New Britain based DATTCO, Inc. will join hundreds of motorcoach companies from around the country for a rolling rally around the U.S. Capitol and National Mall in Washington, D.C. They will leave on May 12th, and the rally will be held on May 13th.
The rally is called “Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness” and is for one day. The event was started by independent motorcoach operators, industry suppliers, and state associations, represented by a joint initiative between the nation’s two largest associations, American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association.
Buses will be decorated with informative signs about the motorcoach industry including the groups they serve, the economic impact they make, and the people they employ.
Motorcoach operators are wanting to tell Members of Congress and the Trump Administration that the industry needs federal assistance. Dattco says the motorcoach industry has had to lay off or furloughed more than 90 percent of its workforce nationally in the wake of COVID-19. The motorcoach industry has requested $15 billion in federal grants and loan guarantees and modifications to Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program.
“Like many local small businesses, my operations have been absolutely devastated by the coronavirus. My buses sit idling while my employees remain at home. We all want to be back on the road, bringing people from point A to point B while serving our communities again. Without help from the federal government, I fear our buses may never return to the road and our passengers will be stranded without access to the nation’s transportation system,” said Donald DeVivo, President. “I look forward to joining hundreds of my fellow motorcoach operators in Washington to showcase the strength in numbers of our industry and the positive benefits we provide to every community in America.”
