Polynesian Adventure Joins “Rolling Rally” at US Capitol on Wednesday

Courtesy photo.

On Wednesday, May 13, 2020 Polynesian Adventure will join hundreds of motorcoach companies from around the country for a “rolling rally” around the US Capitol and National Mall in Washington, D.C.

“Like many local small businesses, my operations have been absolutely devastated by the coronavirus,” said Terry Fischer of Polynesian Adventure, noting that buses sit idle while employees remain at home.

Polynesian Adventure Tours was founded in 1977 using a small fleet of vans. Today it is one of the largest tour and transportation companies in Hawaiʻi, operating sightseeing tours and charter operations from bases on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.

“We all want to be back on the road, bringing people from point A to point B while serving our communities again. Without help from the federal government, I fear our buses may never return to the road and our passengers will be stranded without access to the nation’s transportation system.  I look forward to joining hundreds of my fellow motorcoach operators in Washington to showcase the strength in numbers of our industry and the positive benefits we provide to every community in America,” said Fischer.

The “Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness” is a joint event between the American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association.

Organizers say the event will showcase how big buses and small businesses “move America.” Buses will be decorated with informative signs about the motorcoach industry including: the groups they serve, the economic impact they make and the people they employ.

According to organizers, the Motorcoach industry has laid off or furloughed more than 90 percent of its workforce nationally in the wake of COVID-19.  The industry has requested $15 billion in federal grants and loan guarantees and modifications to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program.

The USA Motorcoach Industry is comprised of nearly 3,000 companies, many of which are family owned, small businesses.  The companies employ a workforce of nearly 100,000 individuals including owners, drivers dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, safety and cleaning crews and administrative personnel.

Organizers say nearly 36,000 buses are sitting idle during the ongoing pandemic.