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May the New Year bring you new opportunities and abundant success. Thank you for your partnership!
Happy 2024!
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Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Joins PBA!
The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is the largest professional business association in Garrett County with nearly 500 member firms representing every industry in the region.
The Chamber also serves as the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the County. They are responsible for attracting more than 1.4 million visitors per year to Garrett County.
Contact: Holly Lane 301-387-6171 or holly@garrettchamber.com.
They were referred to PBA by Rich Gilbert, Maryland Office of Tourism Development! Thank you!
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Project Liberty Ship Joins PBA
Project Liberty Ship is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating by preserving and operating the Liberty ship S.S. JOHN W. BROWN as a living memorial to the men and women who built the great Liberty fleet and to the merchant seamen and Naval Armed Guard who sailed the ships across the oceans of the world.
Project Liberty Ship continues to grow. With nearly 2,000 members nationwide and in a number of foreign countries, with support of federal, state and local officials and with Baltimore's close-knit maritime community behind them, they are confident of success!
Contact: Edward Koronowski 410-558-0646 or edkorny@gmail.com
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Greyhound Marks 36 Years Helping Youth in Crisis Return Home
PBA Member Greyhound, the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in North America, commemorates the 36th anniversary of its “Home Free” program, which in partnership with the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), provides life-saving transportation and reunification services for youth experiencing crises. Read more...
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Tom Brynan, Werner Bus Lines Retires
PBA member, Werner Coach recently celebrated the retirement of Tom Brynan. Tom has been an integral part of Werner Coach for 46 years! Tom has also generously volunteered on the PBA Board. We are going to miss him!
Tom has been anoited as an honorary PBA Member. You may see both Tom and Wendy as volunteers at some upcoming PBA events.
A little about Tom:
"I began driving when I was 18, a converted Greyhound for a local band. I then went to Maryland to drive for a group that traveled the East Coast and Canada. I decided to come back to Pennsylvania and walked into Werner Bus Lines on December 30, 1977. I was hired for the school bus division but in two months I was driving the transit line run between King of Prussia and Pottstown. I became a full-time charter motorcoach operator and tour driver soon followed. In October of 1979, Fred Ochroch took over management of the company and offered me a position in the office. In 1981 I was promoted to Vice President.
Looking back to the beginning, I would have never given a thought that I would do anything but drive a motorcoach. I have so much to be thankful for, including some key people; Bob Randall who taught me how to drive that 1948 GMC, Jim Prouse who gave me the opportunity to drive my first Silver Eagle. Fred Ochroch who saw something in me that he moved me out of the driver's seat and into a management position. Fred was not only my mentor, but my best friend. Of course my beautiful wife Wendy, who for the past 41 years not only has put up with the long hours and constant interruptions, has served in many positions at Werner, except as a driver.
We've made so many friends in the industry. We look forward to keeping in touch with them and maybe visit if our travels take us close by."
Congratulations and best wishes to Tom as he embarks on this new chapter of his life. Read their Facebook post and see pictures from his retirement party.
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American Music Theatre Facilitates Family Surprise
PBA Member, The American Music Theatre in Lancaster helped facilitate a special family surprise this past Christmas.
Army Sgt. Nick Simon reached out to the theatre, saying he hadn't seen his mother since July and needed help facilitating a surprise homecoming. Read more...
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Bird-in-Hand Restaurant & Smorgasbord Reopens After Explosion
PBA Member, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord reopened for business more than a week after an explosion at an adjacent hotel killed one person. “You can be confident that comfort and safety are our top priority, and we are grateful to be able to welcome guests back to our restaurant and stage,” said John E. Smucker II, Bird-in-Hand’s president and CEO. “Although the Family Inn currently remains closed, we hope to be able to announce a reopening date soon.” Read more...
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Miller's Smorgasbord Closed For Renovations
From January 2-21, PBA Member, Miller's Smorgasbord will be closed as their restrooms, entrance and lobby will be undergoing renovations to bring you a new, updated look. They look forward to welcoming you again on January 22! During this time, you can still get great Miller's Bakery items and other locally made food at Locally Made Food Shop. See their Facebook post.
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The Museum of Bus Transportation Elects New Bus Committee Chair/Board Member
The Museum of Bus Transportation/AACA Museum is proud to announce that Tom McCaughey has been elected as the bus group’s member on the AACA Board of Directors. The museum is excited about having someone with Tom's achievements and skills leading efforts to preserve the history of the bus industry… and ideal combination of experience and energy. Read more...
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Industry Friend, Keith McNally Retires
If you have attended a PBA Marketplace or Annual Conference, you are sure to recognize our friend Keith McNally's smiling face, sunny demeanor and his love of the microphone! Keith recently announced his retirement.
Keith began his career in 1981 in the hospitality industry and has been an Independent Meeting Planner for the past 20 years.
During his time as an Independent Meeting Planner, Keith coordinated meetings and conferences world-wide including Johannesburg, South Africa; London, England; Paris, France; and Shanghai, China to mention a few. He also coordinated events throughout the United States and in many areas of Pennsylvania.
He served on the Board of Directors for the Middle PA Chapter of Meeting Professionals International as the Vice-President of Special Events.
PBA has anoited him as an honorary Member. We wish Keith the best and we will miss him!
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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 Bryce Jordan Center, the evening of March 25, 2024, during the Marketplace Networking Reception.
Nominate your best by January 31, 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.
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Interested in Joining a PBA Committee?
PBA has six active, volunteer-based committees in the areas of 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!
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Have You Contacted Your Senators and Representatives 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.).
The House bill currently has 13 sponsors, and the Senate bill has 5 sponsors. We 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. Below are two easy forms that will only take a few minutes of your time to complete.
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MTA Announces Congestion Pricing Hearing Dates & Public Comment Period
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: cbdtp.feedback@mtabt.org
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.
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Join Us in Happy Valley and Register for the 2024 Marketplace! | |
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IMPORTANT DEADLINES:
- January 15, 2024 - Cancellation of a purchased booth for partial refund.
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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.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT MARKETPLACE SPONSORS! | |
2024 Annual Conference - Save the Dates! | |
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 | |
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25 States Are Increasing Minimum Wage in 2024 — But Not Pennsylvania
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour for non-exempt employees and has been since 2009. That represents the longest stretch the federal minimum wage has remained unchanged since it was established in 1938. Read more...
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PA School District Apologizes After Telling Bus Drivers To Remove Christmas Decor
A Pennsylvania school district clarified it wasn't trying to ban Christmas after it sent a memo to bus drivers telling them to "immediately" remove Christmas or other religious holiday decorations. Read more...
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Biden-Harris Administration Takes Nationwide Step to Address Assaults on Transit Workers
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published a proposed General Directive on required actions regarding assaults on transit workers in the Federal Register that will allow it to better assess and address the risk frontline transit workers face. With assaults on transit workers at an unacceptable level, the Biden-Harris Administration is calling on the nation's transit agencies to take further action to protect these critical frontline workers. Read more...
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New Travel and Tourism Appointment at US International Trade Administration
Alex Lasry has taken the oath as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism at the International Trade Administration. In his capacity, he is responsible for overseeing the National Travel and Tourism Office and implementing the National Travel and Tourism Strategy of the Biden-Harris Administration. Read more...
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Transit Agencies Lay Groundwork for Zero Emission Bus Fleet Overhaul
The country’s transit agencies are preparing for the most sweeping and complex transformation of bus fleets in history. The dramatic shift to achieve 100 percent zero-emission bus (ZEB) fleets will involve massive capital investments. This article takes a closer look at ZEB programs underway at three of the country’s largest agencies: New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Read more...
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Comment Period Extended for Transit Worker HOS & Fatigue Risk Management
FTA has issued extensions to the comment periods for the Transit Worker Hours of Service and Fatigue Risk Management Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) and the State Safety Oversight (SSO) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The ANPRM comment period will be open until Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. The SSO NPRM comment period will be open until Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Read more...
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NTSB Retires Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements
The end of 2023 marked the end of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements, the focus of the agency’s safety advocacy efforts for nearly 35 years. Says NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy: “Freed from the structure of a formal list, the NTSB can more nimbly advocate for our recommendations and emerging safety issues.” Read more...
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2024 UCR Registration
In June, FMCSA published notice announcing a reduction in UCR Fees for the 2024 registration year and beyond. The new fees were effective July 24, 2023, and reflect about a 9 percent decrease for all fee brackets from the 2023 fees. Registration began October 1. Click here to register. Enforcement of carriers who have not registered began January 1.
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FMCSA Increases Fine Amounts for Inflation
The cost of violating Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations will increase in 2024. In a final rule published in the Federal Register on Thursday, Dec. 28, the FMCSA announced its new civil penalty amounts. New fine amounts also were announced for other U.S. Department of Transportation agencies. Read more...
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What Every Small Business Needs to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) went into effect on January 1, 2024, impacting millions of small businesses across the U.S. Knowing the intricacies of this act and its potential impact is essential for small businesses. Otherwise, they may incur criminal or civil penalties for not filing or updating this report. Read more...
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Travel and Tourism Industry Employing Growing Number of Women Since 2010
The number of women and young professionals employed by the travel and tourism industry has soared in recent years. Between 2010 and 2019 their ranks increased from 38.6 million to 47.8 million, which amounts to an increase of 24 percent. Read more...
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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 | | | | |
