ATU Local 1512 -

ATU wins legislative victory on stricter curbside carrier regulations

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:52:37 -0400

Initiated from a federal lawsuit against the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration) by Peter Pan and Greyhound for dereliction of duty regarding the FMCSA not penalizing curbside carriers for not being ADA compliant, rulings were made some time ago against the FMCSA for not conducting themselves properly.

Now, on July 14th, the US Senate through new legislation that was spearheaded by the ATU International political arm, REQUIRES federal regulators (i.e. FMCSA) to revoke licenses of commercial bus companies that do not comply with Americans with Disabilities Act. The US House, likewise, passed the measure, and now awaiting final signature from President.

Here: ATU Legislative Victory

NTSB critique of FMCSA gets national press

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:37:43 -0400

The NTSB has been criticizing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for years regarding lax oversight of motorcoach operators medical histories. This has now come to light in a blasting review: Faulty safety checks blamed

Mario Hornsby Jr. Memorial Fund

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:48:56 -0400

Members of ATU Local 1512: cleaners, mechanics, and coach operators, expressing our deepest condolences to Operator Mario Hornsby and Mrs. Monique Hornsby, and family, of their tragic loss.

A memorial fund had been set up with payroll deductions by your Local 1512. Those who participated, (as well as those who donated individually to Debbie Wuller in the corportate office,) should be proud of your collective effort of raising $765 for the Mario Hornsby Jr. Memorial Fund on the part of this Local 1512!

75th Anniversary at Peter Pan Bus Lines celebrated.

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:02:33 -0400

Peter Pan Bus Lines began some 75 years ago in June, 1933. Now, the third generation Peter Picknelly is leading the bus company into the 21st Century. A special advertising section with articles was featured in the June 15, 2008 edition of the Springfield Republican newspaper.
Here are the links to the stories:
Bus guy follows father's footsteps
Peter Pan sees a Green future
Picknelly legacy fills Springfield
Peter Pan fills a range of calls
Famous people ride Peter Pan
New venture "Bolts" to success
Bus industry looks to a profitable future
Drivers post outstanding safety records

Double decker coach enters DC-NY market

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:58:51 -0400

Megabus, a curbside competitor to Bolt bus, Peter Pan, Greyhound, and all the other curbside carriers will introduce the Van Hool double decker motorcoach on their DC-NY line run shortly.
76 passengers vs. 54 passengers

Local Election Results

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:16:38 -0400

204 ballots sent out. 99 ballots returned.

The following is the final result of Local 1512 voting for term beginning July 1, 2008:

President: Mike Claudio
Vice President: Mike Dise

Financial Secretary: Wayne Miles
Recording Secretary: Dave Kollisch

Executive Board: Gil Castro, Bill Chandler, Frank Lapomardo, Charlie Myers, Roland Rich, Reuben Somar, Andy Woods

Local 1734 partial merge with Local 1363

Fri, 16 May 2008 06:49:22 -0400

The Peter Pan division in Milford, CT, drivers/mechanics/cleaners represented by Local 1734 have agreed to merge on an administrative basis with Providence, RI, (Bonanza) drivers/mechanics/cleaners represented by Local 1363. Bargaining agreements, work conditions, geographic entity remain the same...the only thing changing is that on an administrative basis, members will be represented by Local 1363.

Nominations for election June 2008

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:42:59 -0400

Our current financial secretary, Phil LaBranche, has resigned from his position. He has agreed to help train the appropriate people (recording secretary, incoming financial secretary) so that all union finances are up-to-date.

Nominations for election as follows:
President: Mike Claudio
Vice President: Mike Dise, Richard Kwiecinski, George Schneider
Financial Secretary: Wayne Miles
Recording Secretary: Dave Kollisch
Executive Board: Gil Castro, Bill Chandler, Mario Hornsby, Frank Lapomardo, Charlie Myers, Roland Rich, Arthur Riley, Reuben Somars-mechanic, Andy Woods. (One mechanic and six nominees will be elected.)

You should receive your ballot by May 13, 2008. If not, contact the office immediately.

Fraternally yours,
Dave Kollisch
Recording Secretary

Lucky Star enters bus battles

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:00:05 -0400

Lucky Star, operating New York to Boston, enters the fight for market share with two new operators in the region. Boston Globe: Chinatown bus defending turf

Bolt Bus set to begin Mar. 27.

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:17:49 -0400

In an effort to reclaim a share of the curbside carrier (intercity bus) marketplace, Greyhound and Peter Pan are starting a new division - operated by ATU local 1700 (Greyhound) member coach drivers - Bolt Bus will offer new Prevost coaches, entirely internet-based ticket sales, date and time sensitive trips...between curbside locations in NYC and Washington, Philadelphia, and Boston, eventually. Click:DC to NYor Bolt Bus begins Mar. 27 Cities like New York continue to ignore city laws and regulations regarding line run intercity busses operating in areas away from taxpayer-funded bus terminals/transportation centers.

Headlines & Headlights March 2008

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:58:25 -0500

New motorcoach order expected mid-April. There are D4505 and J4500 coaches on order (as well as a few 29 pax w/lav minibusses). Some new features or options are being tried for the first time...perhaps on one or two of the coaches:
Chrome wheels; New AF 10 Speed transmission; Leather passenger seats; wireless internet capability on coach.
All coaches will have Cummins engines with new clean emissions standards.
All coaches will be ADA wheelchair lift equipped. D4505 coaches use part of the middle luggage hatch for the ADA lift. Management is looking for feedback on all of these new features, especially on the limited luggage compartments on the D4505...is it adequate?

New Safety Department promotional tag: "Think Safety - Act Safely". Part of the new safety program is a driver incentive program kicking off this month. It is a points based system, based on logging on, no chargeable accidents, no injuries, no speeding tickets, etc. up to 4000 points available per month. Next year this program will open up to members who are in the maintenance department. There will be a gift catalog available, and a website address Click here for www.peterpanrewards.com where member can log on, check on individual points, and order gifts/travel/etc. Website will be password protected. In addition, there will be a toll-free number for those who do not have computer access, to order gifts/etc.

Meetings will be held in all divisions this month (March, 2008) for nominations of Union Officers and E-Board officers for the next term in office which begins July 1, 2008. Watch for postings on these upcoming meetings in Tuxedo, Secaucus, Boston divisions.

Reminder: DVD and VHS use on busses

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:23:23 -0500

To Motorcoach Operators:
The default position of all R.E.I. entertainment systems on our coaches is as follows:

a.)Whenever you turn on the system (video button), the DVD unit and VHS unit will automatically come on. You must turn off the DVD player manually on the DVD unit for the VHS movie to show on the monitors. If you stop the bus and turn off the engine, when you restart the bus, you must - again - turn off the DVD player manually for the video to re-activate.

b.)If you want to show a DVD movie, perhaps on a charter, you cannot activate the disc from the R.E.I. unit. You must manually hit the play button on the DVD unit. (Sometimes, the play button must be hit numerous times, if the DVD has a menu at the beginning, or a number of previews,...up to three times.)

c.)If you turn off the bus, and turn it on again, the DVD disc should restart at the last scene shown.

USA Today feature article on intercity bus lines

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:51:46 -0500

Today's USA Today (Jan.18, 2008) featured a story about changes at Greyhound (remodeled terminals, retraining agents, etc.), and MegaBus, and curbside operators. The link to this article: Greyhound revs up with a revamp

New Congressional Bill (H.R.4690) would study motorcoach safety

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:02:00 -0500

A bill sponsored by congressman Bill Shuster of PA. would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study improvement to motorcoach safety. It is in response to the devastating Bluffton University coach accident in Atlanta, Ga.(March, 2007) and, if successful in Congress, is known as the Bluffton University Safety Act.

After conducting a study, NHTSA would prescribe federal standards for motorcoach occupant protection, taking into account rollovers, frontal impact, side impact and rear impact collisions. NHTSA would provide standards for window glazing, roof strength, fire prevention and emergency egress. This would also study the safety impact of seat belt requirements (which already exist in all of Europe, Australia and New Zealand).

Unlike other bills which would immediately establish new requirements for buses, the Shuster bill is based on sound-science and timelines that the industry can actually achieve.

Peter Picknelly sees new casinos as way to boost bus line

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:16 -0500

Peter A. Picknelly announced his participation in an investor group aiming to bring a casino to Palmer, Ma. and New Bedford, Ma. "I think these projects are excellent and very strategic" in talking about the prospects of a casino in Western Massachusetts.

"Developing three or more casino destination sites in Massachusetts will capture some of that in-state disposable income, attracting visitors to Massachusetts and to our state's other tourist destinations while providing needed tax revenue" Picknelly said, while pointing out that the bus line already provides regularly scheduled service to Foxwoods in Connecticut and Atlantic City in New Jersey.

More on these developments: New investor in Palmer casino