Bulletins
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Alexandria, VA is working with the
motorcoach industry to relieve parking problems
Click here for a
brochure on guidelines to parking in
Alexandria.
Posted April 16, 2008
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PUC FORMS WITH MARCH 31 DEADLINE
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PUC ASSESSMENT REPORT.
This Assessment Report is due at the PUC no later than March
31, 2008. If you are a UCR registered company you will
NOT receive an invoice from the PUC for an assessment; they
will merely use this information in calculating the
proportionate share of the approved estimated expenses of
the Commission for their invoicing of non-UCR common
carriers.
PUC Security Planning and Readiness Self-Certification
Mandatory Confidential Filing.
This form is also due at the PUC no later than March 31,
2008 and is required to be updated each year.
If you did
not receive either of these PUC forms you can access at the
links above or you can go on-line and print them off as
follows:
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Web-site
is:
www.puc.state.pa.us
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On the
left side of the screen, click on-line forms
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Scroll
down to the Motor Carrier Forms
·
Scroll
down to the 18th form called “Public Utility
Security Planning & Readiness Self Certification” (this is
an excel spreadsheet form that you can print off)
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Scroll
down to the 23rd form called “MT-07
Assessment Report” (this is a pdf that you can print off)
posted
March 7, 20008
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†
FMCSA PROPOSED CDL Training Regulations
On December 26, 2007, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration issued PROPOSED Rules detailing the Minimum
Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor
Vehicle Operators. Deadline
to submit comments is March 25, 2008. Both
ABA and UMA are reviewing the
requirements and intend to respond. PBA will receive
direction from both these organizations as to how PBA and
bus operators in
Pennsylvania
can also provide input.
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Posted February 29, 2008
†Philadelphia
Parking Authority (PPA)
A Settlement Agreement between three PA bus companies and the
Philadelphia Parking Authority was signed last year. For those
traveling to and around
Philadelphia
without having to comply with additional regulations that mirror
state and federal safety guidelines, a Questionnaire must be
completed and sent to the PPA. Click here for a copy of the
Questionnaire.
Posted December 21, 2007
†Federal
Bus Safety Bill Introduced Senator Brown (D-Ohio) and Senator Hutchinson (R-Texas) recently
introduced Senate Bill 2326 which would place unfunded, unscientific
mandates on motorcoaches. Click here for a copy of
S 2326. The bill includes the following:
• Safety belts and stronger seating systems to ensure
occupants stay in their seats in a crash.
• Anti-ejection glazing to prevent passengers from being easily
thrown outside the motorcoach.
• Strong, crush-resistant roofs that can withstand rollovers.
• Improved protection against fires by reducing flammability of the
motor-coach interior.
• Better training for operators in the case of fire.
• Improved commercial driver training. Currently, no training is
required by federal regulation.
• Strengthened motor-coach vehicle safety inspections including
roadside inspections, safety audits, and state and motor carrier
programs for identifying vehicle defects.
• Electronic On-Board Recorders with real-time capabilities to track
precise vehicle location, and recorded data not accessible to
manipulation by a driver or motor carrier.
Additional
information on the specifics of the bill can be obtained from the
American Bus Association's website at
www.buses.org and United Motorcoach Association's website at
www.uma.org.
Posted December 5, 2007
†US
Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9 Finally Released
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") recently
released its revised Form I-9, which all newly hired employees are
required to complete to affirm that they are authorized to work in
the United States. In addition to
the new form, the USCIS has also issued a new Handbook for
Employers, Instructions for Completing the Form I-9 (M-274),
Form I-9 Handbook for Employers.
The new Handbook includes numerous updated examples, as well as,
color photos of acceptable documents. Employers may continue
to use the old Form I-9 through December 7, 2007, but may want to
begin using the new form immediately. Click here for a copy of the
new
Form
I-9.
Posted November 27, 2007
†Philadelphia
Airport Implementing AVI System.
Effective on or about January 1, 2008, the Philadelphia International
Airport will be utilizing an Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI)
System to effectively manage the usage of their commercial roadway
system. For those companies using Philadelphia Airport
infrequently, they will be able to continue to pay the per trip fee
which is currently $22 per vehicle per trip but will increase to $50
per vehicle per trip January 1, 2008. Drivers will be required
to fill out an Infrequent Use Form. An “infrequent user” is
defined as a company making two trips or less per month. The
following forms are available for you to click on to obtain
additional information on the changes at the Philadelphia Airport:
Infrequent User Policy
AVI Fee Policies
Philadelphia Airport FAQs
Summary of Commercial Group Transportation Fees
(Philadelphia International Airport)
Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) Application Checklist
AVI Terms and Conditions
Limousine-Van-Bus Application
Philadelphia Airport Bus Fee Changes
PowerPoint Presentation
-
this will take several minutes to load. We suggest you click
on save instead of open to save it to your computer, then open it -
this will download it faster.
Philadelphia Airport Bus Fee Changes (PDF Format)
Posted December 13, 2007
†UCR
Registration
The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Act is a new federal program
designed to fund state motorcarrier safety and enforcement programs
as well as the administration of the UCR Program. This program
was previously referred to as the Single State Registration System
(SSRS) which is no longer in existence. Pennsylvania is
participating in the UCR effective January 1, 2008.
Previously, if you operated interstate, you had to go to
another state such as West Virginia or New York to register.
UCR is based on INTERSTATE travel and the number of vehicles in your
fleet.
The Pennsylvania PUC issued documents in early October 2007 on the
UCR program which details several items Pennsylvania motorcarriers
need to do by several deadlines noted below:
1. Register for
UCR - because the UCR program is new and retroactive to January
1, 2007, a motorcarrier traveling interstate must complete the form
the PUC recently sent called "IMPORTANT NOTICE / PUC / Informational
Update Needed" requesting your US DOT Registration #, and MC/MX
Registration #. This is
DUE NOVEMBER 1, 2007. The "send to and/or fax
to" information is on the form.
2. 2007 UCR
Registration and Fees - Since Pennsylvania is not a UCR
participating state until January 1, 2008, a motorcarrier must
register with one of the surrounding states (CT, ME, Mass, NH, NY,
RI, VA, WV) and pay the appropriate fees by November 15, 2007
for the year 2007. The PUC should have sent all PA
motorcarriers this form called "UNIFIED CARRIER REGISTRATION - Year
2007". A carrier may also go to
www.ucr.in.gov to register and
pay.
3. 2008 UCR
Registration and Fees - Because Pennsylvania will be new to the
UCR program effective January 1, 2008, UCR fees will be due MARCH
31, 2008 to Pennsylvania PUC. Motorcarrier operators can
pay on-line at www.ucr.in.gov.
4. 2009 UCR
Registration and Fees - UCR program fees for 2009 will be due
DECEMBER 31, 2008 to Pennsylvania. Future years will also
be due by December 31 of the preceding year directly to
Pennsylvania.
Fees - a mailing motorcarriers received from the PUC details the
fees motorcarriers are obligated to pay if you operate INTERSTATE
commerce.
PUC Assessment – The Pennsylvania PUC has indicated on their
written correspondence to motorcarriers that they will not be doing
any more assessmeuture since they will be part of the
UCR. We will keep on top of this and let you know additional
information as it becomes available.
Unified Carrier Registration - Year 2007 form
UCR Questions and Answers
Posted November 2, 2007
†Alexandria,
VA
Expands Convenient Motorcoach Parking Program
Alexandria’s historic Old
Town has expanded its
convenient parking program for motorcoaches to ease the challenge of
where to park, both day and night.
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial in
partnership with the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association
(ACVA), has been offering off-street, long-term parking facilities
on-site in the Memorial’s 24-space motorcoach parking lot since
2006. Now that
program has been expanded to include parking for motorcoaches on day
trips to Alexandria.
This additional daytime service will help to ease the
congestion that may occur in the heart of Old Town Alexandria during
peak tourist seasons.
Parking permits
for both types of motorcoach parking are available through the
Ramsay
House
Visitors
Center, 221 King Street.
The fee for a daytime permit is $10; the fee to park
overnight is $35.
Revenue generated from the permits is used to maintain parking
facilities at the Memorial and for administration of the program by
the ACVA. The number and
length of passes purchased by a company are limited only by the
number of parking spaces available.
Permit applications
may be submitted by service providers (hotels, attractions,
restaurants) or tour and motorcoach companies.
The requesting business may apply for a permit online at
www.funside.com or by phone at
800-388-9119.
Applications may be paid for by credit card, check or cash.
A permit will not be issued until payment in full has been
received. Once payment is received, the permit will be mailed if the
arrival date exceeds five business days, or picked up at the Ramsay House
Visitors
Center
upon arrival in Alexandria.
Applications also will be accepted for “same day ” requests
by service providers.
Complete procedural details for the application process are
available online at www.funside.com.
For more information about the program itself, contact Renee
Cardone at 703-838-4200, ext. 204.
Posted October 26, 2007
†Out-of-Service
Requirements of Employers
House Bill 17 amends Pa.C.S. Title 75 (Vehicles), increasing
and refining penalties and further defining responsibilities for
commercial vehicle owners/employers ensuring consistency with
Federal requirements under the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act
(MCSIA). The bill
prohibits employers of commercial drivers to knowingly alIow,
require or permit or authorize a driver to drive a commercial motor
vehicle when the driver the vehicle or the motor carrier operation
is subject to an out of service order. The fine for a violation of
this new subparagraph is increased to for this specific situation
from $1000 to $2,750, as required under MCSIA.
A fine under Section 4107, amended in Act 37 of 2005 that had
been used to cover this violation has been reduced to its previous
$500. The definition of
"Serious traffic violation" is refined to include the specific
violations required to be reported under MICSIA.
Act 37 of 2005 originally enacted the required provisions of
the MCSIA act in the Commonwealth.
Once passed, effective in 90 Days.
NOTE: to view
this House Bill, go to
www.legis.state.pa.us and enter HB 17.
This Bill was “tabled” on 10/24/07 in the Senate and will
likely be brought up again for consideration in the future.
Posted October 26, 2007
†PennDOT
CDL Mailing
Several months ago, PennDOT used their database of over 100,000 CDL
license holders to mail these folks information about job
opportunities at PennDOT, particularly during the winter months.
HB 1963 was introduced on October 24th PROHIBITING
PENNDOT FROM UTILIZING THE DEPARTMENT’S CDL LICENSE DATABASE FOR
EMPLOYMENT RECRUITMENT PURPOSES.
We will monitor this legislative effort.
Posted October 26, 2007
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†Washington DC
$50 Permit Update
PBA has been
informed that the American Bus Association, United Motorcoach
Association, and the National Tour Association have formed a
coalition and filed a lawsuit in D.C. Superior Court to stop the
city of Washington DC from collecting the $50 trip
“permit fees” every six days from each motorcoach entering the
city.
For the time
being, you still must pay the $50 permit fee, however, unless
you have apportioned plates with
Washington
DC listed on your card.
To obtain
information on obtaining a trip permit for trips into Washington DC,
go to:
http://dmv.dc.gov/main.shtm.
Then go
to “Information” and click on “chartered buses”. Everything
should be there that you need.
Posted
August 1, 2007
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†Trips for
Compensation Require PUC Authority.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC)
reminds people that arranging trips for compensation within the
state requires a PUC license.
The
state’s Public Utility Code requires that anyone who is serving
as a “passenger broker” must hold a brokerage license issued by
the PUC. A passenger broker is someone who is being paid to
arrange trips within the state – such as bus trips.
The
PUC monitors passenger brokers for things such as quality of
service, safety and insurance. The PUC also ensures the broker
is following all state laws and regulations.
The
PUC’s Pittsburgh District Office has recently received many
reports of unlicensed people serving as passenger brokers by
arranging bus trips within the state for compensation,
especially in the
Pittsburgh
area. Civil and criminal penalties may be sought by the PUC if
someone is found to be operating as a passenger broker without
proper authority.
Anyone interested in providing this type
of transportation service may call the PUC Application Office at
(717) 787-3834 or the Pittsburgh District Office at (412)
565-3553. Applications are also available on the PUC's
website at
www.puc.state.pa.us.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and
reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public
interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed
utility choices; further economic development; and foster new
technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound
manner. For recent news releases, or more information about the
PUC, visit our Internet homepage
www.puc.state.pa.us.
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†PUC
Extends Fuel Surcharge for Passenger Motor Carrier Industry.
Due to the constant instability of gasoline prices, the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today unanimously
approved an extension to the statewide fuel surcharge for the
passenger motor carrier industry. The surcharge has been
extended to June 30, 2008. Taxicabs, paratransit carriers
and airport transfer companies are authorized to continue the
current surcharges through June 30, 2007, with the new fuel
surcharge rate beginning July 1, 2007. Paratransit
carriers include, for example, vans that take people to and from
medical facilities for appointments. Airport transfer companies
transport customers to and from an airport.
Effective June 27, 2007, and thereafter on the third Friday of
each month, the Commission will post on its website at
http://www.puc.state.pa.us/transport/motor/fuel_surcharge.aspx
the statewide average price of unleaded regular gasoline upon
which the surcharge will be determined.
The PUC posts the Passenger Carrier Fuel Surcharge Chart, which
lists the cost of fuel per gallon, with corresponding surcharge
rates for taxis, paratransit carriers and airport transfer
carriers. Carriers are able to go to the PUC’s webpage to
check on the current statewide average for a gallon of gas.
By using the chart, the carriers will then know the amount of
the fuel surcharge that they are authorized to collect from
customers. All motor carriers are required to notify the
public of the current fuel surcharge by placing a notice in all
vehicles stating the current charge.
Passenger carriers in Pennsylvania have the option of assessing
the surcharge. The surcharge does not apply to taxicabs in
Philadelphia, since they are not under the PUC’s jurisdiction.
Carriers and customers with questions regarding the fuel
surcharge may contact the PUC’s Motor Carrier Division at (717)
783-5933.
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