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The Transportation Alliance (TTA), an association dedicated to the private sector transportation industry, recently announced its support for the newly introduced Small Business Transportation Investment Act (H.R. 2143). The bill, which was introduced by Wyoming Congresswoman Carol Miller, would allow transportation operators to purchase used government vehicles at cost (instead of at auction) after a three-year pilot program.
TTA National President Dan Reid
“This legislation is a game-changer for small transportation businesses, such as those providing services such as NEMT taxi, on-demand, micro-transit, chauffer driven, and student transportation,” said TTA National President Dan Reid in a press release from the association. “By giving them the same opportunity to purchase fleet vehicles at cost, we are leveling the playing field and providing much-needed support to an industry that plays a vital role in connecting communities, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.”
The association says that the bill will have a profound impact on small business transportation companies, helping them remain operational, retain and create jobs, and continue providing critical mobility services to the public. Additionally, the initiative aligns with national environmental goals by promoting the transition to more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicle fleets.
Continuing progress of the bill can be found here.
In other news, the association’s Legislative Fly-In is scheduled to take place April 29-30 in the nation’s capital. Additional information, including registration information, is available here.
Visit thetransportationalliance.org for more information.
[03.17.25]
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The latest Meetings Industry PULSE Survey, co-produced by Cvent and Northstar Meetings Group, indicates that planners are sourcing plenty of new business for this year, although optimism is slightly down from the same period last year. Note that the survey was conducted in late January and early February 2025, prior to most official announcements by the Trump administration to enact tariffs.
Good news for the US as inbound meetings (for groups outside the US) have increased over last year (54% vs. 42%), while Europe, which slipped a bit over 2024 (65% in 2024), remains the top destination in 2025 (61%). Mexico rounds out the top three, which is up slightly over last year (43% in 2025 vs. 39%).
No surprise, higher costs of goods and services and budget constraints were the top two issues again this year. Several other issues—political, cultural, and social issues; cybersecurity; weather-related events; and duty of care/emergency response planning—while still lower on the list of pain points, have risen in concern in 2025.
Of the concerns when choosing a destination city: cost, quality of venues, and quality of accommodations lead the pack. Based on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being “not at all important” and 5 being “extremely important,” accessibility (via ground transportation) ranked at 3.72. Lowest on the list was sustainable practices at venues, coming in at 3.02.
Key highlights from the report’s executive summary:
- The active business pipeline rose slightly since last January: More than 70% of respondents are either actively booking or currently sourcing.
- The pace of year-over-year meetings volume growth has slowed, but it’s skill skewing “net positive.” 52% of planners report they will plan more meetings in 2025 than they did in 2024.
- The number of US inbound programs are up, while Europe remains the outbound destination of choice.
- All concerns have grown in importance among planners. While costs and budget constraints continue to rank as planners’ biggest concerns, political and social issues jumped in important year-over-year.
- When choosing a destination, cost and quality are the most important attributes.
The full report can be downloaded here.
[03.11.25]
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MCI J4500 Motorcoach
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) highlighted enhancements to its market-leading J4500 motorcoach at several industry shows in February, including the United Motorcoach Association Motorcoach EXPO (UMA EXPO), held in Oklahoma City, Ok., and the CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas.
According to a press release from the company, the MCI engineering team has incorporated more than 20 quality upgrades and new features to the J4500 to improve coach performance, increase uptime, and reduce operating costs. In addition to the product changes and extensive testing required for the new FMVSS 227 rollover safety standard, MCI has incorporated the following enhancements, among many others, to its model year 2026 J4500 coach:
- Improved front junction box door to better protect electronic components
- Modernized rear junction box to better protect against corrosion
- Completed a holistic review of all hoses and clamping systems to maximize longevity
- Relocated tag axle unload valve to better protect against corrosion
- Redesigned exterior lighting and sealing gaskets to prevent water leaks
Additionally, MCI has invested heavily in its manufacturing operations—radically redesigning and expanding its production lines to increase capacity and efficiency. The company now builds all J- and D-Series models on a common vehicle architecture for ease of maintenance, parts, and operation.
“We truly believe that being reliability driven requires placing product quality at the center of our focus,” said MCI Vice President of Private Market Sales and Marketing Brent Maitland. “We mine our data and listen intently to our customers to make sure we are bringing product improvements that have the highest impact in terms quality, reliability, and the user experience. Our customers place their trust in us to build a reliable coach, and I’m confident that our recent improvements are reflective of that effort.”
In addition to the coach enhancements, Team MCI is another pillar of the company’s promise to customers. MCI has recently expanded its customer support operations, adding new technical support specialists to its in-field and hotline support teams to resolve customer issues more quickly. MCI service centers have expanded their hours of operation in Dallas and added mobile service vehicles to support the Nashville and San Francisco markets. NFI Parts, which provides replacement parts for all MCI vehicles and others, has increased its inventory to better serve west coast markets, added new products, and is offering more competitive pricing on competitor coach parts. The MCI Training Academy has added more than 150 online courses to its programs. And MCI offers a wider range of pre-owned coaches with an enhanced inspection process.
“Buying a coach from MCI is not just about the vehicle but also the support, training, and service that comes with it,” added Maitland. “These are critical elements to maximizing coach uptime and achieving a lower total cost of ownership.”
In addition to serving as a Supporting Sponsor for the CD/NLA Show, MCI also supported the UMA EXPO welcome event and maintenance and driver competitions with a J4500 coach and volunteers, and presented and sponsored the UMA Environmental Leadership Award.
Visit mcicoach.com for more information.
[03.11.25]