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UMA Affiliations
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mark Gedris
800.424.8262
FTA Denies Transit Authority’s Petition to Provide Service for Indianapolis 500
Decision is Victory for Private Transportation Providers
The United Motorcoach Association applauds the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for maintaining the spirit of the Charter Service Rule and denying the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation’s (IndyGo) petition to provide shuttle transportation for the Indianapolis 500.
In a decision released yesterday, the FTA formally denied IndyGo’s petition for a waiver to the Revised Charter Service Rule. The now almost year-old Rule prohibits publically funded transit agencies from providing charter services if a private, non-publicly subsidized passenger transportation provider is willing to provide such service.
“We wholeheartedly support the FTA’s decision,” noted Ken Presley, UMA’s vice president of industry relations. “Private transportation companies have continually demonstrated over the past year that they are suitably capable of providing services for these large scale events and can do so at no expense to the tax-payer.”
UMA submitted comments in opposition to the waiver request and worked in conjunction with the Coalition of Private Passenger Transportation Organization (COPPTO) to ensure that the voices of private carriers were heard by the FTA. The Coalition’s membership includes the United Motorcoach Association, the National School Transportation Association, the California Bus Association, the Northwest Motorcoach Association, International Motor Coach Group, Inc. and the Trailways Transportation System. Together, these entities represent over 1,243 motorcoach and school bus companies operating more than 124,000 vehicles nationwide.
“This is not just a win for the operators in the Indianapolis area,” added Presley. “Every favorable decision is a victory for the entire industry.”
The United Motorcoach Association is North America's largest association for operators of motorcoach companies providing charter, tour and regular route services. Founded in 1971, UMA is comprised of over 1,200 members located all across North America, with more than 925 charter and tour bus operator members who provide transportation services in all fifty states, Canada and Mexico. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, UMA is dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of the entire motorcoach industry and providing its members with programs and services to enhance the success of their operations.
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