[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 85TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2011

  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the American Bus 
Association, the trade association for the private over-the-road bus 
and motorcoach industry, on its 85th anniversary in this year of 2011. 
The ABA represents 800 bus operating companies (along with 3200 other 
travel, tour and motorcoach manufacturing companies). The members of 
the ABA provide all manner of transportation services to millions of 
Americans. Specifically, ABA members provide scheduled service, 
commuter operations, charter and tour services and airport shuttle 
services to all parts of the country. A gauge of how well and 
thoroughly ABA members do their jobs is found in the amazing statistic 
that the industry provides 760 million passenger trips each year.
  A few other facts about this industry are in order. The private bus 
industry is the clear choice for environmental travel. A recent study 
by the Union of Concerned Scientists documents that for an individual 
or family traveling anywhere from 100 to 1000 miles motorcoach travel 
is the cleanest form of transportation available. Moreover, each 
motorcoach can take 55 cars off of our nation's highways, a testament 
to the industry's ability to aid us in overcoming the congestion on the 
nation's highways. In fact, as a recent Forbes Magazine article 
detailed, the motorcoach industry's environmental record translates 
into saving Americans a total of forty-four million gallons of fuel 
each year.
  Less recognized is the industry's record in fostering tourism and 
travel in the nation. Each motorcoach may in effect leave some $13,000 
behind in communities visited by those passengers in just a 24-hour 
period. The ABA has documented on its website the number of jobs 
motorcoach travel and tourism supports, both directly and indirectly, 
and the amount of money that motorcoach leaves in every Congressional 
district. The ABA Research Foundation has documented that motorcoach 
tourism is a vital part of the U.S. economy, employing over one million 
Americans and creating over $112 billion in economic activity.
  The ABA began its service to the nation as the bus division of the 
American Automobile Association in 1926. At that time buses were the 
main transportation choice for the overwhelming majority of Americans, 
providing service to all parts of the nation, urban and rural. Buses 
took Americans to work, school, jobs, and hospitals; they allowed us to 
meet our families, see friends, and make a living.
  Today, that role as the chief private transportation mode is being 
reprised by the industry. The industry has begun new point to point 
routes, serving city pairs as never before. We have seen bus services 
allowing Americans to see families, travel for business and pleasure 
and see their nation as never before. A study cited in a recent U.S.A. 
Today article documented that motorcoach transportation is the fastest 
growing mode of transportation in the nation for the last three years 
in a row, growing by six percent this last year alone. I want to 
congratulate the American Bus Association on its anniversary and wish 
it continued success.

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