Earlier this week, the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) and the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) hosted a joint meeting for their members on Capitol Hill. UMA members flew in to Washington for the opportunity to hear about issues critical to private motorcoach carriers and to meet with their elected officials.

 Participants from both organizations heard from members of congress and agency heads on transportation-specific topics like the highway reauthorization bill, preservation of the fuel tax exemption, distracted driving and occupant protection, the healthcare bill and more.

On Wednesday, members were given the opportunity to meet one-on-one with their local Congresspersons or Senators through pre-scheduled meetings.

"I think it's important that every operator know they are a public utility, and it's important their elected representatives know how the rules and laws they pass affect them," said Ken Presley, UMA's vice president, industry relations. "We hope that even more operators can take time away from their businesses next year and come and invest that time talking to their elected representatives."