ABA-UMA unification scrapped

Citing an “impasse in the transition process,” members of the American Bus Association (ABA) and the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) have announced that the effort to unify the two groups has come to an end.

The news was released this week in a joint statement from ABA Chairman Ron Eyre and UMA Chairman David Brown, both of whom were instrumental in pushing forward a unification vote in early 2005.

“UMA and ABA will continue to cooperate on future legislative and regulatory efforts by ensuring that our respective government affairs and legislative committees meet during the year and help to deliver a united message to Congress,” the statement said.

Although both groups voted overwhelmingly in favor of uniting in May, extensive challenges have emerged in recent months, including the choice of a name, board of directors, leadership structure and how to handle each organization’s trade show.