CLEVELAND — Clyde Hart was presented with the Bus Industry Safety Council’s 2017 Norm Littler Memorial Safety Award for his “contributions and distinguished leadership” to the council and to the American Bus Association.
Hart served as senior vice president for government affairs for the ABA and as general counsel for the safety council. He retired in 2014.
He received the award during ABA’s Marketplace 2017 in Cleveland.
Hart joined ABA in 2001 and worked on several transportation reauthorization bills, including TEA-21, SAFETEA-LU, and MAP-21, as well as other legislation affecting the bus and motorcoach industry.
He also participated in the Charter Bus Negotiated Rulemaking and Entry Level Driver Training Advisory committees.
Before joining ABA, Hart served as senior counsel for the Senate Committee on Commerce, the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Maritime Administrator. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran.
“Although our respective associations often disagree on policy, it was an honor to work alongside Clyde on Capitol Hill and represent our distinct positions,” said Ken Presley, vice president of industry relations and chief operating officer for the United Motorcoach Association.
“I learned tremendously from him. Our heartiest congratulations go out to him today as BISC honors his vast contributions to the industry.”
The award’s namesake, Norm Littler, was in the bus and motorcoach industry for more than four decades and served as ABA’s vice president of regulatory affairs and executive director of the Bus Industry Safety Council before his passing in 2013.
Littler also worked as senior vice president of government affairs at UMA. He was known for his accessibility, offering guidance and advice on safety and regulatory issues.
Other awards issued during ABA Marketplace were:
BusRide Good Stewardship Award –Gordie Mackay of Indian Trails in Owosso, Mich.
Groups Today MOXIE Award— Bob Cline of US Tours in Vienna, W.V.
MCI Green Operator Award –Arrow Stage Lines, Omaha, Neb., large company winner; H & L Charter Company of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., small company winner
Metro Innovative Operator Award –Lamers Bus Lines of Green Bay, Wis.
ABA Media Women in Buses Award –Patricia Ziska of Motor Coach Industries, Inc., of Des Plaines, Ill.
