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NEWS
ITEMS
COMP INFORMATION (Scroll
down.)
PROBLEMS TO AVOID (Scroll
Down a little further!)
Heard news lately - good or bad - that we
all need to be aware of. Send it to me and I will post it here. Send
by email to info@BusDriverStore.com or
call me 443-553-6247 or snail mail it to P O Box 586, Rising Sun, MD
21911-0586
If you are aware of any errors or
corrections to any items listed here, please let me
know. Effective 8-21-04, I will be noting the post
date of all items in this list - and will delete them as it seems
appropriate.
NEWS
ITEMS
Washington,
DC
Talked today with a driver in
DC who advised he came in East Capitol Street and one block from the
Capital he was forced to make a left turn and go south to
Independence, turn right and there he encountered a bus
check - inspection for all coaches entering the
city. ALSO he mentioned that mandatory parking at
RFK stadium is in the works, where we will have to park and our
groups ride a "trolley" into town on one of 16 different routes
available - that we will no longer be able to drop our groups
downtown. I do not know the specifics of this new procedure. If any
of you do, I would appreciate more information.10-02-04
MAINE.
EZPass is coming -
scheduled 9-04. Exit numbers on ME turnpike have finally been
changed to reflect mile markers - old exit numbers are still posted
as an add-on sign. 8-21-04. NEWS FLASH 11-22-04. EZ Pass is
NOW scheduled for final completion 2-1-05. EZ Pass computers are NOW
working in ALL toll lanes on ME Turnpike, but 2-1-05 is "official"
"start date."
NEW
HAMPSHIRE.
EZPass is coming -
scheduled 3-05. 8-21-04
NEW JERSEY.
Vince Lombardi Service Area
construction is completed. NEW BUS PARKING. Watch the signs on the
way in. 9-12-04
How 'bout a lawn sprinkler for the Interstate.
It was reported to me that on I-78 in NJ, there are "lawn
sprinklers" on at least one of the hills on this interstate. You can
see the "feed line" coming from the side of the road and the
circular "sprinkler head" in the middle of the center lane. There
are now signs posted explaining to motorists that this is indeed a
"sprinkler system" for spreading anti-freezing compound on the
highway in advance of lowering temperatures and precipitation. For
those of your who have noticed the new strange embedments on I-78,
well, NOW you "know the rest of the story!" 11-23-04
ONTARIO, CA.
The MTO is currently on a bus blitz. They've
been ticketing coaches in Niagara Falls for not having a sign on the
front of the coach saying "Charter" after years of not enforcing the
rule. Any size sign makes it legal (such as a business size card
piece of paper) taped into the windshield. Apparently they're doing
it to go after unlicensed and/or improperly licensed tour vans.
10-07-04. I have this from an independent source. CAN ANYONE
VERIFY THIS INFORMATION? I will leave this post in place for about a
week. If I hear no confirmation, I will remove it.
COMPS
INFORMATION
The items posted here are from my
experience and YOURS. Let me know what I need to list here - send to
info@BusDriverStore.com And, of course, let
me know if I need to correct something here!
MARYLAND
McDonald's at Nursery Rd. exit,
west side of Baltimore, MD. For several years there has
been difficulty in having comp meals and comp card for Drivers, with
accusation that "too many people" have walked to other nearby fast
foods. Situation seems to be resolved with new management. Comp
cards are back and being offered and comp with no question. Besides
this is one McD with great parking for us! 8-21-04.
Wendy's at Nursery Rd., exit,
west side of Baltimore, MD. Offers comp and $10 cash,
BUT, it depends on which manager is working. Some
of the managers claim they "know nothing about it." AND, getting in
and out of the parking lot is too tight. 8-21-04.
Roy Rogers at Thurmont, MD (Rte.
806 exit, just south of town). Even though the McDonald's
has GREAT parking for Coaches, this Roy Rogers may be worth you
attention, comp meal and $10 cash. 8-21-04.
PENNSYLVANIA
McDonald's on PA Turnpike.
Neshaminy and Valley Forge. Owners (Frank and Liz
Collision) have really gotten their act together. These both
make excellent stops. Call first - day before is great, an hour or
two is better than no call. They will bring people from other store,
if necessary, to help and have food cooked ahead when you
arrive. On Sat. morning in Christmas Season, I have had 40
people through the counter in 5 to 10 minutes.
Phones, Neshaminy, 215-245-0222. Valley Forge, 610-337-9803. And
they have a punch card. 10 punches gets you a $50.00
Bond.
NEW YORK
Gateway Diner, Newburgh, NY. Good food,
reasonable prices. Comp meal AND $10.00 cash at lunch and $20.00 in
dinner. 1292 Union Ave. (Rte. 300) Newburgh, NY. 845.567-1200.
Driver who told me about this said he was there with 18 passengers
and got the comp and money - he thinks they are looking for a 20
paying-customer minimum, but..... I guess they are trying to draw
MotorCoach business away from the I-84 Diner. Gateway Diner is
next to Hampton Inn, just south of the I-87 / I-84 interchange.
11-26-06
Palisades Center
Mall, W. Nyack, NY. NY Thruway, exit 12. Report came to
me that comp used to be $10.00 certificate to be used in Food
Court and if you spent less, you would receive the change back.
NOW, what they offer you is a $20.00 "Gift Card"
(Magnetic strip card) that you must pay $10.00 for (so you are
getting $20.00 in spendable cash), BUT the Food Court will NOT
accept the card for purchases, so you wind up paying for lunch
anyway. Considering the abbreviated time available for shopping in
most "lunch stops" at a Mall, there isn't enough time to shop and
spend the $20.00. This sounds like a change NOT for the better at
this mall! 07-14-05
AVOIDS - PLACES AND
SITUATIONS
The items posted here are from my
experience and YOURS. Let me know what I need to list here - send to
info@BusDriverStore.com
Reminder, don't make wild, unfounded accusations about what
could have a simple explanation. We are looking for policy patterns,
not for an isolated incident based on someone's "bad hair
day."
GEORGIA
HOV in Georgia.
Apparently there is a Sheriff's Department south of Atlanta along
I-75, that has found a new way to generate income - they are
ticketing MotorCoaches for using the HOV lanes - basis is that more
than 3 axles is actually a truck, by Georgia law, and is
"prohibited" from the HOV lanes. Fine is $250.00
NEW YORK
Ticket Blitz in NYC. Be careful. Tickets
are being written in NYC to generate income - and for no other
reason. Nit picking at its best. One of the violations being focused
on is parking and double parking. I heard last week, 11-15-03. that
state surcharge now brings parking tickets in NYC to $115.00
gara
Falls for not having a sign on the front of the coach
saying "Charter", after years of not enforcing the rule.
Any size sign makes it legal (such as one a business card
size piece
of paper) taped into your front windshield.
Apparently they're doing it to go after
unlicensed/improperly licensed
tour vans.
COMPS
INFORMATION
The items posted here are from my
experience and YOURS. Let me know what I need to list here - send to
info@BusDriverStore.com
And, of course, let me know if I need to correct something
here!
MARYLAND McDonald's at
Nursery Rd. exit, west side of Baltimore, MD. For several
years there has been difficulty in having comp meals and comp card
for Drivers, with accusation that "too many people" have walked to
other nearby fast foods. Situation seems to be resolved with new
management. Comp cards are back and being offered and comp with no
question. Besides this is one McD with great parking for us!
8-21-04.
MARYLAND Wendy's at Nursery
Rd., exit, west side of Baltimore, MD. Offers comp and $10
cash, BUT, it depends on which manager is working.
Some of the managers claim they "know nothing about it." AND,
getting in and out of the parking lot is too tight. 8-21-04.
MARYLAND Roy Rogers at
Thurmont, MD (Rte. 806 exit, just south of town). Even
though the McDonald's has GREAT parking for Coaches, this Roy Rogers
may be worth you attention, comp meal and $10 cash. 8-21-04.
PENNSYLVANIA
McDonald's on PA Turnpike. Neshaminy and Valley
Forge. Owners (Frank and Liz Collision) have really gotten
their act together. These both make excellent stops. Call first -
day before is great, an hour or two is better than no call. They
will bring people from other store, if necessary, to help and
have food cooked ahead when you arrive. On Sat. morning in
Christmas Season, I have had 40 people through the counter in 5 to
10 minutes. Phones, Neshaminy, 215-245-0222. Valley
Forge, 610-337-9803. And they have a punch card. 10 punches gets you
a $50.00 Bond.
AVOIDS - PLACES AND
SITUATIONS
The items posted here are from my
experience and YOURS. Let me know what I need to list here - send to
info@BusDriverStore.com
GEORGIA
HOV in Georgia. Apparently there is a Sheriff's
Department south of Atlanta along I-75, that has found a new way to
generate income - they are ticketing MotorCoaches for using the HOV
lanes - basis is that more than 3 axles is actually a truck, by
Georgia law, and is "prohibited" from the HOV lanes. Fine is
$250.00
NEW
YORK Ticket Blitz in NYC. Be careful.
Tickets are being written in NYC to generate income - and for no
other reason. Nit picking at its best. One of the violations being
focused on is parking and double parking. I heard last week,
11-15-03. that state surcharge now brings parking tickets in NYC to
$115.00
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