WASHINGTON, DC – In a breakthrough move for motorcoach industry advocates, today 26 U.S. Senators signed onto a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles Schumer to include the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act in the next relief package.
The CERTS Act was introduced by Senators Collins and Reed in July. It would authorize $10 billion in emergency economic relief, including grants, for America’s bus, motorcoach, and passenger ferry industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We represent both rural and urban communities across the country that rely on the bus, motor coach, and passenger vessel industries to ensure that children can get to school, employees can get to work, and travelers can connect with rail and air transportation hubs. We need these indispensable links to keep our communities connected and to help these industries avoid further financial instability,” the Senators wrote. “Our bill has strong bipartisan, bicameral support from members representing broad geographic and demographic diversity.”
The letter was also signed by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ed Markey (D-MA), Richard Burr (R-NC), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bob Casey (D-PA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
In addition to being supported by the United Motorcoach Association, the CERTS Act has been endorsed by the American Bus Association, the National School Transportation Association (NSTA), the Amalgamated Transit Union, and the Passenger Vessel Association.
