UMA.ORG - United Motorcoach Association

UMA Affiliations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2008

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mark Gedris
800.424.8262

UMA and IMG Request FTA Investigate DNC Exemption

In a letter to the Honorable James Simpson, Administrator of the Federal Transit Adminstration (FTA), the United Motorcoach Association and International Motor Coach Group formally requested that the FTA investigate the circumstances surrounding the FTA’s granting of an exemption to the Denver Regional Transit District for transportation during Barack Obama’s acceptance speech during the Democratic National Convention. Among the reasons for requesting this inquiry, both UMA and IMG believe that the Denver Regional Transit District’s request for a “unique and time sensitive event” exemption contained misrepresentations and mislead the FTA to approve the exemption.

“In the past two weeks, hundreds of private buses and motorcoaches have been dispatched to evacuate citizens in harm’s way on the Gulf Coast” noted Ken Presley, UMA Vice President of Industry Relations and Steven Klika, IMG President in their correspondence. “Many were dispatched with little notice. We respectfully request the FTA reevaluate the circumstances under which they may be compelled to conclude the inadequacy of the private sector only to grant time sensitive exemptions to transits using federal assets.”

Since the FTA’s new Charter Service Rule went into effect back in April, federally subsidized transit agencies have been asking the FTA for waivers and exemptions to continue to provide charter services. This is work that legally belongs to private bus operators and not with the transits. UMA continues to fight on behalf of its members and continues to educate the industry on how to take advantage of these new rules and keep this work in the hands of the private bus and motorcoach 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 1,100 members located all across North America, with more than 850 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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