NTEA’s MSBMA offers federal program improvement recommendations

This article was published in the November 2019 edition of NTEA News.

Mid-Size Bus Manufacturers Association (MSBMA) was founded in 1993 to enhance professionalism, safety and product quality in the mid-size bus industry. The group defines mid-size buses as passenger-carrying motor coaches, built on a cutaway or rail chassis or on monocoque construction, less than 40 feet in length and having a gross vehicle weight rating of 33,000 pounds (Class 7) or less. MSBMA members include bus manufacturers and other supporting companies such as component, system and service suppliers.

Some mid-size buses are purchased with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant money. To qualify for funding, grantees must ensure their bus models have undergone the New Model Bus Testing Program — known as Altoona testing, as the evaluation site is in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

As customers receiving FTA funds must prove purchased buses have undergone testing, they rely on manufacturers to provide proper verification. Under the MAP-21 Act, Altoona tests now include new pass/fail criteria, designed to ensure a minimum performance level.

In its meetings, MSBMA benefits from participation of key FTA and test facility representatives, as this enables the group to offer ongoing program improvement suggestions. MSBMA monitors other recommended changes to federal requirements that may affect its members, and is actively developing relationships with liaisons from various chassis manufacturers linked to the mid-size bus industry. During meetings, routine discussion points include all aspects of upfitting, promoting and distributing buses built on various chassis. OEM participation plays a key role in these conversations.

The group recently welcomed Kim Yoder, vice president of sales & marketing for ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, as chair. “It’s a privilege to serve as the first female chair of MSBMA,” she said. “As the mid-size bus market evolves, this platform to collaborate with bus manufacturers and component vendors becomes more essential, and I’m honored to be trusted with this position.”