Motorcoach Companies Helping Communities Devastated by Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene has left widespread destruction, impacting thousands of families and communities along the Atlantic Coast. Now, more than ever, our efforts can make a difference. Several motorcoach companies are stepping up to provide essential support, supplies, and aid to help these communities recover. Join us in this relief effort by donating or volunteering.

How You Can Help

You can get involved in the following ways:

  • Monetary Donations: Financial contributions go directly toward providing essentials like food, water, and shelter for those affected. You can donate directly to local relief organizations.
  • Supply Donations: Essential items like bottled water, canned goods, hygiene products, blankets, and first aid supplies are urgently needed. Find local drop-off points where you can bring these much-needed supplies.
  • Volunteer: Consider volunteering your time to help distribute supplies or assist with rebuilding efforts. Local organizations and motorcoach companies are organizing efforts to transport volunteers and supplies to the affected areas.

 

ABA Press Releases

ABA Releases 2020 Motorcoach Industry Closure Data

  • December 15, 2020
  • 2-min read

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The American Bus Association (ABA) – the industry leader advancing North American motorcoach travel and tourism – released motorcoach industry closure data gathered from the Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

According to FMCSA, in a typical year such as 2018 or 2019, the motorcoach industry would expect to see an average of 100-120 passenger companies lose operating authority.

The data collected by FMCSA shows a surge in losses of authority for motorcoach operators in 2020, which means these companies are no longer providing transportation, in some cases forever. There have been nearly 500 companies who have lost their operating authority, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, so far this year (482 through Nov. 30, 2020), a 400 percent increase over 2019. Nearly 72 percent of these losses of authority occurred between April and August 2020, during the height of the pandemic. According to FMCSA records, only 26 (5 percent) of the closures in 2020 appear planned in advance, with an “Out of Business” form filed with FMCSA. It is unknown how many other companies remain open in “name” only or on the brink of formal closure.

“2020 has been an extraordinary year in terms of companies no longer operating buses,” said Peter Pantuso, ABA president and CEO. “Between April and August 2020, we saw the equivalent of nearly three years of closures in just four months. I do not know of any other transportation industry impacted as severely by this pandemic as the motorcoach industry. Our industry is unique, and we need a bridge to a time of recovery, which is at least 12 to 24 months away.”

It is important to note that the motorcoach industry is a capital-intensive industry, where the largest cost are the costs of equipment and insurance with payments at the mercy of deferments by lenders and vendors. With the reduced demand for transportation services because of the pandemic these numbers could significantly increase in the future.

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