NEW YORK - Leaders of the Bus Association of New York have told a group of independent coach operators that BANY is working in the interest of all private bus operators in New York regardless of their size or the nature of their business.
"Since 1935, it has always been our position to work with the interest of operators in mind," BANY President Stan Brettschneider of Command Bus in Brooklyn said in an interview. "We have members in the association with hundreds of buses and those with one or two, and we try to reflect the interests of all."
The meeting of independent New York operators with members of BANY's executive board came in response to an earlier gathering of independent New York operators who met to talk about industry issues, as well as explore the idea of forming a new state motorcoach association.
About 70 people, representing upwards of 45 operators, attended the first meeting in late September. Many of the coach executives at that meeting criticized BANY's performance in representing the industry in Albany, the state capital.
Some of the same criticisms surfaced at last month's meeting, said Brettschneider. "Questions were asked and answers were provided."
One issue that was discussed was whether BANY is so dominated by large intercity and commuter carriers that it ignores the problems and concerns of smaller tour and charter operators.
"The perception of some small operators is that we're only for big businesses. That's an incorrect perception," said Brettschneider. The perception of small operators is that they are not represented by the association. That also is not an accurate view."
BANY, he said, focuses on statewide issues that are important to all operators. And, he suggested that the association's priorities sometimes shift based on the major issues facing operators and various segments of the industry. "We always try to take care of the needs of small operators, as well as large."
One independent operator who attended the meeting came away impressed, saying he "felt pretty good about what was discussed."
William E. Schoolman, president of Classic Transportation Group in Bohemia, N.Y., said he agreed with Brettschneider's view that many independent operators' perception of BAMY does not match up with reality.
"I had a good feeling about the meeting," said Schoolman. "People need to give BANY a try."
And that's exactly what Schoolman intends to do. He said he will be joining the association and participating in its activities. "I want to give BANY a chance to see if it works. ... You get out of it what you put into it."