NSTA to Team with Planned UMA-ABA Outfit

ALEXANDRIA , Va. - The National School Transportation Association will partner with the United Motorcoach Association to improve former's operations and enhance member services, and the American Bus Association will have a voice, the organizations announced in December.

Policy decisions affecting school bus services will remain in the hands of the NSTA Board of Directors, the association said.

Under the agreement, NSTA will relocate its offices to UMA headquarters in Alexandria . Prior to the announcement the two associations were headquartered just blocks apart. UMA will provide administrative support and access to benefits currently available to their 800 member companies. Many school bus contractors also operate motor coaches and are already members of UMA.

"NSTA will continue to be the independent voice of the private school bus industry, said association president Dale Krapf of Krapf Bus Companies in Exton , PA.

Krapf said that NSTA expects to complete the move with minimal disruption. All current staff and contract consultants will remain with the organization. The UMA will hire a new marketing and operations manager responsible for expanding membership, managing communications and creating added value for NSTA members.

Meanwhile, the board of directors for both the UMA and the American Bus Association voted to launch a plan that would combine the nation's two private charter organizations into one. Materials on the consolidation were to be sent out to members of both associations, said Dave Brown, UMA chairman and CEO of Holiday Tours. A member vote on the resolution is expected by March 31. Two-thirds of the UMA body and "a majority" of ABA members must approve the resolution. If passed, the two associations will consolidate by the end of 2005, in large part to improve the industry's voice on the legislative level.