Over 500 operators from across the United States and Canada are expected to attend the Expo.

The workshop will be on research, development, and administration of federal funding opportunities for the private transportation industry. These opportunities include grants that can be directly applied for by private transportation operators and also by partnering with public entities such as economic development authorities, transit agencies, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations.

The workshop will be held on the 25th from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Room N-235.

We also wish to emphasize that we are still accepting applicants for the 2010 Intercity Bus Security Grant. The deadline is Feb. 12, so please get your application in now. Call or e-mail Ryan Reeves at rreeves (at) communityspec (dot) com to discuss this grant.

For what can the IBSG grant funds be used?

Funds can be used for increased security measures such as enhanced planning, facility security upgrades, and vehicle and driver protection in order to create a sustainable program for the protection of intercity bus systems and the traveling public from terrorism, especially explosives and non-conventional threats that would cause major loss of life and severe disruption.

                                          
Note: Please excuse our blurry photos.

The article points out Kelly’s advice to motorcoach companies to diversify their operations and bring in a regular flow of money by forming partnerships with cities and public transit agencies.

Kelly’s other tips presented to motorcoach operators include the following:

• Prepare a template with information about your company for any opportunities that may arise.
• Have RFPs reviewed by an attorney to reduce confusion
• Learn about RFPs nationally with www.fbov.gov.
• Regularly attend city council and transit board meetings to learn about upcoming contracts.
• Keep an eye out for grant oppportunities.
• Widen marketing efforts by seeking out opportunities to get your name and pictures in publications.
• Pay attention to social marketing and its free offerings.

Kelly said,

It’s amazing how much you can do and not have to pay for it.”

To see Kelly’s presentation, check out this post: Ryan Kelly gives talk at California Bus Association about staying modern in business world, accessing grants.

Mike Dickson, president of Southeastern Stages, also participated in these meetings. As a two-time IBSG grant recipient, he contributed a firsthand account of his and Southeastern Stages experience with the program.

The meeting included discussions of best practices for environmental and historical preservation (EHP) reviews. Improved actions for the financial review of grant awards included submitting these reviews to DHS more seamlessly and reducing the need for changes to financial documentation after initial grant submission.

Want to know more about the Intercity Bus Security Grant program?

Ask a Community Spec expert or go to the Grant Programs page under the Department of Homeland Security section.

According to mufreesborotn.gov,

In 1996 the Relax & Ride bus service was established to transport citizens from Murfreesboro, Smyrna and LaVergne to Nashville as well as provide reverse commute trips from Nashville to Rutherford County. Funding for this program was initially provided through a three-year federal demonstration grant. Since 1999, continuation of the service has been funded from a variety of local and outside sources.

Community Spec can write your RFP too. Look at our Additional Services page or Contact our specialists here.

In addition to this success for Gray Line of Nashville, Community Spec is also developing a policy paper for the company. The paper will articulate and advance the case for regional transportation by emphasizing the economic, social, and cultural benefits to the 10-county Nashville metropolitan area. The newly formed Nashville Transportation Alliance will use this paper to determine a future transportation policy for the region. Go here to read more.

Southeastern Stages, Inc. operates regular scheduled service between Atlanta, GA via Augusta, GA to Columbia, SC, Charleston, SC and Fayetteville, NC.

Their fleet operates for almost three million schedule miles annually, and the company has nationwide operating authority and provides charter services throughout the United States and Canada.

Want to know more about the 5311(f) Program?

You can visit our Grant Programs page and look under U.S. The Department of Transportation section, or you can ask a Community Spec professional.

The Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility program provides funding that may be used by private operators of over-the-road buses to finance costs of meeting the accessibility specifications required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

January 21: The US Department of Transportation formally announced the availability of funds for Over The Road Bus Accessibility grants. The authorizing legislation calls for national solicitation of applications with grantees to be selected on a competitive basis. Federal transit funds are available to intercity fixed route providers and other OTRB providers at up to 90 percent of the project cost. A total of $8,800,000 has been appropriated for the program in FY 2009. FY 2006 funds have lapsed in the amount of $1,867,900. The total amount available for allocation is $10,710,43, which includes FY 2009 appropriations and lapsed funds.

If you want more information about the Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Grant, check out our Grant Programs page under the DOT section.

The talk, called “Public/Private Partnerships—The 21st Century Business Model”, addressed how to work with the public sector in diversifying your business portfolio with daily driver revenue streams and accessing federal and state grant dollars to keep your ship afloat and to move from a tugboat to being the love boat.

What is a policy paper?

Policy papers summarize and dissect published research and discussion on current issues and make specific recommendations for practitioners, patients, and policy makers.

The California Bus Association has been around since 1969 and is committed to remaining compliant with regulatory agencies—the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, California Highway Patrol, Department of Motor Vehicles, Air Resources Board and others.