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The US Treasury Department, which is administering the CERTS program, has made an important change to the application and how companies list their PPP loans/grants. This primarily affects those companies that filed an application within the first week of the June 19 portal opening.
The CERTS program is for motorcoach, school bus, passenger vessel, and pilotage vessel transportation service providers who were in business on March 1, 2020. The eligible transportation service provider must have experienced a revenue loss of 25 percent or more between calendar year 2019 and 2020 as a direct or indirect result of COVID. Note that operators who run limousine services generally are not eligible for this assistance, although there are exceptions. Click here for more eligibility requirements.
The application process initially only allowed companies to list one PPP loan number, while most companies applied for and received two rounds of PPP funding. The instructions weren’t clear, and the Treasury apparently mistakenly assumed applicants would add the amounts together.
Operators who only listed one PPP loan amount but received both rounds will need to log back in to the application and amend the amount. To do so, contact Treasury at CERTS@treasury.gov or via the helpdesk at 877.398.5862 and request that your application be opened so you can correct the error.
The National Limousine Association also reported on Facebook that applications must include the correct NAICS code on your tax returns. NLA noted that most members will likely use 485320 (limo services), which is not listed as an approved code. If you are applying for CERTS and you have 485320 listed as your code, you should immediately update it to reflect the actual business model with the proper NAICS code (note that this may require filing an amended tax return). NLA urged operators to consult their CPA, noting that acceptable codes were 485990 (All Ground Transportation) or 485510 (Charter Bus Industry).
Additionally, Treasury has updated its FAQs (as of June 29) to address the issues and questions that have arisen since the application portal opened on June 19.
Need More Assistance?
If you are still looking to apply—the deadline is currently July 19 at 11:59 p.m. ET— and have questions, the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) will address the program changes in its weekly onlineTown Hall meeting on Thursday, July 1 at 2 p.m. ET (registration required). The American Bus Association (ABA) will also host a webinar on the updates to the process on July 7 at 3 p.m. ET. The webinar will include what members who have completed process experienced and their advice on a smooth application submission (registration required).
Matt Daus also explains the program in detail and how to apply here. His law firm, Windels Marx, is also available to answer any questions or assist operators with applications.
[06.30.21]
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The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) recently released the findings from its twentieth COVID poll assessing how GBTA members are managing the return to business travel. The poll was conducted across its international membership from June 7-11, 2021.
The first poll of this summer revealed a continuation of the positive momentum reported last month, as companies implement or finalize plans to resume domestic business travel. Two-fifths (40 percent) of respondents say their company’s plan to resume non-essential domestic business travel has “already happened” in the country where they are based, compared with last month’s 34 percent allowing “some” domestic travel. An additional one-third (33 percent) say their company has finalized a date (8 percent)—or is working to finalize a date (25 percent)—to resume domestic business travel. Only one-quarter are “waiting to see what happens” (18 percent) or are “not sure” (6 percent).
While domestic business travel nears a return, the outlook for international business travel remains murky. More than three in five respondents (62 percent) say their company is waiting to see what happens or is not sure about resuming non-essential international business travel from the country where they are based. And in Canada, both domestic and international business travel plans have stalled or been delayed (the country is partially reopening to vaccinated travelers in early July).
GBTA Executive Director Suzanne Neufang
“After a spring marked by growing optimism in most regions, many companies are now making plans to resume business travel—especially in the US and Europe. While there is still caution around cross-border travel, almost three-quarters of our poll respondents say their company has resumed non-essential domestic business trips, or is working to finalize a date to resume these trips,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang. ”While this is an important breakthrough, our research says it will take some time for companies to allow as many trips—or even the same kind of travel—as they did before the pandemic.”
Key highlights:
- Employee willingness to travel continues to grow. Three in four (77 percent) feel their employees are “somewhat willing” or “very willing” to travel for business in the current environment. This is 12 percentage points higher than in the last poll (May 2021).
- Most travel buyers report an increase in business travel spend. When asked how their company travel spend changed in May 2021 compared to the prior month, six in ten (60 percent) report their company’s spending increased “somewhat” to “a lot,” whereas one in four report spending remained “the same.” Only 15 percent report travel spend decreased (13 percent) or are unsure (2 percent). Respondents based in the US (68 percent) are more likely than those based in Europe (54 percent) to say their company’s travel spend has increased from the previous month.
- Companies are making plans to resume domestic business. Two in five respondents (40 percent) say their company’s plan to resume non-essential domestic business travel has already happened. An additional one-third say their company has decided on a date to resume domestic business travel (8 percent) or is working to finalize a date but has not decided or announced one yet (25 percent). Only one-quarter say their company is waiting to see what happens (18 percent) or are not sure.
- Many companies are taking a wait-and-see approach with international business travel. Only one in 10 respondents (12 percent) say their company’s plan to resume international business travel “has already happened.” One-in-four say their company has decided on or announced a date to resume international travel (5 percent) or is working to finalize a date (21 percent). However, most say their company is “waiting to see what happens” (39 percent) or are not sure (23 percent).
- Sales/account management trips and blue-collar service trips will lead the recovery. More than half expect the number of these trips will return to the pre-pandemic level within a year. However, expectations regarding other types of trips—such as internal collaboration and education/professional development trips—will take longer to recover. One-fifth (19 percent) expect the number of internal collaboration trips will never recover to the pre-pandemic level.
- Companies finalize office re-opening plans. Two in five (43 percent) say their company’s office reopening plan has already happened in the country where they are based. Almost half say their company has decided on or announced a date (24 percent) to reopen the office or are working to finalize a date (21 percent).
- Will new remote work policies impact business travel? Among respondents who expect their company will allow more flexibility to work from home, two-thirds (65 percent) expect the change will not affect business travel. One-third (30 percent) expect increased flexibility will lead to less business travel while five percent expect it will lead to more business
Click here to view the entire results of this and previous polls.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[06.29.21]
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The American Bus Association (ABA) has announced the winners of several of its awards.
First, the Motorcoach Driver of the Year award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond the performance of his or her duties as an over-the-road motorcoach driver, professionally executing safe motorcoach operation, while providing the traveling public with the safest form of passenger transportation in the United States. This year's award was presented to Mohammad “Raja” Ishtiaq.
2021 Motorcoach Driver of the Year: Mohammad “Raja” Ishtiaq
Ishtiaq of Riverhead, N.Y., was selected from among numerous qualified nominees from across the country as the 2021 Motorcoach Driver of the Year. With nearly 3 million miles logged in his career, Ishtiaq is known for his driving skill as well as his considerable customer service.
“Motorcoach drivers are the face and backbone of our industry,” said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso. “They deliver millions of passengers safely each year to their destinations providing top notch customer service. They are truly the representatives of our member companies and the industry. People always remember their driver and the experience they had with them on a trip. We are happy to not only recognize a deserving driver annually, but particularly in a time when driver recruitment and retention is such a challenge, we have put out new resources to help in that battle. Hopefully this award, is just one more visible incentive to help a company along the way to recruiting quality drivers.”
Hampton Jitney Vice President Andrew Lynch called Ishtiaq’s driving record “unmatched” over the company’s 45-year history and noted that “[Ishtiaq’s career] is a track record of not only skill and safety in the driver’s seat, but of courtesy and caring towards our customers that has repeatedly been recognized by our ridership.”
Company President Geoff Lynch nominated Ishtiaq for the award because of his professionalism, dedication, extensive driving skills, and knowledge of the industry.
“Raja has been a resource to everyone in our organization,” Lynch said. “He’s been involved with our driver training program for more than 20 years, serves as a mentor to all our other drivers, is a 19A certified observer and is the driver called to handle any type of difficult maneuver. He has even been called on by other companies to help navigate New York City. One time, a visiting company had an articulated bus in town, and they needed the best driver in the city to help them out of a jam, so they asked for Raja.”
The award, which is sponsored by Motor Coach Industries, was announced during a virtual ceremony held June 15 online, a formal presentation will take place at the annual ABA Marketplace event on January 10, 2022, during the largest gathering of motorcoach operators in North America. Over the course of his career, Ishtiaq has earned received every single annual safe driving award there is at Hampton Jitney, since 1991.
Norm Littler Memorial Safety Award winner: Mike McDonal of Saucon Technologies
In other news, the ABA and its Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) announced the winner of the prestigious Norm Littler Memorial Safety Award: Mike McDonal of Saucon Technologies in Bethlehem, Pa.
The Norm Littler Memorial Safety Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the profession of safety through the development or implementation of techniques, products, or safety processes and demonstrates a commitment and investment in the day-to-day safety of the traveling public by motorcoach.
McDonal has dedicated more than 35 years to the transportation industry, more than 15 of which has been with the motorcoach industry. A longtime fixture within Maryland transportation circles, McDonal became well known to the motorcoach industry during his time with Eyre Bus, Tour & Travel based in Glenelg, Md. During his time with Eyre, McDonal got heavily involved with a variety of industry organizations, including BISC where he served in a multitude of leadership roles, including a term as Chair. He also emerged during that time as a recognized national speaker on motorcoach safety issues, as well as a “go-to guy” on compliance and training issues.
In addition to his service to BISC where he continues to be involved with the organizational leadership, McDonal approached ABA in 2015 about a gap in its safety education offerings and recommended that maintenance be given some additional attention, leading to the creation of Bus Maintenance and Repair Council, where he serves as Chair.
The award was announced during a virtual ceremony held June 15 online, a formal presentation will take place at the annual ABA Marketplace event on January 10, 2022, during the largest gathering of motorcoach operators in North America.
Still active in the industry, McDonal joined Saucon Technologies as the director of Regulatory Compliance in 2015. In his role at Saucon, McDonal has been instrumental in the implementation of the new electronic logging device regulations in both the US and Canada. He also continues to assist motorcoach operators daily, not only with telematics-related concerns or safety monitoring, but also as a mentor and trusted advisor. He took a leading role in helping to develop the first formal mentorship program for the motorcoach industry through BISC, in large part based on his own personal experiences mentoring people in the industry.
“Mike has been a fixture and standard bearer for motorcoach safety in our industry for many years,” said Pantuso. “He has been a valued expert that almost every company or organization calls on or knows to ask about when they have a question or need advice. He truly embodies all the qualities and enthusiasm that Norm brought to our industry and specifically to safety.”
The award’s namesake, Norm Littler, was in the bus and motorcoach industry for more than four decades and served as ABA’s vice president of regulatory affairs and executive director of the Bus Industry Safety Council before his passing in 2013. He was known for his accessibility, frequently offering guidance and advice on safety, security and regulatory issues.
Visit www.buses.org for more information.
[06.29.21]