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Krapf Transportation Debuts First Autonomous Vehicle in Service in Pennsylvania
PBA Member, Krapf Transportation, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Navy Yard and many supporting agencies, is pleased to announce the debut of the first autonomous vehicle in service in Pennsylvania.
Following more than a year of trials, errors, testing, tweaking and training, the 9-passenger electric- powered autonomous vehicle (AV) began transporting riders on February 27, 2024. Read the press release.
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Quick’s Bus Company Announces New Safety Director
“We are thrilled to announce Terry Pullin’s appointment as our new Safety Director,” said Jason Quick, President of PBA Member Quick’s Bus Company. “Terry’s extensive experience, dedication, and deep understanding of our company make him the perfect fit for this crucial role. We are confident that under his leadership, Quick’s will continue to prioritize safety above all else.” Read the press release.
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Starr Bus Charter & Tours Joins Forces
PBA Member, Starr Bus Charter & Tours joined forces with SYTA: Student and Youth Travel Association, Destination DC, and the American Experience Foundation to provide free transportation for three incredible schools – IDEA Public Charter School, River Terrace Educational Campus, and Ballou Senior High School – for an unforgettable field trip to Washington, DC!
This initiative aligns with the mission of the American Experience Foundation (AEF), aiming to enrich students' lives through inspiring travel experiences and educational opportunities. Their goal is to foster the next generation of hospitality industry professionals and leaders. Together, they are ensuring every student has the chance to explore, learn, and dream big. View their Facebook post.
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Trans-Bridge Lines Reacts to NYC Congestion Pricing
"This decision is incomprehensible," asserts Tom JeBran, President of PBA Member Trans-Bridge Lines. "Not only does it make no sense, but it also penalizes bus operators who are part of the solution to the congestion problem. The whole point of the congestion pricing law is to discourage cars from entering midtown, reducing traffic and air pollutants. Buses provide a viable solution, as they boast modern technology for comfort and safety, as well as clean diesel engines that emit zero pollutants."
Trans-Bridge Lines provides work and recreational transportation to thousands of passengers. The toll, which may begin as early as mid-June, will impact approximately 26 Trans-Bridge Lines weekday runs and 10 weekend runs. In addition, charter service for schools, church groups, sports teams, and businesses would be affected. Affiliate company, Trans-Bridge Tours, also provides several One-Day Tours to the City’s attractions which include museums, restaurants, and shopping. Read the full press release.
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March is Women's History Month! We Thank the Incredible Women on Our Board! | |
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Thank you to our incredible women board members; Tammy Wolf-Baker, Amy Brooks, Maria Benedict Frank, Sandy Borowsky, Tracy Showman, Pattie Cowley, Alison Klein Sherman and Nicole Boyer for your PBA Leadership!
This year's Women's History month theme celebrates women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The theme, which is designated by the National Women’s History Alliance each year, recognizes women across the country who understand that for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions. Read more...
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PBA Scholarship Program - Application Period is Open Until April 30
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 scholarship will be awarded at PBA’s 2024 Annual Conference. Deadline to submit your application is April 30, 2024.
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Submit Your Public Comment for the FMCSA Proposed New Rulemaking to Increase Flexibility for State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) & CDL Applicants by April 2
The FMCSA proposes to increase flexibility for State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) and commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants:
- By expanding applicants’ ability to take a CDL skills test in a State other than their State of domicile;
- Permitting a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holder who has passed the CDL skills test to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on public roads without having a qualified CDL holder in the passenger seat; and
- Eliminating the requirement that an applicant wait at least 14 days to take the CDL skills test following initial issuance of the CLP.
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is posted and is available for public view. Comments from the public are due no later than April 2nd, 2024.
If you agree that a commercial driver (Class A of Class B) should not have to go through the hassle and expense of having to retake the road test that they have already taken in order to drive a bus, please click this link.
All you need to do is hit the comment button, identify yourself and make the comment. It should take less than 5 minutes. Your input is very important to make our struggle to hire drivers heard.
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District Lobby Week April 22-26
As previously announced, PBA is doing a District Lobby Week with local House members and Senators, during the week of April 22-26, 2024.
The goal of this week is to highlight your operations and the impact you have on your local community and the Commonwealth.
As you know, tourism is a huge industry in Pennsylvania, and your motorcoach operations play a major role in helping the tourism industry thrive. Read the special announcement.
Please mark your calendars for March 28 3:00PM for a prep call with our lobbyist and Senator Rothman! We will be sending an email out with more information.
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2024 Marketplace Registration Closed! | |
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We are busy preparing for the upcoming 2024 Marketplace, being held March 25-26, 2024 in State College and hosted by The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau!
Registered exhibitors and tour planners, share on your social media pages that you are attending! Download the I'm Attending image and post using these hashtags:#PBA2024Marketplace #pabus #happyvalley.
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AS ALWAYS, WE THANK OUR SPONSORS! | |
2024 Annual Conference - Registration Deadline is May 24! | |
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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.
Note, to receive Member pricing, you must be recognized by the member portal, identified by your email or you can login to the system.
If you have not created an account yet, please do so today.
Note, if you attend the 2024 Marketplace, you can get discounted pricing for the Annual Conference, by the registration deadline of 4/24/24, using the Marketplace promo code.
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A 2024 Annual Conference Sponsorship is a great way to promote your organization! There are many opportunities in which you can choose, from sponsoring a session, meal or placing an advertisement in the meeting program. View the available sponsorships and then when registering, select it on your registration form.
Special hotel rates are being provided by our host hotel, Hotel Ithaca. Reserve your hotel room at our special discounted rate of $149.00/night. Cut-off date: May 17th.
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INDUSTRY AND COMMONWEALTH NEWS | |
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Shapiro Administration, Local Leaders Highlight How Governor’s Proposal to Invest in Public Transit Would Connect York Residents to Opportunity
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll was joined by officials from rabbittransit, the York County Economic Alliance, the United Way of York, and Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) to highlight how Governor Shapiro's budget proposal to invest in transit agencies would help connect south central Pennsylvania residents to opportunity. Investing in and improving our public transit systems is a commonsense way to create good-paying jobs, spur economic development, and help Pennsylvanians reach their destinations safely. Read more...
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Shapiro Administration Invests $19.3 Million for Traffic Safety Projects Across Philadelphia
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that it will distribute $19.3 million in Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) funding to fund seven safety projects in Philadelphia. Governor Shapiro believes every Pennsylvanian deserves to be safe and feel safe in their communities, his Administration has worked and delivered real results by investing in communities like Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth. Read more...
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Shapiro Administration Invests $467 Million in Liquid Fuels Funds to Maintain Municipalities’ Roadways
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced its investment of $467.2 million in liquid fuels payments to help municipalities across the Commonwealth maintain their roads and bridges. Read more...
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PennDOT Announces Update for Automated School Bus Enforcement
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has published updated Program Guidelines for School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems to the PennDOT website, with further instructions for vendors on the hearing process, as well as other guidance and key reminders related to the program. Frequently Asked Questions and a list of PA Approved School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems can also be found online. Read more...
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PennDOT, PA Turnpike Announce the Start of Work Zone Speed Safety Camera Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike), in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), started enforcement of the statewide Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program. Previously referred to as Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement, the initial five-year pilot program was made permanent when Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 1284 into law on December 14, 2023. Act 38 of 2023 reaffirmed Shapiro's commitment to public safety and built on his promise to ensure every Pennsylvanian feels safe in their community, including on the roadways. Read more...
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Historic White House Bus Summit Brings Possible Procurement Changes
On the eve of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) making approximately $1.5. billion in Low- or No-Emission and Bus and Bus Facilities program funding available, leaders from the Administration, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), bus supplier OEMs, and more convened for a historic roundtable at the White House to discuss Clean Bus Manufacturing. Read more...
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FMCSA Removes 5 ELDs from the Registered Devices List
On February 29, 2024, FMCSA removed CI ELD LOGS, CN ELD, KSK ELD, TT ELD 30, and TT ELD 1010 devices from the list of registered ELDs due to the companies’ failure to meet the minimum requirements. Motor carriers using these ELDs must replace them with a registered ELD before April 29, 2024. Read more...
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ELD "Revoked" List Updated by Transport Canada
In further ELD news, Transport Canada recently informed Motor Coach Canada that some Electronic Logging Devices are no longer certified due to vendor acquisitions and compliance issues. Transport Canada has updated their website to include the list of certified ELDs and now a list of “No Longer Certified” ELDs. Read more...
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TRB Announces RFP to Update 2002 Report on Intercity Bus Services
The Transportation Research Board is calling for proposals to help update the 2002 TCRP Report 79: Effective Approaches to Meeting Rural Intercity Bus Transportation Needs, providing strategies and tools necessary to plan, fund, build, deploy, operate, and expand sustainable intercity bus services and facilities. The RFP closes April 12. Read more...
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Electric Vehicles Outperformed Diesel in This Winter’s Extreme Cold
In Colorado's West Grand School District, electric school buses didn't perform as well as their diesel counterparts. They performed better. Read more...
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Rip the Band-Aid Off Communication
It's time to come back to a very important topic in customer service and customer experience. It also falls under leadership and management. The topic is communication and transparency. Read more...
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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, contact Pattie Cowley to join!
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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 | | | | |
