BISC Winter 2019 Meeting
The Bus Industry Safety Council is your forum to address the latest safety and compliance topics that affect motorcoach operations.
Download a 2019 Winter BISC Registration Form
All Bus Operators & Government Employees use the Buyer registration option, all Suppliers and Vendors use the Seller registration option. Select the BISC meeting.
BISC Meetings Include:
- Presentations on the topics that matter, such as the latest with ELDs, changes to CSA, motorcoach fires and other regulatory and compliance topics.
- Top speakers. Administrators of FMCSA, TSA, and NTSB Board members have all spoken at recent BISC meetings.
- Open access to the Marketplace exhibit floor, featuring products, services, and new-coach exhibits
- Education seminars and networking opportunities
- Fun Marketplace evening events
Schedule:
| Date | Time | Session/Activity | Location |
| Sat., Jan. 26 | 12 pm – 1 pm |
BISC Executive Committee Meeting
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M105 |
| Sat., Jan. 26 | 3 pm – 4 pm |
BISC Orientation Session Description: Get a feel for who and what the Bus Industry Safety Council is, when they will meet, what they discuss and how you can get involved. The mission of the BISC is about improving motorcoach safety and ensuring that your bus is ready to travel safely down the road. If you are a safety, compliance or maintenance professional, this is where you need to be. |
M111 |
| Date | Time | Session/Activity | |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 9 am – 10:30 am |
BISC Opening General Session Keynote Address: Suzanne Rohde, “Government Shutdown” |
M112 |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 10:30 am – 11 am |
Break |
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| Sun., Jan. 27 | 11 am – 5:30 pm |
Safety Education Sessions The sessons put together by BISC and brought to you by ABC Companies have been integrated into the overall ABA Marketplace education schedule and can be found by going to 16 sessions as part of the following tracks:
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| Sun., Jan. 27 | 11 am – 12 pm | MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK
ADAS– Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Speaker: PANEL Description: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are the wave of the future. While many of these systems are becoming standard on new motorcoaces, they are all steps in the next phase of evolution as we move towards adding elements of automation to motorcoaches. This session will focus on some of these new elements, find out how these systems can help your operations, how to maintain them, and any planned future developments. |
M111 |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 11 am – 12 pm |
MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS SESSION TRACK Dealing with Fraudulent Worker’s Comp Claims Speaker: Sandi Kuritzky Description: This session is designed to be a comprehensive discussion on fraudulent claims. From defining fraud, to detection, to giving you tools you can use to identify the red flags, this session will better equip you to deal with this growing and expensive issue. |
M108 |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 11 am – 12 pm | MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK
Creating and Utilizing Post-Accident Review Committees Speaker: Rocky Bewley Description: In the unfortunate event of an accident, no one wants to be caught unprepared. There are the police, passengers, media and insurance companies to deal with as well as working with the driver involved on training or retraining, or revising policies. One tool to help in the training/retraining process is to create a post-accident review committee. The committee can provide all drivers, not just those involved in the accidents, with information on what preventive actions could have been taken in certain situations, such as being prepared for unusual weather, road conditions and traffic. This helps them understand how and why they will be held accountable in a preventable accident. As a result, most drivers respond by changing their behavior. Learn how to put a post-accident review committee into place during this session. Learn about how to structure it, when to convene it, and how to make it work best for your business. |
M107 |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 12:20 pm – 2:30 pm | Lunch | |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 3 pm – 4 pm | MOTORCOACH SAFETY SESSION TRACK
Best Practices for Setting up a Driver Range and How to Evaluate Driver Skill/Navigating the 5311(f) Grant Program Speaker: Mark Szyperski Download the Driver Range Presentation |
M107 |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 3 pm – 4 pm |
MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS SESSION TRACK Recent Changes to the DOD Military Bus Program Speaker: Donna Johnson Description: The Military Bus Program has undergone a number of major changes the past few years. With a new inspection program set to begin and a number of new initiatives set for 2019. Find out about new program features and expected changes to the master agreement. |
M108 |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 3 pm – 4 pm | MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK
Reasonable Suspicion Drug Testing Speaker: Doug Engle Description: Reasonable suspicion testing, also known as for cause drug testing, is performed when supervisors have evidence or reasonable cause to suspect an employee of drug use. Learn about some of the new drugs that have been added to the schedule of prohibited substances in the last year, and where synthetics fit in. Return to work protocols will also be discussed. FY 2018 saw an unexpectedly high number of violations of 49 CFR 382.603, help yourself get prepared for your next compliance review. |
M111 |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 4 pm – 4:30 pm | Break | |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS SESSION TRACK UPDATED SESSION The Ins & Outs of EPA’s DERA Grants Speaker: Ronna Weber |
M107 |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK Is Your Drug & Alcohol Program in Compliance with US DOT Regulations Speaker: Jeffrey Waxman Description: This session will provde an overview of the drug and alcohol testing program requirements for transportation companies that fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). In the presentation, there will be discussion of the similarities and differences between FMCSA and FTA regulations, vendor oversight, and how to prepare for a drug and alcohol testing program compliance review. If you do any contract work with transit agencies or are unsure of the coming changes to both programs for 2019, this will be a session you wont' want to miss. |
M108 |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK Aftermarket Specifications and Tire Maintenance Best Practices Speaker: Patricia Meisenholder Description: How important is it for motorcoach operators to maintain OEM efficiency standards? Greenhouse Gas Phase 2 regulations impact the motorcoach industry in Model Year 2021 – what can you do today to be ready? What specifications will you have to change in order to be Greenhouse Gas compliant? |
M111 |
| Date | Time | Session/Activity | |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 9:30 am – 6:00 pm |
Safety Education Sessions The sessons put together by BISC and brought to you by ABC Companies have been integrated into the overall ABA Marketplace education schedule and can be found by going to 16 sessions as part of the following tracks:
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| Mon., Jan. 28 | 9:00 am – 9:15 am |
EDUCATION BITE Update from the Sara's Wish Foundation on Motorcoach Seatbelt Use Speaker: Dr. John Collura Description: Seatbelt usage on motor coaches where seatbelts are available is as low as 15%. A comprehensive, national campaign to increase seatbelt usage was initiated with a Safety Summit in DC on the Hill in October 2017. It continues with important stakeholders forming a Seatbelt Safety Task Force in 2018. Come hear about the pilot program and research project that is underway, and get excited about saving lives and decreasing injuries with this important seatbelt campaign. |
Marketplace Floor |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 9:30 am – 10:30 am |
UPDATED SESSION 2018 Midterm Election Recap Speaker: Andrew Newhart |
M107 |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 9:30 am – 10:30 am | MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS SESSION TRACK
Managing Up – Adjusting to New Roles as a School Bus Operator Speaker: Ronna Weber Description: As you progress in your job and add more responsibilities to your portfolio, it becomes clear that being successful is much more than just doing a good job. Learn to reconsider how you work with others and find strategies to achieve success up the ladder, down the ladder and all around you. |
M108 |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 9:30 am – 10:30 am |
MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK Making Adjustments, Planning Tours in the Post-ELD World Speaker: PANEL Description: As new technologies have emerged to help bus operators improve the safety performance of their vehicles as well as monitor driver hours of service, how is this impacting tour operators and group leaders that partner with motorcoach companies on trips? With the recent implementation of ELDs, let’s check in on how tour operators have adjusted and what additional changes are to come. Share tips and tricks to ensure compliance and successful partnerships. |
M111 |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 10:30 am – 11 am | Break | |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 11 am – 12 pm |
MOTORCOACH SAFETY SESSION TRACK Policy Potpourri Speaker: Bob Crescenzo Description: A review of policies and procedures that will impact your operations and potential liability after a claim. Do you have a policy for driver discipline? Do you have a policy for remedial training? Do you have a policy for … Find out more during this important session. |
M107 |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 11 am – 12 pm | MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK
Ensuring Compliance with Equipment Testing and Efficiency Standards as In-Use Equipment is Maintained Speaker: Keith McComsey Description: There is a lot for operators to consider before they buy or implement aftermarket components for essential safety systems. Learn more about the performance thresholds for aftermarket equipment, before you make your next purchase. In addition, take home a few tips on how better to maintain your in-use equipment to improve efficiency. Download the Presentation |
M108 |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 11 am – 12 pm |
MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS SESSION TRACK Navigating Driver Injury Prevention, Helping Driver's to Implement Best Practices Speaker: Bob Perry Description: Learn how the latest in technology can coach drivers on lower back, knee, shoulder and rotator cuff injury prevention. Exercise therapy is the mainstay of treatment in modern musculoskeletal care. See how this new technology will increase driver engagement and compliance, while driving down injury costs. |
M111 |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 12:20 pm – 2:30 pm |
Lunch |
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| Mon., Jan. 28 | 3 pm – 4 pm |
MOTORCOACH SAFETY SESSION TRACK Driver Recruiting & Training Speaker: Mark Szyperski Description: Having trouble with driver recruitment? Mark Szyperski, President/CEO of On Your Mark Transportation, LLC will be sharing some of his firm’s recruiting secrets. However, there may be more of a problem than just finding drivers for your organization. Mark will be exploring those issues, as well. |
M107 |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 3 pm – 4 pm |
MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK Benchmarking Your Maintenance Program Speaker: Chris Henry Description: Learn more about a new online tool that can assist bus operators in improving performance in key areas such as fuel mileage, maintenance, safety, operations and human resources, and ultimately profitability. While some companies already measure performance internally they may be missing key areas where improvements can have a direct impact to the bottom line. Get an understanding of how a virtual benchmarking platform that is accessible 24/7 and completely anonymous works, as well as how to monetize your maintenance program. |
M108 |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 3 pm – 4 pm | MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK
FMCSA Update Speaker: Loretta Bitner Description: In this session, get a sense of what new regulations the Agency has put in place in 2018 and get an opportunity to directly address our regulators as they set out the top priorities for the Agency in the coming year. So many items to review, from the implementation of the Electronic Logging Devices, the evolution of the lease and interchange rule to the emergence of autonomous vehicles. Stay up to date on the future direction of our industry’s enforcement. |
M111 |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 4 pm – 4:30 pm | Break | |
| Mon., Jan. 28 | 4:30 pm – 6 pm | BISC Closing General Session | M112 |
| Date | Time | Session/Activity | |
| Tues., Jan. 29 | 9:30 am – 12 pm |
UPDATED SESSION ABA's Coffee Talk with FMCSA Presented by the Bus Industry Safety Council Description: Come take advantage of an open discussion with ABA Government Affairs and FMCSA to ask questions on anything from rulemakings to ELDs. So come prepared with your questions, as this one’s for you! You can register for this special session by visiting and registering for the BISC Meeting – https://www.buses.org/events/event/bisc-winter-2019-meeting. The session is free of charge to attend for all ABA Marketplace-registered delegates. |
M112 |
| Tues., Jan. 29 | 9:00 am – 5 pm | BusMARC Events | Offsite |
Registration is closed for this event
