The Stories and Wins That Defined 2025 for Bus and Group Travel
The moments, milestones, and momentum that moved the Association and our industry forward
As 2025 comes to a close, one thing is clear: this was a year of momentum, resolve, and real results for the bus and group travel industry. From federal advocacy to landmark research and record-setting business outcomes, these are the stories that shaped the year and positioned our industry for what comes next.
1. Tariffs Set the Tone—All Year Long
The year opened with tariff threats from Canada and closed with continued pressure on cross-border travel and inbound tourism. Through sustained advocacy, ABA ensured that 2026 tariffs on finished coaches remain far lower than those applied to other commercial vehicles. The work continues, with a clear goal: eliminating tariffs altogether and restoring international visitation.
2. Rebuilding and Strengthening the U.S.–Canada Travel Relationship
ABA will host a U.S.–Canada Policy Summit, expand international engagement, and prepare for Marketplace’s move to Calgary in 2027. Canada is our most important trading partner, and we need to lead from the front to get our travel relations back to normal. The message is simple: rebuilding normal, healthy travel relations requires sustained, visible leadership.
3. ABA Marketplace Philadelphia Sets a New Standard
Marketplace 2025 delivered historic results, generating more than 120,000 business appointments and nearly $7 million in local economic impact. Just as important, ABA secured premier venues through 2033, reinforcing Marketplace’s position as the industry’s most powerful business event and a cornerstone of long-term growth.
4. Standing Up for Common Sense in New York City
ABA took a firm stand against New York City’s flawed idling “bounty hunter” enforcement program, testifying at a key hearing to highlight the industry’s real-world sustainability investments. The message resonated: environmental policy should drive outcomes, not punish operators who are already part of the solution.
5. ABA Testifies Before the U.S. Senate—For the First Time in Two Decades
In a major milestone, ABA brought industry safety priorities and Highway Reauthorization needs directly to the U.S. Senate. It marked the organization’s strongest federal policy posture in decades and signaled a renewed era of direct engagement with lawmakers.
6. National Recognition for Leadership and Member Engagement
ABA was named Bus and Group Travel Association of the Year and received the Effective Member Engagement Initiative Award, affirming the organization’s growing influence and its ability to deliver meaningful value to members.
7. Major Federal Regulatory Wins for Operators
Two long-standing advocacy priorities crossed the finish line. The EPA made the derate schedule fix permanent, and FMCSA withdrew the proposed speed limiter rule. Both outcomes reflect years of operator-focused advocacy paying off.
8. Landmark Research from the ABA Foundation
The ABA Foundation released the first comprehensive measurement of the industry’s economic footprint, documenting $158 billion in annual impact from charter and scheduled service. A new sustainability report further confirmed what operators have long known: buses are the most sustainable form of mass transportation, delivering the lowest emissions per passenger mile while reducing cars on the road.
9. First-Ever African American Council Fly-In
A historic fly-in brought together operators and tourism leaders to advance access, visibility, and unified advocacy. It marked an important step forward in building a more inclusive, representative industry voice.
10. Board Expansion Signals Growth and Representation
ABA expanded its Board to 58 seats, with 35 dedicated to bus operators, including new representation for small operators who make up the backbone of the industry. The move reflects an organization planning for growth and broader engagement.
Bonus: The ABA Merch Shop
2025 also introduced the ABA Merch Shop, giving members a way to celebrate the refreshed brand with shirts, hats, and exclusive gear—another small but visible sign of a modern, confident association.
None of this happens without our members.
Every achievement this year is the result of members showing up, volunteering, sharing expertise, and pushing the organization to be better and bolder. We’re grateful for your trust and proud to lead alongside you.
Here’s to 2026, to 100 years of ABA, and to the next chapter of an industry that keeps moving America forward.
