ALEXANDRIA, VA, June 29, 2012-Over 1,000 days has elapsed since the last Surface Transportation Bill expired. Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives and late this afternoon, the U.S. Senate passed MAP - 21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century). The President is expected to sign the landmark legislation into law. The United Motorcoach Association (UMA) has been fully engaged, front and center, ensuring that this Bill includes provisions that are reasonable for Member motorcoach operators and creates expanded opportunities to serve their local communities that should go a long way towards improving those bottom lines with new revenue sources.

"Considering the onerous requirements we fought against in earlier versions, this bill represents safety directives that are to be implemented in a rational manner. Equally important, it creates opportunities for UMA members by opening doors to the local public transportation community," said UMA President & CEO Victor Parra.

"In combination with the UMA Motorcoach Travel PAC and our annual Capitol Hill Days in April when UMA members come to their Nation's Capital to meet with their Congressional leaders, to the past few months when our legislative team, led by Ken Presley, tirelessly pounded the halls of Congress representing our members; this victory truly demonstrates the power UMA members can have when they take the time to share their views with members of Congress; both in person and through correspondence," Parra concluded.

Highlights from the primary provisions in the bill concerning the bus and motorcoach industry include:

MOTORCOACH SAFETY
Not later than one year, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shall prescribe regulations requiring safety belts to be installed in NEW motorcoaches at each designated seating position.

On the issue of retrofitting motorcoaches, MAP-21 directs that NHTSA MAY (not shall) assess the feasibility, benefits and costs with respect to application of the safety belt or anti-ejection countermeasures provisions to existing motorcoaches. NHTSA must report back to Congress on the assessment in 2 years. This puts a Congressional step in between any move to retrofit; technically removing any immediate threat.

Not later than two years, DOT shall prescribe regulations that addresses Roof Strength and Crush Resistance, and further directs DOT to consider Anti-Ejection Safety Countermeasures (window glazing), Rollover Crash Avoidance, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, and Tire Performance Standards.

The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to ensure research programs are carried out concurrently and grants authority to USDOT to combine rulemakings into a single rulemaking encompassing all aspects. Considerations must include whether each added aspect contributes to safety, benefits of the seat belt rulemaking and avoiding duplicative benefits, costs and countermeasures.

Research and Testing and Directives
Not later than three years, the USDOT shall issue standards for Fire Prevention and Mitigation.

Interior Impact Protection, Compartmentalization Safety Countermeasures, Collision Avoidance Systems - lateral crash warning systems. The legislation does not direct DOT to make these items a requirement.

Insurance
USDOT is required to issue a report to Congress on insurance levels within six months and every four years thereafter; ensuring that any proposal to increase liability limits will be a legislative directive.

New Entrants
The Pre-Authorization Safety Audit was successfully defeated. New entrants will incur a safety audit within 120 days of receiving operating authority. All new registrants must pass a proficiency exam prior to receiving operating authority.

Random En Route Inspections
Existing law prevails; en route inspections may only be performed in instances of imminent or obvious safety hazard.

Passenger Broker Registration
As written, the original Senate version included virtually anyone who arranged passenger carrier service (i.e.: athletic directors, church youth directors, group leaders, motorcoach companies, etc.) would be required to register as a passenger carrier broker. Legislative drafters were unable to narrow the scope with improved legislative language, subsequently UMA opposed the legislation and it was removed from the final bill.

Passenger Broker Registration
As written, the original Senate version included virtually anyone who arranged passenger carrier service (i.e.: athletic directors, church youth directors, group leaders, motorcoach companies, etc.) would be required to register as a passenger carrier broker. Legislative drafters were unable to narrow the scope with improved legislative language, subsequently UMA opposed the legislation and it was removed from the final bill.

TRANSIT
First and foremost, the current Charter Service Rule remains unchanged as well as school bus protections.

Reasonable Access to Public Transportation Facilities
The final bill dictates that public transits cannot deny reasonable access for a private intercity or charter transportation operator to federally funded public transportation facilities, including intermodal facilities, park and ride lots and bus only highway lanes. Transits may consider capacity requirements and the extent to which access would be detrimental to existing public transportation services.

Actions to Promote Better Coordination between Public and Private Sector Providers of Public Transportation
The bill directs the FTA to provide technical assistance to public transit at their request on practices and methods to best utilize private providers of public transportation; and educate public transit on laws and regulations that impact private providers of public transportation.

Contracting out Study
It is the desire of this Congress to see an increase in private participation in public transit. After 1 year of enhancement, Government Accountability Office is directed to prepare a comprehensive report on the effect of contracting out public transportation operations and administrative functions on cost, availability and level of service, efficiency, and quality of service and other considerations.

"We are particularly appreciative of the leadership demonstrated by Chairman John Mica, Representatives John Duncan and Bill Shuster for their stalwart leadership. From improved safety, to unprecedented opportunities to serve local public transportation, UMA members will find a lot in this bill that ultimately improves their bottom line," said Ken Presley, UMA's Vice President of Industry Relations and COO. "The interests of the entire bus and motorcoach industry will benefit from this landmark industry".