5/25/2021
Register Today for the 2021 Annual Meeting!

The 2021 PBA Annual Meeting will be held LIVE October 24-27 at Wind Creek Bethlehem and hosted by Discover Lehigh Valley.  Get details on the Speakers, Program Agenda, FAMS, Sponsorships & More!

MEMBER NEWS
Bree Nidds, Discover Lehigh Valley 
Congratulations to Bree Nidds, Vice President of Sales for PBA member, Discover Lehigh Valley.  
Bree is recognized in the 2021 Connect Corporate 40 Under 40!  Read more...


Discover Lehigh Valley is also a host to our 2021 Annual Meeting
Courtney Bailey Announces Engagement 

Congratulations to Courtney Bailey, Vice President of PBA member Bailey Coach (and owner of Bailey's Zero Hazard) on her engagement to Dominic Piccolo! 
Rohrer Bus Holds "Test Drive a School Bus" Event 
A community "Test Drive a School Bus" event on May 23rd highlighted bus safety and important role of school bus drivers.  The event was put on by 

PBA member Rohrer Bus, a local school transportation company that provides busing for 20 districts around central and northeast Pennsylvania.  Read more...
Operator Survey Reminder 
After the May All-Member call, we sent a survey to all operators to complete to assist in lobbying efforts.  Thank you to those who completed.  For those who haven't yet, please take a few minutes to complete this survey
UPCOMING EVENTS
Next PBA Coffee Talk! 
July 8, 2021
9:30 AM EST


PBA 8th Annual Safety Workshop
August 11, 2021
York Springs Fire Co.
York Springs, PA
SAVE THE DATE! 


PBA 2021 Annual Meeting
October 24-27
Wind Creek 
Bethlehem, PA


PBA 2022 Marketplace
March 22, 2022 
The Liberty Arena
Williamsport, PA


PBA 2022 Annual Meeting
June 19-22, 2022
State College, PA


Interested in Submitting a Bid for 2023 Events?  Send an email.
CERTS Act Updates

We received welcome news when the U.S. Department of the Treasury recently released guidance on the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act grant program. It is the first measurable step forward since the law was signed by then-President Donald Trump late last year, after six months of ceaseless lobbying efforts.  Further, in the guidelines for CERTS, near the end there is some very good advice: "Prospective grantees should review section 421(c)(6), "Conditions of Receipt" and section 421(c)(8), "Additional Conditions of Certain Receipts" for more details on the statutory conditions on receipt of CERTS grant funds. Review the Conditions of Receipt...

 

Treasury staff appear to be making timely progress, so barring any unforeseen circumstances they anticipate having the portal open and ready to receive (not yet released) completed applications by the end of May.  They will post a link where operators can request email updates and announcements. Click here to view the Treasury "CERTS" page.

 

Get prepared for the CERTS Grants application process.

PBA Joins AACA - Museum of Bus Transportation
PBA recently joined the museum as a corporate alliance member.  Don't forget about the Museum of Bus Transportation Spring Fling June 4-5, 2021!

The history of the bus business is, in many ways, a fascinating window into our nation's soul. The first bus lines were started to help people get to work. We've been instrumental in helping our military move soldiers, and bring them home. Buses take folks to events, and home to family... help tourists take in the country.  Read more...  
PBA Held All-Member Coffee-Talk 
The All-Member call held on May 13th was well attended with a robust agenda. If interested in attending the next call, please make sure you register for the next call scheduled for July 8th at 9:30 AM.
Panel Ponders How To Get Rid of Gas Tax
Members of the Transportation Revenue Options Commission, which includes PBA Executive Director Patricia Cowley, are exploring how to shift away from the gas tax said that the state will need short-term solutions, like increasing vehicle registration fees, in addition to longer-term changes, like developing a system to charge drivers based on the miles they travel.  Read more...   
Driver and Employee of Distinction Awards Nominations Open!
This year, the award presentation will take place at the 2021 Annual Meeting luncheon on October 26th at Wind Creek Bethlehem.

Nominate a driver or an employee whom you feel deserves special recognition for their dedication, safety record, and commitment to your company and the motorcoach industry in general. Time will be allotted at the presentation for your personal comments, by a company representative, on the achievements of the employee.

Submit an online nomination or you can download and email/mail the form. The deadline for submission is September 1, 2021.

We are interested in sharing your story with the rest of the PBA community of members. To get the ball rolling, we are introducing #FlashbackFriday

Do you have a story and picture(s) from the past? This can be about your business, family, an interest or hobby, or just a past fun event.

Your story will be shared with our members and posted to our social media and website each Friday. We will use the hashtag #FlashbackFriday, along with your company's social medial handles.  

We need submissions to make this happen, so if you are interested in being featured, click here to complete the form.

Read our first #FlashbackFriday, submitted by John Bailey, Bailey Coach.
REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Wolf Administration Increased Indoor and Outdoor Events and Gatherings Maximum Capacity on May 17
The Wolf Administration increased event and gathering maximum occupancy limits to 50 percent for indoor events and gatherings and 75 percent for outdoor events and gatherings on Monday, May 17 at 12:01 AM.  Read more...
Wolf Administration Secures Relief for Hospitality Industry In 41 More Counties 
Restaurants, bars, and other businesses received nearly $72 million in pandemic relief in 41 additional counties through the Wolf Administration's successful COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP).  Read more...
Wolf Administration Announces Investments to Improve 12 Airports 
Governor Tom Wolf announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will invest $10 million in state grant funds benefitting 12 Pennsylvania airports.  Read more...
Philadelphia Will Lift All COVID-19 Business and Event Restrictions in June 
Philadelphia will lift all Covid-19 restrictions on capacity for businesses and events on June 11, city officials announced. The city's mask mandate will remain in place until further notice.  Read more...
L&I To Restart Unemployment Benefit Work Search Requirements In July 
PA Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced that work search requirements for individuals receiving unemployment benefits will restart the week of July 11, with individuals to begin certifying on July 18 that they have looked for work during the previous week..  Read more...
PennDOT Apportioned Registration Program 
In an abundance of caution, PennDOT will not be returning to the farm show this year for its annual apportioned renewals.  Apportioned registrants should mail their apportioned renewal applications to the Department for processing.  Apportioned invoices may be paid by certified check, cashier's check, money order or wire transfer.  Read more...
FCC Approves School Bus Wi-Fi Hotspots Under COVID-19 Emergency Connectivity Fund 
More than 15 million public school students lacked home internet access or a connected device amid forced virtual learning last year. As one way to bridge the digital divide, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted final rules to implement the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program to allow school buses access to funding.  Read more...
What CDC's Latest Mask Announcement Means for Your Tours and Your Passengers 
The loosened guidelines do not apply to airports, airplanes, trains and fixed route and scheduled service buses, where federal rules still require all travelers to wear masks.  Read more...
Legalized Marijuana and CBD Oil Strictly Prohibited Under USDOT Drug Testing Regulations 
The U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Drug and Alcohol has once again clarified the agency's drug and alcohol policy concerning the legalized use under state laws of CBD oil and legalized marijuana by CDL drivers.  Read more...
FMCSA Updates
FMCSA Preps for 2022 Launch of Entry-level Driver Training Rule 
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is launching a Training Provider Registry as part of the agency's entry-level driver training rule, which goes into effect in February 2022.  Read more...
FMCSA Medical Review Board Approves Plan for Drivers With Monocular Vision 
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's five-member Medical Review Board approved a proposal to eliminate the current exemption process for commercial motor vehicle drivers with monocular vision.  Read more...
FMCSA Pennsylvania Division Hosting 3 Free Online Seminars Starting June 3rd
In support of its mission to improve truck and bus safety on our nation's highways, the FMCSA Pennsylvania Division will be hosting 3 different FREE educational seminars designed to help carriers familiarize themselves with important safety programs impacting the motor carrier industry.  View flyer for complete details and to register.
CVSA Brake Safety Week Set for August 22-28 
This year's Brake Safety Week is scheduled for August 22-28. During Brake Safety Week, commercial motor vehicle inspectors emphasize the importance of brake systems by conducting inspections and removing commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations from our roadways. At the same time, many motor carriers work to educate their drivers and maintenance service providers on the importance of brake system safety.  Read more...
Three Popular Broadway Shows Set September 14 Reopening Date 
Hit musicals "Hamilton," "Wicked" and "The Lion King" have announced they will return to the stage on September 14.  Read more...
MGM Gets Approval To Return Nine Vegas Strip Casinos to Full Capacity Without Social Distancing 
MGM Resorts was approved to return nine resorts on the Strip to full casino capacity without social distancing restrictions.  Read more...
Structural Crack Closes Mississippi River Interstate Bridge Indefinitely 
The Arkansas Department of Transportation inspection of the Hernando de Soto Bridge uncovered a structural crack in the bridge and all lanes of the bridge were subsequently closed.  Read more...
Canadians Anxious About Travel, Support Closed Borders and Vaccine Passports 
An April study by Ipsos found that 82% of Canadians perceive either a large or moderate risk by taking a vacation. Fifty four per cent said a holiday would present a large risk, while 28% said it's a moderate risk.  Read more...
ABA Foundation Motorcoach Sales Report Shows Huge Drop in Sales Because of COVID-19 
The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) released the First Quarter 2021 Motorcoach Builders Survey.  Read more...
Operators Reducing Safety Measures As Traveler Confidence Returns 
Temperature checks, providing hand sanitizer and new cleaning standards are gradually being phased out by tours and activities operators, Arival's May Outlook for Tours, Activities & Attractions reveals.  Read more...
US Travel Association Says Travel Is Back in New Campaign 
The U.S. Travel Association is shifting the Let's Go There campaign message from "When it's time for you, we'll be ready" to "Ready? So are we," signaling that travel is set for a return.  Read more...
Americans Are Ready to Travel 
With warmer weather comes more positive traveler sentiment, that's according to a recent Longwoods International tracking study of American Travelers.  Read more...
Important Reminders - Don't Forget! 
  1. PBA Annual Meeting registration is open! 
  2. Award nominations are open - awards to be presented 10/26 at the Annual Meeting!
  3. PBA Annual Meeting Sponsorships available!
  4. All-member Coffee Talks are scheduled through the end of 2021 every other month.
  5. New Common Membership Renewal Date Did you get the memo?
  6. Refer-A-Friend; Save $50 PBA is looking to recruit new members!
  7. Looking for COVID-19 Screening Rapid Tests?  We have a bulk pricing solution.
ITEMS FOR SALE OR WANTED
Executive Coach, Fullington Trailways, Innovative Coach, Krapf Transportation, Mlaker Trailways, Trans-Bridge Lines and Wolf's Bus Lines have coaches and other items for sale now!
SUPPORT MOTORCOACH PAC

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.
PBA IS ACTIVE ON MULTIPLE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS 
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


Click on logo, then right click and save to display proudly on your website.