The number of United Motorcoach Association (UMA) members utilizing BusRates.com as a marketing channel has almost doubled over the past year, the association’s recent industry assessment concludes.

BusRates.com and UMA formed a strategic partnership more than a year ago to help private motorcoach operators reach more customers using the Internet.

“Our members’ reliance on other traditional marketing channels, like the Yellow Pages, has fallen over the past year,” noted UMA President and CEO, Victor S. Parra. “However, the use of more modern marketing vehicles, like BusRates.com, has increased drastically over this time. With more customers looking on the Internet to find charter and tour bus companies, it is even more important that our members find a way to get their companies in front of them, and BusRates.com is the perfect vehicle to achieve this.”

Data from UMA’s survey and assessment showed that the association’s membership is relying on Internet marketing channels at a much higher rate, while reliance on more traditional marketing vehicles like the Yellow Pages, radio and newspaper ads have dropped on average of 5 percent over the last year.

There are more than 810 subscribing bus and motorcoach companies listed on BusRates.com allowing for users to find companies all across the country.