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Busline Transit Feature Lextran Lexington, KY Busline Motorcoach Feature UMA Expo In Atlanta Carrie Butler General Manager Kitchener, ON Trailways Great Canadian

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Busline Cover Feature: Great Canadian Trailways • Busline Transit Feature: Lextran Carries 5 Million Passengers Annually • UMA Expo Heads To Atlanta • Busline Buyers Guide To: Seating & Fabrics • Busline Buyers Guide To: Vehicle Lifts • Busline Vehicle Showcase: MOTORCOACHES

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Page 1: 0116 Busline Magazine

Busline Transit Feature Lextran Lexington, KY

Busline Motorcoach Feature

UMA Expo In Atlanta

Carrie ButlerGeneral Manager

Kitchener, ONKitchener, ONTrailwaysTrailwaysGreat Canadian

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From head-turning good looks to the market’s

lowest cost of ownership, and safety technologies

like adaptive cruise control and optional collision

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it’s what we’re still doing better today. See what an MCI

J4500, MCI D-Series, or Setra coach can do for you.

Leading the industry starts with a winning team

Leading the industry starts with a winning team.

©20

16 M

CI

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9:48 AM

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0116Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 1/18/16 9:13 AM Page 2

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e

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EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICES

Rankin Publishing Co., Inc.Don Rankin and Linda Rankin, Publishers

204 E. Main Street • P.O. Box 130Arcola, IL 61910-0130, USA

Email: [email protected]: www.rankinpublishing.com

(800) 598-8083 (U.S.) • (217) 268-4959Fax: (217) 268-4815

Editorial: Harrell Kerkhoff, EditorRick Mullen, Associate Editor

Design: David OpdykeReception: Gina Volk

AdvertisingContact Kevin Kennedy @ 623-434-8959

Email: [email protected]

Don Rankin @ 800-598-8083Fax: 217-268-4815

Email: [email protected]

C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T SJANUARY 2016January 9-12

American Bus Association(ABA) Marketplace

Louisville, KYInfo: 202-842-1645

January 31 - February 4United MotorcoachAssociation (UMA)Motorcoach Expo

Atlanta, GAInfo: 800-424-8262

MAY 2016May 14-18

Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Annual ConferenceHalifax, Nova ScotiaInfo: 416-365-9800

May 15-18APTA Bus &

Paratransit ConferenceCharlotte, NC

Info: 202-496-4800

May 22-27Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Expo 2016

Portland, ORInfo: 800-891-0590

JULY 2016July 16-20

National School Transport -ation Association (NSTA)

Annual Meeting & ConventionGreensboro, NC

Info: 703-684-3200

AUGUST 2016August 2-4

International MotorcoachGroup (IMG) StrategicAlliance Meeting

Norfolk, VAInfo: 888-447-3466

SEPTEMBER 2016September 11-14

APTA Annual MeetingLos Angeles, CAInfo: 202-496-4800

September 19-21BusCon 2016Indianapolis, IN

Info: 800-576-8788

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 2016Rankin Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written con-sent 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 January/February 2016

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016Published by

Rankin Publishing, Inc.

www.buslinemag.comM A G A Z I N E

RAPID RESPONSE ..................................Page 6

INDUSTRY NEWS.................................Page 39

ON THE COVER: Lorna and Larry Hundt, of Great Canadian Trailways, stand next to one of their

Prevost motorcoaches at the company's Kitchener, ON, facility.See page 8.

Busline Vehicle Showcase

MOTORCOACHES58 - 65

IN THIS ISSUE

Combined Strengths Of Owners Power Great Canadian Trailways .........................8

Serving Kentucky AreaLextran Carries 5 Million Passengers Annually ...........................26

UMA Expo Heads To Atlanta..........................................................36

Busline’s Buyers Guide To Seating & Fabrics.........................................52

Busline’s Buyers Guide To Vehicle Lifts ..................................................56

CONTENTS

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The Volvo 9700 makes productivity a priority, with superb handling, minimal maintenance and superior uptime. Now with a choice of transmission integrated with the power of a Volvo engine for maximum fuel efficiency. Your passengers will get a coach experience they’ll choose again and again. www.prevostcar.com

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Page 6 BUSLINE January/February 2016

Company Website Page # Company Website Page #

ABC Companies www.abc-companies.com 67Advantage Funding www.advantagefund.com 20Alliance Bus Group www.alliancebusgroup.com 7Altro Transflor www.altrotransflor.com 24Amaya-Astron www.amaya-astron.com.mx 18American Cooling Technology, Inc. www.actusa.us.com 37AngelTrax www.angeltrax.com 9Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison www.atlanticdda.com 33Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation www.bauerscertifiedpreowned.com 30Bergen Auto Upholstery Co., Inc. www.bergenseat.com 54Bitimec www.bitimec.com 22Bitzer www.bitzerus.com 29Bridgestone www.bridgestonefirestonemileagesales.com 31Camira www.camirafabrics.com 54Complete Coach Works www.completecoach.com 39De Leo Transportation Fabrics www.deleotf.com 52Distinctive Systems www.distinctive-systems.com 45Dixie Electric Ltd. www.dixie-electric.com 47Eno Center For Transportation www.enotrans.org 51Euramtec Corporation www.euramtec.com 42EverBank www.everbankcommercialfinance.com 40Freightliner www.freightlinerchassis.com 3Glaval Bus www.GlavalBus.com 23Hometown Trolley www.hometowntrolley.com 15Kirks Automotive, Inc. www.kirksauto.com 51LaFrance Industries www.mvmills.com/lafranceindustries 53Lancer Insurance www.lancerinsurance.com 19Lazzerini www.lazzerini.it/en/ 55

Micro Bird Commercial www.mbcbus.com 11Midwest Bus Corporation www.midwestbus.com 28Mile-X www.mile-x.com 49Mohawk Lifts www.mohawklifts.com 57Motor Coach Industries (MCI) www.mcicoach.com 2Motorcoach Tire Sales.com www.motorcoachtiresales.com 12Onspot Automatic Tire Chains www.onspot.com 47Prevost www.prevostcar.com 5, 68ProAir, LLC www.proairllc.com 43Profusion Industries www.ProFusionIndustries.com 16Protective Insurance Company www.protectiveinsurance.com 35Relational Bus Systems www.rbs2000.com 38Resorts Casino Hotel www.ResortsAC.com 48RUD Chain, Inc. www.rotogrip.us 14Safety Step www.safetystep.net 50Sardo Bus & Coach Upholstery www.sardobus.com 17, 55SEFAC www.slec.com 56Service Insurance www.serviceins.com 50Shriver Insurance Agency www.shriverinsurance.com 66Sutrak www.sutrakusa.com 41TEMSA www.temsa.com 21TransitWorks www.Transit-Works.com 46TRP Bus Parts www.TRPParts.com 34Turtle Top www.turtletop.com 13UMA Motorcoach Expo www.motorcoachexpo.com 27Vanner Power www.vanner.com 10, 32Willingham Inc. www.willinghaminc.com 44

Read or Download Complete Issues Of Busline Magazine Online At: www.buslinemag.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016Published by

Rankin Publishing, Inc.

www.buslinemag.comM A G A Z I N E

Prevost ........................58 Volvo ...........................59 Motor Coach Industries...60

Visit Busline at UMA Expo

BOOTH #326UMA Motorcoach Expo Booth Numbers Current As Of12/21/15, courtesy of www.motorcoachexpo.com.Glaval Bus....................62 Temsa..........................62 ABC Companies ............64

56

52

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See us at UMA Expo Booths #1 and #115

0116Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 1/18/16 9:14 AM Page 7

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IVS, Inc. dba AngelTrax. All Rights Reserved.

Page 8 BUSLINE January/February 2016

CombinedStrengths

Of Owners P O W E R

Great Canadian Trailways

The Great Canadian headquarters (below) is located in Kitchener, ON. Shown above, left to right, are Lorna Hundt, Michelle Hundt Tupman,

Andrea Hundt Lorentz and Larry Hundt.

By Harrell KerkhoffBusline Magazine Editor

Pride in country as well as themotorcoach industry has ledLarry and Lorna Hundt to

build a successful transportation enter-prise in Canada over the past three-plusdecades. The couple, married for 32years, has allowed each other to use hisand her specific strengths for the bet -terment of the family-owned/operatedGreat Canadian Trailways and theiraffiliated companies.

“We once took anassessment test thatidentifies individual talents,” Lorna Hundtsaid. “According to

the assessment, Larry’sNo. 1 talent is ‘ideation,’which means he is theidea guy. My No. 1 talentis ‘activator,’ whichmeans I’m a doer. Thetest showed what wehad already known; thattogether we make a

great team.”

Although both go by the job title ofmanaging director, technically LarryHundt is president of Great CanadianCoaches & Fleet Services; while LornaHundt is president of Great CanadianHolidays, the tour arm of the organiza-tion. The motorcoach operation is knownas Great Canadian Trailways, due to its

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0116Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 1/18/16 9:14 AM Page 9

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affiliation with the Trailways Transportation System. It provides bothtour and charter travel with a fleet of 53 vehicles. Overall, the Hundts employ approximately 160 people from a sprawl-

ing facility in Kitchener, ON, a city of around 219,000 residents, located57 miles west of Toronto. The couple’s two daughters, as well as a son-in-law, are also involved in the family business.One daughter, Michelle Hundt Tupman, serves as director of tour

operations for Great Canadian Holidays. “Michelle specialized in English and history in college and never

thought she would be involved with the family business, but has becomean integral part of our tour operation,” Lorna Hundt said. “She brings alot to the table. Having grown up in the family business, Michelle instinc-tively knows plenty about the tour business, and has that youthful energy.“Our youngest daughter, Andrea Hundt Lorentz, serves as market-

ing director. She went to school in graphic design and worked for anadvertising agency before joining the family business. Andrea looksafter marketing and brand management. She also designed customizedvinyl wraps for some of our coaches. These wraps have proven to behuge marketing tools. Her husband, Joel Lorentz, is our humanresources manager.”

The Building Of ‘Great Canadian’

Although the history of the Great Canadian family of companiesdates to 1984, both Larry and Lorna Hundt have been involvedwith various types of transportation services for most of their

adult lives. While in college at the University of Waterloo (ON), Larry Hundt

became what he described as “a campus entrepreneur.” “I was involved in many business-related activities. This included stu-

dent bus transportation between Waterloo and Toronto during the week-ends. Other trips I helped with featured travel to and from the QuebecWinter Carnival (in Quebec City, QC).”

Larry Hundt soon developed a great fondness for the bus industry,which led him to seriously follow this career path. He started working fulltime for a motorcoach company in 1972, and later took a job with a larg-er tour business. “While at the tour company, I hired an assistant which happened to be

Lorna. We have been working together ever since,” Larry Hundt said. The couple eventually started their own company with the help of a

third business partner. It was called Golden Age Travel and was in oper-ation from 1977 to 1984 to service the senior citizen travel market. “After some time, Lorna and I decided to start our own business in

1984 under the name Travel Ventures. It focused on innovative and largegroup travel,” Larry Hundt said. “It flourished, but there were challengeswith finding reliable coach companies to serve our tour clients.” To answer this challenge in 1990, the Hundts purchased a new H‐Series

Prevost European‐style motorcoach. They were attracted to the vehicle’spanoramic windows for their sightseeing customers. “Buying that particular motorcoach was the best decision we ever

made,” Larry Hundt said. “We have built a lot of our success around thatparticular Prevost model. It’s still a very important part of where we areas a motorcoach operation.”Today, Great Canadian Trailways operates 43 Prevost H3-45 motor-

coaches.“These vehicles provide great views because of their large windows,

while the cabin area is very spacious. We get maximum cabin and luggagespace due to the height of our motorcoaches,” Larry Hundt said. “Thathas been a huge selling feature for us — luggage capacity and visibility.”Events within Canada in the mid-1990s led the Hundts to show their

pride as Canadians, leading to a major rebranding effort at their compa-ny. This was spurred by actions surrounding the October 1995 Quebecreferendum, which asked voters in the Canadian province of Quebecwhether the province should proclaim national sovereignty and becomean independent state. The Hundts were in favor of keeping Canada unit-ed, and they attended several unity rallies at various Canadian cities dur-

Page 10 BUSLINE January/February 2016

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ing the year.The vote was close, but

residents of Quebec choseagainst becoming an inde-pendent state. After att -ending the unity ralliesand watching the electionresults, Lorna and LarryHundt decided that thecompany’s fleet shouldexemplify Canadian his-tory. They hired an artistto paint murals on thesides of several companymotorcoaches, featuring avariety of famous Can -adian people and themes.The vehicles included acorresponding numberingsystem which is still inuse today. Examples of motor-

coaches at Great Canadian Trailways featuring these murals now include:n Coach No. 99, named “The Great Canadian Game,” which is dedi-

cated to hockey in Canada;n Coach No. 1867, named “Great Canadian Moments,” depicting piv-

otal scenes of Canada’s history, including the Canadian Confederation of1867, which was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canadawas formed;

n Coach No. 1919, named “Lest We Forget,” paying tribute toCanadian men and women who have served Canada in times of war andduring peacekeeping missions; and,

n Coach 1961, named“Great Canadians,” featur-ing notable prime minis-ters, humanitarians, vis -ion aries and philanthro-pists from the country. “Our coach numbers are

not part of a routine sys-tem that is used by mostoperators. Instead, thenumbers relate to themurals on each coach, fea-turing historical signifi-cance. Our numbers are allover the map,” LarryHundt said with a laugh.“There have been approxi-mately 15 different themespainted on our motor-coaches. We have alsorepeated some of thesethemes with different vari-

ations. The total number of our vehicles featuring painted murals isaround 25.“Unfortunately, it’s hard for our artist to keep up. It takes about six to

seven weeks of dedicated work to finish a mural on both sides of the vehi-cle. Therefore, our daughter Andrea has designed vinyl graphics that arealso used on some of our vehicles. They are very reflective and beautiful,especially whenever light shines on the side of the coach.”With such elaborate artwork featured on various Great Canadian

Trailways’ motorcoaches, it’s not hard to understand the strong interestthese vehicles have garnered over the years with not only passengers, but

Page 12 BUSLINE January/February 2016

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #439

Coach Operations Manager Jim Pattison, left, and COO Pat Grobe display a banner at the launch of the company’s 30th anniversary cruise getaway.

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #224

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Page 14 BUSLINE January/February 2016

other people on the road and at various destinations. “Our motorcoaches are often parked at major tourist areas,

allowing people from all over the world to see and take photos. It’snot uncommon to have 100-plus photographs taken in a day of oneof our motorcoaches by people who are simply passing by,” LarryHundt said. “We have also found that our passengers are very proud toride in these vehicles, and it gives them a special conversation piece forwhen they go home.”Larry and Lorna Hundt are big proponents of having the appearance of

motorcoaches stand out. This is something Larry Hundt feels many

motorcoach companies fail to doproperly. “It’s my feeling that many

operators miss a golden oppor-tunity to properly use their‘traveling billboards.’ There is100 feet of space (on a full-sizemotorcoach) that travels downhighways. Many motorcoachesjust have a stripe along theirsides, with no real message,”Larry Hundt said. “These oper-ators aren’t taking advantage ofthe phenomenal opportunitythey have to distinguish theirmotorcoaches from the com-petition. They aren’t promot-ing their market area or placesthey go to. We know, from ourexperience, the impact our

coaches have to the marketing of Great Canadian Trailways.”Another big year for the Hundts was 1998, when two significant

events occurred, starting with a company name change — from TravelVentures to Great Canadian Holidays & Coaches. The Hundts alsocame up with the idea of a company mascot, “Corporal Mackenzie.”The mascot is a person inside a beaver costume, dressed in a RoyalCanadian Mounted Police uniform. Corporal Mackenzie makes appear-ances at several company events.Also in 1998, the company received an expansion to its operating

rights.

See us at UMA Expo Booth #849

This motorcoach from Great Canadian Trailways features a vinyl wrap showing famous scenes in Canada.

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“The Ontario market is still highly regulated. We weregranted a license in 1998 that covers much of southernOntario. This allowed us to expand our coach business, from7 to a current fleet of 53 motorcoaches,” Larry Hundt said. Six years later, in 2004, Great Canadian became a member

of the Trailways Transportation System.

Making Good Use Out Of A Rather Large Floor Plan

As Great Canadian Trailways continued its growth pathduring the start of the 21st century, a need developedto find more space for the compa-

ny’s motorcoach and tour operations. Atfirst Larry and Lorna Hundt looked intopurchasing property in the Kitchener area,with the idea of building a new facility.Plans changed, however, when a 81,000-square-foot factory building in Kitchener,located near the company’s original site,became available. It came with 12 acres ofland.“We looked at the cost of the existing

factory structure against the cost of build-ing a new facility, and we found we could get three times the value andsize by purchasing the old factory and turning it into a facility that wouldmeet our needs. The purchase occurred in 2008,” Larry Hundt said. “Ourgoal was to carve up a big chunk of the building and lease it to other com-panies, with the idea of using the rental income to help pay our mortage.As it turned out, however, my entrepreneur instincts took over.

“I started coming up with ideas on how we couldput our own businesses in that facility, sharing synergies with our corebusiness.”Eventually, the Hundts opened an auto care center in part of the

company’s new facility, offering many warranty-approved auto serv-ices including transmission repairs, oil changes, collision repair andpaint work as well as auto detailing. In 2011, the Great Canadian Truck

Page 16 BUSLINE January/February 2016

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Various painted murals on motorcoaches operated by Great Canadian Trailways depict important events

and people associated with Canada.

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #1022

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& Fleet Services also opened, offering similar work for trucks, buses andmotorcoaches. The company’s complex also includes a fueling station.“Since then, we have also included a national franchise at our facil-

ity called Great Canadian Tirecraft® Auto Centre. This allows us tobuy and sell many brands of tires, at very good pricing,” Larry Hundtsaid. “An added feature, due to our large storage capacity, is that weactually have room to store other people’s off-season summer and win-ter tires.“Our facility has become very busy with these different enterprises.

We have rented out a small portion of the building to other companies.However, close to 80 percent of the building is used by our own busi-nesses.”Larry Hundt noted that soon after the factory building was purchased

by his company in 2008, the bottom dropped out of the Canadian and U.S.economies due to the Great Recession. “We were able to work through this challenge and still complete the

needed renovation work,” Larry Hundt said. “I now feel we have awonderful future with this facility. The synergy we have in place withour different services allows us to meet various customer needs in anefficient way.”During the renovation process, the Hundts and their staff focused on

making the facility as “green” as possible. This included a new roof withadditional insulation, the installation of an air curtain that keeps cold airout while large garage doors are open, and 330 solar roof panels, whichare now generating electricity. “We also installed new lighting within the building. All of this work

is helping us reap the benefits of electricity and heat savings,” LarryHundt said. To market the company’s green initiative, Andrea Hundt Lorentz devel-

oped a “Think Green, Go Blue” logo.

“We are promoting how ‘green’ motorcoach travel is, serving as aviable alternative to driving cars,” Lorna Hundt said. “This is one ofour industry challenges for the future. There is a large segment of the pop-ulation that is maturing. They are the Baby Boomers. Getting them to giveup their steering wheels and try motorcoach travel is something that isboth exciting and challenging.”Another component to Great Canadian Trailways’ success can be

attributed to its home city. Kitchener is part of a growing metropolitanregion in southern Ontario that includes neighboring cities Waterloo andCambridge. This area has easy access to nearby and well known southernOntario destinations. “We are very fortunate to be located in a strategic part of southern

Ontario, with a high population center,” Larry Hundt said. “We are veryclose to Canada’s No. 1 tourist attraction, which is Niagara Falls.Meanwhile, Toronto is a very vibrant gateway city that includes a lot ofinternational clients. “We are also within a day’s drive of many major tourist cities in the

United States such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.and Chicago.”To help spread our Great Canadian Trailways’ coaches to different trav-

el markets, the company has developed four satellite facilities that includemaintenance and cleaning capabilities.“These locations help us position vehicles into key regions, while min-

imizing deadhead and driver hours-of-service issues,” Larry Hundt said.“They are all located in southern Ontario.”He added that Great Canadian Trailways’ motorcoaches can be found

throughout Canada and the United States for both tour and charter work.“I feel we have captured a good part of the market in southern Ontario

and beyond,” Larry Hundt said. “We are ranked as the largest motorcoachtour company and the second largest charter operation in Ontario.”

Page 18 BUSLINE January/February 2016

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Adapting To Changing Travel Demands

Entering the 32nd year of operation, there are many reasons for thesuccess the Hundts have enjoyed as business owners. One impor-tant factor, according to Larry Hundt, is the cooperation between

the tour and motorcoach segments. “Our tour business works hand-in-hand with our coach company.

This has improved overall utilization, which is very important,” hesaid. “If a motorcoach operator is just sitting around waiting for thetelephone to ring, and depending on the charter market, he/she isgoing to have a lot of ups and downs in business. Our entire trans-portation operation benefits from a balanced schedule to better sur-vive the slower times.”On the tour side, the Hundts recognized several years ago that their

company had to expand from just serving preformed groups. This wasdue to changes in the way people wanted to tour. “We have seen other tour companies come and go over the years. It’s

important to constantly change in the tour business and adapt to the mar-ketplace,” Larry Hundt said. Lorna Hundt added: “We began our business fully as a tour operation,

with 95 percent of our customers coming from preformed groups.However, we saw the need to expand the way we marketed our tour prod-ucts. This involved working with different travel agents. It was a very bigstep for us because we had always dealt directly with consumers, but ourtravel agent partners have been wonderfully supportive. “We have been able to significantly broaden our base, and can now

originate our tours pretty much all across southern Ontario. It helpsthat we provide shuttle services so that our tour passengers can betransported, at no charge, to and from their hometowns and the loca-tions of our motorcoaches.”

The company’s tour business has also benefitted through expansion ofits product offerings. “We started in business by specializing in tours directed toward retirees.

Although this remains the majority of our tour work, we also provide morespecial interest tours,” Lorna Hundt said. “There are all kinds of things andplaces that people have an interest seeing, and it’s not just from senior cit-izens. The special interest genre has grown by leaps and bounds.”A little mystery while on a motorcoach tour can also help. In fact, Great

Canadian Trailways has taken many groups on tours where the passengershave no idea where they are headed — and are more than happy to payfor such an experience.“A lot of times people will ask, ‘What is your most popular destina-

tion?’ I jokingly tell them, ‘I can’t really tell you, because it’s the mysterytour,’” Larry Hundt said. “Lorna and I have put together hundreds of toursover the years directed to mystery destinations. There are many customerswho like an element of surprise and fun. They put their trust in our hands,which we don’t take lightly. We transport them for three or four days andvisit some wonderful destinations. “We make sure these mystery tours are full of surprises, entertainment,

good food and great things to see. We have conducted the single coach depar-ture mystery tour for close to 20 years. We have also moved as many as 750people, in 15 coaches, on a four-day mystery tour in the dead of winter.”

Quality Equipment, Great Employees

There are many parts to motorcoach travel that can “make or break”a trip for passengers. One important aspect to a successful trip isthe coach itself.

“We have found great success since the very beginning with thePrevost H-Series,” Larry Hundt said. “We continue to embrace technolo-

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0116Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 1/18/16 9:15 AM Page 21

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Page 22 BUSLINE January/February 2016

gy found with these vehicles. This includes satellite and various moni-toring systems as well as electronic logs. Our coaches also have elec-trical outlets, and are Wi-Fi equipped for both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border.”Great Canadian Trailways uses full-size motorcoaches for the core of

its business, although it does find uses for other vehicle types such as 12-passenger vans and mid-size coaches.“We have been part of several Prevost focus groups that focus on dif-

ferent types of equipment that best suit customer needs. I have alwaysfound these to be interesting sessions,” Larry Hundt said. “Certainly,motorcoaches have changed tremendously over the years, and I thinkmotorcoach manufacturers have done a good job in trying to be reactiveto the needs of operators. I respect Prevost for having these focus groups,and working hard to see how technology can make a true difference.”He added that the company’s modern electronic logging and satellite

systems allow staff to accurately track Great Canadian Trailways’ vehi-cles while on the road. This has proven very beneficial, especially duringthe winter.

“We had a situation once with lake-effect snow that involved some ofour vehicles. We were able to track these coaches and talk with the driv-ers, helping them take alternate routes away from the snow,” Larry Hundtsaid. “As a company, we have also benefited by using software that inter-faces quite well between our tour and coach sides of the business.”Having in place a quality workforce, encompassing a wide variety of

positions, is also imperative while running a transportation operation.This includes hiring drivers who can be entrusted to safely transport avaried customer base. “Our drivers are very skilled at providing experienced transportation to

different types of destinations. They know and understand how importantcustomer service is, doing those extra things for clients that can make a

big difference,” Larry Hundt said. “We have been very fortunate in ourdriver recruitment process. Many drivers who exhibit good personal skilllevels have gravitated toward our company due to the type of tour workwe provide.“Being a good motorcoach driver is much more than just standing at

the bottom of the bus stairwell with a smile on his/her face. It’s all aboutgetting customers safely to their destinations on time, while fully dressedin a uniform. It’s important that motorcoach drivers look and dress pro-fessional. There are so many components to customer service that reallymake a difference. We look for drivers who come with great people skills,while also capable of providing safe and wonderful transportation.”Lorna Hundt added that most good tour drivers also have a natural

sense of curiosity and wonder, and enjoy seeing, learning and sharingtravel experiences. “That is what the experience of touring is all about. It’s not just going

from ‘Point A’ to ‘Point B,’ but enjoying the good things that can hap-pen in the middle of a trip,” she said. One challenge the Hundts have had to work through, when it comes to

the retention of drivers and mechanics, is that of competing with the levelof wages and benefits offered by many public sector transportationproviders. “Quick frankly, it’s hard to compete with governments. We have

worked very hard at recruiting and developing drivers and mechanics,only to find them leaving us for higher wages at a government facility,”Larry Hundt said. “There are also challenges pertaining to increased gov-ernmental regulations in both Canada and the United States.”Winter weather can provide obstacles as well, especially when travers-

ing highways across Canada and the northern United States. However,officials and drivers at Great Canadian Trailways are very adept at han-dling snowy conditions.

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“Our coaches are all equipped with engine heaters, which certainlyhelps the starting process. We also use tires with a particular tread thatprovides very solid grip,” Hundt said. “The drivers we employ are goodat what they do and are used to snowy conditions. Our coaches are rarelygrounded due to winter weather; we usually get through the season pret-ty unscathed.”

Looking Forward To Increased Demand

Despite challenges that are always present, Lorna and LarryHundt remain optimistic about the future of not only their busi-nesses, but overall bus and motorcoach transportation in the

years ahead. “On the tour side, we feel business will continue to expand as more

Baby Boomers let go of their steering wheels. It’s important to recog-nize that they have different tendencies than members of the generationbefore them, such as booking later in the process and wanting morechoices,” Lorna Hundt said. Larry Hundt added that as traffic congestion becomes a greater prob-

lem throughout North America, he expects to see more reliance onbus/motorcoach travel by people wanting to find better ways to get toand from work. A larger international presence in North America shouldalso help the bus/motorcoach industry.“Many people from China are becoming world travelers. There is

also a lot of international travel potential from other areas of Asia aswell as Europe. These people want to see Canada and the UnitedStates, providing a great opportunity for motorcoach growth,” he said.It’s therefore important, Larry Hundt added, to innovate as a

bus/coach provider and guard against complacency. “It’s good to recognize future trends and adapt. I feel we, as a com-

pany, have been able to do this well,” Larry Hundt said.

Lorna Hundt added: “We never want to forget those things thatenhance the travel experience for customers. It’s very easy to sitbehind a desk and think only about operating costs. At the end ofthe day, however, it always comes down to pleasing those customerstraveling in our vehicles. This always has to be ‘top of mind.’”To help gauge customers’ sentiment while traveling on a Great

Canadian Trailways vehicle, the company uses comment forms thathave proven very popular. “We receive a shockingly high number of these forms, and I still read

every single one,” Lorna Hundt said. “It’s a lot when considering wehave over 250 multi-day tours a year, while also receiving completedforms from one-day trips and the charter side of our operation. “Even with a customer base as large as ours, there is still that

level of familiarity and comfort associated with many of the passen-gers who are coming aboard our vehicles. It’s important to neverlose that accessibility.”Being active in the motorcoach industry outside of southern Ontario

is also important to the Hundts. In fact, Larry Hundt has served severalyears on the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Board ofDirectors. It’s a service he greatly enjoys, and includes being the con-ference chairman for the annual UMA Expo.“I love this industry, and my involvement with UMA has given

me the opportunity to contribute and give back. You can’t run abusiness in isolation. The more you network and get involved, themore you are going to learn,” Hundt said. “I do feel it’s important togive back to the motorcoach industry, and help it move forwardthrough creative thinking.”

Contact: Great Canadian Trailways, 353 Manitou Drive, Kitchener,Ontario, Canada N2C 1L5. Phone: 519-896-8687.

Website: www.greatcanadiancoaches.com.

Page 24 BUSLINE January/February 2016

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Suppliers 2016A Directory of Manufacturers and Suppliers to the Motorcoach, Transit, Specialty Vehicle & Para-Transit Industries

Company ProfileFree Listing

Deadline: Wednesday, June 1, 2016Mail to: Busline Magazine, 204 E. Main, P.O. Box 130, Arcola, IL 61910 - USAPhone 800-598-8083 (US) • 217-268-4959 • FAX 217-268-4815

The following form will be used to compile a company profile to be included in Suppliers 2016, published in theJuly/August 2016 issue of Busline Magazine. Suppliers 2016 is an international suppliers directory that will be readall year long by motorcoach, transit, specialty vehicle and para-transit companies.

Please fill out and return as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday, June 1, 2016. You may also email the infor-mation requested below to: [email protected]; please use subject line, “Busline Suppliers.” Thank you for yourhelp in making this suppliers directory the most helpful and most comprehensive yet.

SUBMITTED BY:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COMPANY NAME: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CITY:____________________________________________ STATE: ___________________ ZIP: ________ COUNTRY: _____________________

TELEPHONE: _________________________________________ E-MAIL: __________________________________________________________

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COMPANY OFFICERS: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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PRODUCTS (150 WORDS MAXIMUM) Please list products and services only._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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0116Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 1/18/16 9:15 AM Page 24

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Busline Magazine’s

Suppliers 2016A Directory of Manufacturers and Suppliers to the Motorcoach, Transit, Specialty Vehicle & Para-Transit Industries

Company ProfileFree Listing

Deadline: Wednesday, June 1, 2016Mail to: Busline Magazine, 204 E. Main, P.O. Box 130, Arcola, IL 61910 - USAPhone 800-598-8083 (US) • 217-268-4959 • FAX 217-268-4815

The following form will be used to compile a company profile to be included in Suppliers 2016, published in theJuly/August 2016 issue of Busline Magazine. Suppliers 2016 is an international suppliers directory that will be readall year long by motorcoach, transit, specialty vehicle and para-transit companies.

Please fill out and return as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday, June 1, 2016. You may also email the infor-mation requested below to: [email protected]; please use subject line, “Busline Suppliers.” Thank you for yourhelp in making this suppliers directory the most helpful and most comprehensive yet.

SUBMITTED BY:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COMPANY NAME: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CITY:____________________________________________ STATE: ___________________ ZIP: ________ COUNTRY: _____________________

TELEPHONE: _________________________________________ E-MAIL: __________________________________________________________

WEBSITE: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COMPANY OFFICERS: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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PRODUCTS (150 WORDS MAXIMUM) Please list products and services only._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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0116Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 1/18/16 9:15 AM Page 25

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Above: Lextran General ManagerCarrie Butler (left) and Director of Community Affairs Jill Barnettare looking forward to the move to the transit system’s new

state-of-the-art facility currentlyunder construction (lower left).

By Rick Mullen,Busline MagazineAssociate Editor

For many, Lexington, KY, means horse racing and big-time collegiate basketball. There is more, how-ever, to Kentucky’s second largest city, as it is home to several major companies and was named bytime.com as one of its five “great small cities to retire.” Another major asset of the city is its public

transit system, Lextran, as many local residents traveling to and from work and school can attest.“Lextran is the transit authority of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government,” said Lextran General Manager Carrie Butler, during a recent interview with Busline Magazine at the system’s headquarters in Lexington. “We provide both fixed-route and paratransit service in Fayette County,

carrying about 5 million passengers a year between those two services.

Page 26 BUSLINE January/February 2016

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #722

Above: Lextran General ManagerCarrie Butler (left) and Director of Community Affairs Jill Barnettare looking forward to the move to the transit system’s new

state-of-the-art facility currentlyunder construction (lower left).

By Rick Mullen,Busline MagazineAssociate Editor

0116Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 1/18/16 9:15 AM Page 27

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Page 28 BUSLINE January/February 2016

“We have a contract with AmericanRed Cross WHEELS for our paratransitservice, which is provided countywide,in addition to the 3/4-mile servicerequirements as per the Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA). We have a hub-and-spoke system with mostly all of ourroutes converging at the downtown tran-sit center. From the transit center, riderscan transfer and travel to just about any-where in the city. We have a couple ofpassenger waiting areas there with vend-ing machines.”A customer service center is also

located at Lextran’s downtown transitcenter, where calls are taken frompatrons who have an issue or who wantto offer feedback.“We have an open-door policy,”

Butler said. “We also have a PassengerAdvisory Committee, comprised of rid-ers and other interested communitymembers. The committee meets every other month to talk about customerissues or challenges customers might have.“The population of Fayette County is about 350,000 people. Lexington

is the home of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, several majoremployers, including Xerox, Lexmark International, Amazon, and a num-ber of breweries and distilleries. Other major attractions includeKeeneland horse racing facility and the Kentucky Horse Park.”The region is also known for its horse farms. Keeneland has been a

horse-racing mecca since 1936. In addition, Lexington is home to RedMiles Harness Track, which is billed as the second oldest racing track inthe nation.The University of Kentucky’s main campus is located in Lexington,

and Lexington is home of Rupp Arena, which serves as the home court of

the men’s basketball program, wellknown to hoops fans nationwide. It is thelargest indoor sporting arena in the coun-try, according to www.rupparena.com,with a capacity of 23,500 people. It isnamed after legendary Kentucky Wildcatsmen’s basketball coach Adolph Rupp,who headed the team from 1930 to 1972.“We provide service on the University

of Kentucky campus,” Butler said. “Theyhave a few buses that they operate, butwe provide the largest component of theon-campus bus service.”Lextran’s vision statement is: “To

enhance the quality of life for the citi-zens of Lexington and beyond by pro-viding optimal mobility solutions.”The transit system’s mission statement

is: “To become the preferred choice oftransportation by providing courteous,timely, safe, accessible, affordable, sus-tainable and reliable transportation

modes. We strive to demonstrate operational excellence, while ensur-ing our customers a positive experience.”

Moving Down The Street

In April 1972, the local government incorporated what is now knownas Lextran. Before 1972, the system had been privately owned.Lextran’s current facility, housing administrative offices and mainte-

nance facilities, has been the system’s headquarters for nearly fourdecades, Butler said. However, a new, larger state-of-the-art building isbeing constructed down the street from the system’s current location.Construction is about 75 percent completed.“The new construction will expand our maintenance facilities, as well

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January/February 2016 BUSLINE Page 29

as consolidate our administration offices,” Butler said. “We currentlyhave a satellite administration office. Also, expanding our maintenancefacilities will improve our service reliability, allowing us to fix vehiclesquicker and work on preventivemaintenance issues. The newfacility will be a huge change andimprovement for our riders andour organization. We have beenin this current location about 40years, and have outgrown thespace. “The new facility will be

LEED (Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design) certified. We will have some nice features at thesite, including bioswales for storm water retention, and other features tosupport environmental sustainability.”The first public transit system in Lexington was established in 1874

and featured oversized horse-drawn stagecoaches. From 1890 to 1938,streetcars were the mode of travel for what was called the KentuckyTraction and Terminal Company, owned by Kentucky Utilities. The sys-tem was sold to D.D. Stewart, who renamed it Lexington Railway Systemwhen motor buses replaced the streetcars in early 1938.The Lexington Railway System later was renamed the Lexington

Transit Corporation, which underwent two more changes in owner-ship and management, leading up to 1972.Lextran’s new headquarters and maintenance facility will also include

a compressed natural gas (CNG) terminal.“We have several hybrid-electric buses in service right now, and we are

scheduled to take delivery of some CNG and electric vehicles during the

first and second quarters of 2016,” Butler said. “We will be building aCNG facility at the new location. We are working on a partnership withthe Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to jointly share the

CNG fueling station, but it hasn’tbeen confirmed at this time. Themajority of the rest of our fleet isclean-diesel.“We have been able to pur-

chase CNG buses because of thefederal Congestion MitigationAir Quality Program, and theelectric vehicles by way of thefederal Low or No Emissions

Vehicle Program. We are supportive of those programs increasing. We aregrateful for those funding sources, both to get into alternative fuel buses,and also to offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly fleet.”

The Battle To Mitigate Traffic Congestion

Lextran operates 65 buses on its 22 fixed-routes. The system’sdoor-to-door paratransit service is also growing and is popular,particularly with senior citizens, as the city has been touted as a

good place to retire.“We are seeing a lot of growth in our paratransit service as the popu-

lation ages,” Butler said. “Lexington has won a number of recognitionsas being a great place in which to age, with the city’s relatively low costof living and decent weather. We have definitely seen an increase in ourparatransit demand.”Mainline bus service runs from 5:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. All Lextran

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“We have several hybrid-electric buses in serviceright now, and we are scheduled to take deliveryof some CNG and electric vehicles during the first

and second quarters of 2016.”— Lextran General Manager Carrie Butler

0116Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 1/18/16 9:15 AM Page 29

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Page 30 BUSLINE January/February 2016

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buses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with bike racks.Lexington is located on Interstate 75, a major cross-country,

north-south freeway, which is one of the longest in the U.S.,extending from the northern tip of Michigan to southernFlorida. The thoroughfare is also one of the busiest, expandingto six lanes even in rural areas.Another heavily traveled roadway that commuters use

to go in and out of Lexington is Nicholasville Road (U.S.27). As in many other cities its size, Lexington battles traf-fic congestion, and Lextran is constantly exploring waysto help.“Certainly we have some congestion problems,” Butler

said. “One criticism that we hear is, ‘The bus takes too long.It is stuck in the same traffic as everybody else. I can’t getto where I am going any faster than I can in my own car.’”Lextran has studied ways in which bus transit can miti-

gate the congestion problem by perhaps adding designatedroutes for commuters or possibly designing some kind ofbus rapid transit lanes.“A couple of years ago, we did an alternatives analysis

study on the Nicholasville Road corridor,” said LextranDirector of Community Affairs Jill Barnett. “That is the road thatthe majority of commuters from outside the county use to access thecity. The road, at various times of day, has interchangeable lanes. Forinbound traffic in the morning, there are multiple lanes to get com-muters downtown, with only two serving as outbound lanes. Then, inthe evening, that is reversed. We conducted the alternatives analysisto look at some options, like maybe a BRT route, or something simi-lar. We hear people say it would be great to have light rail in

Lexington, but that would involve a huge capital expenditure.”One of the challenges in developing alternative routes to encourage

commuters to ride the bus has to do with the layout of Lexington. Barnett explained: “We don’t have a centralized employment core

here. We have one area that has a little bit of industry and another thathas a little more industry. In some cities our size, there might be onezone where there is a lot of industry and office parks. We don’t real-ly have that. There are office parks spread throughout the city, so it is

Pictured from left are Wesley Shearer, Lextran maintenance supervisor, Sharon Newman, transportation supervisor and Steve Rohde, transportation supervisor.

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January/February 2016 BUSLINE Page 31

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hard to design a route that might serve commuters. We know wherethe majority of commuters come into the city, but where they go, oncethey get into Lexington, is all over the place. It is difficult in that regard.”

Riding To Work And School

In discussing Lextran’s ridership demographic, rather than categoriz-ing passengers as “transit dependent” or as “choice riders,” Butlersaid Lextran looks at why people ride the bus.

“About 70 percent of our riders use Lextran to get to work or school,”Butler said.The rise of the Millennial generation is also

impacting “why” people ride the bus.“Many younger people of the Millennial

generation are delaying the purchase of a car,either because they don’t want to make such apurchase, or because of other reasons, includ-ing the benefits of taking public transit,”Butler said.Evidence would indicate many Millennials are buying into what is

called “sharing economy,” also known as “collaborative consumption,”Butler explained. The sharing economy concept is a trend that involvesthe ability or preference of people to rent or borrow goods, rather thanpurchasing them to own. Millennials also seem to more quickly embracemodern communication technologies, such as smartphones, tablets, lap-tops and social media.“When I started here six years ago, we weren’t involved in social

media,” Barnett said. “However, the ridership on our student routes wasgrowing faster than any of our other routes, and I started noticing students

would mention Lextran on Twitter. I thought, ‘Why not have a way tocommunicate with them?’”Currently, Lextran is on Facebook and Twitter.“Social media has opened doors to interaction with riders,” Barnett

said. “When people have a complaint, it gives us the opportunity to clar-ify, and to identify the problem and come up with a solution.“Another example of being more responsive to students concerns

routes that operate on the University of Kentucky campus. We also havea route that serves the periphery of the campus where student apartments,etc., are located.”

Butler added: “As many agencies have recognized, the days of printinga pocket schedule and being done with it have gone by the wayside. Wehave a vibrant presence because of our website and social media, such asFacebook and Twitter. With these communication platforms, we receive alot of responses about our service, especially from the student populationat the University of Kentucky, and we are able to communicate with peo-ple in that way.“We have made some improvements with the information available on

mobile devices. We have developed a real-time information app. We arealways looking for new ways to disseminate information. Jill (Barnett)and our community affairs department have developed a nice campaign

“Social media has opened doors to interaction with riders. When people have a complaint, it gives us the opportunity to

clarify, and to identify the problem and come up with a solution.”— Lextran Director of Community Affairs Jill Barnett

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #634

in conjunction with our MetropolitanPlanning Organization.”Barnett said: “The campaign touts

‘People You Count On Count on Lextran.’ Itis, in part, a reminder to people, whethercustomers or not, that their tax dollars (forLextran) contribute to economic develop-ment, quality of life, and mobility access forpeople who might not otherwise have a wayto get around.”Indeed, the public, whether users of

Lextran or not, have an investment, as a sig-nificant chunk of the system’s fundingcomes from a local property tax.“We are funded by a percentage of the

property tax raised here in FayetteCounty,” Butler said. “This was the resultof a voter referendum that passed in 2004.We are very appreciative of that funding.It helps us balance our operation, because we know what is comingyear-to-year. Obviously, federal funding sources are important as well. “However, there are some challenges. The change from a discre-

tionary capital program to a formula capital program for bus replace-ment hit us, and other public transit agencies, hard. We were averag-ing about $1.5 million per year from discretionary rewards. Wereceived nearly $500,000 less with the capital awards formula.“We also receive support from the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

However, public transit in Kentucky is lowest on the list of per capitaspending. More money would help us match federal dollars from a

local standpoint.”While funding issues are challenges for most public transit operations,

competing with Americans’ love for their automobiles is also an industry-wide challenge.“People often do a lot of different things when they are out in their

cars,” Butler said. “They go from home to the dry cleaner, for example.They take their children to school and go grocery shopping. We under-stand that people do a lot on their trips, and that riding on a Lextran routeis not often the most convenient way to go.”Being a college town, there is some enthusiasm about bicycle travel

From left, Ronda Brooks, receptionist; Roy Campbell, bus operator; Jerry Plummer and Bill Ratcliffe, mechanics

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and bike lanes can be spotted on city streets.“It is interesting to see how popular biking and some of the transporta-

tion demand management companies are,” Butler said. “I believe we canall work together. Maybe one day a person is going to ride a bike to work,and then another day he or she might take Lextran. People can leave theircars at home and use Uber to go out on Friday and Saturday nights.”On the whole, both Butler and Barnett agree public transportation is

being well received and has the support of the community.“‘When it comes to people using Lextran, more is better,” Butler said.

“We receive a lot of positive remarks from the community. I think wehave a good sense that people understand how important public transit isand what it means for individuals. We certainly would love to have morepeople using it, whether they are commuting to work or using it on theweekends to go to a park and spend time with their families. It is alwaysgreat to have more riders.”Barnett added: “The Millennial generation and the on-campus popula-

tion are big segments of our rider base. We get good feedback from themabout what we do and how they are able to use Lextran.”To further reach out to current and potential riders, Lextran often visits

schools and senior citizen facilities to promote the system and to teachpeople how to ride the bus.“We have a staff person who does a lot of community outreach,”

Barnett said. “She will go places such as the senior citizens center andmiddle school and high school career fairs. She not only teaches how touse the bus to get to and from jobs, she also shares what it is like to be anoperator, or mechanic or any other position here.”

In reaching out to the community, Lextran and the local SalvationArmy are involved in a life skills program. The system also has an ongo-ing relationship with the Winburn Middle School Family ResourceCenter.

“(Winburn) has a program in which middle school students learn howto balance a checkbook, how to purchase insurance, the do’s and don’tsof getting a credit card, etc.” Barnett said. “The program teaches life skillsthat aren’t really taught much in schools. “The program has evolved and also teaches students about the bus. It

has been good for us to have a lot of face time with that group.”Lextran also has relationships with some local employers whereby they

purchase passes and then offer them to their employees at a discount. Inaddition, University of Kentucky students, faculty and staff, can ride thebus for free by showing their university IDs.

Lextran Employees Go Beyond Call Of Duty

While the recent spate of gun violence and terrorist attacks in theUnited States and elsewhere have many people a little skittish,riders can be assured Lextran staff members are highly trained

in handling emergencies.“We have a director of safety and risk management (John Givens) on

our senior management team,” Butler said. “We have a system safety andemergency preparedness plan. We think it is important to make sure thatwe have the foundation in our organization to understand what happensin an emergency. In addition, we maintain contact with first-line respon-ders in the community, as well as the police department. We have a con-tract with the police department whereby officers provide services at ourdowntown transfer center. Police are also available to respond to anyissue or emergency that would happen on a vehicle. We have video cam-eras on our vehicles and facilities.”Mother Nature is also the cause of emergency events from time to time,

as Lexington is not immune to rain and snow, and even hurricanes.Indeed, the region was touched by the remnants of Superstorm Sandy,

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which struck the East Coastin October 2012.“Last year, we had two

major snow events, and wedidn’t stop service. We keptrunning everyday,” Barnettsaid. “At one point, we hadmore than 18 inches ofsnow on the ground. Ouroperators came to work anddrove their buses and ourmaintenance people wereon hand to keep them run-ning.“Our maintenance emp -

loyees were kind of theunsung heroes to passen-gers, as they work behindthe scenes. In some cases,they left the shop and were out driving snowplows.”Butler added: “We have 186 employees, including operators, mechan-

ics, service workers, utility workers and the administrative staff. They arethe heart of what we do. I have been proud to work with this group ofpeople. They do a tremendous job in our community. I hope they under-stand how much of a difference they make in people’s lives everyday,getting them to work and to school, etc. Operators know their passengersvery well.”In speaking about how Lextran operators get to know their passengers,

Barnett told the story about how one operator met his future wife.

“One of our directors start-ed here years ago as a busoperator,” Barnett said. “Theroute he operated was one ofour campus routes. One day,while on his route, he met ayoung lady and they are nowmarried and have childrenand grandchildren.”While some companies are

facing the challenges of hav-ing an older workforce head-ing for retirement, Lextran’sworkforce has a good balanceof younger and older people,Butler said.“We have been experienc-

ing some challenges in hiringoperators,” she added. “I

think right now is particularly challenging because of the holiday season.There are many seasonal jobs available.”Lextran is currently hiring new operators, Barnett said. An operator

candidate must bring to the table a mix of good driving and customerservice skills.“Both safe driving skills and customer service skills are very impor-

tant,” Butler said. “Our operators have a very strong customer servicementality. We want to make sure the people we hire like working withpeople. They must understand that the job is a people-to-people position.We are looking for that mix of safety and customer service skills.”

Page 34 BUSLINE January/February 2016

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These colorful murals at Lextran’s facility depict several eras of public transportation in Lexington, Kentucky’s second largest city.

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #721

Lextran has an extensive initial driver training program, as well asongoing refresher training throughout the year.“We recently extended the program we use for safe driving and refresh-

er training,” Barnett said.

Goals And The Future

Some of the goals Butler has set for Lextran’s future have to do witha couple of significant events scheduled to take place next year.With the transit system’s move into its new headquarters in 2016,

Lextran officials will continue to explore the facility’s potential in the sus-tainable infrastructure arena.In addition, Butler said, Lextran will continue to move forward with

the diversification of it energy resources, with the planned delivery ofelectric and CNG vehicles.“We are also looking to grow our service with some major employers

in the city,” Butler said.When it comes to expanding services down the road, Butler and

Barnett said offering service within Fayette County is more feasible atthis time, rather than trying to do any major projects beyond the county’sboundaries.“As Jill (Barnett) mentioned earlier, we have explored the possibility of

creating some kind of bus rapid transit or expanded commuter service inthe Nicholasville Road corridor,” Butler said. “This route is used by peo-ple commuting back and forth from adjacent Jessamine County (justsouth of Lexington).“In addition, there is a Toyota plant in Georgetown (KY), which is just

north of Fayette County, and we have talked with Toyota officials aboutproviding service to and from the factory. There are some transportationproviders in adjacent counties that provide a small amount of rural trans-

portation. We are in contact and work with them all the time. They willbring people to our transit center if they need to come into FayetteCounty. Although there are no definite plans to expand in the next sixmonths, these are some of the things we are exploring.”One of the challenges with expanding to nearby counties is that Fayette

County residents pay for the service as a part of their property tax. Indeed,this funding mechanism is how Lextran receives the majority of its oper-ating funds, Barnett said.She added: “There are people living in Fayette County who pay the tax,

yet don’t have service. These people would likely ask, ‘I don’t have busservice, so why are you going outside the county?’”Butler also offered some thoughts on what she sees for overall public

transit in the near future.“One positive development has been the interest in public transit

shown by the Millennial generation, as well as by senior citizens,” Butlersaid. “I think it is a great time to be in transit in Lexington. The Millennialand senior citizen markets are growing and contributing to the value andimportance of public transit. I think it is a great time.“I also see public transit on a growth trajectory nationwide. When I talk

to colleagues in some larger cities, such as San Francisco, Boston, andNew York City, that have made an investment in rail and bus service, it isevident public transportation is really making a difference and is becom-ing more and more popular. It is also encouraging when cities such asHouston, Dallas and Los Angeles — traditionally car cities — are leadingthe way in transit design and transit facilities. If the tide is turning, it iscertainly turning back toward transit.”

Contact: Lextran, 109 West Loudon Ave., Lexington, KY 40508.Phone: 859-255-7756.

Website: www.lextran.com.

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Events begin on Sunday, January 31, with the12th Annual Ray Dupuis Memorial GolfTournament. It’s scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4p.m. at Marriott’s Stone Mountain Golf Club, inStone Mountain, GA. Additionally, the UMAState Association Summit/FMCSA ListeningSession is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. onSunday at the Georgia World CongressCenter.Sunday’s events will conclude with the

UMA Welcome Reception for all atten-dees. The event will take place from 6to 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Recency AtlantaCentennial Ballroom. Monday, February 1, starts with

UMA registration from 7:30 a.m. to6:45 p.m. at C1 and C2 lobby at theGeorgia World Congress Center. Therewill be a continental breakfast at thefoyer of the Georgia Ballroom from 8 to8:30 a.m. The Georgia Ballroom will be the site of the

UMA Expo Opening Session, scheduled from8:30 to 11 a.m. The session will include anaddress from keynote speaker AndrewYoung, who is a former U.S. Congressman,U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and

Mayor of Atlanta. Also taking place at theOpening Session will be the annual UMA

Active Member Meeting and Legislative &Regulatory Update.

The UMA Maintenance Interchange is 9:30a.m to 4:30 p.m. on Monday. This event fea-tures motorcoach owners, operators andmaintenance personnel discussing mainte-nance issues.The first group of several UMA Concurrent

Solution Sessions is scheduled from 11:15a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Monday. They are:

n Being The Highest Priced Player InYour Market (Marketing);

n Cash Flow Management (Finance);n Creative Ways To Retain Drivers

(Operations); and,n Session 1 - Big Ideas, Small Fleet;

Business 101; as well as Subcontracting,Farms-outs, And The New LeasingRequirement (Small Fleet Operator).A UMA Associate/Travel Partner

Membership Meeting is also scheduled for11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., followed by the

UMA Luncheon from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Theluncheon will take place in the GeorgiaBallroom. The second group of UMA Concurrent

Solution Sessions is scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m.They are:

n Integrating Online Marketing Such As

UMAEXHIBIT HALL HOURS

February 1 - 3

MONDAY, Sneak Preview4:30 to 6:45 p.m.

TUESDAY10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY9 a.m. - Noon

Atlanta, GA, is the location for the 2016 United Motorcoach Association’s (UMA) Motorcoach Expo. The annual event will take place January 31 through February 3 at the Georgia World Congress Center,

and will include a large tradeshow, educational seminars and many networking opportunities.

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Emails, Websites, Social Media, Etc., WithMore Traditional Offline Marketing IncludingPrint Advertising, Broadcast/Cable, DirectMail, Etc. (Marketing);

n Spader Business Management-Part 1Financial Trends (Finance);

n Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) - WhatNow? (Operations); and,

n Session 2 - Cash Is King; TheFundamentals Of Regulatory Compliance; andUnderstanding IRP, IFTA, UCR and URS(Small Fleet Operator).The third group of UMA Concurrent Solution

Sessions on Monday is slated for 3:15 to 4:15p.m. They are:

n Reaching New Customers By Tapping IntoEmerging Markets (Marketing);

n Spader Business Management - Part 2Managing Growth And Plateaus (Finance);

n The Next Generation - How AreMillennials Looking At This Industry?(Operations); and,

n Session 3 - Equipment Maintenance ForSmall Fleet Operators; Managing ABreakdown; and Americans With DisabilitiesAct Compliance (Small Fleet Operator). A major event on Monday will be the

UMA Expo Exhibit Hall Sneak Preview, tak-ing place from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. in Halls C1& C2. Exhibitors will give demonstrations

and showcase their latest industry productsand services during the sneak preview. Also scheduled for 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. on

Monday is the first day of the MotorcoachMarketing Council’s silent auction, along with alive auction starting at 6 p.m. Both events willtake place in the exhibit hall. Two events are scheduled immediately fol-

lowing the Sneak Preview. A new function setfor 7 to 10 p.m. is the UMA Expo SneakPreview After-Party, with the site being the

World of Coca-Cola. In a separate event, theGo Motorcoach Annual Fundraiser is alsoscheduled for Monday evening at a site to bedetermined. The 2016 UMA Motorcoach Expo on

Tuesday, February 2, will begin at 7:30 a.m.with the UMA Maintenance Competition. Thisevent, which will take place at the SoutheasternStages, Inc., facility in Atlanta, lasts until 11a.m. and provides participants with a chance tocompete against each other to solve different

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UMA Expo attendees meet with industry suppliers.

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maintenance-related issues. Tuesday’s UMA Expo registration is sched-

uled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the C1 and C2lobby. Meanwhile, a continental breakfast willbe located outside the concurrent solution ses-sion rooms from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m.The first group of UMA Concurrent Solution

Sessions on Tuesday are slated for 8:45 to 9:45a.m. They are:

n Leveraging Your Current Customer Base(Marketing);

n Putting The Best Financing Strategy InPlace For Your Next Coach Purchase (Finance);and,

n Maximizing Equipment Utilization(Operations).Also during Tuesday morning’s events, a

National Association of Motorcoach Operators(NAMO) meeting is slated for 10 to 11 a.m.The UMA Expo exhibit hall will be open

from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, allowingattendees to visit a wide variety of vendors.Lunch will be served at the exhibit hall from11:30 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 How Tracking Technology Can Make Your

Business More Efficient (from 10:15 to 11:15a.m.);

n Like New, Re-energized, Reman or As Is -What’s What When Purchasing PreownedVehicles (from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.);

n Reduce Downtime And Save Money WithThe Use Of Nickel Carbon (from 11:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m.);

n Passenger Safety & Defensible Use OfForce (from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.);

n Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle RegulationTraining For Entering California (from 12:45 to1:45 p.m.);

n Managing Large Claims In A Volatile LegalEnvironment (from 2 to 3 p.m.);

n Vehicle And Driver Certifications -Improve Margins, Save Fuel And Money AndGain Marketshare (from 2 to 3 p.m.);

n Passenger & Driver Safety - TechnologyAnd The Motorcoach Experience (from 3:15 to4:15 p.m.); and,

n FMCSA Record Retention &Recordkeeping Requirements (from 3:15 to4:15 p.m.). The Motorcoach Marketing Council’s silent

auction will take place for its second day, from10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Tuesday in the exhibit hall.Meanwhile, the OMCA Coach OperatorCouncil will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday’s final event will be the UMA

Leadership Awards Celebration, scheduledfrom 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Georgia Ballroom.This will include a reception, dinner, presenta-tion of awards and cigars/cordials. The final day that the exhibit hall will be open

for the 2016 UMA Motorcoach Expo is Wed -nesday, February 3. Show floor hours are 9 a.m.until noon, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. The Motorcoach Marketing Council’s silent

auction will take place for its third and final day,from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, while a brunchis scheduled from 10 a.m. to Noon. Both eventswill again be located in the exhibit hall. Also on Wednesday will be three UMA

Education Sessions at the exhibit hall. Topicsinclude:

n E-logs and ELDs Workshop (from 9:15 to10:15 a.m.);

n CVSA Inspection Demonstration (from9:15 to 10:15 a.m.); and,

n Using Your Coach As A Billboard For YourCompany’s Brand (from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.).Meanwhile, the UMA Member Bus Op -

erations Site Visit is scheduled from 12:15 to1:45 p.m. at the nearby Southeastern Stages,Inc., facility. Wednesday will conclude with the “Tourism

Rocks At Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta” event from9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. All motorcoach opera-tors who attended UMA Motorcoach Expo areinvited to attend this event free as guests of thesponsors.

Visit www.motorcoachexpo.comfor more information.

Dates, times and events are subject to change.

Page 38 BUSLINE January/February 2016

See us at UMA Expo Booth #732

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Complete Coach InstallingDiesel Particulate Filters

For EPLA Buses

Complete Coach Works (CCW) is in theprocess of completing the installation of DieselParticulate Filters (DPF’s) on 20 coach busesfor El Paso-Los Angeles Limousine Express,Inc. (EPLA).

“The project ensures that coaches operat-ed by EPLA meet particulate emission stan-dards for diesel-powered vehicles set by var-ious regulatory agencies. Several days ofdata logging on each engine are performed toobtain crucial information about the vehicle'sexhaust system,” according to CCW.

“The data logger, which is temporarilyinstalled on each vehicle, documents exhausttemperatures during normal engine opera-tion. Exhaust temperatures, which can beinfluenced by vehicle speed, load, idling,ambient air temperatures and driver tenden-cies, can impact the operation of the properfilter.”

“After data logging, each engine under-goes an assessment for flaws such as oilleaks, heavy smoke and exhaust leaks.“The assessment is then preceded by the

installation of the DPF, which is a three-dayprocess. Every EPLA coach receives thesame type of passive filter, which can beremoved, cleaned and replaced while thecoaches are in the shop for routine mainte-nance.”

Complete Coach Works is a U.S. busremanufacturing and rehabilitation companywith over 28 years of service in the trans-portation industry.

El Paso-Los Angeles Limousine Express,Inc. was established in 1966 to provide trans-portation between Los Angeles and El Pasowith few stops. It has expanded to more than20 bus terminals in six states, with main ter-minals in El Paso, Albuquerque, Denver,Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The com-pany also offers shipping and charter services toschools, government agencies and professionalsports teams.

E-mail [email protected] more information.

January/February 2016 BUSLINE Page 39

See us at UMA Expo Booth #928

MCC Acquires Climatic Technologies International Ltd.

Mobile Climate Control China (MCC) has acquired the assets of Climatic TechnologiesInternational Ltd (CTIL) from TRACS Pty., an Australian distributor of HVAC products.CTIL is a Hong Kong-based provider of HVAC products to bus builders in mainland China. “The acquisition of CTIL’s assets greatly enhances MCC’s offer of HVAC products to bus

builders in China, as well as complementing MCC’s current bus AC product portfolio. MCC willcontinue supporting all of CTIL’s customers, and we are looking forward to enhancing the strongrelationships established by CTIL,” said Clas Gunneberg, president and CEO of MCC Group.Mobile Climate Control (MCC) offers complete climate comfort systems for three main

customer segments: buses, off-road and defense vehicles. Visit www.mcc-hvac.com for more information.

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Page 40 BUSLINE January/February 2016

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From Nova Bus:

John Manzi Named Regional SalesManager For The U.S. East Coast

Nova Bus has named John Manzi regionalsales manager for the East Coast. Prior to join-ing Nova Bus, Manzi served as EasternRegional transit sales manager for a transmis-sion manufacturer. He has over 30 years ofexperience in the transportation industry. Rob Mowat leads the team in North America,

which includes the United States: Judy K.Dennis for the West, Steve Kratzer for theMidwest, and John Manzi for the East Coast.Nova Bus offers propulsion technologies

such as natural gas and electric buses toAmerican transit authorities.

Nova Bus is part of the Volvo Group. Visit www.novabus.com for more informa-

tion.

Motorcoach Marketing CouncilNames Christian Riddell New

Executive Director

At its semi-annual meeting in Phoenix onOctober 29, the Motorcoach Marketing Councilannounced the hiring of a new executive direc-tor. Chinook Holdings, and its principal,

Christian Riddell, have been named to fill theposition. Riddell has been the spokesman forthe council for the past two years. Riddell started his motorcoach career as a

driver and sales manager for a company inPortland, OR. After a decade away from the

industry as the creative director for a West Coastcompany, he came back to the industry.In the last five years, he has created several

companies that all serve the motorcoach indus-try, including the development of websites, mar-keting materials, industry newsletters and more.

“The Motorcoach Council’s GoMotorcoachprogram has recently been receiving interna-tional attention and has helped hundreds ofoperators around North America create power-ful inexpensive marketing materials, train theirsales staff, created powerful social media cam-paigns, recruit new drivers and market moreeffectively,” according to the council.The Motorcoach Marketing Council is a

nonprofit organization whose volunteer boardmembers are motorcoach operators and motor-coach associations from around North America.Its mission is to help operators sell more char-ters to more people for more money.Visit www.motorcoachmarketing.org for

more information.

Arnold Isham Named CincinnatiMetro’s Director Of Transit

Operations

Cincinnati Metro has promoted ArnoldIsham to the position of director of transitoperations, responsible for overseeing thedelivery of Metro’s fixed-route services to thecommunity.

Isham has been with Metro for 23 yearsand began his career as a bus operator. Hehas held various leadership positions within

PERSONNEL

Christian Riddell

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January/February 2016 BUSLINE Page 41

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Metro including serving as group manager,sector manager, street operations and on-timeperformance manager, station manager, andmost recently as assistant director of transitoperations.

He holds certifications in Leadership Dev -elopment from the Urban League, XavierUniversity’s Leadership Course, and thePrimary Leadership and Development Coursewith the United States Army.Metro is a non-profit public service of the

Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority,providing about 17 million rides per year in

Greater Cincinnati.Visit www.go-metro.com.

SEFAC Names Dustin SweeneySoutheastern Regional

Sales Manager

SEFAC, Inc., manufacturer of heavy-dutymobile lifts, has named Dustin Sweeney

Southeastern regional sales manager. This is anewly created position within the company.Sweeney is located in the central region of

Florida, and he will be working with both exist-ing users of SEFAC mobile lifts and pursuingnew customers. For more information, contact Jamie Pedrick

at (443) 730-1023 ext.105.

Greater Dayton (OH) RTAAnnounces Promotions Of TonyNicely And Thomas Nichols

The Greater Dayton (OH) RTA hasannounced the recent promotions of TonyNicely to security supervisor and Thomas

Arnold Isham

Tony Nicely

Dustin Sweeney

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Page 42 BUSLINE January/February 2016

Nichols to p.m. shift supervisor. Nicely is responsible for overseeing the day-

to-day operations of the Wright Stop Plaza tran-sit center. His job is to ensure that “excellentservice is delivered to customers every day.”He will provide leadership to the RTA transitambassadors in their daily engagement with,and quality service to, RTA customers.In his previous position as an operations

supervisor, Nicely received the 2014 RTASupervisor Safety Award.

Nichols has been promoted to p.m. shiftsupervisor. As one of three in that role, he man-ages all aspects of revenue operation on the

evening shift. He leads all supervisors and busoperators within the framework of RTA’s corevalues. His focus is safety, quality of service,and on-time performance. Nichols has been with RTA nearly five years.

He began his career as a Project Mobility driv-er, became a fixed route driver, and was thenpromoted to operations supervisor. RTA serves

3,300 stops on 31 routes throughoutMontgomery and parts of Greene County. Theagency operates diesel, hybrid diesel, and elec-tric trolley buses that take people to work,school and shopping. Customers ride RTA onmore than 9 million passenger trips each year.

Visit www.i-riderta.orgfor more information.

PERSONNEL

Thomas Nichols

Mobile Climate Control Opens Microchannel Aluminum Coil Manufacturing Facility In North America

“Mobile Climate Control (MCC) has invested more than $3.5 million in new state-of-the-art production capabilities to be able to deliver its own in-house designed and manufacturedmicrochannel aluminum heat exchangers. “This investment in

Mississauga (Toronto),Ontario in Canada bringsmanufacturing and jobsback to North Americafrom Asia. The investmentis also a strategic movethat strengthens our vertical integration. It also shows our owner’s dedication to, and trustin MCC,” said Clas Gunneberg, CEO of MCC Group.The company said this investment allows MCC to take control of another component of

the HVAC system.Mobile Climate Control (MCC) offers climate comfort systems for three customer seg-

ments: buses, off-road and defense vehicles. Visit www.mcc-hvac.com for more information

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Oklahoma State University (OSU) hasswitched its bus fleet to compressed natural gas.Its three new CNG MCI D4500 coaches,

equipped with wheelchair lifts and Wi-Fi, willserve the University’s Big Orange Bus (BOB)transit system, which shuttles students, faculty,

staff and the public between the university’sStillwater and Tulsa campuses. “It’s a big milestone: We're the first in the

state to have a busfleet that is com-pletely CNG,” saidTom Duncan, Okla -homa State Univers -ity transit servicesmanager, creditingBOB service withincreases in employ-ment, educationalopp ortunities andattendance at OSU’sTulsa campus. “Themajority of rider-ship is tied to theuniversity, but resi-dents and travelersto the area find theservice convenientbecause we connect

with Greyhound and Tulsa InternationalAirport. And the free Wi-Fi allows riders to takecare of business while they commute .

MCI said that passengers especially like themodel’s forward-facing seating, reading lights,airflow controls, 110-volt outlets, Wi-Fi con-nectivity and three-point passenger seatbelts. The Big Orange Bus travels a 71-mile route

between Stillwater and Tulsa Monday throughFriday. The system is self-sustaining throughbus fares and state and federal funds. OSU has a Ride System smartphone app that

displays bus routes and real-time locations,along with estimated arrival times at each stop.The university uses Twitter to announce delaysand route changes, texting information relatedto passengers’ stops. All together, OSU operates 24 CNG vehicles

on a system that includes fixed route, shuttleand paratransit service. Visit www.osu-tulsa.okstate.edu/bob for

more information. Motor Coach Industries (MCI), headquar-

tered in Des Plaines, IL, is an intercity coachmanufacturer in the United States and Canada,with sales, service and repair facilities in bothcountries. MCI is also the distributor of theSetra S 417, Setra S 407 and Setra parts in theU.S. and Canada. The company offers 24-hourtechnical support and technician training alongwith aftermarket parts and repair service.

Visit www.mcicoach.comfor more information.

Oklahoma State University Transit Services Manager Tom Duncan with oneof three new MCI D4500 coaches powered by CNG.

Oklahoma State University’s Big Orange Bus Service Has Three New MCI D4500

Coaches Powered By CNG

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The HART Environmental and SustainabilityManagement Program (ESMS) has created anew partnership with students at St. PetersburgCollege’s (SPC) College of Business. “As part of their final course work before

graduation, college seniors enrolled in theSustainability Management Degree curriculummust complete a 16-week sustainabilityimprovement project. HART invites those stu-dents to apply the theories and concepts they've

learned to real-world environmental initiativesat HART. In turn, HART will use data generatedfrom those studies to continue growing its sus-tainability culture implementing additionalgreen initiatives,” said HART CFO Jeff Seward.“We take pride in the authority's ability to

foster more sustainable lifestyles and help com-muters reduce their carbon footprint. We hopethis partnership will increase the ability to recy-cle, and educate our customers on the environ-

mental advantages of being green. It is also agreat example of collaboration for the better-ment of the Tampa Bay area and surroundingcommunities.”Cooperative work has begun and a project

team is analyzing the impact of implementing asolid waste recycling program to serve HARTpersonnel and passengers. HART environmen-tal staff and SPC students are developing waysto decrease solid waste management costs;quantify how much waste is disposed of by pas-sengers at HART facilities around HillsboroughCounty; improve resource optimization; andenhance core services.“The waste reduction initiative is also the first

Design For Six Sigma HART project. UsingLean Six Sigma techniques and tools, the projectteam is designing a solution to address the largeamounts of solid waste that HART either direct-ly produces or is responsible for managing. “The goal of these studies is to increase the

amount of recycled materials captured fromHART waste streams and diverted away fromlandfills by as much as 10 percent, which willtranslate to solid waste management cost reduc-tions and greater operational efficiency atHART.” Visit www.goHART.org.

Southern California Transit Training ConsortiumReceives Achievements In Transit Award

The Southern California Transit TrainingConsortium (SCRTTC) was awarded theNational Transit Institute’s (NTI) Achievementsin Transit Training Model Program Award forits National Innovative Transit TrainingLearning Model.“SCRTTC was conceived over a decade ago

by a grassroots effort of transits in SouthernCalifornia that were mandated by the SouthCoast Air Quality Management District to bethe first in the country to procure, maintain,operate and repair low/zero emission buses,”SCRTTC Chair Tommy Edwards of SunlineTransit said upon receipt of the award.The SCRTTC has delivered over 65,000

hours of transit training to over 4,500 partici-pants to date. Originally funded under SAFETEA-LU

enabling the development of its foundationalcourses, the SCRTTC also pursued supplemen-tal funding as a non-profit to provide hybridand electric transit bus training.SCRTTC also recently completed a Federal

Transit Administration’s (FTA) InnovativeTransit Workforce Development (ITWD)Program; an award specific to training thatenabled the development and the delivery of aDistance Education Technician Program.

Visit wwwscrttc.com for more information.

Page 44 BUSLINE January/February 2016

Your one stop shop for coach, rail, and ship interiors.Upholstery, New & Used passenger & Drivers

seats, �ooring, �oor 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 Ameri-can, Amaya, Vanhool and Wake�eld 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.

See us at UMA Expo Booth #940

HART And St. Petersburg College Team-Up For Green Initiative In The Tampa Bay Area

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #714

8 New Van Hools For TX’s Roadrunner Company

“I've loved coaches as long as I can remember and drove my first busat 12 years old. I grew up singing and traveling all over America withmy family riding in motorcoaches,” said Ron Wills, CEO of Euless,TX-based Roadrunner Companies. The companies’ eight new Van Hool CX45s are equipped with wood

grain flooring, aluminum wheels and Van Hool’s contoured parcelracks, including a video system with 22-inch monitors.

Roadrunner Companies (www.roadrunnercompanies.com) servesthe Dallas/Ft. Worth market with 88 buses, offering charters to destina-tions throughout the United States and Canada. The company beganwith a single small bus in 2001. “Ron Wills and the Roadrunner family continue to be market leaders

in our industry,” ABC Account Manager Zane Gray said. “They'relong-term thinkers and have been extremely successful in managingtheir acquisitions and growth. All of us at ABC are extremely gratefulfor their loyalty and our strategic partnership.”

9 Van Hool TX45s For Hotard Coaches

Callen Hotard, president of New Orleans, LA-based Hotard Coaches,represents the third generation of Hotards to run the company since itwas founded in 1935. Specializing in charters and contract transporta-tion services, its fleet has grown to 78 coaches and 10 mini-coaches.ABC Companies, Van Hool's exclusive U.S. distributor, recently

delivered nine Van Hool TX45 luxury motorcoaches equipped withentertainment systems, wood grain floors and leather accented passen-ger seating. The coaches are equipped with Van Hool safety features including

three-point seatbelts, backup camera, lane departure warning, antilockbrakes, tire pressure monitoring, fire suppression systems and automat-ic stability control. Hotard has seven additional TXs on order.

Call 800-222-2875 or visit www.abc-companies.comfor more information.

Van Hool Deliveries

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Camira Group Hosts Royal Visit For Queen’s Award Presentation“UK-based global textile company, Camira Group

Ltd., welcomed HRH The Duke of Gloucester and HerMajesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Dr.Ingrid Roscoe to its Mirfield headquarters in WestYorkshire, December 2, for the presentation of TheQueen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Dev -elopment Category 2015,” acording to a press releasefrom Camira Group.

“Following the announcement earlier this year,Camira hosted The Duke and Lord-Lieutenant for asite tour and presentation of the award to Camira’sDirector of Design Dr. Fern Kelly. With five years ofcontinuous environmental advancement and best inclass performance, this is the second time Camira hasbeen awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise:Sustainable Development,” said Camira ChiefExecutive Grant Russell

Camira, with headquarters in Mirfield, UK, and400,000-square-feet of manufacturing at its three sitesin Huddersfield, has been recognized for its outstand-ing achievements in sustainable product design, supplychain initiatives, waste saving and recycling, peopledevelopment and corporate social responsibility. This is the com-pany’s fourth Queen’s Award, following previous awards in boththe Innovation and International Trade categories.

The Camira Group manufactures over 8 million meters of fab-ric a year and sells to 70 countries worldwide. Camira Group offers

fabrics for commercial interiors and public transport, supplying theLondon Underground, high street banks, and tech firms such asGoogle, Microsoft, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Visit www.camirafabrics.comfor more information.

Pictured, left to right, are Camira Chief Executive Grant Russell, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Camira Director of Design Fern Kelly, and Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Dr. Ingrid Roscoe.

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #549

American Seating Introduces INSIGHT-PRIME™

And INSIGHT-PRIME+™ Transit SeatingNew from American Seating are its INSIGHT-PRIME™ and INSIGHT-

PRIME+™ transit seating. The new products were introduced at the American Public

Transportation Association (APTA) annual meeting in San Francisco.They join the InSight line which was launched in 2006. The INSIGHT-PRIME and INSIGHT-PRIME+ seatsare engineered to be lighter in weight.The seats were also designed for clean-ability and aesthetics, according to thecompany.“INSIGHT-PRIME is the primary

element of InSight – a new solutionwithout fabric inserts, back panels andassociated hardware, yielding aweight savings of more than 25 per-cent compared to the typical two-passtransverse seat.“INSIGHT-PRIME+ adds color

inserts for an aesthetic value whileoffering cleanability, weight and costadvantages. INSIGHT-PRIME andINSIGHT-PRIME+ are available in all the same configurations asInSight, including transverse, longitudinal, flip-ups, rear cross and back-to-back,” according to a press release. “Transit authorities need new ways to make vehicles weigh less so they

can achieve greater fuel efficiency. At the same time, they want a clean,

sanitary and modern aesthetic. Plus, they’re looking for cost-effective-ness. With this new generation of InSight, we’re meeting these needs andmore,” said Doug Oswald, director of marketing for transportation atAmerican Seating. “All features and options have been maintained withthe new design, including comfort and durability.”

The INSIGHT-PRIME texture pat-tern provides a two-tone look withoutan insert. INSIGHT-PRIME+ offers aninsert that allows for two-color selec-tions. Both products’ 18-inch-wideseats do not require an added backpanel. The 17-inch-wide seat has thesame insert shapes as the 18-inch-wideseat, while maintaining design continu-ity throughout the vehicle. InSight received the iF (International

Forum) award for design in 2010.Chicago’s major transit authorities

were the first to purchase InSight.Since then, Baltimore, Cincinnati,Cleveland, Grand Rapids, Miami,

Minneapolis, San Diego, Washington, D.C., Victoria, British Columbia,and others have also installed the seats. Canada’s SkyTrain selectedInSight for the 2010 Olympics.

Visit www.americanseating.comfor more information.

January/February 2016 BUSLINE Page 47

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ARBOC Breaks Ground On New Lamination FacilityARBOC Specialty Vehicles, of Middlebury, IN, has broken ground

on a 14,000-square-foot building to house its lamination process.“This addition will enable us to streamline our current production

process and provide flexibility for future multiple product offerings inour current production environment,” ARBOC Specialty VehiclesPresident/CEO Don Roberts said.Founded in 2008, ARBOC Specialty Vehicles develops and manu-

factures low-floor technology up to 30-feet. Its three key product offerings are: the Spirit of Mobility, Spirit of

Freedom and Spirit of Liberty. ARBOC paratransit products meet andexceed 2014-2018 federal fuel economy standards.

Pictured is a rendering of the completed addition behind ARBOC’s current production facility.

The ARBOC management team pictured breaking ground on the com-pany’s new addition is, left to right, Don Roberts, Mike Skibbe, Blain

Hite, Robb Ledbetter, Del Herr and Bill Fay.

Visit www.ARBOCsv.com for more information.

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January/February 2016 BUSLINE Page 49

Home of the Best Full-ServiceTravel Plaza in Northern Illinois

Featuring…

(815) 562-5840

Seating for 175, Homestyle Cooking, Daily Specials, Buffet, Soup & Salad Bar, Full Menu, Carry-Out

Designated Bus Parking and Pull-Thru Fueling Island

Bus Drivers & TourGuides Eat free!Mini-Mall — 2 Stores

with over 5,000 sq. ft. of shopping!

ATM, Major Credit Cards accepted.

I-39 & Hwy 38, Exit 99Rochelle, IL

OPEN 24 HOURSPlease call ahead!

(815) 561-9595

Seating for 40, Specialty Sandwiches,Stromboli, Fresh Salads & Pizza,

Hand-Dipped Ice Cream!

From Angeltrax:

500GB Solid-State Hard Drives Standard In All Hard Drive DVRs

AngelTrax has announced an across-the-board switch to 500GBsolid-state hard drives in all AngelTrax hard drive DVRs, backing theSSDs with a 10-year full replacement warranty.

AngelTrax President and CEORichie Howard said, “Effectiveimmediately, the Hybrid Quest,Hybrid Vault and HDX mobileDVRs will now ship standardwith 500GB solid-state harddrives. The CoPilot-WA andSDX DVRs feature solid-stateSD cards, which now includecapacities up to 256GB each.“We strive to supply our cus-

tomers with the latest and mostreliable technology. That focus

has led us to solid-state storage, for its dependability and efficiency, asa logical advancement in the mobile surveillance marketplace.”

AngelTrax solid-state hard drives are available in 256GB, 500GBand 1TB capacities for upgrades on existing DVRs and can be installedquickly. AngelTrax is a designer, manufacturer and provider of in-vehicle

mobile surveillance for the student transit, mass transit, waste manage-ment, law enforcement and rail industries.

Call 1-800-673-1788 or visit www.angeltrax.comfor more information.

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The popular Villager model is now electrified. Innovation is on the riseagain with the Hometown Trolley research and development team.Hometown Trolley made a commitment many years ago to contribute toefforts to reduce fossil fuels polluting the environment through transportation. It is estimated that there are over eight million fossil fueled buses and

trucks operating in America today. These vehicles are producing outrageouslevels of dangerous toxic pollutants. It is estimated that a single fossil fueledbus emits .75 # of carbon dioxide for every mile it is driven. Choosing anelectric Villager will drastically reduce these numbers.

In 2002 the Villager model was equipped with the first generation hybridelectric system and Altoona Tested for a 10 year STURAA test. Since thattime Hometown Trolley has continued to develop and improve the systemwith the latest technology. American made products have been top priorityto the development of the Hometown Trolley electric propulsion system toensure readily available parts. In 2012 Hometown Trolley developed a series hybrid electric system for

the low floor Streetcar trolley which has proven well during testing at theChattanooga Advanced Vehicle Test Track and in the field. HometownTrolley has now developed a third generation full electric system for theVillager trolley. The Villager model is the most versatile trolley for transit

applications including tour, shuttle or transit and it is now available in a fullelectric zero emissions chassis platform. With today’s environmental concerns communities are eager to partici-

pate in reducing their car-bon foot print. TheVillager trolley availablein full electric zero emis-sion propulsion systemoffers the operators achoice to provide a clean,quiet form of fun trans-portation and increase rid-ership at the same time. Some of the benefits

of going with a full electric Villager trolley are the elimination of theengine and transmission, providing reduced maintenance costs andmoving part failures. The electric Villager uses regenerative braking,eliminating maintenance on brake parts and providing system recharg-ing while in route. Fuel costs savings can be up to $400,000 over thelife of the trolley. Operating range on a single charge is 100-120 miles,with a recharge time of four hours using the facility charger. When up-fitted with an in route induction charging system,range is unlimited. The Electric Villager = *Quiet *Clean *EconomicalHometown Trolley is a Certified DBE, Certified

TVM, 3rd generation family owned and operatedmanufacturing company. Hometown Trolley remainscommitted to preserving the handcrafted quality of aturn of the century transportation trolley while implementing the latestgreen technology.

Visit www.hometowntrolley.com for more information.

Page 50 BUSLINE January/February 2016

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #523

Hometown Trolley’s Villager Now ElectrifiedADVERTORIAL

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Cincinnati Metro AnnouncesPlans For 2016

Cincinnati Metro has announced plans tobuild a new Oakley transit center in 2016; italso plans the introduction of new small buses,and mobile ticketing.During the 2015 State of Metro annual meet-

ing, Metro announced ways that, “it is rein-venting transit in the community,” includingthe new construction and other improvementsbeginning in 2016, according to a release.The Oakley Transit Center will break ground

in 2016. It will serve several eastside routesand offer customer amenities like real-timeinformation and a ticket vending machineMetro also plans to offer new smaller buses

for more efficient operations on low-ridershiproutes that don’t require a 40-foot bus, but thatstill need lifeline transit service. It will also addnew commuter-style buses for longer routesserving suburban park and rides.For more information about Metro’s plans

for 2016, visit www.go-meto.com.

FMCSA Releases Additional Analysis On Alternatives

For Safety Measurement System

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hasreleased a Congressionally directed report confirming that the amountof data used in the agency’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) is suf-ficient to allow FMCSA to identify high-risk truck and bus companies.

“The report found that SMS effectively identifies the truck and buscompanies involved in 90 percent of the more than 100,000 crashesthat occur each year, and those that are identified as high-risk carrierscontinue to have crash rates that are twice the national average.”

In examining commercial motor vehicle crash rates, FMCSAlooked at carriers of various sizes in accordance with the congression-al directive. The analysis revealed no significant difference in actualcrash rates between small carriers and those with 20 or more roadsideinspections.

FMCSA’s examinations further determined that the category of car-riers with 11-20 inspections and patterns of non-compliance has thehighest crash rates, presenting a clear and immediate interventionopportunity for the agency to proactively bring these carriers intocompliance with important safety regulations, including: hours-of-service limitations designed to prevent fatigued driving; vehicle main-tenance, and; commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements.

FMCSA’s current SMS data sufficiency standards allow the agencyto effectively identify and proactively intervene with high-risk carriersbefore a crash involving a large truck or bus occurs.

In March, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recom-mended that the agency increase the minimum number of requiredroadside safety inspections needed before prioritizing truck and buscompanies for interventions. FMCSA disagreed, pointing out that adelay in responding to known non-compliant carriers would needless-ly jeopardize the safety of the motoring public.

Under current Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations(FMCSRs), a carrier’s safety fitness can only be assigned following anon-site investigation; SMS is a tool to prioritize high-risk truck andbus companies for enforcement interventions.

The recent report underscores the critical importance of consider-

ing carriers of all sizes in the agency’s continuing efforts to removeunsafe carriers and commercial drivers from the nation’s roadwaysand protecting travelers everywhere.

For a copy of the report, see:http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/limitations-and-uses-safety-measurement-system-data-assessing-motor-carrier-safety.

January/February 2016 BUSLINE Page 51

TRANSIT SENIOR EXECUTIVE PROGRAM:

Moving Transit Leaders Forward

Become a better transportation leader today.

Enroll in this leadership development program designed .

When: April 17-22, 2016Where: Washington, D.C.

www.enotrans.org/course/transit-executive-program/

See us at UMA Expo Booth #831

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Amaya-Astron SeatingSee Ad On Page 18Pirules 16E, Complejo Industrial CuamatlaCuautitlán Izcalli, 52786 MEXICO +52(55)5881-2007E-Mail: [email protected]: www.amaya-astron.com.mxCompany Officers: Donovan Albarran, ExportSales Director; Rosario Arellano, Sales andCustomer ServiceProducts: The Amaya-Astron Seating models:A-2TEN, TORINO G PLUS and the new GT seat,provide the latest in ergonomic technology and

passenger safety, fulfilling the FMVSS andCMVSS standards for 3-point seatbelt seats.Amaya-Astron seats focus on ergonomic design,allowing for more hip to knee room and thusmore legroom overall. The introduction of thenewest model, the GT, will increase thislegroom because of its thinner seat back designwhile maintaining comfort in the seat. The goalis to continually develop seats which use thehighest quality materials and latest and mostinnovative technological advances availabletoday.As North American leaders in the seating

industry building and equipping motorcoaches,Amaya-Astron seats also have a large list ofoptions and accessories available to meet andexceed customer expectations and requirements.The most common of these are the automaticfootrests, grab handles, airline style and flip-uptray tables, cup holders, mesh magazine pockets,and 110V outlets. Amaya-Astron also offers lux-ury seating options, such as the 2 plus 1 seats.For sales and service inquires in the United

States and Canada, contact George Farrell,email: [email protected]; or Bob Greene,email: [email protected]. 16

Page 52 BUSLINE January/February 2016

See us at UMA Expo Booth #813

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American Seating401 American Seating CenterGrand Rapids, MI 49504 USA616-732-6600 Website: www.americanseating.comProducts: American Seating has a long historyof researching, designing, and manufacturingproducts that meet the ever changing needs ofcustomers. The company manufactures passen-ger seating for city service bus, rail, motorcoachand mobility aid securement. These products areon the road and rail each day in every majorNorth American city. 15

Bergen Auto Upholstery Co., Inc.See Ad On Page 54375 North StreetSecaucus, NJ 07094 USA201-457-9100 FAX: 201-457-9103E-Mail: [email protected]: www.bergenseat.comProducts: Seat replacement and com-plete interior refurbishing, including seatcovers, ceilings, sidewalls, lav area,under racks, dash, entrance door. Partsdistributor with large inventory in stock.Bergen offers a complete cleaning serv-ice, seat cover shampooing, seat framecleaning, cleaning of sidewalls and A/Cducts, and shampooing of any carpetedsurface. Bergen road crew is available toinstall on location. 14

CamiraSee Ad On Page 542476 Waldorf Court, NWGrand Rapids, MI 49544 USA616-288-0655 FAX: 616-288-0656E-Mail: [email protected]: www.camirafabrics.comCompany Officers: Steve Bullas,Chairman; Grant Russell, ChiefExecutive; Andrew Schofield, GroupSales and Marketing Director; NickBrown, Finance Director; RuneAkselberg, President, Camira Group Inc.Products: Camira, formerly known asHoldsworth Fabrics, offers total fabricsolutions for passenger transport interi-ors. Known for its traditional plush woolmoquettes, Camira’s manufacturingexpertise also covers lighter weight pilefabrics with added design and texture,contemporary flat weave fabrics for seat-ing and a wide range of ancillary interiortrim fabrics for other surfaces withinmotorcoaches.Fusion is Camira’s newest high wool

content moquette fabric with a strongenvironmental profile. Being 10 percentlighter in weight compared with tradi-tional pile fabrics, Fusion saves on rawmaterials giving fuel savings potentialand reducing operating costs, withoutcompromising technical performance.

Comprising a variety of designs, the range offersa mixed palette of subtle trend colors and tradi-tional brights - a total of 36 options are available.Camira are represented by Wagner &

Associates (tel 919-552-4466) and BusTex Corp(tel 303-404-0890). 16

Chestnut Ridge Foam, Inc.443 Warehouse Drive, P.O. Box 781Latrobe, PA 15650-0781 USA724-537-9000 FAX: 724-537-9003E-Mail: [email protected]: www.chestnutridgefoam.comCompany Officers: Carl Ogburn, President;George Romanish, Vice President, OPS; Robert

Bologna, CFO; Anthony Tomasello, SalesManagerProducts: SAFGUARD XL fire-resistant seatcushioning to comply with F.T.A. fire safety cri-teria. SAFGUARD XL eliminates the profuseburning and known fire hazards associated withFMVSS 302 cushioning if exposed to open flameignition sources. Provides the fire performanceneeded in today’s environment. The use of F.T.A.fire performance criteria helps avoid the potentialfor individual and transit authority liability. Thisfire-resistant cushioning is available to all seatingmanufacturers for O.E.M. vehicles. SAFGUARDXL represents major advancements in seat cush-ioning durability and comfort.

January/February 2016 BUSLINE Page 53

See us at UMA Expo Booth #1021

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #948

Bergen Auto Upholstery Co., Inc.375 North Street, Suite U, Teterboro, NJ 07608Toll Free: 800-732-8750 Phone: (201) 457-9100Fax: (201)457-9103e-mail: [email protected]: www.bergenseat.com

Call, fax or e-mail us today for a quick quote, and see for yourselfwhy Bergen Auto Upholstery is your seating headquarters.

r TeterborBer r

If Your Seats Are Not Becoming To You,They Should Be Coming To

BERGEN AUTO UPHOLSTERY

Quality Workmanship

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Fusion by Camira. Lightweight, versatile and contemporary. Come and visit us at the UMA Motorcoach EXPO, booth 948 for an exclusive look at Fusion, our new high wool content moquette fabric.

www.camirafabrics.com

Busline advert DEC 2015_.indd 1 08/12/2015 10:26

Page 54 BUSLINE January/February 2016

Visit www.chestnutridgefoam.com to view thefire performance capabilities in action with acomparative testing video of completed bus seatsexposed to flame. This video is also available inDVD format for an educational tool demonstrat-ing the danger of how fire may impact bus interi-ors. CR SAFGUARD XL can easily be added tonew vehicle seating specifications. ContactChestnut Ridge Foam for condensed specifica-tion verbiage. 16

CMI Enterprises13145 NW 45th Ave., Miami, FL 33054 USA574-226-2977Website: www.cmi-enterprises.comProducts: Bus/coach upholstery, fabric. 14

De Leo Transportation FabricsSee Ad On Page 5253 Dwight Place, Fairfield, NJ 07004 USA973-439-6801 FAX: 973-439-6815E-Mail: [email protected]: www.deleotf.comCompany Officers: Ismail ArslanProducts: De Leo Transportation Fabrics, adivision of the Edward B. De Leo Company,Inc., was established in 1962, and continues todeliver services and products to the automotive,transportation and upholstered furniture manu-facturing industries. Working with producer

partner Epengle Tekstil, DLT offers high qualityvelvets for bus, motorcoach and light rail fabricsto public and private transportation industries.For 50-plus years, De Leo and Epengle have

provided a variety of pile compositions includ-ing 85/15, 30/70 wool blend, 100 percentPolyester, 100 percent Acrylic and 100 percentpolyester flat woven to meet the highest stan-dards of the transportation industry. All quali-ties meet the International FR requirements aswell as FMVUSS-302. Specialty and customdesign work can be accommodated and anti-bacterial, stain repellant and water proofingfinishes are available.The company offers short production lead

times, excellent New Jersey-based customerservice and on-time deliveries. Warehousing inSouth Carolina offers quick shipping and easylogistics. These fabrics will be featured at TheUMA Expo in Atlanta January 31 - February 4,2016. 16

Fabric Services103 Hinsdale Farms Road, Bristol, IN 46507 USA574-848-5100 FAX: 574-848-1776Website: www.fabserv.comProducts: Fabric Services is a provider ofmany fabrics, leather, coated fabrics and flat-woven textiles for shuttle bus and motorcoachseating as well as interior trim applications.

Other value-added services include customcutting and lamination. 13

Freedman Seating Company4545 W. Augusta Blvd., Chicago, IL 60651 USA773-524-2440 Website: www.freedmanseating.comProducts: Manufactures seats and seating relat-ed products for many different applications.Product lines include bus, rail, marine, deliverytruck, specialty and commercial vehicle seating.A leading supplier to the U.S. domestic bus andtransportation industry. Manufacturing seats forbuses, Freedman Seating supplies the majorOEMs, over 250 bus distributors, the federalgovernment, and many states and municipali-ties. Includes products for small and mid-sizecoaches, paratransit vans and buses, public tran-sit buses, and private bus operators. 15

LaFrance IndustriesSee Ad On Page 53290 Old Anderson Road, LaFrance, SC 29656 USA864-646-3213, 551-482-1608 FAX: 864-646-4235E-Mail: [email protected] Officers: Judson Boehmer,President; Jeff Goldwasser, Sales ExecutiveProducts: U.S. made seating fabrics for all tran-sit and motorcoach requirements. 16

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Lantal Textiles, Inc.P.O. Box 965, Rural Hall, NC 27045 USA905-823-9427Website: www.lantal.comProducts: Lantal Textiles is a Swiss company specializing in theweaving of high-quality, well-designed velvet pile fabrics for the busindustry. Though Lantal has been in business in Europe for over 69years, the company first introduced these velvet pile fabrics to NorthAmerica in 1997. Lantal is a supplier of upholstery and companion fab-rics to bus and seating manufacturers. 11

Lazzerini CorporationSee Ad On Page 551011 Herman St., Elkhart, IN 46516 USAE-Mail: [email protected] Site: www.lazzerini.usProducts: Founded in 1967, the company produces seating for transitbuses and motorcoaches. Based in Italy with a U.S. office. 15

National Seating Co./CVG200 National Dr., Vonore, TN 37885 USA800-222-7328 FAX: 423-884-4859Website: www.cvgrp.comProducts: Motorcoach driver and passenger seats, including 4210passenger seats that feature the comfort and durability long associatedwith National Seating with the added safety of 3-point seat belts. Allproducts are produced in the company’s Vonore, TN, facility. 13

RECARO North America4120 Luella Lane, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 USA248-484-3203 FAX: 248-364-3806Website: www.recaro-automotive.comProducts: RECARO has been manufacturing seating products for over100 years. RECARO manufactures ergonomically correct seating thatwill support customers through the hours of operation they perform.RECARO products are designed to optimize comfort and reduce fatigueby offering superb support. 15

Sardo Bus & Coach UpholsterySee Ad On Pages 17 & 55503 S. Main Avenue, Minneola, FL 34715 USA800-654-3824 FAX: 352-242-9290E-Mail: [email protected]: www.sardobus.comCompany Officers: Sandy Follis, Presidentof Sales; Kathy Cruse, National SalesManager; Lou Sardo, PresidentProducts: Sardo Bus & Coach Upholstery’scraftsmanship and customer service havemade the company an industry leader inmotorcoach and transit refurbishment. It man-ufactures custom fit seat covers for mail outservice. Sardo’s Professional Mobile RoadCrew is a trendsetter, providing experiencedon-site installation service at a customer’sfacility. This minimizes down time, and givescustomers personal attention to every detail.Seat covers, sidewalls, flooring and more,Sardo helps with all interior objectives.Warranties are offered. 16

Willingham Inc.See Ad On Page 4420008 244th Ave. S.E.,Maple Valley, WA 98038 USA

425-432-9867 FAX: 425-432-3668Website: www.willinghaminc.comProducts: Seatcovers, complete interiors, floors, step tread kits, parcelrack door and bay door pistons, foam rubber replacement kits, net pockets,cup holders, grab handles and accessories. Seat parts for all models. 12

January/February 2016 BUSLINE Page 55

See us at UMA Expo Booth #1022

See us at UMA Expo Booth #1041

Lazzerini Corporation | 1011 Herman St. - 46516 Elkhart, IN

Your Ideal Traveling Companion

“BUY AMERICA” COMPLIANT

Since 1967 the name Lazzerini has been synonymous with creativity and innovation in the design and production of high quality light weight seating for transit bus and motorcoach.

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ARI-HETRA12775 Randolph Ridge LaneManassas, VA 20109 USA703-359-6265, 800-562-3250Web Site: www.ari-hetra.comProducts: Privately held company offering heavy-duty mobile liftingequipment, exhaust extraction systems and wheel service equipment. 15

Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc.3501 S. Leonard Rd., St. Joseph, MO 64503 USA816-233-6121 FAX: 816-233-7251Web Site: www.grayusa.comProducts: Gray Manufacturing is a family-owned and operated compa-ny. It designs, manufactures, sells and services innovative, high-qualityand reliable professional service equipment for the automotive, truck, andservice vehicle industries. Gray offers a complete line of professionalservice equipment including: mobile column lifts, wheel lift systems,transmission and component jacks, air jacks, floor jacks, vehicle supportstands, shop presses, wheel dollies, fluid handlers, forklift jacks, oil filtercrushers, and truck tire changers. 09

MAHA USA2404 East Highway 134, Pinckard, AL 36371 USA866-624-2872 FAX: 334-983-1094E-Mail: [email protected] Site: www.maha-usa.comProducts: MAHA USA unites German engineering with Americancraftsmanship to produce heavy-duty mobile column lifts. MAHA USAmanufactures vehicle lifting systems from its 90,000-square-foot produc-tion facility in Pinckard, AL. Its wireless mobile column lifts are poweredby state-of-the-art ball-screw technology. MAHA USA also offers a fullline of heavy-duty workshop equipment consisting of pantograph andparallelogram lifts; wheel lifting systems; various floor, transmission andclutch jacks; wheel service equipment; emission testers and PBBT-certi-fied brake testers. 15

Mohawk LiftsSee Ad On Page 5765 Vrooman Ave. \ P.O. Box 110, Amsterdam, NY 12010 USA800-833-2006 FAX: 518-842-1289E-Mail: [email protected] Site: www.mohawklifts.comCompany Officers: Steve Perlstein, Sales & Marketing Manager; RayPedrick, Assistant Sales ManagerProducts: Mohawk Lifts manufactures environmentally safe aboveground garage lifts ranging from 7,000 to 240,000 pound capacities andmany lift accessories. Included in Mohawk’s product lines are two post,four post, mobile column and parallelogram lifts, capable of lifting all

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #432

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tour and transit buses. Mohawk’s popularity isbased on a combination of safety systems, design,construction, and inclusive warranty. MohawkLifts are designed, welded and manufactured inthe U.S.A. 16

Omer North America Inc.2300 Speers Rd.Oakville, Ontario L6L 2X8 CANADA877-799-5438 FAX: 905-891-1214Web Site: www.karliftsolutions.comProducts: Omer North America offers the KARLIFT Pantograph lift in capacities of 44,000,55,000, 66,000, 77,000, 88,000 and 99,000pounds. The KAR LIFT is available in runwaylengths of 23’, 26’, 30’, 33’, 36’, 48.5’ long pow-der coated or completely hot-dipped galvanized.All of these models have been ALI/ETL certified.Omer has built KAR LIFTS up to 57’ long and121,000 pound capacity. Omer holds severalpatented design features that include a“Volumetric Control” that eliminates all electron-ics on the lift, and AOS energy absorbing materi-al that eliminates the need for the lift scissors tohave “slide” to eliminate stress. For customerswho prefer electronic synchronization, Omeroffers a four motor/pump control with industrialinclinometers mounted on each scissor. 13

Rotary Lift2700 Lanier DriveMadison, IN 47250 USA800-640-5438 FAX:800-578-5438E-Mail: [email protected] Site: www.rotarylift.comCompany Officers: David Fischmer, MarketingDirectorProducts: Rotary Lift is a manufacturer ofvehicle lifts designed to increase technicianproductivity and fleet uptime, with a commit-ment to quality, testing and safety. Rotary Liftoffers a full line of heavy-duty vehicle lifts forservicing the wide range of buses on the roadtoday. The line includes modular inground,mobile column, scissor, parallelogram and four-post lifts. The new MOD35 is the next genera-tion of Rotary Lift’s MOD Series modular,environmentally friendly heavy-duty ingroundlift. More than 1,100 MOD Series lifts havebeen installed since the product’s introductionin 2002. Rotary Lift offers patented universalstyle lifting saddles.Rotary Lift’s Mach™ Series of mobile column

lifts can be used anywhere to service almost anyvehicle. Wired and wireless communicationsoptions are available. Rotary Lift is a VehicleService Group (VSG) brand. Its American head-quarters and flagship manufacturing facilities arein Madison, IN. 16

SEFAC, Inc.See Ad On Page 5623 Fontana Ln., Suite 109Baltimore, MD 21237 USA443-730-1023

E-Mail: [email protected]: www.slec.comCompany Officers: Allister Collings, PresidentProducts: SLEC, Inc., which began manufac-turing its own heavy-duty vehicle lifts lastyear, has seen significant sales growth in 2015,with volume up 20 percent. The new lift, des-ignated the 18Type, has many new and innova-tive features. However; one feature which hasevolved but never changed is the drive systemwhich comprises a bronze load nut mounted ona threaded screw. The screw and load nut areguaranteed self-locking, meaning the vehiclewill always remain in the air as it is only powerthat can cause the screw to rotate. A self-lock-ing drive screw and load-bearing nut systemwill also last longer - usually 20 years or more- because it is only wearing when the lift israising or lowering. SLEC lifts are certified by the Automotive

Lift Institute, to ANSI/ALI ALCTV: 2011 stan-dards. The company employs factory trainedservice technicians located in the northeast,southeast, southwest, northwest and Baltimore.The company is committed to providing a highlevel of after-sales support. It offers annualinspection programs, off-contract inspectionsand always aims to react quickly to any non-scheduled call-outs. SLEC lifts are made in theUSA. 16

Stertil-Koni USA, Inc.200 Log Canoe CircleStevensville, MD 21666 USA410-643-9001 FAX: 410-643-8901E-Mail: [email protected] Site: www.stertil-koni.comCompany Officers: Jean DellAmore, President;Paul Feldman, Director of MarketingProducts: Stertil-Koni offers heavy-duty vehi-cle lifts - notably serving the transit bus andmotorcoach industries - and is a supplier to theworld’s leading transit agencies and privatecompanies in the bus and truck industries.Stertil-Koni’s products meet all ranges of lift-ing needs and include mobile column lifts,two-post FREEDOM LIFTS, four-post, plat-form lifts, half-scissors and its U.S. andCanadian-patented axle-engaging, in-ground,scissor style ECOLIFT. Of particular interestto transits, Stertil-Koni has recently beguninstalling the DIAMOND LIFT, a full rise tel-escopic piston lift designed to set new stan-dards in precision heavy-duty lifting. In addi-tion, the company has recently introduced a“frame” version of this in-ground piston lift -ideal for replacement situations with existingconcrete pits. Stertil-Koni has introduced a Reverse Roll-off

Protection option for the company’s vertical riseheavy-duty platform vehicle lifting system,SKYLIFT. Stertil-Koni is headquartered inStevensville, MD, and has recently expanded itsU.S. production facilities in Streator, IL. 16

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Prevost

Prevost H3-45

The H Series’ striking style is clean and timeless with flush-mounted,frameless windows that ensure exceptional panoramic views, greater passen-ger privacy and a reduced strain on the air-conditioning system. In addition,the coach boasts the most luggage space on the market with an impressiveamount of underfloor capacity and the highest deck in the Prevost lineup. Thedependable Volvo D13 engine has smooth, quiet operation and drastically low-ers emission of air pollutants.

For the safety of passengers and drivers alike, Prevost AWARE AdaptiveCruise Braking, the Prevost Electronic Stability Program, and the Prevost WeldedRail System take safety to a new level. In addition, driver controls for key func-tions are located on the steering wheel, rather than the dashboard, helping toincrease safety for all on board.

The Driver Information Display (DID) provides significant advantages todrivers and operators. Important information is easily communicated, offer-ing several valuable tools such as fuel data management, data logging andclear text display messages.

From its distinctive and proud front end to its elegant rear treatment,there is no mistaking any ordinary bus for the Ultimate in Touring Coaches:the Prevost H-Series.

Model............................................................................................Prevost H3-45Seating Capacity .............................................................................................56Length ...............................................................................................................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 R22.5Engine................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 ABSFuel Tank Capacity .......................................................................230 U.S. gal.Air Conditioning..........................................................................Bitzer 4FNCYBaggage Capacity ............................................................................580 cu. ft.Wheelchair Lift Option...............................Interchangeable Swap & PlugSteering ........................................Steering Wheel w/Integrated Controls,

Tilt & Telescopic, and Integral Power Steering,Variable Assistance Power Steering

Suspension ..........Wide-Stance Tuned Suspension w/Liftable Tag Axle

Prevost

Prevost X3-45

The X3-45 carries on the Prevost tradition of innovation, showcasing advancedtechnologies. The Prevost Welded Rail System and Prevost Electronic StabilityProgram take safety to a new level.

Volvo’s D13 engine has smooth, quiet operation and drastically lowers emissionof 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-floorsurface area (139 sq. ft.) in the industry. At 134 inches, the Prevost X3-45 has thelowest overall height of all seated coaches, providing easy access to virtually anypick-up or drop-off site.

Equipped with the Prevost Advanced Multiplex System, the Prevost X3-45 deliv-ers dependability and maximizes operational efficiency. The user-friendly systemfeatures a multitude of benefits, including easier maintenance, faster trou-bleshooting 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 X3-45Seating Capacity .............................................................................................55Length ...............................................................................................................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 R22.5Engine ................EPA Compliant Volvo D13 w/DPF and SCR, 435 HP, 13LTransmission ..................Allison World, 5th Gen., 6-Speed Auto. Trans.;

Volvo I-Shift, 12-Speed Automated ManualBrakes..........................................................All-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABSFuel Tank Capacity ........................................................................192 U.S. gal.Air Conditioning..........................................................................Bitzer 4FNCYBaggage Capacity .............................................................................513 cu. ft.Wheelchair Lift Option...............................Interchangeable Swap & PlugSteering ........................................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

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Prevost

Volvo 9700

The Volvo 9700 is a coach that makes an impression. A modern exte-rior with characteristic Volvo feel is matched by an elegant interior fea-turing soft, gentle shapes and well-designed trim.

Exceptional comfort abounds throughout the Volvo 9700.Electronically controlled air suspension and a rigid frame design makefor a confident, reassuring ride. A low interior noise level and comfort-able seats also ensure an enjoyable journey, and large tinted windowsprovide excellent visibility all around.

High-efficiency brakes, electronic stability program, three-point seatbelts and Volvo-unique impact protection for the driver and the otherroad users are just some examples of its safety equipment. With all itsservice points grouped together logically, the Volvo 9700 is easy to main-tain. Highly integrated components – like the D13 engine and I-ShiftTransmission – simplify service scheduling and make for convenient“one-stop shopping” when vehicles require maintenance.

The I-Shift is an intelligent transmission system that combines therobustness and dependability of a manual gearbox with the comfort andconvenience of an automatic transmission. Its latest generation ensuressubstantially improved performance and fuel economy. Productivity, effi-cient design and safety define the Volvo 9700.

Model .................................................................................................Volvo 9700Seating Capacity .............................................................................................54Length ...............................................................................................................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 R22.5Engine ................EPA Compliant Volvo D13 w/DPF and SCR, 435 HP, 13LTransmission.........................Volvo I-Shift, 12-Speed Automated ManualBrakes...............................All-Wheel Disc Brakes w/ABS double circuitryFuel Tank Capacity........................................................................210 U.S. gal.Air Conditioning .........................................................Carrier - AC353 GenIVBaggage Capacity................................400 cu. ft. (under-floor capacity)Wheelchair Lift Option .........................................................................Built inSteering .....................Tilt and Telescopic, and Integral Power SteeringSuspension ..........Wide-Stance Tuned Suspension w/Liftable Tag Axle

Prevost

Prevost X3-45 Commuter Coach

The X3-45 Commuter Coach is designed from the Prevost plat-form known for durability, reliability, and lifetime value. Thecoach has been Exova Certified for structural integrity and is BAAcompliant. Developed with a focus on transit operation concernssuch as passenger safety, accessibility, low operation costs andease of maintenance, the X3-45 Commuter is the ideal coach forthe commuter market.The Prevost Electronic Stability Program is the first system with

rollover and under/over-steer protection and electronically com-pensates for quick reaction in adverse conditions. The Prevost X3-45 includes three-point seat belts on a 20G rated welded rail sys-tem for an exceptionally secure passenger environment.Passengers of the X3-45 Commuter immediately notice the largeentry area through the bi-part doors with the lowest steps andshortest stairway, making it easier on mobility challenged passen-gers. Another feature noticed by passengers is the high interiorspace - a full 80-inches of space from floor to ceiling. Additionally,the commuter can be outfitted with a Wi-Fi system, state-of-the-artsound and video, and electrical outlets at each seat to keep pas-sengers plugged in and in touch while commuting.

Model .........................................................Prevost X3-45 Commuter CoachSeating Capacity .............................................................................................57Length ...............................................................................................................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 R22.5Engine.................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/ ABSFuel Tank Capacity ........................................................................192 U.S. gal.Air Conditioning..........................................................................Bitzer 4FNCYBaggage Capacity .............................................................................513 cu. ft.Wheelchair Lift Option...............................Interchangeable swap & plugSteering.........................................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

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Motor Coach Industries

MCI® J4500

The best-selling MCI J4500 offers premium curb appeal, relia-bility and excellent fuel economy. In addition to its BMW USA-designed good looks, the J4500 turning radius stands at 41 feet, 9inches, with the standard passive rear tag - tight enough tomaneuver more easily on congested city streets and parking lots.The model’s best-in-class 16,400-pound payload capacity to

improvements like new 150-amp Denso alternators, REI entertain-ment systems and easier access to electrical components, provesits leadership. A Bendix braking system delivers car-like control,along with the optional Bendix Wingman Advanced, a collision mit-igation technology that uses a forward-mounted radar sensor toissue warnings and prompt active driver intervention to helpavoid incidents. Options also include 110-volt outlets, USB plugsand Wi-Fi.Operators serving mining and other rugged applications will

appreciate MCI’s optional heavy-duty package, with protectionagainst rocks, gravel and road debris. Add in MCI’s investments inservice and support, and excellent residual value, and this is acoach that will reward operators with exceptional performancefor years to come.

Model ..................................................................................................MCI J4500Seating Capacity .............................................................................................56Length .........................................................................................................45.58’Height ........................................................................................................140.75”Headroom ..................................................................................................78.25”Turning Radius ...................................................................................40 ft 11 inWheelbase......................................................................................................315”Floor - Low or standard ...................................................................StandardEngine Options .......................................Cummins ISX 12L, 425 HP engine

w/engine brake; optional Detroit Diesel DD 13 also w/engine brake

Transmission.......Allison B500 6-speed automatic transmission withprognostics capability

Chassis .............................................................................................MonocoqueFuel Tank Capacity ................................................................................183 gal.Fuel Options ................................................................................................ULSDBrakes....................................................Bendix® ADB22X™ Air Disc BrakesGVWR ..................................................................................................54,000 lbs.

Motor Coach Industries

MCI® D4005 and D4505

The workhorse. Built to legendary quality standards, MCI 40-and 45-foot D-Series coaches offer low cost, high quality perform-ance, while maintaining a high level of passenger comfort. Themodel recently received many of the improvements made to theMCI J4500, including dual 150-amp Denso alternators, new parcelracks that expand capacity, and the REI A/V system.The D models also gained new 90-mm headlights, including an

LED headlight option. Reliable and value-motivated, the MCI D-Series is North America’s best selling coach.

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 D-SeriesSeating Capacity ......................................................................................55; 47Length.......................................................................................................45’; 40’Height..............................................................................................................137”Headroom. .................................................................................................78.25”Turning Radius ..................................................................................47’; 44.70’Wheelbase (s).....................................................................................318”; 279”Floor - Low or Standard...................................................................StandardEngine ............................................................................................Cummins ISXTransmission.................................................................................Allison B500Chassis .............................................................................................MonocoqueFuel Tank Capacity ................................................................................164 gal.Fuel Options ................................................................................................ULSDBrakes..............................................................Meritor all-wheel EX-225 discGVWR...........................................................................50,000 lbs.; 46,000 lbs.

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Motor Coach Industries

MCI® Commuter Coach

The MCI Commuter Coach, based on the best-selling D-Seriesmodel, is the preferred vehicle on long-distance express routesbecause of its passenger comfort and safety at higher speeds.Safety technologies include electronic stability control (whichhelps secure directional stability), fire suppression systems andthree-point passenger seatbelts.The MCI Commuter Coach offers a highly competitive per-seat

price, and workhorse reliability. Increasing fuel economy andhelping public transit agencies advance their clean-energy goalsalso factor into MCI’s engineering. That’s why the MCI CommuterCoach is available in clean-diesel; diesel electric and CNG engineconfigurations. Options also include 110-volt outlets, USB plugsand Wi-Fi.

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® Commuter Coach D4500/D4000Available in CNG, Hybrid & Clean-Diesel

Seating Capacity........................................57 Passengers; 49 PassengersLength.......................................................................................................45’; 40’Height..............................................................................................................137”Headroom ..................................................................................................78.25”Turning Radius ..................................................................................47’; 44.70’Wheelbase...........................................................................................318”; 279”Engine Options...................................Cummins ISL (hybrid), ISX or ISX GTransmission ...........................Allison B500, Allison EP 50, Hybrid driveChassis .............................................................................................MonocoqueFuel Tank Capacity .................................................164 gal. CNG 114.6 (DGE)

Diesel Gallon EquivalentFuel Options..........................................................Clean-diesel, hybrid, CNGBrakes..............................................................Meritor all-wheel EX-225 discGVWR...........................................................................50,000 lbs.; 46,000 lbs.

Motor Coach Industries

Setra S 417 TC

With luxury plus personalized design, operators can differenti-ate their fleet with the Daimler-built Setra S 417, now with morechoices including an optional second door; 2-1, reversiblie execu-tive or club-corner lounge seating; premium fabrics; galleys; andthe optional TopSky and rear window. The front collision guard,cornering lights and rain/light sensors are just a few of the fea-tures contributing to the model’s safety standards.

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 ...........................................................................................TopClass S 417Seating Capacity .............................................................................................56Length ...............................................................................................................45’Height.................................................................................................................12’Headroom .......................................................................................................6.6’Turning Radius ..........................................................................................481.7”Wheelbase.....................................................................................................280”Floor - Low or Standard...................................................................StandardEngine...........................................................Mercedes-Benz OM 471 450 hpTransmission.............................................................................Allison B 500RChassis .............................................................................Monocoque IntegralFuel Tank Capacity................................................................................180 gal.Fuel Options................................................................Ultra low sulfur dieselBrakes - Air or Hydraulic.................................................Knorr disc brakesGVWR...................................................................................................50,534 lbs.

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Glaval Bus

Glaval Legacy

The Legacy is built on the heavy-duty Freightliner S2C chassisand powered by the proven Cummins 6.7L ISB diesel engine andAllison transmission. Built with rear air-ride suspension, theLegacy is sure to impress with stylish beauty, outstanding ridequality and rugged durability.Whether looking for first-class transportation or even public

shuttle service, the Legacy is just the answer. The Legacy can seatup to 45 passengers and is available with a wide variety of ADA-compliant paratransit options. Also available with rear luggage,overhead and under floor storage, the Legacy has the versatilityto fit all transportation needs.

Glaval Bus914 CR #1 NorthElkhart, IN 46514

800-445-2825Website: www.glavalbus.com

Model ............................................................................................Glaval LegacySeating Capacity ....................................................................................45 MaxLength................................................................................32’, 35’, 37’ and 40’Width...............................................................................................96” and 102”Height..............................................................................................................129”Engine..............................................................................Cummins 6.7L DieselTransmission ...............................Allison 2200 PTS w/Park Pawl 5-SpeedChassis.....................................................................................Freightliner S2CAir Conditioning ..............................Carrier/Mcc, ACC, Trans Air and ACTWheelchair Option.................................................Accommodates up to 14Steering ......................................................................................Tilt/TelescopicSuspension ........................................................Front Spring, Rear Air Ride

Temsa

Temsa TS 30

The Temsa TS 30 coach is manufactured in Turkey and is dis-tributed in the United States exclusively by CH Bus Sales, LLC.The TS 30 is a fully integral designed mid-size coach that pro-vides the same level of comfort and amenities as a full sizecoach.The TS 30 has independent front suspension and automatic

transmission, contributing to a smooth, comfortable drive. Withan American driveline (Cummins/Allison), the TS 30 providespower and serviceability. These are combined with Europeanquality and craftsmanship to create a high quality driving expe-rience. It is stringently tested to ensure the highest standards.Despite its compact dimensions, the TS 30 has a tough, inte-

gral stainless steel chassis for extra durability and safety. Theluxury interior integrates a high quality heating and air condi-tioning system, abundant luggage space, a restroom and reclin-ing seats.The TS 30 is appropriate for smaller groups and is more eco-

nomical to purchase and operate than a larger coach, accordingto the company. It is fuel efficient and kind to the environmentas well as an operator’s finances.

CH Bus Sales, LLC1645 Lyndale Avenue N., Suite 102, Faribault, MN 55021

Phone: 507-331-7911; Fax: 507-331-1338Website: www.chbussales.com

Model...............................................................................................Temsa TS 30Seating Capacity .............................Up to 34 passengers with restroomLength .........................................................................................................30.64’Width...........................................................................................................94.64”Height.......................................................10.89’ (including air conditioner)Engine .........................................................Cummins ISB 6.7 250 HP-EPA 13Type of Fuel ...............................................................................................DieselChassis ......................................Frameless monocoque in stainless steelAir Conditioning ...........................Full auto HVAC system/roof type unit

(27 KW cooling, 39 KW heating)Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................YesSteering .............................................................................................................ZFSuspension..............Independent front suspension w/shock absorber

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Temsa

Temsa TS 35E

The newly enhanced Temsa TS 35E coach is manufactured inTurkey and is distributed in the United States and Canada exclu-sively by CH Bus Sales, LLC. The TS 35E is a fully integraldesigned mid-size coach that provides the same level of comfortand amenities as a full size coach. This mid-size coach offers aluxurious and spacious interior for passengers and driver.With an American driveline (Cummins/Allison), the TS 35E

provides power and serviceability. These are combined withEuropean quality and craftsmanship to create a high qualitydriving experience.The TS 35E is constructed from stainless steel for extra dura-

bility and safety. It is stringently tested to ensure the higheststandards. The TS 35E is appropriate for smaller groups, moreeconomical to purchase and operate than a larger coach, butwith the same high-end features, according to the company.

CH Bus Sales, LLC1645 Lyndale Avenue N., Suite 102, Faribault, MN 55021

Phone: 507-331-7911; Fax: 507-331-1338Website: www.chbussales.com

Model.............................................................................................Temsa TS 35ESeating Capacity .............................Up to 40 passengers with restroomLength ...............................................................................................................35’Width............................................................................................................100.4”Height ..............................................................................................................11.5’Engine .........................................................Cummins ISL 8.9 345 HP-EPA 16Type of Fuel ...............................................................................................DieselChassis ......................................Frameless monocoque in stainless steelAir Conditioning..................................Full automatic convector system/

Roof type air conditioning unit 32 KW/Carrier 05GWheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................YesSteering ....................................................................................Power SteeringSuspension .................................................Independent front suspension

w/shock absorber

Temsa

Temsa TS 45

The Temsa TS 45 is manufactured in Turkey and is distributedexclusively in the United States by CH Bus Sales, LLC. The TS 45is a fully integral full size coach constructed from stainless steeloffering strength and stability. This coach is tested to ensure thehighest quality performance.With an American driveline (Cummins/Allison), the TS 45 pro-

vides power and serviceability. These are combined withEuropean quality and craftsmanship to create a high qualitydriving experience.This 56 passenger coach ensures the safety of passengers by

offering the highest safety features on every coach. Standardfeatures include an engine fire suppression system, lane depar-ture warning system, tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, ATC,ESC, RSC, brake pad wear monitoring and warning system, and 3-point safety belts. Also installed on this coach is laminated plustempered window glass that is an excellent safety feature.

CH Bus Sales, LLC1645 Lyndale Avenue N., Suite 102, Faribault, MN 55021

Phone: 507-331-7911; Fax: 507-331-1338Website: www.chbussales.com

Model...............................................................................................Temsa TS 45Seating Capacity .............................Up to 56 passengers with restroomLength ...............................................................................................................45’Width ...............................................................................................................102”Height ..............................................................................................................11.6’Engine................................................................Cummins ISX 425 HP-EPA 16Type of Fuel ...............................................................................................DieselChassis ......................................Frameless monocoque in stainless steelAir Conditioning ...........................................Full automatic HVAC system/

6 cylinder Bitzer A/C compressorwith brushless evaporator and condenser

Wheelchair Lift Option ................................................................................YesSteering ....................................................................................Power SteeringSuspension .......Independent front suspension w/2 shock absorbers;

Rear suspension w/4 shock absorbers; Tag suspension w/2 shock absorbers

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ABC Companies

Van Hool TX Motorcoach

With its retooled chassis design, the TX Motorcoach featuresexpanded baggage capacity and a host of luxury appointments.Offering advanced technology and European design, the Van HoolTX class delivers high-style to American operators.Available in 40- and 45-foot lengths, the TX luxury touring

coach series combines the ultimate sophistication in engineering,styling and design with a robust, reliable performance. It’s in aclass by itself, delivering high traveling style across NorthAmerica.

ABC Companies; 1506 30th Street, NW; Faribault, MN55021 USA; 507-334-1871 Fax:  507-334-0246

E-mail: [email protected]: www.abc-companies.com

Model................................................................................................Van Hool TXSeating Capacity................40’ - 48 Passenger with 3 point seat belts;

45’ - 56 Passenger with 3 point seat beltsLength.......................................................................................................40’, 45’Width ...............................................................................................................102”Height......................................................................................................12’ 2.25”Inside Height ..................................................................................................77”Engine .......................Detroit Diesel DD13 (450 HP) EPA 2013 - Standard

...........................Cummins ISX 12.9 (425 HP) EPA 2013 - OptionalTransmission .........................Allison B500 Six-Speed Automatic (Gen5)Chassis .......................................................................................Stainless SteelAir Conditioning...................Integrated HVAC system/134a RefrigerantWheelchair Lift Option Braun NL-502Steering................................................................ZF Variable Ratio SteeringSuspension............................Independent Front & Tag Axle Suspension

ABC Companies

Van Hool CX Motorcoach

The CX series brings Van Hool’s quality design and engineering,plus rugged reliability and the perfect flexibility to a fleet. Withparts interchangeability, fleet maintenance is a lot easier. The 35and 45 foot models share a nearly identical design. Their highlevel of parts and components interchangeability drive somehigh-value benefits to operators. A dramatic reduction in spareparts investment is an obvious advantage, but for operators thatalready run the Van Hool CX45 in their fleets, the need for driverand mechanic training is greatly mitigated.The CX35 features the same driver’s area layout, control panel

and a familiar engine compartment layout - allowing drivers toconfidently slip behind the wheel while enabling quick and easymechanical serviceability - just like the CX45.

ABC Companies; 1506 30th Street, NW; Faribault, MN55021 USA; 507-334-1871 Fax:  507-334-0246

E-mail: [email protected]: www.abc-companies.com

Model...........................................................................................Van Hool CX45Seating Capacity ........................56 Passenger with 3 point seat belts Length ..............................................................................................................45’Width ...............................................................................................................102”Height ............................................................................................................11’ 6”Engine ......................Detroit Diesel DD13 (450 HP) EPA 2013 - Standard;

Cummins ISX 12.0 (425 HP) EPA 2013 Emission - OptionalTransmission .........................Allison B500 Six-Speed Automatic (Gen5)Chassis .......................................................................................Stainless SteelAir Conditioning...................Integrated HVAC system/134a RefrigerantWheelchair Lift Option Braun NL-501 or Ricon (BayLift®)Steering................................................................ZF Variable Ratio SteeringSuspension............................Independent Front & Tag Axle Suspension

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ABC Companies

Van Hool CX35 Motorcoach

The CX35 and CX45 share a nearly identical design, includingan extensive array of common parts and components that candrive some high-value benefits to operators. A dramatic reductionin spare parts investment is an obvious advantage, but for opera-tors that already run the Van Hool CX45 in their fleets, the needfor driver and mechanic training is greatly mitigated. The CX35 features the same driver’s area layout and control

panel as the CX45 - allowing drivers to easily adapt to operatingthe smaller vehicle with minimal training. And, a familiar enginecompartment layout similar to the CX45 will enable technicians toquickly and easily understand how to service the coach.With many exclusive features unique to the small-coach seg-

ment, the new Van Hool CX35 offers a truly user-friendly design.Featuring front-to-rear flat passenger floor design, the coach’s 102inch exterior width and full-size coach height offers a roomy andspacious cabin design, with no step-up throughout. The integratedA/C system translates to more luggage space below, plus a curvedpassenger entry is both aesthetically pleasing and offers the sameuniform step height as the CX45 for passenger boarding. The CX35also features a mid-ship wheelchair lift for ADA passengers.

ABC Companies; 1506 30th Street, NW; Faribault, MN55021 USA; 507-334-1871 Fax:  507-334-0246

E-mail: [email protected]: www.abc-companies.com

Model...........................................................................................Van Hool CX35Seating Capacity 38 Passenger with 3 point seat beltsLength ...............................................................................................................35’Width ...............................................................................................................102”Height ............................................................................................................11’ 6”Engine .....................................................Cummins ISL 9 (345 HP) EPA 2013Transmission .........................Allison B500 Six-Speed Automatic (Gen5)Chassis .......................................................................................Stainless SteelAir Conditioning...................Integrated HVAC system/134a RefrigerantWheelchair Lift Option Mid-Ship Position Wheelchair Lift

w/ 2 Tie-Down PositionsSteering................................................................ZF Variable Ratio SteeringSuspension.................................................Independent Front Suspension

ABC Companies

Van Hool TDXDouble Deck Intercity Coach

The highline Van Hool TDX double deck coach makes a boldstatement in any marketplace. With passenger seating up to 81,this coach is the industry frontrunner in reduced carbon emissionsand fuel consumption - providing an additional 43 percent morepassenger capacity and up to 486 passenger miles per gallon. Featuring a dramatic upper deck sky view rooftop, centrally

located restroom, ample storage, front and rear stairs, dual-deckentertainment system and more, the TDX offers one of the mostinnovative coach designs offered to the U.S. traveling public sincethe Scenicruiser®.The generously proportioned steps and wide doorways provide

easy access and easy loading and unloading from both the frontand the rear staircases. The lowered aisle and increased interiorheight enables every passenger to walk upright through the coach.Three-point seat belts are standard on all seats. Individual lightingand ventilation, together with state-of-the-art integrated heatingand air conditioning systems with upper and lower controls ateach level, provide a comfortable environment for all passengers.

Model .............................................................................................Van Hool TDXSeating Capacity...................59 Seats Upper Deck and 22 Seats Lower

Deck (81 Passenger Capacity) with 3 point seat belts;Restroom Deletion - Add 2 additional seats

(83 Passenger Capacity) - Optional Length................................................................................................44’ 4-9/32”Width ...............................................................................................................102”Height ....................................................................................................13’ 1-1/16”Engine ................................................Cummins ISX 12.0 EPA 2013 (425 HP)Transmission........................................................................Allison B500R G5Chassis ..................................................Stainless Steel Lower Body FrameAir Conditioning ....................................................Integrated HVAC systemWheelchair Lift Option ........................Foldable Wheelchair (ADA) Ramp

with two tie-down positions in lower deckSteering................................................................ZF Variable Ratio SteeringSuspension............................Independent Front & Tag Axle Suspension

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #521

Van Hool CX35 Van Hool Sky Deck

See us in Atlanta at UMAJan. 31-Feb. 3, Booth #1140

Contact ABC Companies for mor

[email protected] email 877.427.7278

option 1877.427.7278

.com

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Van Hool CX35 Van Hool Sky Deck

See us in Atlanta at UMAJan. 31-Feb. 3, Booth #1140

Contact ABC Companies for mor

[email protected] email 877.427.7278

Contact ABC Companies for mor

[email protected] 1877.427.7278

e information: Contact ABC Companies for mor

abc-companies

.comabc-companies

See us at UMA Expo Booths #6, #7 and #1140

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OUR REPUTATION FOR SERVICE IS FUELED BY EXPERIENCE.Every Prevost coach is backed by a highly skilled service team that’s committed to keeping you productive and profitable. From our 24-hour emergency assistance to our coast-to-coast network of certified providers, we’re here with uptime support that’s unmatched in the industry. www.prevostcar.com

See us at UMA Expo Booths #10 and #956

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