WASHINGTON Top executives of the United Motorcoach Association and UMAs Washington lobbyist met with members of President-elect Barack Obamas U.S. Department of Transportation transition team to discuss key motorcoach industry issues.

Victor S. Parra, UMA president and CEO; Ken Presley, vice president of industry relations, and Becky Webber, lobbyist, not only briefed the transition team on important bus and motorcoach industry issues, but also provided perspectives, and identified interests and needs.

The goal of the UMA representatives was to assist the incoming administration in establishing priorities for the ground passenger transportation industry. (See related stories on Page 5.)

"We were pleased to be asked to provide the Obama Administration with information and the perspectives of the motorcoach industry," said Parra.

"We trust the information provided will give them insight into our industry and help provide the foundation for a productive relationship as we move forward."

Among the issues and topics discussed during the meeting was the Federal Transit Administrations revised charter bus rule that went into effect at the end of April. The UMA representatives stressed the importance of the rule to the motorcoach industry.

UMA has focused a great deal of attention on ensuring that the rule continues to be fairly implemented and vigorously enforced by the FTA and not weakened through future regulatory or legislative actions.

"We want the new administration to understand the importance of this rule to UMA operator members, their employees and the communities they serve," said Presley. "Most bus and motorcoach companies are small businesses and small businesses have proved to be the real economic engine in challenging economic times," Presley added.

Additional issues covered during the meeting included occupant protection and the need for sound, scientific research and findings related to passenger protection systems; the federal fuel tax exemption for over-the-road buses; stronger enforcement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations new-entrant program, and the overall importance and impact of the bus and motorcoach industry on the travel and tourism economy.

"UMA was founded to represent the charter-and-tour coach owner/operator," noted Parra. "Our meeting with the new administration further emphasizes this mission, and as new leadership is placed in the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, we look forward to working with them on the key issues facing our industry and nation."

Coach operators with questions or comments about UMA legislative and regulatory work should contact Presley at (800) 424-8262, or e-mail him at kpresley@uma.org.