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Wolf Administration Continues Work to Address Bus Driver Shortage; Encourages Drivers to Apply
PennDOT Deputy Secretary Kurt Myers and Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Noe Ortega joined the Pennsylvania School Bus Association to encourage interested individuals to obtain Commercial Driver's License to address bus driver shortage in Pennsylvania. Read more...
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Gov. Wolf: State Anticipates Returning K-12 School Mask Requirement to Local Leaders January 17, 2022
Governor Tom Wolf announced the intention to return the commonwealth’s K-12 school mask requirement to local leaders on January 17, 2022. Upon the expiration of the statewide mandate, local school officials will again be able to implement mitigation efforts at the local level. At that time, schools may continue requiring mask-wearing based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
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Wolf Administration Highlights Anticipated Funding Through Federal Infrastructure Plan
Governor Tom Wolf shared an overview of enhancements Pennsylvania anticipates receiving through the passage of President Joe Biden’s bold, historic $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Read more...
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Wolf Administration Outlines Winter Preparations, Guidance for Public Readiness
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Acting Executive Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield, and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) COO Craig Shuey held a media briefing to outline the commonwealth's plans for services in the coming winter season and discuss how the public can successfully prepare. Read more...
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PA Election Signs and Results
Republicans swept Pennsylvania's key judicial races in election day balloting and made gains in local races from Bucks County to Erie, sounding alarm bells for Democrats ahead of next year's statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate. Read more...
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Pennsylvania Urges CDL Holders To Become School Bus Drivers
The beginning of this school year has negatively impacted many school districts like no other. Pennsylvania school districts have responded by offering signing bonuses and other incentives to attract commercial drivers license holders. Read more...
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House Passed House Bill 1871 - Staggering the Expiration Dates of Apportioned Registrations
The House passed House Bill 1871 by a vote of 199-0. House Bill 1871 (Zimmerman-R) amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in registration of vehicles, providing for apportioned registration renewal.
- The legislation establishes that the department may prorate annual apportioned registration fees over apportioned registration periods from six to 18 months.
- Effective in 18 months.
- Status: Passed House, 199-0, 10/27/2021
This legislation will now go to the Senate for its consideration.
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West PA Municipalities Sue State To Block PennDOT Bridge Tolling Plan
Three municipalities in Pittsburgh’s southern suburbs are suing the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation over a $2 billion plan to pay for the replacement of nine bridges with future toll revenue. Read more...
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Intercity Bus Plan Holders 2021 RFP - Central Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
CAT operates mobility services in Dauphin County, Cumberland County, and the city of Harrisburg. To provide their services, they rely on a broad range of businesses and contractors who work with them through the procurement process. The goods and services they purchase, ranging from office supplies to buses, are crucial to providing safe, reliable and economical transportation for their customers. View the plan holder list with those who have received plans.
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Lawsuit: FedEx Truck Driver’s Headphones May Have Contributed to Deadly 2020 PA Turnpike Crash Involving Tour Bus
If a FedEx truck driver hadn’t been wearing noise-canceling headphones, he might have avoided crashing into an overturned tour bus in January 2020 as part of a Pennsylvania Turnpike wreck that killed five people and injured 14 in Westmoreland County, according to a civil lawsuit. Read more...
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U.S. House Sends $1.2T Infrastructure Bill to Biden for His Signature
All nine Democratic members of Pennsylvania’s Capitol Hill delegation voted in favor, joined by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District. Read more...
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Roads, Transit, Internet: What’s in the Infrastructure Bill
The $1 trillion infrastructure plan has money for roads, bridges, ports, rail transit, safe water, the power grid, broadband internet and more. Read more...
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CERTS Quarterly Reporting Will Be Required Starting in January 2022
Recipients of CERTS grants were reminded that quarterly reporting requirements will come into play in January. Ken Presley shared information at the UMA Town Hall about the upcoming procedures that will govern the reporting, beginning in January 2022.
"Those procedures are supposed to be out somewhere toward the last of December and available for you to report the third and fourth quarters of your CERTS expenses sometime in the first week of January. My guess is you'll have 30 days to report." The first draw of CERTS funding came out in Q3 and the second one was in Q4.
Ken said the reporting will be online and will focus on seven questions. After the first report, operators will need to file quarterly. Watch the recording and view the slides for more details.
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"Single Audit" Not Required for CERTS Recipients
The U.S. Department of Treasury has confirmed that the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Program grant recipients are not required to subject their firm to a “Single Audit.” Read more...
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OSHA Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Rule: What Employers Need To Know
New OSHA and CMS rules mean two-thirds of all workers now covered by vaccination rules. Read more...
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Does Your Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Rely on a 3G Network?
Once a 3G network is no longer supported, it is highly unlikely that any ELDs that rely on that network will be able to meet the minimum requirements established by the ELD Technical Specifications, including recording all required data elements and transferring ELD output files. Read more...
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Update to the New FMCSA ELD Public Certificate To Support Email Transfer
As of November 12, 2021, FMCSA’s current Electronic Logging Device (ELD) public certificate used for email transfer will no longer be accepted. ELD providers using this certificate will need to take steps to update their software to keep their devices working properly. Read more...
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FMCSA To Mandate States Downgrade License for Drivers With Substance Violations
The regulatory world continues to tighten the noose on drivers that violate federal drug and alcohol regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is adding a mandate for states to comply with drug and alcohol bans by November 2024. Read more...
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Registration Tutorial for Training Providers
FMCSA has developed a tutorial that walks you through the steps of registering your training provider and training location(s). Watch the tutorial.
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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Compliance Seminars
In support of its mission to improve truck and bus safety on our nation's highways,
the FMCSA Pennsylvania Division will be hosting FREE educational seminars designed to help carriers familiarize themselves with important safety programs impacting the motor carrier industry. View the flyer.
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PennDot Proposed Routing Plan for the US 322 Missing Link to State College
View the US 322-144 Pt Paper to obtain the trucking industries preferred route regarding the missing four lane section of 322 to State College. Also click here to view the PennDOT possible options.
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Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators
ELDT will require “proof the CDL applicant has completed the training prior to taking the State-administered CDL skills test, or for the H endorsement, prior to taking the knowledge test.”
Meaning the applicant can still come in as normal to get their learner’s permit BUT will need to enroll with a training provider that is approved on the TPR before taking their SKILLS test, not the knowledge test (except for the Hazmat endorsement). Read more...
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Operators - Have You Signed-up for the Charter Service Registry?
Participation shows Congress that the Charter Service Rule, which protects private companies from competing against local transit, is important for the industry. Read more...
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International Travel Ban Ends As Borders Open to Visitors From Dozens of Countries
Airlines report strong international bookings from travelers who are eager to reunite with loved ones. Read more...
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ABA's Fall Legislative Virtual Fly-In 2021
On Oct. 20, ABA members had the opportunity to hear from Sen. Marshal Blackburn (R-Tenn.); Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.); Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-N.Y.); Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and TSA Administrator David Pekoske during our fall virtual legislative fly-in. Watch the video.
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Women In Buses is Hosting an Entire Day at ABA in Grapevine
Women In Buses is hosting an entire Day at ABA in Grapevine, while simultaneously trying to grow their membership. There is a common misconception that tour professionals think they can not get involved with WIB Council and that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Get more information about WIB Membership and WIB Day at ABA - Grapevine.
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More Americans Are Considering Travel Insurance
According to Groups Today, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, how travelers are planning—and protecting—their trips has dramatically changed. According to a recent AAA Travel survey, more than half (55%) of American adults are planning a vacation of at least one overnight stay before the end of next year. Even better? Those travelers are increasingly turning to travel insurance to protect their vacation investments. Read more...
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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.
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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 | | | | |
