We, in the industry, know how newer modern motorcoach design has revolutionized the travel experience for line haul passengers over the last few decades. But, many of them have not yet experienced the luxury $500K plus motorcoaches that we drive and maintain every day.

Here is a new customer who describes his experience on a Washington to New York trip. Note: He did refer to the new "Bus Junction" website to compare prices and features. Click here for article: Giving the bus another chance

Fung Wah Bus Lines announced it is starting two daily nonstop trips from Providence to New York City on June 15, 2009. Fare will be $40 one way. More on this announcement click here: Fung Wah enters Providence market

A new website BusJunction.com is launched that shows comparisons and bus e-ticket links for most intercity motorcoach carriers in U.S. This website was started by a software engineer from Washington, D.C. by the name of Matthew Keller. It is not known if the website is a for-profit or non-profit entity.

Matthew Keller claims that his website is the first comparison-based website for intercity bus line travel. Click here: BusJunction.com

Here is a colorful article illustrating a trip from South Station, Boston to Chinatown, NYC.
Click: Article from a college newspaper

Our SPY Reporter has fresh photos of the new Greyhound Prevost X3-45 coaches being added to the First Group fleet. The exterior is a deep sky blue metallic tone with a chrome 3D greyhound logo in the center, and chrome 3D lettering toward the front.

All coaches offer wireless internet access, 110V outlets at every seatback, more legroom (coaches have 50 seats as opposed to the standard 54 on Prevost), leather upholstery, easy recliner handles, nylon strap cup-holders, ADA Lift equipment, PowerVue GPS data monitors for fleet and driver information, SmartWheel technology with jake brake and cruise control, 6-speed allison transmission, a sturdy plexiglass driver protection compartment, tag axle lift for tight turns and snow traction.

In addition, responding to national safety advocates all passenger seats have retractable safety belts making Greyhound Lines the first major intercity carrier to offer standard seatbelts on their new coaches in the United States . Also, emergency windows are staggered throughout the Prevost cabin, alternating with stationary windows. These emergency escape windows are smaller than previous styles which should help reduce ejections in catastrophic events.

The only negatives include: sturdy passenger seats are too rigid, chrome wheels are missing center caps, the ADA Lift takes up too much luggage space in the rear luggage compartment, and flatscreen monitors have been removed.

After decades of constant change in ownership, it seems First Group is making some welcome changes to the intercity bus landscape with this new design.

Click attachments below for photos.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is out with results of a Univ. of Michigan survey conducted on fatal bus accidents from 1999 to 2005.

Survey results here: CMSA survey

All members of Local 1512 are covered by a $4000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Policy if you returned by mail the recently sent self-stamped, pre-addressed postcard with identifying information. You must return this card including beneficiary name immediately if you have not done so yet.

The policy is absolutely free to all Local 1512 members. Members may wish to increase their coverage by speaking to an American Income Life Insurance Company associate who will contact you if you so desire.

All policies are covered by all applicable state and federal laws; a copy of the contract is available at our Local 1512 offices upon request.

Minutes before a jury was to sit down and consider 4 counts of second degree manslaughter, 5 counts of first degree assault, American Crushing & Recycling owner David Wilcox, 73 yrs. old, pleaded guilty to the charges. The 2005 Avon, CT crash at the foot of Avon Mt. was caused by faulty brakes and an inexperienced driver, involved 19 vehicles, including a Kelley Transit commuter motorcoach driven by friend and former member of Local 1512, the late FRANKIE JUAN who was severely and critically injured as a result of the tragedy.

Sentencing is set for late June, and a 10 year sentence including 4 years of suspended time is expected for Wilcox who admitted to allowing the vehicle to be unsafe and unsound, but not admitting the lack of insurance on the vehicle. More info here: Late member Frankie Juan, accident victim...punishment in CT. court today for one responsible for this reprehensible accident

Efforts during President Bush's administration to legalize the regular use of Mexican originating tractor-trailer trucks and busses in US highway corridors - which was sharply criticized by highway safety officials as well as union officials - is expected to come to an end this week when President Obama signs a bill that ends any expenditure of federal funds to the DOT to facilitate this failed program.

Poor safety standards of equipment and drivers - as well as noncompliance of language requirements - and including numerous highly publicized accidents - has brought a halt to this NAFTA propelled program. Competition from low paid Mexican operators had softened salaries of commercial drivers, particularly in southeastern US.

More info here: Obama to sign legislation to end funding Mexican truck and bus assistance

Tom Picknally announced a business agreement with FuelQuest, Inc. a diesel fuel delivery management company (headquartered: Houston,TX) that with the use of software technology, and regional wholesale contracts, will better serve the fuel delivery needs of the 300 bus fleet, and 8 maintenance garages of Peter Pan. FuelQuest, Inc. will also handle the processing of diesel fuel highway use and excise taxes fleetwide.

click here: FuelQuest signs Peter Pan to fuel delivery/mgmt.