Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Will be the organization’s 38th annual gathering, but it marks the first time the city has hosted this event.

Peter Pantuso told members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that motorcoach transportation in the U.S. continues strong growth and remains exceptionally competitive against other modes of transportation, especially considering that Amtrak remains heavily subsidized by the federal government.

Two groups have long had a very successful relationship. The agreement insures that ABA delegates at future Marketplace events will have more opportunities to network and be entertained at the same time.

President and CEO Peter Pantuso and Senior Vice President Clyde Hart attended the event as the new National Travel and Tourism Strategy was released by Secretary of Commerce John Bryson and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

Attendees across all member types had a significant amount of sales successes at the event. Some members earned from $500,000 to $5 million in booked business. Respondents reported that they anticipated generating an average of $58,065 worth of business after they left the show.

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing designed to learn the views of the Administration and other stakeholders considering the vehicle safety provisions included in the House and Senate highway bills.

The association's response to the NTSB's curbside motorcoach safety report also cites the need for inspections of motorcoaches in facilities at their point of origin or destination.

Study found that private sector commercial bus operators received $0.10 per passenger trip, while Amtrak received $57.04 per passenger trip; private sector commercial air received $6.35 per passenger trip; and publicly funded mass transit received $0.95 per passenger trip.

The Tour Operator Summit, held on March 30 and 31 in Verona, N.Y., featured educational seminars, business sessions, networking events, and a mini-trade show. Forty-five bus and tour operator and 77 tour supplier members of both organizations from both sides of the border attended the event.

Terrapin Blue Holdings LLC will provide American Bus Association members with emergency preparedness and security services and assistance with establishing public-private partnerships. The company meets ABA’s criteria for being committed to help private motorcoach companies grow and thrive in the evolving North American motorcoach, tourism and group travel industry business environment.