Omc Bus Conference Details Industry Issues By Carmen Daecher

Effective, uniform inspections of buses at safe and appropriate locations, alleged unequal regulatory standards in general and the need for better driver training emerged as the top three issues at a national bus conference sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration on July 6th and 7th in Tyson's Corner, VA. Those were among 17 issues identified by over 70 attendees representing interstate bus companies, bus associations, the insurance industry, manufacturers, and government agencies.

Russ Fiste, Executive Director of CVSA and Tom Yager, Chairman of the CVSA Bus Committee were participants in the conference.

"The bus conference re-emphasized the partnership between government and industry and gave definition to issues of national importance.", said George L. Reagle, the FHWA Associate Administrator for motor carriers. "It will provide a road map for us in line with the conference theme - Moving People Safely into the 21st Century."

Following the top three bus industry issues were these, in order of priority:

• Safety enforcement through the implementation of the North American Free Trade agreement.
• Driver fatigue and hours of service.
• Standardized bus definitions and classifications.
• Identification of problem drivers.
• The need for national bus census.
• Consistent definition of buses as commercial motor vehicles within the Federal Motor Carrier safety regulations.
• Passenger injuries on-board buses.
• Better accident data.
• Better ways to identify unsafe operators.
• Advanced vehicle technology.
• Consolidation of jurisdictional and agency regulatory authority.
• Implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Development of intermodal facilities with public assistance.

Many of these issues reflect the concerns identified by attendees at the Truck Safety Summit held in March in Kansas City, MO. Fatigue, data/information, driver training, technology, uniform regulations, enforcement issues, CDL deficiencies, regulatory reform, and the need for public/private partnership were common issues at both conferences. While there may be differences in addressing these issues among the interstate bus and truck industries, the unified concern of the commercial vehicle industry for addressing them is clear.

Many of the issues identified at the bus conference also are consistent with Motorcoach 2000, a strategic plan developed by the interstate bus industry in Kansas City, MO in 1993. Through Motorcoach 2000, the interstate bus industry developed strategies for addressing issues of unfair competition, uniform regulations, and enforcement, advanced technology, training, and intermodal facilities. The common outcomes from the Motorcoach 2000 Conference and OMC Bus Conference demonstrated that the issues for improved operations and safety are the same in many cases.

As the facilitator of the OMC Bus Conference, I was delighted to hear attendees indicate that they enjoyed the way the conference was conducted, the process that was used for identifying and prioritizing issues, and the opportunity to network with a broad cross section of representatives from the interstate bus industry. A very positive outcome of the conference was that most people felt more enthused about partnership possibilities in resolving interstate bus issues than they felt at the beginning of it.

It is important to define and implement actions now. While many of the issues identified at the conference will take time to resolve, some issues may have solutions which can be implemented quickly. Furthermore, to maintain the enthusiasm and momentum developed as a result of the conference, immediate follow-up towards addressing these issues is vital.

In summary, a new foundation for the partnership between government and industry was established during bus conference. The issues that need to be addressed through this renewed partnership have been identified. Now, through continued efforts, the challenge is to turn the theme of this conference into reality - Moving People Safely into the 21st Century.

For more information contact Carmen Daecher, at Safety, Claims & Litigation Services. The phone number is (717) 975-9190.

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