Dozens of leaders from the motorcoach, travel and tourism industry traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to participate in the American Bus Association’s (ABA) first annual Capitol Hill Fly-In, where they met with elected officials and their staff to discuss important issues impacting their business.

The day began at the Capitol Visitor Center where Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Ranking Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, addressed participants and engaged with them on important issues facing the motorcoach, travel and tourism industries. Key Congressional staff from the Appropriations, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Homeland Security Committees also addressed the members. 

During the in-person meetings with the officials from both the House of Representatives and Senate, Fly-In participants personally thanked elected officials for supporting the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that was passed in December 2015. In addition, participants discussed other critical issues, such as the FMCSA lease and interchange final rule and bus security grant funding. The event concluded at the ABA Washington, D.C. office with a celebratory reception.  

"Our inaugural Fly-In proved to be a great success," said ABA President/CEO Peter J. Pantuso. "Our members not only had a chance to raise and discuss topical concerns impacting our industry but also had the opportunity to build valuable relationships with their elected representatives and staff."