Trailways Traveler - September 2023 Edition |
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A Word from Our Chairwoman
Happy Labor Day and Happy September!
I hope everyone has had the chance to experience some summer. Time to get back into the routines of life. School is back in session, football weekends have returned, and before we know it the holidays will be here.
Have you registered for the annual meeting yet? Now is the time to make those plans if you haven't already. Grab your cowboy boots and hat and join us as we reconvene in Nashville in January. There are many changes and challenges in the world of motorcoach, and to remain relevant in the industry, Trailways need to gather to share our successes and strengths as we continue to set goals for our future. Be Trailways proud!! See you in January if not before!
Amy Brooks
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HAVE YOU REGISTERED YET?
Saddle Up, Team Trailways! Trailways Annual Conference
Have you registered yet for the Trailways 2024 Annual Conference in Nashville, Tuesday, January 9 – Thursday, January 11? We are co-locating with ABA a few days before their Marketplace.
Early bird pricing for Registration and Sponsorships ends October 31st
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Stand-Out With a Sponsorship! |
Trailways couldn't hold this conference without the support of our generous sponsors.
There are many available sponsorships to fit your budget. Options are available on the registration form and also here.
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Thank You to Our Current Sponsors! |
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MCI
Lancer Insurance
Prevost
ABC Companies
Sardo Bus & Coach Upholstery
Amaya Astron Seating
Busbud
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Reminder to Partners: Renewal Dues for 2024 Membership are handled as part of the Annual Conference registration. |
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Busbud, Inc provides travelers with technology and information to make bus travel easy. They strive to reach potential travelers across the world on the platforms they’re on, in their language and their currency . Learn more here. Contact:
John Stepovy 780-940-1901 or
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The Trailways Team Has Been Busy! |
During July and August the digital group announced new partnerships with Salt Lake Express, Indian Trails, and Megabus. Integrations are underway to connect the route map of each new partner with the route map currently found on Trailways.com.
Public announcements and marketing of these new partnerships, aimed at generating additional city to city ticket sales, began in mid August and will continue until the end of September.
To read the press release for Salt Lake Express, click here. To read more about Megabus, click here.
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David Thomas Trailways Receives FEMA FY23 Security Grant Award |
On July 21, FEMA announced the awards for the FY 2023 Intercity Bus Security Grant funding.
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Martz Bus Holds 1st Annual Bus Roadeo |
On Tuesday June 27, Trailways Member Martz Bus held its first Bus Roadeo in the parking lot of the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Read more... |
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Trailways Plays a Big Part in the Annual Little League World Series in Williamsport! |
The 76th annual Little League World Series event was held in Williamsport, PA. Did you know Trailways has provided transportation services for the Little League World Series for approximately 40 years?
Trailways buses assisted with arrivals and departures of the teams, transporting teams to the Little League Classic, and transporting eliminated teams to visit other destinations. Participating partners assisting with Little League tournaments in other parts of the country, have included current Trailways members: David Thomas Trailways, Fullington, and Martz Group.
According to Trailways Chairwoman, Amy Brooks, “Participating in this event is our annual 15 minutes of fame! It is a total team effort. We literally bring the world to Williamsport.”
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Team Trailways Partnered with Lions Club International |
Team Trailways worked with Lions Clubs International to provide 40 shuttle buses from Trailways to Boston, MA July 7 - July 12th.
Thank you to our industry friend DATTCO, Inc and Team Trailways Member, Fullington for your partnership!
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ABC Companies Bus Tour Shows Challenges of Public EV Charging Infrastructure |
Trailways Member, ABC Companies recently completed its recent Phase II Zero Emissions Cross Country Tour, “Charge On America” driven by Peoria Charter. Read more...
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Amaya-Astron Seating - IMG Partner of the Year! |
At the 2023 International Motorcoach Group Awards Dinner, Trailways Member, Amaya-Astron Seating was named the 2023 Partner of the Year! Congratulations! Read more...
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Attention Stockholders-We Need Your Input!
We are attempting to build opportunities for our operator members and would like to know about your successful partnerships to bring more value to our Annual Conference. To get started, we are asking who you use as vendors.
Please take some time to let us know. Your input is very important and we appreciate your time and effort!
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Review Your Charter Directory Listing and Submit Changes
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Trailways Annual Safety Awards Program
In case you missed it, the 2023 Annual Safety Awards will be honored at the 2024 Safety Awards Luncheon, sponsored by MCI, during Trailways Annual Conference in Nashville, TN.
This year we are requesting the miles for the following four quarters:
Last Quarter of 2022 (October -December 2022)
First Quarter of 2023 (January -March 2023)
Second Quarter of 2023 (April -June 2023)
Third Quarter of 2023 (July -September 2023)
Information must be submitted to the Trailways Corporate Office no later than November 20th, 2023. Please submit to Sabina@trailways.com.
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3 Ways to Meet Transportation Hiring Demands by Streamlining Your Hiring Process
Amid supply chain challenges and today’s economic landscape, it’s important for employers to find the right talent needed to transport people and goods safely. Here are 3 ways to streamline the hiring process to meet the demands of today's workforce. Read more...
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Americans Prioritize Fall Trips, As Travel Appetite Extends Into Autumn
Recent studies have indicated that today’s consumers remain dead set on traveling, despite current cost-of-living concerns, even as inflation and other factors continue driving up flight and hotel prices. And, it seems that this summer’s post-pandemic travel surge is likely to continue through the fall season, and perhaps beyond. Read more...
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FMCSA Looking to Change How it Determines Motor Carrier Safety Fitness
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is asking for comments to help it develop a new way to determine when a motor carrier is not fit to operate commercial motor vehicles, also known as a safety fitness determination. A published an ANPRM asking 12 key questions to help it develop a new way to determine when a motor carrier is not fit to operate commercial motor vehicles. Read more...
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FMCSA to Renew Plan for Carriers to Keep Accident Records
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FMCSA Will Accept Challenges to Meal-Rest Break Pre-emption Ruling
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Keep It Simple, Experts Tell Feds on Planned Mileage Fee Experiment
States have already tested different approaches for how to replace gas taxes, but a federal pilot program mandated by the 2021 infrastructure law would be the biggest yet. Read more...
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More Consequences to Speeding
As most company owners and management are aware, highway fatalities have been rising sharply on our nation’s highways in recent years. A major contributor to the sharp rise is speeding. This has not gone unnoticed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Read more...
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National Child Passenger Safety Week — September 17–23, 2023
Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children. NHTSA and the Ad Council launched a new series of public service ads (PSAs) that urge parents and caregivers to protect their child’s future at every stage of life by making sure they secure them in the correct car seat for their age, height, and weight. Download informational materials here.
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National Transportation Safety Board: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Management and Operations
The National Transportation Safety Board investigates and reports on the probable causes of transportation accidents and issues recommendations to improve safety.
NTSB reports having about the same number of employees as it had 20 years ago. But the transportation sector has experienced tremendous growth and technological advancement in that time. Read more...
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New Drug Testing Rule from USDOT Could Help Alleviate the Bus Operator Crisis
Agencies still use urine tests to test for marijuana, which can detect the drug as far back as 30 days. The USDOT changed drug testing rules on June 1st, 2023, allowing transit agencies and others involved with transportation to use oral fluid drug testing instead of, or alongside, urine testing. Read more...
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NYC Congestion Pricing Board Tackles Tough Job of Deciding Who’ll Be Exempt
Nearly everyone in the New York City region wants a break on a new congestion pricing toll set to take effect in Manhattan next year, but the cost of those exemptions adds up. Read more...
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UMA Joins Coalition Backing Bill to Allow Education Savings Plans to Pay for CDL Training
The United Motorcoach Association is among more than 500 trade associations, professional societies, businesses and employers joining to back a bill that would allow education savings plans to pay for postsecondary training and credentialing. Read more...
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US Targets 43.5 MPG for New Vehicles by 2032
The U.S. government wants to raise the fuel economy of new vehicles 18% by the 2032 model year so that all new vehicles would average about 43.5 miles per gallon in real-world driving. Read more...
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Have You Contacted Your Senators or Representative Yet?
Senators. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bob Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Tax Exemption Act in the Senate (S.1944). S.1944 is companion legislation to the House bill (H.R. 3510) re-introduced in May.
Bill H.R. 3510, reintroduction of a bill that would eliminate the tax burden for those who received CERTS Act money during the pandemic, was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means after being sponsored by Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.). The bill has since garnered the support of Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Jared Golden (R-Maine), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), and John Rose (R-Tenn.).
We continue to need your help to advocate for our industry! Please contact your Senators and ask them to support S. 1944 and contact your Representatives and ask them to support H.R. 3510.
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Please share your latest news about new programs, leadership changes, anniversaries and equipment purchases with us at memberservices@trailways.com and we'll include it in an upcoming issue of Trailways Traveler!
In addition to the emailed communications we send to you, we actively share information to our Facebook and LinkedIn. We encourage you to LIKE US, FOLLOW US, and ENGAGE with us!
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As always, we thank you all for your support!
Member Services
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Trailways Charter Network
Main: 703-691-3052 x2
Toll Free: 877-467-3346
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Trailways Transportation System
3900 Jermantown Rd., Suite 300
Fairfax, VA 22030
Main: 703-691-3052
Email: sabina@trailways.com
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