Trailways Traveler - July 2024 Edition | |
Trailways Expands Network
Peter Pan Bus Lines and Trailways Announce Alliance
Peter Pan Bus Lines and Trailways, the largest and oldest network of independent motor coach operators in North America, have announced a new strategic partnership effective immediately.
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Megabus and Vermont Trans Lines Joins Trailways Network
During the early spring of 2024, Megabus and Vermont Trans Lines joined the coast to coast network of city-to-city service found on Trailways.com and Trailways.ca. With the addition of these two new partners, regularly scheduled service offered by Trailways now reaches over 1,500 cities throughout North America.
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Trailways Bus Service Offers More Routes to Upstate NY Locations
Upstate New York communities will get to see increased Trailways bus service. Trailways is pleased to announce the launch of a new service route that will connect St. Lawrence and Franklin counties along with the Adirondacks by making stops in previously underserved regions of Northern New York State. "We are excited to bridge a critical gap in public transportation within upstate New York. Our new route provides an essential service for residents and tourists alike, inviting new visitors to explore the Adirondack region." says Alex Berardi, President of Trailways.com and Trailways.ca. Read more...
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David Thomas Trailways Transports US Military Veterans to Washington DC
Trailways Stockholder David Thomas Trailways had the honor of transporting over 300 United States Military Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, as well as those who served from December 7, 1941, to February 28, 1991, with a law enforcement escort to Washington, DC on April 15 for the Tour of Honor.
The tour visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guard and wreath-laying ceremony, the Air Force Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the World War II Memorial.
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Huskey Trailways Spotted in Hershey!
Huskey Trailways, a Missouri-based Trailways Stockholder, was spotted recently in Hershey by Member Services team member, Pattie Cowley.
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PA Governor Announces New State Tourism Slogan!
Trailways Stockholders, Amy Brooks of Susquehanna Trailways and Bob Chepalonis of Martz Trailways attended an announcement by PA Governor Josh Shapiro that he increased the state tourism budget by 60% and he introduced the new state tourism slogan: The Great American Getaway. Watch the new commercial for the state here. | |
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Pacific Coachways Celebrating 35 Years!
In 1989, Team Trailways Stockholder, Pacific Coachways started with a vision to provide reliable and comfortable group travel. On July 1, they celebrated 35 years of growth and excellence in the charter bus industry. Congratulations! Checkout their post.
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Thrasher Brothers Driver Gets Special Treatment
From sports to church choir tours to his first four in a row, James Lewis from Team Trailways Stockholder, Thrasher Brothers Trailways had a parking space waiting on him!
James received the Driver of the Year award at the annual conference! Well-deserved!
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Trailways Ranked in Top 10 Best Bus Services
USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards highlight the best of the best in contests covering categories such as destinations, food and drink, hotels, and things to do. Nominees in all categories are submitted by a panel of experts. The final set of nominees are selected by 10Best editors before being presented to the public.
Trailways came in at #9 out of 10! The 10 bus companies — selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. for providing amenities like free Wi-Fi, onboard restrooms, and comfortable reclining seats, so you can relax and enjoy the ride. Read more...
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West Point Trailways Drives for the West Point Military Academy Graduation
Here's just a few of Trailways Stockholder West Point Trailways employees who had the honor of driving for the West Point Military Academy 2024 Graduation. 50+ buses operated all day to get cadet families and various dignitaries from different points around the base.
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Vintage Trailways Bus Spotted!
This coach was first with Double A Charter in Rock Hill, CT. When Double A Charter closed, Tom McCaughey with Flagship Trailways purchased it as part of antique collection.
After Tom sold Flagship Trailways to DATTCO in July of 2022, Tom decided to donate his entire antique bus collection to the Museum of Bus Transportation aka AACA.
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ABC Companies Partners with VDL Groep to Revolutionize the Transportation Industry
Trailways Affiliate Partner, ABC Companies is pleased to announce the strategic acquisition of the Van Hool brand motorcoach division by VDL Groep, coupled with a 10-year exclusive distribution agreement. The acquisition by VDL, a distinguished international industrial family business founded in 1953 and headquartered in Brainport Eindhoven (NL), marks a significant step towards diversifying and enhancing Van Hool production capabilities and customer offerings at ABC Companies. Click here to read the Press Release. link member alert of offerings
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Busbud Joins Forces with Ratality to Accelerate B2B Software Growth
Trailways Affiliate Partner Busbud, a global ground travel booking platform, announced the acquisition of Ratality, a South Africa-based award-winning provider of revenue management optimization software for ground travel operators.
By integrating Ratality's unique expertise, Busbud's Business Suite will be enhanced with game-changing features such as advanced demand forecasting, dynamic pricing, fleet and driver management, as well as solutions for the charter and rentals industry. Read more...
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2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SAVE THE DATES!
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Mark your calendars for the 2025 Annual Conference, set to take place in Oklahoma City from February 18-20, 2025! We are co-locating with the United Motorcoach Association (UMA).
Get ready for an unforgettable event filled with networking opportunities, insightful sessions, and industry-leading speakers. Stay tuned for further details and updates.
Registration will open in August but the room block is now available if you want to secure your accommodations in advance!
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Overnight Accommodations:
UMA Host Hotel - Omni Oklahoma City Hotel
100 W. Oklahoma City Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73109
Phone Number: 214-350-3236
Cut-off Date: January 20, 2025
$239/night
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Annual Safety Awards
We invite everyone to participate in the Annual Safety Awards program. This year, we are requesting the miles for the following four quarters. Here are the links to the forms:
Use this simple, one-page form to submit your company’s quarterly performance reports which must be submitted to the Trailways Corporate Office no later than November 15th, 2024.
There are various Safety Division Awards based on bus fleets of different sizes compared to the total miles traveled per each participating Trailways Member for a specific category. Therefore, every company participating in the Annual Safety Awards Program has an equal opportunity to be selected as an Award Recipient.
The Trailways Corporate Office is responsible for calculating the overall (total) miles/accidents which have been provided within each company submission.
Recipients from the 2024 Annual Safety Awards will be honored at the 2025 Awards Luncheon (February 20th, 2025) during Trailways Annual Stockholder Meeting.
Questions? Contact the Sabina in the Trailways Corporate Office:
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Scam Alert!
Message from Alex Berardi
"This is a message to remind you to stay vigilant when receiving and sending communication by e-mail. Phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated and each one of us is an important defense against fraud occurring to our company.
I recently received a message, which without close inspection may have resulted in monies being sent to the wrong place. Take this example as a reminder to be on the lookout for suspicious messages." Thank you, Alex!
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Where Do Top New York Politicians Stand on Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Pause?
As you have probably heard by now, New York Governor Kathy Hochul indefinitely delayed the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City’s borough of Manhattan just weeks before the plan was set to take effect, dealing a major blow to transportation advocates who have spent decades pushing for the deal and a win for several opponents of the plan who say the toll is a regressive tax on commuters.
Some of the state’s top Democrats slammed the governor, while others supported the pause or stayed mum. Republicans want congestion pricing killed altogether. Read more...
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Trailways Bus Depot Owners Still Fighting To Demolish “Historically Significant” Building
The owner of the former Trailways bus station is appealing the city of Pensacola’s decision denying their request to tear down the “historically significant” building and replace it with a parking lot. Read more... | |
Biden Awards $830 Million to Toughen Nation’s Infrastructure Against Climate Change
The Biden administration awarded $830 million in grants to fund 80 projects aimed at toughening the nation’s aging infrastructure against the harmful impacts of climate change. Read More...
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EPA Makes $1 billion in Grants Available for Clean Heavy-duty Vehicles, Including Transit Buses
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to address harmful emissions caused by heavy-duty vehicles by launching a new program to support the replacement of Class 6 and 7 heavy duty vehicles (which includes some transit vehicles) with zero-emission vehicles. Funding through the EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program has been made available through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which provided $1 billion to support the transition. Read more...
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Federal Grant Powers UA’s Autonomous Bus Safety Research
With a grant from the Federal Transit Administration and the United States Department of Transportation, The University of Alabama is gearing up for a $3 million project to develop advanced driver assistance systems for large transit buses. Read more...
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CVSA Brake Safety Week Set for August
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced that Brake Safety Week will take place August 25-31, 2024. During this period, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct inspections focused on brake systems and components, specifically targeting brake linings and pads. Read more...
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FMCSA Drops 2 Devices from List of Registered ELDs
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has dropped two more products from the list of registered electronic logging devices (ELD). Blue Star ELD and ELD Mandate Plus have been placed on the revoked services list because they failed to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A, effective May 21. Read more...
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FMCSA Reinstated BLUE STAR ELD to the List of Registered Electronic Logging Devices
As of May 22, 2024, the following device is now listed on the list of registered ELDs. The ELD was previously revoked, but has been reinstated. Read more...
ELD Name: BLUE STAR ELD
ELD Model number: BRS
ELD Identifier: BRS153
ELD Provider: BLUE STAR ELD INC
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FMCSA Hosts Public Listening Session on Safety Fitness Determination Process Updates
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has scheduled a series of public listening sessions to discuss proposed updates to its safety fitness determination (SFD) process. These sessions aim to gather feedback from stakeholders, including drivers, carriers, and industry experts, on potential changes intended to enhance the safety evaluation of motor carriers.
FMCSA will be holding a live session at 1 p.m. Central on June 29 at Houston’s NRG Center. In addition, the agency has scheduled two virtual listening sessions on June 25 and July 31; both will be at 1 p.m. Central. Register for any of the three sessions; alternatively, FMCSA will accept written comments through August 7. | |
FMCSA Published NSTA Under the Hood Exemption
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published the NSTA-driven Under the Hood Exemption Application. As you recall, the initial Under the Hood Exemption has been active since November 27, 2022 with an expiration date of November 27, 2024. This latest application from NSTA seeks the remaining three years that were originally sought in the 2022 filing. If the exemption is granted, the Under the Hood Exemption would remain active through 2027. The public comment period for this Application remains open through Monday, July 1, 2024. Get more information here.
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Millions More Americans Will Be Eligible for Overtime After Rule Change
Millions of Americans will become eligible to receive overtime pay after a new federal overtime rule goes into effect beginning July 1, 2024, and continuing to Jan. 1, 2025. Read more... | |
New Federal Rules Increase Fuel Economy Standard to 38 MPG by 2031
The US government has set new fuel economy standards for vehicles, requiring an average of 38 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2031. This marks a significant increase from the current average of approximately 29 mpg. These standards are part of the Biden administration's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote fuel efficiency, aligning with broader climate change goals. Read more... | |
New York State Lawmakers Approve Charter Bus Seat Belt Use
New York State lawmakers have recently approved a critical measure aimed at enhancing passenger safety on charter buses. The bill mandates that charter bus passengers aged 8 or older must use safety restraints or face a $50 fine. Read more... | |
Real ID Deadline Firm: 2025 Compliance
Starting May 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security will enforce Real ID for federal purposes, including airport security. This law, established in response to the 9/11 attacks, mandates higher security standards for state-issued IDs. Despite multiple postponements, the 2025 deadline is firm. Read more... | |
Together For Safer Roads Publishes Guide to Help Increase Seat Belt Use Rates in Fleets
The new handbook, based on insights from fleet managers, drivers, and public and private sector leaders, highlights the importance of consistent seat belt use and offers practical guidance to enhance safety measures. Read more... | |
Travel Redefined: How Charter Buses Transform Group Trips
Today’s charter buses offer a travel experience that rivals the comfort and luxury of first-class air travel. Spacious and impeccably designed, these vehicles are less about mere transportation and more about creating a premium environment perfectly tailored for group travel. Read more... | |
Blue Bird Announces Standard Lap/Shoulder Seatbelts on All School Buses
School bus manufacturer Blue Bird made history as the first OEM to announce lap/shoulder seatbelts as standard safety technology in all its vehicles.
Starting this fall, Blue Bird in partnership with IMMI will begin equipping new school buses with three-point seatbelts for all student passengers, along with other safety features. Read more...
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Coach USA Initiates Voluntary Chapter 11 Sale Processes to Maximize Value of Its Businesses
Coach USA (the "company"), a leading provider of passenger transportation and mobility services, today announced that it commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to facilitate sale processes to preserve jobs, ensure continued service and maximize the value of its businesses. Read more... | |
Participate in the Motorcoach Industry Census: Your Contribution Matters
Every year, the American Bus Association Foundation, supported by the United Motorcoach Association and Motor Coach Canada, conducts a vital census of the motorcoach industry. Participation in this survey is crucial as it provides essential data highlighting the economic significance and safety standards upheld within our industry. Submit your input.
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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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