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Boston Chauffeur President Mark Kini is using this unplanned downtime to offer assistance to his community. On May 8, the Beverly, Mass.-based operator worked alongside the Everett Grace Food Pantry & Outreach to deliver an array of fresh and packaged food to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield Staff Member Kelly Zullo (left) and Boston Chauffeur President Mark Kini
“I’ve done a lot with the Boys & Girls Clubs over the years in different capacities, from running boot camps to donating to their annual gala,” says Kini. “And recently, we’ve been working with Everett Grace, doing up to 200 non-contact food deliveries a week for the elderly, COVID patients, and veterans.”
SUV packed with food courtesy of the Everett Grace Food Pantry & Outreach
Kini asked the food bank if they could help with the families who belong to the Boys & Girls Clubs, many of whom are struggling with food security while schools are shut down. Everett Grace provided an SUV full of “kid-friendly” food—pasta, fruit, fresh meat, and healthy snacks—which Kini delivered to the local headquarters.
“In my area, many families are embarrassed to seek help. We wanted to make it easy,” says Kini.
In addition to doing good work for his community, Kini says that food delivery has been a great way to keep his business active. With the arrival of the company’s PPP loan, this has been an ideal way to keep his chauffeurs working.
Boston Chauffeur delivering food to Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield
“This has really been ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul.’ Delivering these meals has uplifted many of our chauffeurs, including the ones who were initially hesitant to return to work,” says Kini.
Kini says that Boston Chauffeur will continue to do food delivery in the foreseeable future. In fact, a Senator reached out to him to perform the service in Chelsea, which is one of the areas in Massachusetts hardest hit by COVID-19.
Visit bostonchauffeur.com for more information.
[05.16.20]
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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert listing safety tips to help reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus in the car service industry including taxis and ridesharing services.
Safety measures include:
- Allowing drivers to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent them from spreading the virus
- Providing alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol for both drivers and customers
- Limiting the number of passengers transported at a single time and installing Plexiglas partitions between driver and passenger compartments where possible
- Routinely cleaning and disinfecting vehicle door handles and inside surfaces with EPA-approved cleaning chemicals from List N or that have label claims against the coronavirus
- Lowering vehicle windows to increase airflow
- Encouraging drivers to report any safety and health concerns
The full announcement can be downloaded here.
OSHA has also issued guidelines for companies that are participating in food deilvery or pickup services, which can be downloaded here.
The alert is the latest effort by OSHA to educate and protect America’s workers and employers during the coronavirus pandemic. OSHA has also published Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, a document aimed at helping workers and employers learn about ways to protect themselves and their workplaces during the ongoing pandemic.
Visit OSHA’s COVID-19 webpage frequently for updates. For further information about coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.
For more information, visit osha.gov.
[05.16.20]
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On May 13, Prevost and more than 800 motorcoaches from companies across the nation circled on routes around the Capitol in Washington, D.C., to give legislators a visual reminder that the industry needs federal assistance in the next aid bill. The event was organized by the American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association. A recap of the event can be viewed here.
Rally participants sign the bay door of a 2020 Prevost X3-45 coach
The Washington rally culminates weeks of advocacy and education with federal policymakers on the need for aid for the motorcoach industry during these unprecedented times. Prevost team members worked together with other industry members to plan the event. Three specially decaled Prevost coaches were driven by members of the Prevost sales team, and two service vans with certified Prevost technicians were on hand and ready to address any issues while the coaches rolled through the city.
“Prevost stands with motorcoach operators asking for funding to get them through this time of extraordinary hardship. Motorcoaches are an integral part of the infrastructure of transportation throughout this great country,” says Prevost Vice President and General Manager Francois Tremblay. “Now is the time to recognize how important this industry is to the nation and earmark funding to assist this amazing and caring industry.”
Prevost also contributed to the funding of the rally via the GoFundMe support page, and says it was pleased to collaborate with the associations, motorcoach operators from across the U.S., and other bus OEMs to make this event a success.
Prevost’s X3-45 coach passes the Washington Monument during the Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness Rally
In a press release from the company: “Above all, Prevost is deeply proud of the strong unity and professionalism within the industry, which was expressed during this event.”
Participants in the rally were invited to sign the bay door of a 2020 Prevost X3-45 coach, which is being donated to the The Museum of Bus Transportation for safekeeping and historical preservation.
To see pictures and videos from the event, visit the Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness event page.
Visit prevostcar.com for more information.
[05.15.20]