Just weeks into the coronavirus pandemic the group travel and motorcoach industry has been devasted. Spring is known to be our busiest season. This is the time when we should be welcoming motorcoach tours filled with school children, families and others who love to see all the amazing sites America has to offer. However, that is not the case.
Newton Bus Service, Inc., is one of the many transportation companies in the US. Our company employees 65 people. In the best interest of our employees’ health and safety on April 1 we instructed them to shelter in place. With a handful of family, management and a few key employees we are continuing to operate the shop and office.
At the present time we continue to pay our staff as if they were working. We have applied for the Payroll Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan. We continue to hope that this assistance will come in time to keep our doors open and retain all of our staff.
All of our coaches are parked with the exception of a few military movements. In addition, we are operating our military facility shuttle contract, which is being supervised by the owner , Warren Newton. Our son, Casey Newton, is managing the shop and diligently working on the applications for Disaster Relief.
Newton Bus Service has been owned and operated by the same family for over 65 years. We have never experienced anything of this magnitude since our company was started in 1953. We are concerned for all who are facing these troubling times. Not only with virus but the financial questions in their immediate future. We are doing everything we can to keep staff and Cornoavirus 19 and the Motorcoach Industry:
Just weeks into the coronavirus pandemic the group travel and motorcoach industry has been devasted. Spring is known to be our busiest season. This is the time when we should be welcoming motorcoach tours filled with school children, families and others who love to see all the amazing sites America has to offer. However, that is not the case.
Newton Bus Service, Inc., is one of the many transportation companies in the US. Our company employees 65 people. In the best interest of our employees’ health and safety on April 1 we instructed them to shelter in place. With a handful of family, management and a few key employees we are continuing to operate the shop and office.
At the present time we continue to pay our staff as if they were working. We have applied for the Payroll Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan. We continue to hope that this assistance will come in time to keep our doors open and retain all of our staff.
All of our coaches are parked with the exception of a few military movements. In addition, we are operating our military facility shuttle contract, which is being supervised by the owner , Warren Newton. Our son, Casey Newton, is managing the shop and diligently working on the applications for Disaster Relief.
Newton Bus Service has been owned and operated by the same family for over 65 years. We have never experienced anything of this magnitude since our company was started in 1953. We are concerned for all who are facing these troubling times. Not only with virus but the financial questions in their immediate future. We are doing everything we can to keep staff and customers safe. We have implemented extensive cleaning to vehicles per CDC guidelines.
The assistance from the SBA Disaster Loan and SBA Payroll Protection Program is appreciated. Unfortunately, those opportunities fell short of meeting the specific requirements needed of such a capital- intensive business as the motorcoach industry.
Of the similarities we share with the airlines, the huge cost of the equipment and the monthly obligations. However, unlike the airlines our business for the rest of the year will never be recouped. The US motorcoach industry moves nearly 600 million passengers annually; employs 112,000 drivers, mechanics, and administrative staff, 2,900 companies operating 30,000 motorcoaches.
The motorcoach industry is always the first to be called in a natural disaster. But sadly, it appears that we are the last to be remembered in our times of need. Congress is working on another bill to assist Infrastructure. Please contact your Senators, Congressmen and Governor and request additional assistance for our industry.
To all of our employees and customers please stay home, safe and well.
Sincerely
Newton Bus Service, Inc