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| December 29, 2017 |
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As 2017 comes to a close, OMCA would like to wish its members, partners and other industry professionals a safe and happy holiday season. As we reflect on the past year for the industry, we would like to provide the readers of the OMCA Report a look at the most accessed articles from the year. Our regular publication will resume Friday, Jan. 5, 2018.
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Globe and Mail
A school board in southwestern Ontario says it has cancelled a handful of school trips to the United States due to "safety and equity" concerns.
Greater Essex County District School Board superintendent Clara Howitt said that the decision has affected trips to the U.S. that were scheduled for February, as well as a trip to Washington, D.C. in April.
READ MORE
CBC News
Local school boards have fined a school bus company more than $10,000 for the ongoing driver shortage that is still impacting 1,300 students.
Levying the financial penalty is one strategy the boards are implementing to respond to the shortage.
"That unfortunately doesn't fix the problem," said Todd White, chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
READ MORE
Global News
Laurie Haughton says she can't get any answers as to why the bus her sons take to school every day is almost always late. Mark Carcasole reports.
READ MORE
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The Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa offers the opportunity to bring a truly and authentic Canadian cultural experience to groups of all sizes throughout the year. Our tours are offered in both English and French and provide your group the opportunity to experience the fascinating process of coin production.
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OMCA
OMCA has been notified of a recent change to the City of Toronto's policy regarding disputing
tickets that prohibits us from going to bat for members when they receive tickets. As well, we
received a clarification regarding No-Stopping zones (even if it also says motor coach loading
zone).
READ MORE
Radio Canada International
Once upon a time (not all that long ago), crossing the border into the United States from Canada was as about as taxing as a light breeze on a summer day.
All you had to do was wave at the guy, who — likely as not — wouldn't bother to move out from behind his desk, or — if he was confined to a booth — look up for a couple of seconds from behind the newspaper he was reading and nod.
At most, you might have to produce your driver's license.
No more.
READ MORE
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Explore Four Points by Sheraton hotels across Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick & Nova Scotia for OMCA group blocks. We have what matters most like comfortable beds, delicious breakfast, fast & free WiFi, and great local beer with Best Brews™. Submit an RFP and enjoy exclusive offers for OMCA members.
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Durham Region is emerging as the choice overnight stopover for tour operators travelling through Ontario. Passengers are able to spend less time combating traffic and more time exploring Durham and Toronto’s top tourist attractions. Departure and arrival is made simple with easy access to Highway 401 and 407 Express.
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OMCA
A number of you have contacted OMCA regarding media reports this week, on the fact that the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) instituted a ban on U.S.-bound trips because of the uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's policies regarding entry into the U.S. To clairify, the TDSB policy states that for the moment, the 24 existing trips will go ahead as booked; however, if even one student with proper documentation is denied entry, the entire trip will be cancelled and the whole group will return to Toronto.
READ MORE
Wellington Advertiser
Ron Cherrey was presented with the Ontario Motorcoach Association (OMCA) Lifetime Achievement Award at the Westin Harbour Castle on Nov. 6.
Ron began working as a mechanic in his father's Drayton garage at the age of 18. As time passed, Ron and his brothers Allan and Larry eventually took over the business. The brothers worked all day in the garage and office and then cleaned buses during the night.
READ MORE
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Do you have you mother's dimples? Or your father's hairline? What is it about us that makes us us? And how much of it actually sets us apart from not only other human beings but from every other living thing on Earth? Genome: Unlocking Life's Code begins to unravel the mystery behind the complete set of instructions needed for every living thing on Earth to grow and function: the genome. At Science North until January 7th, 2018
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Are you looking to promote your business? The OMCA Report is delivered to the inboxes of motor coach enthusiasts across Ontario!
To find out how to feature your company in the OMCA Report, contact Radek Meljon today at 289-695-5394.
Read more
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Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
Please be advised that the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula has implemented some new changes within the Municipality. Effective May 15, 2017 Northern Bruce Peninsula has commenced a Paid Parking Program for Tobermory, ON. The fees for parking within the Paid Parking area in Tobermory are as follows:
- $3.00 per hour to a maximum of 2 hours parking in the Downtown core
- All day parking lots on Legion Street and Hay Bay Road are $15.00 per day
The Municipality has also implemented a new Traffic By-Law 2017-19, restricting Tour buses in the Downtown core of Tobermory.
"Tour bus off loading and loading will only be permitted in the parking lot on Hay Bay Road." >> See READ MORE for the full 3-page PDF notice.
READ MORE
OMCA
The City of Toronto is constructing a new off-ramp from the eastbound Gardiner Expressway to Lower Simcoe Street. Demolition of the existing off-ramp to York, Bay and Yonge Streets will begin Monday April 17 and construction is expected to last until January 2018.
During this construction:
Motorists will still have full access to downtown by exiting the EB Gardiner Expressway at:
- Jameson Avenue
- Spadina Avenue
- Jarvis Street
• The EB off ramp at Spadina will be adjusted to allow for movement onto EB Lake Shore Boulevard (NB/Left turn at Spadina will remain)
• Traffic signal times will be adjusted to reduce congestion
• Full access to all westbound Gardiner ramps from Lake Shore Blvd West will be maintained
For more details see the full presentation from the City of Toronto (PDF).
Ombudsman Ontario
Toronto's two largest school boards have taken steps to prevent another bus driver shortage this fall, after an investigation by Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé revealed their "actions and inactions" led to thousands of students being stranded as school began last September. In his first investigation involving school boards, which were recently added to the Ombudsman's mandate, Mr. Dubé details the chaos that erupted in early September 2016 amongst bus operators contracted by the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board.
READ MORE
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50 Minthorn Blvd. Suite 800, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 7X8
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