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- Category: Industry News
By Chris Przybylski
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) posted a new rule on May 14 that will take effect in about four months that contains four substantial changes to hours of service.
- The short-haul exception is now 150 air-miles or 14 hours start to finish (previously 100 air-miles and 12 hours, except Alaska).
- Adverse driving window (on-duty time) is extended by two hours.
- 30-minute break (property carriers) is now only required after eight driving hours (instead of on-duty) and can be taken as on-duty time.
- Sleeper berth exception now allows two breaks totaling at least 10 hours, given at least seven hours is spent in the berth (previous eight).
| Rule | Existing Rule | New Rule |
| Short-Haul | 12 Hours, 100 Air-Miles | 14 Hours, 150 Air-Miles |
| Adverse Driving | Adds Two Hours to Driving Time Only | Adds Two Hours to Driving or On-Duty Time |
| 30-Minute break | Must be Sleeper Berth or Off-Duty | Can also be On-Duty |
| Sleeper Berth | Eight Hours Consecutive Required | Seven Hours Consecutive Required |
Short-Haul Exception
Under 395.1(e)(1), if a driver operates within a 100 air-mile radius of the base of operations and also starts and ends at the same within 12 hours, they do not require a traditional log. Hours of service are still required, but only need the start time, end time, and total hours worked each day. If you meet the requirements, consider using a form like this one instead of driver logs. Note: This form has been updated for the new regulation that is not yet in effect.
Why This Is Important
- With the expansion to 14 hours and 150 air-miles, even more local limo drivers qualify for the short-haul exception.
- If a driver qualifies for the short-haul exception 22 out of every 30 days, they do not need ELDs. Again, very few local operators will need ELDs. This not only saves money but also lowers the administrative burden of properly managing ELD systems and/or paper logs.
Adverse Driving Conditions
Adverse driving conditions are defined under 395.2 as snow, sleet, fog, and other adverse weather conditions; a highway covered with snow or ice; or unusual road and traffic conditions, none of which were apparent on the basis of information known to the person dispatching the run at the time it was begun. The previous rule allowed drivers to exceed the maximum driving hours by two full hours in order to complete a run, or reach a place of safety or security if adverse driving conditions caused the delay. The previous regulation did not extend the on-duty hours so a driver near the end of their shift was unable to use the adverse driving condition exception. The new rule corrects this and allows both on-duty and driving time to extend by two total hours. It also expands to include the driver’s knowledge of road conditions.
30-Minute Break
Under 395.3, property-carrying drivers who do not qualify for the short-haul exception must take a 30-minute break at least once before exceeding eight driving hours. Under the previous rule, this break must be off-duty or sleeper-berth time. The new rule expands to allow on-duty time to count as the required break. It should also be noted that more drivers will now qualify for the short-haul exception listed above.
Sleeper Berth Exception
A sleeper berth is defined under 395.2 and is generally found on over-the-road trucks. Sleeper berths may be used in lieu of traditional off-duty time if the requirements of the exception are met, which can be found in 395.1(g). One of these exceptions previously allowed a combination of at least eight consecutive hours in the sleeper berth and up to two hours as a passenger (10 hours total) to start a new work shift. The new rule modifies this to only require at least seven consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, as long as the total hours in sleeper-berth and passenger time is still at least 10 hours.
Association Support
On a related note, the National Limousine Association (NLA) and the American Bus Association (ABA) are cited in the final rule in support of the short-haul exception extension. Consider joining one or both as they fight to help for our industry!
Read the full text of the new rule here.
A special thank you to Chris Przybylski of LBC Fleet, Safety & Compliance for providing an analysis of this update. He may be reached at chris@lbcfleet.com.
Also read posts from Lancer Insurance and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao about the new rule.
[05.15.20]
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- Category: Industry News
Hundreds of coaches from all across the U.S. descended upon the nation’s capital on May 13 for the Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness rally, an event that was coordinated by the American Bus Association (ABA) and the United Motorcoach Association (UMA).
L to R: ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso, UMA President & CEO Larry Killingsworth, and former UMA President & CEO Victor Parra
In what would have been a typical day of buses ferrying tourists to D.C. to enjoy beautiful spring weather and the numerous historic sites, empty coaches were instead adorned with positive messages about the impact that the industry makes not only to the U.S. economy, but to the tens of thousands of families that rely on coach travel for jobs. The event generated tons of media coverage, from local to national news, and the day was streamed live on Facebook.
“Our ask is simple,” said UMA president & CEO Larry Killingsworth in Bus & Motorcoach News. “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 0 percent interest rate loans to the industry, $5 billion in long-term zero percent interest rate loans to the industry, and modifications to the PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] and EIDL [Economic Injury Disaster Loan], providing funding through the end of the calendar year. Our businesses need a lifeline so we can be there when the country needs us next.”
Across the nation, the motorcoach industry is composed of 3,000 companies, operating 36,000 motorcoaches, employing more than 100,000 workers, and transporting nearly 600 million Americans and visitors annually, generating more than $237 billion in transportation, travel, and tourism revenue. The event complemented the associations’ Congressional outreach campaigns.
Numerous companies in the chauffeured transportation space participated, including Chariots For Hire, Reston Limousine, A-1 Limousine, Passaic Valley Coaches (Broadway Elite Worldwide), JED Transportation, Rose Transportation, BEST-VIP Chauffeured Worldwide, Black Tie Transportation, Blue Ridge Transportation, Blue Diamond Transportation, Windy City Limousine & Bus, JET Limousines & Transportation, Infinity Transportation, SC Coach, Custom Coach and Limo, James River Transportation, RMA Worldwide, and DATTCO—to name a few.
“If you had asked me three weeks ago if we could have pulled this off this quickly, gotten 800-plus motorcoaches to come together for four hours in downtown D.C. to make their voices heard, I would have said no. But once the call went out and the small organizing committee put their shoulder to the grindstone, there was no way that it wouldn’t be successful,” said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso in a post-rally letter to members.
Pantuso also noted that vertical industries came out to offer their support, including coach manufacturers, travel providers, hotels, and suppliers.
The event may be over, but the fight wages on as Congress crafts the next package of aid for the country. Both associations encourage members to write, call, tweet, and email their representatives so that the industry is recognized in this newest bill. Information and sample letters can be found at busesmoveamerica.com.
To see pictures and videos from the event, visit the Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness event page.
[05.14.20]
Pictures courtesy of busesmoveamerica.com.
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- Category: Industry News
Bus manufacturer Prevost recently released a detailed checklist to help motorcoach operators prepare for the next phase of business in the new “normal.” Called Clean + Care, the program offers advice on everthing from cleaning and storage to ramping up to again serve customers.
“Prevost is here for you: That’s the message we want to convey to our customers and to the industry as a whole,” says Prevost General Manager Francois Tremblay. “While so much of this crisis is out of our control, Prevost’s goal is to do everything we can to provide some peace of mind. With that guiding us, we have embraced a Clean + Care approach to all that we are doing for operators.”
Clean + Care includes:
- Warranty Extensions: Prevost says it was the first to offer a Warranty Extension program on parts and coaches for qualifying parked coaches and a 24-month parts warranty.
- Free Online Training from Prevost Technical Institute gives an learning management system that is trackable and provable. Use this time to learn new subject matter or brush up on existing skills for drivers and technicians.
- Technical Support: Prevost has set up a way for operators to contact them even when many are working remotely and operators may be unsure who is available. The email prevostcrisissupport@volvo.com is being monitored for any needs or requests.
- Storage and Cleaning: Easy access for downloading processes and procedures from Prevost’s Technical Publications are available on the company’s website and include storage and startup guidelines for parked coaches as well as cleaning procedures and instructions.
- Contact-Free: Operators can drop off and pick up vehicles through its contact-free protocol. Centers with parts warehouses have also instituted a process for contact-free parts pickup for customers’ convenience.
- Back to Business: In order for operators to be ready to get back to business, Prevost developed an offer that includes creating ways your riders feel comfortable about the equipment in which they are being transported. Current and future options include:
- New driver barriers
- Passenger warning and information decals for coach interior
- Air purifier systems
- Improved ventilation with fans in roof hatch options
- Hand sanitizer dispensers and installation suggestions and instructions
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (4L)
- Electrostatic misting systems
- Filtration systems
- Masks are available for operators to provide to riders for additional confidence and protection
- Seat distancing decals
- Passenger partitions (coming soon)
- Headrest covers (coming soon)
Details on these resources and programs can be found on Prevost’s website and customer communications page.
Prevost’s service network continues to be available as all Prevost service centers remain open. The manufacturer also notes that parts are available and being shipped daily, and its PASS line is available 24/7 for assisting with scheduling and warranty work (800.463.7738).
For additional information, follow Prevost on social media for updates, visit prevostcar.com, or utitlize its crisis support email address prevostcrisissupport@volvo.com for any questions.
[05.12.20]