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1/16/2024

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Archived Newsletters

MEMBER NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS

C&R VIP, Inc./C&R Bus Tours Update

Artie Kissling, of PBA Member C&R VIP, Inc./C&R Bus Tours shared an exciting update with PBA regarding some changes in the Schuylkill County, PA bus industry. "As of January 11, 2024, I bought the entire bus company from my boss. I am keeping the C&R VIP, Inc. as the official name and I filed for, and received a dba of C&R Bus Tours. I currently have eight coaches, one van, and a suburban in the fleet." Congratulations, Artie!

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2024 Marketplace

March 25-26, 2024

Hosted by Happy Valley Adventure Bureau

Registration Is Open!

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Museum of Bus Transportation Spring Fling

May 31-June 1, 2024

Save the Dates!

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2024 Annual Conference

June 17-20, 2024

Hosted by Visit Ithaca

Save the Dates!

Campbell Bus Lines is Running a Fleet of H3-45s

A year after its debut in Orlando, PBA Member, Campbell Bus Lines is running a fleet of Prevost H3-45s. Campbell Bus Lines was among the first companies to take delivery of the 2024 H3-45 in March 2023.

 

By April 2024, the company will operate 15 2024 H3-45 motorcoaches by Prevost. With his entire fleet being less than 3 months old, PBA Board Member, Todd Campbell said his company has the newest coach fleet in the country. Read more...

Jen Stanley From Fullington Trailways Wins Award

Jen Stanley from PBA Member, Fullington Trailways won the Operational Excellence Award from ABA’s Women In Buses Council in Nashville! Congratulations, Jen!


The Women in Buses Council (WIB) exists to recognize and advance the role of women in the motorcoach industry through networking, education and mentoring programs. It was created in 2011 and is a program of the American Bus Association. Since that time, the leadership, structure and activities of the Council have been developing to meet the goals of the Council. 

The Bus Doctor, Powered by Quick’s Bus Company Launches Website

The Bus Doctor, powered by PBA Member Quick’s Bus Company, shares the company’s passion for a well-maintained fleet.


Adding the capacity to provide first-rate mobile fleet care and 24-hour dispatch and breakdown service to Quick’s menu of available services was an obvious segue into providing best-in-class maintenance service to the motorcoach industry. See their post.

Chautauqua Institution Restoration

PBA Member, Chautauqua Institution is planning $20 million in renovations to make its Athenaeum Hotel a year-round destination. Plans for the 142-year-old hotel include weatherization updates and improvements to common areas and second-floor guest rooms that will improve long-term maintenance, while creating revenue opportunities beyond the existing season, which generally begins in late spring and runs through early fall. Read more...

Prevost - Celebrates A Century of Excellence

Congratulations to PBA MemberPrevost on 100 years! Prevost is a cornerstone of the industry and unique due to its history and commitment to excellence. Prevost’s origins start in 1924, when Eugene Prevost, a cabinet maker specializing in the production of church pews and school furniture, received a commission to build his first wooden coach body and mount it on a new REO truck chassis. Watch the short video. Read more...

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Driver & Employee of Distinction Awards - Nominate Your Best!

For many decades, PBA has sponsored a Driver and Employee of Distinction Award's Program


This annual program enables members to recognize outstanding employees for contributions to the company they are employed by, their passengers, the motorcoach industry in general, and the community in which they serve.


We invite you to nominate your drivers and employees and join us for the awards presentation at the March 25, 2024 Marketplace Networking Reception.



Nominate your best by February 15, 2024.

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PBA Scholarship Program - Application Period is Open!

The goal of the PBA scholarship is to support Member education goals and to encourage the pursuit of formal education. Formal education includes trade certification, specialized training and of course, college. There will be two annual scholarships awarded in the amount of $1,000 each. 


The first scholarship will be awarded at PBA’s 2024 Annual Conference. The application period is between January 1 and April 30, 2024. 


Nominees will be invited to the Annual Conference. Visit the Scholarship webpage for eligibility criteria.


Submit an application by April 30, 2024.

Interested in Joining a PBA Committee?

PBA has seven active, volunteer-based committees in the areas of Executive, Annual Conference, Ethics. Legislative & Advocacy, Marketplace, Membership and Nominating.


Visit the Committee page where you can view each committee and members, email the committees and/or contact Pattie Cowley to join!

Action Needed For Certs Tax Relief

We understand Congress is now finalizing a package to address several tax issues, including business tax provisions such as bonus depreciation and business interest deductions. 


This tax package also provides an opportunity for Congress to fix the CERTS grant program to eliminate the tax on the grants, which we have fought for the last two years. 

 

Congress will not take this action if they don't hear from you. Please take action now: reach out to your Congressman and Senators and tell them to make CERTS grant tax relief a part of the tax package they plan to finalize this week

 

As you know, there are two bills in Congress, H.R. 3510 in the House or S. 1944 in the Senate, that will fix the CERTS grant tax liability. Urge your Congressman and your Senators to fight for you by including the text from either of these bills into the final tax package.

 

Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Representative.

 

Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Senator.

Submit Your Public Comment For Congestion Pricing

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced details of a public comment period of the tolling structure that has been proposed for Central Business District Tolling, New York’s congestion pricing program.


The agency will accept written and audio comments until Monday, March 11, 2024 and will hold four hybrid virtual/in-person public hearings in February and March.


Members of the public may submit written comments online and by email, mail and fax, and may submit audio comments by leaving a voicemail message. All comments will be recorded and submitted for review.


Online: https://contact.mta.info/s/forms/CBDTP  

Email: [email protected]  

Mail: CBD Tolling Program, 2 Broadway, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10004  

Phone: 646-252-7440  

Fax: Send to (212) 504-3148 with Attention to CBDTP Team. 


Get more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Join Us in Happy Valley and Register for the 2024 Marketplace!

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The 2024 Marketplace will be held March 25-26, 2024 in State College and hosted by The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau!


Visit the website to get full details.

Operators - Register Here!
Exhibitors - Register Here!

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

  • January 31, 2024 - Last day for Operators to schedule a FAM Tour. View the opportunities here!
  • February 9, 2024 - Last day to purchase a Sponsorship.
  • February 16, 2024 - Registration ends and Sponsorship ad/artwork is due (for guaranteed placement on floor and the Marketplace Directory).
  • March 1, 2024 Hotel Room reservation deadline.

THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT MARKETPLACE SPONSORS!

2024 Annual Conference - Save the Dates!

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The 2024 Annual Conference will be hosted by Visit Ithaca in Ithaca, NY June 17-20, 2024! We will be experiencing the area with FAMS, Dine-Around Night and Opening & Closing venues at area partners.

INDUSTRY AND COMMONWEALTH NEWS

PA Turnpike Tolls Increased January 7

A 5% increase that was approved by the Turnpike Commission began January 7 for all E-ZPass and toll-by-plate customers. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is paying a debt to PennDOT that won't be paid off until 2051. Drivers are helping do that through these increases — 5% this year and next, 4% in 2026, 3.5% in 2027, and 3% a year from 2028 on. Read more...

White House Unveils $1 Billion for Electric & Low-Emission School Buses

Pennsylvania will receive $47.3 million for 120 school buses. Read more...

2024 DOT Random Testing Rates Notice

The 2024 annual random testing rates for all DOT Agencies will remain the same as 2023. Click here to review the chart that outlines the rates established within DOT Agencies. Read more...

FMCSA Looking To Increase UCR Fees by 25% for Next Year

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing to increase registration fees that participating states collect from motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement for the 2025 registration year and subsequent years. Read more...

FMCSA to Revive New Entrant Rulemaking

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fall 2023 Unified Regulatory Agenda, FMCSA plans to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding new entrants in July 2024. The New Entrant Safety Assurance Process rulemaking “would consider methods for ensuring a new applicant carrier is knowledgeable about the applicable safety requirements before being granted new entrant authority.” Read more...

Speed Limiter Proposal Misses Target Date

Another target date has passed without the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issuing its proposal to require speed limiters on most commercial motor vehicles. Not only has the deadline not been met, but it is unclear how long it will take before the agency can publish the proposal. Read more...

These 9 National Parks Will Have Timed-Entry Reservations This Year

Love ’em or hate ’em, timed-entry reservations will be required at some of our favorite national parks. Read more...

Groups Traveling to Canada by Bus: What You Need To Know

If you are a Tour Operator or Coach Operator traveling to Canada, you must be prepared before leaving. Read more...

Electric Buses Pulled From London Streets After Double-Decker Bursts Into Flames

The fire happened in Wimbledon during rush hour, but no injuries were reported. Read more...

Major Issues Facing the Travel Industry

Now that 2023 has come to its conclusion, tourism professionals must return to a world of work and new challenges. Read more...

ICYMI

Alerts, Invitations, Press Releases, and more are sent out to our Members as needed. Here are the emails 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 platforms. We encourage you to LIKE US, FOLLOW US and ENGAGE with us! #pabus

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