Products & Services

Since 1938, the Bus Association of New York State Inc. has represented and promoted the interests of private bus operators in regard to the full range of transportation and transportation-related services and products offered by this important component of the travel industry. These services and products range from the provision of efficient transit programs to enhancement of New York's tourism opportunities. The Association keeps its membership abreast of industry and governmental developments and provides the industry professional with marketing and educational opportunities.

The bus operator members of the Association are transportation companies which provide intercity, transit, commuter, charter and tour services either directly or through subsidiary companies. With the exception of line operators doing business in New York City, all bus operator members provide charter/tour or contract services exclusively or as a component of their transportation business operations. All regular operating members of the Association must hold operating authority from the New York State Department of Transportation, be actively engaged in the exercise of that authority, and be owners or leasees of bus vehicles of 30 or more passengers. Companies which have only interstate authority or tour operators which operate no bus equipment are considered associate members of the Association.

The associate member category of the Association includes tourism related suppliers and industry suppliers. Tourism related members include hotels, attractions, convention and visitors bureaus and tourism promotion entities. Industry suppliers include coach manufacturers, parts and equipment manufacturers and distributors, insurance brokers, fuel and petroleum distributors. The supplier membership of the Association reflects a geographical distribution throughout the eastern regions of the United States and Canada.

Association Marketing Activities. The annual meeting is held in the period of May to June at a location in the eastern United States or Canada which is considered to be a tourism destination. The Association attempts to hold this meeting as a joint event with one or more regional or state bus associations. The focus of the meeting is two-fold: (1) to bring the operator members and industry suppliers together in a social-business setting, and (2) to highlight the tour attractions of the particular area where the annual meeting is held. The annual meeting includes an informal industry supplier exhibit luncheon, at which suppliers may exhibit products, introduce members of their staff to the operators and provide such other information as they may think beneficial in the promotion of their business or products and services. A trade show is planned for the later part of 2007.

Governmental Representation. A major component of the Association's activities is representation of its membership before New York state government and coordination with national bus associations in support of their representation activities at the federal level. The Association promotes government policies which realistically sustain and enhance passenger safety and create effective regulatory enforcement of standards for operating authority, equipment and drivers. The Association also actively supports state policies which sustain and enhance subsidization of scheduled line bus service in New York State and realistic tax policies
which directly impact bus transportation and tourism. In addition, policies which promote tourism into and outside of New York State are strongly supported by the Association.

Membership Benefits. The Association provides a range of membership benefits. These include publication of a periodic newsletter and bulletins which highlight current industry developments, including those affecting tourism interests. The publication of an annual directory in a format recognized and accepted by the industry provides another useful tool to market services and products among the Association's members. The Association sponsors an annual trade show to assist associate members in business development.