Advocacy in Action: Next Era Leaders Take the Industry’s Voice to Capitol Hill
The next generation of leaders emphasizes advocacy, leadership, and industry unity
The American Bus Association’s recent Capitol Hill Fly-In was a strong showing for the industry and an important investment in its future leadership.
Bringing members of ABA’s Next Era Leadership Council to Washington, D.C., the fly-in gave emerging leaders a firsthand opportunity to engage directly with House and Senate offices, share the industry’s priorities, and see how effective advocacy works in practice. More than a series of meetings, the event was a reminder that the future of the bus and group travel industry will be shaped not only by market conditions, but by policy decisions—and by leaders willing to show up and make the case.
That made this particular fly-in especially meaningful. It introduced a new generation of operators and industry professionals to the importance of federal engagement, while also reinforcing ABA’s broader advocacy mission: ensuring the voice of bus operators is heard clearly, consistently, and early in Washington.
For many attendees, the experience was both energizing and instructive.
“It was a meaningful day of conversations with lawmakers and their teams, sharing the impact our industry has across the country,” said Sandy Borowsky of Starr Bus Charter & Tours. “As a family business that has been part of this industry for generations, it’s important to me that we continue to show up, share our story, and advocate for the future of group travel.”
Across those meetings, Next Era Council members emphasized both the scale of the industry and its value to the country. They spoke about an industry that moves nearly 400 million passengers annually, generates more than $158 billion in economic impact, and supports roughly 890,000 jobs nationwide. Just as important, they underscored the motorcoach sector’s role in connecting communities, supporting tourism, and providing affordable mobility in regions that may not be well served by other transportation options.
Participants centered their message on several major policy priorities. One was the upcoming 2026 surface transportation reauthorization, with ABA members urging Congress to ensure motorcoaches are fully included in the next highway bill. That includes priorities such as fuel tax equity, fair access to public facilities, stronger support for intercity bus service, and maintaining current insurance requirements.
Trade policy and tariffs were another major topic. Members emphasized the need for tariff relief on imported motorcoaches and a more practical approach to costs that continue to burden operators, especially small businesses already navigating rising insurance, fuel, and equipment expenses.
Security funding also remained a clear priority. Fly-in participants advocated for continued support for the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program, stressing the importance of training, preparedness, and onboard security investments that help operators protect passengers and employees.
They also raised concerns about access to national parks, urging policymakers to support predictable, vehicle-based fee structures for commercial motorcoach tours rather than per-passenger surcharges that can disrupt planning, increase costs, and discourage visitation.
In addition, members highlighted ABA’s FY2027 appropriations priorities, including at least $5 million for motorcoach security grants, stronger enforcement of reasonable access at federally funded transit and rail facilities, equal treatment in congestion and lane access programs, a practical federal idling standard, tariff relief for U.S.-origin parts and materials, and better federal economic measurement of the industry through a Bus and Group Travel Satellite Account.
Taken together, those issues gave participants a chance to connect broad policy questions to everyday business realities. Members spoke candidly about operating pressures, including driver shortages and supply chain issues, as well as higher costs and equipment constraints. That practical perspective helped ground the meetings in the industry’s lived experience.
“Engaging directly with policymakers is essential to ensuring our industry’s voice is heard,” said Jose Luis Moreno of Transcor Data Services, LLC. “When our industry speaks with a unified voice, we strengthen our ability to highlight the value we bring as a true engine of economic development.”
That may be the strongest takeaway from the event. The Next Era Capitol Hill Fly-In was successful not only because it delivered ABA’s message to Congress, but because it helped build the next wave of advocates who will carry that work forward. By giving emerging leaders direct experience in federal advocacy, ABA is doing more than representing the industry at the moment. It is strengthening the industry’s capacity to lead in the years ahead.
