NCMA Articles


		NCMA Articles Travelers Reminded of New Document Requirements Which Began January 31, 2008 Press release on December 3 from Department of State. Contact 202-282-8010. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) remind the traveling public that as of Jan. 31, 2008, all adult travelers will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry. DHS will be issuing a notice in the Federal Register formally announcing the change. This change is a necessary step to prepare travelers and ease the transition to the future requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). WHTI proposes to establish documentation requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda. As recommended by the 9/11 Commission, Congress enacted WHTI in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. WHTI will result in both enhanced security and increased facilitation across the border once implemented. During this transition, DHS and the Department of State are working diligently to minimize the impact on legitimate trade and travel. Currently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may accept oral declarations of citizenship from U.S. and Canadian citizens seeking entry into the United States through a land or sea border. However, as of January 31, 2008: Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate. Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel. All existing nonimmigrant visa and passport requirements will remain in effect and will not be altered by this change. DOS reminds the public that the current turnaround time for a passport is four to six weeks, so Americans planning international travel may wish to apply now. For information on obtaining a U.S. Passport visit www.travel.state.gov or call 1-877-487-2778. Specific documentation requirements for land, sea and air travel may be found at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/. To learn more about NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST, visit www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/. Coach Taken to School to Demonstrate Compliance Recently Jim Harris of Cardinal Coach and Reggie Hines, retired DMV Enforcement Officer who now contracts with school systems to inspect motorcoach operations, met with the principals in Wilson County. Jim took one of his coaches for the purpose of showing the principals what to inspect when conducting a pre-trip inspection by school personnel. The meeting was held at the Wilson County School Bus Garage and the Transportation Director was also in attendance. Reggie basically reviewed the inspection process and explained what the school personnel should look for to determine that the coach is safe to transport the students to their destination. There was a time for questions and answer and the topic of itineraries was discussed, which gave Reggie an opportunity to detail the hours of service rule. Jim said it was a good meeting and recommended that other operators take the lead to do the same or similar. Taking the initiative to communicate with the school systems will go a long way in helping to develop partnerships and good working relationships with your school customers. “If not properly inflated, a tire’s useful tire life, as well as safety, is compromised.” statement from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 2006. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s FMSCA recently called on Booz-Allen-Hamilton Inc., and Fleet Tire Consulting to conduct a study on Commercial Motor Vehicle Tire Pressure Sensors. While conducting the study, the testing confirmed that only 44 % of all tires are within +/-5psi of their target pressure, and that over 25% of all tractor dual tire assemblies have tires differing in pressure by 5psi or more. ABA News: Penguins Urge Green Travel Via Motorcoach To Save Their Habitats From Climate Change Several species of penguins whose habitats are endangered by carbon dioxide emissions launched a public awareness campaign today urging travelers to go by motorcoach, the greenest travel mode by virtue of its drastically lower carbon emissions compared to airlines, trains, and personal automobile, according to several studies. With the help of an educational eight-page booklet produced on their behalf by the American Bus Association, the penguins sent a powerful message to policy-makers titled “Save A Penguin. Take A Motorcoach.” The penguins urged media to download and read the brochure on the ABA site at: http://www.buses.org/files/ABAgreenbrochureV5b.pdf. “By supporting motorcoach transportation, which gets 184 passenger miles per gallon and is the most fuel efficient way to travel, you might just help save an ice cap or two,” said ABA President & CEO Peter J. Pantuso. The energy policy debate expected to dominate Congress this fall is the perfect time for Americans to make this conservation-conscious transportation choice, Pantuso added. “Americans can make a difference in the fate of the penguin population by leaving the car at home and taking a motorcoach,” Pantuso said. “Motorcoaches reduce congestion and pollution by taking more than 425 million cars off the road each year. Coaches provide the same congestion mitigation benefits as transit buses in that we have the capacity to take up to 55 cars, per coach, off the road at one time.” Motorcoaches also play a crucial role in reducing energy use and in helping America cut its dependence on foreign sources of fuel, without sacrificing amenities such as upholstered seats, personal climate controls, entertainment systems and restrooms. “Park your car for a penguin,” Pantuso concluded. “If they could talk, penguins would say, ‘Think of us and take the bus. Motorcoaches are nice and don’t melt our ice.” FMCSA Announces New Minimum Guidelines For Pre-trip Passenger Safety Messages The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently released a notice announcing minimum guidelines in the providing of pre-trip safety information to motorcoach passengers. Although the guidelines are to be implemented on a purely voluntary basis, the plan as described would invite motorcoach operators to deliver a safety message to passengers in a similar fashion as currently provided by operators in the airline industry. The “Basic Plan for Motorcoach Passenger Safety Awareness” outlines the discussion of six recommended topics during the pre-trip safety message: 1) Emergency Exits - pointing out the location of all emergency exits (including windows, roof vents, side doors, etc.) and how to operate them; 2) Emergency Contact - advising that passengers dial 911 in case of an emergency; 3) Driver Direction - notifying passengers that the driver is in charge during the trip and passengers should follow his/her instructions; 4) Fire Extinguisher - pointing out the location of the fire extinguisher onboard; 5) Restroom Emergency Push Button/Switch - informing passengers of the emergency signal device in the restroom; 6) Avoiding Slips and Falls - informing passengers how to safely enter and exit the motorcoach as well as navigatethe motorcoach while in motion, using the handrails and seat supports whenever possible. Download a full copy of the guidelines at: http://www.buses.org/files/FMSCA%2520Notice%2520on%2520Pre-Trip%2520Safety%2520Info%2520for%2520Motorcoaches.pdf ABA is currently working to develop a comprehensive template for pamphlet cards, as well as a DVD/VHS video that can played on the motorcoach before or shortly after departure. Once finalized, the safety message (automated or in print) is expected to be applicable to all motorcoach types currently in circulation throughout the industry. UMA News: First Green Highway Award to be Presented at the Annual Vision Awards Banquet The United Motorcoach Association is proud to introduce the first Green Highway Award which will be presented at the Vision Awards Banquet in San Francisco. The Green Highway Award, sponsored by Motor Coach Industries, was created to promote the motorcoach and its application as a viable solution to the reduction of carbon emissions and to encourage industry leadership with a positive impact on our environment. All motorcoach operators are encouraged to nominate themselves or another operator whom you feel is taking appropriate strides to “Go Green.” Visit http://www.uma.org/MotorcoachExpo/greenhighway.pdf to download the nomination form. All nominations are to be submitted no later than December 15th. Don’t miss your chance to be the first recipient! Senators Hutchison and Brown Introduce Motorcoach Safety Legislation Senate Bill 2326, the “Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2007” was introduced last week by U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) along with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The legislation focuses on the Atlanta, GA accident involving Bluffton University student-athletes and the Wilmer, TX fire during the Hurricane Rita evacuation. In its current format, the bill is extremely far-reaching. Initial review of the bill reveals many problematic areas including timelines that may be unworkable and the inclusion of technology that has yet to be developed. Additionally, the bill ignores that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has initiated a motorcoach crash testing program. Already the safest form of surface transportation available, the bus and motorcoach industry continues to advocate occupant protection improvements based on sound scientific research. We believe anything less may endanger the traveling public. The United Motorcoach Association continues to support the sound public policy contained in the proposed legislation developed by the late Rep. Paul Gillmor and his staff, the Bluffton University Safety Act. UMA has initiated actions that include meetings on Capitol Hill and continued monitoring of the NHTSA crash testing process. Additionally, we are working with industry leaders and correspondent associations to effect continued improvement in occupant protection. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ken Presley 800.424.8262 or kpresley@uma.org. Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism Adds Kay Poole As Group Sales Manager Group travel specialist Kay Poole, who has almost 15 years of tourism marketing experience, has joined the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism as sales manager, according to Executive Director Leon Downey. Poole works in all areas of Pigeon Forge group sales, including motorcoach and group tours, meetings and conventions, reunions, AAA clubs and travel agencies. Her tourism background includes group sales work for the Dollywood themepark in Pigeon Forge, which is Tennessee’s most visited ticketed attraction. While there, she helped develop programs for home school students, Girl Scouts and school performing groups. Poole joins Senior Sales Manager Joy McNealy, CTIS, in the sales department. Information about the tour market in Pigeon Forge is available by calling 1-800-285-7557 or visiting www.PigeonForgeTours.com. 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