May 21, 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Eron Shosteck
Phone: 202-218-7220

The American Bus Association today congratulated the 49 recipients of the fiscal year 2008 federal security grant funds to implement strategies, exercises and technologies designed to mitigate the threats to the passengers and facilities of motorcoach operations.

ABA members have used the federal dollars to bolster motorcoach safety in a variety of ways, including building fencing perimeters, adding security cameras, buying explosive detection screening equipment, installing driver shields, enabling global positioning satellite tracking (GPS), developing security plans, conducting vulnerability assessments and taking advantage of training exercises to coordinate response efforts with law enforcement and other first responders.

"Passenger safety is the number one priority for the motorcoach industry, and security is naturally a major part of that focus," said ABA President & CEO Peter J. Pantuso.

Since September 11, 2001, ABA members have worked diligently to continually enhance preparation for potential security incidents, striving to minimize threats to their passengers and operations often without the benefit of federal funding. The FY 2008 grants were unique in that a 25 percent private match was required to secure funding, meaning that operators receiving grants committed at least $2.79 million in additional funds toward securing their operations.

Since 2002, ABA members have received nearly 92 percent of the $71 million in grant funding awarded to the motorcoach industry by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, meaning that ABA members have received more than $65 million to secure the nation's private motorcoach industry and help protect a vital transportation mode that accounts for 631 million passenger trips annually.

ABA has analyzed the list of companies that have won grants from Homeland Security since FY 2003. Of all successful recipients, 231 awardees have been ABA members.

"ABA members have consistently improved motorcoach security, and now those efforts will be bolstered by critical funds from the Department of Homeland Security that will help to ensure that bus transportation remains secure," Pantuso added. The statistics about the federal initiative to secure private motorcoach operations, the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program, breaks down as follows: For FY 2008, $11.2 million was awarded to 49 recipients, of which 36 were ABA members; For FY 2007, $11.6 million was awarded to 39 recipients, of which 32 were ABA members; For FY 2006, $9.5 million was awarded to 35 recipients, of which 30 were ABA members; For FY 2005, $9.6 million was given to 25 recipients, all 25 of which belonged to ABA; For FY 2004, $9.9 million was awarded to 55 recipients, of which 45 were ABA members; And for FY 2002/2003, $19.8 million was given to 67 recipients, of which 63 belonged to ABA.

Congress has approved a bill that could result in an authorization of nearly $87 million in motorcoach security funding over the next three years.

"ABA will continue to work to secure additional federal monies to assist our members' pursuit of security enhancements and safer operations," Pantuso added. "ABA not only actively secures federal dollars for its members, but it also assists its members in applying for grants."

FY 2008 grant recipients listing

The American Bus Association is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry with more than 1000 motorcoach owner and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,600 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.