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The long and short of reliability.
Introducing the 2019 J4500 and J3500 At MCI, we know that groups come in all different sizes. That’s why we now offer a 35-foot version of our best-selling J-Series coach. Impressive inside and out, both the J3500 and 45-foot J4500 offer best-in-class interior features, a smooth-riding suspension and leading ADAS (Advance Driver Assistance Systems) only from MCI. Add in great parts commonality, superior build quality, and an unsurpassed service and support network, these are the coaches that make MCI the top choice for driving your business.
Discover the lengths we go to be Reliability Driven™ for you. Visit mcicoach.com/J-Series
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WHO’S DRIVING THE BUS? YOU ARE.
When you choose Freightliner Custom Chassis, you get the power to customize your transportation to meet your needs. And with its reputation for durability, reliability, automotive styling and maneuverability, the S2C chassis is the premier choice for public transportation, resort and hotel shuttles, day-tour operations, armored and utility applications, and any business with special transport needs. Built in Gaffney, South Carolina by American workers, FCCC chassis are backed by the engineering and manufacturing excellence of the Daimler Group. This gives you access to the industry’s largest factory-certified service network, ensuring maximum uptime and hassle-free maintenance.
REAL COST OF OWNERSHIP™
FUEL EFFICIENCY
SAFETY
QUALITY
Learn how our customizable chassis can meet your needs at fcccbus.com. UPTIME
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is registered to ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004. Copyright ©2016 Daimler Trucks North America LLC. All rights reserved. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company.
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CONTENTS
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IN THIS ISSUE Miami Sunny Welcomes The World To Florida .......................8 ‘Transpertainment’ A Unique Perspective On Public Transportation
Jolley Trolley ........................................................................18 Busline Buyers Guide To: Software Systems.................................34 May 19-23 • Palm Springs, CA
33rd Annual CTAA EXPO Scheduled ......................................39 Busline Buyers Guide To: Video Surveillance, Safety, Entertainment & Tracking Technology ...................................42 Busline Vehicle Showcase:
Alternative Fuels/Hybrid Vehicles ..................................44-53 RAPID RESPONSE .........................Page 6 INDUSTRY NEWS........................Page 54
ON THE COVER: Miami Sunny is a bus and motorcoach transportation provider that services Florida and beyond. Shown with one of Miami Sunny's CHTC motorcoaches are, left to right, Vice President LiLi Zheng, President Robert Liu and General Manager Qin Zhang. See page 8.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAY 2019 May 19-22 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference Louisville, KY Info: 202-496-4800
May 19-23 Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Expo Palm Springs, CA Info: 800-891-0590 AUGUST 2019 August 4-7 Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) International Conference New York, NY Info: 202-792-5801
August 6-9 The International Motorcoach Group (IMG) 2019 Strategic Alliance Meeting Halifax, Nova Scotia Info: 888-447-3466 SEPTEMBER 2019 September 23-25 BusCon 2019 Indianapolis, IN Info: 800-576-8788 OCTOBER 2019 October 13-16 APTA Annual Meeting New York, NY Info: 202-496-4800
October 21-23 UITP & Busworld — The International Bus Conference Brussels, Belgium Info: www.busconference.com JANUARY 2020 January 10-14 American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace 2020 Omaha, NE Info: 202-842-1645 January 19-23 United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Motorcoach Expo Nashville, TN Info: 800-424-8262
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 2019 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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Published by Rankin Publishing, Inc. www.buslinemag.com
BUSLINE
May/June 2019
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, Kris Bott Reception: Mary Jo Dunn
Advertising Contact Kevin Kennedy @ 813-502-6672 Email: kevloraz@gmail.com Or Don Rankin @ 800-598-8083 Fax: 217-268-4815 Email: drankin@consolidated.net
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TAKE YOUR Passenger EXPERIENCE FROM MEMORABLE TO UNFORGETTABLE. The striking exterior of the Prevost H3-45 sets the stage for high expectations. The luxurious cabin confirms an unexpected level of comfort. Passengers enjoy a stunning view, with added privacy that makes every moment more personal. More than just memorable, this is an experience your passengers will never forget.
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Company
ABC Companies Altro ARBOC Specialty Vehicles Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison Bitimec Wash-Bots Bitzer BUS Advisors BusCon BYD CBM NA CHTC Bus Group Continental Corporation Diamond Manufacturing Dixie Electric Ltd. EMP Freedman Seating Company Freightliner Hometown Coach idrive Irizar USA Marathon Brake Systems
Website
www.abc-companies.com www.altro.com www.ARBOCsv.com www.atlanticdda.com www.wash-bots.com www.bitzerus.com www.BUSadvisors.org BusConExpo.com www.byd.com www.cbmcompany.com www.chtcbusgroup.com www.continental-corporation.com www.diamondmfg.com www.delstar-hd.com www.emp-corp.com www.freedmanseating.com www.fcccbus.com www.hometowncoach.com www.iDriveGlobal.com www.irizarusa.com www.MarathonBrake.com
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17 25 16 29 22 27 59 62 7 56 19 10 58 57 31 11 3 9 12 63 23
Company
Micro Bird Commercial Midwest Bus Corporation Motor Coach Industries (MCI) Motorcoach Manager Motorcoach Tire Sales Norse Systems Petro Stopping Centers Prevost Car ProAir, LLC Relational Bus Systems REV Coach, LLC Safety Step Safety Vision Service Insurance Sutrak Temsa Transign Transit Sales International Vanner Power Voith
Website
www.mbcbus.com www.midwestbus.com www.mcicoach.com www.motorcoachmanager.com www.motorcoachtiresales.com www.norsesys.com www.ta-petro.com www.prevostcar.com www.proairllc.com www.rbs2000.com www.revcoach.com www.safetystep.net www.safetyvision.com www.serviceins.com www.sutrakusa.com www.temsa.com www.transignllc.com www.TransitSales.com www.vanner.com www.voith.com
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electrifying THE WAY BUS AND COACH ACCESSORIES ARE POWERED
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BUSLINE
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May/June 2019
32 28 2 36 14 37 61 5 30 38 13 59 24 60 26 21 15 55 6, 20 64
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Safe. Reliable. Sustainable. With 100% Battery-Electric buses, trucks, and forklifts BYD is building your dreams of a cleaner future.
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Miami Sunny Vice President LiLi Zheng, left, and Miami Sunny General Manager Qin Zhang
Expands Local Service Options
F
Miami Sunny Welcomes The World To Florida
By Harrell Kerkhoff, Busline Magazine Editor
our different services. We are also attracting more U.S. passengers as we expand our service offering.” With its home base in Miami, the company also has offices in Orlando and Beijing, China, as well as a sales person who works in Toronto, Canada.
lorida is known for many wonderful things — mile upon mile of beaches along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, world famous amusement parks, plenty of golf courses, the Everglades and wildlife, spring training, Cape Canaveral, and of course, warm and sunny weather. It continues to be a place that attracts visitors from throughout the United States, and the entire world. To help satisfy that need, a bus and motorcoach operator appropriately named, Miami Sunny, based in Miami, FL, has been transport— Robert Liu, President ing visitors — from both foreign lands and domestically — to see the sights and sounds of The Sunshine State. The business specializes in two main types of “Our company was founded in 1998 to help bus and motorcoach transportation: charter tours meet the demand placed by people living in Asia and daily shuttles. Miami Sunny’s charter trips who want to visit Florida’s various attractions, intravel to such popular Florida destinations as the cluding those found in the Miami and Orlando, Kennedy Space Center, St. Augustine, the FL, areas,” Miami Sunny President Robert Liu Miami Sunny President Robert Liu Florida Keys, Miami Beach, West Palm Beach, said. “We started with one bus, and have since Orlando, Fort Myers, Naples, and the Tampa/St. grown our fleet to 38 buses and motorcoaches. The fleet includes Petersburg/ Clearwater region. General Manager Qin Zhang added that Miami Sunny considdifferent vehicle sizes to satisfy specific customer needs. “The Asian market is very large. As everyone knows, China itself ers itself an international travel company that can also offer luxury, has a huge population, of over 1 billion citizens. Today, Miami business and convention transportation in association with airline Sunny averages up to 30,000 guests per year from Asia who use travel and ocean cruises.
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“We are a small, yet very flexible company, and continue to learn. The goal is to grow by at least 10 percent each year.”
BUSLINE
May/June 2019
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Meanwhile, Miami Sunny’s shuttle operation transports passengers to and from Miami and Orlando every day. “Our shuttle service started last year and incorporates two vehicles per day,” Zhang said. “We take passengers to those cities, where they mainly sightsee. “We expect to add a shuttle route very soon between Orlando and Tampa, with future plans to include another line between Orlando and Atlanta, GA. This expansion will add to our desire to purchase two additional motorcoaches.” Zhang said she feels now is a good time for Miami Sunny to develop a greater business presence within different areas of Florida, with the objective to eventually extend the company’s services beyond the state’s northern border. “We would like to eventually conduct business in other states
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within the Southeast, to cover more of the region with our transportation offerings,” she said. That is not to say, however, that the Asian market does not remain huge for Miami Sunny, because it truly does. In association with the office in Beijing, company officials work hard in Florida to attract and satisfy the large number of people from China, and throughout Asia, who are interested in visiting the state. “We have become very adept at marketing our transportation services to the Asian market. That is done through the use of brochures, advertisements and our website,” Zhang said. While visiting www.miamisunny.com, people who are interested in Florida can learn about the various charter packages and other transportation options available from the company. There is also pertinent information on the website to help people who have never traveled to the United States, much less Florida. Miami Sunny’s website bills the company as “Florida Experts — Your Trusted Partner!” Information on the site includes: how to apply for a visa, what to pack when traveling in Florida, where to exchange money, how to call home, how to get an international driver’s license and legally drive in the state, where to find and how to use public transportation and taxis, where to purchase tickets for sporting events, and how to make golf and/or tennis reservations. There is also an extensive list, on the company’s website, of things often found in, or associated with, Florida. That includes various types of food (oysters, grits, key lime pie, etc.), animals (allegators, manatees, sandhill cranes), plants (hibiscus, Spanish moss, mangrove trees), historical figures (Juan Ponce de León, Ernest Hemingway, Hernando de Soto) and significant points of geography (the Keys, the Panhandle, the Everglades). As stated, Miami Sunny also seeks out potential customers from within the local market. That is done by working with area businesses and corporations, sports teams, churches, etc., according to Zhang. “The goal is to not only add to our groups of customers coming from Asia, but also the local and overall U.S. customer base,” she said. “We work at marketing to all types of passengers.”
When loading, unloading or maneuvering through traffic, ProViu ASL360 keeps drivers fully aware of everyone and everything that’s happening around them. Give your operation the improved vision of ProViu ASL360 Camera Systems. 800-564-5066 salessupport-us@continental-corporation.com www.continental-corporation.com
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May/June 2019
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P
TOUR GUIDES, DRIVERS PLAY CRUCIAL ROLE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE
roperly communicating with all passenger groups, including those from foreign countries, is a major objective for officials at Miami Sunny. Many of these passengers do not speak English fluently. To provide a more fulfilling and helpful transportation experience, approximately 27 pro-
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fessional tour guides — capaTour guides at Miami ble of speaking English and Sunny are hired based on recSpanish and/or Chinese — ommendations that the comare employed by Miami pany receives, and are often Sunny. They are needed for connected, at some point, with all the types of transportation local universities. services provided by the “Along with our tour guides, company. This involves both we work hard to provide other tours and shuttles. types of customer service to “Our tour guides have a lot satisfy passengers,” Zheng of responsibilities and, along said. “The simplest things are with our drivers, play a cruoften the most important. cial role in helping all passenThat includes showing up on gers, especially those from time to begin a trip, and ofother countries, during a trip fering free bottles of water experience. They represent and free internet service Miami Sunny very well,” while passengers are in our Vice President LiLi Zheng vehicles. We try to provide Shown, left to right, are Miami Sunny President Robert Liu said. “Tour guides must posall the little things that make and Vehicle Operations Manager/Driver Emery Miller. sess a good personality and customers more comfortable. know how to successfully work with different types of people and “We have always felt that if there is some type of request we groups. They have many duties. For example, our tour guides help can’t meet, as a company, it’s important to let the person, or group pick up guests at airports and organize their luggage. They also pro- of people, know ahead of time, if possible. That way, hopefully the vide important information about where the trip is going and the person or group will not be as disappointed. We always strive to services that will be provided. make customers happy.” Another critical element in successful customer service is em“Many of our foreign passengers have never been to the United States. Therefore, they often need help and have numerous questions. ploying well-qualified bus and motorcoach drivers, Zheng added. Our tour guides have a lot of experience, speak the language of the It’s not a position for everyone, and often has been hard to fill for passengers they are servicing and share very important information.” many bus/motorcoach operators throughout the country.
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Zheng explained that a driver must have the right personality and, above everything, be well trained and safe. “There is certainly a lot of risk involved in this type of business. We are transporting human beings. It’s not like driving a truck full of merchandise,” Zheng said. “Human life is not replaceable, so safety must always be the No. 1 priority for our drivers. Without safety, there is no business.” Miami Sunny currently employs 13 full-time and 10 part-time drivers. Several of those employees have been with the company for many years. “As many company executives in the (bus/motorcoach) industry know, it can be very difficult to find good drivers. Right now, we have approximately eight drivers who have worked for us approximately 10 years,” Zheng said. “We have found, and hired, many drivers after receiving solid recommendations. The driver training process from Miami Sunny then begins. Usually, when a person earns his/her CDL license, that candidate already has received some training when it comes to driving a large vehicle. However, that doesn’t mean the person has experience. That is where our own training program comes into play.” Robert Liu is a seasoned motorcoach driver himself, and relies on his own experience to judge and properly test new candidates. “We have an extensive training program in place at Miami Sunny, for both new and existing drivers. Continual and up-to-date training is important,” he said. “So is experience. If a driver does not have the proper experience to operate a large motorcoach, then he/she must receive the proper training until he/she is ready.” Driver familiarity with a particular motorcoach is also important at Miami Sunny. Liu explained that he tries to assign “one spe-
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cific driver to one specific coach” as much as possible. “I believe that is very important. It’s a practice that allows each driver to really get to know a vehicle, with all of its nuances,” Liu said. “A person who drives a specific vehicle each day can often tell if something is not quite right. He/she also takes greater pride in keeping that vehicle clean, both inside and out. Basically, the driver takes better overall care of that vehicle.” As far as driver retention is concerned, Liu added that keeping drivers busy with plenty of work opportunities goes a long way in maintaining a happy staff. “Like everyone else, drivers need a weekly and consistent paycheck. As a company, we all work hard to make sure business is steady, and that drivers have plenty of work,” he said.
A
MEETING THE DEMAND FOR MODERN VEHICLES
strong demand for modern and clean equipment is often evident no matter where customers come from — whether around the block or across the globe, according to Liu. “It goes without saying that people are very happy to be transported in newer vehicles. A (bus/motorcoach) perceived to be ‘too old’ can be a detriment to future business. Passengers seek comfortability and safety, which is what newer vehicles convey. That is why we, at Miami Sunny, work hard to keep our vehicles clean and modern,” Liu said. Vehicles in the current fleet at Miami Sunny feature a variety of sizes, including a recent purchase of two 57-passenger motorcoaches produced by CHTC Bus Group, a Chinese company
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with its U.S. headquarters in Chino, CA. Customer feedback stemming from the company’s CHTC vehicles has been positive, Liu said, with many indicating the ride as being “smooth, quiet and comfortable.” “We are using our two CHTC motorcoaches for all types of transportation. They are in service each day,” he explained. Liu purchased the two units after visiting CHTC officials during the 2019 United Motorcoach Association (UMA) EXPO, held in January. CHTC was an exhibitor during that event, which took place in Fort Lauderdale, FL, close to Miami Sunny’s headquarters. “I was very impressed with what I saw from the company during the UMA EXPO. The quality of the CHTC motorcoach is very good, and I was also impressed with the company’s representatives. They were able to answer all of my questions. That made me very comfortable about purchasing two of their coaches,” Liu said. “I have since learned that CHTC has a big inventory of available parts, and that the company is very good at customer service. Representatives of the company have been to my office, and CHTC even sent a mechanic from Los Angeles to our Miami location to take care of an issue that had developed. “I am very happy with our purchase of those vehicles as well as the service network at CHTC. It all comes down to customer service, whether you are a (bus/motorcoach) manufacturer or operator.” Miami Sunny’s drivers have also given Liu several positive reviews, after driving the company’s two CHTC motorcoaches. “They have reported there are many driver features in those vehicles that they have never seen before. One of my drivers said, ‘I feel like I’m now a pilot, flying an airplane,’” Liu said.
He added that using all types of modern amenities and technology, no matter the vehicle type, is as important as ever when operating a transportation service in today’s marketplace. At Miami Sunny, that includes free Wi-Fi for patrons while on a trip. GPS tracking is also important for company officials. It’s mandatory as well that all vehicles are thoroughly cleaned — inside and out. “Clearly, if you don’t keep a vehicle clean, the client is not happy. Over time, it can also be damaging to the vehicle if it’s not properly cleaned,” Liu said. “Our vehicles are cleaned after each service run, usually in the morning. That is very important.” Miami Sunny’s two facilities in Florida — its headquarters in Miami and branch office in Orlando — provide many similar functions, including space for mechanics to work on the company’s fleet of buses and motorcoaches. Being able to provide many mechanical services in-house, such as oil changes, brake work, etc., has been instrumental in the company’s desire to offer timely service for various customer groups. “Although we are a smaller company, we have too many vehicles in our fleet to not be able to work on our own equipment,” Liu said. “That maintenance capability, at Miami Sunny, helps us with proper vehicle usage, driver scheduling and budget monitoring. “Simply put, having our own mechanics and facilities in place for vehicle maintenance gives our company more control over its various transportation services and resources.” Along with its drivers, mechanics and tour guides, Miami Sunny has 10 office staff employees who work in either Miami or Orlando.
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A
REACHING OUT TOWARD NEW CUSTOMERS, NEW DIRECTIONS
Miami Sunny grow over the years, and will continue to do so in the future. “We are a small, yet very flexible company, and continue to mong the main challenges Liu listed as he prepares Miami learn. The goal is to grow by at least 10 percent each year.� Sunny for the future is being able to properly compete Liu is also confident about the future of the overall North Ameragainst other area transportation providers, and keeping ican bus and motorcoach industry. costs as low as possible. “Bus and motorcoach travel remains a very important part of “It’s important that we successfully compete against other com- the overall transportation network, not only in Florida and the panies with our fair prices, better vehicles and better service,� Liu entire United States, but abroad as well,� he said. “I believe the said. “We strive to do that each day need for that type of transportawith hard work, and offering the tion will only grow in the years types of transportation options and ahead, and so will the challenges. vehicles that customers want.� Those include finding better ways Looking ahead at the remainto control business costs, improving der of 2019 and beyond, along profits and taking advantage of new with expanding the company’s technology. One area of business, focus on the Asian market, Liu however, will remain the same — wants to widen Miami Sunny’s the continual necessity to provide reach into the domestic transgreat customer service. Pictured is the bus/motorcoach provider's headquarters in Miami, portation marketplace. “At Miami Sunny, we seek to FL. The company also has offices in Orlando, FL, and Beijing, China. “As a business, we don’t have overcome this industry’s chalas much experience with the local side of our transportation serv- lenges, every time one of our vehicles begins a trip. It all starts with ices. Most of my business experience comes with working within a strong company commitment toward service, having great emthe Asian market. Therefore, I will continue to learn about how ployees and using modern equipment.� to reach the local segment. That includes better understanding Contact: Miami Sunny, Inc., 125 NE 168th St., local culture and travel needs,� Liu explained. “It’s important to Miami FL 33162. Phone: 305-655-9989. never stop learning, no matter your age, and to work hard each Email: msi@miamisunny.com. day to make your business a success. That philosophy has helped Website: www.miamisunny.com.
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Jolley Trolley ‘Transpertainment’ A Unique Perspective On Public Transportation “If somebody asks me about growing the trolley business, I say our mantra is,
NEVER BE COMPLACENT
O
CEO Rosemary Windsor
and that is kind of how we operate.”
By Rick Mullen, Busline Magazine Associate Editor
perating in the prime tourist destination of Clearwater and Clearwater Beach, FL, fixed-route and charter service provider Jolley Trolley offers a unique perspective on public transportation. “We describe ourselves as ‘transpertainment,’” said Jolley Trolley CEO Rosemary Windsor, during a recent interview with Busline Magazine. The transportation service operates 28 Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)-equipped trolleys with an annual ridership of more than 400,000. “Our company goes in two distinct paths. One is our three dedicated fixed-routes we run for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), and the second is our private charters,” Windsor said. “People love trolleys. It doesn’t matter whether they are 8 or 80 years of age, there is something very mesmerizing about a trolley. Riders love the views from our vintagestyle trolleys that boast beautiful oak interiors and gleaming brass trim. Our drivers engage and converse with passengers, and we always have music playing, so there is kind of a festive feel while riding a trolley.”
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Indeed, one of the company’s favorite mottos is “Leave your car where you are and ride the Jolley Trolley.” The fixed-route service operates on Clearwater Beach seven days a week 365 days a year, as well as serving downtown Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, all located in Pinellas County. In 2010, services were expanded by way of an agreement with PSTA, allowing Jolley Trolley pass holders to ride the entire Pinellas County bus system with interchangeable passes.
leys, offering several services, including weddings, corporate and special events. The company receives no government funding in which to purchase trolleys. Charter revenues pay to refurbish older equipment and to purchase new, Windsor said. “We operate our trolleys for both fixed-route and charter services,” Windsor said. “There’s the old philosophy that you are not making the best use of your assets, and it is not a prudent business decision, if you have vehicles setting. What we do is fill our fixed-routes first, as they are our first priority because of our contract with the county authority, and then “There’s the old philosophy that you are not making the we backfill available dates with trolley charters.” For its wedding charters, Jolley Trolley has a dedibest use of your assets, and it is not a prudent business cated team of consultants who are experienced in makdecision, if you have vehicles setting. What we do is ing sure bridal parties have the best wedding experience possible. They are able to answer any questions that fill our fixed-routes first, as they are our first priority because of our contract with the county authority, and might arise. Furthermore, the team will decorate a trolley to match then we backfill available dates with trolley charters.” a bridal color palette or theme, and will even work with photographers to stage fun photos, according the comPart of the entertainment value of riding Jolley Trolley is its pany. In addition, safe bachelor and bachelorette transportation “Concierge on Wheels” program. is offered. “Our friendly drivers act as ‘concierges on wheels,’ and are Jolley Trolley’s staff will also help plan corporate events. always happy to point out local attractions, share fun facts and The company has more than 30 years experience working with recommend great local restaurants and breweries,” Windsor local businesses in setting up meeting transportation. Jolley Trolley also offers transportation and planning for said. “They are very good at giving riders advice when they ask such questions as, ‘Who has the best grouper sandwich on several fun and special events including, pub crawls; holiday the beach?’ ‘Where is the best location for viewing sunsets?’ light tours; church group outings; birthday parties; tailgating ‘Where can I get the best frozen cocktails?’ They also offer and transportation to sporting events; ladies’ night out; group trips to museums, aquariums, the theater, and more; prom and advice on ‘must-see’ attractions.” On the charter side, Jolley Trolley also operates vintage trol- homecomings; and bar/bat mitzvahs and quinceaneras.
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Jolley Trolley’s staff includes, left to right, Office Manager Deborah Jones, Shop Supervisor Tim Coats and Training Supervisor Paul Ellzey.
CONCERNED CITIZENS PROMPTED THE FOUNDING OF JOLLEY TROLLEY
hile Jolley Trolley certainly promotes a fun and lighthearted ambiance, which makes it very appealing and a good fit for the sunny, warm and fun-loving atmosphere of the Clearwater area, the company was founded in 1982 to help alleviate a couple of serious issues. Clearwater is located northwest of Tampa and St. Petersburg on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The city, whose population is just north of
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114,000 people, is the county seat of Pinellas County. It is the smallest of the three principal cities in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area, commonly referred to as the Tampa Bay Area. The Intracoastal Waterway separates the city from Clearwater Beach. “There was a group of citizens from Clearwater Beach and from some of the civic associations who went to the city of Clearwater expressing concerns about two issues — traffic congestion getting to the beach and harmful emissions,” Windsor said. “Thirty-seven years later, it remains our mission to help alleviate traffic congestion and fuel emissions.”
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According to Windsor, the concerned citizens and civic organizations offered to purchase two trolleys if the city would agree to operate them. “They told the city, ‘We will provide the hard assets, but we need you to operate them,’ and the city agreed,” Windsor said. “So, beginning in 1982, the city ran the trolley business. It was a free service and everything was working well. As times and politicians changed, the service went from being totally subsidized, to just receiving a portion of the subsidy.” Funding continued to dry up, and about 10 years ago, the trolley company was on the verge of going out of business. “At that time, a couple of us approached the Jolley Trolley board and said, ‘We think we can save the business,’” Windsor said. “Some of the area’s creative leaders conducted a ‘think tank’ session. In the end, the board of directors said, ‘We really need to hire a couple of people, because we don’t think we have the knowledge to run a successful service.’” Ultimately, Windsor, who had an extensive background as a United Parcel Service (UPS) employee, specializing in sales and marketing, and another man, who came from the logistics and engineering side of UPS, were hired to help save the trolley company. “It worked perfectly. We came in and divided the responsibilities and created a new business plan and model for the company,” Windsor said. “In 1994, the executive director at the time, applied for a not-for-profit status, and, based on our mission, it was approved. We have no owners. We are governed by a board of directors. Functioning as a non-profit gives us the opportunity to
take what would be profits and put them back into the business. “We formed a relationship with the county transit authority. We then went to the city and said, ‘Here’s our business plan,’ and it all worked. So, we went from having roughly five running trolleys that were operating 10 years ago to 28 today.” Jolley Trolley’s newest trolley was purchased from Hometown Manufacturing, of Crandon, WI. “About a year ago, I reached out to the owners of Hometown Manufacturing to learn a little bit more about their business and the products they offer,” Windsor said. “We had a great conversation and exchange of emails and, as a result, we subsequently placed an order. “They were kind enough to extend an invitation for me to come to the factory saying, ‘Why don’t you come while your trolley is on the assembly line. That way you can make last minute decisions,’ which made me feel like I was part of the manufacturing process.” Leaving the mild winter weather she enjoyed in Clearwater, Windsor traveled to Wisconsin in the month of December, braving the region’s frigid winter season, to visit the Hometown Manufacturing plant. “If I wasn’t sold on the Hometown trolley prior to my visit, I was after I visited the plant,” she said. “I was so impressed with the owners. It was very obvious they are passionate about what they do, striving to create a quality product and standing behind their vehicle after delivery. Hometown Manufacturing wants their customers to be happy, which came out loud and clear. I probably spent six or seven hours in the factory that day. I was working
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with their manufacturing teams, who couldn’t have been more accommodating, asking me what I thought, where I wanted things positioned, etc. “When I got back home, Hometown Manufacturing contacted me via Facetime on my iPhone and got my input on some other things. The manufacturing staff wanted me to visualize and make last minute decisions, simply because they wanted me to be happy.” Windsor is so pleased with the new Hometown trolley, that Jolley Trolley has ordered two more, with an anticipated June delivery. “I have already sent Hometown Manufacturing another message, asking if I order another one in June, when can I expect delivery?” she said.
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AN EVOLVING RIDERSHIP DEMOGRAPHIC
s one might expect, given the location and nature of Jolley Trolley’s service, tourists have traditionally been a major ridership demographic. Indeed, 10 years ago when Windsor joined the organization, most of the riders were tourists. However, since then, the ridership that the trolleys attract has evolved with the marketplace. “When I joined Jolley Trolley, we had a ridership of about 68,000,” Windsor said. “At the time, most of them were tourists. It’s been interesting seeing the migration of how we’ve gone from serving primarily tourists to probably closer to a 50/50 tourist/local ridership ratio. “For example, in the mornings we get a lot of the ‘Red Hatter’ groups — seniors who will get on in one of our northern cities,
ride down to the beach for lunch and go back, which is a great day trip for them. “Furthermore, during the summer months, we have parents who will call and ask if it is safe to put their child on a trolley, because they don’t want to drive to the beach and deal with the congestion. We tell them is it absolutely safe for their children. “So, we transport passengers from the elderly to teenagers who want to spend the day at the beach, to young families going out to dinner, to friends taking ‘pub crawls’ who do not want to drink and drive. We find we have a lot of local riders who are not just people going and coming from work, but who are out for a fun evening.” Like any other transit agency, Jolley Trolley has a certain percentage of riders who are “transit dependent.” “We operate a little bit later than the county transit authority on the routes that we run, and, if given a choice, we find that many of the dependent riders will actually ride Jolley Trolley because they like the engagement of the drivers,” Windsor said. While many of the choice riders use the charter service, the hope is their positive experience riding a trolley will motivate them to think about using the fixed-route service, as well, Windsor said. “I tell the county authority they should be happy with Jolley Trolley because we encourage people to take public transportation, who maybe would not take it otherwise,” Windsor said. “There is a certain stigma associated with buses, that kind of goes by the wayside when a trolley shows up.” Jolley Trolley has launched several projects to attract ridership, including investing, 10 years ago, in ticketing equipment that was compatible with the local transit authority.
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As the latest contract with “What the new ticketing the local transit agency calls equipment allowed us to do for air-conditioned trolleys, was entice customers to come open-sided vehicles have been onboard with us, as their ordered or have been outfitted passes became interchangewith air-conditioners, Windsor able with the local transit auexplained. Others listed as thority. It was like a one-stop “closed trolleys,” are equipped shop,” Windsor said. “If a perwith sliding windows, which son purchased a pass from passengers can open, approxiPSTA, he/she could also ride mating a ride on an open-sided Jolley Trolley. That was an invehicle. vestment we made to benefit “My office faces a route, and customers. trolleys go by every hour of the “We have since added day with the windows open,” amenities such as on-board Marketing Assistant Katy Meador and Driver Esmir Martinez Windsor said. “People who cameras for safety. In addition, visit the beach love the salt air. we have now added a more sophisticated electronic ticketing system, which is the next ad- As the windows in a typical transit bus are fixed and cannot be vancement in that technology, as well as passenger counters and opened, we get calls all the time from people asking, ‘Are you a vehicle tracking system (GPS) that passengers can download the trolley company that has the open windows or the open sides? for free on their cell phones. We’re constantly upgrading and That’s the type of trolley we want.’” adding amenities to the trolleys.” Jolley Trolley officials and employees are careful and diligent Furthermore, riding on a Jolley Trolley is akin to having “a to protect the reputation of the company. “For us, so much is dependent on our brand,” Windsor said. room with a view,” so to speak. “One of the things people like the most are the trolleys with “In fact, we have been told by people that when a trolley is seen open sides and the vehicles with sliding windows that can be in this county, people automatically think it is a Jolley Trolley, opened,” Windsor said. “About 50 percent of our vehicles have therefore we take tremendous pride in our brand.” To maintain its stellar reputation in the communities and areas open sides.”
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it services, Jolley Trolley vehicles are washed and cleaned daily. share by implementing mid- and long-term strategic plans to deal “Even with our charter service, brides-to-be often call asking with the growing issue of tourist impact on our environment. if our trolleys are clean,� Windsor said. “We welcome them to “Tourism and conservation can work hand-in-hand. Ocean Allies come out and take a look, and we have come together to transform have never have a complaint “It is just common sense that people think if Clearwater Beach into the No. 1 about the cleanliness of our vehiyou maintain the cleanliness and appearance recognized ‘Ocean Friendly’ desticles. It is just common sense that nation beach in the world, and lead of your vehicles and your brand, you must people think if you maintain the other cities in the same direction. cleanliness and appearance of “The Ocean Allies leadership have a tremendous concern about safety.� your vehicles and your brand, you team is here to inspire, educate must have a tremendous concern about safety. We offer the com- and partner with Clearwater Beach and greater Clearwater busiplete package of clean, dependable and safe vehicles.� nesses and any other cities we work with to develop and implement an eco-friendly and sustainable beach brand. Participating HELPING TO SAFEGUARD organizations will become ‘Ocean Allies’ certified. THE ENVIRONMENT “The goal: Lock in long-term tourism success and a sustainability plan for our amazing beaches that draw our tourists.� s was mentioned before, Jolley Trolley’s founding cenJolley Trolley is a member of Ocean Allies, and will be seeking tered around environmental concerns voiced by local cit- to become certified. izens and civic organizations that go hand-in-hand — “We are hoping to register later this year for certification,� traffic congestion and harmful fuel emissions. Windsor said. “Our mission to motivate people to get out of their cars and During the certification process, Ocean Allies will visit Jolley into a trolley is paramount,� Windsor said. “In addition, Clear- Trolley to help determine ways the trolley company can further water has created an organization by the name of Ocean Allies. safeguard the environment. It really focuses on businesses getting together and looking at the “For example, they might look at the gloves our mechanics use and determine they are not biodegradable, as they are made sustainability of tourism.� From www.oceanallies.org: “A growing percentage of tourists with too much plastic,� Windsor said. “If that turned out to be the is desiring to vacation in destinations with an environmentally case, they would help us source gloves that would be better for the environment. friendly plan. “There are other similar initiatives going around the country, “The Ocean Allies plan is to capture this new tourism market
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such as restaurants using paper rather than plastic straws. Restaurants are also composting now more than ever before. “Ocean Allies pulled everybody together from different industries and said, ‘OK, we need to focus on this, because if you take a look at beaches and waterways, they are full of plastic.’ “One recent example of the seriousness of the problem was when a dead whale full of plastic floated onto a Thailand beach. “What we are recognizing from the studies that have been done by Ocean Allies is there are a lot of people, especially the millennials, who would pay a little bit more if they felt like a company was more environmentally astute in how it conducts business.”
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ‘CONCIERGE’ AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
o help in its marketing efforts and to provide riders with pertinent information about routes, schedules and more, Jolley Trolley offers two pocket-sized maps. “We have one map that is produced for the beach routes, and another for the north coastal route,” Windsor said. “The maps are a little larger than passport size. They can fit into a shirt pocket, the back pocket of jeans and can go easily into a purse.” In designing the maps, Jolley Trolley did not want to make them so big that people wouldn’t carry them. “In addition to showing our routes, the maps also offer information on schedules and how to use our GPS system on the Jolley Trolley website or cellphone app to track vehicles,” Windsor said. “The maps are probably the biggest marketing campaign that we
have conducted. Saturation is the name of the game. We make sure hotels, restaurants, etc., have them so people can pick them up and take a look. The maps are also on our website, www.clearwaterjolleytrolley.com.” Jolley Trolley’s first website was launched about 10 years ago. It’s most current upgrade was completed in late summer 2018. “The website not only answers many of the transit questions people have, but also contains videos telling about who we are and what we do,” Windsor said. The site also offers a page where passengers can go to view photographs of drivers and read their bios. “We like to highlight our drivers on the ‘Concierges on Wheels,’ page,” Windsor said. “The hope is passengers will get to know and identify with their favorite drivers.” The trolley service currently employs 44 people, 32 of whom are drivers. In this time of low unemployment, finding quality employees, especially operators, can be a daunting task. Fortunately, this has not been the case for Jolley Trolley. “We get a lot of drivers by word of mouth, where somebody will say, ‘You ought to go work for the trolley,’” Windsor said. When determining if a driver candidate would be a good fit for Jolley Trolley, he/she must display the personality and willingness to engage with passengers. “We have been fortunate that we have had very few drivers who didn’t enjoy the job, and very few who didn’t engage well,” Windsor said. “We really gauge the personality of the individual. We want somebody who is friendly and outgoing. However, we don’t want somebody who talks too much, because he/she has a job to do. We want somebody who can properly engage with the
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passengers, which is rethe mechanics of the ally paramount in our job under their belts. business. We put them through “Drivers are the face some classroom trainand the voice of Jolley ing and then take them Trolley. We want them out in a trolley for one-on-one training. to be different. In fact, This phase takes about one time the mayor of three weeks. The suClearwater said, ‘I don’t pervisors will demonknow how they find strate for several days these people, because and then switch seats they are just remarkand observe how the able,’ which was one of new person drives and the biggest compliments engages with riders. we have received. We make it so the “Some people are trainee never feels like drivers and some peoMechanic Phillip Jordan (left) and Trolley Refurbisher Ronald Greenfield he/she is put out on the ple are more than drivers. We look for those who have a ‘more than driver’ road too quickly, or is being neglected.” Also, in this day and time, studies have shown it is not uncompersonality.” Indeed, the training drivers receive at Jolley Trolley is designed mon, especially among millennials, for people to go from job to to make it second nature for them to engage with passengers. job more often than their older counterparts; therefore, retaining Also, in its training program, Jolley Trolley does not include in- quality employees must be addressed. “Even though we have fewer than 50 employees, we offer a struction in earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL). “Driver candidates must come to us with a CDL with a passen- very well subsidized health care program that an employee can ger endorsement,” Windsor said. “A clean driving record and ex- buy into,” Windsor said “We also offer PTO (paid time off) to perience in driving a vehicle the size of our trolleys for two of our full-time drivers (30 hours a week or more), as well as a 401(k) plan, which we have had a discretionary match since it the past four years are required by our insurance company. “Therefore, when candidates come to us, they pretty much have was created in 2012.
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“In addition, we typically offer bonuses each year. We give employees a Christmas bonus, which our payroll company remarked as being unique because most companies don’t do that anymore. Furthermore, during our busy season of March through April, we incentivize our employees to give as much of their time as they can. We also pay a bonus at that point, based on the number of hours worked. An employee has a chance to earn more by volunteering to work more hours. “We also do little things we think are important, such as giving employees a birthday card with a restaurant gift card inside. We just want to acknowledge that our people are important to us.” Indeed, in discussing some of the keys to Jolley Trolley’s success over the years, Windsor said treating employees the right way is at the top of the list. “When we were struggling 10 years ago, the first thing we did was give our drivers a $1 an hour raise, because we thought they were grossly underpaid,” she said. “Annually, we study other transportation companies’compensation packages to help determine if we are where we need to be, which is important for dayto-day living. “Again, we treat the drivers with respect. For example, if they have a person in their trolley who is cursing them or getting unruly, we tell them, ‘Let us know, and then tell that passenger if the unacceptable behavior continues, he/she has lost his/her ride.’ We don’t tolerate the mistreatment of our employees.” Another important key to Jolley Trolley’s success has been an effort to become actively involved with the communities it serves.
“I spend a lot of time in the cities we service being a part of committees, attending meetings, understanding what their needs are and being there if there is something we can do to help meet a need,” Windsor said. “Forming partnerships has been a real success for us since I’ve been here. Another key is operating with integrity — telling and showing people that we do what we say we are going to do.
“Forming partnerships has been a real success for us since I’ve been here. Another key is operating with integrity — telling and showing people that we do what we say we are going to do.” “For me, running this business, not as the CEO or executive director, but treating it the same as if I owned it, has contributed to our success. I mistakenly get called the owner on a regular basis, which is the best compliment someone could give me.”
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POISED TO MOVE INTO A NEW FACILITY
olley Trolley’s current main offices are in a building owned by the city of Clearwater, and it wants it back. Therefore, the trolley company is in the process of purchasing a new property. “The city has been gracious enough to make our current building part of their contribution to helping make Jolley Trolley a
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viable business. However, the city wants this building back,” Windsor said. Jolley Trolley is hoping to close on a property during the next couple of months, Windsor said. Currently, the trolley’s maintenance area is in a different facility than its main offices. At the new property, the entire operation will be at one location. “Right now, our maintenance area is about a half mile from our offices,” Windsor said. “It is an obstacle since we have to shift vehicles from the parking area, located adjacent to our office, to the shop to have them cleaned, maintained and fueled, and then shifted back to the lot for dispatch. This is extremely time consuming, so we will be happy to have everybody under one roof.”
While Jolley Trolley offices are now located on one of the fixedroutes, the new facility will be about two miles from a route. “Being located on one of our routes has been really nice, as it has reduced our deadhead time,” Windsor said. “In addition,
if there is an issue with the ticketing equipment or something minor with the trolley, it is very convenient that we can have a mechanic right here on the route, or have another vehicle ready to switch out. So, we are a little spoiled in that behalf, because we do have trolleys pass by regularly. However, we feel like the trade-off of having everyone on one property will be a true benefit.” THE FUTURE — NEVER BE COMPLACENT
O
ne of the major challenges many public transit agencies face is funding. Jolley Trolley is no different, and not being a governmental agency can make it even more difficult. “Let’s face it, public transportation isn’t sustainable on its own,” Windsor said. “Because Jolley Trolley is not a government agency, we are not always privy to some of the grants other transit operations that are government agencies, can pursue. However, that has never really stopped us from seeking funding. “If somebody asks me about growing the trolley business, I say our mantra is, ‘Never be complacent,’ and that is kind of how we operate. “We want to be somewhat ubiquitous, whether it is at events or on routes. We would love to operate more of our local transit agency’s routes, but, at the same time, we are also exploring opportunities in adjoining counties.” For example, Windsor said Jolley Trolley might be able to alleviate some of the issues brought about by widespread construction in the Tampa Bay area.
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“We think we could help when construction phases call for the shutting down of roads,” she said. “It may be troublesome for people to come to work and find parking where there is construction. The Jolley Trolley service could be a temporary option to transport workers to and from where there is construction or parking areas. “I spend a lot of my time building relationships, looking for opportunities, and seeking funding for which we can qualify.” Today’s transportation marketplace presents many options, including public transit, rail, light rail, elevated, taxis, Uber and Lyft, as well as personal vehicles. “Everybody is looking for multiple options when it comes to transportation. We are optimistic that there is always going to be a need in the mix for trolleys,” Windsor said. “To what degree, we are not sure. Will we (at Jolley Trolley) operate the same in the future as we do today, or will we be used more in conjunction with other modes? “For example, in the Tampa Bay area we have waterborne transportation. If there is not sufficient parking, will we be the shuttle service that takes people to and from water taxis? Will Jolley Trolley be the shuttle service used to supplement access to elevated transit? “The mix may change, but, as we become a more multi-model as a society, we are optimistic there will be a role for trolleys.” In discussing the future of Jolley Trolley and its location in one of the most desired vacation destinations in the world, Windsor remembered something one of her sons said when her family first moved to the area.
“He said, ‘Mommy, think about all the money people spend to come here on vacation — and we live here,’” she said. Looking back, even though Windsor was employed by UPS for 28 years, it almost seems like destiny that she would come full circle and become involved in public transportation as a career. “Transportation is in my blood. My grandfather started a trucking business. Before she was 20 years old, my mother joined the business, and, ultimately, became CEO. She didn’t retire until she was 75 years old. My dad also worked at the company, and now my sister runs the business. We’ve had transportation in the family forever,” Windsor said. “Transportation may not seem like a ‘sexy’ career path to people graduating from college, but it is an interesting business that I highly recommend. “There are so many exciting things going on right now in the industry. The buzzword today is ‘complete streets,’ a design approach that requires streets to be designed, operated, and maintained for convenient and comfortable travel for all ages, regardless of whether they are walking, cycling, driving or riding public transportation. The multimodal aspects of transportation are even more interesting and exciting today than when I started in the business.” Contact: Jolley Trolley, 410 N. Myrtle Ave., Clearwater, FL, 33755. Phone: 727-445-1200. Website: www.clearwaterjolleytrolley.com.
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Distinctive Systems, Inc. 19531 Lost Creek Dr. Estero, FL 33967 USA Phone: 646-448-9981 Email: nasales@distinctivesystems.com Website: www.distinctivesystems.com/us Company Officers: Don Greenglass, President; Bob Hopwood, Vice President of Support Services; Eric Elliott, Vice President of Sales & Marketing Products: Distinctive Systems is a leading supplier of software to the coach industry. Established for 30-plus years, over 1,500 operators rely on one or more of the company’s latest Microsoft SQL-based systems for the efficient management of their companies. The main systems at Distinctive Systems include its Coach Manager Charter and Contract Booking System, the Tour Booking System and the Vehicle Maintenance System. Distinctive Systems has garnered a reputation over the years for updating its applications with additional functionality, on an ongoing basis. 19
Enghouse Transportation 80 Tiverton Ct., Suite 800 Markham, ON L3R 0G4 CANADA Phone: 905-946-3200 Website: www.enghousetransportation.com Products: With over 34 years experience, Enghouse Transportations offers a comprehensive and robust suite of software solutions that serve the public and private transportation markets. Its software solutions include: Sched21 - Fixed Route Scheduling; BusLine - Fixed Route IVR; TripLine - Paratransit IVR; TeleDriver - Workforce Management; CrewLine - Operator IVR; FareLine - Fare IVR; CoachWorks - Motorcoach Management; and TourManager - Tour Management. 18
May/June 2019
GIRO Inc. 75 Port-Royal St., Suite 500 Montreal, QC H3L 3T1 CANADA Phone: 514-383-0404 Email: info@giro.ca Website: www.giro.ca Products: For close to 40 years, transit organizations have trusted HASTUS™, GIRO’s suite of software solutions for planning, scheduling and operations-management, to help them optimize resources to provide high-quality and cost-efficient services, improve practices, and make the best use of data. These solutions are deployed around the world. Devoting 30-percent of the company’s resources to R&D, GIRO co-innovates with clients to take products in new directions. HASTUS™ is a complete software application for public transportation services including bus, metro, commuter rail, and more. An integrated set of modules and functionalities supports all steps in the scheduling cycle—from network design, route description and trip building to generating operator schedules—and serves as the basis for providing schedule information to customers and for managing daily operations. The cohesive solution helps improve long-, medium-, and short-term planning as well as daily management. HASTUS-OnDemand™ is a flexible solution for paratransit and other on-demand transport services for the general public. 18 Motorcoach Manager, Inc. See Ad On Page 36 3517 Marconi Ave., Suite 207 Sacramento, CA 95821 USA Phone: 916-972-1800 Email: info@motorcoachmanager.com Website: www.motorcoachmanager.com Company Officers: Shirley Campbell, Presi-
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dent; Scott Hale, Erik Taylor and Kevin John, Board Members Products: Motorcoach Manager and Tour Optimizer—Motorcoach Manager is a flexible fleet management software system. It provides a complete, cost-effective system for managing all the logistics of motorcoach and tour operations. It tracks dispatches for charter orders, scheduled line runs and school bus routes from the initial request for service to the final accounting reports. There is a comprehensive driver and employee compliance tracking module included. The cloud-based version features embedded mapping with mileage and time data generated automatically. It is appropriate for any size of company providing passenger transportation. The software is the result of 25 years of collaboration between the Motorcoach Manager staff and hundreds of clients and prospects. A complete set of features such as built-in email, utilization and availability charts, financial analysis tools, security, equipment and driver management, driver training records, payroll and mileage tracking, etc., are included. Tour Optimizer is a separate product which manages and tracks group and retail tours for companies that do not own motorcoaches. It includes an itinerary building tool and a reservation system for selling by the seat. There is an extensive reporting system which saves tour management time. 19
Norse Systems, Inc. See Ad On Page 37 245 Sage Hollow Rd. Guilford, CT 06437 USA Toll Free: 800-769-8468 Email: norse@norsesys.com Website: www.norsesys.com Company Officer(s): Leif Eric Petterson Sr., CCP Products: Norse Systems, Inc. provides a complete set of integrated products for managing bus transportation. Norse has been providing solutions for the bus industry for over 35 years. The comprehensive software product set is combined with private “cloud” based virtual servers and professional support to provide a complete solution for bus operators. The solutions are designed to run on existing computer infrastructure, so there is minimal or no capital cost. Low monthly fees, with no long term contract, keep costs and risks low. Applications include: Charter/field trip sales and operations, dispatching, driver qualifications, human resources, employee time and pay, transit line runs, day trip/commuter/airport shuttle and tour systems, accident management, equipment maintenance, warrantee tracking and recovery, fuel control, fuel tax reporting, trip bidding, school bus routing with automated map interfaces, multi-site inventory control, purchasing,
home to school operations, accounts receivable, general ledger, accounts payable, and more. The Norse applications are provided with the “Screen Driver,” The Enterprise IT environment for developers and users. The system includes user security, system administration, custom reporting, and application development and management tools. Demonstrations and sales presentations are available at no cost. 17
Paradigm Technology Consulting, LLC 22 S. Main St. Allentown, NJ 08501 USA Toll Free: 866-782-4636 Phone: 609-890-4150 Email: sales@ptcllc.com Website: www.ptcllc.com Products: A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner focusing on human resources and labor management for the transportation industry. Bringing solutions offered by Microsoft, Enghouse, Collective Data and eFleet as well as PTC’s own Transportation Suite. The Paradigm Transportation Suite (PTS) is a suite of payroll and labor management applications designed for operators with more complex payroll and workforce management needs including those involving union contracts. Paradigm also sells, implements and supports financial systems such as Microsoft Dynamics GP, customer relationship management systems such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM, vehicle maintenance systems from Collective Data, and computer-aided wireless dispatch and fleet management solutions from eFleet. 13 RBS - Relational Bus Systems, Inc. See Ad On Page 38 10 Lancaster St. - Box 215 Cherry Valley, NY 13320 USA Phone: 607-264-9300 Toll Free: 800-448-7001 Email: manager@rbs2000.com Website: www.rbs2000.com Products: RBS, Inc. designs, implements and supports Tour and Charter Management systems with more than 500 customers in North America. Products include: GoTour Management System, a browserbased system, manages tour reservations, itineraries, receivables and payables, and produces customer documents and management reports for group and retail tours. The RBS cloud-based system is hosted and backed up in the cloud using AWS (Amazon Web Services). RBS is now distributing GoTourV4.10, which includes BOPI (Blocked Out Passenger Inventory); integrated, highly secure, online credit card authorization (GoPay) is available; GoChart Charter Management System features customer and contract management, schedule and dispatch, and accounts receivable.
Modules allow system customization to fit a company’s needs and size. Powerful, user definable security, requiring unique login and password, is available; Offsite Backup and Recovery provides daily offsite data backup and features limited online access to a customer’s data in the event of a disaster; and, Web Manager modules include simple, reliable, real time credit card authorization for GoChart and GoTour; online quote generation and notification; and web access to drivers’ orders for GoChart. Demos for GoTour and GoChart are available by appointment. 19
Sys2K Dealership Software 528 Northlake Blvd., Ste. 1000 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 USA Phone: 407-358-2000 Email: sales@sys2k.com Website: www.sys2k.com Products: Designed for the bus and motorcoach industry for both dealers and manufacturers. Latest technologies used reduce costs and maximize sales revenue. Features include: fully-integrated Windows-based software, a CRM with endless possibilities to manage and grow the customer base, comprehensive reporting and management dashboards to monitor the success of each department, mobile apps that take the power of the DMS on-the-go, and cloud hosting to alleviate the cost and hassle of maintaining a server. Interfaces with other Microsoft applications, while providing a quality, cost-effective solution. Dealers can realize significant savings by implementing real-time integration across all departments: Parts, Service, Finance, CRM, Accounting, Payroll and Rental. 15 Trapeze Group 5800 Explorer Dr. Mississaugua, ON L4W 5K9 CANADA Phone: 905-629-8727 Email: info@trapezegroup.com Website: www.trapezegroup.com Products: Transit Operations and Workforce Management, designed to simplify scheduling, frequent sign-ups, complex pay rules and solve other logistical headaches; Transit Enterprise Asset Management, which tracks equipment and infrastructure over time, extends their lives and keeps them safe; Automated Fare Collection, designed for optimal cash management, provides agencies with fare media and provides higher utility to existing investments; and Traveler Information delivers schedule and real-time information to transit and paratransit passengers. Transit scheduling and planning and paratransit scheduling and dispatch solutions provide flexibility for an agency, while business intelligence tools provide views of an agency’s data. 15
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Motorcoach Manager At 25: Silver Anniversary To Silver Lining
Motorcoach Manager, Inc., has been developing comprehensive software for motorcoach charter and tour companies for over 25 years. The company’s story began in 1994, when founder Shirley Campbell was asked to create a program to meet the needs of a motorcoach operator in Santa Cruz, CA, who could not find software to run his business. Since then, Motorcoach Manager Transportation Software Systems have evolved over time, through continuous service improvements and collaboration with hundreds of motorcoach operators. Created to manage an entire charter and tour operation, the application has become a powerful blend of features designed to reduce costs by making record-keeping easier and more accurate. Motorcoach Manager’s mission has been to develop a complete system that handles every data collection and reporting need, in one easy-to-use application, by understanding and supporting the role of each user. After years of development and testing, the new cloud-based version of Motorcoach Manager will soon enter the marketplace. The design incorporates all that has worked well in
Charter Orders Dispatching Mileage and Fuel Financial Reporting
the legacy program, and takes full advantage of the best software tools available today. As laws and regulations change, charter and tour operators are increasingly finding that they must have electronic systems in place for handling all the logistical components of the services they provide. They are accountable to agencies that monitor transportation companies for the safety of the public. The new cloud version of Motorcoach Manager is built using state-of-the-art technology that will adapt to future operating system changes, and easily interface with third-party applications. It will track all the changing information, so operators can be ready to meet the needs of customers, employees and government entities. NEW FEATURES: • Integrated mapping calculates mileage and times automatically while the order is entered; • Dispatches are created automatically based on customer’s route and resource availability; • Screen layouts can be customized to fit the way each user works, even across multiple monitors; and, • A powerful new reporting system gives
CHARTER MANAGER
users the ability to easily customize reports to their needs and export them to a variety of popular formats including Excel, PDF, HTML and Text. NEW TECHNOLOGY: • Cloud-based hosted service allows easy access anytime and anywhere; • Workspaces can be configured based on user roles and work flow; and, • Ongoing updates provide the current version and features with minimal downtimes. NEW POSSIBILITIES: • Manages editing of multiple orders at the same time; • Maximizes utilization of fleet and driver resources with mapping and new scheduling tools; • Better control over coaches at multiple yards; and, • Future enhancements will include integration with mobile access from smartphones, GPS applications, bar codes, e-logs, etc. For additional information, call Motorcoach Manager at 800-780-6880 or visit www.motorcoachmanager.com or www.motorcoachmanager.net.
TOUR MANAGER
Tour Planning Retail Tours Sightseeing Tours Receptive Services
SHUTTLE MANAGER
Airport Shuttles Casino Shuttles
Working Together.
Work Orders Parts Inventory Labor Services Maintenance History
MAINTENANCE MANAGER
Modular Fleet and Tour Management Software • • • •
Tracks all aspects of your operation Simplifies creating charters or tours Multiple dispatch management tools Extensive financial reporting
• • • •
Tracks fuel, mileage, payroll, drivers, vehicles, etc. Prints or emails quotes, contracts, invoices, etc. Single or multi-user licensing. Modules may be purchased individually or combined.
Call or email today to schedule a FREE online live demonstration.
800.780.6880 or info@motorcoachmanager.com Page 36
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Norse Systems: Integrated Systems To Keep An Operation Lean, Efficient And Profitable
Norse Systems, Inc., has been providing integrated business management software for the bus industry for over 35 years. These systems are appropriate for large or small operators, public or private, school, charter, transit, or tour operators. They include a comprehensive set of computer applications addressing the operator’s management system needs. Today, the product from Norse is not only comprehensive and feature rich, but also provides an ultra-modern environment for a company’s Enterprise IT functions. Today’s business environment requires that the mission critical systems being depended on are highly flexible and reliable. The various functions that need to be managed like dispatching, maintenance, employee qualifications, purchasing, fuel control, payroll, sales, scheduling, tours, customer service and accounting must be completely integrated to keep an operation lean, efficient and profitable. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most bus operators. Frequently, the systems being used are not integrated or designed to work
together. Often, they are built with a variety of technologies that make them difficult, if not impossible, for employees to master or to use as a communication tool. They are generally not capable of utilizing the growing set of digital document assets being stored, and lost, at employee workstations, nor are they able to leverage capabilities available on the internet or consolidate information regularly duplicated by employees, such as contact information. Many, if not most, bus operators suffer with fragmented systems that lack the features necessary to optimize their operations. Today, however, products from Norse eliminate those shortcomings. Due to the uninterrupted development and refinement, for decades, of the systems from Norse, those issues have all been addressed. Norse provides an “Enterprise IT Environment” for its customers’ applications. That environment, called ScreenDriver®, not only supports the functionally rich and integrated
mission critical applications customers need, but also provides improved communication among the employees responsible for making a business successful. The Norse product set includes: Digital Asset Management, Work Flow Control, Attachable Notes, Web Application Integration, User Security, Free Form Reporting, Universal Contact Management, Email Integration, Credit Card Processing, and integration with office software packages like Microsoft Office and Open Office. In addition, all the applications use a common, highly flexible and user-friendly technical environment, making them easy to master. The applications are built with powerful development tools, making them extremely cost effective to support, and highly flexible when the need to adjust them arises. The systems from Norse are a best value solution. They also come with a professional support relationship, so that all IT needs can be met. Visit www.norsesys.com.
Comprehensive Business Systems for Bus Operators Virtual Server Fully Maintained with Professional Support 35 Years of Experience with Bus Operators •
ScreenDriver® IT Environment
•
Maintenance and Inventory
•
Transit
•
Charter Sales and Operations
•
Fuel Control
•
Driver Qualifications
•
Integrated Dispatch
•
School Bus Routing
•
Office Integration
•
Time and Pay—HR
•
Accident Management
•
Managed Virtual Server
•
Accounting –AR, AP, GL
•
Trips and Tours
•
Private, Public, Small, Large
All for a low monthly fee, based on the number of users you need. Call for a free no obligation system assessment and feature comparison. Ask us how to increase your profitability and improve your performance.
Call : (800) 769-8468
Email: norse@norsesys.com
Web: www.norsesys.com May/June 2019
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RBS, Inc: Providing Tour And Charter Management Software For Over 25 Years
RBS, Inc., is a major provider of Tour and Charter Management Software specifically designed for the motorcoach industry. For more than 25 years, RBS has been designing, implementing and supporting its premier products: GoChart and GoTour. The company serves more than 500 North American customers. GoTour, the company’s cloud based Tour Management Software, manages reservations, itineraries, payables, receivables, and produces
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management reports and customer documents for group and retail tours. Hosted in the cloud using AWS (Amazon Web Services), GoTour can be accessed using a broadband internet connection. The RBS professional staff actively monitors AWS services health, including continuous data backups, software updates, and network traffic analysis. RBS is now distributing GoTour v4.10, which includes “Blocked Out Passenger Inventory” as well as many feature enhancements.
May/June 2019
GoChart Charter Management System features customer and contract management, scheduling, dispatching, accounts receivable and numerous accounting/operations reports. Modules allow companies to purchase and customize the RBS system to fit their needs. The security module is powerful and has strict controls, and requires each employee to access RBS using a unique login and password. Userdefined permissions allow access to specific areas of the program, depending on job types, such as administrator, salesperson, dispatcher and driver. RBS is now distributing v23, which includes user-definable traits and attributes, batch emailing of drivers’ orders, customizable coloring of views and many feature enhancements. Traits are used to define properties of buses/customers such as a bus that is “ADA compliant.” Attributes are used to create categories of Customers and Drivers. The new version also includes the ability to track a customer’s requested and unwanted driver lists. GoChart’s Web Manager provides reliable credit card authorization, online quote generation and notification, driver access to schedules and document storage and retrieval. Web Manger modules include: n Credit Card Processing — Integrated into the RBS GoChart application; n Quote Request — Customers request quotes online by providing basic information, which is used to open a quote in GoChart. Email is forwarded to the customer and sales staff, notifying receipt of online quote; n Online Driver Schedule— Provides web access to drivers’ schedules, allowing drivers to access schedules from home, office or anywhere with an internet connection; and, n Offsite Backup and Recovery software and services are designed with disaster recovery in mind. A backup client on your server connects remotely and backs up your critical RBS data daily. Only you and RBS have access to this data. Notification emails are sent each time the data is backed up. RBS ensures that backup data is properly available for restoration and maintains terminal services/remote desktop environment to which your data can be moved. You will have access for two users, for one month, while you re-establish your network infrastructure. GoText automatically provides scheduled text messages to drivers, reminding them of upcoming assignments. Call RBS at 800-448-7001 or visit www.rbs2000.com to request an evaluation copy of GoChart, or, to schedule a demo of GoTour and start your 30-day trial.
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The 33rd Annual Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) EXPO is scheduled for May 19-23, 2019, at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, CA.
The event offers transportation professionals the opportunity to participate in learning events and network with colleagues. Speakers and sessions are designed to keep attendees up-to-date with innovative technology, workforce development, communication strategies, funding and regulations. The EXPO also features a trade show with all of the latest community transportation goods and services. Below is a schedule and some of this year’s activities and learning opportunities as supplied by CTAA:
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
SUNDAY, MAY 19
• 8 a.m. — National Community Transportation Roadeo Walk Through (all drivers and judges must be present). • 3 p.m. — National Community Transportation Roadeo. • 7 p.m. — National Community Transportation Roadeo Awards Dinner.
MONDAY, MAY 20
• 8 a.m. — EXPO Opening Session and Gathering Breakfast. • 9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Conference Intensives and Tribal Transit Conference. • 6 p.m. — CTAA State & Tribal Delegates Leadership Gathering.
TUESDAY, MAY 21
• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Conference Intensives, Mobility Management Forum and Tribal Transit Conference. • Noon-1:30 p.m. — CTAA EXPO Conference Luncheon. • 3 p.m. — Speed Networking with EXPO Vendors. • 5 p.m. — CTAA EXPO Trade Fair Grand Opening and Dinner. • 8 p.m. — CTAA Annual Pecha Kucha Event.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
• 8:45-10 a.m. — EXPO General Session with Featured Speaker. • 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — EXPO Training Workshops. • 12:15-3 p.m. — CTAA EXPO Trade Fair and Lunch. • 3-5 p.m. — EXPO Training Workshops. • 7 p.m. — EXPO Big Night Out.
THURSDAY, MAY 23
• 8:30-10:30 a.m. — EXPO Training Workshops. • 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. — CTAA Roadmap Sessions. • 12:30-1:30 p.m. — The CTAA Membership (for members and non-members) Lunch. • 2-5 p.m. — EXPO Off-Site Transit and Community Tours. • 7 p.m. — EXPO Farewell (informal) Networking Social and Road Map Reveal.
GENERAL SESSION
TUESDAY, MAY 21
K. Jane Williams: Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams will share the agency’s
goals and accomplishments during the EXPO Conference Luncheon.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
Gabe Klein: EXPO 2019 keynote speaker Gabe Klein of Cityfi — and previous director of the Chicago and Washington, D.C. Departments of Transportation — will outline how CTAA members can incorporate innovative approaches to mobility that respond to the needs and challenges of their communities.
THURSDAY, MAY 23
Key themes and priorities compiled from the Roadmap Workshop Sessions will be shared.
TRADE FAIR
Features the latest in transit vehicles, technology and other equipment and services, with more than 100 exhibiting companies and dozens of vehicles.
WORKSHOPS
Workshops on Wednesday, May 22, and Thursday, May 23, will feature sessions taught by recognized experts and will be tailored to meet the specific needs of community and public transportation managers, officials and advocates.
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Below is a list of the tracks and topics for the sessions.
INNOVATION
EMERGING Wednesday, May 22 • Industry Experts Discuss Innovative Transit and Mobility Practices. INTERMEDIATE • Practical Applications of Innovative Transit and Mobility Practices. ADVANCED Thursday, May 23 • A Deep Dive into Implementing Innovative Transit and Mobility Practices.
INVESTMENT
EMERGING Wednesday, May 22 • Exploring the Basics of Transit Finance, Partnerships, and Sustainability. ADVANCED • Strategies and Priorities to Achieve Investment Success. INTERMEDIATE Thursday, May 23 Building Financially Sustainable Partnerships: Practical Applications.
PEOPLE POWER
EMERGING Wednesday, May 22 • Taking an Introductory look to HR, Public Engagement and Accessibility. INTERMEDIATE • Finding and Retaining Staff, Developing a Marketing Plan, and Understanding Accessibility. ADVANCED Thursday, May 23 • Implementing Succession Strategies, Inclusive Transit Planning, and Transforming Accessibility into Improved Mobility.
OPERATIONS
INTERMEDIATE Wednesday, May 22 • Understanding Service Redesign, Building a Safety Culture, and Implementing Effective Asset Management. ADVANCED • Launching Redesigns, Assessing System Safety, and Achieving Advanced Asset Management. EMERGING Thursday, May 23 • Transit System Design, Bus Transit Safety and Asset Management Basics. Page 40
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INTENSIVE TRAINING SESSIONS
The Conference Intensive sessions lead off the training portion of the annual EXPO and feature leading industry experts to communicate and instruct on vital, timely topics. These one-, two- or three-day sessions are designed to provide the proficiencies needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving transportation landscape. These in-depth courses will also inspire with new perspectives and help attendees learn valuable new skills. Note: The Conference Intensives meet the training requirement for those seeking CCTM, CTPA, PASS, CCTS, PDS, VMMI, and CSSO certification or re-certification. All certification courses have a testing component. THREE-DAY CLASSES May 20-22 • Vehicle Maintenance Management and Inspection (VMMI). • Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) Train-the-Trainer.
TWO-DAY CLASSES May 20, 21 • Certified Community Transit Supervisor (CCTS). • Professional Dispatching and Scheduling (PDS). • Certified Safety and Security Officer (CSSO). • Preparing for the Certified Community Transit Manager (CCTM) and Certified Transit Public Administrator (CTPA) Exam. • Financial Management for Transit Agencies. • Find & Retain the Best, Engage or Confront the Rest: How to Wake Up Your Organization and Form a More Perfect Work Environment. ONE-DAY CLASSES May 20 • Transit Marketing and Communication for Community and Public Transportation. • Grant Development and Writing. • Leading Innovation in Your Organization. May 21 • NEMT: Beyond Medicaid. • Building a Sustainable Driver Workforce From Recruitment to Retention.
Month/Month YEAR
• Effective Procurement Strategies. • Understanding ADA.
ROADEO
The National Community Transportation Roadeo is the only national venue to honor and celebrate the value of rural and community transit operators, the backbone of the Community Transportation industry. This exciting event draws drivers from around the country to compete for top scores on a course that tests skills on every level of the drivers' abilities, with a primary focus on safe operations and passenger sensitivity.
SPECIAL EVENTS May 20
EXPO OPENING SESSION 8 a.m. — Includes continental breakfast and a brief overview of what to expect in the week ahead at EXPO.
May 21
PECHA KUCHA An Informal Evening of Crowdsourced Presentations For attendees who wish to share an idea, the fifth crowd-sourced event at EXPO employs the Pecha Kucha format of a set number of slides with preset timing for each slide, with each presentation running no more than 7 minutes. SPEED NETWORKING WITH THE VENDORS Offers a chance to talk directly to the vendors, get questions answered, and learn about new products in a focused, one-on-one, 5-minute session.
May 22
EXPO’S BIG NIGHT OUT Includes food, music, and chance to network. Details TBD.
May 23
THURSDAY AFTERNOON TOURS Tours include Sunline Transit, EXPO host transit agency, the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm, the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, mid-century modern architecture, and other options. For more information about the 2019 CTAA EXPO, visit www.ctaa.org.
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AngelTrax — CTAA Booth #261
Vulcan™ Series Parallax™ Cameras Patent-pending Parallax Series cameras capture a profoundly superior video picture with an outstanding horizontal resolution exceeding Cinema 4K. Each interior or exterior camera provides 210 degrees of coverage and exceptional clarity, even when the image is zoomed. Combining four interior Parallax cameras delivers a 360-degree interior view of the bus with zero distortion. Capture traffic coming and going alongside the bus with only one exterior Parallax camera mounted to each exterior side wall for views of the bus, front to back. To learn more, visit CTAA booth 261 or www.angeltrax.com/camera/parlx4k-series or call 800-673-1788.
MJM Innovations — CTAA Booth #505
Gerflor — CTAA Booth #501 TARABUS by Gerflor is the world’s leading non-slip transit flooring, dedicated to bus and coach applications. At BUSWORLD 2017, Gerflor launched its new Tarabus Design, a line of digitally-printed flooring. This world first in personalized transport flooring gives customers the possibility to design their own flooring. With this new technology, Gerflor will provide totally bespoke designs adding value to their customers brand while making the vehicles more attractive. The Tarabus Design range offers an infinite number of possibilities for designers looking for a new approach to the interior design of buses or searching for ways to enhance the passenger experience. The new product is available with all the well-known services developed to improve the manufacturers working environment. Services such as the Self-Adhesive solution, where the flooring is delivered with an acrylic adhesive and protective layer on the back of the flooring, Pre-cut and Pre-welded kits. For more information, visit www.gerflorusa.com or contact pdegroot@gerflorusa.com.
Diamond Manufacturing, Inc. — CTAA Booth #437
EzTransport® is the ultimate and complete transportation management and software solution for transit agencies, transportation providers and those they serve. Our solutions are compatible with Paratransit, NEMT, Fixed Route and Taxi Services. The features include web-based and mobile software for automated fare collection, trip management, participant management and routing and scheduling. MJM Innovations • 1-866-664-1277 • www.mjminnovations.com
1-800-343-1009 • diamondmfg.com • todcull@aol.com
Tolar Manufacturing — CTAA Booth #230 With 500+ designs and hundreds of customized solutions in its portfolio, Tolar Manufacturing Company, Inc. is North America’s leader in the design and fabrication of award-winning transit shelters, street furniture and information displays. The company has the experience to pair customized bus shelter designs with a combination of printed and digital passenger information that improves passenger confidence and supports increased use of public transportation throughout the United States and beyond. Creating a Sense of Place™ since 1991, Tolar Manufacturing is driven by building products that compliment and reflect the character of your community. Designing and fabricating best-in-class transit shelters, solar solutions, street furniture and digital displays – that’s the Tolar Difference.
800-339-6165 • pmerrick@tolarmfg.com • www.TolarMfg.com
For more information about the 2019 CTAA EXPO, visit www.ctaa.org. Month/Month YEAR
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AngelTrax 119 S. Woodburn Dr., Dothan, AL 36305 USA 800-673-1788 Email: sales@angeltrax.com Website: www.angeltrax.com Company Officer(s): Richie Howard, President & CEO; Scott Lisenby, Vice President; Katherine Tolar, Vice President of Operations Products: AngelTrax is a leading designer, manufacturer and provider of high-definition in-vehicle mobile surveillance. AngelTrax drives the market with state-of-the-art products, including Vulcan™ Series MDVRs, patented Hybrid Component™ MNVRs, IP cameras, high-definition cameras, live view, live tracking, driver behavior management and patented Virtual Synchronized Mapping™ technology. Engineered to combine the advantages of HD and IP cameras into one recording system, Vulcan Series Mobile DVRs were developed over several years with a limitless budget to meet the need for extreme storage reliability, versatility for any vehicle type, and durability for the long haul. With patented Hybrid Component technology, AngelTrax HCNVRs are equipped with modules that are fully removable and replaceable in the field, enabling authorized personnel to perform system updates and maintenance in minutes, and increasing the efficiency of the entire fleet by reducing downtime and replacement outages. Vulcan Series systems support a full range of interior and exterior HD and IP cameras, including the patent-pending Parallax™ camera, which provides 210 degrees of coverage with a horizontal resolution exceeding Cinema 4K and zoomed image clarity. 19 Apollo Video Technology 24000 35th Ave., SE, Bothell, WA 98021 USA Page 42
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425-483-7100 Email: info@apollovideo.com Website: www.apollovideotechnology.com Products: Comprehensive solutions for on-board video surveillance. Designed and manufactured specifically for bus and rail applications, the RoadRunner™ system and back-end ViM Software™ enhance fleet efficiency, reduce maintenance and operating costs, increase accessibility of data, and mitigate risk and liability. 18
ASA Electronics 2602 Marina Dr., Elkhart, IN 46514 USA 574-266-3135 Website: www.ASAElectronics.com Products: The company has been designing and manufacturing mobile electronic products for the marine, RV, powersports, agricultural, construction, commercial vehicle and bus industries since 1977. 18 Clever Devices, Inc. 300 Crossways Park Dr. Woodbury, NY 11797 USA 516-433-6100 Email: contactus@cleverdevices.com Website: www.cleverdevices.com Products: Clever Devices is a provider of technology solutions for all modes of public transportation including fixedroute, bus rapid transit, paratransit and rail. The company’s solutions enhance mobility and help meet the public transportation challenges of communities around the world. 18 EyeRide 2520 SW 30th Ave. Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 USA 888-668-6698 Email: info@eyerideonline.com Website: www.eyerideonline.com
Month/Month YEAR
Products: The company provides such items as DVR camera surveillance systems; cameras for commercial trucks, buses and transit vehicles; GPS tracking systems for fleet vehicle management; mobile Wi-Fi hotspot routers for buses and motorcoaches; and electronic logbook and DVIR equipment. 18 Idrive See Ad On Page 12 249 N. Turnpike Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93111 USA 805-308-6094 Email: sales@idriveglobal.com Website: www.idriveglobal.com Products: Idrive is a leading provider of video event recorders, GPS tracking and artificial intelligence-based services. Idrive’s X2 fleet camera is a professional video event recorder designed to coach drivers and reduce accidents by over 50 percent. The X2 offers a variety of lowcost services to help gain better visibility into a fleet: live look-in, live tracking, distracted and drowsy driving detection, facial recognition and cellular download. 19 REI 6534 L St., Omaha, NE 68117 USA 402-339-2200 Email: info@radioeng.com Website: www.radioeng.com Products: REI is a customer-experience focused, all-in-one solutions provider of professional automotive-grade electronics for the transportation industry. 18 Rosco Vision Systems 90-21 144th Pl., Jamaica, NY 11435 USA 718-526-2601 Website: www.roscovision.com Products: Founded in 1907, Rosco provides
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such items as backup camera systems, mirrors, visors and other visual safety solutions to the worldwide commercial vehicle market. 18
Safety Vision See Ad On Page 24 6100 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N. Houston, TX 77041 USA 800-880-8855 Email: masstransitsales@safetyvision.com Website: www.safetyvision.com Products: Safety Vision’s suite of mobile video recorders offer tough and lasting performance in any transit environment. Equipped with HD technology for high definition picture quality, Safety Vision’s solutions deliver greater resolution at a lower cost. Sophisticated and feature-rich software supplies users with all the necessary playback and investigating tools needed. 18
Seon Unit 111 – 3B Burbidge St. Coquitlam, BC V3K 7B2 CANADA 604-941-0880 Email: sales@seon.com Website: www.seon.com Products: Seon is a manufacturer of video surveillance and fleet management solutions for school and transit buses. 18
Idrive — Now With Distracted & Drowsy Driving Detection
Idrive has added Distracted & Drowsy Driving Detection to its list of low-cost services available with its X2 video event recorder. Utilizing the driver facing camera of the X2, Idrive uses computer vision and facial recognition to track the driver’s eyes and head movement. Using video, along with Idrive’s massive database of data, events are analyzed using the camera’s artificial intelligence and can detect the driver’s behavior. When distracted driving is detected, the Idrive X2 triggers an event and captures a video. After events are downloaded, Idrive’s software rates the event severity and grades drivers accordingly, so safety managers know which drivers need more training before they hit the road. These scored events are critical to fleet safety managers as they advise on who needs coaching immediately to avoid a potentially fatal accident. This is a huge breakthrough for intelligent fleet monitoring, and will help companies that use the Idrive system to reduce and eliminate distracted driving. Idrive did a recent study on a fleet of 1,500 units. By installing the X2 with Distracted and Drowsy Driving Detection, the company was able to reduce distracted driving events by 57 percent within one month of installing the Idrive X2. At the end of the second month, there was a 75 percent reduction in miles driven while visibly distracted. With automated distracted driving detection and continued driver coaching, companies can nearly eliminate distracted driving within their fleet of vehicles. Sean O’Neil, CEO of Idrive, expressed his excitement concerning the new service stating, “With the growing number of fatalities daily from people driving distracted on the road, I am hopeful that this service will make drivers put their phones down. At the end of the day, we want all of our customers to make it home safely.” Visit www.idriveGlobal.com for more information.
Safety Vision And Genetec Take On Future Of Mobile Integrated Solutions
Safety Vision, LLC, a mobile surveillance provider for industries such as K-12, mass transit, first responders and law enforcement, is partnering with Genetec Inc., an open architecture VMS provider. “As issues with proprietary systems grow, Safety Vision understands the future of the transportation industry lies within open architecture. While competitors shy away from the idea, Safety Vision is not only listening to the market and recognizing the need for an integrated open platform solution, but the company is also determined to lead the innovation,” according to a Safety Vision press release. “By partnering with Genetec, Safety Vision has become this company’s national partner for the transportation market. Safety Vision is offering over 25 years of mobile surveillance expertise, in collaboration with the forward-thinking minds at Genetec, to create a partnership each mobile industry will significantly benefit from.” “By partnering with Genetec, Safety Vision is now poised to lead the industry by providing the most scalable and open mobile video solution ever offered,” Safety Vision Transit Sales Manager Lucius McCelvey said. “Safety Vision and Genetec are removing transportation industries from their small proprietary islands and exposing them to a continent of state-of-the-art open architecture technology.” With Safety Vision’s newly developed open platform hardware and software, mobile industries have the freedom to add new technologies as they are developed, according to the company.
“Unlike proprietary systems, an open architecture platform allows the opportunity to create a system specifically tailored to an industry’s needs. This sophisticated system can be customized and scaled to any level through a Software Developer’s Kit (SDK), an Application Programming Interface (API), or simply a third-party integration. Open architecture offers the flexibility to pick and choose from endless advanced features, such as access control, quick search, people counting, gunshot detection and privacy protection with auto-redaction,” Safety Vision stated. “Genetec’s Security Center gives users the option to grant specific guest users live access into the surveillance system. If chosen to do so, allowing system access can help law enforcement, first responders, firefighters, schools, mass transit and other approved guest users to work together to find the most effective and efficient citywide solution in real time. “Utilizing third-party access also eliminates a transit agency or school transportation department’s responsibility to deploy its own labor resources and finances when working with law enforcement. This type of integration creates a smart-city environment, where all fixed and mobile video can be viewed from a single platform. Video that used to take hours or days to track down and review can now be examined in minutes. Unifying security cameras throughout a city provides limitless coverage and quicker solutions, becoming the smarter long-term solution for agencies worldwide.” Visit www.safetyvision.com or call 800-880-8855. Month/Month YEAR
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BUSLINE VEHICLE SHOWCASE
BYD
BYD
35’ Battery-Electric Coach (C8) 23’ Battery-Electric Coach (C6) BYD’s smallest coach transports up to 16 passengers. Many of BYD’s customers use the C6 as a shuttle for applications with lower passenger volumes (hotels, private parking facilities, smaller colleges and universities, transportation on small islands), while others customize the interior for luxury to transport VIP passengers. Passengers will experience one of the most comfortable rides available–and step off feeling good about their contribution to cleaner air. Using no fossil fuels of any kind, BYD’s coaches are the cleanest, safest, most cost-effective way to move people from point-to-point.
BYD 1800 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 800-BYD-AUTO Email: inquiries@byd.com • Website: www.byd.com
BYD’s 35-foot battery-electric coach offers the same comfort and a comparable range to BYD’s larger coaches, with a mid-sized seating capacity. The interior can be configured for exquisite luxury, comfortable economy, or anywhere in between. With proven performance in all climates, the C8 will keep passengers comfortable on the journeys of their lives. Ideal for transit commuter routes, private charter, intercity, luxury shuttle, touring and corporate applications, the C8 gives passengers one of the most comfortable rides available–and step off feeling good about their contribution to cleaner air. Using no fossil fuels of any kind, BYD’s coaches are the cleanest, safest, most costeffective way to move people from point-to-point.
BYD 1800 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 800-BYD-AUTO Email: inquiries@byd.com • Website: www.byd.com
Model..................................................................................................................C6 Seating Capacity ..........................................................................................19+1 Overall Length .............................................................................................23.5’ Overall Width.................................................................................................81.1” Overall Height ..............................................................................................108” Wheelbase..................................................................................................156.8” Turning Radius ..........................................................................................26.25’
Model..................................................................................................................C8 Seating Capacity...........................................................................................41+1 Overall Length .............................................................................................35.2’ Overall Width..............................................................................................101.6” Overall Height............................................................................................139.4” Wheelbase..................................................................................................240.2” Turning Radius................................................................................................39’
• 100% battery electric with zero emissions • Lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG coaches • Up to 124 miles on a single charge • Full depot charging in 3-4 hours • 12-year full replacement warranty on BYD’s safe, non-toxic batteries • Highly customizable interior offering the latest features and finishes • Regenerative braking, reducing wear while charging the battery
• 100% battery electric with zero emissions • Lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG coaches • Up to 200 miles on a single charge • Full depot charging in 4.5 hours • 12-year full replacement warranty on BYD’s safe, non-toxic batteries •Highly customizable interior offering the latest features and finishes • Regenerative braking, reducing wear while charging the battery
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BUSLINE VEHICLE SHOWCASE
BYD
BYD
40’ Battery-Electric Coach (C9) 45’ Battery-Electric Coach (C10) The 40-foot battery-electric coach seats up to 49 people and is perfect for medium-length itineraries. The interior can be configured for exquisite luxury, comfortable economy, or anywhere in between. With proven performance in all climates, the C9 will keep passengers comfortable on the journeys of their lives. Ideal for transit commuter routes, private charter, intercity, luxury shuttle, touring and corporate applications, the C9 gives passengers one of the most comfortable rides available–and step off feeling good about their contribution to cleaner air. Using no fossil fuels of any kind, BYD’s coaches are the cleanest, safest, most costeffective way to move people from point-to-point.
BYD 1800 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 800-BYD-AUTO Email: inquiries@byd.com • Website: www.byd.com
BYD’s 45-foot battery-electric coach seats up to 57 people and is perfect for medium-length itineraries. The interior can be configured for exquisite luxury, comfortable economy, or anywhere in between. With proven performance in all climates, the C10 will keep passengers comfortable on the journeys of their lives. Ideal for transit commuter routes, private charter, intercity, luxury shuttle, touring and corporate applications, the C10 gives passengers one of the most comfortable rides available–and step off feeling good about their contribution to cleaner air. Using no fossil fuels of any kind, BYD’s coaches are the cleanest, safest, most costeffective way to move people from point-to-point.
BYD 1800 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 800-BYD-AUTO Email: inquiries@byd.com • Website: www.byd.com
Model..................................................................................................................C9 Seating Capacity .........................................................................................49+1 Overall Length.............................................................................................40.5’ Overall Width.................................................................................................102” Overall Height............................................................................................139.4” Wheelbase........................................................................................250.4/53.2” Turning Radius................................................................................................44’
Model ................................................................................................................C10 Seating Capacity..........................................................................................57+1 Overall Length.............................................................................................45.8’ Overall Width..............................................................................................101.6” Overall Height............................................................................................139.4” Wheelbase.........................................................................................313.8/53.2” Turning Radius................................................................................................49’
• 100% battery electric with zero emissions • Lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG coaches • Up to 200 miles on a single charge • Full depot charging in 4.5-5 hours • 12-year full replacement warranty on BYD’s safe, non-toxic batteries • Highly customizable interior offering the latest features and finishes • Regenerative braking, reducing wear while charging the battery
• 100% battery electric with zero emissions • Lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG coaches • Up to 230 miles on a single charge • Full depot charging in 2-2.5 hours • 12-year full replacement warranty on BYD’s safe, non-toxic batteries • Highly customizable interior offering the latest features and finishes • Regenerative braking, reducing wear while charging the battery May/June 2019
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BUSLINE VEHICLE SHOWCASE
BYD
BYD
35’ Double Decker Coach (C8MS)
45’ Double Decker Coach (C10MS)
BYD’s all-new 35-foot double decker coach is turning heads in London. Ideal as a sightseeing coach or a transit bus where high capacity is needed, but a longer articulated bus might not be practical. Upper and lower levels provide panoramic views of the landscape and tourist attractions. Passengers will experience one of the most comfortable rides available—and step off feeling good about their contribution to cleaner air. Using no fossil fuels of any kind, BYD’s coaches are the cleanest, safest, most cost-effective way to move people from point-to-point.
BYD’s highest capacity zero-emission coach is the 45-foot double decker C10MS. With sophisticated exterior styling and a spacious, modern interior, it is ideal for moving large groups of people. Upper and lower levels with large windows provide panoramic views of the landscape–ideal for scenic tours and shuttles to attractions and corporate campuses. Passengers will experience one of the most comfortable rides available—and step off feeling good about their contribution to cleaner air. Using no fossil fuels of any kind, BYD’s coaches are the cleanest, safest, most cost-effective way to move people from point-to-point.
BYD 1800 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 800-BYD-AUTO Email: inquiries@byd.com • Website: www.byd.com
BYD 1800 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 800-BYD-AUTO Email: inquiries@byd.com • Website: www.byd.com
Model ............................................................................................................C8MS Seating Capacity............................................................51/47 with restroom Overall Length .............................................................................................35.8’ Overall Width.................................................................................................102” Overall Height...............................................................................................13.4’ Wheelbase.....................................................................................................228” Turning Radius................................................................................................39’
Model...........................................................................................................C10MS Seating Capacity ..........................................................................................77+1 Overall Length ................................................................................................45’ Overall Width.................................................................................................102” Overall Height...............................................................................................13.4’ Wheelbase .........................................................................................283.3/53.1” Turning Radius................................................................................................47’
• 100% battery electric with zero emissions • Lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG coaches • Up to 170 miles on a single charge • Full depot charging in 4-4.5 hours • 12-year full replacement warranty on BYD’s safe, non-toxic batteries • Highly customizable interior offering the latest features and finishes • Regenerative braking, reducing wear while charging the battery
• 100% battery electric with zero emissions • Lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG coaches • Up to 230 miles on a single charge • Full depot charging in 2-2.5 hours • 12-year full replacement warranty on BYD’s safe, non-toxic batteries • Highly customizable interior offering the latest features and finishes • Regenerative braking, reducing wear while charging the battery
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BUSLINE VEHICLE SHOWCASE
BYD
BYD
30’ Battery-Electric Bus (K7)
40’ Battery-Electric Bus (K9)
The 30-foot K7 is BYD’s top-selling model for universities and corporate campuses, shuttling students and workers in quiet comfort. It performs well in smaller cities, at airports, performing arts venues and parking structures. Using no fossil fuels of any kind, BYD’s battery-electric buses are the cleanest, safest, most cost-effective way to move people from point-to-point. BYD brings dependable, zero-emission service to public transportation, university campuses, airports and corporate campuses— all at a lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG. Clean air and quiet communities now go hand-in-hand with affordable transportation.
BYD’s 40-foot bus is the company’s best-selling model, ideal for medium and large cities–or anywhere there is a need to transport large numbers of passengers without the extended capacity of BYD’s 60-foot articulated bus. Using no fossil fuels of any kind, BYD’s battery-electric buses are the cleanest, safest, most cost-effective way to move people from point-to-point. BYD brings dependable, zero-emission service to public transportation, university campuses, airports and corporate campuses— all at a lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG. Clean air and quiet communities now go hand-in-hand with affordable transportation.
BYD 1800 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 800-BYD-AUTO Email: inquiries@byd.com • Website: www.byd.com
BYD 1800 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 800-BYD-AUTO Email: inquiries@byd.com • Website: www.byd.com
Model..................................................................................................................K7 Seating Capacity..........................................................................................22+1 Overall Length .............................................................................................30.7’ Overall Width...............................................................................................95.7” Overall Height............................................................................................132.3” Wheelbase ..................................................................................................195.2” Turning Radius.................................................................................................31’
Model..................................................................................................................K9 Seating Capacity ..........................................................................................37+1 Overall Length.............................................................................................40.2’ Overall Width..............................................................................................101.6” Overall Height...............................................................................................134” Wheelbase...................................................................................................246.1” Turning Radius................................................................................................44’
• 100% battery electric with zero emissions • Proven lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG • New leasing options significantly reduce up-front costs • Up to 137 miles on a single charge • Full depot charging in 3-4 hours • 12-year full replacement warranty on BYD’s safe, non-toxic batteries • On-route inductive charging available
• 100% battery electric with zero emissions • Proven lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG • New leasing options significantly reduce up-front costs • Up to 156 miles on a single charge • Full depot charging in 2-3 hours • 12-year full replacement warranty on BYD’s safe, non-toxic batteries • On-route inductive charging available May/June 2019
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BUSLINE VEHICLE SHOWCASE
BYD
BYD
35’ Battery-Electric Bus (K9S)
60’ Battery-Electric Bus (K11)
BYD’s 35-foot bus maintains the range of the company’s larger buses in a smaller form factor, resulting in an extremely efficient vehicle. Using no fossil fuels of any kind, BYD’s battery-electric buses are the cleanest, safest, most cost-effective way to move people from point-to-point. BYD brings dependable, zero-emission service to public transportation, university campuses, airports and corporate campuses–all at a lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG. Clean air and quiet communities now go hand-in-hand with affordable transportation.
BYD’s 60-foot articulated transit bus is perfect for moving large numbers of passengers. With a capacity of up to 55 seated passengers plus 65 standing (120 total), it is ideal for urban transit systems and high-volume shuttles of all kinds—including airports, university campuses, sports venues, performing arts centers, and parking facilities. Using no fossil fuels of any kind, BYD’s battery-electric buses are the cleanest, safest, most cost-effective way to move people from point-to-point. Clean air and quiet communities now go hand-inhand with affordable transportation.
BYD 1800 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 800-BYD-AUTO Email: inquiries@byd.com • Website: www.byd.com
BYD 1800 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 800-BYD-AUTO Email: inquiries@byd.com • Website: www.byd.com
Model ...............................................................................................................K9S Seating Capacity..........................................................................................32+1 Overall Length .............................................................................................35.8’ Overall Width..............................................................................................101.6” Overall Height...............................................................................................134” Wheelbase..................................................................................................222.7” Turning Radius................................................................................................39’
Model .................................................................................................................K11 Seating Capacity .......................................................................................47-55 Overall Length .............................................................................................60.7’ Overall Width..............................................................................................101.6” Overall Height...............................................................................................134” Wheelbase....................................................................................238.5”/275.6” Turning Radius ............................................................................................44.5’
• 100% battery electric with zero emissions • Proven lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG • New leasing options significantly reduce up-front costs • Up to 215 miles on a single charge (high-capacity model) • Full depot charging in 2-3 hours • 12-year full replacement warranty on BYD’s safe, non-toxic batteries • On-route inductive charging available
• 100% battery electric with zero emissions • Proven lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG • New leasing options significantly reduce up-front costs • Up to 220 miles on a single charge • Full depot charging in 3-4 hours • 12-year full replacement warranty on BYD’s safe, non-toxic batteries • On-route inductive charging available
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BUSLINE VEHICLE SHOWCASE
ABC Companies
ABC Companies
Van Hool Fuel Cell Van Hool CX45E — Battery Electric The new Van Hool CX45E will utilize the proven CX platform. A fullyelectric drivetrain designed to deliver exceptional operational, environmental and passenger benefits will power the CX45E. Deliveries to the North American Market will begin 2019. The CX45E is designed to: • Eliminate hundreds of thousands of pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year • Save customers tens of thousands of dollars on fuel and maintenance costs • Provide a more comfortable and quieter coach experience for riders Notable CX45E equipment features and highlights include: • Outside dimensions same as current CX diesel models • Passenger seating same as current CX models • One (1) door version is standard, 2nd door is optional • Center positioned ADA lift is optional ABC Companies 17469 West Colonial Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 USA Ph: 407-656-7977 • Fax: 407-905-7010 Email: abcinfo@abc-companies.com Website: www.abc-companies.com
Model...................................................... Van Hool CX45E - Battery Electric Overall Length ................................................................................................45’ Overall Height .............................................................................................11’ 6” Overall Width.................................................................................................102” Seating Capacity...................................................................................up to 61 Total Passengers.............................................................................................56 Brakes .........................................................................Four wheel disc brakes
The Van Hool Fuel Cell retains its place as one of the most technically advanced transit buses available today. This clean, quiet, energy efficient low-floor 40-foot transit bus emits only water vapor from the tailpipe. Virtually noiseless, yet powerful enough to climb grades in excess of 18 percent and reach speeds of 50 mph, the Fuel Cell is powered by a zero-emission hydrogen-fueled, hybrid-electric engine, utilizing a fuel cell system, onboard battery power, and regenerative braking. Its clean operation can have an immediate positive impact on street-level emissions. ABC Companies 17469 West Colonial Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 USA Ph: 407-656-7977 • Fax: 407-905-7010 Email: abcinfo@abc-companies.com Website: www.abc-companies.com
Model ....................................................................................Van Hool Fuel Cell Overall Length ................................................................................................40’ Overall Height..............................................................................................11’ 5” Overall Width.................................................................................................102” Seating Capacity.......................28 Seated + 4 Fold-Down Seats + Driver Total Passengers .............................................................................................57 Chassis ...................................................Electrically welded partially steel and partially stainless steel structure Brakes.........................................................................Four Wheel Disc Brakes Wheelchair Lift Option .................Fold-Out Wheelchair Ramp at Door 2 May/June 2019
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BUSLINE VEHICLE SHOWCASE
Motor Coach Industries
Motor Coach Industries
MCI® D45 CRTe LE CHARGE
MCI® Battery-Electric J4500e
Representing the industry’s most accessible commuter coach, the MCI D45 CRT LE is a revolutionary new model featuring a second door at mid-coach with a patent-pending, low-entry vestibule, providing unparalleled accessibility for all passengers. Altoona-tested, ADA and Buy America compliant, the all new D45 CRT LE meets every standard with modern, eye-catching curb appeal, a shorter turning radius to better navigate city streets, enhanced interior illumination and new LED headlights that are brighter to enhance visibility for off-weather daytime conditions and night driving. A wider front door, with an ergonomic spiral entryway, also features enhanced illumination on the stairwell. The battery-electric MCI D45 CRTe LE CHARGE, planned for 2020, will roll off the line with a high-torque Siemens 2130 LB FT Electric Drive System with plenty of power for hills and highways; and a target range of 200 miles to serve long-distance commuters in an environmentally friendly manner. And every single new MCI CHARGE model features a half century of New Flyer electric propulsion and charging solution know-how. New Flyer and MCI’s combined expertise guarantees reliability and will help usher in a new era of electric public transit.
MCI moves into electric propulsion, teamed up with New Flyer’s half century of expertise. The all-electric model – the MCI J4500e CHARGE, is planned for 2020. Designed for impressive power, a smooth quiet ride and zero emissions, MCI matches the time-tested reliability of its popular model with battery-electric propulsion and charging methods, adopted from New Flyer’s battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ for high dependability. MCI’s platform includes electric driven components, from electric heat and AC systems to power steering; a high-torque Siemens electric drive system; Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) Lithium Ion batteries with high power plug-in battery charging to 100 percent in under three hours; and regenerative braking for energy efficiency and solid stopping power. Expect the reliable, all-electric MCI J4500 to have styling and comfort features to match. The best-selling J4500 coach leads in curb appeal inside and out. From best-in-class legroom and slimstyled seating options to Wi-Fi and easy-access power outlets and overhead lighting, MCI makes distance travel both productive and relaxing.
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................................................................Battery-electric D45 CRTe LE Seating Capacity......................................................................54 passengers Overall Length ................................................................................................45’ Headroom ..................................................................................................78.25” Wheelbase......................................................................................................315” Front Suspension .............................................................Independent front GVWR ..................................................................................................54,000 lbs. Propulsion System.................................................................Siemens motor Batteries.........................65 Ah NMCI Lithium Ion Ultra-high Energy cell by XALT, estimated 388.5 kW Brakes ....................................................Bendix® ADB22X™ Air Disc Brakes Page 50
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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.........................................................................Battery-electric J4500e Seating Capacity......................................................................56 passengers Overall Length...........................................................................................45.58’ Headroom ..................................................................................................78.25” Wheelbase......................................................................................................315” Front Suspension .............................................................Independent front GVWR ..................................................................................................54,000 lbs. Propulsion System.................................................................Siemens motor Batteries.........................65 Ah NMCI Lithium Ion Ultra-high Energy cell by XALT, estimated 400 kW max power Brakes ....................................................Bendix® ADB22X™ Air Disc Brakes
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New Flyer of America
The Xcelsior CHARGE™ builds on the industry-leading Xcelsior® transit bus platform, with extended range battery technology made in America, electric motors with efficient regenerative energy recovery, the highest torque available for steep grade cities, and charging infrastructure compliant with industry standards. Passengers on the battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ will experience the quietest and most accessible transit bus ride available, with improved step height, expanded front door width, unmatched accessibility with SmartRider™ technology — an industry first in fully-accessible level boarding from curb to aisle — and best-in-class passenger carrying capacity. All is accomplished by optimized battery placements to comply with maximum gross axle and gross vehicle legal weight limits. The Xcelsior CHARGE™ extended range 40-foot configurations allow for up to 466 kWh battery capacity, obtaining realistic transit ranges of over 225 miles on a single charge based on Federal Transit Administration test protocol. Xcelsior CHARGE™ is available in 35-, 40- and 60-foot articulated bus rapid transit models.
New Flyer of America, 6200 Glenn Carlson Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56301. Website: www.newflyer.com
Model ............................................Xcelsior CHARGE™ battery-electric bus Seats .......................................................................................................Up to 40 Length....................................................41’ over bumpers/40’2” over body Width ...............................................................................................................102” Roof height ...............................................................11’1” over charging rails Interior height..................79” over front and rear axle; 95” mid-coach Wheelbase................................................................................................283.75” Motor...............................................Siemens ELFA2 Electric Drive System, standard or optional high gradeability Curb weight hybrid ................................30,500 lb. (approximate weight; varies with ESS configuration) Floor ...............Marine-grade plywood floor, optional composite floor, composite rear interior step, Tarabus, Altro, RCA floor covering Electrical system......................................................................Parker Vansco Cooling system .............................................................Electric cooling fans HVAC .....................................................................................Thermo King RLFE Axles..............................................................MAN VOK 07 front disc brakes; MAN HY-1350 rear disc brakes, single reduction axle Rapid charge...................................107 kWh, 160 kWh, 215 kWh & 267 kWh Long range charge ........................................311 kWh, 388 kWh & 466 kWh
Nova Bus
LFS HEV® (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Based on the proven performance of the LFS platform, the LFS HEV® (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) upgrades its already advanced fuelefficient engineering by adding a powerful, ultra-low emissions hybrid drive to cut fuel and maintenance costs. Given optimal operating conditions, the LFS HEV offers up to 30 percent reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel-powered buses. Other benefits include a significant reduction in noise levels, particularly at the rear of the vehicle and outside. Nova Bus offers two different types of hybrid systems: parallel and series. In both parallel and series vehicles, braking energy normally lost as heat is recuperated through a generator and stored in the rooftop batteries. That’s why hybrid technologies are best suited for frequent stop-and-go conditions. Also available, the high-capacity LFS Artic HEV is an attractive alternative for growing cities focused on sustainable development. Starts and stops are smooth and the ride is stable, even in snowy conditions; the end result is a more enjoyable passenger experience. Developing vehicles to help cities meet their sustainability objectives is part of Nova Bus’ vision to be the leader in green efficiency and Electro Mobility.
Nova Bus: 260 Banker Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 518-566-6682 • Fax: 518-957-2002 Website: www.novabus.com
Model .......................................................................................................LFS HEV Seating Capacity...................................................................................up to 41 Length...............................................................................................................40’ Width ...............................................................................................................102” Height..............................................................................................................128” Engine ..........................................................................Cummins B6.7 280 HP Traction Drive .................................................Allison H 40 EP, BAE HDS200 Chassis .......................................................................Stainless Steel Integral Fuel ...............................................................................Diesel-electric Hybrid Air Conditioning ................................................................Thermo King, MCC Wheelchair Lift Option..............................................................Lift-U, Fedico Steering .............................................................................................TRW TAS85 Suspension........................................................................................................ZF May/June 2019
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BUSLINE VEHICLE SHOWCASE
Complete Coach Works
Proterra
ZEPS Bus The ZEPS (Zero Emission Propulsion System) drive system technology, developed exclusively by Complete Coach Works (CCW), provides customers with a clean, cost-effective and viable alternative to fossil fuel. CCW can integrate ZEPS into any fleet, helping communities further support the environment for future generations. CCW remanufactures buses to reduce the cost and the environmental impact of bus manufacturing. The ZEPS bus relies on the recycle-reuse-reduce philosophy, and is the ultimate in sustainability. CCW takes a previously used transit bus powered by a fossil fuel engine, and remanufactures it to like-new condition, with an all-electric powered drivetrain system. The ZEPS powered remanufactured electric bus is the ultimate in eliminating environmental impact in the transit industry. For 30 years, CCW has led the transit industry in retrofits and rehabs, but by far the ZEPS line has made CCW most proud by reaching over 3 million miles driven throughout the United States. CCW has successfully retrofitted and deployed its ZEPS all-electric drive system in many operations around the nation, meeting the diverse needs of each operator. The ZEPS system has been utilized for buses, trolleys and other heavy-duty vehicles. Not only is CCW dedicated to crafting quality, it’s also dedicated to always producing projects on time. Complete Coach Works, 1863 Service Court Riverside, CA 92507 Phone: 800-300-3751 Website: www.completecoach.com, www.zepsdrive.com
• Zero emission propulsion system • 150 mile driving range • Low maintenance • Clean & noise free • Liquid cool system • Light and densest battery pack • Advance latium ion battery • All electric power drive train system • Improves bus life span • Avoid material waste Page 52
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Proterra Catalyst® Battery-Electric Bus Proterra is rapidly reinventing the transit industry with Catalyst® battery-electric vehicles. Communities across North America have already put these high-performance buses to the test through more than eight million miles of service. Designed from the start as an exclusively electric vehicle, the Catalyst vehicle delivers exceptional route flexibility and proven operational performance, with the greatest range of any zero-emission, battery-electric bus in its class. Made with an advanced carbon-fiber-reinforced body and the market’s highest-efficiency batteries and electric drivetrains, the Catalyst bus is designed to safely and quietly endure nearly two decades of onroad service, with minimal maintenance required. Proterra offers a modular, technology-centric approach to vehicle configuration. Customers can choose from two vehicle sizes and can select their energy level, as well as charging solutions to meet the needs of their specific routes. Proterra Inc. 1815 Rollins Road Burlingame, CA 94010 Phone: 864-438-0000 Email: sales@proterra.com Website: www.proterra.com Model .................................................................................40’ Catalyst E2 Max Seating Capacity.............................................................................................40 Length.............................................................................................................510” Height..............................................................................................................128” Width ...............................................................................................................102” Engine......................................................Dual independent 190 kW motors Type of fuel ...............................................Battery-Electric, up to 660 kWh Chassis ..............................................Monocoque Carbon-fiber-reinforced composite material HVAC .................................................................Overhead integrated system Wheelchair Lift Option.................................Front ADA power wheelchair ramp (4:1, 6:1 slope) Steering......................................................................................................Power Suspension ........................................Multi-Link Air Ride rear suspension
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BUSLINE VEHICLE SHOWCASE
Hometown Manufacturing
Hometown Manufacturing
Hometown Streetcar Trolley
The Hometown Coach View is more than just another transit bus. The View boasts many customized features, including an impressive GVRW and wheelbase range. The View is also green. Customers can choose from LPG and CNG packages for longer range capabilities and lower emissions; or they can select a full electric propulsion system that provides a range of 120 to 140 miles and a short recharging time of four to five hours, producing zero emissions. Other key features to the vehicle include panoramic-view windows, seating up to 42 passengers and heavy-duty construction. The View is designed to provide exceptional shuttle, tour and paratransit performance. Developed to optimize floorplan customization, the View is synonymous with user-friendliness and ease of application.
The Streetcar Trolley low-floor model combines the nostalgic features of the turn-of-the-century passenger cable car with the modern technology of today’s transit advancements including electric and hybrid options. The Streetcar Trolley is a powerhouse heavy-duty trolley capable of running in any mass transit, high passenger capacity applications. The Streetcar is a full stainless steel low-floor monocoque chassis design, exceeding the required 1:6 ratio for ADA loading with the fold out ADA ramp. Optional equipment such as LED destination signs, DVD flat screen packages, mahogany finishes and many more choices are available to customize the Streetcar. Standard equipment such as a multiplex wiring system, brass or brushed stainless hand railings, as well as simulated wood trim set the Streetcar in a class all its own. Vintage tram interior, transit flooring, HVAC packages and ADA packages are available. The trolley has been Altoona-tested for 10 years/350,000 miles.
Hometown Manufacturing 750 Industrial Parkway, Crandon, WI 54520 Phone: 715-478-5090 • Fax: 715-478-5095 Email: Kristina@hometowntrolley.com Website: www.hometown-mfg.com
Hometown Manufacturing 750 Industrial Parkway, Crandon, WI 54520 Phone: 715-478-5090 • Fax: 715-478-5095 Email: Kristina@hometowntrolley.com Website: www.hometown-mfg.com
Model..............................................................................................................View Length........................................................................................................32’/36’ Seating ..................................................30-34 passenger/36-42 passenger GVWR ..........................................................................................................24,000 Body Width......................................................................................................99” Body Height................................................................................................123.5” Int. Height....................................................................................................80.5” Wheelbase...........................................................................................228”/242” Engine .....................................................Diesel, gas, LPG, CNG, full electric Transmission............................Allison PTS 2200 / Ford auto 5-speed OD
Model.......................................................................................Streetcar Trolley Length ................................................................................................29’/34’/40’ Seating..................................................24-29 passenger/28-34 passenger/ 34-40 passenger GVWR............................................................................................29,000/32,000 Body Width......................................................................................................99” Body Height................................................................................................123.5” Int. Height....................................................................................................80.5” Wheelbase .................................................................................160”/190”/228” Engine .............................................Cummins ISL9, diesel, electric, hybrid Transmission .............................................................................................B-400
Hometown Coach View
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From ABC Companies
Premiere #1 Limousine Brings ‘White Glove’ Treatment To Charter Service
Premiere #1 Limousine has offered a full-range of executive black car, specialty limousine and high-end mini-bus service since 2009. Now almost 10 years later, Owner/President Douglas Rydbom explains why his traditional limo operation is seeing more opportunity on the charter side of business. “Evolving into the bus side of luxury ground transportation has been a calculated investment,” said Rydbom. “With disrupters like Uber and Lyft vying for the black car segment, and regional bus companies falling short of customer expectations, Premiere #1 Limousine saw an opportunity to cash in by adding charter service to its business model. By tapping into its loyal customer base, we have created an ongoing demand for larger-group transportation service. Our customers love that we can offer them one-stop service for almost any transportation need. Whether they want to move one or 1,000 passengers, they know we can accommodate any request in comfort and style, and they can expect the white glove service experience that’s the hallmark of the Premiere #1 Limousine brand.” The new frontier of charter and contract work leverages Premier #1’s limoprofessional driver staff by migrating its “chauffer” service standard to charter service, according to Rydbom. “Our bus drivers have all come through the ranks of limousine work, and they are accustomed to delivering a luxury experience. Our drivers treat customers with tremendous courtesy and respect. Their overall mission is the complete comfort and safety of passengers. Every trip is an occasion to wow the guests, and from beginning to end, they do their best to make passengers feel pampered and relaxed so they can enjoy a unique experience.” Based in Middletown, PA, Premiere #1 Limousine serves the surrounding Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster County region. Sixty percent of the business is dedicated to corporate transportation services including executive cars, airport transfers, and convention and group travel, while
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40 percent is focused on retail customers including church groups, school trips, regional tours and attractions, as well as personal services such as weddings, special events, concerts, and more. The fleet features a full array of vehicle options including 8-passenger limousines, chauffeured luxury cars including Tesla, Mercedes, BMW, and Chrysler, SUVs and Sprinter Vans for up to 14 passengers,
exotic SUV and Hummer 12, 14, and 18 passenger limos, executive limo and party buses for 20-30 passengers, a 40-passenger trolley, and 40-56 passenger motorcoaches. “The diversity of our fleet enables our customers to enjoy the convenience of working with a single provider that can cover virtually any transportation requirement,” said Rydbom. In 2014, the company purchased its first 56-passenger Van Hool CX45 motorcoach from ABC Companies, the North American distributor for Van Hool equipment. Since then, they have consistently added Van Hool full-size equipment to the fleet, and have most recently taken delivery of two Van Hool CX45 coaches. “Adding Van Hool models to our fleet has made a big impact on our customers in terms of curb appeal and amenities,” said Rydbom. “But the biggest benefit has come from doing business with a company that works with us like a partner.” He said that ABC goes above and beyond the basic “equipment provider” role, by listening to and understanding his
May/June 2019
business challenges and supporting his operation with fast, efficient warranty service, 24-hour parts order turnaround, and more. He highlights ABC’s Mobile Technician field service, and 24-hour Tech Support as critical value-added services that have galvanized the relationship and have brought enhanced peace-ofmind to running his operation. “From the initial sales process through warranty service, it’s reassuring to know that ABC is just a call away and that there is a live technician with the knowledge and ability to keep our fleet working, regardless of the time of day. I’ve worked with many equipment providers over the years, and ABC delivers a world-class product, but the partnership aspect of working with the ABC team cannot be understated. We are a young and growing company, and ABC is contributing to our stable growth.” ABC said that Rydbom is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and is proud of Premiere #1 Limousine’s 100 percent veteran-owned status. “I’ve always felt that serving in the military gave me an advantage as a business owner,” said Rydbom. “It’s helped me to build a team mentality and a sense of camaraderie among our entire staff.” He said that the company’s 80 employees, including drivers, sales staff and maintenance crew, are the most valuable aspect of his operation. “We have a very open culture and want to hear from our staff members, whether it’s positive or negative, what is going on in their daily lives. We foster an environment of mutual respect, based on trust and family-values.” The company was recently ranked No. 4 on the Central Penn Business Journal’s (CPBJ) list of Veteran-Owned Businesses and in 2018 was named (by CPBJ) as one of the 50 Fastest-Growing Companies in the region, marking its fifth consecutive year to be featured. Premier #1 Limousine has also been the recipient of numerous awards over the years from CPBJ for
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initiatives such as growth, service to the community, and acknowledgement as a top-rated regional company in various categories. A few previous awards include the 2017 Business of the Year Award in the 51 to 100 Employees Category, multiple finalist qualifications for the Business of the Year Award, numerous rankings on the Veteran-Owned Business List, and appearances in the Book of Lists. Since 2009, Premiere #1 Limousine has seen average annual growth between 1520 percent. “A company is expected to grow in its early years, but to maintain growth over consecutive years is tough to do,” said Rydbom. “We make sure to stay on top of industry trends and change with the times and the demands of today. This involves constant adjustments to our business and marketing strategy, as well as our vehicles and services, such as adding eight motorcoaches to our fleet in just a twoyear timeframe.” In terms of advertising and promotion, the company utilizes web-based marketing. “We’ve changed our business model to give our customers anytime access for inquiries and bookings. Customers can go online 24/7 for quotes and to book their trip and, of course, they can also call for live quotes.” Web-based inquiries and bookings currently represent approximately 25 percent of overall sales, according to Rydbom. He said that ongoing SEO campaigns focus on continuously assessing and refreshing search parameters to increase organic search results and keep Premiere #1 Limousine in the top page rankings. The company also uses Facebook ads to augment SEO optimization efforts. Rydbom believes that slow, controlled growth is a key factor to the company’s future success. Embracing new technology, expanding fleet diversity and most notably adding charter service to its lineup will move the company into new directions. While all of those strategies contribute to growth, he said that continuing to listen to customers is the company’s #1 priority. “By supporting our customers’ needs, providing them with more flexibility and options and raising the bar on quality service, Premiere #1 Limousine is focused on building on our unique reputation as a leader in luxury ground transportation.” For more information, visit www. abc-companies.com.
CCW Completes Foothill Transit’s Rehab And Repaint Project
Complete Coach Works (CCW) has completed Foothill Transit’s project to rehab and repaint 30 artic buses. The 60-foot-long buses have been repowered with new Cummins ISLG 320 horsepower engines. Rebuilt Allison B500R Gen V transmissions were included on an as needed basis. In addition, work included an upgrade to the bus cooling system with the installation of a new all-electric EMP cooling package. Other components that were replaced include motor mounts, hose lines, fittings, alternators, and starters. All necessary body work was repaired before each bus received a complete paint job. The buses were repainted with Foothill's new logo and paint scheme. This is the second cosmetic rehab CCW has undertaken for Foothill. The new Foothill decal layout will continue to incorporate Foothill's mountain peak’s logo as a nod to its proximity to the San Gabriel Mountains.
“The design reflects the agency's commitment to sustainability and being green,” said Roland Cordero, Foothill Transit's director of maintenance and vehicle technology, in an earlier CCW press release. Kevin O’Brien, general sales manager of CCW, commented, “It’s rewarding to know that our pioneering efforts and continued success in repowers are making an impact in the transportation industry, and our environment. Complete Coach Works is honored to have been awarded this contract from Foothill Transit and to contribute to its goals of sustainability.” Visit www.completecoach.com.
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BYD Continues Expansion With Service Center Opening In Northern California
BYD (Build Your Dreams) has expanded its North American operations with the opening of a service center in San Carlos, CA. The facility gives northern California customers access to parts, care, and expertise for their BYD buses and trucks. The new service center, located at 501 Bragato Rd., convenient to Highway 101, is 15,600 square feet in size, and features two service bays, a high ceiling to accommodate BYD’s double-deck buses, a parts warehouse and all the equipment necessary to handle customer after-sales care. “With more than 100 BYD buses operating in the Bay Area, BYD wants to make sure our customers receive quick, expert care,” said Bobby Hill, BYD vice president, coach & bus. “BYD is committed to top-quality customer care.” BYD’s Bay Area and central California customers, including global tech companies, universities, and several transit agencies benefit from the strategic location. Public agencies including Marin Transit, Napa Valley Vine Transit, Solano County’s Soltrans, Fresno County’s Rural Transit Agency, Tri Delta Tran-
sit, and Monterey-Salinas Transit, will have the ability to take advantage of the facility. “Customers in the region are operating the 30-foot K7M, the 35foot K9S, and the 40-foot K9M transit buses, the 23-foot C6 coach, the 35-foot C8 coach, and the C10MS, BYD’s 45-foot doubledeck bus, the largest battery electric coach on the road,” said BYD. The center will also serve BYD’s truck customers. Bay Area customers are operating several of BYD’s all-electric trucks including the 8TT drayage truck and the 8R, the first battery electric Class 8 refuse truck in California. “The service center is the latest example of BYD’s commitment to the North American market. BYD employs more than 750 workers at its Lancaster, CA, manufacturing plant, and nearly 900 nationwide. In all, BYD has invested more than $250 million in North America. In April, BYD announced it had produced 300 buses in the plant. That number grows daily.” For more information, visit: www.bydnorthamerica.com.
BUS AND COACH SPARE PARTS
From Midwest Bus
Byk-Rak Has New Rack For Wide-Tire Bicycles
With thousands of city and highway transportation networks worldwide, CBM is one of the leaders in the eld of spare parts. For 30 years, CBM has been supplying spare parts for the bus and coach industry. Our technical, sales, and logistic expertise acquired over the years has allowed us to gradually become a leader in this market.
info.usa@cbmcompany.com Toll-free phone number Toll-free fax number Cell
+1 877 332-3163 +1 877 332-3165 +1 857 216-9699
www.cbmcompany.com 75000 part numbers Genuine quality parts Chassis, suspension, engine, gearbox, clutch, axle, brake, steering, seats, mirrors, air conditioning, heating and electric
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Byk-Rak is now supplying a two-position, threeinch, wide-tire rack for the front of public transit buses, so riders can easily stow their bikes while riding the bus to the next destination. The rack still also accommodates standard-tire bicycles, from adult-sized bikes down to smaller bikes, such as a children’s size with 16-inch wheels. The new rack holds its bikes in place, is lightweight, and easily raises and lowers with one hand. Riders can load their bicycles with ease from either curbside or the front of the rack, according to Ron Coon, Byk-Rak vice president. Each rack carries 250 pounds of static weight and supports bicycles up to 55 pounds in each rail while the bus is in motion. For more information, visit www.byk-rak.com.
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Prevost Commercial Customer Training Provides Opportunity To Experience Practical Applications And Hands-On Exercises
“Hosted by the Prevost Technical Institute (PTI), Commercial Customer Training programs are conducted throughout the year at various Prevost Parts & Service Centers in
Service Training Manager Will Salluzzo instructs training attendees.
the U.S. and Canada. These sessions have become increasingly valuable for Prevost operators and technicians charged with maintaining the equipment,” said Prevost. “The sessions span three days, and attendees register for a combination of one- and two-day classes on topics of their choosing. Participants attend classroom presentations led by teams of Prevost customer support managers, where attendees have the opportunity to experience practical applications and hands-on exercises. Instruction on key systems and componentry include HVAC, Prevost electrical, D13 Volvo engine, pneumatic braking systems and accessories.” Prevost Commercial Customer Training sessions were recently held at the Goodlettsville, TN, facility on the outskirts of Nashville. The session is one of the company’s largest events in the series, second only to the Annual Factory Training conducted each year at the Prevost headquarters in St. Claire, Quebec. This year, 47 customers, representing 23 motorcoach companies that run Prevost products, attended the training in Nashville. Fourteen Prevost trainers and customer support managers led the classroom and handson training sessions, which focused on recent design changes, innovations, and new components for the Prevost H3-45 and X3-45 models, as well as the Volvo 9700. “The extensive curricula available through
the Prevost Technical Institute further ensures our steadfast commitment to stand by our products and continually deliver exceptional aftermarket service to our customers,” said Robert Hitt, director of Prevost Aftermarket Training. “Over the past year, more than 600 technicians successfully completed one or more of our training programs.” Hitt also said that Prevost customers who attend the programs regard their experience as invaluable to their maintenance operations, particularly for new employees unfamiliar with Prevost and Volvo coaches. “Prevost encourages customers and staff alike to connect and take part in Commercial Customer Training programs at their nearest Prevost Service Center. Refer to the e-media page at www.prevostcar.com to select and register for the latest opportunities from the Prevost Technical Institute.” 2019 Prevost Commercial Customer Training Programs Fort Worth, TX, June 4 – 6 (Prevost product) Mississauga, ON, July 9 – 11 (Prevost product) Hagerstown, MD, August 20 – 23 (D13 Volvo Engine Overhaul) South Plainfield, NJ, September 10 – 12 (Prevost Product) Quebec City, QB, September 29 – October 3 (Prevost Factory Training) Richmond, BC, October 15 – 17 (Prevost product) Mira Loma, CA, November 5 – 7 (Volvo product)
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A-1 Limousine Adding 4 New MCI J-Series Coaches, Including MCI J4500 Auctioned To Benefit ABA Foundation
“Princeton, NJ-based A-1 Limousine rounds out its 20-coach fleet with two 2019 MCI J4500s, and two all-new 2019 MCI J3500s, MCI’s recent return to the luxury 35-foot coach market. One of A-1’s newest J4500s was the featured MCI coach in the American Bus Association (ABA) Foundation’s Live Auction at ABA Marketplace Jan. 25-29 in Louisville, KY. Proceeds from the auction benefited the ABA Foundation’s scholarships and motor coach travel and tourism research. Jeffrey Starr, president of A-1, said he planned to bid on the newest J4500 at ABA “before I walked in the door.” He said, “I already knew the model’s features and value and won.” The son of founders Michael and Marilyn Star, Jeffrey Starr helped the family business expand from traditional limousines and vans into motor coaches in the 1990s, as corporate clients began asking for ways to move larger groups.
“That strategy began with MCI pre-owned coaches and a longtime working relationship built with Walter Sturdivant, a 45-year career veteran at MCI (who is regional vice president of preowned coach sales, based at MCI Sales and Service Center in Blackwood, NJ) and Greg Lukas, regional vice president of new coach sales.” Starr said that MCI quality, person-to-person service and parts support have kept A-1 loyal. “Every transportation company owner-operator can agree that an out-of-service vehicle is not only detrimental to the business financially, but we are also unable to meet the needs of our customers,” said Starr. “I’ve always counted on MCI for parts, and now under NFI Parts, service is even better.” A-1’s newest coaches, scheduled for delivery later this year, also have Starr looking forward to MCI’s new 35-foot era. Pat Ziska, MCI vice president of New Coach Sales, said, “We’ve been very proud to help A-1 build this 55-year-old business. Successful limousine operators like A-1 helped us realize it was time to reenter the 35-foot coach market with the creation of our new J-Series.” “MCI builds great buses,” said Starr. “The 2019 J4500 and J3500 designs are fantastic. From the turning radius features on both models, to the redesigned spacious interiors for maximum seating capacity, MCI coaches are intelligently engineered.” According to a press release, “A-1 is taking its new J4500 coaches in a roomy 60-seat configuration, and its two J3500s with a 44-seat layout. All four coaches will also carry optional programmable multicolor interior lighting and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that help drivers prevent incidents in highway and local traffic. “A-1 knows about 35-foot coaches – its new J3500s will replace the company’s longtime F coaches built by MCI in Mexico more than 20 years ago.” Starr said, “These four new MCI vehicles will support a fast-expanding coach business. With nearly 130 mini-buses, vans and sedans, the company is electing to grow its coach fleet ‘with a goal of refreshing our motor coaches with two new coaches every few years because that side of our business is really growing.’” Another source of that growth is A-1’s 2018 acquisition of Princeton-based Triangle Tours and Travel, a tour and charter expert in sports, single-day and extended excursions, with luxury touches like tailgate party services featuring upscale restaurant-style catering. MCI said that A-1’s culture of personal service and schedule time-keeping management has made it particularly adept at managing large group travel. Starr reminisced about the time his business was responsible for transporting 700 students to an event in Philadelphia that required 175 motor coaches (sourced with nearby operators) with pinpoint drop-off and
THE DIAMOND FAMILY
Serving The Industry Since 1947 Made in the U.S.A.
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pick-up schedules of less than a half-hour. A-1 managed it all by placing 30 people on the ground at the right locations, and having bus mechanics available to service coaches if required. “We have the know-how, technology and communication systems in place that helped us complete that move and many others to perfection,” said Starr. “It’s also about A-1’s staff,” according to Starr. With a staff of nearly 250, including drivers, A-1’s longestserving employee, who ran dispatch over a 55-year career with the company, has just become a consultant on future projects. Additionally, the company’s roots in sedan-based transportation have transferred its chauffeur philosophy to A-1’s coach business. According to Starr, many of A-1’s coach drivers were once sedan and limousine chauffeurs who understand deep, longtime customer relationships, and the nuances of personalized on-time service. Each A-1 coach driver receives ongoing safe driver and first aid training throughout the year. Starr’s grandfather originally founded Starr Transit in the New York area, and his father, Michael, branched out by buying his uncle’s taxi business and adding school buses and car rentals in those early days. Jeffrey Starr remembers cleaning
rental cars and assisting in the office at nine years of age. The only child of the owners, he officially joined the company in 1985. Jeffrey Star added minibuses, coaches and a second location in eastern Pennsylvania. Now, representing the fourth generation of the family in the transportation business, son Aaron is A-1’s operations manager. Today, Michael comes into the office nearly daily while Marilyn has an office at home. In their free time, Jeffrey and Aaron are both volunteer firefighters in their townships. Every Saturday morning Jeffrey heads to the local dog shelter where he volunteers with his daughter, Racheal, who plans to become a veterinarian. His oldest daughter Rebecca works for a non-profit research firm near Washington, D.C, and his two stepdaughters are still in school. Sydney is studying to be a physician’s assistant and Taylor is majoring in media. “Family is important,” Jeffrey Starr said, “The best part of my job has been working with my parents for the past 34 years. We’re a close-knit family, and it’s been a pleasure to run a family business together.” Learn more at www.a1limo.com. Visit MCI at www.mcicoach.com.
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Transit Agencies Hold Special Events Observing Get On Board Day
Cincinnati Metro In observance of APTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Get on Board Day, Thursday, April 25, Cincinnati Metro thanked riders and encouraged people to â&#x20AC;&#x153;get on boardâ&#x20AC;? for transit. Get On Board Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal of generating awareness of, and increasing support for public transportation among riders and non-riders, elected officials and stakeholders was promoted. Metro marked the day by visiting riders at bus stops throughout the system, talking to them about why they ride, and providing free ride passes. AVTA Lancaster, CAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) also joined with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in National Get On Board Day. To encourage people to see for themselves that public transit is safe, convenient and easy to use, the AVTA offered free bus rides on all of its local and commuter fixed-route service for the entire day. AVTA staff members were also at the two main transfer centers talking to riders about the multiple benefits that public transportation provides to the individual, to the community and to the nation.
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HART Tampa, FLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HART participated in Get On Board Day by displaying public transportation facts at HART facilities and gathering signatures from customers and employees in support of transit. Citilink The Ft. Wayne, IN, community also celebrated National Get on Board for Public Transit Day. Over 20 community leaders got on board with Citilink to witness Mayor Tom Henry proclaim April 25th as Get on Board Day, and discuss the value of supporting public transit for access to jobs, education, health care and community growth with decreased congestion/pollution.
PERSONNEL
Brian Lichter New MCI Director Of Pre-Owned Coach Sales
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) has promoted Brian Lichter, who has represented MCI in both pre-owned and new coach sales, to director of preowned coach sales, a new position. Lichter is now responsible for leading MCIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pre-owned sales team, and is based in the Des Plaines, IL, MCI Sales and Service Center. He reports to Mike Apple, MCI vice president of preowned coaches and MCI service centers. Lichter first joined MCI as preowned coach sales representative in Des Plaines in 1997. He left MCI for a position to finance motor coaches and other heavy-duty vehicles in 2004, returning in 2011 to new coach sales. Lichter moved to pre-owned coach sales in 2017, as a regional vice president responsible for customers in the North Central U.S. To reach Lichter, call 224-688-6351 or email brian.lichter@mcicoach.com.
Fort Wayne, IN, Citilink Has New GM
Maurice (Reese) Pearl has been hired to serve as general manager for the Fort Wayne (IN) Public Transportation Corporation/Citilink. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Citilink board conducted a diligent nationwide search process to select the best person for the position. We are confident that he will carry out the vision created by our Citilink 2030 long-range strategic plan that is currently underway,â&#x20AC;? said Board Chair Sherese Fortriede. Pearl is a former Hoosier and has served as general manager of the public transit systems in Evansville and South Bend. Most recently he had been managing transit systems in Texas. He succeeds Ken Housden, who retired, and interim John Haenftling.
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New Reyco Granning Suspension For Commercial Electric Vehicles
Newly available from Reyco Granning is a new drive axle air suspension for the commercial electric vehicle market. It is a new member of the WorkMaster™product family, and variant of model 240AR. Reyco Granning said the new 240AREV was developed specifically to package with e-axles. “Low profile frame brackets leave room for body mounts or 5th wheel angles. The curved spring beam eliminates the traditional lower air spring mount to increase ground clearance, reduce weight and accommodate a range of frame widths. Packaging efficiencies were a focus in order to accommodate for a larger e-axle space-claim. The 240AR-EV has a GAWR range of 17,000pounds (7.7 t) to 23,000-pounds (10.4 t), and is suitable for single or tandem drive axle arrangements. Ride heights range from 8.5inches (216 mm) to 10-inches (254 mm). It is ideally suited for on-highway truck, tractor, motorhome, or bus applications, according to the company. Drake Sarault, vice president of sales, said, “This is the latest product to come out of the Electric Vehicle Solutions business unit. It further cements our commitment to the future of heavy vehicle propulsion.” Reyco Granning, headquartered in Mt. Vernon, MO, designs and manufactures air ride, steel spring, and auxiliary suspension systems used by truck, trailer and specialty vehicle OEMs, including Fire & Rescue, RV and Bus markets. “Reyco Granning is a suspension manufacturer with nearly 90 years of proven product quality, durability, and reliability.” For more information, visit www.reycogranning.com.
PA’s Bailey Coach Moves To New Facility
After six months of construction, Bailey Coach hosted an open house celebrating its new 15,500-square-foot office and maintenance facility in Spring Grove, PA. John Bailey, company president, said his parents moved to Spring Grove following their return from serving their country during and after WWII, in the late 1940s. Housing was very scarce, and his parents, Capt. Fred J. Bailey and Lt. Melna F. Bailey, could not find a home in the York area, so they moved to Spring Grove. Now the three-generation family business has followed. Bailey said it feels good to employ 65 people in his hometown of Spring Grove. Bailey hosted clients and friends at an open house, and later the same day hosted the York, Spring Grove and Hanover, PA, Chambers of Commerce at a ribbon cutting. Bailey said approximately 750 people attended the events. For more information, visit www.baileycoach.com.
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May/June 2019
BUSLINE
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