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

FMCSA Announces Preemption of California’s MRB Rules for Drivers of Passenger-Carrying CMVs

  • January 13, 2020
  • 2-min read

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Today during ABA's Bus Industry Safety Council winter meeting, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Acting Administrator Jim Mullen announced that FMCSA has granted ABA's petition stating that California's Meal and Rest Break rules are preempted under 49 U.S.C. 31141 as applied to passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle drivers subject to FMCSA's hours of service regulations.

“This is the right thing to do,” said Peter Pantuso, president and CEO of ABA. “We need uniform regulatory scheme, which is what FMCSA issues and enforces. This rule did not provide any safety benefit, only a burden for businesses.”

The FMCSA agreed with ABA that federal law provides for preemption of state laws on commercial motor vehicle safety that are additional to or more stringent than federal regulations if they (1) have no safety benefit; (2) are incompatible with federal regulations; or (3) would cause an unreasonable burden on interstate commerce.

According to its announcement, the FMCSA stated it has determined that California's MRB rules are laws on commercial motor vehicle safety, that they are more stringent than the agency's hours of service regulations, that they have no safety benefits that extend beyond those already provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, that they are incompatible with the federal hours of service regulations, and that they cause unreasonable burden on interstate commerce. 

The California MRB rules, therefore, are preempted under 49 U.S.C. 31141(c).

ABA member Terry Fischer of Transportation Charter Services in Orange, Calif., said this announcement is a huge relief to his business, as well as others, because this was a burden that they didn't know they could survive. 

“Given what we faced with the MRB it has been difficult for our business,” said Fischer. “This is such great news. This announcemnt, given the negative affects we have been feeling from the MRB, I just want to say thank you to ABA and GAP team for all of their support they have provided helping us navigate our way through this.”

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