ABA pledges support at NAFTA conference

In a speech to attendees of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Land Transportation Conference, American Bus Association (ABA) President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso urged the United States, Canada and Mexico to keep "all prudent safety and regulatory protections in place." Pantuso was a featured speaker at the conference held May 28 to 31 in San Antonio. The event was co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation. "The ABA has long believed in the promise of NAFTA," said Pantuso. "Implemented fairly and safely, NAFTA has the potential to dramatically increase already significant travel and tourism opportunities within North America." Pantuso said the ABA will remain vigilant as the agreement's implementation moves forward, specifically in relation to the fair and equitable implementation of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act, the development of new border security and inspection measures and guidelines, and other current transportation safety and security challenges. Pantuso, who shared the podium with Brian Crow, president of Motor Coach Canada, pledged to work closely with both Motor Coach Canada and CANAPAT, the Mexican motorcoach industry association, in support of their collective members. The NAFTA Land Transportation Conference was held in anticipation of the full U.S. implementations of NAFTA's land transportation provisions on June 30, 2002, which will allow motor carriers from all three NAFTA countries unprecedented access to one anothers' roadways, passengers and freight.