CARLSBAD, Calif. Its time for motorcoach operators across the country to step up their efforts to find new business sources and revenue streams.

And Ryan Kelly, chief executive of Community Spec Inc., a transportation consulting and marketing company in Atlanta, has a few tricks up his sleeve to help.

Speaking to members of the California Bus Association at the groups annual convention here, Kelly urged operators to look into the new opportunities that are showing up across the country.

High on his list is the formation of partnerships with cities and public transit agencies, which he said would help motorcoach companies diversify their operations and bring in a regular flow of new income.

Kelly said numerous local governments dont have the ability or the financial resources to meet all of their transit needs and they are looking to outsource some or all of them to private businesses. The work covers a variety of scenarios, including providing paratransit, commuter or non-emergency medical services, leasing buses, handling staffing and managing entire urban bus systems.

"This is a rare opportunity in American history to get some of those contracts," he said.

Being prepared

Kelly suggested operators interested in responding to a request for proposal can get a jump on the process by preparing a template that would include all of the information about their company so when an opportunity comes up, they need only add the specifics of the contract and it is ready to go.

Additionally, he urged operators to learn as much about the request as possible before bidding for it, and have the RFP reviewed by an attorney so all of the details involved in the work are clearly understood.

"Its important you know what youre getting into," he emphasized.

Kelly said a key website to learn about RFPs nationally is https://www.fbo.gov, while http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/default.htm and http://www.bart.gov/about/business/procurement/index.aspx offer RFPs in California.

In addition, state and national trade associations often are aware of new RFPs and some cities and transit agencies advertise them in local newspapers and national trade journals as well as on the internet.

"You just have to keep looking," he stressed.

Look locally

He said operators also can learn about upcoming contracts by regularly attending city council and transit board meetings where they usually are discussed early on.

"The best advice is to politic a little bit because they want to see your face and know who you are," he said. "And, once youre in, youre in."

Kelly also reminded operators they should be on the watch for grants that state and federal governments offer transportation companies, including motorcoach businesses.

Many are available from the federal Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Defense and the Small Business Administration. They include funds to provide bus service in rural communities, obtain cleaner diesel engines and secure funds for capital expenses.

Information about possible federal grants can be found at http://www.grants.gov, as well as each agencys individual Web sites such as http://www.dhs.gov, http://www.epa.gov and http://www.fta.gov.

Kelly noted that while some grants are restricted to public transit agencies, private motorcoach companies that work with cities or bus operations may be eligible for some of those funds as well.

Expand marketing

Motorcoach operators also can bolster their revenue by widening their marketing efforts and looking for opportunities to get their names and pictures in the paper.

Kelly said congressional representatives often get mention when federal dollars are awarded to a community and he suggested that motorcoach companies issue news releases and pictures when they receive a grant.

"This is a good time to market your company."

He also suggested that operators try advertising on cable television networks, which can reach a more targeted audience and are far less expensive than local newspaper advertising. In addition, he told operators to take advantage of social networking by developing a presence on Facebook, My Space, Twitter and other popular social networking sites.

"Its amazing how much you can do and not have to pay for it," he said.