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Even though Congress is in recess until July 20, leaders and members of industry associations are hard at work behind the scenes making sure that lawmakers don’t lose sight of the pandemic’s effect on transportation services. Right before the break, two bills were introduced that could provide some much-needed relief to operators across the spectrum.
More than 100 associations and organizations, including the National Limousine Association (NLA), signed a letter in support of S. 4117, tentatively called The Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Forgiveness Act, which would automatically forgive loans of less than $150,000 upon the borrower’s completion of a simple, one-page forgiveness document. According to the letter, “loans of $150,000 and under account for 86 percent of total PPP recipients, but less than 27 percent of PPP loan dollars. Expediting the loan forgiveness process for many of these hard-hit businesses will save more than $7 billion and hours of paperwork.” The bill was sponsored by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), and Kelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.). The full letter can be viewed here.
For motorcoach operators, the American Bus Association (ABA) and United Motorcoach Association (UMA) have been championing a bill that would provide $10 billion in loans and grants to help the bus industry bridge the recovery. The bill, Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act (CERTS Act), was introduced jointly by Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) earlier this month. Both associations have spearheaded extraordinary Congressional outreach through tens of thousands of letters, emails, calls, and meetings by members and industry friends. A letter urging support of the bill was signed by leaders of more than 30 associations, including the UMA, ABA, and NLA. The full letter can be viewed here.
According to the letter, “These transportation industries and their employees all provide vital transportation services, playing an essential and critical role in the national transportation network. If these industries fail, it will have a devastating and reverberating effect throughout the entire economy. The impact will affect not only the capacity of the national transportation network, but also schools, national emergency response capabilities, the manufacturing sector, the financial sector, the tourism sector and beyond. All citizens deserve vital, reliable, and affordable transportation services for their daily lives, and require safe and reliable transportation services for their children to attend school and educational events.”
Although it’s been widely reported that Congress will pass another heavy-lifting and wide-sweeping COVID-19 relief bill—especially with the virus spiking again and many provisions from the CARES Act expiring or being exhausted—Republican lawmakers have expressed their desire to see a package that doesn’t exceed $1 trillion. Because aid is so critical and industry-specific relief could be overlooked, the associations continue to urge their members, industry peers and friends, family, and anyone impacted by the recovery of the transportation and travel industry to continue reaching out to their members of Congress. UMA has created a form letter specifically for the CERTS Act, which is available at busesmoveamerica.com.
Text for neither bill has yet been posted online as they were introduced immediately preceding recess. Track the progress of the bills by visiting congress.gov.
[07.14.20]
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NLA Explains Bylaw Changes, Will Release Cleaning Video
The National Limousine Association (NLA) held a Facebook Live video on July 9 detailing important changes to the association’s bylaws, which were proposed by the NLA Bylaws Committee. In his President’s Notes, NLA President Robert Alexander noted that members were expected to be able to vote for the changes online from July 16-31; information on how to vote will be sent to members this week. To view a copy of the changes, email: info@limo.org.
Alexander also announced that members will be able to brand a new cleaning video—in line with the hygienic protocols that the association released last month—with their company logo and use as a marketing tool and PR opportunity. The video debuted on July 14 via a Facebook Live presentation and is available exclusively to NLA members on its website.
Visit limo.org for more information.
MCTA Holds Happy Hour, Holds Membership Campaign
After months of frequent virtual meetings and plenty of timely emails for business assistance as much moral support, the Minnesota Chauffeured Transportation Association (MCTA) held its first in-person casual get-together on July 8. MCTA Secretary/Treasurer Chad Peterson of Renee’s Limousines served as the evening’s host as he opened the doors of his company to about 10 members and friends of the association with plenty of refreshments on hand.
The association is also in the final days of its membership drive, which ends July 15. For the remaining months of 2020 and the first month of 2021, MCTA dues are just $30 per in-service vehicle, with a minimum investment per operator of $100. This is a reduction of last year’s $100 per vehicle, and this spring’s $90 per vehicle. The Board of Directors also voted to adjust partner (vendor) memberships. More details about membership levels and benefits can be found here.
Visit mnlimo.com for more information.
LITA to Hold Virtual Meeting
Douglas Schwartz, owner of Executive Ground Transportation and president of the Long Island Transportation Association (LITA), invited all members and friends of the association to participate in a Zoom meeting on July 16 at 4 PM ET. The topic of discussion will be “What types of trips are you booking today?” For more information on joining the meeting, email Schwartz at doug@executivelimousine.org.
NELA Announces Upcoming Event
Grab the wine! The New England Livery Association (NELA) will hold a Zoom Happy Hour called Cabernet & COVID Stories on August 5 at 5 PM ET. The event, which is free to attend, will feature a handful of “storytellers” hosted by NELA Director Brett Barenholtz of Above All Transportation/Boston Car/ETS including NLA President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide, Association; President/CEO - RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation, Diane Forgy of Overland Chauffeured Services, George Jacobs of Windy City Limousine & Bus, Shariff McMichael of Dav El/BostonCoach, Jeff Nyikos of Leros Point to Point/Royal Coachman, Briana Kaplan & Chelsea Candeub of Park Avenue Limousine, Dawson Rutter & Tami Saccoccio of Commonwealth Worldwide, and Douglas Schwartz of Executive Ground Transportation. Click here to register.
NELA also shared that vendor member Alternative Claims Management will conduct a free webinar on July 15 called Capturing Lost Revenue During Vehicle Downtime. The 2 PM ET webinar will include speakers from Alternative Claims Management and Fleet Salvage Solutions. Click here to register.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
GCLA Invites Matt Daus to Discuss Hot Topics
The Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) Executive Director Sara Eastwood Richardson recently hosted Matt Daus of Windels Marx for a chat about some of the most pressing topics facing not only operators in California, but potentially businesses nationwide. Top of the agenda was AB5—the bill that strengthened the test of classifying a worker as an independent contractor, which is still being bitterly fought by Uber and Lyft—as well as business interruption insurance and lingering questions about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The full video can be viewed here.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
[07.13.20]
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Harmony Day Support, a nonprofit organization based in Forest, Va., that services adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was the recipient of a free Forest River shuttle bus valued at $100,000. On Thursday, July 9, representatives of Forest River delivered the Berkshire Ultra 28 coach to the Harmony Bay Support center. Also in attendance was Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.) and members of the local press, including ABC 13 news out of Lynchburg.
In 2019, Forest River planned to commemorate an impending industry milestone by giving away their 100,000th vehicle. Companies nationwide were invited to submit an application to receive the free shuttle bus. In September 2019, a committee of four judges selected Harmony Bay from a pool of 200 entries.
The Berkshire Ultra 28 coach is built on an E450 chassis and offers seating for up to 26 passengers. The bus will help Harmony Bay better serve their residents and the people they work with.
"It'll allow us to get individuals out more in the community whether its volunteer work or go-to places like Kings Dominion or the beach," said Harmony Bay Executive Director Andy Coleman. "It just allows them to have more opportunity to live as autonomously as they can."
Forest River Bus, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, designs and builds its buses in Goshen and Elkhart, Ind. Forest River Bus has a rich history of manufacturing expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction, building small to midsize shuttle buses for both the public and private transportation markets.
Visit forestriverinc.com or harmonydaysupport.org for more information.
Previous photo: Berkshire Coach General Manager Troy Snyder (left) and Harmony Day Support Executive Director Andy Coleman
[07.13.20]