Motor Coach Initiatives
Motor coaches are a safe, reliable alternative form of transportation. They play an important role in everything from supporting tourism to transporting school and community groups. BCTA represents the vast majority of private sector bus companies operating in the province. We do our best to help motor coach companies navigate the sometimes rocky road of regulatory requirements.
Achievements
2011
Convinced the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to retain the shared northbound motor coach and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lane at the Pacific Highway crossing when the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) relocated its NEXUS booth to the far west side of the crossing. WSDOT originally proposed allowing passenger vehicles access to the lane along with commercial vehicles for one section of the lane, which would have caused significant delays for motor coaches in particular, since FAST carriers eventually proceed via the dedicated FAST lane.
Successfully opposed mandatory participation of charter buses in the International Registration Plan (IRP), the vehicle registration reciprocity agreement among US states, Canadian provinces and the District of Columbia that allows commercial motor vehicle operators to pay all their vehicle registration fees to their home jurisdiction. Although BC requires charter buses to be IRP registered, the change could have resulted in additional registration fees for operation in other jurisdictions.
Developed a new Port of Entry Arrival Form and an e-mail submission system to assist US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in streamlining processing for motor coaches travelling to the US via the Pacific Highway Crossing, especially during peak summer periods.
Advocated that charter buses and motor coaches be included in the planned exemption for multi-passenger vehicles – including taxis, vanpools and transit vehicles – from tolls on the new Port Mann Bridge once it is opened in 2013.
2010
Convinced the City of Vancouver to identify appropriate long-term parking locations for out-of-town motor coaches and other heavy commercial vehicles.
- Worked with Motor Coach Canada (MCC) to obtain payment for motor coach companies contracted to provide services during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games (the Games).
Developed, distributed and promoted flyers for potential customers about chartering safe motor coaches.
Convinced the City of Vancouver to allow charter buses to use the Granville Bridge.
2009
With MCC, sought and received assurances from the federal government that any US companies contracted for the Games would be subject to Canadian taxation, immigration, labour market, and motor vehicle safety requirements.
Influenced the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) and Gameday Management to address most of the concerns of Canadian carriers in their updated bus information package for the Games. (VANOC contracted Gameday Management to co-ordinate motor coach transportation during the Games.)
2008
Successfully advocated for elimination of the vehicle-specific Passenger Transportation plate for “General Authority” (i.e., charter) vehicles. For motor coach companies, this means a flat rate of $100 per company rather than $100 per vehicle to renew Passenger Transportation Authority annually. One payment per company also represents time saved on administration and reporting. BCTA had recommended this change since 2004 when the government economically deregulated the charter bus industry.
Gained an important revision to the Request for Information (RFI) document issued by Gameday Management. The original one-page RFI required that motor coach companies agree carte blanche to vague terms and conditions.
Olympic Transportation Plan
BCTA ensured that the Olympic Transportation Plan considered the needs of commercial freight and passenger carriers during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games in February and March 2010.
Achievements
2010
Contributed to smooth operations during the Games by persistently insisting on freight transportation accommodation, including communicating regular updates to members on www.bctrucking.com.
2009
Convinced City of Vancouver staff not to ban trucks of any size from carrying out business in the downtown core during the Games.
Gained a relaxation of Vancouver’s Noise Control By-law, to allow carriers and waste management companies to make optimum use of off-peak hours.
Achieved the creation of temporary truck routes downtown, including limited use of the Granville Bridge, to make up for road restrictions near Olympic venues.
Recommended making Sea-to-Sky checkpoint passes fully transferable between company vehicles and preventing restrictions on commercial motor carriers on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Officials also accepted BCTA’s recommendation to use documentation such as a bill of lading to prove business in Whistler and/or along the Sea-To-Sky corridor.
Hosted two workshops for motor carriers involving representatives from both the City of Vancouver and VANOC.