2021 BISC & BusMARC Summer Virtual Safety & Maintenance Series
Webinar | May 13, 2021 - July 2, 2021
Get “On the Road Again!” This Summer With BISC & BusMARC Virtual Education
COVID-19 has challenged the bus and motorcoach industry. But we have been tested many times before. Each time, we’ve proved our resiliency, bouncing back. Because when people get together, even virtually, things get done.
Our in-person summer meetings were cancelled, so we have put together a multi week program of safety, security and maintenance related education sessions to help keep you up to date on emerging things in the industry as well as refreshers of some things you may have forgotten. We also have added a number of interactive roundtables, so that operators can educate other operators and share their experiences. If you have a session idea or wish to see more sessions added, we would love to accomodate you, please contact us at bisc@buses.org.
The Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) is your forum to address the latest safety and compliance topics that affect motorcoach operations. The Bus Maintenance and Repair Council (BusMARC) is your forum to address the latest safety and maintenance topics that affect motorcoach operations.
For this summer education series, no single registration is required and there are no fees to participate and for some sessions you will even receive a certification! All sessions are offered al a carte.
Session Registration is Now Open!
Education Schedule:
Following the dramatic and extensive impacts on the motorcoach industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, time is nearing where motorcoaches can get back on the road and back to business. As we prepare to operate in this new reality, ensuring that your safety, maintenance and compliance program is prepped and ready to go is essential. With the assistance of the peer-to-peer sharing of our lauded industry experts, let BISC and BusMARC help show you the way!
Thursday, May 13 |
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| 11 am | “Series Overview: Mentor Program Review & Return to Service, Less is More Discussion”
This session will serve as an orientation for the BISC & BusMARC Virtual Series this summer. An overview of each session will be provided and the new BISC Mentor Program highlighted. Our experts will also help guide you through how to return to service with less personnel and people filling multiple roles. This session promises to be very interactive as we all learn from each other, which is what our meetings are all about. |
| 1 pm |
“OEM Roundtable: Getting Back to Basics with Technician Training & Recruiting” Your diesel maintenance personnel and technicians have been off or furloughed as a result of the pandemic. What do they need to know to get re-familiarized with motorcoach operations? Are there resources available to help whip them into shape? What types of publications should they be reviewing frequently? Are there OEM resources to help? |
Tuesday, May 18 |
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| 11 am |
“Safety Directors 101” This is another offering in a new series of sessions, specially designed for brand new fleet managers, safety directors, transportation professionals and even company owners. This session should help you understand the basics of what goes into a monitoring driver performance, compliance with the hours of service and how to conduct remedial driver training for your existing drivers. After this session, you should be well on your way to being more in control of your operations. |
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2 pm |
“Bus Operator Roundtable: Driver Monitoring, Incentives, Retention, Recruitment, Driver Mental Health” Finding the next generation of drivers is a concern for many operators, particularly when the feds, your state, country or school district may have differing requirements. Share with your fellow operators what tools and techniques you use to monitor your driver's performance, as well as how you reward good performances. Are there unique approaches to recruiting that you are taking? How are you helping drivers cope with the mental health of the job and 55-ready made critics as well as in this post-COVID-19 environment? What is your blueprint for success to help you find the drivers that you desire? Don't have one, start creating one today! Open Discussion, No Registration Required To Access the Roundtable: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/7140587653 US: +1 (773) 231-9226 Meeting ID: 714 058 7653 Click here to view the recording Click here to download the slides Additional Resources: |
Friday, May 21 |
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| 11 am | “OOS Criteria Review”
Each year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) reviews, modifies and publishes new North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. The North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC) is the pass-fail criteria for safety inspections. The purpose of the criteria is to identify critical safety violations. Those violations can render the driver, vehicle and/or motor carrier out of service until the condition(s) or violation(s) are corrected or repaired. Find out about the latest changes to the criteria, and what to look out for before your next inspection. |
| 1 pm |
“The Importance of Coordination Between the Shop and Your Drivers: Collaboration, Communication, Execution” Today we will be covering the integration of maintenance personnel into driver training. The shop and driver need to be in sync while vehicles are out on the road and trouble arises. During this session, we will also discuss pre- and post-trip inspections and the clear communication required for both to ensure continued success in your operations. |
Tuesday, May 25 |
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| 11 am |
“OEM Visual Learning Seminar: Dashboard Diagnostics, Presented by TEMSA” You're happily driving along when suddenly your Check Engine light comes on or the dash display lights up with an error message. Panic sets in. Is the engine going to blow up or is this just an annoying code that will go away? Many of the latest systems have the ability to display Diagnostic Trouble Codes, or DTCs. If not immediately available, a code reader can plug into the diagnostic port to retrieve them. Heavy duty diesel engines now can communicate all kinds of useful information, much of which also can be used to perform diagnostics or even modify/improve performance en route. The latest transmissions can display fault codes via the transmission shift control panel. This J1939 buss is used by the chassis manufacturer and also interfaces with various chassis elements, such as antilock braking systems, traction control, headlights and other accessories. Find out how to navigate these systems and what it all means! |
| 2 pm | “Bus Operator Roundtable: Revisiting COVID Policies”
The COVID-19 pandemic crippled the bus industry within days. At first no one wanted to travel and risk getting ill and then it quickly became no one was allowed to travel to help flatten the curve. Nearly 36,000 buses were brought to a standstill. After nearly fourteen months of waiting for the United States to open again, the industry is ready to welcome back passengers. These passengers are desperate to travel again but they want to ensure they are traveling safely, not just with good driving and safe vehicles, but now with clean, disinfected vehicles so their chance of catching anything is minimal. Safety has always been our industry’s number one priority. We are the safest and greenest mode of transportation. ABA brought together a Task Force of industry peers to discuss and recommend best practices and protocols for the industry when buses are running again. Now is the time to update those policies and protocols! Open Discussion, No Registration Required To Access the Roundtable: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/7140587653 US: +1 (773) 231-9226 Meeting ID: 714 058 7653 |
Thursday, May 27 |
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| 11 am |
“OEM Visual Learning Seminar: HVAC, Airflow & Auxillary Heaters, Presented by MCI” There is a lot for operators to consider before they consider changing their HVAC setup, the type of filters they use or their preventative maintenance program in this new COVID-19 reality. Learn more about the performance thresholds for this equipment and what might work best for you as you get back to full-time operations. As we begin to restart things again, we don't want to see you stuck with any maintenance problems at the side of the road or with any passenger complaints. In addition, take home a few tips on how to better maintain your in-use equipment to improve efficiency and performance. |
| 1 pm |
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Tuesday, June 2 |
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| All Day |
Bus World Academy Sessions |
Wednesday, June 3 |
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| All Day |
Bus World Academy Sessions |
Thursday, June 4 |
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| All Day | Bus World Academy Sessions |
Tuesday, June 8 |
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| 11 am | “TSA Update: Revisiting the Security Training Rule for Surface Transportration Workers”
This webinar will focus on requirements of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Security Training Rule and associated TSA resources that are already available to you, in addition to upcoming compliance deadlines. The rule requires owner/operators of higher-risk over-the-road bus (OTRB) companies to provide TSA-approved security training to employees who perform security-sensitive functions. TSA is also requiring OTRB owner/operators serving high-risk areas covered by the rule to name security coordinators and to report significant security concerns to TSA. If you provide scheduled bus service to high-risk areas such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Boston, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Dallas-Ft. Worth, or Houston, this webinar is for you. If you wish to review materials related to the rule, you can visit the TSA Security Training Rule webpage at the following web address: https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/surface-security-training-rule. This session will also discuss cybersecurity developments, and the latest masking requirements for passengers. |
| 2 pm |
“Bus Operator Roundtable: Leveraging Telematics Based Efficiencies & Processes, What to Do With the Data” Data is an integral part of analyzing fleets from an operational and performance point of view. With today’s technology, fleet managers have more data at their fingertips than ever before. What information do motorcoach operators find useful? Which fleet analytical data points do you pay attention to? What challenges do you have in data analytics or collection, the best ways to leverage the data, and do you have any tips on how you can get fleet analytical data to work for you? Open Discussion, No Registration Required To Access the Roundtable: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/7140587653 US: +1 (773) 231-9226 Meeting ID: 714 058 7653 |
Thursday, June 10 |
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| 11 am |
“Basic Orientation, Recommended Equipment & Safety Training for Electric Bus Maintenance” Electric Buses are on the horizon and look to be the wave of the future. How do you maintain them? What kind of tools do you need? Any specialized training or certifications required? Join our discussion! |
| 1 pm |
“OEM Visual Learning Seminar: Dashboard Diagnostics, Presented by ABC Companies” You're happily driving along when suddenly your Check Engine light comes on or the dash display lights up with an error message. Panic sets in. Is the engine going to blow up or is this just an annoying code that will go away? Many of the latest systems have the ability to display Diagnostic Trouble Codes, or DTCs. If not immediately available, a code reader can plug into the diagnostic port to retrieve them. Heavy duty diesel engines now can communicate all kinds of useful information, much of which also can be used to perform diagnostics or even modify/improve performance en route. The latest transmissions can display fault codes via the transmission shift control panel. This J1939 buss is used by the chassis manufacturer and also interfaces with various chassis elements, such as antilock braking systems, traction control, headlights and other accessories. Find out how to navigate these systems and what it all means! |
Tuesday, June 15 |
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| 11 am |
“A Celebration of Motorcoach Safety & BISC Awards” Norm Littler Safety Award and the ABA Driver of the Year Award will be presented. We will also have several special presentations. Keynote Address by FMCSA Chief Safety Officer & Assistant Administrator Jack Van Steenburg.
Click here to view the recording ABA Driver of the Year Award Winner
Mohammad “Raja” Ishtiaq Click here to view the award announcement Norm Littler Memorial Safety Award Winner
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Thursday, June 17 |
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| 11 am |
“Virtual Site Visit and Tour: A Visit to a Prominent Bus Operator” No BusMARC meeting is complete without us providing the unique opportunity to visit with a motorcoach operator facility and have them take us through their operation and provide us with some onsite education, now in a virtual format. For this meeting, we will be doing that via video, but participants will still have the chance to see something new and ask questions about the operation, capabilities and set up. For this visit, we will be visiting the facilities of the Martz Group. |
| 1 pm |
“Motorcoach Maintenance Technician Recruiting Roundtable” Your diesel maintenance personnel and technicians have been off or furloughed as a result of the pandemic. What do they need to know to get re-familiarized with motorcoach operations? Are there resources available to help whip them into shape? What types of publications should they be reviewing frequently? Are there OEM resources to help? A month after our first version of this session, now let's hear from you. Are you having any success staffing up? Where are you finding your technichians and maintenance personnel? Is everyone willing to come back? What changes have you had to make to accommodate the new work force? This session will also be a check-in to see what challenges operators are facing in finding technicians in today's environment. Open Discussion, No Registration Required To Access the Roundtable: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/7140587653 US: +1 (773) 231-9226 Meeting ID: 714 058 7653 |
Tuesday, June 22 |
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| 11 am |
“Safety Director 101, Part 2: I am Responsible for Safety, Now What” I am responsible for safety and compliance, now what? Where do I go, where do I look, what do I do? This is another offering in a new series of sessions, specially designed for brand new fleet managers, safety directors, transportation professionals and even company owners. This session should help you understand the basics of what goes into a monitoring driver performance, compliance with the hours of service and how to conduct remedial driver training for your existing drivers. After this session, you should be well on your way to being more in control of your operations and knowing more about what to reference in 49 CFR 391- 49 CFR 396 (plus some drug testing and maintenance stuff). |
| 2 pm |
“Bus Operator Roundtable: Driver Behavior – Customer Service Etiquette” Now that your drivers are back as we begin to rebound from the pandemic and they are capable of driving safely on the road, what are you doing about customer service? How are you defining it? How has customer service changed? How are you training for it? Who are you training for it? Over 50% of clients say they will switch to a competitor after a single bad experience! More than 1 service related issue, that number increase to over 75%. Open Discussion, No Registration Required To Access the Roundtable: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/7140587653 US: +1 (773) 231-9226 Meeting ID: 714 058 7653 Click here to view the recording |
Thursday, June 24 |
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| 11 am |
“OEM Visual Learning Seminar: Drivetrain & Review of Dashboard Diagnostics Presented by Prevost” Let’s get familiar with the emissions system and common maintenance routines important to keeping your coach on the road. General system overview as well as key component maintenance, lifecycle and predicted maintenance. Dashboard diagnostics what every driver needs to know before releasing that parking brake. |
| 1 pm |
“Bus Operator Roundtable: Revised DVIR Procedures & new E-DVIR Elements, Review of PM Programs” Open Discussion, No Registration Required To Access the Roundtable: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/7140587653 US: +1 (773) 231-9226 Meeting ID: 714 058 7653 Click here to view the recording |
Tuesday, June 29 |
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| 11 am |
“A New Age of Enforcement: Adjusting to Remote and Offsite Investigations & How to Prepare” COVID-19 has impacted every facet of our operations, even our interactions with our enforcement partners. FMCSA has transitioned from on-site and in-person compliance reviews and focused investigations to more remote and offsite interactions. Although the definition of “compliance review” in 49 CFR 385.3 describes these reviews as “on-site,” in practice, the emergence of electronic record keeping and other technology now allows FMCSA to perform the same investigative functions remotely that it could perform previously only by in-person reviews of the motor carrier’s files. Operators can access and transmit their information through the portal directly to FMCSA and upload documents in a secure environment. Many operators already maintain their records electronically, which can make these remote investigations almost seamless. Learn more about how to prepare for these new interactions with enforcement officials and our BISC experts today! Click here to view the recording |
| 2 pm |
“Bus Operator Roundtable: How to Prepare For an Investigations/Compliance Review, Really” Open Discussion, No Registration Required To Access the Roundtable: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/7140587653 US: +1 (773) 231-9226 Meeting ID: 714 058 7653 Click here to view the recording |
Thursday, July 1 |
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| 11 am |
“Top On-Road Breakdowns (Emergency Road Service) and Common Solutions” What are the top reasons for breakdowns while over the road? Are there any things that we can do within our preventative maintenance programs to prevent them? Also, what is up with emissions-related breakdowns? ABA, UMA and the Bus Maintenance & Repair Council (BusMARC) are soliciting your input on your experiences with maintenance issues due to emissions-related reduction and control devices. We would like to study the continued need for progressive de-rate inducements associated with low-volume or empty Diesel Emission Fluid (DEF) tanks, the use of poor-quality DEF product, and/or a fault in the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. Frequently a de-rate results in diminished engine performance, a loss of torque or a forced regeneration. Check out our survey on this and other topics, we will discuss the results during the session! |
| 1 pm |
“Best Practices for Capturing Near Misses and Avoiding Accidents in the Future” Accidents, particularly ones with fatalities can cripple a motorcoach business. But what about a near miss? And what is a near miss? This session will discuss why we want to focus on near misses, examples of them, and some best practices for effective reporting and analysis. We look forward to this being an interactive session, where we hear from you on what information you try to capture to train your drivers and staff on lessons learned about near misses and what information we will look to capture in reports to help coach folks on what to avoid. |
Tuesday, July 27 |
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| 1 pm |
*** Date Change **** “Update on the Military Bus Program” The New Bus Agreement is in effect. All carriers, including current DoD-approved carriers, must apply for the new DoD Bus Agreement #5. As part of the new agreement, carriers will also be required to register for the U.S. Transportation Command's Group Operational Passenger System (GOPAX). How are things going, now that we are year into the new process? How can new carriers get signed up? What new features have been implemented and are planned for the months to come? Click here to view the recording Click here to view the presentation Additional Resources: Videos: CMR Overview |
Registration is Open Throughout the Series
Special Thanks to all of Our Sponsors
