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Motorcoach Safety in the NE Region: Perspective of the Motorcoach Industry

Motorcoach Safety in the NE Region: Perspective of the Motorcoach Industry. Baltimore, MD June 2012. An Overview of Private Motorcoach Services (by percentage of companies). Contract Commuter – 7% Scheduled Service – 19% Airport Shuttle – 21% Sightseeing – 29% Tours – 59%

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Motorcoach Safety in the NE Region: Perspective of the Motorcoach Industry

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  1. Motorcoach Safety in the NE Region:Perspective of the Motorcoach Industry Baltimore, MDJune 2012

  2. An Overview of Private Motorcoach Services(by percentage of companies) • Contract Commuter – 7% • Scheduled Service – 19% • Airport Shuttle – 21% • Sightseeing – 29% • Tours – 59% • Charters – 96% Other Industry Statistics • 3,200 companies • 35,000 coaches • 723 million passenger trips • Employs about 128,000 people • $ 112.7 billion in total economic activity

  3. Commitment to Passenger Safety • Motorcoaches are the safest form of surface travel. • All interstate bus operations are regulated by the U.S. DOT. • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the agency tasked with safety and enforcement. • National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) is the agency tasked with new vehicle and equipment standards. • FMCSA makes safety information available to the public. • SaferBus smartphone application • www.safersys.org • National Complaint Database • Consumers should make informed decision on transportation options. • Not based solely on price • Safety is not an amenity • Safety improvements must be holistic,cannot be bolted on.

  4. A Few Preventable Accidents Have Raised the Industry’s Profile • A review of the data shows that 54% of all motorcoach fatalities in the last decade (1999-2009) were accidents of either unsafe or illegal carriers. • On average there are approximately 19 passenger deaths resulting from fatal accidents each year. • FMCSA released it’s Motorcoach Safety Action Plan in 2009.

  5. Recent Rulemakings Affecting the Industry • Seatbelts • Roof Crush • Stability Control • Driver Hours of Service • Electronic On-Board Recorders • Minimum Knowledge Requirements for New Operators • Enhanced Oversight for Operators Evading Sanctions (Chameleon Carriers) – Double Happiness • CDL/Driver Training Rules

  6. Safety is our #1 Priority • ABA recommends the following to improve safety: • FMCSA needs additional staffing and dedicated money to inspect bus operators (10% of MCSAP funding) • FMCSA should hire third party inspectors for the task if dedicated funding is not possible (i.e. the DOD program) for more inspections • We must raise the safety bar on who can become a passenger carrier operator (Application fee of $300.00 is too low) • A comprehensive safety audit must be performed before the 1st passenger is moved, not after • Require an applicant background check before a state can grant a CDL with a “P” endorsement • Ensure that out-of-service carriers have ceased operations by seizing license plates, booting buses, securing facilities, etc. • Explain the industry to consumers and to more easily contract with safe motorcoach operators (searchable DOT database)

  7. ABA’s Support of Safer Bus Operations • ABA staff checks on company safety records quarterly. • Companies with Conditional ratings have 6 months to change. • Companies with Unsatisfactory ratings are asked to leave ABA. • Look beyond satisfactory/unsatisfactory rating. • Convenes the Bus Industry Safety Council.

  8. The BISC is comprised of security, mechanical, safety, operational and maintenance professionals as well as consultants from all segments of the industry. • Government agencies represented.-DHS, TSA, FTA, FMCSA, NHTSA. • The group meets regularly to discuss issues, best practices and innovations in the areas of safety, regulatory compliance, maintenance, technology and security. • Summer and Marketplace Meetings. • Member-driven, with 180 current members. • Chair, Charlie Corder - Coach USA.

  9. Enforcement Trends & Responses Several Available Enforcement Tools: • Compliance Reviews • Out-of-Service Orders • New Entrant Safety Audit • Destination Inspections • ABA does not support roadside inspections as they can be unsafe for the inspector and passengers having to wait by the side of the road. • From FY 2005-2010, #1 enforcement issue was drug-and-alcohol related compliance. #4 was HOS-related violations.

  10. Enforcement Trends & Responses • ABA offers educational opportunities and sets up vendor partnerships for compliance assistance. • ABA’s annual convention, Marketplace, has more than 40 educational sessions, several focused on topics for motorcoach operators. • ABA offers periodic webinars on specific compliance issues (city – NYC, DC; federal regs.) • ABA supports consistent and regular enforcement activity rather than one-time events.

  11. Industry Opportunities • Potential driver of economic development • Intercity bus passengers spend 4-5 days in a location. 75% buy round-trip tickets. • Intercity travelers spend $92/day • Charter/Tour groups spend up to $12,000 per overnight • Union Station (DC) receives $33 million/year in retail spending from intercity/tour bus passengers. • Shift in public perception. • Environmental solution. Sustainable transportation opportunity. • Traffic/congestion mitigation.

  12. Industry Challenges • Access to intermodal (government subsidized) facilities. • Lack of bus parking in popular destinations. • DC did innovative bus parking study on net parking deficit. Nexus to tourism locations. • Inconsistent local regulations (idling, parking, routing). • Illegal/unscrupulous operators giving the industry a black eye … resulting in media and congressional inquiry. • Lack of consistent enforcement from federal/state authorities. • Insufficient federal funding (MCSAP) • Limited inspection activities (47.5:1, truck vs. bus in FY10)

  13. A Closer Look at Scheduled Service • Intercity Scheduled Service • Network • Nationwide shared ticketing(interlining) • Terminals • Curbsides • Express (Point-to-Point) • Focused in Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, FL/GA/NC/TN/VA (I-95) • Terminals • Curbsides • Commuter Service • Suburbs to City Centers • AM/PM Peak Service • Casino Service

  14. Curbside Intercity Services • Positives • Responsive to consumer travel patterns. • Southwest Airlines model • Low cost with limited overhead. • No terminal rental or departure fees • Affordable fares. • Guaranteed seating. • Updated passenger amenities. • Wi-fi, satelite radio, videos, restrooms, etc. • Close stop proximity to intermodal connections. • Viral marketing streams. • Advanced capacity management, ticketing systems.

  15. Curbside Intercity Services • Negatives • Difficult to differentiate carriers. • Quality of services. • Shortcuts: safety, maintenance, speeding. • Resulting in horror stories • Limited exposure to rest of industry. • More independent operators, out of the mainstream • Don’t often belong to associations (ABA, NBTA, etc.) • Of 26 companies shutdown on May 31, no ABA members. • Limited coordination and integration into local/regional transportation planning.

  16. Profile of a Curbside Passenger • Curbside intercity bus riders tend to be younger, 73% under 35 years old. • 18 to 25 year olds make up about 48% of the passengers • 26 to 35 year olds make up about 25% of the passengers • Tech Savvy • Online ticketing only options • Traveling for leisure. • Most curbside operations originate in college towns and connect to urban centers.

  17. Growth of Intercity Bus Services • 6% overall growth in 2010. • Ethnic niches and community-to-community connections. • Emergence of curbside operations. • 32% growth in departures, 2011 • Departure pointshave consolidated(1980-2006), andresurged recently. • Ridership has seenconsistent growth.

  18. More Growth Coming from Industry Leaders

  19. Are You Sure You’re a Motorcoach Friendly Destination? • Do you have motorcoach parking? • Is there somewhere for the driver to rest away from the motorcoach? • If an on-site lounge is unavailable, do you provide complimentary meals or drinks for the drivers? • Is it easy for motorcoaches to maneuver in and out of the parking facility? • Will the group have to walk far? • How many bus parking spaces do you have? • How is this communicated? • Communicated through a greeter, available online, or via telephone hotline? • Can you provide directions to nearby fueling, dumping or maintenance facilities? Don’t Forget About the Driver!

  20. Where Can You Find Quality Operators? • www.charterbusconnect.com • ABA members • State Association members • DOD-approved carrier list • Some Marketing/National Associations • International Motorcoach Group • Trailways • United Motorcoach Association

  21. Contact Me Anytime! Peter Pantuso, CTIS President & CEO American Bus Association 111 K Street, NE, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 218-7229 Email: ppantuso@buses.org Web Site: www.buses.org Reach us toll-free, 24/7 at (800) 283-2877

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