Industry Advocates Question Why CERTS Act is Being Ignored

The American Bus Association (ABA), United Motorcoach Association (UMA), National School Transportation Association (NSTA) and Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) are asking why the bi-partisan Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act (S 4150/HR 7642) is ignored as discussions continue on Capitol Hill on the next stimulus package.

The coalition released the following statement:

“The numbers speak for themselves on the level of support the CERTS Act has received in both chambers of Congress: 59 Senators and 263 Representatives (60 percent) bi-partisan co-sponsors. We have been begging and pleading with Congressional leaders, especially Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell and the White House, for more than seven months to provide our industries a lifeline to save our essential employees and our businesses. These businesses and workers are critical to the nation’s transportation system. They serve students, seniors, minorities and other travelers and commuters, as well as the military and they move people out of harm’s way during wildfires and hurricanes. They deserve better. We need Congress to come together and give true relief to all the modes of transportation that serves everyone and keeps the American economy moving forward during this pandemic.”

The House version of the CERTS Act is the most bi-partisan and supported relief bill in today:

• 176 CERTS co-sponsors are Democrats, which is 66 percent of total co-sponsors and 75 percent of the entire Democratic Caucus.  
• Of the 176 Democrat co-sponsors, 88 (50 percent) are Committee or Subcommittee Chairs.
• Of the 130 Committee and Subcommittee Chairs of Standing and Select Committees, 88 (67 percent) are CERTS cosponsors.  
• Of the 23 Standing and Select Committee Chairs, 16 (69 percent) co-sponsored CERTS.
• Of 12 Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs, 8 (66 percent) are CERTS co-sponsors. (Chair Sanford Bishop, José Seranno, Mike Quigley, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Betty McCollum, Rosa DeLauro, Tim Ryan and David Price) 
• The CERTS Act has 37 House co-sponsors from California, which is 69 percent of their delegation
   

The Senate version of the CERTS Act is also the most bi-partisan and supported relief bill in today:

• 59 co-sponsors (59 percent of entire Senate)
• 36 (59 percent) co-sponsors are Democrats, which represents 77 percent of all Senate Democrats
• 23 (38 percent) co-sponsors are Republicans, which represents 43 percent of all Senate Republicans  
• Of the 59 co-sponsors, all but 2 are Chairs, Subcommittee Chairs, Ranking Members or Ranking Subcommittee Members of Standing and Select Committees
• 39 states are represented on this bill with either one or both Senators supporting

The U.S. private motorcoach, school bus and domestic passenger vessel industries have collectively furloughed or laid off an estimated 308,000 employee jobs over the last eight months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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About the American Bus Association:

The American Bus Association (ABA) is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry, with more than 1,000 motorcoach and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,800 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.

About the National School Transportation Association:

National School Transportation Association (NSTA) has been the voice of private school bus contractors, manufacturers and suppliers since 1964. The association provides school transportation professionals with the tools and resources they need to make school buses safe, affordable, and efficient nationwide.

About the Passenger Vessel Association:

The Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) is dedicated to promoting the interests and the economic well-being of U.S. passenger vessel owners and operators, while promoting safety and a secure maritime operating environment for passengers, crew and the public at-large.

About the United Motorcoach Association:

The United Motorcoach Association (UMA) is North America's largest association of professional bus and motorcoach companies. Founded in 1971 as the United Bus Owners of America, UMA's membership now includes more than 700 motorcoach companies. Another 250 motorcoach manufacturers, suppliers and related businesses are currently “Associate” members of UMA.