ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) will partner with the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) to improve NSTA’s operations and enhance member services. UMA is the nation’s largest association of private motorcoach operators.

Under the agreement, NSTA will relocate its offices to UMA headquarters in Alexandria, Va. UMA will provide administrative support and access to benefits available to its 800 member companies.

“NSTA will continue to be the independent voice of the private school bus industry,” said NSTA President Dale Krapf of Krapf Bus Cos. in Exton, Pa. “Partnering with UMA will strengthen our ability to serve our members and advance our public policy positions.”

UMA Chairman David Brown of Holiday Tours in Randleman, N.C., said the partnership represents a dual victory. “UMA and NSTA will be able to leverage the combined strength of two leading organizations to become an even more powerful voice of private bus operators.”

NSTA expects to complete the move with minimal disruption. All current staff and contract consultants will remain with the organization, and the association will hire a new marketing and operations manager who will be responsible for expanding membership, managing communications and creating added value for NSTA members.

“NSTA adopted a new strategic plan this year,” Krapf said. “This move will help us to achieve the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves. It’s a win-win strategy for the association, our members and the UMA.”

NSTA has been without an executive director since Jeff Kulick resigned the post last April.