ABA Thanks Rep. LaMalfa for Championing Motorcoaches During House Transportation and Infrastructure

The American Bus Association (ABA) – the industry leader advancing North American motorcoach travel and tourism – thanks Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) for his support of the motorcoach industry and for offering an amendment aimed at getting additional targeted aid to the motorcoach industry.

During the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup earlier this week, Rep. LaMalfa offered an amendment to reduce the $30 billion in transit funding by $8 billion and redirect it to provide additional funding to the CERTS grant program. Unfortunately, the amendment was defeated, although members of the Committee expressed support for additional CERTS Act funding through legislation under consideration by the House Financial Services Committee.

Since the COVID pandemic hit a year ago, the private motorcoach industry has been decimated. The industry went from generating over $15 billion in annual revenue in 2019 to $2.6 billion in 2020. Nearly 80 percent of the industry’s workforce has been furloughed.  

“We thank Congressman LaMalfa for his support of the industry,” said Peter Pantuso, ABA president & CEO. “It is unfathomable how our industry continually gets shut out of relief talks when the motorcoach industry meets the goals of the Administration in providing fair, equitable and environmentally friendly transportation for all. However, we don’t know how long we will be around to provide safe, affordable transportation to all Americans everywhere without help from Congress. The industry’s situation is dire.”