Town Talk: A conversation with Brian Sours, Richards Bus Lines

Brian Sours, Operations Manager at Richards Bus Lines in Luray, Virginia joined our publisher Mike McCool in the Royal Examiner studio and had a conversation about the motorcoach industry (we still call them buses) and how this industry has been overlooked by Congress during these past months.

Last week more than 400 motor coaches rallied in Washington DC to bring their case to Congress. This industry includes 3,000 companies across America, operating 36,000 motor coaches and transporting nearly 600 million Americans and visitors annually across our country, generating more than $237 billion in transportation, travel and tourism revenue.

A Richards bus ready to roll to Washington, DC.

The industry is composed primarily of family and independently owned businesses employing nearly 100,000 hard-working Americans while providing the most economical and eco-friendly mode of transportation, taking up to 50 cars off-road.

Motorcoaches are visible in every community, servicing every region and connecting tens of millions of Americans each day. Buses link rural areas to urban centers, bringing workers to Business campuses to do their jobs. They connect communities to train stations and shuttle travelers to local airports. They bring children to school, families on vacations, church groups on trips, and transport our servicemen and women home from deployments overseas.

In times of natural disasters, buses are vital to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state emergency response efforts, moving people efficiently and effectively to safety.

Today, during our ongoing national response to the coronavirus, buses are bringing medical personnel and essential workers to the front lines from California to Texas to New York City. However, because of COVID-19, nearly every motorcoach is sitting idle.

The industry supports the public health restrictions put in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 but they also want our employees to have jobs when this crisis is over.

Like U.S. airlines, public transit systems, and Amtrak, the motorcoach industry is an essential portion of our nation’s transportation network and economy.

This bus came from Alaska.

Police escort awaits the buses entering Washington DC.

One of the staging areas for the buses before entering the rally route.

Town Talk is a series on the Royal Examiner where we will introduce you to local entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profit leaders, and political figures who influence Warren County. Topics will be varied but hopefully interesting. If you have an idea, topic, or want to hear from someone in our community, let us know. Send your request to news@RoyalExaminer.com