0115 Busline Magazine

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UMA EXPO Heads To New Orleans Busline Transit Feature

Houston Metro Harris County, TX President/CEO Thomas Lambert

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CONTENTS

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 Published by Rankin Publishing, Inc. www.buslinemag.com

IN THIS ISSUE Northwest Navigator Luxury Coaches Specializes In High-End Tour/Travel ...........8

Houston Metro Serves 1,303 Square Miles With 1,250 Buses....24

UMA Expo Heads To New Orleans .................................................36 Busline Buyers Guide To

Busline Buyers Guide To

Visit Busline At UMA Expo

Seating & Fabrics 50

Vehicle Lifts 55

Booth #1203

Busline Vehicle Showcase

MOTORCOACHES

RAPID RESPONSE ..................................Page 6 INDUSTRY NEWS .................................Page 40 ON THE COVER: Roxanne and Joseph Gillis focus on high-end tour/travel and corporate transportation as owners of Northwest Navigator Luxury Coaches, based in Portland, OR. See page 8.

58 – 64

CALENDAR OF EVENTS JANUARY 2015 January 10-13 American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace St. Louis, MO Info: 202-842-1645

MAY 2015 May 3-6 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference Fort Worth, TX Info: 202-496-4800

January 16-18 International Motorcoach Group (IMG) Maintenance & Safety Forum New Orleans, LA Info: 888-447-3466

May 30 - June 3 Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Annual Conference Winnipeg, MB Info: 416-365-9800

January 18-22 United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Expo At Travel Exchange New Orleans, LA Info: 800-424-8262

May 31 - June 5 Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Expo 2015 Tampa, FL Info: 800-891-0590

JULY 2015 July 18-22 National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Annual Meeting & Convention Minneapolis, MN Info: 703-684-3200 SEPTEMBER 2015 September 28-30 BusCon 2015 Indianapolis, IN Info: 800-576-8788 OCTOBER 2015 October 4-7 APTA Annual Meeting San Francisco, CA Info: 202-496-4800

Busline Magazine is published 6 times a year by Rankin Publishing, Inc., 204 E. Main, P.O. Box 130, Arcola, IL 61910-0130.

Publisher assumes no liability whatsoever for content of any advertisement or editorial material contained herein. Copyright 2015 Rankin Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written consent of Rankin Publishing, Inc. Subscription Rates in United States: 6 issues $25. Single Copy rate: $10 including postage/handling; Buyer’s Guide $15 including postage/handling. International rates: 6 issue annual Air Mail Subscription $60 U.S. dollars net

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UMA Motorcoach Expo Booth Numbers Current As Of 12/18/14, courtesy of www.motorcoachexpo.com.

January/February 2015

EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICES

Rankin Publishing Co., Inc. Don Rankin and Linda Rankin, Publishers 204 E. Main Street • P.O. Box 130 Arcola, IL 61910-0130, USA Email: drankin@consolidated.net Website: www.rankinpublishing.com (800) 598-8083 (U.S.) • (217) 268-4959 Fax: (217) 268-4815 Editorial: Harrell Kerkhoff, Editor Rick Mullen, Associate Editor Design: David Opdyke Reception: Misty Douglas Advertising Contact Kevin Kennedy @ 623-434-8959 Email: kevloraz@cox.net Or Don Rankin @ 800-598-8083 Fax: 217-268-4815 Email: drankin@consolidated.net

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INCREASED FUEL EFFICIENCY ISN’T MARKETING. IT’S AN UNDERSTANDING.

While other brands may tout increased fuel economy, only Prevost has the reputation to back it up. No gimmicks here, just the innovations that are known for making our motorcoaches run as efficiently as possible. These include features like the PRIME Energy Management System, which keeps operation costs down by using engine negative torque to generate “free” electricity, thus increasing fuel economy. And the Volvo D13 engine with 2014 engine technology gives improved fuel efficiency, even over last year’s engine.

Pair that with the I-Shift transmission, and you have the formula for optimal operational efficiency. Safety features, such as AWARE Adaptive Cruise Braking and the Electronic Stability Program, also help you avoid costly downtime by avoiding incidents and keeping your vehicles where they belong—on the road.

www.prevostcar.com See us at UMA Expo Booth #401

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Prevost .................................58

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MOTORCOACHES M MO OTO OR RCOA OACH CHE HE ES S

Motor Coach Industries......60

ABC Companies ..................62

Visit Busline At UMA Expo

Booth #1203 UMA Motorcoach Expo Booth Numbers Current As Of 12/18/14, courtesy of www.motorcoachexpo.com.

Glaval Bus ............................63

Company

Website

Temsa ...................................64

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5Star Specialty Programs www.5starsp.com ABC Companies www.abc-companies.com Alexander Dennis www.alexanderdennis.com Amaya-Astron Seating www.amaya-astron.com.mx American Cooling Technology, Inc. www.actusa.us.com ARBOC Specialty Vehicles www.arbocsv.com Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison www.atlanticdda.com Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation www.bauerscertifiedpreowned.com Bergen Auto Upholstery Co., Inc. www.bergenseat.com Bitimec www.bitimec.com Bitzer www.bitzerus.com Bridgestone www.bridgestonefirestonemileagesales.com Chestnut Ridge Foam www.chestnutridgefoam.com CMI Enterprises www.cmi-enterprises.com De Leo Transportation Fabrics www.deleotf.com Distinctive Systems www.distinctive-systems.com Dixie Electric Ltd. www.dixie-electric.com Espar Climate Systems www.espar.com Euramtec www.euramtec.com EverBank Commercial Finance www.everbank.com Freightliner www.freightlinerchassis.com Glaval Bus www.glavalbus.com Handi-Hut, Inc. www.handi-hut.com idrive www.idriveglobal.com Kirks Automotive, Inc. www.kirksauto.com LaFrance Industries www.mvmills.com/lafranceindustries

19 14 7 37 43 29 28 30 52 18 33 20 51 22 50 38 48 39 42 40 3 23 49 11 47 53

Company

Lancer Insurance Lantal Textiles Marathon Brake Systems Midwest Bus Corporation Mile-X Mohawk Lifts Motor Coach Industries (MCI) National Interstate Insurance Onspot PEX German O.E. Parts LLC Prevost Car Protective Insurance Company Relational Bus Systems RRL Insurance Safety Step Sardo Bus & Coach Upholstery Service Insurance Shriver Insurance Agency Sutrak TEMSA Transit Sales International Turtle Top UMA Motorcoach Expo Vanner Power Vehicle Inspection Systems Willingham Inc.

Website

www.lancerinsurance.com www.lantaltextiles.com www.MarathonBrake.com www.midwestbus.com www.mile-x.com www.mohawklifts.com www.mcicoach.com www.natl.com www.onspot.com www.pexna.com www.prevostcar.com www.protectiveinsurance.com www.rbs2000.com www.rrl-ins.com www.safetystep.net www.sardobus.com www.serviceins.com www.shriverinsurance.com www.sutrakusa.com www.temsa.com www.transitsales.com www.turtletop.com www.motorcoachexpo.com www.vanner.com www.VISCheck.net www.willinghaminc.com

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January/February 2015

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—Specializes In High-End Tour/Travel—

By Harrell Kerkhoff Busline Magazine Editor

Gladys Gillis Roxanne Gillis

Page 8

Joseph Gillis

BUSLINE

f

resh ideas, new equipment and a strong emphasis on old-fashioned customer service have paved the way for steady growth at Northwest Navigator Luxury Coaches, a Portland, OR-based transportation company where industry good will is also stressed.

Although a young company that started in late 2008, Northwest Navigator has grown into a leading transportation provider in Oregon and other western states. The company specializes in high-end tour/travel and corporate transportation. It also provides bus shuttle and executive car services.

Owned and operated by Joseph and Roxanne Gillis, the married couple founded the company on the principles that the customer always comes first, and that active involvement in the bus/motorcoach community leads to an overall strong industry.

“Joseph and I came from other industries. We operated different types of companies in the past, and have always been entrepreneurs,” Roxanne Gillis, who is president & CFO of Northwest Navigator, said. “Our parents also owned their own companies, so it was a great match when Joseph and I met. Coming from family members who were accustomed to being their own bosses, we never expected to work for anyone but ourselves.”

Prior to starting Northwest Navigator, the couple owned and operated several businesses including a jewelry store, a mortgage company and an advertising company. They were looking for a change, however, which led them to the transportation industry thanks to some guidance from a family member.

“My sister is Gladys Gillis, owner and operator of Starline Luxury Coaches, in Seattle, WA. Gladys told Roxanne and I that a bus company in Portland was going out of business, and that it might provide a good opportunity for us,” Joseph Gillis, who is the CEO of Northwest Navigator, said. “I was not too sure about entering the bus industry, but Roxanne saw the possibilities. She worked at putting together a business plan and said, ‘It actually looks like a good option for us.’ I responded, ‘OK, you can be 51 percent owner.’”

Roxanne Gillis soon visited the Portland business, interviewing personnel and learning about the operation.

“I wanted to make a determination of whether there was anything there (at the company) that we were interested in, and how it compared to Gladys’ company in Seattle,” Roxanne Gillis said. “In the end, we felt that with great mentorship, and having a family member (Gladys Gillis) who is already successful in the industry, we could make it work with a lot of changes.”

After purchasing some of the former company’s assets, Roxanne and Joseph Gillis decided to start from the ground level and open a completely new company, one that included a new name.

January/February 2015

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #1224

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clientele. This demands quality equipment and service.

The Birth Of Northwest Navigator “Today, our main business is providing high-end, over-the-road multihat’s in a name? The answer from Roxanne and Joseph Gillis is “everything,� as the couple has spent a majority of their profes- day tour trips. Corporate work is also very popular at Northwest Navigator.� sional careers involved in marketing. “Our business is seasonal due to Oregon’s whether,� Roxanne Gillis “We are branders. That is what we do. We had a great time naming our past companies, so we embraced the changing of this company’s name,� added. “Tourism travel is heavy from April through October. We work with great companies that bring groups into Oregon and want to travel all Roxanne Gillis said.

Due to her strong history of being involved with boating, Roxanne over the Pacific Northwest, down to California and up into Canada.

Gillis looked toward the water when thinking of new names for the cou“For the winter months, a lot of our focus is centered on school-relatple’s motorcoach operation. ed travel such as transporting sports teams. This includes local univer“I have enjoyed a long history with boats and being on the water. I love sities. Meanwhile, our corporate work is conducted throughout the caleverything nautical, so we came up with the compass logo and the word endar year.� ‘navigator.’ Both can be seen on the side of our vehicles,� she said.

Joseph Gillis added that a strong Christian family background also led Finding The Right Customers them to the name “navigator.� Being located in Oregon, the word “northlthough new to the bus/motorcoach transportation industry themwest� was also seen as a good fit for the company. selves, Roxanne and Joseph Gillis had the advantage of starting “Roxanne and I both had legal pads full of names and then picked them Northwest Navigator with a strong business acumen. This was due apart until we narrowed it down to two or three. We eventually felt that to their past experiences as company owners. Above all else, the couple ‘Northwest Navigator’ conveyed the best connotation for our “We went to corporate professionals and said, ‘How would you like to take your company,� Joseph Gillis said.

Another important step for top 50 customers and have a captive audience for three hours as we drive you to the couple was overseeing the a casino or some other attraction?’... We call this a ‘moto-meeting.’� — Joseph Gillis direction of the company as a shuttle, executive car and motorcoach provider. Although they didn’t knew the value of keeping expenses down, and to not be afraid to charge have a background in transportation, Roxanne and Joseph Gillis were vet- enough so that they could make money on a trip. eran business owners and knew the importance of customer service while “We saw how other bus companies were fighting over clients by lowkeeping a close eye on finances. ering their prices, and said to ourselves, ‘We aren’t going to play that “At first, we felt the lack of a bus driving background was going to put game,’� Joseph Gillis said. “Instead, we wanted to create new business us at a disadvantage. Roxanne and I were not bus drivers. We now see that delivered a high-end experience.� this as one of the reasons for our success,� Joseph Gillis said. “We were This led the company to offer corporate transportation and coin the able to focus more on the customer experience and reach out to high-end phrase “moto-meetings.�

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“We went to corporate professionals and “... we have traveled with some of our groups in the hope of experiencing said, ‘How would you like to take your top 50 customers and have a captive audience what it feels like to be on the motorcoach, see what our customers see for three hours as we drive you to a casino out the windows, and try to relate to the overall client perspective. Gaining or some other attraction? You can discuss what is new about your company while this perspective from the back seat has been huge.” — Roxanne Gillis treating these customers to a fun experi“Roxanne and I decided, when we first started, that the only time we ence,’” Joseph Gillis said. “We call this a ‘moto-meeting.’ It can include such trips as Christmas parties onboard our vehicles, where company rep- are willing to lose money is when a vehicle is setting in a bus yard,” resentatives hand out bonuses and talk about the past year while being Joseph Gillis said. “We will not provide an actual trip if it means losing money.” driven to an attraction.”

To help start Northwest Navigator in 2008, contact was made with Since its inception in 2008, having a strong program in place that provides high-end services and charges the right amount for these trips has existing customers of the bus company the couple had considered purchasing. This was done with the help of a safety manager from the previpaid off at Northwest Navigator. ous company who was hired by Roxanne and Joseph Gillis.

“We made it a point to get in touch with every single one of those past clients and ask, ‘Do you need a transportation option? Can we help you?’”

Roxanne Gillis said. “We were able to reach a lot of people who were part of this past client base.

This led to a great launch for Northwest Navigator.”

Roxanne and Joseph Gillis have sought to truly understand the Northwest Navigator customer experience. This includes actually taking part in some of their company’s trips.

“Joseph and I came from multiple businesses that were customer-service centric. This has led us to focus heavily on the client experience and provide customer satisfaction with a high degree of professionalism,” Roxanne Gillis said.

“Therefore, we have traveled with some of our groups in the hope of experiencing what it feels like to be on the motorcoach, see what our customers see out the windows, and try to relate to the overall client perspective. Gaining this perspective from the back seat has been huge.”

Roxanne Gillis also meets with her staff on a weekly basis to further discuss “the customer experience.”

“Many of our staff members have been with Northwest Navigator since its beginning. They are very loyal and take personal pride in the growth and success of the company,” Roxanne Gillis said. “They know they are essential to our company’s growth, and have helped us shape a vision for the company that has led to its current size. We have a great team.”

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January/February 2015

Employees Make The Difference orthwest Navigator employs approximately 54 people to fill a variety of positions such as sales and marketing, mechanics, wash crews, and of course, drivers.

“We created a position called ‘DOC,’ which stands for Dispatch, Operations and Compliance.

This person is in charge of overseeing drivers, and making sure we are compliant with safety regulations, hours of service, etc.,” Roxanne Gillis said. “We also have a safety trainer who oversees driver logs and some compliance issues.”

The company employs approximately 32 drivers who, Joseph Gillis said, fall into four distinct

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years of driving experience. groups: those involved in the comUnfortunately, this makes it a lot panyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive car service, shutharder to find good drivers,â&#x20AC;? he tle drivers, over-the-road tour and said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lately, we have decided itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charter motorcoach drivers, and better to hire people with the right motorcoach drivers who transport attitudes and personalities, and passengers on short runs. then train them to be a good drivâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Our core group of drivers has er. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all part of a new revision at been critical to our success,â&#x20AC;? our company.

Joseph Gillis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We preach to everybody in our company that we â&#x20AC;&#x153;After safety, we feel customer can be great marketers, and have service is the most important skill beautiful high-end equipment, but set to have as a driver. We can it all comes down to drivers at the train people to be safe and good Shown, left to right, are Northwest Navigator Safety Trainer Milan Lawrence end of the day. drivers.â&#x20AC;? and DOC (Dispatch, Operations and Compliance) Officer Ron Douglas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If a driver is not part of a great Another trait to being a good experience, then we may never see that client again. Our drivers look like bus/motorcoach driver is following company policies. This includes pilots. They wear high-end pilot shirts, with logos and shoulder boards. the willingness to faithfully finish the required paper work that goes They also provide service in a professional manner.â&#x20AC;? with the job.

One of the challenges Northwest Navigator, and many other â&#x20AC;&#x153;A driver must always complete driver logs correctly and be on time bus/motorcoach transportation for clients,â&#x20AC;? Roxanne Gillis said. companies, have faced over the â&#x20AC;&#x153;They must be conscientious of â&#x20AC;&#x153;...our goal is to stop driving after eight hours. years is finding quality driving the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policies. For examSo, we will use two drivers for a 10-hour trip. candidates. There are plenty of ple, we tell drivers that if they are people who can drive a large vehirunning out of hours to be on the Also, we make sure drivers have 10 hours off cle, but not everybody is suited to road, then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to inform between their shifts.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Joseph Gillis transport human beings with cusour dispatch immediately. Failure tomer service in mind. Because of to do so can result in termination.â&#x20AC;? this challenge, Joseph Gillis said his company has changed its focus in the Joseph Gillis added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Federal regulations say you can drive for 10 recent past when it comes to finding good bus/motorcoach drivers. hours and then must take eight hours off between shifts. We feel this does â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the past, we always looked for candidates who had at least two not go far enough. At Northwest Navigator, our goal is to stop driving

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The company has taken steps toward becoming a after eight hours. So, we will use two drivers for a safer transportation provider in other ways as well.

10-hour trip. Also, we make sure drivers have 10 Employees at Northwest Navigator participated last hours off between their shifts. It’s hard to drive back year in an emergency response simulation that was to the yard after a trip, drive home, sleep and eat, take spearheaded by the company’s insurance provider. a shower, drive back to work and then start another “We spent the day staging a bus crash. It was very trip all in eight hours. They need the extra two hours realistic, so much so that I think our entire staff was to get all of this done and still be safe.” shaken by the experience,” Roxanne Gillis said.

The Northwest Navigator core team has also “However, it was such a value to our company that we recently made the decision not to operate a vehicle for plan to soon conduct another simulation.” overnight runs due to safety concerns.

“There are clients who try to use a motorcoach like High Level Services it’s a hotel room. They want us to leave some place at Require Quality Equipment 11 p.m. and drive all night to the destination. We have done these types of runs in the past, but have recently ith 17 full-size motorcoaches, 3 minicoaches, made the decision to stop due to safety,” Joseph Gillis 6 vans and 6 executive cars, Northwest said. “You keep hearing about accidents where the Navigator has steadily grown its fleet since coach rolls over at 7 a.m. as the sun is coming up. We the company’s first bus purchase in January 2009. The just put out a statement, sent to all of our customers, fleet includes 5 Prevost H3-45 motorcoaches, 2 of that Northwest Navigator will no longer drive past 2 which are recently purchased 2015 models. a.m. and will not start trips before 5 a.m.

“Northwest Navigator has experienced what I “Even if a driver has two or three days off from would call ‘explosive growth,’ which scares some work, it’s very hard for him/her to get acclimated to people. We sought several manufacturers and have night driving if he/she is not used to it on a regular found success working with Prevost,” Joseph Gillis basis. It changes a driver’s sleeping habits.” said. “Our Prevost representative, Ward Hicken, Northwest Navigator Lead Mechanic Joseph Gillis said the reaction the company has looked at what we were doing as a company and David Castellanos, top photo, and received from customers regarding the new hours has helped us purchase some new coaches. We have had Mobile Mechanic Allan Halvorson help been positive. a great relationship with Prevost.” maintain the company’s fleet.

“What we are telling customers through this policy Roxanne Gillis added, “Prevost invited us into dischange is that Northwest Navigator is not willing to put the safety of pas- cussions on design and planning. I think it’s really great that they care so sengers, drivers and equipment at risk for a trip,” he said. much about what their carriers need in a motorcoach.”

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Success depends on strong partnerships, and Burlington Trailways has a strong relationship with Protective. It’s like we’ve added a new member to our family-owned company.

The staff is always there to help. They have extensive experience in the bus industry and understand our needs and concerns.

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The five Prevosts H3-45s are mostly used for Northwest Navigator’s tour and travel runs.

“We have tour groups coming in from all over the world to see Oregon and other parts of the West Coast. We provide this service with the Prevosts. They feature WiFi, high-end seats The Northwest Navigator fleet includes 17 full-size motorcoaches. Distinctive lettering and a compass logo give these coaches a custom look. with seat belts, and many other amenities that satisfy our customers,” Joseph Gillis said. that vehicle is dirty, with black exhaust coming out the back, then passen“Electrical outlets by each seat are particularly important to our cus- gers are not going to be very excited about starting a trip.

“Therefore, it’s critical to take into account what the customer is tomers. It doesn’t matter if a passenger is 15 or 70 years old, chances are he/she has a cell phone and/or a computer pad that needs to be charged experiencing when entering a motorcoach. That vehicle has to look and running. They want to keep in touch with parents or the grandkids clean and smell good. We tell our drivers that every time a group leaves a bus/motorcoach, they should go through the vehicle and clean it the back home.

“It’s important that the interiors of our Prevosts include all the creature best they can. If only 10 or so minutes are available, then start in the front and work toward the back. That front area of a bus can make or comforts that make a trip a good experience.”

He added many first-time customers are amazed at how luxurious top- break a trip.”

After a Northwest Navigator motorcoach has been cleaned by the comend motorcoaches have become.

“A big part of our sales process is to show these people what our vehi- pany’s wash crew, a checkoff list is placed on the driver’s seat. When seeing this list, the driver knows the vehicle is ready to go. cles look like. This helps sell the trip,” Joseph Gillis said.

“We have a triple-check system in place between the wash crew the Keeping the company’s equipment looking good before, during and after a trip is also an essential part of doing business for high-end clientele. driver and a company manager. This is done to make sure that our vehi“When a motorcoach pulls up to the curb, the decision is already being cles are always super clean,” Joseph Gillis said. “There are times when a made by the client on how the day is going to go,” Joseph Gillis said. “If client needs a motorcoach in an emergency situation and there is not

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enough time to properly clean that vehicle. In these cases we make it a point to tell the customer in advance, ‘You are not going to get the true experience that we normally sell in a motorcoach, but we will provide this vehicle to you because it’s an emergency.’”

He added that the team at Northwest Navigator also doesn’t like to send out vehicles with small dents and scratches. Every effort is made to fix these things prior to service.

When it comes to the exterior of the vehicles owned by Roxanne and Joseph Gillis, there is no confusion over which transportation provider is operating the equipment. The word “Navigator” in big green cursive script can be seen on the sides of each vehicle, along with a big compass logo.

“Our look is a little unorthodox for the bus industry. That ‘N’ in Navigator is 15 feet tall. Again, we are a branding company, and the motorcoach is a billboard,” Joseph Gillis said. “You don’t see small graphics on a billboard. Our vehicles are no different.”

Roxanne Gillis added, “We wanted our coaches to look different.

When Joseph and I first looked at this industry, we didn’t know if we wanted to be in the bus business. However, when we first started looking at luxury motorcoaches, we liked what we saw. It reminded us, in a way, of our jewelry business. We were used to working with clients who liked nice things and wanted quality service. This resonated with us. We wanted to provide a luxury motorcoach company that treated customers with a great time. Our branding had to follow suite.”

And it has worked. Both Roxanne and Joseph Gillis said their company’s motorcoaches are getting noticed for all the right reasons.

“We want people to think that a rock band is picking them up when that coach arrives,” Joseph Gillis said. “Recently, one of our motorcoaches arrived at a big event in Spokane, WA, that included hundreds of motorcoaches. As our coach entered the facility, a parking lot attendant ran up to it waving his arms. The guy comes up to our driver and

says, ‘That is the coolest bus I have ever seen.’

“We want people to remember us, which leads to customer retention.

They know our coaches say ‘Navigator,’ and have a huge compass logo on its sides.”

Oregon The Beautiful hen it comes to nature, few places on earth are as diverse and scenic as Oregon. It’s a state that includes a long Pacific coastline, the Cascade mountain range, abundant waterfalls, dense evergreen forests and a high desert sprawling across much of its eastern front.

It’s also a place where people love to visit and revisit.

Perhaps Roxanne Gillis sums up the state’s appeal best, “This place is really gorgeous.”

She added that tourism keeps growing in Oregon as people are attracted to such famous places as Mount Hood, and world class skiing found on Mount Bachelor.

“There are winter sports and endless outdoor summer activities available in the state as well as nearby places such as Mount St. Helens in Washington. Many people enjoy exploring the rich history that can be found along the Lewis & Clark Trail,” Roxanne Gillis said.

Another popular tourist destination is the annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, which Joseph Gillis said draws a large following from all over the country and world.

“The Oregon coast is also amazing and includes many lighthouse tours.

We have it all: the snow, the coast line, cities and no sales tax,” Roxanne Gillis said. “People from all over like to travel to Oregon and shop because they don’t have to pay a sales tax.”

The state is also becoming a popular wine producer, which brings along with it more tourism dollars.

“A lot of wine companies are moving to Oregon and buying smaller wineries. The growth of our state’s wine industry has been incredible,”

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■ Named the first green certified motorcoach company on the West Coast.

Being green and sustainable remains an important part of doing business for Roxanne and Joseph Gillis. For example, the company took part in a University of Vermont pilot program that eventually led to the university’s eRating Vehicle Certification and driver training offering.

“One of our goals as a company is to find out what needs to be done to help set motorcoach transportation apart from other industries when it comes to being green,” Roxanne Gillis said. “We get the word out “When it comes to being green, a big motivator for a lot of our customers is that there is nothing greener in knowing that they can save money as well. Big corporations that we service transportation than a motorcoach, except a bicycle. A lot of people also want us to help them improve their own carbon footprint. Using a don’t think about this part of our bus/motorcoach helps them achieve their environmental goals.” — Joseph Gillis industry. Ninety percent of our vehicles at Northwest Navigator and Canada. We also take groups, such as sports teams, to such states as run on clean emissions. We also have a recycling program in place at the Idaho, Montana and Nevada,” Joseph Gillis said. company. The whole culture of our company is based on being green and Northwest Navigator provides it various services from several loca- sustainable.” tions in Oregon. Two facilities for executive car and bus shuttle services Joseph Gillis said he also works hard at showing potential customers are located in Beaverton, while the main office of the business is located the savings in time, money and carbon footprint that can be achieved by in Portland. There is also another facility in Redmond. taking a motorcoach rather than flying short distances to various places in Among recent Northwest Navigator accolades and achievements the Pacific Northwest. include that of being named one of the top 100 fastest growing companies “When it comes to being green, a big motivator for a lot of our cusin Oregon for three years in a row. Other achievements, according to the tomers is knowing that they can save money as well. Big corporations company, include: that we service also want us to help them improve their own carbon ■ Green certified continuously since 2010; footprint,” Joseph Gillis said. “Using a bus/motorcoach helps them ■ Named a top private fastest growing company in Portland; achieve their environmental goals.”

■ Named a top woman-owned business in Portland; Continued On Page 39 ■ Received certification for sustainable transportation; and Joseph Gillis said.

Roxanne Gillis added, “Oregon is at the same latitude as some of the best wineries in France. There are a lot of groups coming to our state for multiple trips. We bring in a lot of people from Canada and California. We also cater to many tourists from China.”

Oregon, however, is not the only destination that Northwest Navigator services. The company is licensed to work in 11 western states and Canada.

“Most of our business can be found in Oregon, California, Washington

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Serves

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1,250 Buses

By Rick Mullen, Busline Magazine Associate Editor Serving the transportation needs of the greater Houston, TX, region, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), covers 1,303 square miles, operating an extensive network of bus routes and park and ride facilities. METRO also offers 13 miles of light rail service in the downtown Houston area.

“METRO is truly a multi-modal system,” said METRO President/CEO Thomas Lambert, during a recent interview with Busline Magazine at the 2014 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Annual Meeting & International Public Transportation EXPO in Houston.

METRO hosted the APTA event at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

“We opened an extension of the Main Street Line in December 2013 (the Main Street Red Line light rail service began in 2004),” Lambert said, “but the bus will always be the backbone of our system. Ridership on our commuter bus network is up about 4.8 percent. We have about 1,250 buses and we expect that number to grow in the future.

“In addition, METRO has experienced a 12.1 percent hike in rail ridership the past year and we are hoping that trend will continue because trains have a direct correlation to our bus service. We want to expand ridership as much as possible.”

Page 24

BUSLINE

January/February 2015

System Reimagining

T

he city of Houston anchors METRO’s vast service area. It is the most populous city in Texas, as well as the largest city in the Southern states. Houston is also the fourth largest city in the United States, with an estimated population of just under 2.2 million people as of 2013 (behind New York, Los Angeles and Chicago), according to quickfacts.census.gov. The Houston metro area has a population of 6.3 million, making it the fifth largest metro area in the United States, one place behind the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area, according to www.houstonchronicle.com in a story published in March of this year.

“We have a very large service area with our principle city of Houston located in Harris County,” Lambert said. “However, we also have 14 smaller cities that we serve. It is a vast area that is going through tremendous growth. We are seeing about 100,000 people a year move into this area.

While Houston and the surrounding region has experienced massive growth and significant change in recent times, the city’s public transportation network has not.

“If you look at the existing METRO bus network, you are, essentially, looking at the Houston streetcar system of about 1929,” Lambert said.

“We really haven’t changed it that much. We’ve added some extensions to routes, and modified routes over the years, but we really haven’t done a real refocusing of the bus network. We are engaged in that right now and it is going to be one of the most transformational things we do in this community.”

METRO is calling this new effort to rework and refocus the bus network “System Reimagining.” According to a METRO news release dated Sept. 25, 2014, The METRO Board of Directors approved, in principle, the revamping of the local bus system that day.

“The goal of System Reimagining is straightforward: make the system easier to use, easier to understand and easier to access,” the news release

0115Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 12/19/14 3:10 PM Page 25

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said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;METRO took on the challenge of rethinking its bus network last summer. It was a multistep process that included defining goals, drafting a plan based on the goals, and a public outreach period that generated more than 1,100 comments that led to the planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refinement.â&#x20AC;?

Lambert added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Part of what we are doing is looking at where the population growth and job creation have occurred since 1929, as well as other areas, such as educational and entertainment centers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; where people are living and traveling. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we want to do is build a high frequency, high quality bus network. Houston is a 24/7 city and people need access to high quality, frequent transit service 7 days a week, not 5 days a week (METRO currently operates 7 days a week, but only offers high frequency service for 5 days). â&#x20AC;&#x153;The board, in principle, approved this new network. We will be implementing the first phase in June 2015. It is a fiveyear plan.â&#x20AC;?

METRO breaks down the effort under three general categories: n Customer service, which will include simplifying routes and better connections;

According to METRO, the 5year plan will include color-coded networks. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Red Networkâ&#x20AC;? will benefit customers who can do without a schedule, with service running every 15 minutes or better.

With the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blue Network,â&#x20AC;? customers can expect a bus every 1630 minutes, while the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Green Networkâ&#x20AC;? would provide service ranging from 31-60 minutes.

METRO President/CEO Thomas Lambert

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is really back to basics with me.

You take care of the little things.

You take care of the people and they will take care of the organization.â&#x20AC;?

n More service, which will include high frequency weekend service and improving trips to key activity centers; and n Better service, which includes developing a sustainable system as it grows into the future.

Under the modified project plan, 94 percent of METROâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current customers will still be able to access the same bus stop they use today, according to METRO. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The end result of System Reimagining will be a network that gets 1 million people close to 1 million jobs,â&#x20AC;? Lambert said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It establishes a 15-minute high frequency network, 7 days a week during the peak of the peak. It allows people more travel choices to go where they need to go. The plan is also network-based, meaning the bus system and the rail system will connect and work together. As we continue to grow, we

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will continue to look at priority capital projects to build upon that network. â&#x20AC;&#x153;System Reimagining is really transformational in nature. It will change the way people travel throughout this community. If you look at what we do today, our system forces about 88 percent of our riders to come downtown.

Most of them donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to go downtown, but we are forcing them to travel downtown to transfer. The new network will be more of a grid system that will not require most customers to transfer downtown. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s route system will be changing in June toward a system that will result in travel time savings, more travel choices and a higher customer service experience. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The value we bring this community is an essential public service. We have an opportunity to make a positive impact or a negative impact on the quality of life of the people who use our system. We have a very fundamental responsibility that when people use our system they will receive very high quality service. We want our transit to be safe, clean, reliable and a service riders can count on. It is back to the basics.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is making sure our day-to-day

Local METRO buses enter the Acres Homes Transit Center in Houston.

service is a quality service. Before we do anything else, we need to make sure we are taking care of the daily details, which is an awesome responsibility.â&#x20AC;?

One such effort to enhance the quality of the passenger experience when riding METRO is up and running and called METRO 360. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a program that is very fascinating, and I want to compliment the METRO staff because they came up with this out of our marketing communications group and our IT group,â&#x20AC;?

Lambert said.

METRO 360 is a tutorial that can be accessed

at www.ridemetro.org/metro360.

It is designed to familiarize people with the system, even before a customer ever rides a METRO bus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People can go to METRO 360 and learn how to board a bus and see the amenities that exist at our stops,â&#x20AC;? Lambert said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A person can learn how to pay the fare and how to use ticket vending machines. If a customer is planning to be an HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane user, he or she can learn how to access the lane. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of our buses are GPS equipped. We know where they are located from a fleet management standpoint, but now we are getting that information out to customers. This means before a person leaves home, he or she can go online and see in real time when the bus is going to arrive, within three minutes. If it takes that person five minutes to go from home to the stop, he or she can better pre-plan that trip because he or she will know when the bus is coming.

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System Reimagining is also coming along at a time when Houston is, not only undergoing massive growth, but also is, and has been, changing in many significant ways culturally.

Houston is attracting Millennials looking for a different quality of life than older generations and Baby Boomers, looking for a good place to retire.

Lambert alluded to remarks made by Stephen L. Klineberg, Ph.D., who METRO’s only garage is located at the Cypress Park & Ride, gave the keynote address which began operating in September 2007.

— “The Changing Face of Houston: The Prospects for Walkable Urbanism to be a stronger customer base among younger in a Car-Centered City” — during the APTA riders. In addition, we are aging as a population, annual meeting’s opening general session. and the older generation is also looking more for Klineberg is co-director of the Kinder Institute transit to meet their travel needs.”

Lambert said the more public transportation for Urban Research, Department of Sociology, is developed and the more people are educated Rice University, Houston.

“Dr. Klineberg gave a presentation on the atti- to view it as a viable travel choice, the more tudinal and demographic changes that are hap- they will want to ride the bus and/or the train. pening in the Houston region,” Lambert said.

“A vibrant public transportation sys“What we are seeing is more people are requesting more and more public transit. Attitudes are tem is an institution that much economchanging. For example, younger folks, 19 to 25 ic growth is often centered around.” years old, are not getting drivers licenses as early as previous generations. As a result, they are “For example, we built the Main Street seeking more travel choices. (rail) line in 2004. Since then, we have seen “Therefore, we know there is going to continue about $9 billion of public and private invest-

ment within about a quarter of a mile of the line,” Lambert said. “More and more people are developing transit-oriented communities, where people can live, walk, use transit, cycle, etc., to get where they need to go and have a quality of life environment whereby everything they need is proximate to their lives. We are seeing this take place in Houston as well.

“As we continue with System Reimagining, we project in the next couple of years we are going to see about a 20 percent increase in ridership. Houston today is not the Houston of 46 years ago. This city is moving 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People need travel choices 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“When comparing travel time today to 15 years ago, we would have peak travel coming into the city in the morning, but there would be free flow going out. That doesn’t exist anymore. It is just as congested coming in and going out. On the one hand, it is a blessing because it means the economy is good.

People are making work trips, discretionary trips, travel trips, etc., and we must be part of the tool kit that helps move people in this region.”

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Hiring New Employees A Challenge

K

eeping the massive METRO network operating safely and efficiently, while offering high quality customer service, falls to the system’s more than 3,700 employees. Lambert has some thoughts on how to motivate employees to buy into public transportation and the important changes the system is undertaking.

“We have to foster commitment to the agency.

I learned a long time ago, if people know you care about them, they are going to care about the organization,” Lambert said. “We want people to know we care about them and value what they bring to the table. We tell employees we want their input to make a better system.

“It will never be utopia, but we work very hard to let our employees know we value what they bring to the organization. In turn, our people will then embody how we want to deliver the service on the street.”

Lambert and other METRO officials have attempted to create a corporate culture that allows people to grow into a career at the agency, even if it means making a mistake or two along the way.

“Let me put this in the proper context,” Lambert said.

“If an organization really wants to

empower employees to get engaged, then employees must be allowed to have some discretionary decision authority.”

“At METRO, we make sure we set up parameters where if a person makes a mistake, nobody gets hurt. If a person is trying to get better at doing things, then he or she is going to make mistakes along the way. What we are trying to create is an environment and culture in the organization that says, ‘We want commitment. We want people to have independent thought within established parameters.’”

While generally a booming economy is a good thing, Houston’s is making it tough for METRO to bring new people into the organization, especially maintenance personnel such as diesel mechanics.

“The economy in Houston right now is extremely good and there are a lot of job opportunities out there,” Lambert said. “Our challenge is to invest in training and career opportunities, so when we bring in new people we can retain them.

“Diesel mechanics are a good example. The oil and gas industry in Texas is booming and it is looking for good diesel mechanics. The competition is the compensation they are paying in the private sector. Therefore, we must make sure we are paying a competitive wage and offering competitive benefits.

METRO employee Rose Mary Mayfield acts as a volunteer METRO Ambassador during the recent American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Annual Meeting and Expo in Houston, hosted by METRO. Mayfield has been with the transit agency for 35 years.

“Beyond pay and benefits, there is also value in developing people to take on more responsibility and more skill sets to allow them to progress in the organization.

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ing college part time, he resigned and went back to school full time and completed his degree.

As a result, he was back in Houston in September 1979 interviewing for risk management jobs when, between interviews, he decided to stop in a downtown department store’s coffee shop.

“I went in to have a cup of coffee and the place was jam-packed,” Lambert remembered. “There was a bus driver sitting at a table by himself and I asked for the opportunity to join him. His name was Willie Mitchell, and he went on to operate a bus for about 31 years.”

Mitchell told Lambert if he was interested in joining an organization that was new, METRO might be a good choice. Mitchell In On The Ground Floor said METRO was going to create its own n 1973, the Texas State Legislature police force, which would be the first of its authorized the creation of local transit kind in Texas. Lambert found this prospect authorities. In 1978, Houston-area voters “fascinating” and applied for a job.

“I got an interview and was offered a posicreated METRO and approved a 1-cent sales tax to support the system. METRO opened for tion and had the opportunity to come in initialbusiness in January 1979. About nine months ly as a security investigator,” Lambert said. “I later, Lambert was in Houston looking for a worked with internal security while we were developing the police program. I had the job.

Lambert, a Houston native born and raised, opportunity to work with some very talented had moved to Austin, TX, while in his junior people in this effort.

“I was the METRO police chief for about year of high school. After spending some time 28 1/2 years and then had the opportunity to with the Austin Police Department and attendTransitAd_BuslineMag_Layout 1 8/28/14 10:21 AM Page 1 “Our maintenance staff has developed a certification program to continue to train our mechanics in different skill sets. Each time a mechanic moves up, he or she receives appropriate compensation. This is career development. It is enhancing people’s capabilities to see their jobs as a career in which they are appropriately compensated, whether it is salary, health benefits and retirement — the whole package has to be part of the equation.”

METRO also works closely with union leadership. The system’s workforce is unionized with the Transport Workers Union of America.

“We make sure the union is very much engaged in what we are doing,” Lambert said.

I

become the chief administrative officer, executive vice president, interim president, and then president in March (2014).”

Lambert’s rise in leadership was not by accident. Early on during his METRO career, he made it a point to gain an in-depth understanding of the transit system.

“When I first started here, we only had one operating garage and the dispatching center was on the second floor,” Lambert said. “I knew nothing about transit and I felt like I could better serve if I understood how it works.”

A dispatcher Lambert had befriended told him if he really wanted to learn, talk to the bus drivers.

“The opportunity was to understand what bus drivers go through and to understand how to support them from a security standpoint,” Lambert said. “It is the same principle in running an agency. It is really back to basics with me. You take care of the little things. You take care of the people and they will take care of the organization.

“I would have never dreamed back then I would be the president/CEO, but opportunity presented itself. The Board of Directors gave me the opportunity to do the job and I am going to do my best. I was the interim president/CEO for about 14 months and I have been permanent since March 1 (2014).”

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www.MarathonBrake.com January/February 2015

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METRO Aids Motorists, Helps Fight Traffic Congestion

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ETRO’s total ridership for fiscal year 2014 in all modes was 110 million and 81 million for fixed-route buses during the same time period. METRO operates with 29 park and ride lots, 20 transfer centers and 9,805 bus stops.

The system’s 29 park and ride lots include more than 33,000 parking spaces. Direct nonstop service to downtown, the Texas Medical Center and other major employment centers is available. The lots also serve as staging areas for vanpools and carpools.

METRO’s 20 sheltered Transit Centers are waiting areas where bus routes and/or METRORail converge. The centers serve as “hubs,” allowing bus and/or METRORail riders from various locations to assemble and take advantage of express trips or other route-toroute transfers.

According to METRO, Transit Centers feature a mix of park and ride and local bus service, as well as limited METRORail service, with limited parking — about 2,400 spaces — available at select locations.

METRO’s ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) paratransit service is called METROLift. It serves people with disabilities who cannot board, ride or disembark from a

regular METRO fixed-route bus, even if that bus is equipped with a wheelchair ramp or lift.

METROLift is a curb-to-curb service, with assistance beyond the curb provided when needed. During FY 2014, the paratransit service recorded 2 million trips for 16,500 riders.

The system has 151 METROLift vans and contractor-owned and operated accessible minivans.

“METRO is also very involved in coordinating with partner agencies on managing issues and traffic conditions on the roadways. In this effort, we sponsor the Motorist Assistance Program (M.A.P.), which helps stranded motorists on Houston-area freeways,” Lambert said.

According to www.ridemetro.org, uniquely marked M.A.P. trucks and vans are equipped to handle minor automotive emergencies such as overheating, flat tires and jump-starts. Since 1989, M.A.P. operators from Harris County Sheriff’s Department and from METRO have assisted more than 100,000 motorists.

As one of the major metro regions in the United States, the Houston area is in an ongoing battle to manage traffic congestion. One of the ways public transit agencies have sought to lessen traffic congestion is by establishing bus rapid transit (BRT) or similar networks.

METRO has established HOV lanes in association with “HOT” lanes to help give some relief from traffic congestion.

See us at UMA Expo Booth #617 Page 32

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“A lot of people talk about BRT these days, but we have been doing that for about 30 years,” Lambert said. “With our HOV service, we have a bus leaving a parking lot about every 3 minutes. It then accesses a dedicated fixed skyway through a T-ramp that feeds into a guideway. This is a very dependable operation that serves about 33,000 people a day.

“We have recently expanded the HOV service to include HOT lanes as well to give single occupant car drivers the opportunity to travel on the enhanced system during certain hours.”

The barrier-protected HOV lanes are accessed via freeway or facility ramps and are reversible to accommodate commuters during peak periods of traffic flow. Users must observe occupancy requirements, rules of the road and hours of operation, according to METRO. People driving solo in cars have the option to pay a toll to use the HOT lanes.

“We are implementing a truly multimodal approach in this community.

This involves transit working in cooperation with freeways, managed lanes, toll roads, signal systems — anything we can do to move people where they need to go because of the phenomenal growth the Houston area is experiencing,” Lambert said.

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“How can we get people accessing our system? By cycling? By walking? It really must be a multi-modal approach. For example, we carry about 22,000 bicycle users on our system.

“Many people in this community are saying, ‘We cannot continue building our way out of congestion.’ There are limits to how much more freeway expansion can be done. Right of way costs are getting more expensive, and there are air quality and other issues to be considered. Can METRO solve all the problems? No, it cannot. Can we have a very important role to play? Yes, we can, but we must have a public transportation network that is safe, reliable, dependable and gets people where they need to go.”

Indeed, when considering Houston, there are as many as eight major activity centers where millions of people work and visit.

According to Lambert, these areas include downtown Houston, Uptown District, the Texas Medical Center, sports complexes, the energy corridor, uptown Galleria, Greenspoint Mall and Greenway Plaza.

“We have to see how we can maximize the movement on public transit in those areas similar to what happens in downtown Houston,” Lambert said. “About 38 percent of people coming to downtown Houston today get there by transit. We have to continue to grow that travel choice for all these other options. That will be a challenge, but it is something we have to work to accomplish.”

Clean air issues are also associated with high traffic congestion and METRO is doing its part in lowering carbon fuel emissions by running alternative fueled vehicles in its fleet.

“We have about 443 hybrid-diesel buses that we are using today,” Lambert said. “We also have 150 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses on order. We expect to have another 50 CNG buses delivered the next year, 2016, and 100 the following year.

Pictured is one of 70 METRO 60-foot articulated buses.

“I’m also fascinated by some of the electric buses I am seeing right now. We don’t have any on order, but electric buses used in the right corridor and in the right operating environment seem to be something good that we ought to look into. Therefore we are going to continue to look at electric powered buses, particularly since I have been hearing about the fast-charging capabilities that are available.”

Contact: Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, 1900 Main St., Houston, TX 77002. Phone: 713-635-4000.

Website: www.ridemetro.org.

See us at UMA Expo Booth #1328 January/February 2015

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he Big Easy, otherwise known as New Orleans, LA, is home to the United Motorcoach Association’s (UMA) Motorcoach Expo 2015 at Travel Exchange. For the third year in a row, the UMA Expo will coincide with the National Tour Association (NTA) Annual Convention. The two organizations will be co-locating their events on January 18-22, 2015, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

NTA’s education sessions and the NTA Mall are open to all UMA Motorcoach Expo participants at no additional cost.

Meanwhile, UMA’s education sessions and Expo floor are also open to all NTA convention participants at no additional cost.

Joint events are open to all participants as well. NTA’s Exchange appointments on Wednesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 22, are open to UMA Expo participants for an additional fee.

On Sunday, January 18, UMA Expo registration will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hall D lobby. Additionally, the UMA State Association Summit is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday as well as NTA Education Sessions during the same time period. Sightseeing tours will also take place from 8 a.m. to noon.

From 3 to 4:45 p.m. on Sunday a “Speed Networking” event with NTA attendees is open to UMA participants. This will be followed by the UMA

Chairman’s Welcome Reception in the Acadia Room at the New Orleans Marriott (third floor) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Sunday’s events will conclude with “The Big Party in the Big Easy,” taking place at Mardi Gras World from 7 to 10 p.m. The night will include locally-themed music, food and drink, with views of the Mississippi River and an insider's look at the famous Mardi Gras parade props and floats — now located on the south end of the Convention Center.

Monday, January 19 starts with UMA registration scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A joint UMA/NTA opening ceremony and breakfast is scheduled from 8 to 9:15 a.m. on Monday at the convention center’s Great Hall. Anthony “Tony” Avery Simmons, president/CEO of McIlhenny Company, maker of TABASCO brand products, will be the keynote speaker.

This will be followed by the UMA Active Member Meeting and Legislative & Regulatory Update, scheduled from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Also starting at 9:30 a.m., and running until 4:30 p.m., is the UMA Maintenance Interchange. Motorcoach owners, operators and maintenance personnel are invited to openly discuss maintenance issues at this event.

The first group of several UMA Concurrent Solution Sessions is sched-

UMA EXHIBIT HALL HOURS January 19 - January 21 Monday, Sneak Preview, 6 - 9 p.m.

Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Wednesday, 9 a.m. - Noon

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uled from 11 a.m. to noon on Monday. They are: n Selecting the Right Electronic Logging Devices (Operations); n Choosing the Right Marketing Mix (Marketing); n Evaluating Customer Profitability (Finance); n How All the Pieces Work Together - Part I (Travel Exchange); and, n Session 1 - Business 101: How Much Should I Be Charging; Insurance (Small Fleet Operator).

A Broadway Luncheon is set for 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. on Monday at the Great Hall, and will be followed by the second group of UMA Concurrent Solution Sessions, scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. They are: n Increasing Your Revenue with Public Private Partnerships (Operations); n Sports Marketing (Marketing); n The Anatomy of High Performers (Finance); n How All the Pieces Work Together - Part II (Travel Exchange); and, n Session 2 - Safety Management Cycle; ADA; Charter Service Rule (Small Fleet Operator).

The third group of UMA Concurrent Solution Sessions on Monday is slated for 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. They are: n Fatigue Management (Operations); n Diversifying Services (Marketing); n Impacting Results Through Leadership (Finance); n Motorcoach Best Practices Part I - Mastering Your Online Presence (Marketing); and, n Session 3 - Military Bus Agreement; Equipment Maintenance; Filing for Tire and Fuel Tax Refunds (Small Fleet Operator).

The fourth group of UMA Concurrent Solution Sessions on Monday is slated for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. They are: n Smart Driver Training (Operations); n Motorcoach Best Practices Part II - Social Media Mastery for

Motorcoach Operators (Marketing); n Alcohol - What is Your Liability? (Finance); and, n How to Work Best with Tour Operators (Travel Exchange).

A major event on Monday will be the UMA Expo Exhibit Hall Sneak Preview, taking place from 6 to 9 p.m in Halls C & D. Exhibitors will give demonstrations and showcase their latest industry products and services during the sneak preview.

Also scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday is the first day of the Motorcoach Marketing Council’s silent auction, along with a live auction starting at 7:30 p.m. Go Riteway Transportation Group (Richfield, WI) CEO Ronald Bast will serve as the auctioneer during the live auction.

Both events will take place at Booth No. 132.

Immediately following the Sneak Preview Party will be the “Go Motorcoach First Annual Fundraiser-Motorcoach Mardi Gras” at Razzoo on Bourbon Street. Proceeds of this event will be used for the Go Motorcoach Campaign, which helps increase public awareness on the positive aspects of motorcoach travel.

A number of NTA events will also take place on Monday. These include the NTA Mall being open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. as well as NTA education sessions and pavilion appointments.

The UMA Motorcoach Expo at Travel Exchange on Tuesday, January 20, will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the UMA Maintenance Competition. This event will last until 11 a.m. and provide participants with a chance to compete against each other to solve different maintenance-related issues.

Tuesday’s UMA Expo registration is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A group of UMA Concurrent Solution Sessions on Tuesday is slated for 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. They are: n Getting Involved in Local Politics and PAC (Operations); n Motorcoach Best Practices Part III - Mastering Analytics (Marketing);

See us at UMA Motorcoach Expo Booth #611 January/February 2015

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n Tax

Planning - Thinking of Selling? (Finance); and, the Pieces Work Together - Wrap Up (Travel Exchange).

The UMA Expo Exhibit Hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, allowing attendees to visit a wide variety of vendors. Lunch will be served at the Exhibit Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on this day.

Also taking place on Tuesday will be several UMA Education Sessions at the Exhibit Hall. Topics include: n The Critical Issues Related to Managing an Accident or Incident How Prepared Are You and Your Drivers? (from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.); n OSHA Violations Repeatedly Found in the Motorcoach Industry (from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.); and, n Digital Media - Technology & the Motorcoach Experience (from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.).

The Motorcoach Marketing Council’s silent auction will take place for its second day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Meanwhile, members of the National Association of Motorcoach Operators (NAMO) will meet from 2 to 3 p.m.

Also on Tuesday will be several NTA events, including education sessions and pavilion appointments. The NTA Mall will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday’s final event will be the UMA Leadership Awards Celebration, scheduled from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Great Hall. This will include a reception, dinner, a presentation of awards and cigars/cordials.

The final day that the Exhibit Hall will be open for the 2015 UMA Motorcoach Expo at Travel Exchange is Wednesday, January 21. Show floor hours are 9 a.m. until noon, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. A luncheon is scheduled to start at 12:15 p.m. at the Great Hall.

Also on Wednesday will be several UMA Education Sessions at the n How All

Exhibit Hall. Topics include: n Reduce Downtime and Save Money with the Use of Nickel Carbon Capacitors (from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.); n CVSA Inspection Demonstration (from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.); n How to Make the Most of Your UMA Membership - Part 1 (from 10 to 10:45 a.m.); and, n How to Make the Most of Your UMA Membership - Part II (from 11 to 11:45 a.m.).

The UMA Member Bus Operations Site Visit is scheduled from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the nearby Hotard Coaches Inc., facility. Meanwhile, from 2 to 4 p.m. will be the UMA Pit Day/Vehicle Test Drive. Attendees can drive vehicles as seen on the UMA Expo floor.

Many NTA-sponsored events will also take place on Wednesday, including education sessions and exchange appointments. The NTA Mall will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday will conclude with a joint UMA/NTA event “Tourism Rocks” from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Hard Rock Café New Orleans.

All motorcoach operators attending UMA Motorcoach EXPO are invited to attend the event free as guests of the sponsors.

The UMA 11th Annual Ray Dupuis Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for Thursday, January 22. The event is scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. at the English Turn Golf & Country Club in New Orleans.

A number of NTA events will also take place on Thursday. These include the NTA Mall from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., exchange appointments, a luncheon and an evening event from 7 to 10 p.m.

Visit www.motorcoachexpo.com for more information. Dates, times and events are subject to change. A complimentary shuttle service will be available between the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and Travel Exchange hotels.

See us at UMA Expo Booth #936 Page 38

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Northwest Navigator: Continued From Page 22

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We Are All In This Together here is strength in numbers when it comes to operating a business.

Both Joseph and Roxanne Gillis recognize the importance of being active in industry associations and working with other motorcoach operators whenever possible.

Joseph Gillis recently completed a term as president of the Northwest Motorcoach Association. Meanwhile, both Roxanne and Joseph Gillis have been active participants in a Spader Group, which consists of different motorcoach company officials working together on best practices.

“We look at the other operators in our group as mentors, because they have been in the business longer, and most of them run larger companies,” Roxanne Gillis said. “It’s great to have ongoing help as our company grows; to be with a group of other motorcoach operators who are open to sharing their ideas. Joseph and I have been able to provide some ideas to the group as well.

“It’s good to be able to partner as we are not direct competitors in the group. We are all trying to build a better industry with healthy and safe carriers.”

Joseph Gillis also stressed the importance of participation in such industry organizations as the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association.

“If you, as an operator, don’t pay attention to all that is going on in the industry through different associations and publications, then you are in trouble. It’s going to catch up with you sooner or later,” he said. “We are constantly looking ahead as a company, moving and changing to make sure we meet and exceed customer expectations.”

Keeping up with government regulations and other activities is also

important in today’s motorcoach industry, according to Joseph Gillis.

This includes the tough safety inspection practices being performed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its state and local law enforcement partners.

“I have been a proponent of being inspected regularly. We didn’t know the industry well enough when we got started, so we wanted to talk with the experts and have the experts instruct us,” Joseph Gillis said. “Through the process of working with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and FMCSA, we found out early about (the FMCSA) Safety Management Cycle. We started building systems and procedures to meet what is required with this safety tool.

“Therefore, Northwest Navigator now has a completely new mainte-

“I believe it’s important operators are willing to help each other for the benefit of the entire industry.”

— Joseph Gillis nance program in place. We brought in people from Prevost and other carriers, along with the best mechanics in the area, and put together a comprehensive preventative maintenance schedule based on specific vehicles, manufacturers and models that are part of our fleet.”

The safety team at Northwest Navigator has also put together a new comprehensive driver file system for the company, and has been working on a revised driver training program.

Joseph Gillis has been instrumental as well, along with ODOT and the Northwest Motorcoach Association, in setting up quarterly inspections for the benefit of area bus and motorcoach operators.

“Dates are scheduled every quarter to help operators get their vehicles

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inspected. This has helped reduce the inconvenience to traveling motorcoach passengers via illegal roadside inspections,” he said.

Roxanne Gillis added that it’s important customers understand the value of riding with a safe bus/motorcoach operator, and of all the steps that these operators have to take in order to remain safe and compliant.

Another initiative Joseph Gillis launched, with the help of ODOT, is the Trusted Carrier license plate program for bus/motorcoach operators.

A special “license plate” on an approved vehicle serves as a visual cue to law enforcement personnel that the carrier is of good standing.

Previously, this program was only available to the trucking industry.

A Trusted Carrier plate, at right, indicates a company is of good standing.

“This is something that can help good carriers and make it a lot easier to spot bad carriers,” Joseph Gillis said.

He added that these types of programs help the bus and motorcoach industry grow throughout the country with safe operators.

“Our industry already provides the safest, greenest and cheapest way to travel,” Joseph Gillis said. “I believe it’s important operators are willing to help each other for the benefit of the entire industry.”

Contact: Northwest Navigator Luxury Coaches, 6309 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97218.

Phone: 503-285-3000. Website: www.nwnavigator.com.

From Lancer Insurance Company:

Loss Recovery Program “Lancer Insurance Company offers a free policyholder benefit that allows insureds to keep 100 percent of monies recovered on their behalf versus paying a vendor a 30-50 percent fee for recovering money.

“As a policyholder, the Lancer claims team will assist in recovering monies from other insurance companies for out-of-pocket expenses and downtime expenses, including your deductible, when others are at fault for your loss,” said company spokespeople.

The process begins when a claim is reported. A Lancer claims examiner will investigate the claim, identify the adverse party and set up a damage and downtime claim, on the insureds behalf, with the other insurance company. This step allows insureds to avoid a subrogation audit and provides the opportunity to give an early notice of "loss of use" of the affected vehicle.

According to Lancer, “Our claims professional then documents the claim and guides the insured through the process including: • Sending estimates and photographs for you, providing loss of use documentation; • Obtaining an agreed cost of repair; • And, getting the vehicle back on the road.”

Since 1985, Lancer Insurance Company has been a provider of commercial automobile, physical damage and general liability coverage to bus and motorcoach companies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information about Lancer Insurance, visit www.lancerinsurance.com.

LEASING SERVICE AND SOLUTIONS THAT GO THE DISTANCE OUR MOTORCOACH SPECIALISTS CAN HELP KEEP YOUR BUSINESS MOVING FORWARD TODAY AND LONG DOWN THE ROAD Proud member of

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Call 1.203.984.5710 or visit us at booth #1302 to find out more

EverBank Commercial Finance, Inc. is a subsidiary of EverBank and is not itself a bank or a member of the FDIC. © 2014 EverBank. All rights reserved. 14ECF0179.01

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From Idrive: The New X2 Video Event Recorder During the United Motorcoach Association’s (UMA) Motorcoach Expo 2015 at Travel Exchange, Idrive will present its Idrive X2, a compact video event recorder featuring new technology.

It offers simultaneous recording of both triggered events and continuous recording events in two separate video streams. As well as triggered events, users can now download additional time before and after an event as needed, utilizing stream video. This can also be done remotely via Wi-Fi. “Safety managers can select resolutions from .3 megapixels to full HD events. Another feature is the ability to select the memory size of the camera, ranging from standard 8GB to 64GB optional memory cards. The memory sizing options allow customers to choose the amount of space they need for capturing events, depending on how long their vehicles are on the road,”said company representatives.

To help with memory space, each brand new Idrive X2 event goes through a new video compression routine, making the events smaller and faster to download without resolution compromise.

“The Idrive X2 case was redesigned with new plastics and mounting brackets that provide a variety of movements for an optimal, yet sturdy, hold. Utilizing glass, both inside and outside lenses were redesigned to capture better light in videos and wide angle views. A combination of the new lenses and new proprietary Bright Night® infrared lighting system,

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located below the lens, allows for bright night videos,” said the company.

New Serial and USB ports on the camera allow for external Idriveapproved system integrations. It comes with available external Live GPS tracking module and includes Visual Telematics® for 3 seconds of live view of a vehicle in real time on demand (service agreement required).

Idrive said, “The Idrive X2 also has an optional Driver ID application. It’s connected to the camera to identify drivers with their own identifications. It can identify drivers in events, reports with no effort from safety managers, and allows for the individual DriveScore® driver safety ranking.”

UMA will be the first time the Idrive X2 will be shown in the United States. It will be available at the Idrive booth, No. 1200. Visit sales@idriveglobal.com for more information.

Eden Prairie, MN’s SouthWest Transit Awarded Certificate Of Achievement For Excellence In Financial Reporting For the eighth consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement For Excellence In Financial Reporting to SouthWest Transit, of Eden Prairie, MN, for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

It is recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

SouthWest Transit provides transit services to the residents of Chanhassen, Chaska and Eden Prairie as well as surrounding cities.

SouthWest Transit motto is, “Quality Ride – Quality Time.”

Visit www.swtransit.org for more information.

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Prevost Now Has Second Mobile Service Truck In Montreal Area Prevost recently sent its second mobile service truck into operation in the Montreal area. The second service truck allows Prevost to offer more services to customers in Montreal, and for those traveling through or visiting Montreal, said company representatives.

Prevost Delivers 7 New Volvo 9700s To Stylus Transportation

Prevost also provides emergency roadside service or scheduled maintenance/repairs at a customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location. Each mobile service vehicle is a fully-fitted mobile repair unit which allows for rapid response times, especially in the case of emergency roadside diagnosis and repair.

The second mobile service truck is operated by a Prevost service technician who is certified for bumper-to-bumper maintenance and repair for all Nova Bus, Prevost and Volvo vehicles, including engine and transmission. In addition, technicians can repair most brands of motorcoaches in a customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fleet, says the company.

The second service truck joins 33 other Prevost mobile service trucks within North America, located throughout the United States and Canada.

Prevost recently delivered four new 2014 Volvo 9700s and three new 2015 9700s to Stylus Transportation Inc., an Orlando, FLbased company. All three 2015 coaches have GPS, cameras, E-logs, and IFTA tracking along with satellite TVs. Stylus has been operating in the Orlando area for 45 years. The company provides charter and bus services across the country and specializes in the South American, Canadian and domestic markets.

Stylus, with 23 employees, serves school, sporting, and corporate clients as well as group planning and multi-day trips.

Glen Cook, general manager, said the company will use its newest 9700 coaches for a variety of clientele including student youth travel as well as school and university functions, casino charters, port transfers, leisure activities such as theme park transportation, and tours throughout major cities within the United States, Canada and South America. Visit www.prevostcar.com.

See us at UMA Expo Booth #1325 January/February 2015

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Silverado Stages And Silver State Coach Announce Merger Silverado Stages, Inc. and Silver State Coach, Inc. have entered into a merger agreement combining the two motorcoach companies into one company within the transportation industry.

Jim Galusha, Silverado CEO, said, “We are extremely pleased that Tony Fiorini and his motorcoach company have agreed to join Silverado and help grow our combined operations in the western region of the United States. Our plans are to consolidate operations where possible, take advantage of best practices and efficiencies, and to extend Silverado’s proven operational model.”

“I’m excited about the opportunity and challenges ahead,” said Silver

State President and Owner Tony Fiorini. “Silverado is an employeeowned company; the ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) is a great benefit and reward for our loyal employees. The combined companies provide breadth and depth in the California and Nevada markets, allowing us to better serve all of our clients.”

Silver State Coach, Inc., a Nevada corporation, was founded in 1986.

With operating authorities in Nevada and California, Silver State maintains a fleet of 40 motorcoaches from terminals in Placentia, CA, and Las Vegas, NV. Silverado Stages, Inc., a California corporation, was founded in 1987 and provides transportation across the western states from terminals in Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, Orange County, Pomona, and Las Vegas. Services include charters, tours, scheduled fixed-route service, commuter and campus shuttles, and convention and event services aboard large motorcoaches, shuttles and vans.

Visit www.SilveradoStages.com for more information.

Cincinnati Metro Names Dwight Ferrell As CEO & General Manager

Your one stop shop for coach, rail, and ship interiors.

Upholstery, New & Used passenger & Drivers seats, flooring, floor structural, foam, gas struts and upholstery cleaning machines.

Dealers for Isringhausin and National Seats, we have a full stock of seats and parts for both brands. We also have parts for American, Amaya, Vanhool and Wakefield seats.

If we don't have it, we can get it.

Over 40 years of service to the motorcoach industry, all seat covers guaranteed for 4 years or 400,000 miles.

Any questions about your seats or other needs, please call 425-432-9867 or visit us at www.willinghaminc.com.

See us at UMA Expo Booth #1341 Page 44

BUSLINE

January/February 2015

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority has appointed Dwight Ferrell as Metro’s chief executive officer and general manager, effective Jan. 5, 2015.

Ferrell most recently served as the County Manager of Fulton County, GA. For four years, he served as deputy general manager and chief operating officer of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), managing day-to-day operations.

Ferrell has held leadership positions at public transportation systems including Austin, Dallas, New Orleans, and Philadelphia.

He has also been actively involved with the American Public Transportation Association, the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, and the Transportation Research Board.

He participated in the Eno Center for Transit Leadership Executive Development Program and is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta.

Ferrell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in Management from Huston-Tillotson University, in Austin, TX. Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 17 million rides per year.

Visit www.go-metro.com for more information.

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PEOPLE Mike Whittaker Joins ABC Companies As Parts And Service Marketing Manager ABC has hired Mike Whittaker to develop and execute all marketing for ABC’s Parts and Service brands.

With a background in the automotive supply industry, Whittaker has been a senior level marketing professional for global brands, with duties including brand development, market analysis, product development, communication and public relations both in the United States and abroad.

“This is a new position specifically designed to support two key business areas within our service offering,” said Dan Leo, director of marketing, ABC Companies. Whittaker oversees day-to-day marketing activities from ABC’s Florida location.

Whittaker has an MBA and a BBA in marketing, as well as numerous marketing and professional development certifications.

Contact ABC Companies at 800-222-2875 or visit www.abc-companies.com for more information.

Stertil-Koni Names Robyn Collier Warranty Coordinator Stertil-Koni has named Robyn Collier warranty coordinator, in addition to her current role as receiving manager.

Collier has been with the company for 9 years.

Previously, she was with Stanley Black & Decker for more than 20 years, reaching a warehouse management position on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Stertil-Koni President Dr. Jean DellAmore said, "Robyn has an extensive depth of experience working with Stertil-Koni products, distributors and customers. She is a true get-it-done professional and a very

warm, customer-centric manager who consistently makes a significant contribution to our company's growth and success."

Visit www.stertil-koni.com for more information.

Laura Clark Joins Distinctive Systems Distinctive Systems Inc., supplier of software to motorcoach, bus and tour companies in North America, has hired Laura Clark, as a support and implementation specialist.

She has worked with transportation companies such as Horizon Coach Lines, Coach America, Coach USA and Evergreen Stage Line/Gray Line Portland. Her primary roles with these companies was support and implementation of software systems.

“She has been directly involved with supporting executive team members in a role created to help analyze, identify, weigh and prioritize business metrics that advanced her employer’s missions, values and focus,” said Distinctive Systems spokespeople.

Clark said, “I have been supporting Distinctive Systems products for my previous employers for the past 10 - plus years and have always been impressed with the software, the support services and the integrity of the company. I am very excited to be joining an organization that shares my passion for outstanding customer service and am looking forward to interacting with a variety of companies; assisting them in maximizing the benefits of Distinctive Systems software functionality.”

Don Greenglass, president of Distinctive Systems Inc, said, “Laura possesses an incredible ability to support the end-user, a skill we have witnessed firsthand in her many years as a client of Distinctive Systems.

We are confident, and very excited, that Laura will help to enhance all Distinctive Systems clients’ experiences with our software products.”

Contact Clark at laura.clark@distinctivesystems.com.

O B I T U A RY MICHAEL ROCHETTE Prevost former Vice-President of Marketing & Sales Michael Rochette, age 71, passed away December 4, 2014, at the Laval Hospital in Quebec.

He was the son of Mrs. Mary Christine Murphy and the late Raymond Rochette.

Michael Rochette was with Prevost from 1983 until his retirement in 2005, and was instrumental in successful product introductions to the development of new markets in the conversion segment.

He is survived by his wife Johanne, children Barbra (Charles Chartier), Susan (James Fequet), Laurie (Jonathan Burns); his grandchildren Daphne, Maggie; and his sisters, Mary (Livio Paronuzzi), Leanne (Michael Jeffrey), Fire Marion Mercier and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Canadian Cancer Society, website: www.cancer.ca.

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Companies Purchase MCI J4500s Onondaga Buys New MCI J4500 Mike Oster of Onondaga Coach said, “What keeps me in the industry is the customers and

The Auburn, N.Y.-based tour and charter company was founded in 1953. Oster said, “We rely on wheelchair lifts, which in the wrong coach, can create space problems. (The J4500) is designed not to lose any baggage space while accommodating wheelchairs and that makes a big difference.”

Visit www.onondagacoach.com for more information.

portation industry, with a career that started in 1962 when he moved from his native Indiana to Chicago to take a job with Delta Airlines.

He learned the tour-and-charter business at a small travel agency, and in 1992 he bought United Coaches from Vandalia in St. Louis. He

United Coach And Tours Has 6 New MCI J4500s

the knowledge that it’s a business you can take anywhere there’s business. With most businesses, you can’t. With a bus industry, you can always move to where the customers are.”

Oster’s family has been in the coach business since his grandfather started a bus company in central New York. The family purchased Onondaga Coach in the 1960s. The company’s fleet includes 13 coaches and operates departure locations from Auburn, Syracuse and Cortland.

Oster became the third generation in the business in 1981 and his son, James, joined the company in 2006.

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United Coach and Tours, Morgantown, KY, has taken delivery of six new MCI J4500s.

The coaches replace five, 2009 J4500s and represent the company’s entire fleet.

UCT’s newest coaches have chrome mirrors and a black-and-white exterior motif. Inside, the coaches offer 110-volt outlets and curtains for passenger privacy; UCT added its own WiFi and satellite DirecTV system.

Williams said that replacing all of his coaches at once gives him a leg-up with customersbecause it eliminates the potential for disappointment should a customer request the company’s newest vehicles when those vehicles have already been allocated to another group.

Williams has over 50-plus years in the trans-

January/February 2015

purchased his first new coach, an MCI D4500, in 1994. D-Series coaches, E4500s and J4500s followed.

UCT serves the Kentucky and Tennessee area with transportation to local events, convention shuttle, and charters for schools and universities. The company’s tour business, which includes wholesale and retail multi-day trips across the United States and Canada is growing.

Kelli Phelps is United Coach’s tour operating manager.

Visit www.unitedcoachandtour.com.

Visit www.mcicoach.com for more information.

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From The Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI):

Effects Of Gas Prices On Transit Ridership Vary By Mode, In Combination With Price Ranges And Response Time Transit agencies should prepare for ridership increases when gasoline prices increase.

However, the net effect varies depending on the transit mode, the range of gasoline prices and response time. That is the conclusion of the Mineta Transportation Institute’s latest peerreviewed research report, Net Effects Of Gasoline Price Changes On Transit Ridership In U.S. Urban Areas.

The study focused on 10 U.S. census urbanized areas from 2002-2011 and provided information that could help transit agencies prepare to accommodate higher transit travel needs through pricing strategies, general financing, capacity management, and operations planning of transit services during times of substantial gasoline price increases.

Principal investigator was Hiroyuki Iseki, PhD, working with Rubaba Ali, both from the University of Maryland, College Park. The free report can be downloaded from http://transweb.sjsu.edu/project/1106.html.

“While previous studies have been published, this report improved on the four specifications of panel data regression analysis and other factors to obtain more robust results that can be generalized,” Dr. Iseki said, “A ridership increase may be good news for transit agencies during the off-peak periods, but even a small percentage of ridership increase can require a substantial increase in service supply and facility capacity during the peak periods, when the service level is at or near the maximum supply capacity. If transit agencies can anticipate when and at what levels those ridership increases could reach, they can plan their services more accurately.”

The results of this study suggest that transit agencies should prepare for a potential increase in ridership during peak periods that can be generated by substantial gasoline price increases over $3 per gallon for bus and commuter rail modes, and over $4 per gallon for light rail.

The two main variables analyzed in this study are: (1) monthly average gasoline prices based on weekly prices of three different types of gasoline – regular, midgrade, and premium – collected from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and (2) monthly unlinked passenger trips obtained from the Federal Transit Administration's National Transit Database from January 2002 to December 2011 for Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. In addition to several important variables related to transit service

and demographics, the research team accounted for factors that were not comprehensively included in previous studies, such as the effects of number of recent immigrants, highway miles, and unemployment rate.

This study also examines the endogeneity problem in regression analysis that potentially arises from the simultaneity issue between transit service supply and ridership, and estimates

the short- and long-term effects of gasoline prices as well as the threshold effects of $3 and $4 marks on transit ridership for bus, light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail and these modes combined.

The 125-page report, including 10 figures and 25 tables, is available for free, no-registration download at http://transweb.sjsu.edu/project/1106.html.

The Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) conducts research, education, and information transfer programs regarding surface transportation policy and management issues, especially related to transit. Congress established MTI in 1991 as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. Visit www.transweb.sjsu.edu.

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Sun Metro Opens Rapid Transit System In El Paso Sun Metro, of El Paso, TX, recently celebrated the grand opening of its 8.6-mile Rapid Transit System (RTS) along the Mesa Corridor in El Paso. The new BRT system, which provides a high-capacity transit service to El Paso

beginning of whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to come for El Paso. Our ongoing objective is provide a first-class transportation system that moves our family, friends and neighbors to get to work, to school, to visit each other and back. It is also a

for the first time, begins at the Downtown Transfer Center, travels along Santa Fe, Franklin, Oregon, Glory Road and Mesa, ending at the Westside Transfer Center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have dedicated nearly 6 years to analyzing, designing and building what we believe will revolutionize public transportation in our community,â&#x20AC;? said Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mesa Brio is just the

system that supports our economic development, reduces our traffic congestion and helps improve our communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s air quality.â&#x20AC;?

Known as the Sun Metro Brio, the new BRT system uses modern, rubber-tire, high-capacity vehicles, improved fare collection systems and controlled traffic signals. 60-foot articulated buses with low-floor boarding will transport more than 70 passengers between the terminal

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #1216 Page 48

BUSLINE

January/February 2015

stations every 10 minutes during peak period and 15 minutes during offâ&#x20AC;?peak period for 14 hours a day, Monday-Friday.

Passenger amenities include an integrated intelligent transportation system (allows buses to pass quickly through traffic lights), an audio/visual system to provide destination and next stop information inside and outside vehicles, bicycle racks, Wi-Fi connections and wheelchair accommodations. The corridor also includes 22 BRT transit stations about a mile apart. The station areas include two bus shelters at each stop, street lighting, landscaping, bike racks, ADAâ&#x20AC;?accessible ramps and station platforms, and reconstructed sidewalk at all approaches.

The Mesa Corridor is the first of four RTS corridors approved by the city of El Paso. The second corridor will be in Alameda. Con struction on Alameda is tentatively scheduled to begin in spring 2015 with completion in 2016. Dyer and Montana, the third and fourth RTS corridors, are tentatively scheduled to be operational in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Visit www.sunmetro.net.

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Companies Purchase Van Hools They're an awesome family-owned business and all of us at ABC are delighted to be part of their success.â&#x20AC;?

Wisconsin Badger Purchases 7 Van Hool CX45s Badger Bus recently purchased 7 Van Hool CX45s. Badger has facilities in Madison and Milwaukee, WI, and runs scheduled service, charters and tours as well as a large school bus division. The fleet ranges from 81 passenger Van Hool TD925 double deck coaches through mini-buses and vans.

ABC Companies is Van Hool's exclusive North American distributor and Account Manager John McFarlane said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Meier family is passionately committed to providing quality transportation and their customers recognize it. Badger's phenomenal history and growth rests on that foundation.

4 New Van Hool TX45s For Roadrunner Charters Irving, TX, based Roadrunner Charters recently took delivery of four Van Hool TX45 coaches. CEO Ron Wills said this purchase is

part of the company's (www.roadrunnercharters.com) expansion, which also includes a new six-acre, 20,000 square-foot office and maintenance facility in Ft. Worth, and the acquisition of HME Executive Coach. This is Roadrunner's fifth acquisition since 2008, and its fleet has grown to 80 coaches.

SAFE, STURDY & DURABLE Safety Step will meet all your transportation needsâ&#x20AC;Ś

Bob Holloway, senior account manager for ABC Companies, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ron is very knowledgeable about the charter industry and has an excellent staff headed by his son, Allen, in operations. He has an excellent sales team and Roadrunner is a pleasure to deal with. They've purchased 25 new Van Hoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the last 3 years. All of us at ABC are excited about being part of their growth.â&#x20AC;?

Contact ABC Companies at 800-222-2875 or visit www.abc-companies.com for more information.

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Amaya-Astron Seating See Ad On Page 37 Pirules 16E, Complejo Industrial Cuamatla Cuautitlรกn Izcalli, 54730 MEXICO +52(55)5881-2007 E-Mail: donovan@amaya-astron.com.mx Website: www.amaya-astron.com.mx Company Officers: Donovan Albarran, Export Sales Director; Rosario Arellano, Sales and Customer Service Products: Passenger seats for buses and coaches,

with three-point seat belts. Seat models Torino G Plus and A-2TEN offers the latest in three-point seat belt technology for the North American market, plus well known ergonomic design and the additional knee room provided in all AmayaAstron seats. 15 American Seating 401 American Seating Center Grand Rapids, MI 49504 USA 616-732-6600 E-Mail: danielle.haskins@amseco.com

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January/February 2015

Website: www.americanseating.com Company Officers: Dave McLaughlin, Vice President of Sales; Deb McDermott, Vice President of Marketing Products: American Seating has a long history of researching, designing, and manufacturing products that meet the ever changing needs of customers. The company manufactures passenger seating for city service bus, rail, motorcoach and mobility aid securement. These products are on the road and rail each day in every major North American city. 15

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Bergen Auto Upholstery Co., Inc. See Ad On Page 52 375 North Street Secaucus, NJ 07094 USA 201-457-9100 FAX: 201-457-9103 E-Mail: bergenauto@aol.com Website: www.bergenseat.com Products: Seat replacement and complete interior refurbishing, including seat covers, ceilings, sidewalls, lav area, under racks, dash, entrance door.

Parts distributor for American, National and Amaya seat parts with large inventory in stock.

Bergen offers a complete cleaning service, seat cover shampooing, seat frame cleaning, cleaning of sidewalls and A/C ducts, and shampooing of any carpeted surface. Bergen road crew is available to install on location. 14 Camira (Holdsworth Fabrics) 2476 Waldorf Court, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544 USA 616-288-0655 FAX: 616-288-0656 E-Mail: camira-usa@camirafabrics.com Website: www.camirafabrics.com Company Officers: Steve Bullas, Chairman and CEO; Andrew Schofield, Group Sales and Marketing Director; Nick Brown, Finance Director; Rune Akselberg, President, Camira Group Inc.; Terry Colbert, Director of Sales Products: Camira, formerly known as Holdsworth Fabrics, offers total fabric solutions for passenger transport interiors. Camira’s manufacturing expertise covers not just the traditional plush wool moquettes, but also lighter weight pile fabrics with added design and texture, contemporary flat weave fabrics for seating, and a wide range of ancillary interior trim fabrics for other surfaces within motorcoaches.

The Elements collection is a modern twist on traditional wool moquettes available to order with just a four week leadtime for a 55 yard minimum order quantity. Added fabric protection comes from Defender, Camira’s triple action long-lasting fabric treatment, an invisible protective shield making fabrics anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-stain.

Camira is represented by Wagner & Associates (tel 919-552-4466) and BusTex Corp (tel 303404-0890). 15 Chestnut Ridge Foam, Inc. See Ad At Right 443 Warehouse Drive, P.O. Box 781 Latrobe, PA 15650 USA 724-537-9000 FAX: 724-537-9003 E-Mail: info@chestnutridgefoam.com Website: www.chestnutridgefoam.com Company Officers: Carl Ogburn, President; George Romanish, Vice President, OPS; Robert Bologna, CFO; Anthony Tomasello, Sales Manager Products: SAFGUARD XL fire-resistant seat cushioning complies with F.T.A. fire safety criteria. SAFGUARD XL eliminates the profuse burning and known fire hazards associated with FMVSS 302 cushioning if exposed to open flame

ignition sources. Provides the fire performance needed in today's environment. The use of F.T.A. fire performance criteria helps avoid the potential for individual and transit authority liability. This fire-resistant cushioning is available to all seating manufacturers for O.E.M. vehicles. SAFGUARD XL represents major advancements in seat cushioning durability and comfort. A DVD is available showing comparative fire performance tests of completed bus seats. This DVD is an educational tool demonstrating how fire may impact bus interiors when seats are exposed to a minor ignition source. CR SAFGUARD XL can easily be added to new vehicle seating specifications. 15 CMI Enterprises See Ad On Page 22 13145 NW 45th Ave. Miami, FL 33054 USA 574-226-2977 E-Mail: sschrock@cmiautomotive.com Website: www.cmi-enterprises.com Products: Bus/coach upholstery, fabric. 14 De Leo Transportation Fabrics See Ad On Page 50 53 Dwight Place Fairfield, NJ 07004 USA 973-439-6801 FAX: 973-439-6815 E-Mail: deleotf@deleotf.com Website: www.deleotf.com Company Officers: Ismail Arslan and Craig DeLeo

Products: De Leo Transportation Fabrics offers high quality velvets for bus, motorcoach and light rail fabrics to public and private transportation industries. Partnered with Epengle, a leading European transportation fabric manufacturer, the combined companies have over 100 years of experience. De Leo offers polyester, acrylic and wool blends. Customers can expect short production lead times, excellent New Jerseybased customer service and on-time deliveries.

15 Fabric Services 103 Hinsdale Farms Road Bristol, IN 46507 USA 574-848-5100 FAX: 574-848-1776 Website: www.fabserv.com Products: Fabric Services is a provider of many fabrics, leather, coated fabrics and flat-woven textiles for shuttle bus and motorcoach seating as well as interior trim applications. Other valueadded services include custom cutting and lamination. 13 Freedman Seating Company 4545 W. Augusta Blvd.

Chicago, IL 60651 USA 773-524-2440 FAX: 773-252-7450 E-Mail: sales@freedmanseat.com Website: www.freedmanseating.com Products: Freedman Seating is a seat producer

Think 302 Protects Protects Think FMVSS FMVSS 302 Passengers and Equipment?

Equipment?

Passengers and

F.R. Cushioning (meets FMVSS 302)

CR SAFGUARD™ XL Fire-Resistant Cushioning

Both seats above were subjected to BS 5852 Source 2 Ignition.

SAFGUARD™ XL Fire-Resistant Cushioning…

• Complies with advanced F.T.A. fire safety criteria.

• Minimize risk and liability related to vehicle fire safety.

• O.E.M. and maintenance seat retrofit applications.

Call for specifications. Easily added to seating requirements within vehicle bid packages.

January/February 2015

Telephone: 800-234-2734 Fax: 724-537-9003 e-mail: crfoamsales@verizon.net

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for all types of buses. It designs, tests and builds seats for every type of bus, coach, van and school bus. Freedman offers integrated 3-point seat belts for buses and coaches.

The company offers the â&#x20AC;&#x153;GOâ&#x20AC;? seat, a thinner, customizable, modular seat; and SanitizedÂŽ anti-microbial Grab Rails. Freedman Seating is also a partner with USSC/4One as a supplier of seats to the heavy-duty bus and BRT market.

Within Freedman is the FSTL testing facility.

FSTL is an A2LA accredited lab, capable of invehicle testing and safety evaluations. 12 Holdsworth Fabrics (Camira) 2476 Waldorf Court, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544 USA 616-288-0655 FAX: 616-288-0656 E-Mail: camira-usa@camirafabrics.com Website: www.camirafabrics.com Company Officers: Steve Bullas, Chairman and CEO; Andrew Schofield, Group Sales and Marketing Director; Nick Brown, Finance Director; Rune Akselberg, President, Camira Group Inc.; Terry Colbert, Director of Sales Products: Camira, formerly known as Holdsworth Fabrics, offers total fabric solutions for passenger transport interiors. Camiraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing expertise covers not just the traditional plush wool moquettes, but also lighter weight pile fabrics with added design and texture, contemporary flat weave fabrics for seating, and a wide

range of ancillary interior trim fabrics for other surfaces within motorcoaches.

The Elements collection is a modern twist on traditional wool moquettes available to order with just a four week leadtime for a 55 yard minimum order quantity. Added fabric protection comes from Defender, Camiraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s triple action long-lasting fabric treatment, an invisible protective shield making fabrics anti-bacterial, antifungal and anti-stain.

Camira is represented by Wagner & Associates (tel 919-552-4466) and BusTex Corp (tel 303404-0890). 15 LaFrance Industries See Ad On Page 53 290 Old Anderson Road LaFrance, SC 29656 USA 864-646-3213 FAX: 864-646-4235 E-Mail: interiors@jeffgoldwasser.com Company Officers: Judson Boehmer, President; Jeff Goldwasser, Sales Executive Products: U.S. made seating fabrics for all transit and motorcoach requirements. 15 Lantal Textiles, Inc. See Ad Bottom Right P.O. Box 965 Rural Hall, NC 27045 USA 905-823-9427 Website: www.lantal.com

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

See us at UMA Motorcoach Expo Booth #601 Page 52

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January/February 2015

Products: Lantal Textiles is a Swiss company specializing in the weaving of high-quality, welldesigned velvet pile fabrics for the bus industry.

Though Lantal has been in business in Europe for over 68 years, the company first introduced these velvet pile fabrics to North America in 1997.

Lantal is a supplier of upholstery and companion fabrics to bus and seating manufacturers. 11 National Seating Co./CVG 200 National Dr. Vonore, TN 37885 USA 800-222-7328 FAX: 423-884-4859 Website: www.cvgrp.com Products: Motorcoach driver and passenger seats. New 4210 passenger seats feature all the comfort and durability long associated with National Seating with the added safety of 3-point seat belts. All National Seating products are produced in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vonore, TN, facility. 13 RECARO North America 4120 Luella Lane Auburn Hills, MI 48326 USA 248-484-3203 FAX: 248-364-3806 E-Mail: brian.sabo@recaro-automotive.com Website: www.recaro-automotive.com Company Officers: Elmar Deegener, Vice President of Seating; Markus Kussmaul, Vice President of Commercial Seating; Emil Kreycik,

0115Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 12/19/14 3:14 PM Page 53

General Manager Products: RECARO has been manufacturing seating products for over 100 years. RECARO is an industry leader in the manufacturing of high quality, ergonomically correct seating that will support customers through the long demanding hours of operation they perform. RECARO products are designed to optimize comfort and reduce fatigue by offering superb support. 15 Sardo Bus & Coach Upholstery See Ads On Pages 25 and 47 503 S. Main Avenue Minneola, FL 34715 USA 800-654-3824

FAX: 352-242-9290 Website: www.sardobus.com Products: Sardo Bus & Coach Upholstery’s craftsmanship and customer service have made it an industry leader in motorcoach and transit refurbishment. Sardo’s Professional Mobile Road Crew provides experienced, onsite installation service at customers’ facilities. This minimizes down time, and gives customers personal attention to every detail.

Sardo also manufactures custom fit seat covers for mail out service with instructions and seat cover liners for installation. With seat covers, sidewalls, flooring and more, Sardo helps with all interior objectives. Sardo offers

warranties and guarantees its workmanship for as long as a customer owns its coach. 14 Willingham Inc. See Ad On Page 44 20008 244th Ave. S.E. Maple Valley, WA 98038 USA 425-432-9867 FAX: 425-432-3668 Website: www.willinghaminc.com Products: Seatcovers, complete interiors, floors, step tread kits, parcel rack door and bay door pistons, foam rubber replacement kits, net pockets, cup holders, grab handles and accessories. Seat parts for all models. 12

Cardinal Buses Adds Temsa TS 45 Cardinal Buses, Inc., located in Middlebury, IN, has been operating as a family-owned charter company since 1923. The company started with a fivepassenger Model T touring car, but over the years has expanded service and grown its fleet to 45 vehicles.

The company now operates three facilities: Middlebury, IN, Mishawaka, IN, and Holland, MI. According to Dan Shoup, Cardinal Buses vice president, the company offers transportation services for company parties, group travel, airport shuttles, and university and school trips in a variety of seating capacities. In 2009, Cardinal took delivery of its first Temsa TS 35 mid-size coach. In November 2014, Cardinal took delivery of its first Temsa TS 45 full-size coach.

The Temsa TS 45 is equipped with 110V plugs, USB ports, an auxiliary preheater, a cordless mic, an A/V system, side & driver shades, and woodgrain rubber flooring. For more information on Cardinal Buses, visit www.cardinalbuses.com.

CH Bus Sales, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Temsa motorcoaches in the United States and Canada. It is a privately owned corporation. Temsa is a fully owned subsidiary of Sabanci Holding, a financial and industrial group in Turkey.

Visit www.chbussales.com for more information.

See us at UMA Expo Booth #616 January/February 2015

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ADVERTORIAL

Mohawk Lifts Offers Guidelines For Maintaining Safety Standards And Maintenance Requirements

By Steve Perlstein, Sales/Marketing Manager, Mohawk Lifts The vehicle lifts that are supporting the tour, transit and specialty vehicles in your garage can represent one of the most productive tools in your shop, or potentially one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment your techs use, if not used and maintained properly. Garage lifts are productive machines to help you to repair and diagnose vehicles faster, yet lifts, like your buses, have specific inspection and maintenance requirements.

If there is an incident in your garage involving a vehicle lift, OSHA asks three questions: What did you know? When did you know it? What did you do about it? No shop manager wants to be on the receiving end of these questions; therefore, complying with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) requirements ensures vehicle lifts are kept at the highest possible safety level, hefty noncompliance fines are avoided and technicians are kept safe.

1. BUY CERTIFIED LIFTS & OPTIONS There’s one and only one nationally recognized safety standard for vehicle lifts: ANSI-ALI/ALCTV, administered by the Automotive Lift Institute (www.autolift.org).

The Automotive Lift Institute, working though ETL testing procedures, involves rigorous thirdparty testing verifying lift manufacturers meet and comply with current ANSI requirements for lifts as defined by the International Building Code, which mandates that lifts be third party tested to meet these safety requirements. Most every state has building code rules that shops have to follow. To verify equipment status, look for the gold ALI/ETL certification tag next to the lift’s controls.

Beware that using an uncertified option voids the lift’s certification. It’s simple; if the optional accessory isn’t certified then the lift isn’t certified.

ANSI/ALI standards for Operation, Inspection, and Maintenance (ALOIM 8.

Replacement Parts) as well as Installation and Service (ALIS 6.2.6 Repair Service Parts) require all accessories, such as rolling jacks, truck adaptors, lighting for runway lifts, and special lifting pads, to be ALI/ETL certified.

Although certification is good for the life of the lift, older models may not meet the most current standards, which typically change every five to seven years. Some lifts and options that were certified in 2000 wouldn’t pass the 2011 standard.

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2. NO LOCKS = LIABILITY You’ve heard the phrase, “Never use a jack without a jack-stand.” The same is true for vehicle lifts. Always raise the vehicle and then lower it onto the lift’s mechanical locks as suggested by the manufacturer and required by ANSI. Refer to the ALI safety manual Lifting it Right or the manufacturer’s operating instructions for detailed information.

When you’re walking through the shop, make sure techs are using the proper procedure.

An easy way to visually verify the locks are being used is to include a weight gauge on your lift. The weight gauge must be made by the same manufacturer so it will be properly calibrated to the lift cylinder size.

When you walk by a lift and the weight gauge reads anything but “0”, the tech in that bay hasn’t lowered the lift onto the mechanical locks.

3. IT’S EASY TO OVERLOAD Manufacturers of the most common lift — two-post, side-by-side lifts — mandate that none of the four swing arms be overloaded.

Unfortunately, overloading of lifts happens more than realized. For example, some may think that a 12,000 pound-rated lift that’s loaded with a 10,500 pound paratransit vehicle isn’t near capacity. They would be wrong.

This paratransit vehicle has a front axle weight of 3,500 pounds and a back axle weight of 7,000 pounds. The per-arm capacity of a 12,000 pound-rated lift is 3,000 pounds. If the heavier rear end of a vehicle weighs 7,000 pounds, each swing arm needs a minimum arm capacity of 3,500 pounds for safe lifting.

Multiply this example by four swing arms and the minimum capacity of your lift for this vehicle should be 14,000 pounds.

It’s easy to see why two-post, side-by-side lifts are often overloaded, even though the total lift capacity hasn’t been exceeded. Look around your shop and determine if any lifts are being overloaded based on the heavy rear ends of certain vehicles, and dividing total lift capacity by four swing arms.

4. INSPECT EQUIPMENT ANNUALLY ANSI/Automotive Lift Institute ALCTV Standard for Automotive Lifts “Safety Requirements for Construction, Testing, and Validation” requires technicians perform a daily operational safety check. ANSI also requires an annual inspection by a qualified individual. Failing to do so exposes your shop to liabilities that could be associated with an injury, if an accident were to happen. Contact the manufacturer or garage equipment sales company to schedule an inspection.

5. TRAINING AND TESTING Like any product, lifts vary in style, type, capability, longevity, and warranty. ANSI requires technicians to be trained annually in proper lift use. This may seem unnecessary, yet think of everyone who drives a forklift in your facility who is required to take and pass an annual safety test. The test results are added to each employee’s file in case of a forklift incident.

The same applies to vehicle lifts. Contact the Automotive Lift Institute, your lift supplier or a local lift inspection company for a copy of the 20-minute Lifting it Right video hosted by legendary NASCAR driver Richard “The King” Petty, and his son, Kyle Petty. Require technicians to watch the video and pass a written test on lift operation and safety.

Visit www.mohawklifts.com for more information.

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ARI-HETRA 12775 Randolph Ridge Lane Manassas, VA 20109 USA 703-359-6265 FAX: 703-359-6405 Web Site: www.ari-hetra.com Products: ARI-HETRA is a U.S. manufacturer of a full line of heavy-duty vehicle maintenance equipment. Known for products including its mobile lifting system, exhaust extraction system and heavy-duty wheel service equipment. ARI-HETRA Mobile Lifting Systems are capable of servicing all types of heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. There are no limitations regarding vehicle weight, wheelbase or configuration. 08 Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc. 3501 S. Leonard Rd. St. Joseph, MO 64503 USA 816-233-6121 FAX: 816-233-7251 Web Site: www.grayusa.com Products: Gray Manufacturing is a family-owned and operated company. It designs, manufactures, sells and services innovative, high-quality and reliable professional service equipment for the automotive, truck, and service vehicle industries. Gray offers a complete line of professional service equipment including: mobile column lifts, wheel lift systems, transmission and component jacks, air jacks, floor jacks, vehicle support stands, shop presses, wheel dollies, fluid handlers, forklift jacks, oil filter crushers, and truck tire changers. 09 MAHA USA 2404 East Highway 134 Pinckard, AL 36371 USA 866-624-2872 FAX: 334-983-1094 E-Mail: sales@maha-usa.com

Web Site: www.maha-usa.com Company Officers: Wolfgang Raffler, Managing Director Products: MAHA USA unites German engineering with American craftsmanship to produce heavy-duty mobile column lifts. MAHA USA manufactures vehicle lifting systems from its 90,000square-foot production facility in Pinckard, AL. Its wireless mobile column lifts are powered by stateof-the-art ball-screw technology. MAHA USA also offers a full line of heavy-duty workshop equipment consisting of pantograph and parallelogram lifts, wheel lifting systems, various floor, transmission and clutch jacks, wheel service equipment, emission testers, and PBBT-certified brake testers.

15 Mohawk Lifts See Ad At Right 65 Vrooman Ave. \ P.O. Box 110 Amsterdam, NY 12010 USA 518-842-1431 FAX: 518-842-1289 E-Mail: tfarewell@mohawklifts.com Web Site: www.mohawklifts.com Company Officers: Steve Perlstein, Sales & Marketing Manager Products: Mohawk offers environmentally safe above-ground lifts ranging from 6,000 to 240,000 pound capacities. Mohawk manufactures two post lifts, four post lifts, scissor lifts, turf lifts, mobile column lifts, parallelogram lifts and many lift accessories. As a lift supplier for garages; independent shops; and government, state, utility and fleet lifting requirements, Mohawkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popularity is based on a combination of safety systems, design, construction, and an inclusive warranty. Mohawk Lifts are designed, welded and manufactured in the U.S.A. 15

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Omer North America Inc. 2300 Speers Rd. Oakville, Ontario L6L 2X8 CANADA 877-799-5438 FAX: 905-891-1214 Web Site: www.karliftsolutions.com Products: Omer North America offers the KAR LIFT Pantograph lift in capacities of 44,000, 55,000, 66,000, 77,000, 88,000 and 99,000 lb. The KAR LIFT is available in runway lengths of 23’, 26’, 30’, 33’, 36’, 48.5’ long powder coated or completely hot-dipped galvanized. All of these models have been ALI/ETL certified. Omer has built KAR LIFTS up to 57’ long and 121,000 lb. capacity.

Omer holds several patented design features that include a “Volumetric Control” that eliminates all electronics on the lift, and AOS energy absorbing material that eliminates the need for the lift scissors to have “slide” to eliminate stress. For customers who prefer electronic synchronization, Omer offers a four motor/pump control with industrial inclinometers mounted on each scissor. 13

Web Site: www.rotarylift.com Products: Rotary Lift is a manufacturer of vehicle lifts designed to increase technician productivity and fleet uptime. Rotary Lift offers a full line of heavy-duty vehicle lifts for servicing the wide range of buses on the road today. The line includes modular inground; mobile column; scissor; parallelogram; and four-post lifts.The new MOD35 is the next generation of Rotary Lift’s MOD30 modular, environmentally friendly heavy-duty inground lift.

More than 1,100 MOD30 lifts have been installed since the product’s introduction in 2002. Rotary Lift’s patented universal style lifting saddles make inground lift set-up faster and easier. Rotary Lift’s Mach™ family of mobile column lifts can be used virtually anywhere to service almost any vehicle.

Wired and wireless communication options are available. Rotary Lift is a Vehicle Service Group (VSG) brand. VSG’s global headquarters and ISO 9001-certified North American manufacturing facilities are in Madison, IN. 15

Rotary Lift 2700 Lanier Drive Madison, IN 47250 USA 800-640-5438 FAX: 800-578-5438 E-Mail: userlink@rotarylift.com

Sefac, Inc. 23 Fontana Ln., Suite 109 Baltimore, MD 21237 USA 443-730-1023 E-Mail: sefac@sefac.com

Website: www.sefac.com Products: SEFAC, Inc. is a manufacturer of heavy-duty mobile vehicle lifts, jack stands, transmission jacks and accessories. It also services and refurbishes SEFAC brand lifts, as well as supplying parts for all lifts. 14 Stertil-Koni 200 Log Canoe Circle Stevensville, MD 21666 USA 410-643-9001 FAX: 410-643-8901 E-Mail: lifts@stertil-koni.com Web Site: www.stertil-koni.com Products: Stertil-Koni, based in Stevensville, MD, has an extensive inventory of lifts, and working through an exclusive network of distributors, Stertil-Koni sells its complete line of heavy-duty vehicle lifts throughout the United States and Canada. Stertil-Koni has expanded manufacturing of its broad range of mobile column lifts in the United States with manufacturing facilities in Streator, IL. Stertil-Koni manufactures all types of heavyduty lifts, including mobile column lifts, platform lifts, parallelogram lifts, in-ground axle engaging lifts, and two-post lifts. Stertil is ISO 9001 certified, and most lifts are ALI/ETL certified. 12

Indian Trails Honors 4 Bus Drivers For Safely Transporting 1.5 Million Passengers Four bus drivers for Indian Trails, Inc., were recently honored with the company's Million Mile Award for driving more than 1 million miles without an avoidable accident — and one of the four was recognized for safely driving 2 million miles.

Indian Trails operates 33 daily scheduled motorcoach routes throughout Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas and into Chicago, Duluth, and Milwaukee. Five routes are operated in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation. In addition, the company operates a large group charter business, as well as the Michigan Flyer-AirRide shuttle service, which makes 12 round trips a day between East Lansing, Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro Airport.

"Reaching these milestones accident-free is a real testament to the professionalism and skills of our drivers, and our foremost goal of getting passengers safely to their destinations," said Indian Trails President Gordon Mackay.

This year's Million Mile Award recipients are Carl Briggs, Luis Garcia, and Jerry VanDeusen, Jr. The Two Million Mile Award recipient is Phillip "Al" Kline. They join 24 previous award winners since Indian Trails established the recognition in 1989. The four drivers were honored at a luncheon where they received crystal awards and special jackets and name badges recognizing their million-mile achievements. In addition, the drivers each received a State of Michigan Special Tribute signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, Sen. Joe Hune, and Rep. Ben Glardon.

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Million-mile safe drivers Luis Garcia, Carl Briggs, Al Kline, and Jerry VanDeusen Jr. were honored by Indian Trails bus company and the state of Michigan for collectively transporting 1.5 million passengers more than 5 million miles without an accident. (PRNewsFoto/Indian Trails, Inc.)

trips around the Earth, two trips to the moon and back, or 180 round trips between New York and Los Angeles. For the motorcoach drivers, it means averaging 50,000 miles annually for 20 years. The number of miles driven by each motorcoach driver is tracked through Federal Department of Transportation records maintained by the company.

Indian Trails Vice President Chad Cushman estimates that each one-million-mile driver has safely transported about 300,000 passengers to their destinations, and made 6,500 trips. Kline, the two-million-mile driver, has safely carried some 600,000 passengers to their destinations.

January/February 2015

"Our million-mile drivers are true professionals," said Daniel Tomlinson, Indian Trails' director of safety and training, "and they also serve as instructors for new drivers coming into the company. Among the skills they teach are five keys to good driving. The first four involve really paying attention to what's going on around you on the road at all times. The fifth is making sure other drivers see you."

Indian Trails, Inc., which has served as Michigan's premiere, family-owned, intercity motorcoach carrier for more than 100 years, and is based in Owosso, MI. Visit www.indiantrails.com for more information.

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Montreal MCI Sales And Service Center Moves To Expanded Location MCI will move its Montreal MCI Sales and Service Center to an expanded location at 3500 St. Patrick St. The new downtown location, a few miles from the current site, is easily accessible from the expressway and allows MCI to expand its parts, service and repair capacity. The new location will also feature new MCI and Setra coaches; pre-owned coach inventory; parts for MCI, Setra and other-make coaches and buses; and an MCI Mobile Maintenance unit.

The center will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The telephone number remains 1-800-663-3328. During the move, operators may continue to schedule appointments by calling Service Manager Marc-Andre Ouellet or by emailing servicecenterqc@mcicoach.com. MCI plans to retain and add to its present staff to accommodate recent sales growth.

Home of the Best Full-Service Travel Plaza in Northern Illinois Featuring…

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

(815) 562-5840

The new site will offers state-of-the-art equipment and diagnostics. Renovations to the new site, which have begun, will continue over several months. The new location includes on-site fueling; complete repair and retrofit; quick-service oil change station and lavatory services and parts pick up counter. MCI is adding a paint booth; an indoor bus wash station and a drivers’ area with lounge chairs, television, Wi-Fi and refreshments; and a customer parts pick-up counter.

The MCI Mobile Maintenance unit will be manned by a technician and will carry diagnostic tools, repair essentials and parts required for the inspection, maintenance and repair of all motor coach makes and models. The MCI unit will travel to serve Montreal-area customers at their own facilities Monday through Friday, with services including roadside diagnostics, brakes, air leaks, lights, belts, hose replacements and more.

MCI also plans to implement Quality at the Source at the service center. QAS is a lean-principle program MCI has employed at its manufacturing plants.

The new Montreal location follows last year’s Des Plaines, IL, service center move and is part of MCI’s plan to expand its service capabilities at existing sites. In addition to Montreal and Des Plaines, MCI operates service centers in Winter Garden, FL; Los Alamitos, CA; Blackwood, NJ; and Dallas, TX. All MCI Service Centers offer complete mechanical repair services, including chassis, suspension, brakes, air conditioning and steering; coach modifications; paint and body repair; wheelchair lift installations; insurance estimating and appraisal services; and immediate access to replacement parts on-site. MCI service centers are also approved for Detroit Diesel, Allison Transmission, ZF ASTronic Transmission and HVAC systems warranty service.

Visit www.mcicoach.com for more information.

Seating for 40, Specialty Sandwiches, Stromboli, Fresh Salads & Pizza, Hand-Dipped Ice Cream!

(815) 561-9595

Designated Bus Parking and Pull-Thru Fueling Island

Bus Drivers & Tour Guides Eat free!

Mini-Mall — 2 Stores with over 5,000 sq. ft. of shopping!

ATM, Major Credit Cards accepted.

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

OPEN 24 HOURS

Please call ahead!

January/February 2015

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Busline Vehicle Showcase:

MOTORCOACHES Prevost

Prevost

Prevost X3-45

Prevost H3-45 With its striking appearance, the H-Series illustrates Prevost’s passion for continuous improvement. Prevost AWARE Adaptive Cruise Braking, the Prevost Electronic Stability Program, and the Prevost Welded Rail System take safety to a new level.

Volvo’s D13 engine has smooth, quiet operation and drastically lowers emission of air pollutants. The Volvo D13 with advanced SCR exceeds EPA emissions standards to bypass the industry in terms of environmental care.

Using its multiplexed architecture, Prevost moved controls for key functions from the dashboard to the steering wheel, helping to increase safety for all on board. Prevost’s Cluster showcases an insightful Driver Information Display (DID), providing significant advantages to drivers and operators. Important information is easily communicated, offering several valuable tools such as fuel data management, data logging and clear text display messages.

Visually, the H-Series grabs public attention and embodies the Prevost brand and its unique DNA in a highly recognizable and memorable way. Its elegance and prestige confirm a company’s status and reputation.

Model............................................................................................Prevost H3-45 Seating Capacity.............................................................................................56 Length ...............................................................................................................45’ Width ...............................................................................................................102” Height........................................................................................................146.25” Wheelbase......................................................................................................314” Overhang (front/rear) ......................................................................75” - 107” Inside Height (min./max.)..........................................Floor to Ceiling - 77” Turning Radius ............................................................................................45.6’ Tire Size..........................................................................................315/80 R22.5 Engine................EPA Compliant Volvo D13 w/DPF and SCR, 435 HP, 13L Transmission ..................Allison World, 5th Gen., 6-Speed Auto. Trans.; Volvo I-Shift, 12-Speed Automated Manual Brakes..........................................................All-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS Fuel Tank Capacity.......................................................................230 U.S. gal.

Air Conditioning..........................................................................Bitzer 4FNCY Baggage Capacity............................................................................580 cu. ft.

Wheelchair Lift Option...............................Interchangeable Swap & Plug Steering ........................................Steering Wheel w/Integrated Controls, Tilt & Telescopic, and Integral Power Steering, Variable Assistance Power Steering Suspension ..........Wide-Stance Tuned Suspension w/Liftable Tag Axle Page 58

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

Volvo’s D13 engine has smooth, quiet operation and drastically lowers emission of air pollutants. The Volvo D13 with advanced SCR exceeds EPA emissions standards.

The Prevost X3-45 has the longest wheelbase in the touring coach market (334.5 in.), giving passengers a smooth ride, and features the largest under-floor surface area (139 sq. ft.) in the industry. At 134 inches, the Prevost X3-45 has the lowest overall height of all seated coaches, providing easy access to virtually any pick-up or drop-off site.

Equipped with the Prevost Advanced Multiplex System, the Prevost X3-45 delivers dependability and maximizes operational efficiency. The user-friendly system features a multitude of benefits, including easier maintenance, faster troubleshooting and quick and accurate diagnosis of problems with vital components.

Prevost 35 Gagnon Blvd., Ste-Claire, Quebec GOR 2VO CANADA Tel: 418-883-3391 Toll-Free: 877-773-8678 Fax: 418-883-4157 Website: www.prevostcar.com

Model............................................................................................Prevost X3-45 Seating Capacity .............................................................................................55 Length ...............................................................................................................45’ Width ...............................................................................................................102” Height..............................................................................................................134” Wheelbase .................................................................................................334.5” Overhang (front/rear) ...........................................................72.30” - 86.60” Inside Height (min./max.) .........................................Floor to Ceiling - 80” Turning Radius ............................................................................................42.6’ Tire Size..........................................................................................315/80 R22.5 Engine ................EPA Compliant Volvo D13 w/DPF and SCR, 435 HP, 13L Transmission ..................Allison World, 5th Gen., 6-Speed Auto. Trans.; Volvo I-Shift, 12-Speed Automated Manual Brakes..........................................................All-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS Fuel Tank Capacity ........................................................................192 U.S. gal.

Air Conditioning..........................................................................Bitzer 4FNCY Baggage Capacity .............................................................................513 cu. ft.

Wheelchair Lift Option...............................Interchangeable Swap & Plug Steering ........................................Steering Wheel w/Integrated Controls, Tilt & Telescopic, and Integral Power Steering, Variable Assistance Power Steering Available Suspension ..........Wide-Stance Tuned Suspension w/Liftable Tag Axle

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Busline Vehicle Showcase:

MOTORCOACHES Prevost

Prevost

Volvo 9700

Prevost X3-45 Commuter Coach

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

Exceptional comfort abounds throughout the Volvo 9700.

Electronically controlled air suspension and a rigid frame design make for a confident, reassuring ride. A low interior noise level and comfortable seats also ensure an enjoyable journey, and large tinted windows provide excellent visibility all around.

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

The I-Shift is an intelligent transmission system that combines the robustness and dependability of a manual gearbox with the comfort and convenience of an automatic transmission. Its latest generation ensures substantially improved performance and fuel economy.

Productivity, efficient design and safety define the Volvo 9700.

The X3-45 Commuter Coach is designed from the Prevost platform known for durability, reliability, and lifetime value. The X3-45 coaches are constructed to be used in a demanding commuter application which requires reliable vehicle performance, and the coach has been 12-year Structural Integrity Tested. Developed with a focus on transit operation concerns such as passenger safety, accessibility, low operation costs and ease of maintenance, the X3-45 Commuter features a very reliable structure.

The Prevost Electronic Stability Program is the first system with rollover and under/over-steer protection and electronically compensates for quick reactions in adverse conditions, according to Prevost.

The Prevost X3-45 includes three-point seat belts on a 20G rated welded rail system for an exceptionally secure passenger environment.

Passengers of the X3-45 Commuter immediately notice the large entry area through the bi-part doors with the lowest steps and shortest stairway, making it easier on mobility challenged passengers. Another feature noticed by passengers is the high interior space – a full 80-inches of space from floor to ceiling. Additionally, the commuter can be outfitted with a Wi-Fi system, state-of-the-art sound and video, and electrical outlets at each seat to keep passengers plugged in and in touch while commuting.

Model .................................................................................................Volvo 9700 Seating Capacity.............................................................................................54 Length ...............................................................................................................45’ Width ...............................................................................................................102” Height..............................................................................................................145” Wheelbase ......................................Between front and tag axle - 254.84” Overhang (front/rear) .....................................................................112” - 109” Inside Height (min./max.) .................................Front - 77.2”; Rear - 72.8” Turning Radius..........................................................................................42.83’ Tire Size..........................................................................................315/80 R22.5 Engine ................EPA Compliant Volvo D13 w/DPF and SCR, 435 HP, 13L Transmission.........................Volvo I-Shift, 12-Speed Automated Manual Brakes...............................All-Wheel Disc Brakes w/ABS double circuitry Fuel Tank Capacity........................................................................210 U.S. gal.

Air Conditioning .........................................................Carrier - AC353 GenIV Baggage Capacity................................400 cu. ft. (under-floor capacity) Wheelchair Lift Option .........................................................................Built in Steering .....................Tilt and Telescopic, and Integral Power Steering Suspension ..........Wide-Stance Tuned Suspension w/Liftable Tag Axle

Model .........................................................Prevost X3-45 Commuter Coach Seating Capacity .............................................................................................57 Length ...............................................................................................................45’ Width ...............................................................................................................102” Height..............................................................................................................134” Wheelbase .................................................................................................334.5” Overhang (front/rear) .............................................................72.30”; 86.60” Inside Height (min./max.) .........................................Floor to ceiling - 80” Turning Radius ............................................................................................42.6’ Tire Size..........................................................................................315/80 R22.5 Engine.................EPA Compliant Volvo D13 w/DPF and SCR, 435 HP,13L Transmission ....................Allison World, 5th gen., 6-speed auto. trans.

Brakes...........................................................................All-Wheel disc. w/ ABS Fuel Tank Capacity ........................................................................192 U.S. gal.

Air Conditioning..........................................................................Bitzer 4FNCY Baggage Capacity .............................................................................513 cu. ft.

Wheelchair Lift Option...............................Interchangeable swap & plug Steering.........................................Steering wheel w/integrated controls, Tilt & telescopic, and integral power steering, (Variable Assistance Power Steering Available) Suspension.................................................Wide-stance tuned suspension w/liftable tag axle January/February 2015

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Busline Vehicle Showcase:

MO M OTO OR RCOA OACH CHE HE ES S MOTORCOACHES Motor Coach Industries

Motor Coach Industries

MCI J4500 Reliability Driven: The MCI J4500 continues to win fans for its good looks, premium workhorse reliability, low total cost of operation, and significant fuel economy gains. Now, the MCI J4500 includes a new ZF independent front suspension and a Bendix braking system, to deliver an unbelievable ride, car-like control and ease of service.

Motor Coach Industries; 200 East Oakton St., Des Plaines, IL 60018; 847-285-2000; 800-428-7626; Fax: 847-285-2013 • Email: marketing@mcicoach.com; Website: www.mcicoach.com

Model ..................................................................................................MCI J4500 Seating Capacity.............................................................................................56 Length .........................................................................................................45.58’ Height ........................................................................................................140.74” Headroom ..................................................................................................78.25” Turning Radius ...................................................................................40 ft 11 in Wheelbase......................................................................................................315” Floor - Low or standard ...................................................................Standard Engine Options.......................................Cummins ISX 12L, 425 HP engine w/engine brake; optional Detroit Diesel DD 13 Transmission................................................................Allison B500 6-speed automatic transmission with prognostics capability with fuel saving (RELS-Reduced Engine Load at Stop) Chassis .............................................................................................Monocoque Fuel Tank Capacity ................................................................................183 gal.

Fuel Options ................................................................................................ULSD Brakes....................................................Bendix® ADB22X™ Air Disc Brakes GVWR ..................................................................................................54,000 lbs.

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January/February 2015

MCI D4505 The workhorse. Reliable and economical, the 40- and 45-foot MCI D-Series coaches consistently deliver low-cost, high-quaility performance. Built with MCI quaility to deliver a unique combination of dependability and passenger comfort.

Motor Coach Industries; 200 East Oakton St., Des Plaines, IL 60018; 847-285-2000; 800-428-7626; Fax: 847-285-2013 • Email: marketing@mcicoach.com; Website: www.mcicoach.com

Model...............................................................................................MCI D-Series Seating Capacity ......................................................................................55; 47 Length.......................................................................................................45’; 40’ Height..............................................................................................................137” Headroom. .................................................................................................78.25” Turning Radius ..................................................................................47’; 44.70’ Wheelbase (s).....................................................................................318”; 279” Floor - Low or Standard...................................................................Standard Engine ....................................................................................Cummins ISL, ISX Transmission.................................................................................Allison B500 Chassis .............................................................................................Monocoque Fuel Tank Capacity................................................................................164 gal.

Fuel Options ................................................................................................ULSD Brakes.............................Air or Hydraulic: Meritor all-wheel EX-225 disc GVWR...........................................................................50,000 lbs.; 46,000 lbs.

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Busline Vehicle Showcase:

MO M OTO OR RCOA OACH CHE HE ES S MOTORCOACHES Motor Coach Industries

Motor Coach Industries

Setra S 417 TC MCI Commuter Coach Designed for the highway. The MCI Commuter Coach has earned its position as a leader in longer-distance express service for public transit by offering low cost of ownership; a lower perseat cost with 42 percent more seating capacity versus a typical 40-foot transit bus; and an excellent MDBF rate, measured as the No. 1 performer with the fewest failures per vehicle among all bus types.

Motor Coach Industries; 200 East Oakton St., Des Plaines, IL 60018; 847-285-2000; 800-428-7626; Fax: 847-285-2013 • Email: marketing@mcicoach.com; Website: www.mcicoach.com

Model ..............................................MCI® Commuter Coach D4500/D4000 Available in CNG, Hybrid & Clean-Diesel Seating Capacity........................................57 Passengers; 49 Passengers Length.......................................................................................................45’; 40’ Height..............................................................................................................137” Headroom ..................................................................................................78.25” Turning Radius ..................................................................................47’; 44.70’ Wheelbase...........................................................................................318”; 279” Engine Options....................................................Cummins ISL, ISX or ISL G Transmission ...........................Allison B500, Allison EP 50, Hybrid drive Chassis .............................................................................................Monocoque Fuel Tank Capacity .................................................164 gal. CNG 114.6 (DGE) Diesel Gallon Equivalent Fuel Options..........................................................Clean-diesel, hybrid, CNG Brakes...........................................Air, disc with unitized hubs and preset GVWR...........................................................................50,000 lbs.; 46,000 lbs.

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

Motor Coach Industries; 200 East Oakton St., Des Plaines, IL 60018; 847-285-2000; 800-428-7626; Fax: 847-285-2013 • Email: marketing@mcicoach.com; Website: www.mcicoach.com

Model ...........................................................................................TopClass S 417 Seating Capacity.............................................................................................56 Length ...............................................................................................................45’ Height.................................................................................................................12’ Headroom .......................................................................................................6.6’ Turning Radius ..........................................................................................481.7” Wheelbase.....................................................................................................280” Floor - Low or Standard...................................................................Standard Engine .............................................Mercedes-Benz OM 471 EPA 10 450 hp Transmission..............................Allison B 500R or, ZF Astronic 12-speed Chassis .............................................................................Monocoque Integral Fuel Tank Capacity................................................................................180 gal.

Fuel Options................................................................Ultra low sulfur diesel Brakes - Air or Hydraulic.................................................Knorr disc brakes GVWR...................................................................................................50,534 lbs.

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Busline Vehicle Showcase:

MOTORCOACHES ABC Companies

ABC Companies

Van Hool TX

Van Hool CX

With its retooled chassis design, the TX motorcoach features expanded baggage capacity and a host of luxury appointments.

Offering advanced technology and European design, the Van Hool TX class delivers high-style to American operators.

For high-end tour operators, the TX 40’ and 45’ coach models integrate Van Hool’s most advanced European technology and design, now offering many new standard features including these highlights: taller overall height (12’ 2 1/4”) expands underfloor baggage capacity to 464.39 cu. ft.; baggage door seals mounted on luggage doors for less maintenance; Detroit Diesel DD13 (450 HP) EPA 2013 engine; Goodyear Marathon LHS II 315/80 R22.5 + HL tires; power driver’s toll-window, heated, with tinted tempered glass; new passenger courtesy shelves in restroom back wall; exterior lighting upgraded to include integrated light clusters and daytime running lights and static aiming lights integrated in front bumper; interior LED lightstrips cover full length of ceiling left and right; standard back-up camera with in-dash display; 56 Van Hool Bodyline reclining passenger seats offer straighter back cushions and headrests, plus 2 up-folding armrests (fixed on wall side) and 3-point seat belts FMVSS 210 compliant; and new sliding passenger multisets.

Standard safety features include: daytime running lights; static aiming lights; Kidde fire suppression system; back-up camera; and 3-point seat belts FMVSS 210.

Added style and enhanced features redefine the hard working, versatile Van Hool CX. Along with the introduction of sleek new body styling, the new CX model has evolved to offer operators more standard features including key safety improvements, added serviceability, interior cabin comforts and more.

For operators focused on fleet versatility, the improved CX brings charters, tours, line hauls and more to the next level. The new CX45 offers a significant style upgrade and includes a wide range of expanded passenger and driver-friendly features for tours, charters and commuter operators including: updated front and rear bumpers featuring integrated light clusters at headlight and taillight positions, and added daytime running lights; LED luggage compartment lighting; Detroit Diesel DD13 (EPA2013) engine; Goodyear Marathon LHS II 315/80 R22.5 + HL tires; Eberspacher hydronic L30 auxiliary heater; upgraded driver seat — ISRI 6800/348 (US, self-leveling/adjustable air suspension, plus adjustable arm and headrest, 3-point automatic seat belt); 56 seats/Van Hool Bodyline reclining passenger seats w/straighter back cushion and headrest, spring-loaded footrests, 2 up-folding armrests (fixed at wall side) and 3-point seat belts FMVSS 210 compliant; and new sliding passenger multisets.

Standard safety features include: daytime running lights; static aiming lights; Kidde fire suppression; back-up camera; and 3point seat belts FMVSS 210.

Model................................................................................................Van Hool TX Seating Capacity....................40’ - 48 Passengers; 45’ - 56 Passengers Length.......................................................................................................40’; 45’ Width ...............................................................................................................102” Height......................................................................................................12’ 2.25” Inside Height (min./max.) ...........................................................................77” Engine .......................Detroit Diesel DD13 (450HP) EPA 2013 – Standard; Cummins ISX 12.9 (425 HP) EPA 2013 – Optional Transmission .........................Allison B500 Six-Speed Automatic (Gen5) Chassis .......................................................................................Stainless Steel Air Conditioning ................Integrated HVAC system / 134a Refrigerant Wheelchair Lift Option .............................................................Braun NL-502 Steering................................................................ZF Variable Ratio Steering Suspension............................Independent Front & Tag Axle Suspension

Model ...............................................................................................Van Hool CX Seating Capacity........................................................................56 Passenger Length ...............................................................................................................45’ Width ...............................................................................................................102” Height ............................................................................................................11’ 6” Inside Height (min./max.) ......................................................................75.75” Engine .......................Detroit Diesel DD13 (450HP) EPA 2013 – Standard; Cummins ISX 12.9 (425 HP) EPA 2013 Emission – Optional Transmission ........................Allison B500 Six-Speed Automatic (Gen 5) Chassis .......................................................................................Stainless Steel Air Conditioning ................Integrated HVAC system / 134a Refrigerant Wheelchair Lift Option........................Braun NL-501 or Ricon (BayLift®) Steering................................................................ZF Variable Ratio Steering Suspension............................Independent Front & Tag Axle Suspension

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Busline Vehicle Showcase:

MOTORCOACHES ABC Companies

Glaval Bus

Glaval Legacy Van Hool TD925 The highline Van Hool TD925 double deck coach makes a bold statement. With passenger seating up to 81, this coach is an industry frontrunner in reduced carbon emissions and fuel consumption — providing an additional 43 percent more passenger capacity and up to 486 passenger miles per gallon. Featuring an upper deck sky view rooftop, centrally located restroom, ample storage, front and rear stairs, dual-deck entertainment system and more, the TD925 offers one of the most innovative coach designs offered to the U.S. traveling public.

The proportioned steps and wide doorways provide easy access and easy loading and unloading from both the front and the rear staircases. The lowered aisle and increased interior height enable every passenger to walk upright through the coach. Three point seat belts are standard on all seats.

Individual lighting and ventilation, together with state-of-theart, integrated heating and air conditioning systems with upper and lower controls at each level, provide a comfortable environment for all the passengers.

The Legacy is built on the heavy-duty Freightliner S2C chassis and powered by the proven Cummins 6.7L ISB diesel engine and Allison transmission. Built with rear air-ride suspension, the Legacy is sure to impress with stylish beauty, outstanding ride quality and rugged durability.

Whether looking for first-class transportation or even public shuttle service, the Legacy is just the answer. The Legacy can seat up to 45 passengers and is available with a wide variety of ADAcompliant paratransit options. Also available with rear luggage, overhead and under floor storage, the Legacy has the versatility to fit all transportation needs.

Glaval Bus 914 CR #1 North Elkhart, IN 46514 800-445-2825 Website: www.glavalbus.com

ABC Companies; 1506 30th Street, NW; Faribault, MN 55021 USA; 507-334-1871 Fax: 507-334-0246 E-mail: abcinfo@abc-companies.com Website: www.abc-companies.com Model.........................................................................................Van Hool TD925 Seating Capacity...............59 Upper & 22 Lower Deck (81 Passengers); Restroom Deletion – Add 2 seats (83 Passengers) – Optional Length................................................................................................44’ 4-9/32” Width ...............................................................................................................102” Height ....................................................................................................13’ 1-1/16” Engine ......................................................Cummins ISX 11.9L 2010 Emission Transmission .............................................................Allison B500R (Gen IV) Chassis .......................................................................................Stainless Steel Air Conditioning...........................Eberspacher Integrated HVAC system Wheelchair Lift Option........................Foldable Wheelchair (ADA) Ramp with two tie-down positions in lower deck Steering.................................................................................ZF Variable Ratio Suspension...................................................Independent Front & Tag Axle

Model ............................................................................................Glaval Legacy Seating Capacity ....................................................................................45 Max Length................................................................................32’, 35’, 37’ and 40’ Width...............................................................................................96” and 102” Height..............................................................................................................129” Engine..............................................................................Cummins 6.7L Diesel Transmission ...............................Allison 2200 PTS w/Park Pawl 5-Speed Chassis.....................................................................................Freightliner S2C Air Conditioning ..............................Carrier/Mcc, ACC, Trans Air and ACT Wheelchair Option.................................................Accommodates up to 14 Steering ......................................................................................Tilt/Telescopic Suspension ........................................................Front Spring, Rear Air Ride January/February 2015

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Busline Vehicle Showcase:

MOTORCOACHES Temsa

Temsa

Temsa TS 30

Temsa TS 35

The Temsa TS 30 coach is manufactured in Turkey and is distributed in the United States exclusively by CH Bus Sales, Inc. The TS 30 is a fully integral designed mid-size coach that provides the same level of comfort and amenities as a full size coach.

The TS 30 has independent front suspension and automatic transmission, contributing to a smooth, comfortable drive. With an American driveline (Cummins/Allison), the TS 30 provides power and serviceability. These are combined with European quality and craftsmanship to create a high quality driving experience. It is stringently tested to ensure the highest standards.

Despite its compact dimensions, the TS 30 has a tough, integral stainless steel chassis for extra durability and safety. The luxury interior integrates a high quality heating and air conditioning system, abundant luggage space, a restroom and reclining seats.

The TS 30 is appropriate for smaller groups and is more economical to purchase and operate than a larger coach, according to the company. It is fuel efficient and kind to the environment as well as an operator’s finances.

The Temsa TS 35 coach is manufactured in Turkey and is distributed in the United States and Canada exclusively by CH Bus Sales, Inc. The TS 35 is a fully integral designed mid-size coach that provides the same level of comfort and amenities as a full size coach. This mid-size coach offers a luxurious and spacious interior for passengers and driver.

With an American driveline (Cummins/Allison), the TS 35 provides power and serviceability. These are combined with European quality and craftsmanship to create a high quality driving experience.

The TS 35 is constructed from stainless steel for extra durability and safety. It is stringently tested to ensure the highest standards. The TS 35 is appropriate for smaller groups, more economical to purchase and operate than a larger coach, but with the same high-end features, according to the company.

CH Bus Sales/TEMSA 1645 Lyndale Avenue N., Suite 102, Faribault, MN 55021 Phone: 507-331-7911; Fax: 507-331-1338 Website: www.chbussales.com

CH Bus Sales/TEMSA 1645 Lyndale Avenue N., Suite 102, Faribault, MN 55021 Phone: 507-331-7911; Fax: 507-331-1338 Website: www.chbussales.com Model...............................................................................................Temsa TS 30 Seating Capacity.........................................34 passengers with restroom Length .........................................................................................................30.64’ Width...........................................................................................................94.64” Height.......................................................10.89’ (including air conditioner) Engine.........................................................Cummins ISB 6.7 250 HP-EPA 13 Type of Fuel ...............................................................................................Diesel Chassis ......................................Frameless monocoque in stainless steel Air Conditioning ...........................Full auto HVAC system/roof type unit (27 KW cooling, 39 KW heating) Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................Yes Steering .............................................................................................................ZF Suspension..............Independent front suspension w/shock absorber Page 64

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January/February 2015

Model...............................................................................................Temsa TS 35 Seating Capacity.........................................40 passengers with restroom Length ...............................................................................................................35’ Width............................................................................................................100.4” Height ..............................................................................................................11.5’ Engine .........................................................Cummins ISL 8.9 345 HP-EPA 13 Type of Fuel ...............................................................................................Diesel Chassis ......................................Frameless monocoque in stainless steel Air Conditioning..................................Full automatic convector system/ Roof type air conditioning unit 32 KW/Carrier 05G Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................Yes Steering ....................................................................................Power Steering Suspension .................................................Independent front suspension w/adjustable shock absorber

M

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Busline Vehicle Showcase:

MOTORCOACHES Temsa

ADVERTORIAL

From Bitimec:

Fleet Washing Made Easy Everyone knows a clean fleet is good business. The problem has always been how to achieve that goal affordably. Bitimec’s Speedy Wash machines are the sector's leading line for busy coach and bus operators needing to provide consistently good, fast washing in generally tight spaces.

Bitimec has evolved the single brush wash sector with many “firsts.” The company’s new state-of-the-art battery 626-EZ has proven to be a workhorse of a machine, and as comfortable supporting very large transit bus depots (such as the MTA’s Eastchester depot in New York), as it is supporting detail-conscious high-end coach operators.

Bitimec firsts, such as combination foam brill brushes or allclosed-pore-foam Bus-Lite brushes, have become the standard for washing high-end coaches, maintaining them clean with a light touch on the clear-coat.

Temsa TS 45 The Temsa TS 45 is manufactured in Turkey and is distributed exclusively in the United States by CH Bus Sales, Inc. The TS 45 is a fully integral full size coach constructed from stainless steel offering strength and stability. This coach is tested to ensure the highest quality performance.

With an American driveline (Cummins/Allison), the TS 45 provides power and serviceability. These are combined with European quality and craftsmanship to create a high quality driving experience.

This 56 passenger coach ensures the safety of passengers by offering the highest safety features on every coach. Standard features include an engine fire suppression system, lane departure warning system, tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, ATC, ESC, RSC, brake pad wear monitoring and warning system, and 3point safety belts. Also installed on this coach is laminated + tempered window glass that is an excellent safety feature.

CH Bus Sales/TEMSA 1645 Lyndale Avenue N., Suite 102, Faribault, MN 55021 Phone: 507-331-7911; Fax: 507-331-1338 Website: www.chbussales.com

Model...............................................................................................Temsa TS 45 Seating Capacity.........................................56 passengers with restroom Length...............................................................................................................45’ Width ...............................................................................................................102” Height ..............................................................................................................11.6’ Engine................................................................Cummins ISX 425 HP-EPA 13 Type of Fuel ...............................................................................................Diesel Chassis ......................................Frameless monocoque in stainless steel Air Conditioning ...........................................Full automatic HVAC system/ 6 cylinder Bitzer A/C compressor with brushless evaporator and condenser Wheelchair Lift Option ................................................................................Yes Steering..............................................................................ZF Servocom 8098 Suspension .......Independent front suspension w/2 shock absorbers; Rear suspension w/4 shock absorbers; Tag suspension w/2 shock absorbers

A single operator walks the machine around the vehicle while it applies soap, power-brush-washes, and rinses, using minimal water and detergent. Turning is easy on four heavy casters, and the machine has two controls for working in two directions for better washing. Typically, a single operator can wash a full size coach in six to eight minutes and do so effortlessly.

The Speedy Wash starter model 101-BB costs under $20,000, needs to be connected to electricity and water and is usually installed in a fixed wash bay with a trolley line (festoon) system that keeps the cord and hose above the vehicle and out of the way.

But the line’s forte are the market leading autonomous versions powered by battery, diesel or hybrid power. These are totally selfcontained, mobile washers that take the wash to the vehicle, from bay to bay and from indoors to outdoors.

They store 112 gallons of rinse-water and 13 gallons of detergent pre-soak. All functions are operated at the touch on a button, from either one of the two controls, including traction through a spring mounted centrally located traction wheel for effortless self propulsion.

The ability to operate the machine in both directions, and to turn the brush clockwise or counter-clockwise, allow the machine to perform a first rate wash consistently. Effortless washing leads to more frequent washing and cleaner fleets. When this can be achieved affordably, in house, and have every vehicle leave the premises sparkling clean every day (even the day after a slushy snow storm), then the job is well done.

Bitimec’s high-quality products are made in Florence, Italy, where high-end craftsmanship is the norm. Market leading “production mass” with exports to 30 countries on five continents allows Bitimec to offer affordable prices for the best features.

Visit www.bitimec.com for more information.

January/February 2015

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See us at UMA Expo Booth #1000

0115Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 12/19/14 3:14 PM Page 67

BOWMANSDALE 2112 Bumble Bee Hollow Rd. Off Rt. 15 • Mechanicsburg, PA 717-697-5383 CAMP HILL 4230 Trindle Road • 717-737-3896 CARLISLE 60 Noble Blvd. in Super Walmart 717-960-9400 608 E. High St. • 717-249-7721 1176 Harrisburg Pike • 717-243-7774 905 Walnut Bottom Rd. • 717-249-0694 CEDAR CLIFF Exit 19 off I-83 • Camp Hill, PA 717-737-6404 CHAMBERSBURG 1075 Lincoln Way East • 717-263-4601 NORTH CHAMBERSBURG 2891 Philadelphia Avenue (US 11 N.) 717-263-2970 CLEONA 493 W. Penn Avenue • 717-272-5677 COLUMBIA 1788 Columbia Ave., off Rt. 30 717-684-7048 DILLSBURG 898 North US Rt. 15 • 717-432-9500 EAST MANCHESTER 4245 North George St. • 717-266-3170 ELIZABETHTOWN 1284 S. Market St. • 717-367-6471 ENOLA Enola Rd., Exit Rt. 11 15 S. off Rt. 81 • 717-732-4228 EPHRATA 140 N. Reading Rd.• 717-733-1660 GETTYSBURG 517 S. Steinwehr Ave., Bus. Rt. 15 717-334-5920 1090 York Rd.• 717-337-1030 GREENCASTLE Rt. 16 and I-81 • 717-597-2589 HALIFAX 3761 Peter's Moutain Rd.• 717-896-2535 HANOVER 991 Carlisle St., Rt. 94 • 717-632-7531 350 Eisenhower Dr.• 717-632-0005 1448 Baltimore St. • 717-630-0337

HARRISBURG 2929 Paxton St. • 717-561-8050 4605 Jonestown Rd. 717-652-7035 7845 Linglestown Rd. 717-545-8580 Rt. 83 and Union Deposit Rd. 717-564-9320 4403 N. Front St. • 717-238-1048 Harrisburg East Mall/Rt. 83 & Paxton St. 717-561-0703 Eisenhower Blvd. I-283, Exit 1 717 -939-6972 5590 Allentown Blvd., Rt. 22 Exit 26 off I-81 • 717-652-9123 Kline Plaza, 101 S. 25th St. 717-232-0008 Uptown Shopping Center 720 Division St. • 717-236-6226 Harrisburg Airport • 717-948-3900 6535 Grayson Rd. in Wal-Mart 717 -561-0445 HERSHEY Rts. 39 and 322 • 611 E. Main St., Hummelstown • 717-566-6041 JONESTOWN Rt 72 & I-81 • 610-562-8462 LANCASTER 1880 Hempstead Rd. • 717-509-6988 Willow Valley Square • 717-464-5119 1829 Oregon Pike • 717-569-7898 1434 Manheim Pike • 717-394-3417 Rt. 30 and Centerville Rd. Lancaster, PA • 717-393-9523 68 East Town Mall, Rt. 30E Lancaster, PA • 717-394-8957 1755 Columbia Ave. Millersville Exit off Rt. 30, Rt. 462 717-397-5112 575 N. Franklin St., next to McCuskey High School • 717-394-7938 2034 Lincoln Hwy East in Wal-Mart 717-390-1099 King & Water Streets • 717-299-6699 Manor Shopping Center 1296 Millersville Pk. • 717-293-5706

LEMOYNE Rts. 11 and 15 North across from Radisson Hotel • 717-761-7992 LEBANON 1202 W. Maple St. • 717-273-8691 757 E. Cumberland St. • 717-273-9023 1725 Quentin Rd., Lebanon, PA 717-306-6565 LEWISTOWN US 522 & US 22 • 717-248-5255 121 Electric Avenue • 717-248-4447 LITITZ 990 Lititz Pike, Rt. 501 N. 717-627-4666 LITTLESTOWN 430 North Queen St. • 717-359-8946 LYKENS VALLEY 4660 Rt. 209 • 717-362-8416 MANHEIM 711 Lancaster Rd., Rt. 72 717-664-4944 MECHANICSBURG Wesley Dr. Exit, Rt. 15 717-761-7525 KMart Plaza, 5600 Carlisle Pike 717-766-9675 6250 Carlisle Pike in Wal-Mart 717-591-9864 MERCERSBURG 11924 Buchanan Trial West 717-328-0111 MIDDLETOWN 2270 W. Harrisburg Pike • 717-944-9535 MIFFLINTOWN Rt. 322 and Rt. 35, Mifflintown Exit 717-436-9779 MYERSTOWN 295 West Lincoln Avenue (Rt. 422) 717-866-2278 NEW CUMBERLAND 101 Limekiln Rd. • 717-774-1027 NEW HOLLAND 828 W. Main St. • 717-354-9300 NEW OXFORD 6040 York Rd., Rts. 30 and 94 717-624-4266

NEWPORT Rt. 322 and Rt. 34, Newport Exit 717-567-9344 PALMYRA 901 E. Main St. • 717-838-6815 PINE GROVE l-81 , Exit 31 • 717-345-6400 RED LION 897 West Broadway • 717-246-1802 655 Lombard St., Cape Horn Plaza 717-246-7801 SCOTLAND 3347 Black Gap Rd. • 717-263-7507 SHIPPENSBURG 333 East King St. • 717-532-7945 SHREWSBURY Exit 1 off I-83 • 717-235-4663 SILVER SPRING Rt. 114 and Shadow Oak Dr. Mechanicsburg, PA • 717-697-3460 SPRINGETTSBURY Hallam Exit off Rt. 30, Rt. 462 717-757-9655 WAYNESBORO 302 East Main St. • 717-762-9201 YOCUMTOWN Exit 14A off I-83 • 717-938-5705 YORK 2125 York Crossing Dr & Rt 74 717-767-1381 Exit 4, I-83, 133 Leader Heights Road 717-747-9191 York Galleria Mall • 717-757-3026 60 Arsenal Rd. • 717-699-4600 Exit 6W off I-83 • 717-845-9360 3141 Carlisle Road, Dover 717-767-2594 144-158 S. George St. • 717-846-1021 Rts. 30 & 74 in Wal-Mart 717-764-8923 380 Memory Lane • 717-757-2912 Tell us you saw this ad in Busline Magazine, and 1 driver and 1 tour guide will receive a

FREE MEAL! Please call ahead to the phone number listed by the McDonald’s of your choice.

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ONE TEAM WITH ONE JOB: TO HELP YOU KEEP DOING YOURS.

A motorcoach is only as good as the people who stand behind it. Every Prevost is supported by a professional service team with over 500 years of bus and motorcoach service experience, knowledge, and integrity. Our field service experts are dedicated to doing whatever is necessary to keep you on the road. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, every Prevost motorcoach is backed by the Prevost Action Service System (PASS) 24-hour emergency assistance line, our eleven Prevost service centers across North America, and more than 150 Prevost-certified service providers who are experts in the Volvo Powertrain. While unforeseen downtime is inevitable, Prevost will have you up and running in no time at all.

www.prevostcar.com See us at UMA Expo Booth #401