Charter bus industry on verge of collapse

Charter bus industry on verge of collapse

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A plea for help from the charter bus industry tonight.

Leaders say without more federal backing, their industry could collapse this year.

Alan thrasher, president, alabama motorcoach association we're asking that we not be forgotten and that we do receive the help we need so that when you need us again, we're still here and we're available to help the public as we always have.

Right now, charter bus workers from around the country are preparing for a mass demonstration next week in washington d.c.

It's to get the attention of lawmakers for more financial aid.

Waay 31's will robinson-smith is live at spirit coach in madison.

He spoke with the company about the financial reality it's facing... and what workers want washington to do about it.

As businesses start to reopen, charter buses like these are still parked.

They're part of an ecosystem that relies on large gatherings, like concerts and football.

But since there's no telling when those will reliably come back, that makes bus owners nervous for their future.

Bryan weeks, director of operations, spirit coach if you go into next spring, there won't be a lot of bus companies left.

I just don't see a lot of bus companies that have that kind of capital to hold themselves over.

Bryan weeks is the director of operations at spirit coach.

He said when the ncaa cancelled march madness, they knew the impact of coronvirus was going to get bad.

Bryan weeks, director of operations, spirit coach by the end of march, we saw such an influx of cancellations that we knew that it was going to continue to go until they either found a cure for it or figured out how to get the country running again.

So far, more than $800,000 worth of charters scheduled through june have cancelled.

He said they've been able to get some funding through the paycheck protection program, but more than three-quarters of their staff have filed for unemployment.

Will robinson-smith one challenge for the charter bus industry is that even when they get guidance on when and how they can re-open their buses , there's no guarantee on when people will feel safe and confident using mass transit again.

Plus, they have the added challenge of if they're operating buses with 50 percent or less capacity, finding the right price point that's enough for them to survive financially, but isn't too expensive to price out their customers.

Bryan weeks, director of operations, spirit coach the other thing is, with people being out of work for so long, they're not going to want to take the money out of their account and send their son or daughter to disney world or wherever on a charter bus.

Next wednesday, charter buses from around the country will mobilize in washington d.c.

Lobbying for either grants or an extension of the p-p-p.

In the meantime, they're taking steps to help rebuild consumer confidence.

Alan thrasher, president, alabama motorcoach association to us, we keep our buses clean already, but we realize to get consumer confidence, we're going to have to clean the buses above and beyond anything that's ever been done before.

Leaders say if their industry goes down, it's also a big public safety risk.

During disasters like hurricanes, they help shuttle volunteers and response teams into disaster zones and vulnerable people out.

Reporting live in madison, will robinson-smith, waay