(Easton, PA - April 29, 2020) The American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association are the two national bus industry associations organizing the event on May 13th in Washington, DC.  Hundreds of motorcoaches representing 3,000 motorcoach companies across the United States and their 100,000 employees will be rolling into the nation’s capital support awareness of the industry’s role as a critical component of the country’s infrastructure. Motorcoaches do everything from evacuating victims of hurricanes and wildfires to transporting thousands America’s military troops all around the nation.

Pennsylvania Bus Association is supporting the efforts by participating in the rally.  Founded in 1923, the Pennsylvania Bus Association represents 300 members with a mix of motorcoach and tour operators, service providers to the motorcoach industry and destination travel suppliers.  John W. Bailey, President of Bailey Coach and Chairman of the Pennsylvania Association, stated “It is imperative that the Federal Government recognize this important industry.  For without the motorcoach industry, people could not enjoy sporting events, student field trips, cruise/airport transfers and many other transportation needs by the general public.”

Under the banner, Motorcoach Rolling for Awareness, these vehicles will circle Washington, D.C.  as a moving rally, bearing messages that explain the importance of the industry and ask Congress and the White House to extend economic relief to motorcoach companies. This is a positive event showcasing how the nation’s motorcoaches move America.

“Our ask is simple,” Jeff Polzien of Red Carpet Charters said. “The U.S motorcoach industry is requesting Congress put motorcoaches back on the road by making available $10 billion in grants for operational and payroll assistance and $5 billion in long-term zero percent interest rate loans to the industry, ensuring these monies are available immediately and easily accessible. Our businesses need a lifeline so we can be there when the country needs us next.

“The current economic remedies available to small businesses don’t address sectors like ours that will take much longer to recover from the current crisis. Airlines, Amtrak and transits have received more than $75 billion prop up these industries,” said Peter Pantuso, President & CEO of the American Bus Association.

Of the 3,000 bus and motorcoach companies in the United States, 90 percent are small, family-owned business who have had to close their businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. By having to shut their doors while no one is traveling, nearly 100,000 employees, which include drivers, cleaners, maintenance and repair, administrative and safety personnel, are now without incomes. 
These vehicles will share messages to underscore the many ways motorcoaches help move America:

•    Military transports across the nation for troops in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces 
•    Evacuations of Americans from wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods 
•    Connecting people to jobs with commuters and employee shuttles 
•    Connecting rural America to urban centers and to other modes of transportation 
•    Providing school transportation as well as sports and educational trips 
•    Reducing congestion by taking 36 cars off the road for each coach.  
•    Providing vital services to the entire transportation network when other modes are inoperable.

The event will stage at DC’s Audi Field, south of the U.S. Capitol, and motorcoaches will begin rolling at 10:30 a.m. on May 13th. 

Pennsylvania Bus Association Contact: Patricia Cowley, Executive Director  
Telephone: (717) 236-9042 - Email: director@pabus.org - Website:  www.pabus.org