The United Motorcoach Association (“UMA”) is North America’s largest association of professional bus and motorcoach companies. Founded in 1971 as the United Bus Owners of America, UMA’s membership now includes more than 900 motorcoach companies. Another 250 motorcoach manufacturers, suppliers and related businesses are currently “Associate” members of UMA.
Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, UMA serves the informational, legislative, regulatory and business needs of its member companies. Within the membership, companies range from one and two vehicles to those with many hundreds of coaches; from small tour-specific companies to those performing intercity route service, charter and tour operations on a coast-to-coast scale.
The purpose of this Association is to protect and promote the interests and welfare of privately owned common carriers of passengers by motorcoach which shall include:
- Assistance in promoting beneficial and remedial legislation which is deemed necessary and essential for the advancement and protection of its members.
- Assistance to members in obtaining uniform, just and proper rules and regulations promulgated by regulatory bodies governing the bus and coach industry.
- Assistance to members in whatever way possible to maintain a healthy economic posture in order to insure the maintenance for the public of freedom of choice in selecting appropriate and adequate ground passenger transportation services in all parts of North America.
- Representation of member carriers in regulatory and legislative issues affecting the industry provided, however, that the Association shall not participate in any adversary proceeding wherein a dispute exists between any of its constituent members, unless the proceeding affects the membership as a whole, or a recognized segment of the membership.
- Promotion of friendly relations with and securing the cooperation and goodwill of the public.
- Establishment of liaison between bus and coach owners and equipment manufacturers or suppliers for the purpose of specification, or commentary on design and engineering of equipment to be used by bus and coach owners.
- The exchange of administrative, operative and technical information among bus and coach owners to promote maximum efficiency of each member’s operation.
- Mutual aid among members to render assistance to a member needing emergency mechanical, advisory or operational assistance.
- Such other objectives or purposes which may from time to time be beneficial to the interest of the members.
- The taking of whatever action indicated that would tend to promote the safety, convenience and betterment of the motorcoach/bus transportation business of members and their passengers, and to do whatever possible to serve the interest and welfare of members of the association and the riding public at large.
