Editor's Note: The May 15 issue of Bus & Motorcoach News contained an interview with Mike Waters, president of the California Bus Association. The interview provoked the following comments - contained in a memorandum addressed to ABA operator and associate members - by Charlie Zelle, chairman of the board, and Ronald L. Eyre, vice chairman, of the American Bus Association.

"Unfortunately, the article includes quotes from the California Bus Association that misrepresent ABA's position and incorrectly characterize the efforts we have made on the very important issue of unfair competition with transit agencies. Certainly, the California Bus Association has been very aggressive on this issue in California and, for those efforts, we applaud their hard work. But publishing unfair and inaccurate statements does not help to achieve our common goals or solve our industry's problems. ...
"The article asserts that ABA supported Senate language on transit competition, asserts that we didn't understand the subtleties of the issue, and that the ABA board and members were not well briefed on the legislation. Finally, the article says that ABA is more focused on line-haul carriers and large operators than small carriers that handle most of the charter business in the industry. This isn't true.
"Yes, the language in the Senate bill was there because of ABA's efforts to garner more protection for the industry. No, the language was not perfect and, yes, working with California Bus Association and others has provided us additional leverage to move the language closer to a real, meaningful solution for the industry.
"Working with the House of Representatives, and including more industry partners, we have been able to create more leverage so that, we believe, in conference both chambers will ultimately come to a positive conclusion for our industry. After many rewrites of the language by ABA General Counsel Rick Schweitzer, who has solicited input from CBA, UMA and the school bus association, we have language that we believe answers everyone's concerns.
"ABA's board is one of the most informed, active and engaged boards of all the associations in Washington, D.C. We understand the issues and we understand the way the legislative process works. We are briefed on staff strategies for dealing with transit competition and other issues from the start and as recently as during our last board meeting in May.
"And, for the record, most operator members of our board are in the charter and tour business. We also have board members from the travel industry and manufacturers and suppliers to the industry. Clearly no one group dominates our discussions or our agenda and ABA works for the entire industry, not just one segment. ...
"But don't be confused into thinking that the unfair competition issue is one that only affects our charter and tour operators. Line-haul operators are hurt when transit agencies link-up to provide regional intercity bus service in violation of the rules. Industry-wide our members are hurt by unfair, heavily subsidized competition from Amtrak, and the airlines, and by low-cost bus operators that skirt the safety rules. We have been working these issues in a comprehensive way and on many levels. ...
"Finally, to say we are not engaged in working for smaller carriers that handle most of the charter business in the industry' is simply a 30-year old myth. Eighty percent of our operator members are smaller charter or tour operators. Our monthly magazine Destinations is devoted to charter and tour operators, and our annual show, Marketplace, is devoted to the charter and tour industry.
"Many of our members have lost money and lost service to transit agencies that are not following federal rules or are operating outside of our legal boundaries. We want to make it stop, once and for all."