Drivers Meet Up at Regional ABC Locations.
Independent motorcoach operators are meeting up at ABC Companies’ regional locations in Minnesota and Florida this week to caravan toward Washington, D.C. They will join over 500 motorcoach operators from all 50 states on May 13 for a rolling rally around the U.S. Capitol and National Mall to remind Members of Congress and the Trump Administration that the industry needs directed federal assistance.
In a show of rolling unity, independent motorcoach operators began banding together today to move out in unison as they trek toward the nation’s capital. In St. Paul, Minnesota, a caravan of 18 buses kick-started the event with a “drive-by” of the Minnesota State Capitol to create awareness with state and local representatives. Regional operators will also assemble at ABC Companies’ Winter Garden, FL facility, Tuesday May 12th at 5:30am, where the local police department will escort 20+ buses onto Florida’s turnpike. The caravan, led by ABC Companies plans to rendezvous with drivers from Tallahassee and Pensacola as they cross the state line in what will become over one continuous mile of motorcoaches steadily growing as they merge state-by-state with other participants, forming what will become more than 10 miles of motorcoaches along the highway.
The “Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness” is a one day, one-time event, born of a grassroots movement of all-volunteer, self-organized motorcoach operators, industry suppliers and state associations, represented by a joint initiative between the nation’s two largest associations, American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association. The motorcoach industry has laid off or furloughed more than 90 percent of its workforce nationally in the wake of COVID-19 and has requested $15 billion in federal grants and loan guarantees and modifications to Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program. The rally is a positive event showcasing how big buses and small businesses move America. Buses will include informative signs about the motorcoach industry including: the groups they serve, the economic impact they make and the people they employ.
About the USA Motorcoach Industry:
Companies: nearly 3,000, the majority are family owned, small businesses.
Employees: nearly 100,000. Workforce includes owners, drivers, dispatchers, maintenance and repair, safety, cleaning crew, finance, administrative personnel, etc.
Buses Sitting Idle: nearly 36,000
Annual Passenger Trips: approx. 600 million, almost equal to all domestic airline trips combined.
More information available at www.busesmoveamerica.com.
ABC Companies is a leading provider to the transportation industry with diverse product and service offerings that cover a full spectrum of operational needs including new and pre-owned full-size highway coach equipment along with transit specialty vehicles. ABC supports customers with a comprehensive after sale service network for service and repairs, collision services, extensive OEM and quality aftermarket parts needs for transit, motorcoach and heavy-duty equipment from ten strategically placed locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, private and municipal financing and leasing options are available through the company's financial services group – one of the largest financial service providers within the industry. For more information, contact ABC Companies at 800-222-2875 or visit the company web site at www.abc-companies.com
