Motorcoach OEMS Reach Out to Industry Suppliers and Stakeholders with GoFundMe Campaign

On behalf of the OEMs and operators who have volunteered their staff, resources and funds to make “Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness” (MR4A) in Washington, D.C. on May 13th a reality, the event committee has agreed to launch a “GoFundMe” campaign. The campaign is designed to receive support that has been offered by numerous suppliers and industry advocates to offset the incremental costs incurred to make this a no-cost event for operator participants.

Overwhelming positive response from industry operators, mushroomed the scope of the not-for-profit event quickly beyond what the all-volunteer committee team could finalize within a two-week window leading up to the May 13th rally, prompting the committee to secure a third-party media relations organization to augment efforts of all stakeholders including ABA and UMA. To date, thousands of dollars and man-hours have been generously donated by the self-formed planning committee. Additionally, a collective, herculean media relations outreach has focused on local, state and national media [...]

Drivers Meet Up at Regional ABC Locations.

Independent motorcoach operators are meeting up at ABC Companies’ regional locations in Minnesota and Florida this week to caravan toward Washington, D.C. They will join over 500 motorcoach operators from all 50 states on May 13 for a rolling rally around the U.S. Capitol and National Mall to remind Members of Congress and the Trump Administration that the industry needs directed federal assistance.

In a show of rolling unity, independent motorcoach operators began banding together today to move out in unison as they trek toward the nation’s capital. In St. Paul, Minnesota, a caravan of 18 buses kick-started the event with a “drive-by” of the Minnesota State Capitol to create awareness with state and local representatives. Regional operators will also assemble at ABC Companies’ Winter Garden, FL facility, Tuesday May 12th at 5:30am, where the local police department will escort 20+ buses onto Florida’s turnpike. The caravan, led [...]

After seeing and listening to so many small business owners devasted by the COVID pandemic, ABC Companies was inspired to create a concept that would help them have a big voice with government. What initially began as a proposal shared with ABA and UMA, later married up with a very similar vision shared by the Ohio Motorcoach Association and the MR4A (Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness) movement was born. Other key contributors including DATTCO and DC Trails quickly jumped onboard and helped to formulate ideas and strategize how bring the biggest industry social media “meet up” in history to life.

“The event coordination is being led by an all-volunteer group of individuals from multiple disciplines within the industry”, said Thom Peebles, Vice President, Marketing, ABC Companies. “When Roman Cornell (ABC President and Chief Commercial Officer) and I first developed the concept, it was simply to help our industry get back on the road. ABC and the [...]

Hundreds of motorcoaches representing 3,000 motorcoach companies across the United States and their 100,000 employees will be rolling into the nation’s capital on May 13 to support awareness of the industry’s role as a critical component of the country’s infrastructure. Motorcoaches do everything from evacuating victims of hurricanes and wildfires to
transporting thousands America’s military troops all around the nation. Under the banner, Motorcoach Rolling for Awareness, these vehicles will circle Washington, D.C. as a moving rally, bearing messages that explain the importance of the industry and ask Congress and the White House to extend economic relief to motorcoach companies. The event is jointly organized by the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association.

This is a positive event showcasing how the nation’s motorcoaches move America.

“Our ask is simple,” Jeff Polzien of Red Carpet Charters said. “The U.S motorcoach industry is requesting Congress put motorcoaches back on the road by making available $10 billion [...]