motorcoaches - Busline Magazine

Transcription

0115Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 12/19/14 3:09 PM Page 1
UMA EXPO
Heads To New Orleans
Busline Transit Feature
Houston
Metro
Harris County, TX
President/CEO Thomas Lambert
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4:45 PM
CONTENTS
M
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Published by
Rankin Publishing, Inc.
www.buslinemag.com
IN THIS ISSUE
Northwest Navigator Luxury Coaches
Specializes In High-End Tour/Travel ...........8
Houston Metro Serves 1,303 Square Miles With 1,250 Buses....24
UMA Expo Heads To New Orleans .................................................36
Busline Buyers Guide To
Busline Buyers Guide To
Visit Busline At UMA Expo
Seating & Fabrics
50
Vehicle Lifts
55
Booth #1203
Busline Vehicle Showcase
MOTORCOACHES
RAPID RESPONSE ..................................Page 6
INDUSTRY NEWS .................................Page 40
ON THE COVER:
Roxanne and Joseph Gillis focus on high-end tour/travel and corporate
transportation as owners of Northwest Navigator Luxury Coaches,
based in Portland, OR. See page 8.
58 – 64
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JANUARY 2015
January 10-13
American Bus Association
(ABA) Marketplace
St. Louis, MO
Info: 202-842-1645
MAY 2015
May 3-6
APTA Bus &
Paratransit Conference
Fort Worth, TX
Info: 202-496-4800
January 16-18
International Motorcoach
Group (IMG)
Maintenance & Safety
Forum
New Orleans, LA
Info: 888-447-3466
May 30 - June 3
Canadian Urban Transit
Association (CUTA)
Annual Conference
Winnipeg, MB
Info: 416-365-9800
January 18-22
United Motorcoach
Association (UMA)
Expo At Travel Exchange
New Orleans, LA
Info: 800-424-8262
May 31 - June 5
Community
Transportation
Association of America
(CTAA) Expo 2015
Tampa, FL
Info: 800-891-0590
JULY 2015
July 18-22
National School
Transportation Association
(NSTA) Annual Meeting
& Convention
Minneapolis, MN
Info: 703-684-3200
SEPTEMBER 2015
September 28-30
BusCon 2015
Indianapolis, IN
Info: 800-576-8788
OCTOBER 2015
October 4-7
APTA
Annual Meeting
San Francisco, CA
Info: 202-496-4800
Busline Magazine is published 6 times a year by Rankin Publishing, Inc., 204 E. Main, P.O. Box 130, Arcola, IL 61910-0130.
Publisher assumes no liability whatsoever for content of any advertisement or editorial material contained herein. Copyright 2015
Rankin Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written consent of Rankin Publishing, Inc. Subscription Rates in United States: 6 issues $25. Single Copy rate: $10 including postage/handling;
Buyer’s Guide $15 including postage/handling. International rates: 6 issue annual Air Mail Subscription $60 U.S. dollars net
Page 4
BUSLINE
UMA Motorcoach Expo Booth Numbers
Current As Of 12/18/14,
courtesy of www.motorcoachexpo.com.
January/February 2015
EDITORIAL &
CORPORATE OFFICES
Rankin Publishing Co., Inc.
Don Rankin and Linda Rankin, Publishers
204 E. Main Street • P.O. Box 130
Arcola, IL 61910-0130, USA
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.rankinpublishing.com
(800) 598-8083 (U.S.) • (217) 268-4959
Fax: (217) 268-4815
Editorial: Harrell Kerkhoff, Editor
Rick Mullen, Associate Editor
Design: David Opdyke
Reception: Misty Douglas
Advertising
Contact Kevin Kennedy @ 623-434-8959
Or
Don Rankin @ 800-598-8083
Fax: 217-268-4815
INCREASED FUEL EFFICIENCY
ISN’T MARKETING.
IT’S AN UNDERSTANDING.
While other brands may tout increased fuel economy, only Prevost has the reputation
to back it up. No gimmicks here, just the innovations that are known for making our
motorcoaches run as efficiently as possible. These include features like the PRIME Energy
Management System, which keeps operation costs down by using engine negative torque
to generate “free” electricity, thus increasing fuel economy. And the Volvo D13 engine
with 2014 engine technology gives improved fuel efficiency, even over last year’s engine.
Pair that with the I-Shift transmission, and you have the formula for optimal operational
efficiency. Safety features, such as AWARE Adaptive Cruise Braking and the Electronic
Stability Program, also help you avoid costly downtime by avoiding incidents and keeping
your vehicles where they belong—on the road.
www.prevostcar.com
M
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Busline Vehicle Showcase:
Prevost .................................58
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Published by
Rankin Publishing, Inc.
www.buslinemag.com
E
MOTORCOACHES
M
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OR
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OACH
CHE
HE
ES
S
Motor Coach Industries......60
ABC Companies ..................62
Visit Busline At UMA Expo
Booth #1203
UMA Motorcoach Expo Booth Numbers
Current As Of 12/18/14,
courtesy of www.motorcoachexpo.com.
Glaval Bus ............................63
Company
Website
Temsa ...................................64
Page #
5Star Specialty Programs
www.5starsp.com
ABC Companies
www.abc-companies.com
Alexander Dennis
www.alexanderdennis.com
Amaya-Astron Seating
www.amaya-astron.com.mx
American Cooling Technology, Inc. www.actusa.us.com
ARBOC Specialty Vehicles
www.arbocsv.com
Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison
www.atlanticdda.com
Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation www.bauerscertifiedpreowned.com
Bergen Auto Upholstery Co., Inc.
www.bergenseat.com
Bitimec
www.bitimec.com
Bitzer
www.bitzerus.com
Bridgestone
www.bridgestonefirestonemileagesales.com
Chestnut Ridge Foam
www.chestnutridgefoam.com
CMI Enterprises
www.cmi-enterprises.com
De Leo Transportation Fabrics
www.deleotf.com
Distinctive Systems
www.distinctive-systems.com
Dixie Electric Ltd.
www.dixie-electric.com
Espar Climate Systems
www.espar.com
Euramtec
www.euramtec.com
EverBank Commercial Finance
www.everbank.com
Freightliner
www.freightlinerchassis.com
Glaval Bus
www.glavalbus.com
Handi-Hut, Inc.
www.handi-hut.com
idrive
www.idriveglobal.com
Kirks Automotive, Inc.
www.kirksauto.com
LaFrance Industries
www.mvmills.com/lafranceindustries
19
14
7
37
43
29
28
30
52
18
33
20
51
22
50
38
48
39
42
40
3
23
49
11
47
53
Company
Lancer Insurance
Lantal Textiles
Marathon Brake Systems
Midwest Bus Corporation
Mile-X
Mohawk Lifts
Motor Coach Industries (MCI)
National Interstate Insurance
Onspot
PEX German O.E. Parts LLC
Prevost Car
Protective Insurance Company
Relational Bus Systems
RRL Insurance
Safety Step
Sardo Bus & Coach Upholstery
Service Insurance
Shriver Insurance Agency
Sutrak
TEMSA
Transit Sales International
Turtle Top
UMA Motorcoach Expo
Vanner Power
Vehicle Inspection Systems
Willingham Inc.
Website
www.lancerinsurance.com
www.lantaltextiles.com
www.MarathonBrake.com
www.midwestbus.com
www.mile-x.com
www.mohawklifts.com
www.mcicoach.com
www.natl.com
www.onspot.com
www.pexna.com
www.prevostcar.com
www.protectiveinsurance.com
www.rbs2000.com
www.rrl-ins.com
www.safetystep.net
www.sardobus.com
www.serviceins.com
www.shriverinsurance.com
www.sutrakusa.com
www.temsa.com
www.transitsales.com
www.turtletop.com
www.motorcoachexpo.com
www.vanner.com
www.VISCheck.net
www.willinghaminc.com
Page #
Read or Download Complete Issues Of Busline Magazine Online At: www.buslinemag.com
Page 6
BUSLINE
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5, 68
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25, 47
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0115Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 12/22/14 11:11 AM Page 7
—Specializes In High-End Tour/Travel—
By Harrell Kerkhoff
Busline Magazine Editor
Gladys Gillis
Roxanne
Gillis
Page 8
Joseph Gillis
BUSLINE
f
resh ideas, new equipment and a strong emphasis on old-fashioned customer service have
paved the way for steady growth at Northwest Navigator Luxury Coaches, a Portland,
OR-based transportation company where industry good will is also stressed.
Although a young company that started in late 2008, Northwest Navigator has grown
into a leading transportation provider in Oregon and other western states. The company
specializes in high-end tour/travel and corporate transportation. It also provides bus shuttle and
executive car services.
Owned and operated by Joseph and Roxanne Gillis, the married couple founded the company on the principles that the customer always comes first, and that active involvement in the
bus/motorcoach community leads to an overall strong industry.
“Joseph and I came from other industries. We operated different types of companies in the
past, and have always been entrepreneurs,” Roxanne Gillis, who is president & CFO of
Northwest Navigator, said. “Our parents also owned their own companies, so it was a great
match when Joseph and I met. Coming from family members who were accustomed to being
their own bosses, we never expected to work for anyone but ourselves.”
Prior to starting Northwest Navigator, the couple owned and operated several businesses
including a jewelry store, a mortgage company and an advertising company. They were looking for a change, however, which led them to the transportation industry thanks to some guidance from a family member.
“My sister is Gladys Gillis, owner and operator of Starline Luxury Coaches, in Seattle, WA.
Gladys told Roxanne and I that a bus company in Portland was going out of business, and that
it might provide a good opportunity for us,” Joseph Gillis, who is the CEO of Northwest
Navigator, said. “I was not too sure about entering the bus industry, but Roxanne saw the possibilities. She worked at putting together a business plan and said, ‘It actually looks like a good
option for us.’ I responded, ‘OK, you can be 51 percent owner.’”
Roxanne Gillis soon visited the Portland business, interviewing personnel and learning about
the operation.
“I wanted to make a determination of whether there was anything there (at the company) that
we were interested in, and how it compared to Gladys’ company in Seattle,” Roxanne Gillis
said. “In the end, we felt that with great mentorship, and having a family member (Gladys
Gillis) who is already successful in the industry, we could make it work with a lot of changes.”
After purchasing some of the former company’s assets, Roxanne and Joseph Gillis decided to
start from the ground level and open a completely new company, one that included a new name.
w
clientele. This demands quality equipment and service.
The Birth Of Northwest Navigator
“Today, our main business is providing high-end, over-the-road multihat’s in a name? The answer from Roxanne and Joseph Gillis is
“everything,” as the couple has spent a majority of their profes- day tour trips. Corporate work is also very popular at Northwest
Navigator.”
sional careers involved in marketing.
“Our business is seasonal due to Oregon’s whether,” Roxanne Gillis
“We are branders. That is what we do. We had a great time naming our
past companies, so we embraced the changing of this company’s name,” added. “Tourism travel is heavy from April through October. We work
with great companies that bring groups into Oregon and want to travel all
Roxanne Gillis said.
Due to her strong history of being involved with boating, Roxanne over the Pacific Northwest, down to California and up into Canada.
Gillis looked toward the water when thinking of new names for the cou“For the winter months, a lot of our focus is centered on school-relatple’s motorcoach operation.
ed travel such as transporting sports teams. This includes local univer“I have enjoyed a long history with boats and being on the water. I love sities. Meanwhile, our corporate work is conducted throughout the caleverything nautical, so we came up with the compass logo and the word endar year.”
‘navigator.’ Both can be seen on the side of our vehicles,” she said.
Joseph Gillis added that a strong Christian family background also led
Finding The Right Customers
them to the name “navigator.” Being located in Oregon, the word “northlthough new to the bus/motorcoach transportation industry themwest” was also seen as a good fit for the company.
selves, Roxanne and Joseph Gillis had the advantage of starting
“Roxanne and I both had legal pads full of names and then picked them
Northwest Navigator with a strong business acumen. This was due
apart until we narrowed it down to two or three. We eventually felt that to their past experiences as company owners. Above all else, the couple
‘Northwest Navigator’ conveyed
the best connotation for our
“We went to corporate professionals and said, ‘How would you like to take your
company,” Joseph Gillis said.
Another important step for top 50 customers and have a captive audience for three hours as we drive you to
the couple was overseeing the
a casino or some other attraction?’... We call this a ‘moto-meeting.’” — Joseph Gillis
direction of the company as a
shuttle, executive car and motorcoach provider. Although they didn’t knew the value of keeping expenses down, and to not be afraid to charge
have a background in transportation, Roxanne and Joseph Gillis were vet- enough so that they could make money on a trip.
eran business owners and knew the importance of customer service while
“We saw how other bus companies were fighting over clients by lowkeeping a close eye on finances.
ering their prices, and said to ourselves, ‘We aren’t going to play that
“At first, we felt the lack of a bus driving background was going to put game,’” Joseph Gillis said. “Instead, we wanted to create new business
us at a disadvantage. Roxanne and I were not bus drivers. We now see that delivered a high-end experience.”
this as one of the reasons for our success,” Joseph Gillis said. “We were
This led the company to offer corporate transportation and coin the
able to focus more on the customer experience and reach out to high-end phrase “moto-meetings.”
a
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hermetic electric scroll compressor/s ʓ a.c. motors ʓ self-contained refrigerant loops ʓgenerator or hybrid bus power
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Page 10
BUSLINE
“We went to corporate professionals and
“... we have traveled with some of our groups in the hope of experiencing
said, ‘How would you like to take your top
50 customers and have a captive audience
what it feels like to be on the motorcoach, see what our customers see
for three hours as we drive you to a casino
out the windows, and try to relate to the overall client perspective. Gaining
or some other attraction? You can discuss
what is new about your company while
this perspective from the back seat has been huge.” — Roxanne Gillis
treating these customers to a fun experi“Roxanne and I decided, when we first started, that the only time we
ence,’” Joseph Gillis said. “We call this a ‘moto-meeting.’ It can include
such trips as Christmas parties onboard our vehicles, where company rep- are willing to lose money is when a vehicle is setting in a bus yard,”
resentatives hand out bonuses and talk about the past year while being Joseph Gillis said. “We will not provide an actual trip if it means losing
money.”
driven to an attraction.”
To help start Northwest Navigator in 2008, contact was made with
Since its inception in 2008, having a strong program in place that provides high-end services and charges the right amount for these trips has existing customers of the bus company the couple had considered purchasing. This was done with the help of a safety manager from the previpaid off at Northwest Navigator.
ous company who was hired by Roxanne and
Joseph Gillis.
“We made it a point to get in touch with every
single one of those past clients and ask, ‘Do you
need a transportation option? Can we help you?’”
Roxanne Gillis said. “We were able to reach a lot
of people who were part of this past client base.
This led to a great launch for Northwest
Navigator.”
Roxanne and Joseph Gillis have sought to
truly understand the Northwest Navigator customer experience. This includes actually taking
part in some of their company’s trips.
“Joseph and I came from multiple businesses
that were customer-service centric. This has led
us to focus heavily on the client experience and
provide customer satisfaction with a high degree
of professionalism,” Roxanne Gillis said.
“Therefore, we have traveled with some of our
groups in the hope of experiencing what it feels
like to be on the motorcoach, see what our customers see out the windows, and try to relate to
the overall client perspective. Gaining this perspective from the back seat has been huge.”
Roxanne Gillis also meets with her staff on a
weekly basis to further discuss “the customer
experience.”
“Many of our staff members have been with
Northwest Navigator since its beginning. They
are very loyal and take personal pride in the
growth and success of the company,” Roxanne
Gillis said. “They know they are essential to our
company’s growth, and have helped us shape a
vision for the company that has led to its current
size. We have a great team.”
n
Page 12
BUSLINE
Employees Make The Difference
orthwest Navigator employs approximately 54 people to fill a variety of positions
such as sales and marketing, mechanics,
wash crews, and of course, drivers.
“We created a position called ‘DOC,’ which
stands for Dispatch, Operations and Compliance.
This person is in charge of overseeing drivers,
and making sure we are compliant with safety
regulations, hours of service, etc.,” Roxanne
Gillis said. “We also have a safety trainer who
oversees driver logs and some compliance
issues.”
The company employs approximately 32 drivers who, Joseph Gillis said, fall into four distinct
years of driving experience.
groups: those involved in the comUnfortunately, this makes it a lot
pany’s executive car service, shutharder to find good drivers,” he
tle drivers, over-the-road tour and
said. “Lately, we have decided it’s
charter motorcoach drivers, and
better to hire people with the right
motorcoach drivers who transport
attitudes and personalities, and
passengers on short runs.
then train them to be a good driv“Our core group of drivers has
er. It’s all part of a new revision at
been critical to our success,”
our company.
Joseph Gillis said. “We preach to
everybody in our company that we
“After safety, we feel customer
can be great marketers, and have
service is the most important skill
beautiful high-end equipment, but
set to have as a driver. We can
it all comes down to drivers at the
train people to be safe and good
Shown, left to right, are Northwest Navigator Safety Trainer Milan Lawrence
end of the day.
drivers.”
and DOC (Dispatch, Operations and Compliance) Officer Ron Douglas.
“If a driver is not part of a great
Another trait to being a good
experience, then we may never see that client again. Our drivers look like bus/motorcoach driver is following company policies. This includes
pilots. They wear high-end pilot shirts, with logos and shoulder boards. the willingness to faithfully finish the required paper work that goes
They also provide service in a professional manner.”
with the job.
One of the challenges Northwest Navigator, and many other
“A driver must always complete driver logs correctly and be on time
bus/motorcoach
transportation
for clients,” Roxanne Gillis said.
companies, have faced over the
“They must be conscientious of
“...our goal is to stop driving after eight hours.
years is finding quality driving
the company’s policies. For examSo, we will use two drivers for a 10-hour trip.
candidates. There are plenty of
ple, we tell drivers that if they are
people who can drive a large vehirunning out of hours to be on the
Also, we make sure drivers have 10 hours off
cle, but not everybody is suited to
road, then it’s important to inform
between their shifts.” — Joseph Gillis
transport human beings with cusour dispatch immediately. Failure
tomer service in mind. Because of
to do so can result in termination.”
this challenge, Joseph Gillis said his company has changed its focus in the
Joseph Gillis added, “Federal regulations say you can drive for 10
recent past when it comes to finding good bus/motorcoach drivers.
hours and then must take eight hours off between shifts. We feel this does
“In the past, we always looked for candidates who had at least two not go far enough. At Northwest Navigator, our goal is to stop driving
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Page 14
BUSLINE
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NATIONAL INTERSTATE:
IMPROVE
OPERATIONS. IT’S WHAT OUR
PERSONAL RISK
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS DO.
It’s out with the audit and compliance-based approach
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We look beyond rules and regulations to find ways to
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we build an insurance experience around you.
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“National Interstate works with us to develop a
safety conscious company. I am amazed with the
access to staff at National Interstate. They are
knowledgeable and extremely helpful, working
“I’ve been in National Interstate’s alternative risk
program since its inception. And I am always
diligently to answer our questions and
help us through whatever problems we
may be experiencing. Their expertise
is extremely valuable as we direct the safety
culture of our company.”
astounded by the safety programs
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For example, we recently attended a tire and
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www.natl.com
[B5LVN0JPW$GLQGG
$0
The company has taken steps toward becoming a
after eight hours. So, we will use two drivers for a
safer transportation provider in other ways as well.
10-hour trip. Also, we make sure drivers have 10
Employees at Northwest Navigator participated last
hours off between their shifts. It’s hard to drive back
year in an emergency response simulation that was
to the yard after a trip, drive home, sleep and eat, take
spearheaded by the company’s insurance provider.
a shower, drive back to work and then start another
“We spent the day staging a bus crash. It was very
trip all in eight hours. They need the extra two hours
realistic, so much so that I think our entire staff was
to get all of this done and still be safe.”
shaken by the experience,” Roxanne Gillis said.
The Northwest Navigator core team has also
“However, it was such a value to our company that we
recently made the decision not to operate a vehicle for
plan to soon conduct another simulation.”
overnight runs due to safety concerns.
“There are clients who try to use a motorcoach like
High Level Services
it’s a hotel room. They want us to leave some place at
Require Quality Equipment
11 p.m. and drive all night to the destination. We have
done these types of runs in the past, but have recently
ith 17 full-size motorcoaches, 3 minicoaches,
made the decision to stop due to safety,” Joseph Gillis
6 vans and 6 executive cars, Northwest
said. “You keep hearing about accidents where the
Navigator has steadily grown its fleet since
coach rolls over at 7 a.m. as the sun is coming up. We
the company’s first bus purchase in January 2009. The
just put out a statement, sent to all of our customers,
fleet includes 5 Prevost H3-45 motorcoaches, 2 of
that Northwest Navigator will no longer drive past 2
which are recently purchased 2015 models.
a.m. and will not start trips before 5 a.m.
“Northwest Navigator has experienced what I
“Even if a driver has two or three days off from
would call ‘explosive growth,’ which scares some
work, it’s very hard for him/her to get acclimated to
people. We sought several manufacturers and have
night driving if he/she is not used to it on a regular
found success working with Prevost,” Joseph Gillis
basis. It changes a driver’s sleeping habits.”
said. “Our Prevost representative, Ward Hicken,
Northwest Navigator Lead Mechanic
Joseph Gillis said the reaction the company has
looked at what we were doing as a company and
David Castellanos, top photo, and
received from customers regarding the new hours has
helped us purchase some new coaches. We have had
Mobile Mechanic Allan Halvorson help
been positive.
a great relationship with Prevost.”
maintain the company’s fleet.
“What we are telling customers through this policy
Roxanne Gillis added, “Prevost invited us into dischange is that Northwest Navigator is not willing to put the safety of pas- cussions on design and planning. I think it’s really great that they care so
sengers, drivers and equipment at risk for a trip,” he said.
much about what their carriers need in a motorcoach.”
w
Page 16
BUSLINE
Success depends on strong partnerships, and Burlington
Trailways has a strong relationship with Protective. It’s like
we’ve added a new member to our family-owned company.
The staff is always there to help. They have extensive experience
in the bus industry and understand our needs and concerns.
— Ron Moore, President, Burlington Trailways
FOR COVERAGE THAT REVOLVES AROUND YOU, CONTACT STACY RENZ:
(800) 644-5501 ext. 2570 | protectiveinsurance.com
Matthew Moore
Executive Vice President
Ron Moore
President
Mark Moore
General Manager
The five Prevosts
H3-45s are mostly
used for Northwest
Navigator’s tour and
travel runs.
“We have tour
groups coming in from
all over the world to
see Oregon and other
parts of the West
Coast. We provide this
service with the Prevosts. They feature
WiFi, high-end seats
The Northwest Navigator fleet includes 17 full-size motorcoaches. Distinctive lettering and a compass logo give these coaches a custom look.
with seat belts, and
many other amenities that satisfy our customers,” Joseph Gillis said. that vehicle is dirty, with black exhaust coming out the back, then passen“Electrical outlets by each seat are particularly important to our cus- gers are not going to be very excited about starting a trip.
“Therefore, it’s critical to take into account what the customer is
tomers. It doesn’t matter if a passenger is 15 or 70 years old, chances are
he/she has a cell phone and/or a computer pad that needs to be charged experiencing when entering a motorcoach. That vehicle has to look
and running. They want to keep in touch with parents or the grandkids clean and smell good. We tell our drivers that every time a group leaves
a bus/motorcoach, they should go through the vehicle and clean it the
back home.
“It’s important that the interiors of our Prevosts include all the creature best they can. If only 10 or so minutes are available, then start in the
front and work toward the back. That front area of a bus can make or
comforts that make a trip a good experience.”
He added many first-time customers are amazed at how luxurious top- break a trip.”
After a Northwest Navigator motorcoach has been cleaned by the comend motorcoaches have become.
“A big part of our sales process is to show these people what our vehi- pany’s wash crew, a checkoff list is placed on the driver’s seat. When seeing this list, the driver knows the vehicle is ready to go.
cles look like. This helps sell the trip,” Joseph Gillis said.
“We have a triple-check system in place between the wash crew the
Keeping the company’s equipment looking good before, during and
after a trip is also an essential part of doing business for high-end clientele. driver and a company manager. This is done to make sure that our vehi“When a motorcoach pulls up to the curb, the decision is already being cles are always super clean,” Joseph Gillis said. “There are times when a
made by the client on how the day is going to go,” Joseph Gillis said. “If client needs a motorcoach in an emergency situation and there is not
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enough time to properly clean that vehicle. In these cases we make it a
point to tell the customer in advance, ‘You are not going to get the true
experience that we normally sell in a motorcoach, but we will provide this
vehicle to you because it’s an emergency.’”
He added that the team at Northwest Navigator also doesn’t like to
send out vehicles with small dents and scratches. Every effort is made to
fix these things prior to service.
When it comes to the exterior of the vehicles owned by Roxanne and
Joseph Gillis, there is no confusion over which transportation provider is
operating the equipment. The word “Navigator” in big green cursive script
can be seen on the sides of each vehicle, along with a big compass logo.
“Our look is a little unorthodox for the bus industry. That ‘N’ in
Navigator is 15 feet tall. Again, we are a branding company, and the
motorcoach is a billboard,” Joseph Gillis said. “You don’t see small
graphics on a billboard. Our vehicles are no different.”
Roxanne Gillis added, “We wanted our coaches to look different.
When Joseph and I first looked at this industry, we didn’t know if we
wanted to be in the bus business. However, when we first started looking
at luxury motorcoaches, we liked what we saw. It reminded us, in a way,
of our jewelry business. We were used to working with clients who liked
nice things and wanted quality service. This resonated with us. We wanted to provide a luxury motorcoach company that treated customers with
a great time. Our branding had to follow suite.”
And it has worked. Both Roxanne and Joseph Gillis said their company’s motorcoaches are getting noticed for all the right reasons.
“We want people to think that a rock band is picking them up when
that coach arrives,” Joseph Gillis said. “Recently, one of our motorcoaches arrived at a big event in Spokane, WA, that included hundreds
of motorcoaches. As our coach entered the facility, a parking lot attendant ran up to it waving his arms. The guy comes up to our driver and
says, ‘That is the coolest bus I have ever seen.’
“We want people to remember us, which leads to customer retention.
They know our coaches say ‘Navigator,’ and have a huge compass logo
on its sides.”
Oregon The Beautiful
hen it comes to nature, few places on earth are as diverse and scenic as Oregon. It’s a state that includes a long Pacific coastline,
the Cascade mountain range, abundant waterfalls, dense evergreen forests and a high desert sprawling across much of its eastern front.
It’s also a place where people love to visit and revisit.
Perhaps Roxanne Gillis sums up the state’s appeal best, “This place is
really gorgeous.”
She added that tourism keeps growing in Oregon as people are attracted to such famous places as Mount Hood, and world class skiing found
on Mount Bachelor.
“There are winter sports and endless outdoor summer activities available in the state as well as nearby places such as Mount St. Helens in
Washington. Many people enjoy exploring the rich history that can be
found along the Lewis & Clark Trail,” Roxanne Gillis said.
Another popular tourist destination is the annual Oregon Shakespeare
Festival in Ashland, which Joseph Gillis said draws a large following
from all over the country and world.
“The Oregon coast is also amazing and includes many lighthouse tours.
We have it all: the snow, the coast line, cities and no sales tax,” Roxanne
Gillis said. “People from all over like to travel to Oregon and shop
because they don’t have to pay a sales tax.”
The state is also becoming a popular wine producer, which brings
along with it more tourism dollars.
“A lot of wine companies are moving to Oregon and buying smaller
wineries. The growth of our state’s wine industry has been incredible,”
w
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Page 20
BUSLINE
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■ Named the first green certified motorcoach company on the West
Coast.
Being green and sustainable remains an important part of doing business for Roxanne and Joseph Gillis. For example, the company took part
in a University of Vermont pilot program that eventually led to the university’s eRating Vehicle Certification and driver training offering.
“One of our goals as a company is to find out what needs to be done to
help set motorcoach transportation apart from other industries when it
comes to being green,” Roxanne
Gillis said. “We get the word out
“When it comes to being green, a big motivator for a lot of our customers is
that there is nothing greener in
knowing that they can save money as well. Big corporations that we service
transportation than a motorcoach,
except a bicycle. A lot of people
also want us to help them improve their own carbon footprint. Using a
don’t think about this part of our
bus/motorcoach helps them achieve their environmental goals.” — Joseph Gillis industry. Ninety percent of our
vehicles at Northwest Navigator
and Canada. We also take groups, such as sports teams, to such states as run on clean emissions. We also have a recycling program in place at the
Idaho, Montana and Nevada,” Joseph Gillis said.
company. The whole culture of our company is based on being green and
Northwest Navigator provides it various services from several loca- sustainable.”
tions in Oregon. Two facilities for executive car and bus shuttle services
Joseph Gillis said he also works hard at showing potential customers
are located in Beaverton, while the main office of the business is located the savings in time, money and carbon footprint that can be achieved by
in Portland. There is also another facility in Redmond.
taking a motorcoach rather than flying short distances to various places in
Among recent Northwest Navigator accolades and achievements the Pacific Northwest.
include that of being named one of the top 100 fastest growing companies
“When it comes to being green, a big motivator for a lot of our cusin Oregon for three years in a row. Other achievements, according to the tomers is knowing that they can save money as well. Big corporations
company, include:
that we service also want us to help them improve their own carbon
■ Green certified continuously since 2010;
footprint,” Joseph Gillis said. “Using a bus/motorcoach helps them
■ Named a top private fastest growing company in Portland;
achieve their environmental goals.”
■ Named a top woman-owned business in Portland;
Continued On Page 39
■ Received certification for sustainable transportation; and
Joseph Gillis said.
Roxanne Gillis added, “Oregon is at the same latitude as some of the
best wineries in France. There are a lot of groups coming to our state for
multiple trips. We bring in a lot of people from Canada and California. We
also cater to many tourists from China.”
Oregon, however, is not the only destination that Northwest Navigator
services. The company is licensed to work in 11 western states and Canada.
“Most of our business can be found in Oregon, California, Washington
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Page 22
BUSLINE
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Serves
Houston
Metro
1,303
Square
Miles
With
1,250
Buses
By Rick Mullen, Busline Magazine Associate Editor
Serving the transportation needs of the greater Houston,
TX, region, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris
County (METRO), covers 1,303 square miles, operating an
extensive network of bus routes and park and ride facilities. METRO also offers 13 miles of light rail service in the
downtown Houston area.
“METRO is truly a multi-modal system,” said METRO
President/CEO Thomas Lambert, during a recent interview with Busline Magazine at the 2014 American Public
Transportation Association (APTA) Annual Meeting &
International Public Transportation EXPO in Houston.
METRO hosted the APTA event at the George R. Brown
Convention Center.
“We opened an extension of the Main Street Line in
December 2013 (the Main Street Red Line light rail service
began in 2004),” Lambert said, “but the bus will always be
the backbone of our system. Ridership on our commuter
bus network is up about 4.8 percent. We have about 1,250
buses and we expect that number to grow in the future.
“In addition, METRO has experienced a 12.1 percent hike
in rail ridership the past year and we are hoping that trend
will continue because trains have a direct correlation to
our bus service. We want to expand ridership as much as
possible.”
Page 24
BUSLINE
System Reimagining
T
he city of Houston anchors METRO’s vast service area. It is the
most populous city in Texas, as well as the largest city in the
Southern states. Houston is also the fourth largest city in the
United States, with an estimated population of just under 2.2 million people as of 2013 (behind New York, Los Angeles and Chicago), according
to quickfacts.census.gov. The Houston metro area has a population of 6.3
million, making it the fifth largest metro area in the United States, one
place behind the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area, according to
www.houstonchronicle.com in a story published in March of this year.
“We have a very large service area with our principle city of Houston
located in Harris County,” Lambert said. “However, we also have 14
smaller cities that we serve. It is a vast area that is going through tremendous growth. We are seeing about 100,000 people a year move into this
area.
While Houston and the surrounding region has experienced massive
growth and significant change in recent times, the city’s public transportation network has not.
“If you look at the existing METRO bus network, you are, essentially,
looking at the Houston streetcar system of about 1929,” Lambert said.
“We really haven’t changed it that much. We’ve added some extensions
to routes, and modified routes over the years, but we really haven’t done
a real refocusing of the bus network. We are engaged in that right now and
it is going to be one of the most transformational things we do in this
community.”
METRO is calling this new effort to rework and refocus the bus network “System Reimagining.” According to a METRO news release dated
Sept. 25, 2014, The METRO Board of Directors approved, in principle,
the revamping of the local bus system that day.
“The goal of System Reimagining is straightforward: make the system
easier to use, easier to understand and easier to access,” the news release
said. “METRO took on the challenge of rethinking its bus network last summer. It was a multistep process that included defining goals, drafting a plan based on
the goals, and a public outreach
period that generated more than
1,100 comments that led to the
plan’s refinement.”
Lambert added: “Part of what
we are doing is looking at where
the population growth and job creation have occurred since 1929, as
well as other areas, such as educational and entertainment centers
— where people are living and
traveling.
“What we want to do is build a
high frequency, high quality bus
network. Houston is a 24/7 city
and people need access to high
quality, frequent transit service 7
days a week, not 5 days a week
(METRO currently operates 7
days a week, but only offers high
frequency service for 5 days).
“The board, in principle,
approved this new network. We
will be implementing the first
phase in June 2015. It is a fiveyear plan.”
METRO breaks down the effort under three
general categories:
n Customer service, which will include simplifying routes and better connections;
According to METRO, the 5year plan will include color-coded
networks. The “Red Network” will
benefit customers who can do
without a schedule, with service
running every 15 minutes or better.
With the “Blue Network,” customers can expect a bus every 1630 minutes, while the “Green
Network” would provide service
ranging from 31-60 minutes.
METRO President/CEO Thomas Lambert
“It is really back to basics with me.
You take care of the little things.
You take care of the people and they
will take care of the organization.”
n More service, which will include high frequency weekend service and improving trips to
key activity centers; and
n Better service, which includes developing
a sustainable system as it grows into the future.
Under the modified project plan,
94 percent of METRO’s current
customers will still be able to
access the same bus stop they use
today, according to METRO.
“The end result of System
Reimagining will be a network
that gets 1 million people close to
1 million jobs,” Lambert said. “It
establishes a 15-minute high frequency network, 7 days a week
during the peak of the peak. It allows people
more travel choices to go where they need to
go. The plan is also network-based, meaning
the bus system and the rail system will connect
and work together. As we continue to grow, we
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BUSLINE
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will continue to look at priority
capital projects to build upon
that network.
“System Reimagining is really
transformational in nature. It will
change the way people travel
throughout this community. If
you look at what we do today, our
system forces about 88 percent of
our riders to come downtown.
Most of them don’t want to go
downtown, but we are forcing
them to travel downtown to
transfer. The new network will be
more of a grid system that will
not require most customers to
transfer downtown.
“Today’s route system will be changing in
June toward a system that will result in travel
time savings, more travel choices and a higher
customer service experience.
“The value we bring this community is an
essential public service. We have an opportunity
to make a positive impact or a negative impact
on the quality of life of the people who use our
system. We have a very fundamental responsibility that when people use our system they will
receive very high quality service. We want our
transit to be safe, clean, reliable and a service
riders can count on. It is back to the basics.
“It is making sure our day-to-day
Local METRO buses enter the Acres Homes
Transit Center in Houston.
service is a quality service. Before we do
anything else, we need to make sure we
are taking care of the daily details,
which is an awesome responsibility.”
One such effort to enhance the quality of the
passenger experience when riding METRO is
up and running and called METRO 360.
“It is a program that is very fascinating, and I
want to compliment the METRO staff because
they came up with this out of our marketing
communications group and our IT group,”
Lambert said.
METRO 360 is a tutorial that can be accessed
at www.ridemetro.org/metro360.
It is designed to familiarize
people with the system, even
before a customer ever rides a
METRO bus.
“People can go to METRO
360 and learn how to board a
bus and see the amenities that
exist at our stops,” Lambert
said. “A person can learn how
to pay the fare and how to use
ticket vending machines. If a
customer is planning to be an
HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane user, he or she can
learn how to access the lane.
“All of our buses are GPS
equipped. We know where they are located
from a fleet management standpoint, but now
we are getting that information out to customers. This means before a person leaves
home, he or she can go online and see in real
time when the bus is going to arrive, within
three minutes. If it takes that person five minutes to go from home to the stop, he or she
can better pre-plan that trip because he or she
will know when the bus is coming.
“The more you can make the bus
experience more comfortable, the more
people will ride.”
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System Reimagining is
also coming along at a
time when Houston is, not
only undergoing massive
growth, but also is, and has
been, changing in many
significant ways culturally.
Houston is attracting Millennials looking for a different quality of life than
older generations and
Baby Boomers, looking
for a good place to retire.
Lambert alluded to
remarks made by Stephen
L. Klineberg, Ph.D., who
METRO’s only garage is located at the Cypress Park & Ride,
gave the keynote address
which began operating in September 2007.
— “The Changing Face of
Houston: The Prospects for Walkable Urbanism to be a stronger customer base among younger
in a Car-Centered City” — during the APTA riders. In addition, we are aging as a population,
annual meeting’s opening general session. and the older generation is also looking more for
Klineberg is co-director of the Kinder Institute transit to meet their travel needs.”
Lambert said the more public transportation
for Urban Research, Department of Sociology,
is developed and the more people are educated
Rice University, Houston.
“Dr. Klineberg gave a presentation on the atti- to view it as a viable travel choice, the more
tudinal and demographic changes that are hap- they will want to ride the bus and/or the train.
pening in the Houston region,” Lambert said.
“A vibrant public transportation sys“What we are seeing is more people are requesting more and more public transit. Attitudes are tem is an institution that much economchanging. For example, younger folks, 19 to 25
ic growth is often centered around.”
years old, are not getting drivers licenses as early
as previous generations. As a result, they are
“For example, we built the Main Street
seeking more travel choices.
(rail) line in 2004. Since then, we have seen
“Therefore, we know there is going to continue about $9 billion of public and private invest-
ment within about a quarter of a mile of the line,”
Lambert said. “More and
more people are developing transit-oriented communities, where people
can live, walk, use transit,
cycle, etc., to get where
they need to go and have a
quality of life environment whereby everything
they need is proximate to
their lives. We are seeing
this take place in Houston
as well.
“As we continue with
System Reimagining, we
project in the next couple
of years we are going to see about a 20 percent
increase in ridership. Houston today is not the
Houston of 46 years ago. This city is moving
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People need
travel choices 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“When comparing travel time today to 15
years ago, we would have peak travel coming
into the city in the morning, but there would
be free flow going out. That doesn’t exist
anymore. It is just as congested coming in and
going out. On the one hand, it is a blessing
because it means the economy is good.
People are making work trips, discretionary
trips, travel trips, etc., and we must be part of
the tool kit that helps move people in this
region.”
PATENT 7,802,801, PATENT 8,371,589 PATENT PENDING
BUSLINE
Page 29
Hiring New Employees A Challenge
K
eeping the massive METRO network
operating safely and efficiently, while
offering high quality customer service,
falls to the system’s more than 3,700 employees. Lambert has some thoughts on how to
motivate employees to buy into public transportation and the important changes the system
is undertaking.
“We have to foster commitment to the agency.
I learned a long time ago, if people know you
care about them, they are going to care about the
organization,” Lambert said. “We want people
to know we care about them and value what they
bring to the table. We tell employees we want
their input to make a better system.
“It will never be utopia, but we work very
hard to let our employees know we value what
they bring to the organization. In turn, our people will then embody how we want to deliver
the service on the street.”
Lambert and other METRO officials have
attempted to create a corporate culture that
allows people to grow into a career at the
agency, even if it means making a mistake or
two along the way.
“Let me put this in the proper context,”
Lambert said.
“If an organization really wants to
empower employees to get engaged, then
employees must be allowed to have some
discretionary decision authority.”
“At METRO, we make sure we set up parameters where if a person makes a mistake,
nobody gets hurt. If a person is trying to get better at doing things, then he or she is going to
make mistakes along the way. What we are trying to create is an environment and culture in
the organization that says, ‘We want commitment. We want people to have independent
thought within established parameters.’”
While generally a booming economy is a
good thing, Houston’s is making it tough for
METRO to bring new people into the organization, especially maintenance personnel such as
diesel mechanics.
“The economy in Houston right now is
extremely good and there are a lot of job opportunities out there,” Lambert said. “Our challenge is to invest in training and career opportunities, so when we bring in new people we
can retain them.
“Diesel mechanics are a good example. The
oil and gas industry in Texas is booming and it
is looking for good diesel mechanics. The competition is the compensation they are paying in
the private sector. Therefore, we must make
sure we are paying a competitive wage and
offering competitive benefits.
METRO employee Rose Mary Mayfield acts as a volunteer METRO Ambassador during the recent American
Public Transportation Association (APTA) Annual
Meeting and Expo in Houston, hosted by METRO.
Mayfield has been with the transit agency for 35 years.
“Beyond pay and benefits, there is also value
in developing people to take on more responsibility and more skill sets to allow them to
progress in the organization.
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BUSLINE
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ing college part time, he resigned and went
back to school full time and completed his
degree.
As a result, he was back in Houston in
September 1979 interviewing for risk management jobs when, between interviews, he
decided to stop in a downtown department
store’s coffee shop.
“I went in to have a cup of coffee and the
place was jam-packed,” Lambert remembered. “There was a bus driver sitting at a
table by himself and I asked for the opportunity to join him. His name was Willie Mitchell,
and he went on to operate a bus for about 31
years.”
Mitchell told Lambert if he was interested
in joining an organization that was new,
METRO might be a good choice. Mitchell
In On The Ground Floor
said METRO was going to create its own
n 1973, the Texas State Legislature police force, which would be the first of its
authorized the creation of local transit kind in Texas. Lambert found this prospect
authorities. In 1978, Houston-area voters “fascinating” and applied for a job.
“I got an interview and was offered a posicreated METRO and approved a 1-cent sales
tax to support the system. METRO opened for tion and had the opportunity to come in initialbusiness in January 1979. About nine months ly as a security investigator,” Lambert said. “I
later, Lambert was in Houston looking for a worked with internal security while we were
developing the police program. I had the
job.
Lambert, a Houston native born and raised, opportunity to work with some very talented
had moved to Austin, TX, while in his junior people in this effort.
“I was the METRO police chief for about
year of high school. After spending some time
28
1/2 years
and then had the opportunity to
with
the
Austin
Police
Department
and
attendTransitAd_BuslineMag_Layout 1 8/28/14 10:21 AM Page
1
“Our maintenance staff has developed a
certification program to continue to train our
mechanics in different skill sets. Each time a
mechanic moves up, he or she receives appropriate compensation. This is career development. It is enhancing people’s capabilities to
see their jobs as a career in which they are
appropriately compensated, whether it is
salary, health benefits and retirement — the
whole package has to be part of the equation.”
METRO also works closely with union
leadership. The system’s workforce is unionized with the Transport Workers Union of
America.
“We make sure the union is very much
engaged in what we are doing,” Lambert said.
I
become the chief administrative officer, executive vice president, interim president, and
then president in March (2014).”
Lambert’s rise in leadership was not by
accident. Early on during his METRO career,
he made it a point to gain an in-depth understanding of the transit system.
“When I first started here, we only had one
operating garage and the dispatching center
was on the second floor,” Lambert said. “I
knew nothing about transit and I felt like I
could better serve if I understood how it
works.”
A dispatcher Lambert had befriended told
him if he really wanted to learn, talk to the bus
drivers.
“The opportunity was to understand what
bus drivers go through and to understand how
to support them from a security standpoint,”
Lambert said. “It is the same principle in running an agency. It is really back to basics with
me. You take care of the little things. You take
care of the people and they will take care of
the organization.
“I would have never dreamed back then I
would be the president/CEO, but opportunity
presented itself. The Board of Directors gave
me the opportunity to do the job and I am
going to do my best. I was the interim president/CEO for about 14 months and I have
been permanent since March 1 (2014).”
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BUSLINE
Page 31
METRO Aids Motorists,
Helps Fight Traffic Congestion
M
ETRO’s total ridership for fiscal year
2014 in all modes was 110 million
and 81 million for fixed-route buses
during the same time period. METRO operates
with 29 park and ride lots, 20 transfer centers
and 9,805 bus stops.
The system’s 29 park and ride lots include
more than 33,000 parking spaces. Direct nonstop service to downtown, the Texas Medical
Center and other major employment centers is
available. The lots also serve as staging areas
for vanpools and carpools.
METRO’s 20 sheltered Transit Centers are
waiting areas where bus routes and/or
METRORail converge. The centers serve as
“hubs,” allowing bus and/or METRORail riders
from various locations to assemble and take
advantage of express trips or other route-toroute transfers.
According to METRO, Transit Centers feature a mix of park and ride and local bus service, as well as limited METRORail service,
with limited parking — about 2,400 spaces —
available at select locations.
METRO’s
ADA
(Americans
with
Disabilities Act) paratransit service is called
METROLift. It serves people with disabilities
who cannot board, ride or disembark from a
regular METRO fixed-route bus, even if that
bus is equipped with a wheelchair ramp or lift.
METROLift is a curb-to-curb service, with
assistance beyond the curb provided when
needed. During FY 2014, the paratransit service recorded 2 million trips for 16,500 riders.
The system has 151 METROLift vans and
contractor-owned and operated accessible
minivans.
“METRO is also very involved in coordinating
with partner agencies on managing issues and
traffic conditions on the roadways. In this effort,
we sponsor the Motorist Assistance Program
(M.A.P.), which helps stranded motorists on
Houston-area freeways,” Lambert said.
According to www.ridemetro.org, uniquely
marked M.A.P. trucks and vans are equipped to
handle minor automotive emergencies such as
overheating, flat tires and jump-starts. Since
1989, M.A.P. operators from Harris County
Sheriff’s Department and from METRO have
assisted more than 100,000 motorists.
As one of the major metro regions in the
United States, the Houston area is in an ongoing
battle to manage traffic congestion. One of the
ways public transit agencies have sought to
lessen traffic congestion is by establishing bus
rapid transit (BRT) or similar networks.
METRO has established HOV lanes in association with “HOT” lanes to help give some relief
from traffic congestion.
Page 32
BUSLINE
“A lot of people talk about BRT these days,
but we have been doing that for about 30
years,” Lambert said. “With our HOV service,
we have a bus leaving a parking lot about every
3 minutes. It then accesses a dedicated fixed
skyway through a T-ramp that feeds into a
guideway. This is a very dependable operation
that serves about 33,000 people a day.
“We have recently expanded the HOV service to include HOT lanes as well to give single
occupant car drivers the opportunity to travel on
the enhanced system during certain hours.”
The barrier-protected HOV lanes are
accessed via freeway or facility ramps and are
reversible to accommodate commuters during
peak periods of traffic flow. Users must observe
occupancy requirements, rules of the road and
hours of operation, according to METRO.
People driving solo in cars have the option to
pay a toll to use the HOT lanes.
“We are implementing a truly multimodal approach in this community.
This involves transit working in cooperation with freeways, managed lanes, toll
roads, signal systems — anything we
can do to move people where they need
to go because of the phenomenal growth
the Houston area is experiencing,”
Lambert said.
“How can we get people accessing our system? By cycling? By
walking? It really must be a multi-modal approach. For example,
we carry about 22,000 bicycle users on our system.
“Many people in this community are saying, ‘We cannot continue building our way out of congestion.’ There are limits to how
much more freeway expansion can be done. Right of way costs are
getting more expensive, and there are air quality and other issues
to be considered. Can METRO solve all the problems? No, it cannot. Can we have a very important role to play? Yes, we can, but
we must have a public transportation network that is safe, reliable,
dependable and gets people where they need to go.”
Indeed, when considering Houston, there are as many as eight
major activity centers where millions of people work and visit.
According to Lambert, these areas include downtown Houston,
Uptown District, the Texas Medical Center, sports complexes, the
energy corridor, uptown Galleria, Greenspoint Mall and Greenway
Plaza.
“We have to see how we can maximize the movement on public
transit in those areas similar to what happens in downtown
Houston,” Lambert said. “About 38 percent of people coming to
downtown Houston today get there by transit. We have to continue to
grow that travel choice for all these other options. That will be a challenge, but it is something we have to work to accomplish.”
Clean air issues are also associated with high traffic congestion and
METRO is doing its part in lowering carbon fuel emissions by running
alternative fueled vehicles in its fleet.
“We have about 443 hybrid-diesel buses that we are using today,”
Lambert said. “We also have 150 compressed natural gas (CNG)
buses on order. We expect to have another 50 CNG buses delivered the
next year, 2016, and 100 the following year.
Pictured is one of 70 METRO 60-foot articulated buses.
“I’m also fascinated by some of the electric buses I am seeing right
now. We don’t have any on order, but electric buses used in the right corridor and in the right operating environment seem to be something good
that we ought to look into. Therefore we are going to continue to look at
electric powered buses, particularly since I have been hearing about the
fast-charging capabilities that are available.”
Contact: Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County,
1900 Main St., Houston, TX 77002. Phone: 713-635-4000.
Website: www.ridemetro.org.
BUSLINE
Page 33
T
he Big Easy, otherwise known as New Orleans, LA, is home to the
United Motorcoach Association’s (UMA) Motorcoach Expo
2015 at Travel Exchange. For the third year in a row, the UMA
Expo will coincide with the National Tour Association (NTA) Annual
Convention. The two organizations will be co-locating their events on
January 18-22, 2015, at the
Ernest N. Morial Convention
Center.
NTA’s education sessions and
the NTA Mall are open to all
UMA Motorcoach Expo participants at no additional cost.
Meanwhile, UMA’s education
sessions and Expo floor are also
open to all NTA convention participants at no additional cost.
Joint events are open to all participants as well. NTA’s Exchange appointments on Wednesday, January 21,
and Thursday, January 22, are open to UMA Expo participants for an
additional fee.
On Sunday, January 18, UMA Expo registration will be open from
10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hall D lobby. Additionally, the UMA State
Association Summit is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday as well as
NTA Education Sessions during the same time period. Sightseeing tours
will also take place from 8 a.m. to noon.
From 3 to 4:45 p.m. on Sunday a “Speed Networking” event with NTA
attendees is open to UMA participants. This will be followed by the UMA
Chairman’s Welcome Reception in the Acadia Room at the New Orleans
Marriott (third floor) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday’s events will conclude with “The Big Party in the Big Easy,”
taking place at Mardi Gras World from 7 to 10 p.m. The night will include
locally-themed music, food and drink, with views of the Mississippi
River and an insider's look at the
famous Mardi Gras parade props
and floats — now located on the
south end of the Convention
Center.
Monday, January 19 starts
with UMA registration scheduled
from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A
joint UMA/NTA opening ceremony and breakfast is scheduled
from 8 to 9:15 a.m. on Monday at
the convention center’s Great
Hall. Anthony “Tony” Avery Simmons, president/CEO of McIlhenny
Company, maker of TABASCO brand products, will be the keynote
speaker.
This will be followed by the UMA Active Member Meeting and
Legislative & Regulatory Update, scheduled from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Also
starting at 9:30 a.m., and running until 4:30 p.m., is the UMA
Maintenance Interchange. Motorcoach owners, operators and maintenance personnel are invited to openly discuss maintenance issues at this
event.
The first group of several UMA Concurrent Solution Sessions is sched-
UMA EXHIBIT HALL HOURS
January 19 - January 21
Monday, Sneak Preview, 6 - 9 p.m.
Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. - Noon
Page 36
BUSLINE
uled from 11 a.m. to noon on Monday. They are:
n Selecting the Right Electronic Logging Devices (Operations);
n Choosing the Right Marketing Mix (Marketing);
n Evaluating Customer Profitability (Finance);
n How All the Pieces Work Together - Part I (Travel Exchange); and,
n Session 1 - Business 101: How Much Should I Be Charging;
Insurance (Small Fleet Operator).
A Broadway Luncheon is set for 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. on Monday at the
Great Hall, and will be followed by the second group of UMA Concurrent
Solution Sessions, scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. They are:
n Increasing Your Revenue with Public Private Partnerships
(Operations);
n Sports Marketing (Marketing);
n The Anatomy of High Performers (Finance);
n How All the Pieces Work Together - Part II (Travel Exchange); and,
n Session 2 - Safety Management Cycle; ADA; Charter Service Rule
(Small Fleet Operator).
The third group of UMA Concurrent Solution Sessions on Monday is
slated for 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. They are:
n Fatigue Management (Operations);
n Diversifying Services (Marketing);
n Impacting Results Through Leadership (Finance);
n Motorcoach Best Practices Part I - Mastering Your Online Presence
(Marketing); and,
n Session 3 - Military Bus Agreement; Equipment Maintenance; Filing
for Tire and Fuel Tax Refunds (Small Fleet Operator).
The fourth group of UMA Concurrent Solution Sessions on Monday is
slated for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. They are:
n Smart Driver Training (Operations);
n Motorcoach Best Practices Part II - Social Media Mastery for
Motorcoach Operators (Marketing);
n Alcohol - What is Your Liability? (Finance); and,
n How to Work Best with Tour Operators (Travel Exchange).
A major event on Monday will be the UMA Expo Exhibit Hall Sneak
Preview, taking place from 6 to 9 p.m in Halls C & D. Exhibitors will
give demonstrations and showcase their latest industry products and services during the sneak preview.
Also scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday is the first day of the
Motorcoach Marketing Council’s silent auction, along with a live auction
starting at 7:30 p.m. Go Riteway Transportation Group (Richfield, WI)
CEO Ronald Bast will serve as the auctioneer during the live auction.
Both events will take place at Booth No. 132.
Immediately following the Sneak Preview Party will be the “Go
Motorcoach First Annual Fundraiser-Motorcoach Mardi Gras” at Razzoo
on Bourbon Street. Proceeds of this event will be used for the Go
Motorcoach Campaign, which helps increase public awareness on the
positive aspects of motorcoach travel.
A number of NTA events will also take place on Monday. These
include the NTA Mall being open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. as well as
NTA education sessions and pavilion appointments.
The UMA Motorcoach Expo at Travel Exchange on Tuesday, January
20, will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the UMA Maintenance Competition. This
event will last until 11 a.m. and provide participants with a chance to
compete against each other to solve different maintenance-related issues.
Tuesday’s UMA Expo registration is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A group of UMA Concurrent Solution Sessions on Tuesday is slated for
8:45 to 9:45 a.m. They are:
n Getting Involved in Local Politics and PAC (Operations);
n Motorcoach Best Practices Part III - Mastering Analytics
(Marketing);
BUSLINE
Page 37
n Tax
Planning - Thinking of Selling? (Finance); and,
the Pieces Work Together - Wrap Up (Travel Exchange).
The UMA Expo Exhibit Hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Tuesday, allowing attendees to visit a wide variety of vendors. Lunch
will be served at the Exhibit Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on this day.
Also taking place on Tuesday will be several UMA Education Sessions
at the Exhibit Hall. Topics include:
n The Critical Issues Related to Managing an Accident or Incident How Prepared Are You and Your Drivers? (from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.);
n OSHA Violations Repeatedly Found in the Motorcoach Industry
(from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.); and,
n Digital Media - Technology & the Motorcoach Experience (from
2:45 to 3:30 p.m.).
The Motorcoach Marketing Council’s silent auction will take place for
its second day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Meanwhile, members
of the National Association of Motorcoach Operators (NAMO) will meet
from 2 to 3 p.m.
Also on Tuesday will be several NTA events, including education sessions and pavilion appointments. The NTA Mall will be open from 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
Tuesday’s final event will be the UMA Leadership Awards Celebration,
scheduled from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Great Hall. This will include a
reception, dinner, a presentation of awards and cigars/cordials.
The final day that the Exhibit Hall will be open for the 2015
UMA Motorcoach Expo at Travel Exchange is Wednesday,
January 21. Show floor hours are 9 a.m. until noon, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. A luncheon is scheduled to start at 12:15 p.m.
at the Great Hall.
Also on Wednesday will be several UMA Education Sessions at the
n How All
Exhibit Hall. Topics include:
n Reduce Downtime and Save Money with the Use of Nickel Carbon
Capacitors (from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.);
n CVSA Inspection Demonstration (from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.);
n How to Make the Most of Your UMA Membership - Part 1 (from 10 to
10:45 a.m.); and,
n How to Make the Most of Your UMA Membership - Part II (from 11
to 11:45 a.m.).
The UMA Member Bus Operations Site Visit is scheduled from 2 to
3:30 p.m. at the nearby Hotard Coaches Inc., facility. Meanwhile, from 2
to 4 p.m. will be the UMA Pit Day/Vehicle Test Drive. Attendees can
drive vehicles as seen on the UMA Expo floor.
Many NTA-sponsored events will also take place on Wednesday,
including education sessions and exchange appointments. The NTA Mall
will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday will conclude with a joint UMA/NTA event “Tourism
Rocks” from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Hard Rock Café New Orleans.
All motorcoach operators attending UMA Motorcoach EXPO are invited
to attend the event free as guests of the sponsors.
The UMA 11th Annual Ray Dupuis Memorial Golf Tournament is
scheduled for Thursday, January 22. The event is scheduled for noon to 6
p.m. at the English Turn Golf & Country Club in New Orleans.
A number of NTA events will also take place on Thursday. These
include the NTA Mall from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., exchange appointments,
a luncheon and an evening event from 7 to 10 p.m.
Visit www.motorcoachexpo.com for more information. Dates, times
and events are subject to change. A complimentary shuttle service will be
available between the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International
Airport (MSY) and Travel Exchange hotels.
Page 38
BUSLINE
Northwest Navigator: Continued From Page 22
t
We Are All In This Together
here is strength in numbers when it comes to operating a business.
Both Joseph and Roxanne Gillis recognize the importance of being
active in industry associations and working with other motorcoach
operators whenever possible.
Joseph Gillis recently completed a term as president of the Northwest
Motorcoach Association. Meanwhile, both Roxanne and Joseph Gillis
have been active participants in a Spader Group, which consists of different motorcoach company officials working together on best practices.
“We look at the other operators in our group as mentors, because they
have been in the business longer, and most of them run larger companies,” Roxanne Gillis said. “It’s great to have ongoing help as our company grows; to be with a group of other motorcoach operators who are
open to sharing their ideas. Joseph and I have been able to provide some
ideas to the group as well.
“It’s good to be able to partner as we are not direct competitors in the
group. We are all trying to build a better industry with healthy and safe
carriers.”
Joseph Gillis also stressed the importance of participation in such
industry organizations as the American Bus Association and the United
Motorcoach Association.
“If you, as an operator, don’t pay attention to all that is going on in the
industry through different associations and publications, then you are in
trouble. It’s going to catch up with you sooner or later,” he said. “We are
constantly looking ahead as a company, moving and changing to make
sure we meet and exceed customer expectations.”
Keeping up with government regulations and other activities is also
important in today’s motorcoach industry, according to Joseph Gillis.
This includes the tough safety inspection practices being performed by
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its state
and local law enforcement partners.
“I have been a proponent of being inspected regularly. We didn’t know
the industry well enough when we got started, so we wanted to talk with
the experts and have the experts instruct us,” Joseph Gillis said. “Through
the process of working with the Oregon Department of Transportation
(ODOT) and FMCSA, we found out early about (the FMCSA) Safety
Management Cycle. We started building systems and procedures to meet
what is required with this safety tool.
“Therefore, Northwest Navigator now has a completely new mainte-
“I believe it’s important operators are willing to help
each other for the benefit of the entire industry.”
— Joseph Gillis
nance program in place. We brought in people from Prevost and other carriers, along with the best mechanics in the area, and put together a comprehensive preventative maintenance schedule based on specific vehicles,
manufacturers and models that are part of our fleet.”
The safety team at Northwest Navigator has also put together a new
comprehensive driver file system for the company, and has been working
on a revised driver training program.
Joseph Gillis has been instrumental as well, along with ODOT and the
Northwest Motorcoach Association, in setting up quarterly inspections
for the benefit of area bus and motorcoach operators.
“Dates are scheduled every quarter to help operators get their vehicles
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Page 39
inspected. This has helped reduce the inconvenience to traveling motorcoach passengers via illegal roadside inspections,” he said.
Roxanne Gillis added that it’s important customers understand the
value of riding with a safe bus/motorcoach operator, and of all the steps
that these operators have to take in order to remain safe and compliant.
Another initiative Joseph Gillis launched, with the help of ODOT, is
the Trusted Carrier license plate program for bus/motorcoach operators.
A special “license plate” on an approved vehicle serves as a visual cue to
law enforcement personnel that the carrier is of good standing.
Previously, this program was only available to the trucking industry.
A Trusted Carrier plate, at right, indicates a company is of good standing.
“This is something that can help good carriers and make it a lot easier
to spot bad carriers,” Joseph Gillis said.
He added that these types of programs help the bus and motorcoach
industry grow throughout the country with safe operators.
“Our industry already provides the safest, greenest and cheapest way to
travel,” Joseph Gillis said. “I believe it’s important operators are willing
to help each other for the benefit of the entire industry.”
Contact: Northwest Navigator Luxury Coaches,
6309 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97218.
Phone: 503-285-3000. Website: www.nwnavigator.com.
From Lancer Insurance Company:
Loss Recovery Program
“Lancer Insurance Company offers a free policyholder benefit
that allows insureds to keep 100 percent of monies recovered on
their behalf versus paying a vendor a 30-50 percent fee for recovering money.
“As a policyholder, the Lancer claims team will assist in recovering monies from other insurance companies for out-of-pocket
expenses and downtime expenses, including your deductible, when
others are at fault for your loss,” said company spokespeople.
The process begins when a claim is reported. A Lancer claims
examiner will investigate the claim, identify the adverse party and
set up a damage and downtime claim, on the insureds behalf, with
the other insurance company. This step allows insureds to avoid a
subrogation audit and provides the opportunity to give an early
notice of "loss of use" of the affected vehicle.
According to Lancer, “Our claims professional then documents
the claim and guides the insured through the process including:
• Sending estimates and photographs for you, providing loss of
use documentation;
• Obtaining an agreed cost of repair;
• And, getting the vehicle back on the road.”
Since 1985, Lancer Insurance Company has been a provider of
commercial automobile, physical damage and general liability coverage to bus and motorcoach companies in all 50 states and the
District of Columbia.
For more information about Lancer Insurance,
visit www.lancerinsurance.com.
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Call 1.203.984.5710
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Page 40
BUSLINE
From Idrive: The New X2 Video Event Recorder
During the United Motorcoach Association’s (UMA) Motorcoach
Expo 2015 at Travel Exchange, Idrive will present its Idrive X2, a compact video event recorder featuring new
technology.
It offers simultaneous recording of
both triggered events and continuous
recording events in two separate video
streams. As well as triggered events,
users can now download additional time
before and after an event as needed, utilizing stream video. This can also be
done remotely via Wi-Fi.
“Safety managers can select resolutions from .3 megapixels to full HD
events. Another feature is the ability to
select the memory size of the camera,
ranging from standard 8GB to 64GB
optional memory cards. The memory
sizing options allow customers to choose the amount of space they need
for capturing events, depending on how long their vehicles are on the
road,”said company representatives.
To help with memory space, each brand new Idrive X2 event goes
through a new video compression routine, making the events smaller and
faster to download without resolution compromise.
“The Idrive X2 case was redesigned with new plastics and mounting
brackets that provide a variety of movements for an optimal, yet sturdy,
hold. Utilizing glass, both inside and outside lenses were redesigned to
capture better light in videos and wide angle views. A combination of the
new lenses and new proprietary Bright Night® infrared lighting system,
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BUSLINE
located below the lens, allows for bright night videos,” said the company.
New Serial and USB ports on the camera allow for external Idriveapproved system integrations. It comes with available external Live GPS
tracking module and includes Visual Telematics® for 3 seconds of live
view of a vehicle in real time on demand (service agreement required).
Idrive said, “The Idrive X2 also has an optional Driver ID application. It’s
connected to the camera to identify drivers with their own identifications. It
can identify drivers in events, reports with no effort from safety managers,
and allows for the individual DriveScore® driver safety ranking.”
UMA will be the first time the Idrive X2 will be shown in the United
States. It will be available at the Idrive booth, No. 1200. Visit
[email protected] for more information.
Eden Prairie, MN’s SouthWest Transit
Awarded Certificate Of Achievement
For Excellence In Financial Reporting
For the eighth consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers
Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the
Certificate of Achievement For Excellence In Financial Reporting to
SouthWest Transit, of Eden Prairie, MN, for its comprehensive annual
financial report (CAFR).
It is recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial
reporting.
SouthWest Transit provides transit services to the residents of
Chanhassen, Chaska and Eden Prairie as well as surrounding cities.
SouthWest Transit motto is, “Quality Ride – Quality Time.”
Visit www.swtransit.org for more information.
Prevost Now Has Second
Mobile Service Truck In Montreal Area
Prevost recently sent its second mobile service truck into operation in
the Montreal area. The second service truck allows Prevost to offer more
services to customers in Montreal, and for those traveling through or visiting Montreal, said company representatives.
Prevost Delivers 7 New Volvo 9700s
To Stylus Transportation
Prevost also provides emergency roadside service or scheduled maintenance/repairs at a customer’s location. Each mobile service vehicle is a
fully-fitted mobile repair unit which allows for rapid response times,
especially in the case of emergency roadside diagnosis and repair.
The second mobile service truck is operated by a Prevost service technician who is certified for bumper-to-bumper maintenance and repair for
all Nova Bus, Prevost and Volvo vehicles, including engine and transmission. In addition, technicians can repair most brands of motorcoaches in
a customer’s fleet, says the company.
The second service truck joins 33 other Prevost mobile service trucks
within North America, located throughout the United States and Canada.
Prevost recently delivered four new 2014 Volvo 9700s and three
new 2015 9700s to Stylus Transportation Inc., an Orlando, FLbased company. All three 2015 coaches have GPS, cameras, E-logs,
and IFTA tracking along with satellite TVs.
Stylus has been operating in the Orlando area for 45 years. The
company provides charter and bus services across the country and
specializes in the South American, Canadian and domestic markets.
Stylus, with 23 employees, serves school, sporting, and corporate
clients as well as group planning and multi-day trips.
Glen Cook, general manager, said the company will use its
newest 9700 coaches for a variety of clientele including student
youth travel as well as school and university functions, casino charters, port transfers, leisure activities such as theme park transportation, and tours throughout major cities within the United States,
Canada and South America. Visit www.prevostcar.com.
BUSLINE
Page 43
Silverado Stages And
Silver State Coach Announce Merger
Silverado Stages, Inc. and Silver State Coach, Inc. have entered into a
merger agreement combining the two motorcoach companies into one
company within the transportation industry.
Jim Galusha, Silverado CEO, said, “We are extremely pleased that
Tony Fiorini and his motorcoach company have agreed to join Silverado
and help grow our combined operations in the western region of the
United States. Our plans are to consolidate operations where possible,
take advantage of best practices and efficiencies, and to extend
Silverado’s proven operational model.”
“I’m excited about the opportunity and challenges ahead,” said Silver
State President and Owner Tony Fiorini. “Silverado is an employeeowned company; the ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) is a great
benefit and reward for our loyal employees. The combined companies
provide breadth and depth in the California and Nevada markets, allowing us to better serve all of our clients.”
Silver State Coach, Inc., a Nevada corporation, was founded in 1986.
With operating authorities in Nevada and California, Silver State maintains a fleet of 40 motorcoaches from terminals in Placentia, CA, and Las
Vegas, NV.
Silverado Stages, Inc., a California corporation, was founded in 1987
and provides transportation across the western states from terminals in
Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, Orange
County, Pomona, and Las Vegas. Services include charters, tours, scheduled fixed-route service, commuter and campus shuttles, and convention
and event services aboard large motorcoaches,
shuttles and vans.
Visit www.SilveradoStages.com
for more information.
Cincinnati Metro Names
Dwight Ferrell
As CEO & General Manager
Your one stop shop for coach, rail, and ship interiors.
Upholstery, New & Used passenger & Drivers
seats, flooring, floor structural, foam, gas
struts and upholstery cleaning machines.
Dealers for Isringhausin and National Seats,
we have a full stock of seats and parts for
both brands. We also have parts for American, Amaya, Vanhool and Wakefield seats.
If we don't have it, we can get it.
Over 40 years of service to the
motorcoach industry, all seat covers
guaranteed for 4 years or 400,000 miles. Any questions about your seats or other needs, please
call 425-432-9867 or visit us at www.willinghaminc.com.
Page 44
BUSLINE
The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit
Authority has appointed Dwight Ferrell as
Metro’s chief executive officer and general manager, effective Jan. 5, 2015.
Ferrell most recently served as the County
Manager of Fulton County, GA.
For four years, he served as deputy general
manager and chief operating officer of the
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
(MARTA), managing day-to-day operations.
Ferrell has held leadership positions at public
transportation systems including Austin, Dallas,
New Orleans, and Philadelphia.
He has also been actively involved with the
American Public Transportation Association, the
Conference of Minority Transportation Officials,
and the Transportation Research Board.
He participated in the Eno Center for Transit
Leadership Executive Development Program and
is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta.
Ferrell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Business Administration in Management from
Huston-Tillotson University, in Austin, TX.
Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public
service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit
Authority, providing about 17 million rides per
year.
Visit www.go-metro.com
PEOPLE
Mike Whittaker Joins ABC Companies
As Parts And Service Marketing Manager
ABC has hired Mike Whittaker to develop and execute all marketing
for ABC’s Parts and Service brands.
With a background in the automotive supply
industry, Whittaker has been a senior level marketing professional for global brands, with duties
including brand development, market analysis,
product development, communication and public
relations both in the United States and abroad.
“This is a new position specifically designed
to support two key business areas within our
service offering,” said Dan Leo, director of marketing, ABC Companies. Whittaker oversees
day-to-day marketing activities from ABC’s
Florida location.
Whittaker has an MBA and a BBA in marketing, as well as numerous
marketing and professional development certifications.
Contact ABC Companies at 800-222-2875 or visit www.abc-companies.com for more information.
Stertil-Koni Names Robyn Collier Warranty Coordinator
Stertil-Koni has named Robyn Collier warranty coordinator, in addition to her current role
as receiving manager.
Collier has been with the company for 9 years.
Previously, she was with Stanley Black &
Decker for more than 20 years, reaching a warehouse management position on the Eastern Shore
of Maryland.
Stertil-Koni President Dr. Jean DellAmore
said, "Robyn has an extensive depth of experience working with Stertil-Koni products, distributors and customers. She is a true get-it-done professional and a very
warm, customer-centric manager who consistently makes a significant
contribution to our company's growth and success."
Visit www.stertil-koni.com for more information.
Laura Clark Joins Distinctive Systems
Distinctive Systems Inc., supplier of software to motorcoach, bus and
tour companies in North America, has hired Laura Clark, as a support and
implementation specialist.
She has worked with transportation companies such as Horizon Coach
Lines, Coach America, Coach USA and Evergreen Stage Line/Gray Line
Portland. Her primary roles with these companies was support and implementation of software systems.
“She has been directly involved with supporting executive team members in a role created to help analyze, identify, weigh and prioritize business metrics that advanced her employer’s missions, values and focus,”
said Distinctive Systems spokespeople.
Clark said, “I have been supporting Distinctive Systems products for
my previous employers for the past 10 - plus years and have always been
impressed with the software, the support services and the integrity of the
company. I am very excited to be joining an organization that shares my
passion for outstanding customer service and am looking forward to
interacting with a variety of companies; assisting them in maximizing the
benefits of Distinctive Systems software functionality.”
Don Greenglass, president of Distinctive Systems Inc, said, “Laura
possesses an incredible ability to support the end-user, a skill we have
witnessed firsthand in her many years as a client of Distinctive Systems.
We are confident, and very excited, that Laura will help to enhance all
Distinctive Systems clients’ experiences with our software products.”
Contact Clark at [email protected].
O B I T U A RY
MICHAEL ROCHETTE
Prevost former Vice-President
of Marketing & Sales Michael
Rochette, age 71, passed away
December 4, 2014, at the Laval
Hospital in Quebec.
He was the son of Mrs. Mary
Christine Murphy and the late
Raymond Rochette.
Michael Rochette was with
Prevost from 1983 until his
retirement in 2005, and was
instrumental in successful product introductions to the development of new markets in the conversion segment.
He is survived by his wife Johanne, children Barbra (Charles
Chartier), Susan (James Fequet), Laurie (Jonathan Burns); his grandchildren Daphne, Maggie; and his sisters, Mary (Livio Paronuzzi),
Leanne (Michael Jeffrey), Fire Marion Mercier and several nieces and
nephews.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Canadian Cancer
Society, website: www.cancer.ca.
BUSLINE
Page 45
Companies Purchase MCI J4500s
Onondaga Buys New MCI J4500
Mike Oster of Onondaga Coach said, “What
keeps me in the industry is the customers and
The Auburn, N.Y.-based tour and charter
company was founded in 1953. Oster said, “We
rely on wheelchair lifts, which in the wrong
coach, can create space problems. (The J4500)
is designed not to lose any baggage space while
accommodating wheelchairs and that makes a
big difference.”
Visit www.onondagacoach.com
portation industry, with a career that started in
1962 when he moved from his native Indiana
to Chicago to take a job with Delta Airlines.
He learned the tour-and-charter business at a
small travel agency, and in 1992 he bought
United Coaches from Vandalia in St. Louis. He
United Coach And Tours
Has 6 New MCI J4500s
the knowledge that it’s a business you can take
anywhere there’s business. With most businesses, you can’t. With a bus industry, you can
always move to where the customers are.”
Oster’s family has been in the coach business
since his grandfather started a bus company in
central New York. The family purchased
Onondaga Coach in the 1960s. The company’s
fleet includes 13 coaches and operates departure locations from Auburn, Syracuse and
Cortland.
Oster became the third generation in the business in 1981 and his son, James, joined the
company in 2006.
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BUSLINE
United Coach and Tours, Morgantown, KY,
has taken delivery of six new MCI J4500s.
The coaches replace five, 2009 J4500s and
represent the company’s entire fleet.
UCT’s newest coaches have chrome mirrors
and a black-and-white exterior motif. Inside,
the coaches offer 110-volt outlets and curtains
for passenger privacy; UCT added its own WiFi and satellite DirecTV system.
Williams said that replacing all of his coaches at once gives him a leg-up with customersbecause it eliminates the potential for disappointment should a customer request the company’s newest vehicles when those vehicles
have already been allocated to another group.
Williams has over 50-plus years in the trans-
purchased his first new coach, an MCI D4500,
in 1994. D-Series coaches, E4500s and J4500s
followed.
UCT serves the Kentucky and Tennessee
area with transportation to local events, convention shuttle, and charters for schools and
universities. The company’s tour business,
which includes wholesale and retail multi-day
trips across the United States and Canada is
growing.
Kelli Phelps is United Coach’s tour operating manager.
Visit www.unitedcoachandtour.com.
Visit www.mcicoach.com
From The Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI):
Effects Of Gas Prices On Transit Ridership
Vary By Mode, In Combination With
Price Ranges And Response Time
Transit agencies should prepare for ridership
increases when gasoline prices increase.
However, the net effect varies depending on the
transit mode, the range of gasoline prices and
response time. That is the conclusion of the
Mineta Transportation Institute’s latest peerreviewed research report, Net Effects Of
Gasoline Price Changes On Transit Ridership
In U.S. Urban Areas.
The study focused on 10 U.S. census urbanized areas from 2002-2011 and provided
information that could help transit agencies
prepare to accommodate higher transit travel
needs through pricing strategies, general
financing, capacity management, and operations planning of transit services during times
of substantial gasoline price increases.
Principal investigator was Hiroyuki Iseki,
PhD, working with Rubaba Ali, both from the
University of Maryland, College Park. The
free report can be downloaded from
http://transweb.sjsu.edu/project/1106.html.
“While previous studies have been published, this report improved on the four specifications of panel data regression analysis and
other factors to obtain more robust results that
can be generalized,” Dr. Iseki said, “A ridership increase may be good news for transit
agencies during the off-peak periods, but even
a small percentage of ridership increase can
require a substantial increase in service supply
and facility capacity during the peak periods,
when the service level is at or near the maximum supply capacity. If transit agencies can
anticipate when and at what levels those ridership increases could reach, they can plan their
services more accurately.”
The results of this study suggest that transit
agencies should prepare for a potential
increase in ridership during peak periods that
can be generated by substantial gasoline price
increases over $3 per gallon for bus and commuter rail modes, and over $4 per gallon for
light rail.
The two main variables analyzed in this
study are: (1) monthly average gasoline prices
based on weekly prices of three different types
of gasoline – regular, midgrade, and premium
– collected from the U.S. Energy Information
Administration, and (2) monthly unlinked passenger trips obtained from the Federal Transit
Administration's National Transit Database
from January 2002 to December 2011 for
Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Houston,
Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San
Francisco, and Seattle. In addition to several
important variables related to transit service
and demographics, the research team accounted
for factors that were not comprehensively
included in previous studies, such as the effects
of number of recent immigrants, highway miles,
and unemployment rate.
This study also examines the endogeneity
problem in regression analysis that potentially
arises from the simultaneity issue between transit service supply and ridership, and estimates
the short- and long-term effects of gasoline
prices as well as the threshold effects of $3 and
$4 marks on transit ridership for bus, light rail,
heavy rail, commuter rail and these modes combined.
The 125-page report, including 10 figures
and 25 tables, is available for free, no-registration download at http://transweb.sjsu.edu/project/1106.html.
The Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI)
conducts research, education, and information
transfer programs regarding surface transportation policy and management issues, especially
related to transit. Congress established MTI in
1991 as part of the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act.
Visit www.transweb.sjsu.edu.
BUSLINE
Page 47
Sun Metro Opens Rapid Transit System In El Paso
Sun Metro, of El Paso, TX, recently celebrated the grand opening of its 8.6-mile Rapid
Transit System (RTS) along the Mesa Corridor
in El Paso. The new BRT system, which provides a high-capacity transit service to El Paso
beginning of what’s to come for El Paso. Our
ongoing objective is provide a first-class transportation system that moves our family,
friends and neighbors to get to work, to
school, to visit each other and back. It is also a
for the first time, begins at the Downtown
Transfer Center, travels along Santa Fe,
Franklin, Oregon, Glory Road and Mesa, ending at the Westside Transfer Center.
“We have dedicated nearly 6 years to analyzing, designing and building what we
believe will revolutionize public transportation in our community,” said Sun Metro
Director Jay Banasiak. “Mesa Brio is just the
system that supports our economic development, reduces our traffic congestion and helps
improve our community’s air quality.”
Known as the Sun Metro Brio, the new BRT
system uses modern, rubber-tire, high-capacity
vehicles, improved fare collection systems and
controlled traffic signals. 60-foot articulated
buses with low-floor boarding will transport
more than 70 passengers between the terminal
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Page 48
BUSLINE
stations every 10 minutes during peak period
and 15 minutes during off‐peak period for 14
hours a day, Monday-Friday.
Passenger amenities include an integrated
intelligent transportation system (allows buses
to pass quickly through traffic
lights), an audio/visual system to
provide destination and next stop
information inside and outside vehicles, bicycle racks, Wi-Fi connections and wheelchair accommodations. The corridor also includes 22
BRT transit stations about a mile
apart. The station areas include two
bus shelters at each stop, street lighting, landscaping, bike racks,
ADA‐accessible ramps and station
platforms, and reconstructed sidewalk at all approaches.
The Mesa Corridor is the first of four RTS
corridors approved by the city of El Paso. The
second corridor will be in Alameda. Con struction on Alameda is tentatively scheduled
to begin in spring 2015 with completion in
2016. Dyer and Montana, the third and fourth
RTS corridors, are tentatively scheduled to be
operational in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Visit www.sunmetro.net.
Companies Purchase Van Hools
They're an awesome family-owned business
and all of us at ABC are delighted to be part
of their success.”
Wisconsin Badger Purchases
7 Van Hool CX45s
Badger Bus recently purchased 7 Van Hool
CX45s. Badger has facilities in Madison and
Milwaukee, WI, and runs scheduled service,
charters and tours as well as a large school
bus division. The fleet ranges from 81 passenger Van Hool TD925 double deck coaches
through mini-buses and vans.
ABC Companies is Van Hool's exclusive
North American distributor and Account
Manager John McFarlane said, “The Meier
family is passionately committed to providing quality transportation and their customers recognize it. Badger's phenomenal
history and growth rests on that foundation.
4 New Van Hool TX45s
For Roadrunner Charters
Irving, TX, based Roadrunner Charters recently took delivery of four Van Hool TX45
coaches. CEO Ron Wills said this purchase is
part of the company's (www.roadrunnercharters.com) expansion, which also includes a new
six-acre, 20,000 square-foot office and maintenance facility in Ft. Worth, and the acquisition
of HME Executive Coach. This is Roadrunner's
fifth acquisition since 2008, and its fleet has
grown to 80 coaches.
SAFE, STURDY & DURABLE
Safety Step will meet all your transportation needs…
Bob Holloway, senior account manager for
ABC Companies, said, “Ron is very knowledgeable about the charter industry and has an
excellent staff headed by his son, Allen, in
operations. He has an excellent sales team and
Roadrunner is a pleasure to deal with. They've
purchased 25 new Van Hool’s in the last 3
years. All of us at ABC are excited about being
part of their growth.”
Contact ABC Companies at
800-222-2875 or visit
www.abc-companies.com
TRANSPORTATION
INSURANCE
SINCE 1952
SERVICE INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC
s Safety Steps full line of transportation steps are designed
specifically for the transportation industry
s Anti-tip design makes it impossible to tip over with normal use
s Transportation models provide a 6”, 8”, 10” or 12” boost
s The 10" and 12" steps have brackets for extra durability
s Rugged all-aluminum welded construction
s All models are lab tested to hold over 1,000 pounds,
but weigh a mere 7 pounds
s Non-slip angled rubber leg tips and gripper strips keep
your passengers and your Safety Step securely in place
s Durable powder coat finish available black, silver
or safety yellow
#ATAWBA,ANEs2ICHMOND6!
s#HARTERs4RANSITs3CHOOLs,IMO
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To view all our transportation
steps or to order online,
visit our website:
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or call (888) 448-4237
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BUSLINE
Page 49
Amaya-Astron Seating
See Ad On Page 37
Pirules 16E, Complejo Industrial Cuamatla
Cuautitlán Izcalli, 54730
MEXICO
+52(55)5881-2007
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.amaya-astron.com.mx
Company Officers: Donovan Albarran, Export
Sales Director; Rosario Arellano, Sales and
Customer Service
Products: Passenger seats for buses and coaches,
with three-point seat belts. Seat models Torino G
Plus and A-2TEN offers the latest in three-point
seat belt technology for the North American market, plus well known ergonomic design and the
additional knee room provided in all AmayaAstron seats. 15
American Seating
401 American Seating Center
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 USA
616-732-6600
Page 50
BUSLINE
Website: www.americanseating.com
Company Officers: Dave McLaughlin, Vice
President of Sales; Deb McDermott, Vice
President of Marketing
Products: American Seating has a long history of
researching, designing, and manufacturing products that meet the ever changing needs of customers. The company manufactures passenger
seating for city service bus, rail, motorcoach and
mobility aid securement. These products are on
the road and rail each day in every major North
American city. 15
See Ad On Page 52
375 North Street
Secaucus, NJ 07094 USA
201-457-9100
FAX: 201-457-9103
Website: www.bergenseat.com
Products: Seat replacement and complete interior
refurbishing, including seat covers, ceilings, sidewalls, lav area, under racks, dash, entrance door.
Parts distributor for American, National and
Amaya seat parts with large inventory in stock.
Bergen offers a complete cleaning service, seat
cover shampooing, seat frame cleaning, cleaning
of sidewalls and A/C ducts, and shampooing of
any carpeted surface. Bergen road crew is available to install on location. 14
Camira (Holdsworth Fabrics)
2476 Waldorf Court, NW
616-288-0655
FAX: 616-288-0656
Website: www.camirafabrics.com
Company Officers: Steve Bullas, Chairman and
CEO; Andrew Schofield, Group Sales and
Marketing Director; Nick Brown, Finance
Director; Rune Akselberg, President, Camira
Group Inc.; Terry Colbert, Director of Sales
Products: Camira, formerly known as
Holdsworth Fabrics, offers total fabric solutions
for passenger transport interiors. Camira’s manufacturing expertise covers not just the traditional
plush wool moquettes, but also lighter weight
pile fabrics with added design and texture, contemporary flat weave fabrics for seating, and a
wide range of ancillary interior trim fabrics for
other surfaces within motorcoaches.
The Elements collection is a modern twist on
traditional wool moquettes available to order with
just a four week leadtime for a 55 yard minimum
order quantity. Added fabric protection comes
from Defender, Camira’s triple action long-lasting fabric treatment, an invisible protective shield
making fabrics anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and
anti-stain.
Camira is represented by Wagner & Associates
(tel 919-552-4466) and BusTex Corp (tel 303404-0890). 15
Chestnut Ridge Foam, Inc.
See Ad At Right
443 Warehouse Drive, P.O. Box 781
Latrobe, PA 15650 USA
724-537-9000
FAX: 724-537-9003
Website: www.chestnutridgefoam.com
Company Officers: Carl Ogburn, President;
George Romanish, Vice President, OPS; Robert
Bologna, CFO; Anthony Tomasello, Sales Manager
Products: SAFGUARD XL fire-resistant seat
cushioning complies with F.T.A. fire safety criteria. SAFGUARD XL eliminates the profuse burning and known fire hazards associated with
FMVSS 302 cushioning if exposed to open flame
ignition sources. Provides the fire performance
needed in today's environment. The use of F.T.A.
fire performance criteria helps avoid the potential
for individual and transit authority liability. This
fire-resistant cushioning is available to all seating
manufacturers for O.E.M. vehicles. SAFGUARD XL represents major advancements in
seat cushioning durability and comfort. A DVD is
available showing comparative fire performance
tests of completed bus seats. This DVD is an educational tool demonstrating how fire may impact
bus interiors when seats are exposed to a minor
ignition source. CR SAFGUARD XL can easily
be added to new vehicle seating specifications. 15
CMI Enterprises
See Ad On Page 22
13145 NW 45th Ave.
Miami, FL 33054 USA
574-226-2977
Website: www.cmi-enterprises.com
Products: Bus/coach upholstery, fabric. 14
De Leo Transportation Fabrics
See Ad On Page 50
53 Dwight Place
Fairfield, NJ 07004 USA
973-439-6801
FAX: 973-439-6815
Website: www.deleotf.com
Company Officers: Ismail Arslan and Craig DeLeo
Products: De Leo Transportation Fabrics offers
high quality velvets for bus, motorcoach and
light rail fabrics to public and private transportation industries. Partnered with Epengle, a leading European transportation fabric manufacturer, the combined companies have over 100 years
of experience. De Leo offers polyester, acrylic
and wool blends. Customers can expect short
production lead times, excellent New Jerseybased customer service and on-time deliveries.
15
Fabric Services
103 Hinsdale Farms Road
Bristol, IN 46507 USA
574-848-5100
FAX: 574-848-1776
Website: www.fabserv.com
Products: Fabric Services is a provider of many
fabrics, leather, coated fabrics and flat-woven
textiles for shuttle bus and motorcoach seating as
well as interior trim applications. Other valueadded services include custom cutting and lamination. 13
Freedman Seating Company
4545 W. Augusta Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60651 USA
773-524-2440
FAX: 773-252-7450
Website: www.freedmanseating.com
Products: Freedman Seating is a seat producer
Think
302 Protects
Protects
Think FMVSS
FMVSS 302
Passengers
and Equipment?
Equipment?
Passengers and
F.R. Cushioning
(meets FMVSS 302)
CR SAFGUARD™ XL
Fire-Resistant Cushioning
Both seats above were subjected to BS 5852 Source 2 Ignition.
SAFGUARD™ XL Fire-Resistant Cushioning…
• Complies with advanced F.T.A. fire safety criteria.
• Minimize risk and liability related to vehicle
fire safety.
• O.E.M. and maintenance seat retrofit applications.
Call for specifications. Easily added to seating
requirements within vehicle bid packages.
Telephone: 800-234-2734
Fax: 724-537-9003
e-mail: [email protected]
BUSLINE
Page 51
for all types of buses. It designs, tests and builds
seats for every type of bus, coach, van and school
bus. Freedman offers integrated 3-point seat belts
for buses and coaches.
The company offers the “GO” seat, a thinner,
customizable, modular seat; and Sanitized®
anti-microbial Grab Rails. Freedman Seating is
also a partner with USSC/4One as a supplier of
seats to the heavy-duty bus and BRT market.
Within Freedman is the FSTL testing facility.
FSTL is an A2LA accredited lab, capable of invehicle testing and safety evaluations. 12
Holdsworth Fabrics (Camira)
2476 Waldorf Court, NW
616-288-0655
FAX: 616-288-0656
Website: www.camirafabrics.com
Company Officers: Steve Bullas, Chairman and
CEO; Andrew Schofield, Group Sales and
Marketing Director; Nick Brown, Finance
Director; Rune Akselberg, President, Camira
Group Inc.; Terry Colbert, Director of Sales
Products: Camira, formerly known as
Holdsworth Fabrics, offers total fabric solutions
for passenger transport interiors. Camira’s manufacturing expertise covers not just the traditional
plush wool moquettes, but also lighter weight pile
fabrics with added design and texture, contemporary flat weave fabrics for seating, and a wide
range of ancillary interior trim fabrics for other
surfaces within motorcoaches.
The Elements collection is a modern twist on
traditional wool moquettes available to order
with just a four week leadtime for a 55 yard minimum order quantity. Added fabric protection
comes from Defender, Camira’s triple action
long-lasting fabric treatment, an invisible protective shield making fabrics anti-bacterial, antifungal and anti-stain.
Camira is represented by Wagner & Associates
(tel 919-552-4466) and BusTex Corp (tel 303404-0890). 15
LaFrance Industries
See Ad On Page 53
290 Old Anderson Road
LaFrance, SC 29656 USA
864-646-3213
FAX: 864-646-4235
Company Officers: Judson Boehmer, President;
Jeff Goldwasser, Sales Executive
Products: U.S. made seating fabrics for all transit
and motorcoach requirements. 15
Lantal Textiles, Inc.
See Ad Bottom Right
P.O. Box 965
Rural Hall, NC 27045 USA
905-823-9427
Website: www.lantal.com
If Your Seats Are Not Becoming To You,
They Should Be Coming To
BERGEN AUTO UPHOLSTERY
Quality
Workmanship
Large Selection
of Fabric
On Time
Delivery
A Guaranteed Fit Unsurpassed Customer Service
0UZ[HSSH[PVUZ°HrL°H[°V\Y°MHJPSP[`°PU°TeterborV°51°VY°
BerNLUZ°9VHK°*rL^°^PSS°PUZ[HSS°H[°`V\Y°SVJH[PVU
Call, fax or e-mail us today for a quick quote, and see for yourself
why Bergen Auto Upholstery is your seating headquarters.
375 North Street, Suite U, Teterboro, NJ 07608
Toll Free: 800-732-8750 Phone: (201) 457-9100
Fax: (201)457-9103
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.bergenseat.com
Page 52
BUSLINE
Products: Lantal Textiles is a Swiss company
specializing in the weaving of high-quality, welldesigned velvet pile fabrics for the bus industry.
Though Lantal has been in business in Europe for
over 68 years, the company first introduced these
velvet pile fabrics to North America in 1997.
Lantal is a supplier of upholstery and companion
fabrics to bus and seating manufacturers. 11
National Seating Co./CVG
200 National Dr.
Vonore, TN 37885 USA
800-222-7328
FAX: 423-884-4859
Website: www.cvgrp.com
Products: Motorcoach driver and passenger
seats. New 4210 passenger seats feature all the
comfort and durability long associated with
National Seating with the added safety of 3-point
seat belts. All National Seating products are produced in the company’s Vonore, TN, facility. 13
RECARO North America
4120 Luella Lane
Auburn Hills, MI 48326 USA
248-484-3203
FAX: 248-364-3806
Website: www.recaro-automotive.com
Company Officers: Elmar Deegener, Vice
President of Seating; Markus Kussmaul, Vice
President of Commercial Seating; Emil Kreycik,
General Manager
Products: RECARO has been manufacturing
seating products for over 100 years. RECARO is
an industry leader in the manufacturing of high
quality, ergonomically correct seating that will
support customers through the long demanding
hours of operation they perform. RECARO products are designed to optimize comfort and reduce
fatigue by offering superb support. 15
Sardo Bus & Coach Upholstery
See Ads On Pages 25 and 47
503 S. Main Avenue
Minneola, FL 34715 USA
800-654-3824
FAX: 352-242-9290
Website: www.sardobus.com
Products: Sardo Bus & Coach Upholstery’s
craftsmanship and customer service have
made it an industry leader in motorcoach and
transit refurbishment. Sardo’s Professional
Mobile Road Crew provides experienced, onsite installation service at customers’ facilities. This minimizes down time, and gives
customers personal attention to every detail.
Sardo also manufactures custom fit seat covers for mail out service with instructions and
seat cover liners for installation. With seat
covers, sidewalls, flooring and more, Sardo
helps with all interior objectives. Sardo offers
warranties and guarantees its workmanship for
as long as a customer owns its coach. 14
Willingham Inc.
See Ad On Page 44
20008 244th Ave. S.E.
Maple Valley, WA 98038 USA
425-432-9867
FAX: 425-432-3668
Website: www.willinghaminc.com
Products: Seatcovers, complete interiors,
floors, step tread kits, parcel rack door and bay
door pistons, foam rubber replacement kits, net
pockets, cup holders, grab handles and accessories. Seat parts for all models. 12
Cardinal Buses Adds
Temsa TS 45
Cardinal Buses, Inc., located in
Middlebury, IN, has been operating as a
family-owned charter company since
1923. The company started with a fivepassenger Model T touring car, but over
the years has expanded service and
grown its fleet to 45 vehicles.
The company now operates three
facilities: Middlebury, IN, Mishawaka,
IN, and Holland, MI. According to Dan
Shoup, Cardinal Buses vice president,
the company offers transportation services for company parties, group travel,
airport shuttles, and university and
school trips in a variety of seating capacities. In 2009, Cardinal took delivery of
its first Temsa TS 35 mid-size coach. In
November 2014, Cardinal took delivery
of its first Temsa TS 45 full-size coach.
The Temsa TS 45 is equipped with
110V plugs, USB ports, an auxiliary
preheater, a cordless mic, an A/V system, side & driver shades, and woodgrain rubber flooring. For more information on Cardinal Buses, visit
www.cardinalbuses.com.
CH Bus Sales, Inc. is the exclusive
distributor of Temsa motorcoaches in
the United States and Canada. It is a
privately owned corporation. Temsa is
a fully owned subsidiary of Sabanci
Holding, a financial and industrial
group in Turkey.
Visit www.chbussales.com
BUSLINE
Page 53
ADVERTORIAL
Mohawk Lifts Offers Guidelines
For Maintaining Safety Standards And Maintenance Requirements
By Steve Perlstein, Sales/Marketing Manager, Mohawk Lifts
The vehicle lifts that are supporting the tour, transit and specialty vehicles in your garage can represent one of the most productive tools in your
shop, or potentially one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment your
techs use, if not used and maintained properly. Garage lifts are productive
machines to help you to repair and diagnose vehicles faster, yet lifts, like
your buses, have specific inspection and maintenance requirements.
If there is an incident in your garage involving a vehicle lift, OSHA asks
three questions: What did you know? When did you know it? What did
you do about it? No shop manager wants to be on the receiving end of
these questions; therefore, complying with the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI), Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), and Public Employees Occupational Safety and
Health (PEOSH) requirements ensures vehicle lifts are kept at the highest
possible safety level, hefty noncompliance fines are avoided and technicians are kept safe.
1. BUY CERTIFIED LIFTS & OPTIONS
There’s one and only one nationally recognized safety standard for vehicle
lifts: ANSI-ALI/ALCTV, administered by the
Automotive Lift Institute (www.autolift.org).
The Automotive Lift Institute, working though
ETL testing procedures, involves rigorous thirdparty testing verifying lift manufacturers meet and
comply with current ANSI requirements for lifts
as defined by the International Building Code,
which mandates that lifts be third party tested to
meet these safety requirements. Most every state
has building code rules that shops have to follow. To verify equipment status,
look for the gold ALI/ETL certification tag next to the lift’s controls.
Beware that using an uncertified option voids the lift’s certification. It’s simple; if the optional accessory isn’t certified then the lift isn’t certified.
ANSI/ALI standards for Operation, Inspection, and Maintenance (ALOIM 8.
Replacement Parts) as well as Installation and Service (ALIS 6.2.6 Repair
Service Parts) require all accessories, such as rolling jacks, truck adaptors,
lighting for runway lifts, and special lifting pads, to be ALI/ETL certified.
Although certification is good for the life of the lift, older models may not
meet the most current standards, which typically change every five to seven
years. Some lifts and options that were certified in 2000 wouldn’t pass the
2011 standard.
Page 54
BUSLINE
2. NO LOCKS = LIABILITY
You’ve heard the phrase, “Never use a jack
without a jack-stand.” The same is true for
vehicle lifts. Always raise the vehicle and then
lower it onto the lift’s mechanical locks as suggested by the manufacturer and required by
ANSI. Refer to the ALI safety manual Lifting it
Right or the manufacturer’s operating instructions for detailed information.
When you’re walking through the shop,
make sure techs are using the proper procedure.
An easy way to visually verify the locks are
being used is to include a weight gauge on your
lift. The weight gauge must be made by the
same manufacturer so it will be properly calibrated to the lift cylinder size.
When you walk by a lift and the weight gauge reads anything but “0”, the
tech in that bay hasn’t lowered the lift onto the mechanical locks.
3. IT’S EASY TO OVERLOAD
Manufacturers of the most common lift —
two-post, side-by-side lifts — mandate that
none of the four swing arms be overloaded.
Unfortunately, overloading of lifts happens
more than realized. For example, some may
think that a 12,000 pound-rated lift that’s
loaded with a 10,500 pound paratransit vehicle
isn’t near capacity. They would be wrong.
This paratransit vehicle has a front axle
weight of 3,500 pounds and a back axle weight
of 7,000 pounds. The per-arm capacity of a
12,000 pound-rated lift is 3,000 pounds. If the
heavier rear end of a vehicle weighs 7,000
pounds, each swing arm needs a minimum arm
capacity of 3,500 pounds for safe lifting.
Multiply this example by four swing arms
and the minimum capacity of your lift for this
vehicle should be 14,000 pounds.
It’s easy to see why two-post, side-by-side
lifts are often overloaded, even though the total
lift capacity hasn’t been exceeded. Look
around your shop and determine if any lifts are
being overloaded based on the heavy rear ends of certain vehicles, and dividing total lift capacity by four swing arms.
4. INSPECT EQUIPMENT ANNUALLY
ANSI/Automotive Lift Institute ALCTV Standard for Automotive Lifts
“Safety Requirements for Construction, Testing, and Validation” requires technicians perform a daily operational safety check. ANSI also requires an annual
inspection by a qualified individual. Failing to do so exposes your shop to liabilities that could be associated with an injury, if an accident were to happen. Contact
the manufacturer or garage equipment sales company to schedule an inspection.
5. TRAINING AND TESTING
Like any product, lifts vary in style, type, capability, longevity, and warranty. ANSI requires technicians to be trained annually in proper lift use. This may
seem unnecessary, yet think of everyone who drives a forklift in your facility
who is required to take and pass an annual safety test. The test results are added
to each employee’s file in case of a forklift incident.
The same applies to vehicle lifts. Contact the Automotive Lift Institute, your
lift supplier or a local lift inspection company for a copy of the 20-minute
Lifting it Right video hosted by legendary NASCAR driver Richard “The
King” Petty, and his son, Kyle Petty. Require technicians to watch the video
and pass a written test on lift operation and safety.
Visit www.mohawklifts.com for more information.
ARI-HETRA
12775 Randolph Ridge Lane
Manassas, VA 20109 USA
703-359-6265
FAX: 703-359-6405
Web Site: www.ari-hetra.com
Products: ARI-HETRA is a U.S. manufacturer of a
full line of heavy-duty vehicle maintenance equipment. Known for products including its mobile
lifting system, exhaust extraction system and
heavy-duty wheel service equipment. ARI-HETRA
Mobile Lifting Systems are capable of servicing all
types of heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. There
are no limitations regarding vehicle weight, wheelbase or configuration. 08
Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc.
3501 S. Leonard Rd.
St. Joseph, MO 64503 USA
816-233-6121 FAX: 816-233-7251
Web Site: www.grayusa.com
Products: Gray Manufacturing is a family-owned
and operated company. It designs, manufactures,
sells and services innovative, high-quality and reliable professional service equipment for the automotive, truck, and service vehicle industries. Gray
offers a complete line of professional service
equipment including: mobile column lifts, wheel
lift systems, transmission and component jacks, air
jacks, floor jacks, vehicle support stands, shop
presses, wheel dollies, fluid handlers, forklift jacks,
oil filter crushers, and truck tire changers. 09
MAHA USA
2404 East Highway 134
Pinckard, AL 36371 USA
866-624-2872
FAX: 334-983-1094
Web Site: www.maha-usa.com
Company Officers: Wolfgang Raffler, Managing
Director
Products: MAHA USA unites German engineering with American craftsmanship to produce
heavy-duty mobile column lifts. MAHA USA manufactures vehicle lifting systems from its 90,000square-foot production facility in Pinckard, AL. Its
wireless mobile column lifts are powered by stateof-the-art ball-screw technology. MAHA USA also
offers a full line of heavy-duty workshop equipment consisting of pantograph and parallelogram
lifts, wheel lifting systems, various floor, transmission and clutch jacks, wheel service equipment,
emission testers, and PBBT-certified brake testers.
15
Mohawk Lifts
See Ad At Right
65 Vrooman Ave. \ P.O. Box 110
Amsterdam, NY 12010 USA
518-842-1431
FAX: 518-842-1289
Web Site: www.mohawklifts.com
Company Officers: Steve Perlstein, Sales &
Marketing Manager
Products: Mohawk offers environmentally safe
above-ground lifts ranging from 6,000 to 240,000
pound capacities. Mohawk manufactures two post
lifts, four post lifts, scissor lifts, turf lifts, mobile
column lifts, parallelogram lifts and many lift
accessories. As a lift supplier for garages; independent shops; and government, state, utility and
fleet lifting requirements, Mohawk’s popularity is
based on a combination of safety systems, design,
construction, and an inclusive warranty. Mohawk
Lifts are designed, welded and manufactured in the
U.S.A. 15
BUSLINE
Page 55
Omer North America Inc.
2300 Speers Rd.
Oakville, Ontario L6L 2X8 CANADA
877-799-5438 FAX: 905-891-1214
Web Site: www.karliftsolutions.com
Products: Omer North America offers the KAR
LIFT Pantograph lift in capacities of 44,000,
55,000, 66,000, 77,000, 88,000 and 99,000 lb. The
KAR LIFT is available in runway lengths of 23’,
26’, 30’, 33’, 36’, 48.5’ long powder coated or completely hot-dipped galvanized. All of these models
have been ALI/ETL certified. Omer has built KAR
LIFTS up to 57’ long and 121,000 lb. capacity.
Omer holds several patented design features that
include a “Volumetric Control” that eliminates all
electronics on the lift, and AOS energy absorbing
material that eliminates the need for the lift scissors
to have “slide” to eliminate stress. For customers
who prefer electronic synchronization, Omer offers
a four motor/pump control with industrial inclinometers mounted on each scissor. 13
Web Site: www.rotarylift.com
Products: Rotary Lift is a manufacturer of vehicle
lifts designed to increase technician productivity
and fleet uptime. Rotary Lift offers a full line of
heavy-duty vehicle lifts for servicing the wide range
of buses on the road today. The line includes modular inground; mobile column; scissor; parallelogram; and four-post lifts.The new MOD35 is the
next generation of Rotary Lift’s MOD30 modular,
environmentally friendly heavy-duty inground lift.
More than 1,100 MOD30 lifts have been installed
since the product’s introduction in 2002. Rotary
Lift’s patented universal style lifting saddles make
inground lift set-up faster and easier. Rotary Lift’s
Mach™ family of mobile column lifts can be used
virtually anywhere to service almost any vehicle.
Wired and wireless communication options are
available. Rotary Lift is a Vehicle Service Group
(VSG) brand. VSG’s global headquarters and ISO
9001-certified North American manufacturing facilities are in Madison, IN. 15
Rotary Lift
2700 Lanier Drive
Madison, IN 47250 USA
800-640-5438 FAX: 800-578-5438
Sefac, Inc.
23 Fontana Ln., Suite 109
Baltimore, MD 21237 USA
443-730-1023
Website: www.sefac.com
Products: SEFAC, Inc. is a manufacturer of
heavy-duty mobile vehicle lifts, jack stands,
transmission jacks and accessories. It also services and refurbishes SEFAC brand lifts, as well as
supplying parts for all lifts. 14
Stertil-Koni
200 Log Canoe Circle
Stevensville, MD 21666 USA
410-643-9001 FAX: 410-643-8901
Web Site: www.stertil-koni.com
Products: Stertil-Koni, based in Stevensville, MD,
has an extensive inventory of lifts, and working
through an exclusive network of distributors,
Stertil-Koni sells its complete line of heavy-duty
vehicle lifts throughout the United States and
Canada. Stertil-Koni has expanded manufacturing
of its broad range of mobile column lifts in the
United States with manufacturing facilities in
Streator, IL.
Stertil-Koni manufactures all types of heavyduty lifts, including mobile column lifts, platform
lifts, parallelogram lifts, in-ground axle engaging
lifts, and two-post lifts. Stertil is ISO 9001 certified, and most lifts are ALI/ETL certified. 12
Indian Trails Honors 4 Bus Drivers For Safely Transporting 1.5 Million Passengers
Four bus drivers for Indian Trails, Inc., were
recently honored with the company's Million
Mile Award for driving more than 1 million
miles without an avoidable accident — and one
of the four was recognized for safely driving 2
million miles.
Indian Trails operates 33 daily scheduled
motorcoach routes throughout Michigan's
upper and lower peninsulas and into Chicago,
Duluth, and Milwaukee. Five routes are operated in partnership with the Michigan
Department of Transportation. In addition, the
company operates a large group charter business, as well as the Michigan Flyer-AirRide
shuttle service, which makes 12 round trips a
day between East Lansing, Ann Arbor and
Detroit Metro Airport.
"Reaching these milestones accident-free is a
real testament to the professionalism and skills
of our drivers, and our foremost goal of getting
passengers safely to their destinations," said
Indian Trails President Gordon Mackay.
This year's Million Mile Award recipients
are Carl Briggs, Luis Garcia, and Jerry
VanDeusen, Jr. The Two Million Mile Award
recipient is Phillip "Al" Kline. They join 24
previous award winners since Indian Trails
established the recognition in 1989. The four
drivers were honored at a luncheon where they
received crystal awards and special jackets and
name badges recognizing their million-mile
achievements. In addition, the drivers each
received a State of Michigan Special Tribute
signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, Sen. Joe Hune,
and Rep. Ben Glardon.
For perspective, 1 million miles equates to 40
Page 56
BUSLINE
Million-mile safe drivers Luis Garcia, Carl Briggs, Al Kline, and Jerry VanDeusen Jr. were honored by
Indian Trails bus company and the state of Michigan for collectively transporting 1.5 million passengers
more than 5 million miles without an accident. (PRNewsFoto/Indian Trails, Inc.)
trips around the Earth, two trips to the moon
and back, or 180 round trips between New York
and Los Angeles. For the motorcoach drivers, it
means averaging 50,000 miles annually for 20
years. The number of miles driven by each
motorcoach driver is tracked through Federal
Department of Transportation records maintained by the company.
Indian Trails Vice President Chad Cushman
estimates that each one-million-mile driver has
safely transported about 300,000 passengers to
their destinations, and made 6,500 trips. Kline,
the two-million-mile driver, has safely carried
some 600,000 passengers to their destinations.
"Our million-mile drivers are true professionals," said Daniel Tomlinson, Indian Trails'
director of safety and training, "and they also
serve as instructors for new drivers coming into
the company. Among the skills they teach are
five keys to good driving. The first four involve
really paying attention to what's going on
around you on the road at all times. The fifth is
making sure other drivers see you."
Indian Trails, Inc., which has served as
Michigan's premiere, family-owned, intercity motorcoach carrier for more than 100
years, and is based in Owosso, MI. Visit
www.indiantrails.com for more information.
Montreal MCI
Sales And Service Center
Moves To Expanded Location
MCI will move its Montreal MCI Sales and Service Center to an
expanded location at 3500 St. Patrick St.
The new downtown location, a few miles from the current site, is
easily accessible from the expressway and allows MCI to expand its
parts, service and repair capacity. The new location will also feature
new MCI and Setra coaches; pre-owned coach inventory; parts for
MCI, Setra and other-make coaches and buses; and an MCI Mobile
Maintenance unit.
The center will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The
telephone number remains 1-800-663-3328. During the move, operators may continue to schedule appointments by calling Service
Manager Marc-Andre Ouellet or by emailing [email protected]. MCI plans to retain and add to its present staff to
accommodate recent sales growth.
Home of the Best Full-Service
Travel Plaza in Northern Illinois
Featuring…
Seating for 175, Homestyle Cooking, Daily Specials,
Buffet, Soup & Salad Bar, Full Menu, Carry-Out
(815) 562-5840
The new site will offers state-of-the-art equipment and diagnostics. Renovations to the new site, which have begun, will continue
over several months. The new location includes on-site fueling;
complete repair and retrofit; quick-service oil change station and
lavatory services and parts pick up counter. MCI is adding a paint
booth; an indoor bus wash station and a drivers’ area with lounge
chairs, television, Wi-Fi and refreshments; and a customer parts
pick-up counter.
The MCI Mobile Maintenance unit will be manned by a technician and will carry diagnostic tools, repair essentials and parts
required for the inspection, maintenance and repair of all motor
coach makes and models. The MCI unit will travel to serve
Montreal-area customers at their own facilities Monday through
Friday, with services including roadside diagnostics, brakes, air
leaks, lights, belts, hose replacements and more.
MCI also plans to implement Quality at the Source at the service
center. QAS is a lean-principle program MCI has employed at its
manufacturing plants.
The new Montreal location follows last year’s Des Plaines, IL,
service center move and is part of MCI’s plan to expand its service
capabilities at existing sites. In addition to Montreal and Des
Plaines, MCI operates service centers in Winter Garden, FL; Los
Alamitos, CA; Blackwood, NJ; and Dallas, TX. All MCI Service
Centers offer complete mechanical repair services, including chassis, suspension, brakes, air conditioning and steering; coach modifications; paint and body repair; wheelchair lift installations; insurance estimating and appraisal services; and immediate access to
replacement parts on-site. MCI service centers are also approved for
Detroit Diesel, Allison Transmission, ZF ASTronic Transmission
and HVAC systems warranty service.
Visit www.mcicoach.com
Seating for 40, Specialty Sandwiches,
Stromboli, Fresh Salads & Pizza,
Hand-Dipped Ice Cream!
(815) 561-9595
Designated Bus Parking and
Pull-Thru Fueling Island
Bus Drivers & Tour
Guides Eat free!
Mini-Mall — 2 Stores
with over 5,000 sq. ft. of shopping!
ATM, Major Credit Cards accepted.
I-39 & Hwy 38, Exit 99
Rochelle, IL
OPEN 24 HOURS
Please call ahead!
BUSLINE
Page 57
MOTORCOACHES
Prevost
Prevost
Prevost X3-45
Prevost H3-45
With its striking appearance, the H-Series illustrates Prevost’s passion for continuous improvement. Prevost AWARE Adaptive Cruise
Braking, the Prevost Electronic Stability Program, and the Prevost
Welded Rail System take safety to a new level.
Volvo’s D13 engine has smooth, quiet operation and drastically lowers emission of air pollutants. The Volvo D13 with advanced SCR exceeds
EPA emissions standards to bypass the industry in terms of environmental care.
Using its multiplexed architecture, Prevost moved controls for key
functions from the dashboard to the steering wheel, helping to
increase safety for all on board. Prevost’s Cluster showcases an insightful Driver Information Display (DID), providing significant advantages to
drivers and operators. Important information is easily communicated,
offering several valuable tools such as fuel data management, data logging and clear text display messages.
Visually, the H-Series grabs public attention and embodies the
Prevost brand and its unique DNA in a highly recognizable and memorable way. Its elegance and prestige confirm a company’s status and
reputation.
Model............................................................................................Prevost H3-45
Seating Capacity.............................................................................................56
Length ...............................................................................................................45’
Width ...............................................................................................................102”
Height........................................................................................................146.25”
Wheelbase......................................................................................................314”
Overhang (front/rear) ......................................................................75” - 107”
Inside Height (min./max.)..........................................Floor to Ceiling - 77”
Turning Radius ............................................................................................45.6’
Tire Size..........................................................................................315/80 R22.5
Engine................EPA Compliant Volvo D13 w/DPF and SCR, 435 HP, 13L
Transmission ..................Allison World, 5th Gen., 6-Speed Auto. Trans.;
Volvo I-Shift, 12-Speed Automated Manual
Brakes..........................................................All-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS
Fuel Tank Capacity.......................................................................230 U.S. gal.
Air Conditioning..........................................................................Bitzer 4FNCY
Baggage Capacity............................................................................580 cu. ft.
Wheelchair Lift Option...............................Interchangeable Swap & Plug
Steering ........................................Steering Wheel w/Integrated Controls,
Tilt & Telescopic, and Integral Power Steering,
Variable Assistance Power Steering
Suspension ..........Wide-Stance Tuned Suspension w/Liftable Tag Axle
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BUSLINE
The X3-45 carries on the Prevost tradition of innovation, showcasing advanced technologies. The Prevost Welded Rail System and Prevost
Electronic Stability Program take safety to a new level.
Volvo’s D13 engine has smooth, quiet operation and drastically lowers emission of air pollutants. The Volvo D13 with advanced SCR exceeds
EPA emissions standards.
The Prevost X3-45 has the longest wheelbase in the touring coach
market (334.5 in.), giving passengers a smooth ride, and features the
largest under-floor surface area (139 sq. ft.) in the industry. At 134 inches, the Prevost X3-45 has the lowest overall height of all seated coaches, providing easy access to virtually any pick-up or drop-off site.
Equipped with the Prevost Advanced Multiplex System, the Prevost
X3-45 delivers dependability and maximizes operational efficiency. The
user-friendly system features a multitude of benefits, including easier
maintenance, faster troubleshooting and quick and accurate diagnosis
of problems with vital components.
Prevost
35 Gagnon Blvd., Ste-Claire, Quebec GOR 2VO CANADA
Tel: 418-883-3391 Toll-Free: 877-773-8678
Fax: 418-883-4157 Website: www.prevostcar.com
Model............................................................................................Prevost X3-45
Seating Capacity .............................................................................................55
Length ...............................................................................................................45’
Width ...............................................................................................................102”
Height..............................................................................................................134”
Wheelbase .................................................................................................334.5”
Overhang (front/rear) ...........................................................72.30” - 86.60”
Inside Height (min./max.) .........................................Floor to Ceiling - 80”
Turning Radius ............................................................................................42.6’
Tire Size..........................................................................................315/80 R22.5
Engine ................EPA Compliant Volvo D13 w/DPF and SCR, 435 HP, 13L
Transmission ..................Allison World, 5th Gen., 6-Speed Auto. Trans.;
Volvo I-Shift, 12-Speed Automated Manual
Brakes..........................................................All-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS
Fuel Tank Capacity ........................................................................192 U.S. gal.
Baggage Capacity .............................................................................513 cu. ft.
Wheelchair Lift Option...............................Interchangeable Swap & Plug
Steering ........................................Steering Wheel w/Integrated Controls,
Tilt & Telescopic, and Integral Power Steering,
Variable Assistance Power Steering Available
MOTORCOACHES
Prevost
Prevost
Volvo 9700
Prevost X3-45 Commuter Coach
The Volvo 9700 is a coach that makes an impression. A modern exterior with characteristic Volvo feel is matched by an elegant interior featuring soft, gentle shapes and well-designed trim.
Exceptional comfort abounds throughout the Volvo 9700.
Electronically controlled air suspension and a rigid frame design make
for a confident, reassuring ride. A low interior noise level and comfortable seats also ensure an enjoyable journey, and large tinted windows
provide excellent visibility all around.
High-efficiency brakes, electronic stability program, three-point
seat belts and Volvo-unique impact protection for the driver and the
other road users are just some examples of its safety equipment. With
all its service points grouped together logically, the Volvo 9700 is easy
to maintain. Highly integrated components – like the D13 engine and IShift Transmission – simplify service scheduling and make for convenient “one-stop shopping” when vehicles require maintenance.
The I-Shift is an intelligent transmission system that combines the
robustness and dependability of a manual gearbox with the comfort
and convenience of an automatic transmission. Its latest generation
ensures substantially improved performance and fuel economy.
Productivity, efficient design and safety define the Volvo 9700.
The X3-45 Commuter Coach is designed from the Prevost platform
known for durability, reliability, and lifetime value. The X3-45 coaches are
constructed to be used in a demanding commuter application which
requires reliable vehicle performance, and the coach has been 12-year
Structural Integrity Tested. Developed with a focus on transit operation concerns such as passenger safety, accessibility, low operation costs and ease
of maintenance, the X3-45 Commuter features a very reliable structure.
The Prevost Electronic Stability Program is the first system with
rollover and under/over-steer protection and electronically compensates for quick reactions in adverse conditions, according to Prevost.
The Prevost X3-45 includes three-point seat belts on a 20G rated welded rail system for an exceptionally secure passenger environment.
Passengers of the X3-45 Commuter immediately notice the large entry
area through the bi-part doors with the lowest steps and shortest stairway, making it easier on mobility challenged passengers. Another feature noticed by passengers is the high interior space – a full 80-inches
of space from floor to ceiling. Additionally, the commuter can be outfitted with a Wi-Fi system, state-of-the-art sound and video, and electrical
outlets at each seat to keep passengers plugged in and in touch while
commuting.
Model .................................................................................................Volvo 9700
Length ...............................................................................................................45’
Width ...............................................................................................................102”
Height..............................................................................................................145”
Wheelbase ......................................Between front and tag axle - 254.84”
Overhang (front/rear) .....................................................................112” - 109”
Inside Height (min./max.) .................................Front - 77.2”; Rear - 72.8”
Turning Radius..........................................................................................42.83’
Tire Size..........................................................................................315/80 R22.5
Engine ................EPA Compliant Volvo D13 w/DPF and SCR, 435 HP, 13L
Transmission.........................Volvo I-Shift, 12-Speed Automated Manual
Brakes...............................All-Wheel Disc Brakes w/ABS double circuitry
Fuel Tank Capacity........................................................................210 U.S. gal.
Air Conditioning .........................................................Carrier - AC353 GenIV
Baggage Capacity................................400 cu. ft. (under-floor capacity)
Wheelchair Lift Option .........................................................................Built in
Steering .....................Tilt and Telescopic, and Integral Power Steering
Model .........................................................Prevost X3-45 Commuter Coach
Seating Capacity .............................................................................................57
Length ...............................................................................................................45’
Width ...............................................................................................................102”
Height..............................................................................................................134”
Wheelbase .................................................................................................334.5”
Overhang (front/rear) .............................................................72.30”; 86.60”
Inside Height (min./max.) .........................................Floor to ceiling - 80”
Turning Radius ............................................................................................42.6’
Tire Size..........................................................................................315/80 R22.5
Engine.................EPA Compliant Volvo D13 w/DPF and SCR, 435 HP,13L
Transmission ....................Allison World, 5th gen., 6-speed auto. trans.
Brakes...........................................................................All-Wheel disc. w/ ABS
Fuel Tank Capacity ........................................................................192 U.S. gal.
Baggage Capacity .............................................................................513 cu. ft.
Wheelchair Lift Option...............................Interchangeable swap & plug
Steering.........................................Steering wheel w/integrated controls,
Tilt & telescopic, and integral power steering,
(Variable Assistance Power Steering Available)
Suspension.................................................Wide-stance tuned suspension
w/liftable tag axle
BUSLINE
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MOTORCOACHES
Motor Coach Industries
MCI J4500
Reliability Driven: The MCI J4500 continues to win fans for its
good looks, premium workhorse reliability, low total cost of operation, and significant fuel economy gains. Now, the MCI J4500
includes a new ZF independent front suspension and a Bendix
braking system, to deliver an unbelievable ride, car-like control
and ease of service.
Motor Coach Industries; 200 East Oakton St.,
Des Plaines, IL 60018; 847-285-2000; 800-428-7626;
Fax: 847-285-2013 • Email: [email protected];
Website: www.mcicoach.com
Model ..................................................................................................MCI J4500
Length .........................................................................................................45.58’
Height ........................................................................................................140.74”
Headroom ..................................................................................................78.25”
Turning Radius ...................................................................................40 ft 11 in
Wheelbase......................................................................................................315”
Floor - Low or standard ...................................................................Standard
Engine Options.......................................Cummins ISX 12L, 425 HP engine
w/engine brake;
optional Detroit Diesel DD 13
Transmission................................................................Allison B500 6-speed
automatic transmission with prognostics
capability with fuel saving
(RELS-Reduced Engine Load at Stop)
Chassis .............................................................................................Monocoque
Fuel Tank Capacity ................................................................................183 gal.
Fuel Options ................................................................................................ULSD
Brakes....................................................Bendix® ADB22X™ Air Disc Brakes
GVWR ..................................................................................................54,000 lbs.
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BUSLINE
MCI D4505
The workhorse. Reliable and economical, the 40- and 45-foot
MCI D-Series coaches consistently deliver low-cost, high-quaility
performance. Built with MCI quaility to deliver a unique combination of dependability and passenger comfort.
Des Plaines, IL 60018; 847-285-2000; 800-428-7626;
Model...............................................................................................MCI D-Series
Seating Capacity ......................................................................................55; 47
Length.......................................................................................................45’; 40’
Height..............................................................................................................137”
Headroom. .................................................................................................78.25”
Turning Radius ..................................................................................47’; 44.70’
Wheelbase (s).....................................................................................318”; 279”
Floor - Low or Standard...................................................................Standard
Engine ....................................................................................Cummins ISL, ISX
Transmission.................................................................................Allison B500
Fuel Tank Capacity................................................................................164 gal.
Fuel Options ................................................................................................ULSD
Brakes.............................Air or Hydraulic: Meritor all-wheel EX-225 disc
GVWR...........................................................................50,000 lbs.; 46,000 lbs.
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MOTORCOACHES
Setra S 417 TC
MCI Commuter Coach
Designed for the highway. The MCI Commuter Coach has
earned its position as a leader in longer-distance express service
for public transit by offering low cost of ownership; a lower perseat cost with 42 percent more seating capacity versus a typical
40-foot transit bus; and an excellent MDBF rate, measured as the
No. 1 performer with the fewest failures per vehicle among all bus
types.
Des Plaines, IL 60018; 847-285-2000; 800-428-7626;
Model ..............................................MCI® Commuter Coach D4500/D4000
Available in CNG, Hybrid & Clean-Diesel
Seating Capacity........................................57 Passengers; 49 Passengers
Length.......................................................................................................45’; 40’
Height..............................................................................................................137”
Headroom ..................................................................................................78.25”
Turning Radius ..................................................................................47’; 44.70’
Wheelbase...........................................................................................318”; 279”
Engine Options....................................................Cummins ISL, ISX or ISL G
Transmission ...........................Allison B500, Allison EP 50, Hybrid drive
Fuel Tank Capacity .................................................164 gal. CNG 114.6 (DGE)
Diesel Gallon Equivalent
Fuel Options..........................................................Clean-diesel, hybrid, CNG
Brakes...........................................Air, disc with unitized hubs and preset
GVWR...........................................................................50,000 lbs.; 46,000 lbs.
With luxury plus personalized design, operators can differentiate their fleet with the Daimler-built Setra S 417, now with more
choices including an optional second door; 2-1, reversiblie executive or club-corner lounge seating; premium fabrics; galleys; and
the optional TopSky and rear window. The front collision guard,
cornering lights and rain/light sensors are just a few of the features contributing to the model’s safety standards.
Des Plaines, IL 60018; 847-285-2000; 800-428-7626;
Model ...........................................................................................TopClass S 417
Length ...............................................................................................................45’
Height.................................................................................................................12’
Headroom .......................................................................................................6.6’
Turning Radius ..........................................................................................481.7”
Wheelbase.....................................................................................................280”
Floor - Low or Standard...................................................................Standard
Engine .............................................Mercedes-Benz OM 471 EPA 10 450 hp
Transmission..............................Allison B 500R or, ZF Astronic 12-speed
Chassis .............................................................................Monocoque Integral
Fuel Tank Capacity................................................................................180 gal.
Fuel Options................................................................Ultra low sulfur diesel
Brakes - Air or Hydraulic.................................................Knorr disc brakes
GVWR...................................................................................................50,534 lbs.
BUSLINE
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MOTORCOACHES
ABC Companies
ABC Companies
Van Hool TX
Van Hool CX
With its retooled chassis design, the TX motorcoach features
expanded baggage capacity and a host of luxury appointments.
Offering advanced technology and European design, the Van Hool
TX class delivers high-style to American operators.
For high-end tour operators, the TX 40’ and 45’ coach models
integrate Van Hool’s most advanced European technology and
design, now offering many new standard features including these
highlights: taller overall height (12’ 2 1/4”) expands underfloor
baggage capacity to 464.39 cu. ft.; baggage door seals mounted
on luggage doors for less maintenance; Detroit Diesel DD13 (450
HP) EPA 2013 engine; Goodyear Marathon LHS II 315/80 R22.5 + HL
tires; power driver’s toll-window, heated, with tinted tempered
glass; new passenger courtesy shelves in restroom back wall;
exterior lighting upgraded to include integrated light clusters and
daytime running lights and static aiming lights integrated in front
bumper; interior LED lightstrips cover full length of ceiling left
and right; standard back-up camera with in-dash display; 56 Van
Hool Bodyline reclining passenger seats offer straighter back
cushions and headrests, plus 2 up-folding armrests (fixed on wall
side) and 3-point seat belts FMVSS 210 compliant; and new sliding
passenger multisets.
Standard safety features include: daytime running lights; static aiming lights; Kidde fire suppression system; back-up camera;
and 3-point seat belts FMVSS 210.
Added style and enhanced features redefine the hard working,
versatile Van Hool CX. Along with the introduction of sleek new
body styling, the new CX model has evolved to offer operators
more standard features including key safety improvements,
added serviceability, interior cabin comforts and more.
For operators focused on fleet versatility, the improved CX
brings charters, tours, line hauls and more to the next level. The
new CX45 offers a significant style upgrade and includes a wide
range of expanded passenger and driver-friendly features for
tours, charters and commuter operators including: updated front
and rear bumpers featuring integrated light clusters at headlight
and taillight positions, and added daytime running lights; LED luggage compartment lighting; Detroit Diesel DD13 (EPA2013) engine;
Goodyear Marathon LHS II 315/80 R22.5 + HL tires; Eberspacher
hydronic L30 auxiliary heater; upgraded driver seat — ISRI
6800/348 (US, self-leveling/adjustable air suspension, plus
adjustable arm and headrest, 3-point automatic seat belt); 56
seats/Van Hool Bodyline reclining passenger seats w/straighter
back cushion and headrest, spring-loaded footrests, 2 up-folding
armrests (fixed at wall side) and 3-point seat belts FMVSS 210
compliant; and new sliding passenger multisets.
Standard safety features include: daytime running lights; static aiming lights; Kidde fire suppression; back-up camera; and 3point seat belts FMVSS 210.
Model................................................................................................Van Hool TX
Seating Capacity....................40’ - 48 Passengers; 45’ - 56 Passengers
Length.......................................................................................................40’; 45’
Width ...............................................................................................................102”
Height......................................................................................................12’ 2.25”
Inside Height (min./max.) ...........................................................................77”
Engine .......................Detroit Diesel DD13 (450HP) EPA 2013 – Standard;
Cummins ISX 12.9 (425 HP) EPA 2013 – Optional
Transmission .........................Allison B500 Six-Speed Automatic (Gen5)
Chassis .......................................................................................Stainless Steel
Air Conditioning ................Integrated HVAC system / 134a Refrigerant
Wheelchair Lift Option .............................................................Braun NL-502
Steering................................................................ZF Variable Ratio Steering
Suspension............................Independent Front & Tag Axle Suspension
Model ...............................................................................................Van Hool CX
Seating Capacity........................................................................56 Passenger
Length ...............................................................................................................45’
Width ...............................................................................................................102”
Height ............................................................................................................11’ 6”
Inside Height (min./max.) ......................................................................75.75”
Engine .......................Detroit Diesel DD13 (450HP) EPA 2013 – Standard;
Cummins ISX 12.9 (425 HP) EPA 2013 Emission – Optional
Transmission ........................Allison B500 Six-Speed Automatic (Gen 5)
Air Conditioning ................Integrated HVAC system / 134a Refrigerant
Wheelchair Lift Option........................Braun NL-501 or Ricon (BayLift®)
Steering................................................................ZF Variable Ratio Steering
Suspension............................Independent Front & Tag Axle Suspension
Page 62
BUSLINE
MOTORCOACHES
ABC Companies
Glaval Bus
Glaval Legacy
Van Hool TD925
The highline Van Hool TD925 double deck coach makes a bold
statement. With passenger seating up to 81, this coach is an
industry frontrunner in reduced carbon emissions and fuel consumption — providing an additional 43 percent more passenger
capacity and up to 486 passenger miles per gallon. Featuring an
upper deck sky view rooftop, centrally located restroom, ample
storage, front and rear stairs, dual-deck entertainment system
and more, the TD925 offers one of the most innovative coach
designs offered to the U.S. traveling public.
The proportioned steps and wide doorways provide easy
access and easy loading and unloading from both the front and
the rear staircases. The lowered aisle and increased interior
height enable every passenger to walk upright through the
coach. Three point seat belts are standard on all seats.
Individual lighting and ventilation, together with state-of-theart, integrated heating and air conditioning systems with upper
and lower controls at each level, provide a comfortable environment for all the passengers.
The Legacy is built on the heavy-duty Freightliner S2C chassis
and powered by the proven Cummins 6.7L ISB diesel engine and
Allison transmission. Built with rear air-ride suspension, the
Legacy is sure to impress with stylish beauty, outstanding ride
quality and rugged durability.
Whether looking for first-class transportation or even public
shuttle service, the Legacy is just the answer. The Legacy can seat
up to 45 passengers and is available with a wide variety of ADAcompliant paratransit options. Also available with rear luggage,
overhead and under floor storage, the Legacy has the versatility
to fit all transportation needs.
Glaval Bus
914 CR #1 North
Elkhart, IN 46514
800-445-2825
Website: www.glavalbus.com
ABC Companies; 1506 30th Street, NW; Faribault, MN
55021 USA; 507-334-1871 Fax: 507-334-0246
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.abc-companies.com
Model.........................................................................................Van Hool TD925
Seating Capacity...............59 Upper & 22 Lower Deck (81 Passengers);
Restroom Deletion – Add 2 seats (83 Passengers) – Optional
Length................................................................................................44’ 4-9/32”
Width ...............................................................................................................102”
Height ....................................................................................................13’ 1-1/16”
Engine ......................................................Cummins ISX 11.9L 2010 Emission
Transmission .............................................................Allison B500R (Gen IV)
Air Conditioning...........................Eberspacher Integrated HVAC system
Wheelchair Lift Option........................Foldable Wheelchair (ADA) Ramp
with two tie-down positions in lower deck
Steering.................................................................................ZF Variable Ratio
Suspension...................................................Independent Front & Tag Axle
Model ............................................................................................Glaval Legacy
Seating Capacity ....................................................................................45 Max
Length................................................................................32’, 35’, 37’ and 40’
Width...............................................................................................96” and 102”
Height..............................................................................................................129”
Engine..............................................................................Cummins 6.7L Diesel
Transmission ...............................Allison 2200 PTS w/Park Pawl 5-Speed
Chassis.....................................................................................Freightliner S2C
Air Conditioning ..............................Carrier/Mcc, ACC, Trans Air and ACT
Wheelchair Option.................................................Accommodates up to 14
Steering ......................................................................................Tilt/Telescopic
Suspension ........................................................Front Spring, Rear Air Ride
BUSLINE
Page 63
MOTORCOACHES
Temsa
Temsa
Temsa TS 30
Temsa TS 35
The Temsa TS 30 coach is manufactured in Turkey and is distributed in the United States exclusively by CH Bus Sales, Inc.
The TS 30 is a fully integral designed mid-size coach that provides the same level of comfort and amenities as a full size
coach.
The TS 30 has independent front suspension and automatic
transmission, contributing to a smooth, comfortable drive. With
an American driveline (Cummins/Allison), the TS 30 provides
power and serviceability. These are combined with European
quality and craftsmanship to create a high quality driving experience. It is stringently tested to ensure the highest standards.
Despite its compact dimensions, the TS 30 has a tough, integral stainless steel chassis for extra durability and safety. The
luxury interior integrates a high quality heating and air conditioning system, abundant luggage space, a restroom and reclining seats.
The TS 30 is appropriate for smaller groups and is more economical to purchase and operate than a larger coach, according
to the company. It is fuel efficient and kind to the environment
as well as an operator’s finances.
The Temsa TS 35 coach is manufactured in Turkey and is distributed in the United States and Canada exclusively by CH Bus
Sales, Inc. The TS 35 is a fully integral designed mid-size coach
that provides the same level of comfort and amenities as a full
size coach. This mid-size coach offers a luxurious and spacious
interior for passengers and driver.
With an American driveline (Cummins/Allison), the TS 35 provides power and serviceability. These are combined with
European quality and craftsmanship to create a high quality
driving experience.
The TS 35 is constructed from stainless steel for extra durability and safety. It is stringently tested to ensure the highest
standards. The TS 35 is appropriate for smaller groups, more
economical to purchase and operate than a larger coach, but
with the same high-end features, according to the company.
CH Bus Sales/TEMSA
1645 Lyndale Avenue N., Suite 102, Faribault, MN 55021
Phone: 507-331-7911; Fax: 507-331-1338
Website: www.chbussales.com
CH Bus Sales/TEMSA
Phone: 507-331-7911; Fax: 507-331-1338
Model...............................................................................................Temsa TS 30
Seating Capacity.........................................34 passengers with restroom
Length .........................................................................................................30.64’
Width...........................................................................................................94.64”
Height.......................................................10.89’ (including air conditioner)
Engine.........................................................Cummins ISB 6.7 250 HP-EPA 13
Type of Fuel ...............................................................................................Diesel
Chassis ......................................Frameless monocoque in stainless steel
Air Conditioning ...........................Full auto HVAC system/roof type unit
(27 KW cooling, 39 KW heating)
Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................Yes
Steering .............................................................................................................ZF
Suspension..............Independent front suspension w/shock absorber
Page 64
BUSLINE
Model...............................................................................................Temsa TS 35
Length ...............................................................................................................35’
Width............................................................................................................100.4”
Height ..............................................................................................................11.5’
Engine .........................................................Cummins ISL 8.9 345 HP-EPA 13
Air Conditioning..................................Full automatic convector system/
Roof type air conditioning unit 32 KW/Carrier 05G
Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................Yes
Steering ....................................................................................Power Steering
Suspension .................................................Independent front suspension
w/adjustable shock absorber
M
MOTORCOACHES
Temsa
ADVERTORIAL
From Bitimec:
Fleet Washing Made Easy
Everyone knows a clean fleet is good business. The problem has
always been how to achieve that goal affordably. Bitimec’s Speedy
Wash machines are the sector's leading line for busy coach and bus
operators needing to provide consistently good, fast washing in generally tight spaces.
Bitimec has evolved the single brush wash sector with many
“firsts.” The company’s new state-of-the-art battery 626-EZ has
proven to be a workhorse of a machine, and as comfortable supporting very large transit bus depots (such as the MTA’s Eastchester
depot in New York), as it is supporting detail-conscious high-end
coach operators.
Bitimec firsts, such as combination foam brill brushes or allclosed-pore-foam Bus-Lite brushes, have become the standard for
washing high-end coaches, maintaining them clean with a light
touch on the clear-coat.
Temsa TS 45
The Temsa TS 45 is manufactured in Turkey and is distributed
exclusively in the United States by CH Bus Sales, Inc. The TS 45
is a fully integral full size coach constructed from stainless steel
offering strength and stability. This coach is tested to ensure the
highest quality performance.
With an American driveline (Cummins/Allison), the TS 45 provides power and serviceability. These are combined with
European quality and craftsmanship to create a high quality
driving experience.
This 56 passenger coach ensures the safety of passengers by
offering the highest safety features on every coach. Standard
features include an engine fire suppression system, lane departure warning system, tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, ATC,
ESC, RSC, brake pad wear monitoring and warning system, and 3point safety belts. Also installed on this coach is laminated +
tempered window glass that is an excellent safety feature.
CH Bus Sales/TEMSA
Phone: 507-331-7911; Fax: 507-331-1338
Model...............................................................................................Temsa TS 45
Length...............................................................................................................45’
Width ...............................................................................................................102”
Height ..............................................................................................................11.6’
Engine................................................................Cummins ISX 425 HP-EPA 13
Air Conditioning ...........................................Full automatic HVAC system/
6 cylinder Bitzer A/C compressor
with brushless evaporator and condenser
Wheelchair Lift Option ................................................................................Yes
Steering..............................................................................ZF Servocom 8098
Suspension .......Independent front suspension w/2 shock absorbers;
Rear suspension w/4 shock absorbers;
Tag suspension w/2 shock absorbers
A single operator walks the machine around the vehicle while it
applies soap, power-brush-washes, and rinses, using minimal water
and detergent. Turning is easy on four heavy casters, and the
machine has two controls for working in two directions for better
washing. Typically, a single operator can wash a full size coach in
six to eight minutes and do so effortlessly.
The Speedy Wash starter model 101-BB costs under $20,000,
needs to be connected to electricity and water and is usually
installed in a fixed wash bay with a trolley line (festoon) system that
keeps the cord and hose above the vehicle and out of the way.
But the line’s forte are the market leading autonomous versions
powered by battery, diesel or hybrid power. These are totally selfcontained, mobile washers that take the wash to the vehicle, from
bay to bay and from indoors to outdoors.
They store 112 gallons of rinse-water and 13 gallons of detergent pre-soak. All functions are operated at the touch on a button,
from either one of the two controls, including traction through a
spring mounted centrally located traction wheel for effortless self
propulsion.
The ability to operate the machine in both directions, and to turn
the brush clockwise or counter-clockwise, allow the machine to perform a first rate wash consistently. Effortless washing leads to more
frequent washing and cleaner fleets. When this can be achieved
affordably, in house, and have every vehicle leave the premises
sparkling clean every day (even the day after a slushy snow storm),
then the job is well done.
Bitimec’s high-quality products are made in Florence, Italy,
where high-end craftsmanship is the norm. Market leading “production mass” with exports to 30 countries on five continents allows
Bitimec to offer affordable prices for the best features.
Visit www.bitimec.com for more information.
BUSLINE
Page 65
BOWMANSDALE
2112 Bumble Bee Hollow Rd.
Off Rt. 15 • Mechanicsburg, PA
717-697-5383
CAMP HILL
4230 Trindle Road • 717-737-3896
CARLISLE
60 Noble Blvd. in Super Walmart
717-960-9400
608 E. High St. • 717-249-7721
1176 Harrisburg Pike • 717-243-7774
905 Walnut Bottom Rd. • 717-249-0694
CEDAR CLIFF
Exit 19 off I-83 • Camp Hill, PA
717-737-6404
CHAMBERSBURG
1075 Lincoln Way East • 717-263-4601
NORTH CHAMBERSBURG
2891 Philadelphia Avenue (US 11 N.)
717-263-2970
CLEONA
493 W. Penn Avenue • 717-272-5677
COLUMBIA
1788 Columbia Ave., off Rt. 30
717-684-7048
DILLSBURG
898 North US Rt. 15 • 717-432-9500
EAST MANCHESTER
4245 North George St. • 717-266-3170
ELIZABETHTOWN
1284 S. Market St. • 717-367-6471
ENOLA
Enola Rd., Exit Rt. 11
15 S. off Rt. 81 • 717-732-4228
EPHRATA
140 N. Reading Rd.• 717-733-1660
GETTYSBURG
517 S. Steinwehr Ave., Bus. Rt. 15
717-334-5920
1090 York Rd.• 717-337-1030
GREENCASTLE
Rt. 16 and I-81 • 717-597-2589
HALIFAX
3761 Peter's Moutain Rd.• 717-896-2535
HANOVER
991 Carlisle St., Rt. 94 • 717-632-7531
350 Eisenhower Dr.• 717-632-0005
1448 Baltimore St. • 717-630-0337
HARRISBURG
2929 Paxton St. • 717-561-8050
4605 Jonestown Rd.
717-652-7035
7845 Linglestown Rd.
717-545-8580
Rt. 83 and Union Deposit Rd.
717-564-9320
4403 N. Front St. • 717-238-1048
Harrisburg East Mall/Rt. 83 & Paxton St.
717-561-0703
Eisenhower Blvd. I-283, Exit 1
717 -939-6972
5590 Allentown Blvd., Rt. 22
Exit 26 off I-81 • 717-652-9123
Kline Plaza, 101 S. 25th St.
717-232-0008
Uptown Shopping Center
720 Division St. • 717-236-6226
Harrisburg Airport • 717-948-3900
6535 Grayson Rd. in Wal-Mart
717 -561-0445
HERSHEY
Rts. 39 and 322 • 611 E. Main St.,
Hummelstown • 717-566-6041
JONESTOWN
Rt 72 & I-81 • 610-562-8462
LANCASTER
1880 Hempstead Rd. • 717-509-6988
Willow Valley Square • 717-464-5119
1829 Oregon Pike • 717-569-7898
1434 Manheim Pike • 717-394-3417
Rt. 30 and Centerville Rd.
Lancaster, PA • 717-393-9523
68 East Town Mall, Rt. 30E
Lancaster, PA • 717-394-8957
1755 Columbia Ave.
Millersville Exit off Rt. 30, Rt. 462
717-397-5112
575 N. Franklin St., next to McCuskey
High School • 717-394-7938
2034 Lincoln Hwy East in Wal-Mart
717-390-1099
King & Water Streets • 717-299-6699
Manor Shopping Center
1296 Millersville Pk. • 717-293-5706
LEMOYNE
Rts. 11 and 15 North across from
Radisson Hotel • 717-761-7992
LEBANON
1202 W. Maple St. • 717-273-8691
757 E. Cumberland St. • 717-273-9023
1725 Quentin Rd., Lebanon, PA
717-306-6565
LEWISTOWN
US 522 & US 22 • 717-248-5255
121 Electric Avenue • 717-248-4447
LITITZ
990 Lititz Pike, Rt. 501 N.
717-627-4666
LITTLESTOWN
430 North Queen St. • 717-359-8946
LYKENS VALLEY
4660 Rt. 209 • 717-362-8416
MANHEIM
711 Lancaster Rd., Rt. 72
717-664-4944
MECHANICSBURG
Wesley Dr. Exit, Rt. 15
717-761-7525
KMart Plaza, 5600 Carlisle Pike
717-766-9675
6250 Carlisle Pike in Wal-Mart
717-591-9864
MERCERSBURG
11924 Buchanan Trial West
717-328-0111
MIDDLETOWN
2270 W. Harrisburg Pike • 717-944-9535
MIFFLINTOWN
Rt. 322 and Rt. 35, Mifflintown Exit
717-436-9779
MYERSTOWN
295 West Lincoln Avenue (Rt. 422)
717-866-2278
NEW CUMBERLAND
101 Limekiln Rd. • 717-774-1027
NEW HOLLAND
828 W. Main St. • 717-354-9300
NEW OXFORD
6040 York Rd., Rts. 30 and 94
717-624-4266
NEWPORT
Rt. 322 and Rt. 34, Newport Exit
717-567-9344
PALMYRA
901 E. Main St. • 717-838-6815
PINE GROVE
l-81 , Exit 31 • 717-345-6400
RED LION
897 West Broadway • 717-246-1802
655 Lombard St., Cape Horn Plaza
717-246-7801
SCOTLAND
3347 Black Gap Rd. • 717-263-7507
SHIPPENSBURG
333 East King St. • 717-532-7945
SHREWSBURY
Exit 1 off I-83 • 717-235-4663
SILVER SPRING
Rt. 114 and Shadow Oak Dr.
Mechanicsburg, PA • 717-697-3460
SPRINGETTSBURY
Hallam Exit off Rt. 30, Rt. 462
717-757-9655
WAYNESBORO
302 East Main St. • 717-762-9201
YOCUMTOWN
Exit 14A off I-83 • 717-938-5705
YORK
2125 York Crossing Dr & Rt 74
717-767-1381
Exit 4, I-83, 133 Leader Heights Road
717-747-9191
York Galleria Mall • 717-757-3026
60 Arsenal Rd. • 717-699-4600
Exit 6W off I-83 • 717-845-9360
3141 Carlisle Road, Dover
717-767-2594
144-158 S. George St. • 717-846-1021
Rts. 30 & 74 in Wal-Mart
717-764-8923
380 Memory Lane • 717-757-2912
Tell us you saw this ad in Busline Magazine,
and 1 driver and 1 tour guide will receive a
FREE MEAL!
Please call ahead to the phone number listed by
the McDonald’s of your choice.
ONE TEAM WITH ONE JOB:
TO HELP YOU
KEEP DOING YOURS.
A motorcoach is only as good as the people who stand behind it. Every Prevost is
supported by a professional service team with over 500 years of bus and motorcoach
service experience, knowledge, and integrity. Our field service experts are dedicated
to doing whatever is necessary to keep you on the road. What’s more, every Prevost
motorcoach is backed by the Prevost Action Service System (PASS) 24-hour
emergency assistance line, our eleven Prevost service centers across North America,
and more than 150 Prevost-certified service providers who are experts in the Volvo
Powertrain. While unforeseen downtime is inevitable, Prevost will have you up and
running in no time at all.
www.prevostcar.com

motorcoaches - Busline Magazine

Transcription

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