WASHINGTON The gigantic economic stimulus legislation that Congress cobbled together last month doesnt offer much in the way of direct benefits to the motorcoach industry -- but it does contain many elements that will nevertheless impact the industry.

For example, virtually all seniors - many of who ride motorcoaches to casinos across the U.S. -- are getting a one-time Social Security bonus check of $250. In total, $14 billion in stimulus money is flowing to Social Security recipients, poor people on Supplemental Security Income, and veterans receiving disability payments and pensions.

Most economists expect the seniors and veterans receiving the extra cash to spend it, "stimulating" the economy. Many no doubt will "spend" it at their favorite gambling palaces which they visit by motorcoach.

A more prosaic example of the laws impact on the industry is the $46 billion in the stimulus package for transportation projects, including $27 billion for highway and bridge construction and repair. That money could help speed highway congestion-relief projects in many parts of the country.

The stimulus law also contains $8.4 billion for mass transit, meaning coach companies that perform work for public transit agencies could see contracts saved or opened up.

Oh, yes, theres also $1.3 billion for Amtrak, guaranteeing that everyones favorite passenger rail system will continue muddling along, which, of course, benefits some operators, hurts many others.

Theres $5 billion in the stimulus law to extend the provision allowing businesses buying equipment to speed up depreciation through 2009.

Theres another $2.5 billion to make the sales tax paid on new car purchases tax deductible. That could help operators -- who purchase autos for use in shuttling drivers rather than having them deadhead coaches -- save several hundred dollars.

Employees who have been laid off by coach builders and operators because of the business slowdown will have their unemployment benefits extended, thanks to $40 billion included in the stimulus legislation.

Their unemployment checks also will increase by $25 a week.

And, theres $21 billion to provide a 60 percent subsidy of health care insurance premiums for the unemployed under the COBRA program.

The federal government also plans to spend $7 billion to bring broadband internet service to underserved areas, which could help small operators in rural areas of the U.S.

Theres a huge pile of money -- $54 billion to help states avoid cuts in aid to school districts. Among other things, that could mean many school travel programs, using motorcoaches, of course, will be sustained.

And, for those operators who are helping finance their childrens college education, theres about $13 billion in the stimulus legislation to provide a $2,500 expanded tax credit for college tuition and related expenses for 2009 and 2010. The credit is phased out for couples with incomes over $160,000, though.

Finally, theres a line item in the legislation that could lead to direct assistance to coach operators. The Department of Homeland Security is getting $150 million for "public transportation security assistance."

A fraction of that money could possibly find its way to the intercity bus security grant program.

While almost no one expects the stimulus package to quickly solve the problems besetting the national economy, it could reduce the damage and, perhaps more importantly, restore a measure of consumer confidence.

And it is strengthening consumer sentiment, plus gains in disposable income, that will more than anything -- improve the long-term outlook for the travel industry.

In the meantime, the major economic impact of the stimulus legislation likely will occur in 2010 from the bill's spending for aid to state and local governments and on infrastructure such as roads, bridges, transit and other areas.

However, there are those economists who fear the stimulus spending despite being the most ever -- is too small given the size of the economic decline, and they suggest Congress may have to revisit the issue.