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Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Tool

You can find the new PPP forgiveness resource at PPPForgivenessTool.com. Any business that took out a PPP loan can use the tool free, regardless of whether they worked with a bank or a non-bank lender.

August 6, 2020

House sponsors of H.R. 7642 call on Congressional leadership to include CERTS in relief package

READ THE LETTER

Representatives Darin LaHood, Albio Sires, Don Young, and Alan Lowenthal today called on the Congressional leadership to ensure that $10 billion in economic relief for the motorcoach industry is included in any relief package. They stressed the bipartisan support for H.R. 7642.

The letter pointed out that fact that our industry's needs have gone unaddressed in prior measures. "Unfortunately, none of the enacted economic relief packages in response to COVID-19 to date included provisions addressing these transportation service providers." the letter states. "While many transportation industries, such as Amtrak, public transit, airlines, and airports, were specifically provided for in the CARES Act, these industries were noticeably left out. We hope to rectify that oversight in this upcoming relief package."

HOUSE: The CERTS Act has been introduced as H.R. 7642

Use our automated platform to send letters to your U.S. Representative to ask for their support. Share this link https://p2a.co/C7psGv4 with employees, your customers, and friends of the industry.

SEND YOUR LETTER

SENATE: The CERTS Act has been introduced as S. 4150

Use our automated platform to send letters to your U.S. Senators to ask for their support. Share this link https://p2a.co/ONoZXmx with employees, your customers, and friends of the industry.

SEND YOUR LETTER

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MEMBER ALERT

Good news! $10 billion relief package to be introduced for over-the-road bus, motorcoach industry

KEY PROVISIONS OF

THE CERTS ACT

Grants: not less than 50% of the amount will be used to provide grants.

Conditions:

• Funding for an over-the-road bus company may not exceed their 2019 calendar year revenue.

• Maintain employment through December 31, 2020 (pay, paid administrative leave, and paid benefits as of the date of enactment).

• Recall or rehire any employee laid off, furloughed, or terminated because of reduced service.

Eligible activities:

• Acquisition of services

• Equipment

•Personal protective equipment

• Other measures needed to protect workers and customers from COVID-19

Continued operations and maintenance of existing capital equipment and facilities including:

• Rent

• Leases

• Insurance

• Debt service

Sens. Jack Reed and Susan Collins are the bill's co-authors.

Congress this week will take a big step toward providing $10 billion in economic relief for over-the-road buses, including the private motorcoach, tour and charter industry, with the introduction of the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act (CERTS Act). It will be introduced by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI) this Wednesday, July 1. The $10 billion would be used to provide grants and other forms of emergency assistance. At least half of the funds would go toward grants.

This legislation is the fruit of coordinated work on the part of the United Motorcoach Association, along with a group of New England-based motorcoach operators who forged relationships with their senators, and the American Bus Association.

“The CERTS Act is specifically targeted to motorcoach operators to help bridge the gap until motorcoaches are rolling again. It recognizes the capital-intensive nature of our Members and will help them maintain their skilled team members, as well,” said Larry Killingsworth, United Motorcoach Association President & CEO

.

“The legislative team at UMA has been quietly working with Senators Collins’ and Reed’s staffs for weeks now,” said UMA COO Ken Presley. “The bill has gone through several drafts, so it was important to allow the process to take its normal course. We all need to work together to get it passed."

More Than 1 Million Masks Made Available for Motorcoach Industry Drivers & Front-Line Employees as Industry Restarts

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), alongside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been working with states, industries, and stakeholders to ensure that transportation workers receive the support they need. The cloth facial coverings secured by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be sent out over the next 2 weeks through the U.S. Postal Service to a variety of state motorcoach association locations to assist in making masks widely available for delivery or pick up.

The masks are intended for use by motorcoach drivers, mechanics, support personnel and other front line employees in your business. They are NOT for distribution to passengers.

“Transportation workers are on the frontlines of keeping our transportation systems operational during this public health emergency and their wellbeing and safety is paramount,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

A list of distribution points is available here.

For those motorcoach operators not located near any of the distribution points listed on the link above or if any of those points get over-subscribed, you can request additional masks from UMA, ABA, or Trailways utilizing the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/88F3LYT