WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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 Wednesday.
And Visit Clearfield County, the county’s recreation and tourism agency, will join America’s motorcoach industry to support awareness of the industry’s role as a critical component of the country’s infrastructure.
Motorcoach companies provide everything from evacuating victims of hurricanes and wildfires to transporting thousands America’s military troops all around the nation.
Under the banner, Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness, these vehicles will circle Washington, D.C. as a moving rally, bearing messages that explain the importance of the industry and asking 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, and is a positive event showcasing how the nation’s motorcoaches move America.
The U.S motorcoach industry is requesting Congress put motorcoaches back on the road by making available $10 billion in grants for operational and payroll assistance, Jeff Polzien of Red Carpet Charters said.
And $5 billion in long-term zero percent interest rate loans is being requested to the industry to ensure that these monies are available immediately and easily accessible, he said.
“Our businesses need a lifeline so we can be there when the country needs us next,” said Polzien, who is also chairman of the United Motorcoach Association.
“The current economic remedies available to small businesses don’t address sectors like ours that will take much longer to recover from the current crisis,” said Peter Pantuso, president and chief executive officer of the American Bus Association. “Airlines, Amtrak and transits have received more than $75 billion prop up these industries.
“Of the 3,000 bus and motorcoach companies in the United States, 90 percent are small, family-owned business who have had to close their businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
“By having to shut their doors while no one is traveling, nearly 100,000 employees, which include drivers, cleaners, maintenance and repair, administrative and safety personnel, are now without incomes.”
The motorcoach industry has always been an asset to Clearfield County, according to Visit Clearfield County Assistant Director Sue Swales Vitullo, CTIS.
“We work with several motorcoach companies throughout the year and help bring guests into the county to visit attractions from all over the United States and Canada.
“Not only do they help our attractions, but they also stimulate our economy by supporting local restaurants, [making] fuel/repair purchases, plus overnight accommodations.
“The motorcoach industry is a vital part of tourism. We need to show our support now more than ever.” Swales Vitullo said VCC was invited to participate by Fullington Trailways.
On Wednesday vehicles will share messages to underscore the many ways motorcoaches help move America, which include:
- military transports across the nation for troops in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
- evacuations of Americans from wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods.
- connecting people to jobs with commuters and employee shuttles.
- connecting rural America to urban centers and to other modes of transportation.
- providing school transportation as well as sports and educational trips.
- reducing congestion by taking 36 cars off the road for each coach.
providing vital services to the entire transportation network when other modes are inoperable.
The event will stage at D.C.’s Audi Field, south of the U.S. Capitol, and motorcoaches will begin rolling at 10:30 a.m.
