Sep/Oct 2014 Busline Magazine

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CONTENTS

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 Published by Rankin Publishing, Inc. www.buslinemag.com

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IN THIS ISSUE Metro Transit Approaches 50 Years Of Service To Kalamazoo, MI, Area ........8

Commuter Coach Makes History The MCI Way .....................24 Public Transit Demand Increasing As Millennial Generation Seeks Alternatives ..............................28

APTA EXPO

Heads To Houston .....................................................34

APTA EXPO

15,000 Expected .......................................................35 APTA EXPO Booth Numbers Current As Of 09/11/14, courtesy of www.aptaexpo.com.

Busline Vehicle Showcase

TRANSIT BUSES

RAPID RESPONSE ................................Page 63 INDUSTRY NEWS .................................Page 45 ON THE COVER: Motor Coach Industries has helped shape today’s commuter landscape with its MCI Commuter Coach. Such vehicles are currently in use around the country, including at Houston (TX) Metro.

See page 24.

64 – 66

CALENDAR OF EVENTS OCTOBER 2014 October 12-15 APTA Expo 2014 & Annual Meeting Houston, TX Info: 202-496-4800

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

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

October 15-19 Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association Annual Convention & Trade Show San Antonio, TX Info: 301‐984‐5700

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

JULY 2015 July 18-22 National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Annual Meeting & Convention Minneapolis, MN Info: 703-684-3200

NOVEMBER 2014 November 15-19 Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Trans-Expo Niagara Falls, ON Info: 416-365-9800

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

Visit Busline Magazine At APTA EXPO

BOOTH #2306

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 2014 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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September/October 2014

EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICES

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

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

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

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Busline’s Buyers Guide To

Bus Shelters & Street Furniture 54 Busline’s Buyers Guide To

Fare Collection 58

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 Published by Rankin Publishing, Inc. www.buslinemag.com

Busline’s Vehicle Showcase

TRANSIT BUSES • Motor Coach Industries 64 • ABC Companies/New Flyer 65 • Nova Bus 66 • Alexander Dennis 66

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September/October 2014

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Metro Transit Approaches 50 Years Of Service To Kalamazoo, MI, Area

By Rick Mullen, Associate Editor

Kalamazoo is a resilient city that has been bouncing back, and playing a big part in its resurgence has been Metro Transit, serving the public transportation needs of riders for nearly 50 years.

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September/October 2014

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Kalamazoo’s economic history during the past few decades is not management; development of an agreement to transfer system employunlike that of many Midwestern cities. Located in what has been called ees, facilities and fleet to the KCTA; creation of a new urban transit “the Rust Belt,” the city fell victim to declining industry and population authority to provide fixed-route bus service; and the development of a growth during the 1980s and into the 1990s. It was also impacted by the governance structure for the new urban transit authority.”

In August of this year, The recent recession.

Kalamazoo Board of County “Metro Transit serves the city of Commissioners approved the creation Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo County, of the Central County Transportation which encompasses roughly 561 Authority. square miles,” said Metro Executive “We are targeting Oct. 1, 2015, to Director Sean P. McBride, during a complete the transition to a regional recent interview with Busline system,” said McBride, who will also Magazine at the system’s headquarbe the executive director of the new ters in downtown Kalamazoo. regional system. “The region is “The countywide population is embracing public transit as a key 255,000, and the population of the service — something on which we urbanized portion of the county is just can bond together to accomplish over 200,000. With the last census, we regional cooperation. Regional coopwent from a small urban to a large eration sounds good, but it is not all urban system. Along with Kalamazoo that easy to accomplish; however, we (population of about 75,000 resiare making great strides.” dents), the city of Portage is the other large jurisdiction in the county, with a The Kalamazoo Promise population of about 55,000 people.”

Currently, Metro Transit is owned, operated and managed by the city of or its 19 fixed-routes, Metro Kalamazoo. However, changes are Transit operates 36 buses, utiunderway. lizing a hub and spoke system “One of the things we are working branching out from the Kalamazoo on is regionalizing the system,” Transportation Center, located next McBride said. “What we are trying to door to Metro’s main headquarters do is transition Metro from a city and maintenance facility. The historiowned and operated system to a cal Transportation Center is an interregional, countywide authority. One modal complex, originally built in of the first steps to making this hap1887. It was placed on the National pen has been putting together about Register of Historic Places on July 20 regional stakeholders. They are 11, 1975. In addition to a Metro tickelected and administrative officials et office, the center houses Amtrak, from Kalamazoo and several surGreyhound Bus and Indian Trails Bus rounding jurisdictions, cities and offices. townships.”

The Transportation Center’s interior design features elements from According to the Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority (KCTA) 2013 Kalamazoo’s early 20th century train station. Parts of the original structure Annual Report, as a part of the transiare also evident on the outside of the tion process, the KCTA was formed in sprawling facility, which acts as the January 2006 by the County Board of main transfer hub for Metro buses.

Commissioners. In 2013, the team of The station was rebuilt as a multistakeholders was established to guide modal facility in the early 21st centuthe process for transitioning to a counry. The project was a collaboration tywide public transit system.

Metro Transit staff members include, top: Executive Director Sean between local, state, and federal This group is now called the McBride and Operations Supervisor Terecita Potts. Middle, left to right: authorities, with the Department of Transitional Leadership Team and Coach Operators Larry Gordon, Guy Stevens and Earl Cox. Bottom: Transportation awarding a $3.8 milincludes representatives from Kal Senior Maintenance Supervisor Rob Branch, left, lion grant. amazoo County, KCTA, Kalamazoo and Class B Mechanic Aaron Connors.

McBride explained the TransTransportation Authority Board (KTAB), city of Portage, Comstock Township, Kalamazoo Township, portation Center is also somewhat of a centralized location for the Oshtemo Township and Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study (the regions served by Amtrak, Greyhound and Indian Trails.

“It is one of the larger transit centers in the region, and is open regional metropolitan planning organization).

Also last year, the Transitional Leadership Team developed a plan to Saturdays, Sundays and into the evening hours,” McBride said. “Many guide the process of transitioning the public transit system from the man- of the other transportation centers along the Interstate 94 corridor close agement, ownership and oversight of the city of Kalamazoo to the at earlier hours. We have had many conversations with Amtrak and Greyhound and they tell us they really like using the Transportation KCTA. “The plan provides an enhanced level of detail and specificity on the Center and want to maximize their service. We have plenty of access to steps necessary to regionalize the system,” the annual report said. “Key the north to Grand Rapids, MI, to the south into Indiana and Chicago and components of the plan include consolidating public transit executive east to Detroit.”

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See us at APTA Expo Booth #1163

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When it comes to other modes of transportation other than riding the bus, McBride doesn’t see “competition,” rather he sees “choices.”

“Our challenge as a public transportation agency is to provide options and flexibility for people,” McBride said. “We want to create more options for people. After that, our challenge is to make sure people continue to ride the bus.

“We currently run 11 hybrid-electric buses on our fixed-route system out of a total of 36, and we are purchasing three more this year.

In addition, we have 48 demand-response vehicles, which are vans and cutaways. We also operate 10 vans for our community service van program.”

Metro’s demand-response paratransit system is called “Metro County Connect.” It is a shared ride, origin-to-destination service. It can be used by all residents of Kalamazoo County. Discounted fares are available to people who are certified as having a disability, seniors

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September/October 2014

62 years or older and individuals with a disability who are certified as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) eligible.

At one time, it basically ran as two separate services — an ADA service and a demand and response service, McBride explained.

“Around 2009, it was all put under one roof and is now operated by the city of Kalamazoo,” he said. “We make no distinction between the ADA service and the rural demand and response service. We wanted to make a seamless service for our riders. Riders can go through the ADA certification if they want the discounted fare.

“One of the challenges is making people aware of this pretty amazing service. Currently, we average about 132,000 rides per year on this service.”

The Community Service Van Program is a specialized service providing vehicles to approved agencies serving elderly and individuals with disabilities at no cost.

“For this program, we partner with other municipalities and non-profit organizations,” McBride said. “The organizations enter into an agreement with Metro and utilize the vans for free. They also use their own drivers. Vans can be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The vans are stored at the Metro facility.”

In 2013, Metro logged in 650,000 miles traveled for all three systems, fixed-route, Metro County Connect and the Community Service Van Program.

“The mileage was split almost 50-50 between the fixed route and demand response systems,” McBride said. “Our ridership was just under 3 million passengers last year. Ridership for the demand/response service was 132,000 and 14,000 for the community service program. We are growing this year about 3 percent overall from last year. The community service program went from 6 to 10 vans and we have doubled the ridership so far this year.”

The increase in ridership is reflective of the area’s population growth, following years of decline.

“There is an interesting story to be told along these lines,” McBride said. “Kalamazoo was one of those typical Midwestern Rust Belt cities that experienced significant industry population declines in the 1980s and into the 1990s. Then in 2005, the ‘Kalamazoo Promise’ was born.”

The Promise was introduced on Nov. 10, 2005, at a special Kalamazoo school board meeting, when it was announced anonymous donors were funding scholarships for graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools, beginning with the Class of 2006.

“A graduate of the Kalamazoo public school system who has remained in the system throughout his or her career (K-12), will receive a free college education in any state college or university in Michigan,” McBride said.

Recently, the program was expanded to include some private colleges and universities in Michigan, as well. Currently, the program covers up to 100 percent of tuition and mandatory fees for up to 130 credits at Michigan’s 15 public universities and 28 community colleges. The scholarship amount is based on the longevity of a student in KPS — students in the district since

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kindergarten get 100 percent of tuition, down to 65 percent to those who transferred into KPS at the start of ninth grade, according to www.mlive.com/ news/kalamazoo.

According to www.kalamazoopromise.com, the process of activating a Kalamazoo Pro mise Scholarship occurs during a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior year in high school. While attending a college or university, a scholarship recipient must make regular progress toward a degree or certification, maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. If the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GPA drops below 2.0, a student may be reinstated if he The Transportation Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interior or she is able to bring the GPA design features elements from back to at least a 2.0.

Kalamazooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early 20th century train The program is expanding to 15 station. The intermodal complex, private liberal-arts colleges in originally built in 1887, houses a Metro Michigan, with tuition covered up ticket office and offices for Amtrak, to 100 percent for students in Greyhound Bus and Indian Trails.

Kalamazoo Public Schools, acc ording to a press release issued recently by The Kalamazoo Promise and the Michigan Colleges Alliance. The change will begin with the Class of 2015.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;In addition to expanding and developing new relationships with our college-age student riders, we are planning to begin communicating with the younger students. We would like to partner with our high schools to teach students how to use and embrace public transportation even earlier in life than college.â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Sean McBride, Metro Executive Director One result of the Kalamazoo Promise has been to promote city growth, McBride explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many families, rather than moving out to the suburbs, are staying within the strong, tightknit neighborhoods here to take advantage of the educational opportunities presented by the Promise,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also have a large secondary school student population. We have a partnership with Western Michigan University. Students comprise about 30 percent of our ridership. We are also seeking to partner more with Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Millennials â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they are an interesting group. Students use the transit system when they are at Western Michigan or KVCC. What we are seeing as our community is prospering, is a lot of these students are graduating and staying within the community. They have grown to know and use the bus and they are staying with public transportation. They are living in areas that access the bus system. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen some growth and I am confident that is going to continue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are exploring how to better serve KVCC students, who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live

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Kalamazoo’s growth, and the improvement in the overall U.S. on campus such as Western Michigan University students. We are working on a new fare program for them right now that will be implemented economy are opening doors for Metro to establish new partnerships, McBride said. this fall.

He added: “The improved economic outlook is creating many new “In addition to expanding and developing new relationships with our college-age student riders, we are plan“The improved economic outlook is creating many new opportunities ning to begin communicating with the younger students. We would like to part- to interact with different organizations, be it non-profits, for-profits, or ner with our high schools to teach students how to use and embrace public transporta- other government agencies that we didn’t have in the past.” tion even earlier in life than college.

“Today, the main reasons people are using the Metro fixed-route service is to go to school or to work. There opportunities to interact with different organizations, be it non-profis a small ridership among seniors — most seniors use the demand and its, for-profits, or other government agencies that we didn’t have in response service. There is some ridership growth in that demographic as the past. We want to see how we can find mutual ways to benefit each Baby Boomers are start- other and find efficiencies by working together. I think this is one of “At times we have made ing to retire and are the benefits of today’s economy. It is making us operate better and it more to the is making us communicate with different organizations that we adjustments on routes and moving urban center. haven’t in the past. added some routes to meet “When I talk to peo“To be a successful government organization, the modus operandi in ple, the biggest thing I the future will be to find these opportunities and collaborations.” an employer’s specific needs. always hear is the need to While the economy has improved, McBride said employers are realPartnering with companies is operate later and offer izing that it is becoming more difficult to recruit employees these days.

Sunday service. Many of There is competition among employers seeking to hire people, and one also essential.” the retail and religious of the barriers, according to McBride, is how to get employees to and institutions would like from work.

Sunday service. We would love to expand, but it is going to take finan“We’re having conversations now about how can we get employees to cial investment. We would like to pilot some Sunday service in the work and the things we can do differently to make it happen,” McBride upcoming years, if our financial situation allows, to see if it is viable.” said. “At times we have made adjustments on routes and added some

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“We stress paying attention to the details. We reinforce to our drivers that they are our frontline when it comes to communicating with riders.

Our employees try to make every interaction with the riding public a positive one, although sometimes you have to say ‘no.’”

One critical aspect of taking care of riders is making sure they feel safe while riding the bus.

“We have an extensive surveillance camera system at Metro’s facilities,” McBride said. “We also have five cameras on each of “We run Metro Transit like a business. We listen to our our buses, and we are working on upgrading that system to have six cameras on each bus. This is really helpful in hancustomers and make adjustments from the feedback we dling complaints, both from drivers and the public.

“The next training session for bus drivers in September receive... We stress paying attention to the details.” will emphasize how to defuse confrontations on the bus.

The session will explore methods that drivers can use to solve issues.

“Metro also has a strong relationship with the county public safety Intelligent Transportation System department. We contract with two police officers who are located on-site t Metro, passengers are considered “customers,” according to at the Transportation Center.”

To enhance the riding experience for passengers even further, Metro McBride. As such, transit system employees listen to riders and introduced its Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) in 2013. ITS techtry to stay aware of their needs and wants.

“Our passengers, as customers, have choices regarding what they want nology allows passengers to access real-time information via smart to do, although some may have limited choices,” McBride said. “If we phones, computers and tablets. are not doing a good job providing friendly customer service; clean and “The ITS information technology is providing a significant amount safe facilities; and reliable on-time performance, they are going to find of robust data,” McBride said. “For example, using ITS data we are other alternatives, such as riding a bike or riding with a friend, neighbor figuring out how to make runs to areas that have been seeking service or colleague. for years. We have reconfigured two routes to gain enough time to “We are customer service oriented. We run Metro Transit like a busi- grow service in an under-utilized area. During the past six months, we ness. We listen to our customers and make adjustments from the feed- have made much progress in gathering data to use in our decisionback we receive. We really want to be responsive and receptive to what making process.” our customers are saying.

ITS also provides operational enhancements by enabling computer routes to meet an employer’s specific needs. Partnering with companies is also essential.

“One of the major employers in Kalamazoo is Bronson Methodist Hospital. They are having parking issues at their campus and there are going to be some major new developments in that area. As a result, we are going to try and partner with the hospital to see how we can meet their transportation needs.”

A

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Our new space program launches in Houston Stylish, lighter, more fuel efficient and with 80 passenger seats, the all-new Enviro500 has turned another corner… and is now available at the reduced height of just 13’ 6” (4.1m) meaning that it can now operate in virtually every part of the USA and Canada.

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Designed exclusively for North America the Go-Anywhere Enviro500 remains as maneuverable and popular as ever and has stepped up a gear in terms of reliability, durability, low-cost maintenance and best-in-class whole-life costs. Little wonder that the Enviro500 remains the world’s best-selling, three-axle, high capacity double deck bus.

See the new Go-Anywhere Enviro500 double deck on the Alexander Dennis booth (2419), APTA EXPO, Houston, Texas, October 13-15 2014.

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McBride said. “There are no ‘magic bullets’ out there. It is just someaided dispatching and automatic vehicle locating (AVL) capabilities.

The ITS also gives Metro the ability to produce reports on scheduling, thing that we are going to have to deal with as a government agency and routes, ridership, trends and other statistics that enable adjustments to be work to become more efficient over time.

“How do we provide better service with the same amount of resources made on real-time data.

Other technological upgrades include the installation of electronic or fewer resources? We are in the government business to figure out ADA-compliant bus stop signs to help keep riders informed of arrival these kinds of tough challenges.” and departure times. This information is also on the Metro “How do we provide better service with the same amount website, www.kmetro.org under the “Track My Bus” or “Plan My Trip” icons. of resources or fewer resources? We are in the government Metro also offers free travel training. The sessions are designed to teach individuals how to travel safely and business to figure out these kinds of tough challenges.” independently use the fixed-route bus system. Training covers the following topics: bus routes, trip planning, transferring, emergency skills, bus rules, safety skills, schedules, Metro receives funding from federal and state governments as well as fares/fareboxes and bus passes/ID cards. from local property tax millages.

According to Metro, the goal of training is to give an opportunity for “We used to get 55 percent of our funding from state and federal all community members to gain independence, mobility, and confidence grants. Now it is more in the 45 percent range,” McBride said. “The state by utilizing the fixed-route transit system. By expanding the client base of Michigan has been very supportive of public transit. As far as capital of the fixed-route system, there is a potential to save transportation purchases are concerned, we get 80 percent from federal government agency dollars while contributing to the sustainability and longevity of grants and the state has historically provided the 20 percent match, which public transportation. Training can involve individual sessions up to is great. I hope that can continue long into the future. large group settings.

“Furthermore, we have had very strong support when it comes to voter-approved property tax millage revenue.

Employee Retirement Program Presents Challenges “Local support would seem to indicate that Metro has been successful in developing a strong relationship with residents, riders and the voters. erhaps a universal challenge for public transit systems across the However, these groups must continue to see the benefits of public tranboard is funding. While traditional funding avenues for Metro sit in the community, because they have the ultimate say in voting up or Transit have remained relatively in place, dollar amounts coming down on millage renewal and/or millage increases. into the system have decreased somewhat from some sources.

“For our last four millages, the approval rates were 63 percent, 76 per“Funding is always a challenge. This is just a way of life these days,” cent, 63 percent and 72 percent respectively. The approval rates were a

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combination of the city of Kalamazoo and countywide millages. Our challenge is maintaining that strong relationship and success moving forward.

“Through the regionalization process that we have been going through, we are seeing a strong buy-in, not just in the urban core, but also in suburban and rural areas. People are really embracing the use of public transit in different ways.

“There are a lot of Baby Boomers living in the rural areas who may want to retire there, but will need access into the center of the city for doctor services and shopping, etc. Therefore, Metro has strong support in the rural areas.”

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McBride alluded to the fact that employers (as a part of embracing economic development) are understanding that the suburban areas contain a population of good, potential employees. By supplying public transit to these areas to allow more people a means to get to and from work, employers can draw from a wider area than just a mile or two from their locations.

“In addition, a couple of our outlying areas have also been supportive of joining the (countywide) transportation authority,” McBride said.

“These outlying areas are not serviced right now, but it is a part of our master planning process to do so. We see this as a major corridor for future development.”

The aging of the U.S. workforce as the large demographic of Baby Boomers are at, or reaching, time to retire is a problem for many companies in industries across the board. At Metro, the challenge of an aging workforce took an unexpected turn recently.

McBride explained that about three or four years ago, to help shave the city’s deficit, Kalamazoo offered an Early Retirement Initiative (ERI) to eligible employees.

“Citywide there were 700 employees and about one-third of them retired Continued On Page 44

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Buses pull into the Transportation Center. Metro Transit operates 36 buses, utilizing a hub and spoke system branching out from the Transportation Center.

September/October 2014

Commuter a

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7 14 sit 83 0 Vi #2 PO 2 h ot EX Bo TA AP at

Designed for the highway, built for commuter express The MCI Commuter Coach The MCI Commuter Coach has earned its position as the proven, North American leader in Commuter Express bus service for public transit systems due to its safety, reliability and comfort at highway speeds.

Our coach is strong and durable, with a rugged semi-monocoque structure that elevates passengers and drivers above traffic, plus Electronic Stability Control (ESC), tire pressure monitoring system and fire suppression system that make express routes, BRT and Bus-on-Shoulder service safer.

©2014 MCI

Our other strengths? Value and comfort. The MCI Commuter Coach offers a highly competitive per-seat price, plus low cost of operation and the best MDBF rate over all other types of bus models. Proven in the fleets of some of the nation’s most demanding transit agencies, it’s a hit with passengers too, thanks to comfortable forward-facing seats, reading lights, 110v outlets and high-capacity air conditioning.

Plus, the MCI Commuter Coach is Buy America-compliant and available in clean-diesel, hybrid and CNG options. So whether you’re looking to build capacity, serve new markets, improve passenger safety and comfort or simply build on your reputation for reliability, service and value, the Commuter Coach is ready to transform your commutes.

To learn more about the MCI® Commuter Coach, go to www.mcicoach.com/commuter

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ADVERTORIAL

Every industry has its high-profile players as well as its unsung heroes, and transit is no different.

While rail has long attracted the most public attention, Motor Coach Industries (MCI) has helped build today’s commuter landscape just as surely as the subway car and train.

Indeed, the MCI Commuter Coach has become a fixture in the fleets of forward-thinking regional transit authorities like New Jersey Transit, LA DOT and Houston Metro, where “express” suburb-to-city center commutes over highway routes are the norm.

High-Speed Merits

Compared to a low-floor transit bus, an MCI Commuter Coach is a high-floor vehicle that is designed to operate at highway speeds, with comfortable forward-facing seats and amenities such as read“We’ve seen an increase in interest in commuter ing lights and personal airflow coaches over the years due to growing suburbs and controls—and, oftentimes, extras like Wi-Fi, passenger power outexurbs as well as the resurgence of the inner city, lets and video monitors.

Altoona-tested and Buy and there’s this incredible need for transit.”

America compliant, it is the only such vehicle currently — Tom Wagner, vice president of MCI Public Sector sales. available in diesel, hybrid, and CNG configurations as well as “We’ve seen an increase in interest in commuter coaches over the both 40- and 45-foot models. It is also loaded with safety feayears due to growing suburbs and exurbs as well as the resurgence tures, not the least of which is a driver’s cockpit that is elevated of the inner city, and there’s this incredible need for transit,” says above most other traffic, offering an incomparable vantage point.

Tom Wagner, vice president of MCI Public Sector sales.

MCI’s newest Commuter Coaches are additionally available Fortunately, the MCI Commuter Coach is remarkably well-suited with seatbelts; offer electronic stability control; and come stanto meet the demand. dard with fire suppression and tire-pressure monitoring systems.

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The MCI Commuter Coach’s seating capacity is larger than that of a typical low-floor transit bus, and it offers an exceptionally high MDBF (mean distance between failure) rate that is 191 percent better than BRT vehicles and 55 percent better than lowfloor buses. Thanks in large part to the semi-monocoque frame and heavy-duty axles that absorb road energy, the ride is quiet and stable even on the highway. This is ideal for commuters who want to get a little work done as well as for those seeking a peaceful bit of shut-eye.

With its impressive list of attributes, the MCI Commuter Coach is by far the market’s best-selling commuter-style coach, favored for its long life, competitive per-seat price and low total cost of ownership. Nor should anyone be surprised by the vehicle’s long highway pedigree. The MCI Commuter Coach is, after all, based on the legendary MCI D4500, part of the industry’s all-time best-selling coach family, with more than 13,000 units on the roads today.

Making Milestones With New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit has been one of MCI’s most important transit partners, with a relationship that goes back to the 1960s, when several MC-7s made their way into the agency’s fleet. The agency made its first big MCI order in 1982, taking 700 MC-9 cruisers.

But in the late 1990s, a true alliance was forged. That’s when the agency asked MCI to develop alternate-fuel coaches for their fleet.

In 1999, MCI delivered 50 Compressed Natural Gas buses to the agency, followed by another 27 the following year. The agency

Back To The Beginning Of course, today’s Commuter Coach has its roots in earlier MCI models that served line-haul carriers and regional operators of the pre-Interstate era. In fact, the rise of the Commuter Coach is tied to the larger history of motorcoach travel.

Says Wagner, “When it comes to a legacy in the Public Sector, no one can hold a candle to MCI.” The MCI lineage goes back to 1965, to Gray Coach in Canada, which was eventually absorbed by Ontario’s GO Transit agency. At about the same time in the United States, Chautauqua Transit purchased an MC-5A for its operations.

MCI new-coach sales representative Lee Kemp remembers similar small-transit purchases in the Denver area, and he ties those purchases to a larger trend of the 1960s: the creation of the regional transit authority.

During that era, small transit operators were struggling as more Americans became dependent on their cars. Meanwhile, there were still plenty of passengers in desperate need of safe, over-theroad transit. The federal government sought a solution by creating the Urban Mass Transportation Administration in 1964, then renamed the FTA in 1991, which in turn led to the rise of regional transit authorities.

As the regional transit authorities absorbed smaller local agencies, they acquired their equipment as well—including lots of MCI coaches. Because MCI had enjoyed a reputation for building extremely durable coaches, many of those regional agencies didn’t need to replace their coaches for a long time. But when they did, MCI was the logical choice.

A few major orders never hurt either.

also placed a history-making order in 2000, purchasing 1,400 Commuter Coaches.

Those long-running CNG coaches will finally be retired when MCI delivers its next big order— 147 new CNG Commuter Coaches that will begin to arrive later this year. In all, MCI has delivered more than 2,350 coaches to New Jersey Transit.

“New Jersey Transit was instrumental in our development of CNG and hybrid models — they were our initial customer,” says Wagner. “We’ve been extremely honored to partner with New Jersey. We have a strong history and legacy with New Jersey Transit, and this most recent order is a continuation of that relationship.”

New Frontiers The MCI Commuter Coach has been making important inroads farther west, too, where highway commutes are the rule rather than the exception. In 2011, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation signed a contract for 84 MCI Commuter Coaches powered by CNG to serve express routes, replacing older diesel equipment and underscoring the city’s commitment to improved air quality.

And most recently, Houston Metro ordered 95 MCI Commuter Coaches to serve its commuter express routes. The agency has ordered nearly 300 MCI Commuter Coaches since 2001, including 122 diesel-electric hybrid models. Wagner is especially impressed that Houston continues to make such a commitment to September/October 2014

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public transit in a region that is often thought of as more car-centric than its neighbors in the Northeast.

Wagner is also seeing growing interest in “bus on shoulder” programs across the United States, including in MCI’s own back yard. Pace Suburban Bus, which serves the suburban Chicago area, including MCI’s Des Plaines headquarters, last year ordered 13 MCI Commuter Coaches to run between Chicago and southwest suburbs. This service includes routes where buses are allowed to run on expressway shoulders during heavy traffic.

Due in part to the shoulder provision’s ability to reduce travel

“Ultimately, it’s about safety, capacity, performance, ride quality and service.

It’s about being Reliability Driven.”

— Tom Wagner, vice president of MCI Public Sector sales.

times and congestion, the routes have seen ridership surges of as much as 120 percent. The use of the MCI Commuter Coach grants passengers a greater feeling of safety and security when riding the highway, or its shoulder, according to Wagner.

“Today, smaller urban areas are growing and we are seeing more on-highway usage of buses making trips over 15 miles at speeds of 35 mph and more,” said Brent Maitland, MCI vice president of Marketing and Product Planning.

Motor Coach Industries; 200 E. Oakton St., Des Plaines, IL 60018 Page 26

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“Many transit agencies understand the advantages of passenger comfort and safety, and the reliable performance of the purposebuilt MCI Commuter Coach.”

Making Better Coaches MCI has been making significant investments to support growing demand for the Commuter Coach. Most notably, the company has instituted “Quality at Source” manufacturing principles at its Winnipeg, and Pembina, ND, plants.

The manufacturing principles, most famously adopted by Toyota, are, at their essence, a bid for perfection. A highly structured lean manufacturing process, QAS is intended to help MCI create repeatable successes, empower employees and measure progress along the way to create flaw-free vehicles.

“It’s a common-sense approach,” says Jim Macdonald, executive director of engineering. “Eliminate failures at every point, and you deliver perfect quality.”

Wagner likens it to building quality into the process as opposed to “inspecting” it in.

“It’s very important to keep ‘Reliability Driven’ as our focus,” says Wagner.

There have also been significant investments in tooling, including a high-tech “Sheer Genius” metal cutter. The production line has also recently introduced a way to automate the lifting of the driver’s seat into place, improving the ergonomics for workers. Such tweaks to the production line are expected to yield happier, healthier workers and lower operational costs in the long run.

Improvements Afoot MCI continues to engineer improvements to the Commuter Coach as well. CNG coaches will soon include a larger engine, which will offer improved performance during operation in hilly terrain and with heavy loads. Engineers are also working on increased use of electrification in the cooling system to fine-tune the coach’s power demand. Projects to optimize accessibility are in the process as well.

MCI, which also makes the best-selling MCI J4500 for the tour and charter market, continues to invest in new technology as well as old-fashioned customer service. Transit customers enjoy their own MCI team, including a dedicated technical support.

Says Wagner, “Ultimately, it’s about safety, capacity, performance, ride quality and service. It’s about being Reliability Driven.”

Phone: 847-285-2000; 800-428-7626; Fax: 847-285-2013

September/October 2014

Email: commuter@mcicoach.com; Website: www.mcicoach.com

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Parts Of The Whole: Supplying An Industry Perhaps it’s fitting that MCI Parts was once known as Universal Coach Parts. After all, the company stocks parts not only for MCI coaches, but also for most other coach and transit-bus brands. In fact, about 40 percent of the parts MCI sells are to transit customers.

With an extensive inventory of OEM and proprietary Coach Guard parts, MCI has spent the last couple of years boosting its stock levels and introducing programs such as “Coach Critical,” designed to assure that commonly used parts are consistently available for immediate delivery.

It also has introduced product lifecycle management into the mix. By learning how long parts are actually lasting in customer fleets, product lifecycle managers have been able to get a better handle on forecasting demand, which in turn helps fine-tune inventory levels and control pricing.

The group is also helping to spread the word to customers about value-added services and to get new products into the works to meet customer demand. In the former instance, MCI enhances OEM starter offerings to help make sure they don’t fail prematurely. As an example of the latter, the PLM group has spearheaded efforts to introduce new Coach Guard parts to give customers more non-OEM alternatives.

“Transit operators will find MCI competitive and able to supply all their parts needs and maintain their buses.”

— Scott Robertson, vice president of the MCI PLM group

Scott Robertson, vice president of the MCI PLM group, says, “We want to grow customers’ confidence in us, so they don’t have to spend a lot of time price-checking. They’ll know they’re getting the right product at the right price.”

MCI has been in the transit parts business since the 1960s, and has a dedicated bids-team, along with infield technical representatives responsible for public sector accounts.

“Transit operators will find MCI competitive and able to supply all their parts needs and maintain their buses,” says Robertson. “Additionally, many of our representatives in the field were formerly transit technicians, which gives us a lot of expertise and credibility serving public transit agencies.”

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More and more public transportation has come into the forefront in the early 21st century as a viable option to helping preserve the environment.

This is done by limiting carbon emissions on the country’s roadways, as well as helping to reduce traffic congestion that plagues many areas.

There is also increasing demand for public transit as the aging population and the younger generation, sometimes called The Millennial Generation, opt for travel alternatives other than the automobile.

Busline Magazine recently spoke with executives from three public transit operations who spoke about how their systems are meeting the ever-growing needs of their respective riderships.

— By Rick Mullen Busline Magazine Associate Editor

ince 1976, the Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority (MOVTA), fleet is a possibility in the near future, Thomas said. Located beneath of Parkersburg, WV, home of the Easy Rider bus system, much of West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York is the has been on a mission to provide safe and dependable service Marcellus Shale natural gas field. The massive shale field also touches small parts of Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, to the residents of the Parkersburg and Vienna areas.

“Easy Rider is considered a small urban fixed-route system,” said according to www.geology.com.

As the natural gas industry becomes more developed in the MOVTA General Manager Tim Thomas. “We operate 21 vehicles, including the small variety of rail-chassis buses and 22- to 24- region, Thomas said the Parkersburg area is anticipating “a natural gas boom.” passenger cutaways.”

He added: “Here in the Parkersburg area, we are looking, hopeThe system has eight fixed-routes and also offers paratransit and fully, to get a natural gas cracker plant that shuttle services, traveling an average of 650,000 miles per year. could be a very big plus to our economy and “Our ridership will be around 518,000 boardings this year,” our communities. We will know in the next Thomas said. “Easy Rider transports many people to couple of years whether that will happen. If work. We also have a bus route that goes by a local colParkersburg, WV the ‘boom’ times come and CNG fueling stalege (West Virginia University at Parkersburg). In tions are constructed in the area, we will look to addition, we carry senior citizens and other individuretrofit some of our current vehicles for CNG, as well als who need transportation to go grocery shopping, as opting for CNG with any new purchases.” for medical appointments, etc.”

Making sure passengers get to where they need to go in a Easy Rider’s paratransit system is called “Easy safe and efficient manner is a team effort at Easy Rider.

Lift,” and is an ADA certified point of origin to desti“We have great employees at all levels, whether its office pernation service. “(Easy Lift) meets all the new ADA requirements,” Thomas said. sonnel, management, drivers and mechanics. It is a total team “One of our points of emphasis is paratransit, making sure we are effort,” Thomas said. “Our people are the biggest asset we have. providing quality service on that end, as well as on the fixed- Without the drivers buying into quality customer service, we don’t have a transit system. We have good route managers and we have routes.”

While Easy Rider does not have any alternative fueled vehicles in one of the best safety guys in the business — Certified Safety and its fleet at this time, moving toward a compressed natural gas (CNG) Security Officer Bob Tanner.”

S

H

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Under Tannerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership, Easy Rider developed a safety program that garnered an APTA Gold Award for Safety for bus systems with fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually. The award was announced by APTA at the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Bus & Paratransit Conference in May in Kansas City, MO. According to an APTA news release, the authority â&#x20AC;&#x153;enhanced the existing training and coaching programs to promote safety culture and employee engagement. This

safety training and policy. Among other â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been conducting training to achievements, the agency created an reflect how important passengers are to the improved accident â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been conducting training to reflect register that tracks accident claims start how important passengers are to the transit system. to finish.â&#x20AC;?

We have had customer service and safety training Thomas said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was an honor to sessions on a monthly basis for the past four receive the award. years.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; MOVTA General Manager Tim Thomas When APTA notified us, it was very humbling. The award transit system,â&#x20AC;? Thomas said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have had reflects the dedication this transit system has customer service and safety training sestoward security. I think it sions on a monthly basis for the past four might be the first time anyone years. In addition, all of our mechanics, in the state of West Virginia drivers and staff are trained in the PASS has received an honor like (Passenger Service and Safety) Program this, when it comes to safety that CTAA (Community Transportation and security.

Association of America) offers.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I gave (Tanner) the task to According to its website, CTAA is a enhance our safety program, national nonprofit membership organization and he accepted the challenge. representing public and private transportaWe owe the award to his hard tion providers and offers transit education, work and dedication.â&#x20AC;? training and information. The PASS proAt Easy Rider, safety and gram includes comprehensive training on customer service go hand-in- the assistance that drivers should be providhand. Thomas began his career ing to passengers with special needs. at Easy Rider as its operations As Easy Rider displays its dedication to Easy Rider operates 21 vehicles, including the small variety of manager four years ago, and meeting ridersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs, evidence indicates the rail-chassis buses and 22- to 24-passenger cutaways. was named general manager system has earned the support of local govon December 3, 2011. He has ernments and the general public. improvement allowed for better reporting of made customer service a high priority since â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are two city councils we have to hazards and more efficient dissemination of his arrival at the transit system. go before, for a levy to receive local match-

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ing funds,” Thomas said. “We are treated with great respect, in my opinion. They do ask questions, but they also see the product that we put out there. I feel we have one of the best systems in the nation. As a result, the councils and citizens are eager and willing to work with Easy Rider.”

Thomas thanked taxpayers who voted for the levy during the May election.

“The percentage of voters approving the levy was possibly the highest we have ever

ral gas industry in the state, Easy Rider is planning ahead for the possibility of expanding services.

“We want to make sure our drivers and other staff members provide the best quality service. Our board of directors is behind us 100 percent,” Thomas said.

In the meantime, Thomas is keeping a watchful eye on the U.S. Congress as the current authorization for federal spending on highway and public transportation pro-

“When a good product is offered, people will be supportive.” had,” Thomas said. “This shows how important transit is to our citizens. When a good product is offered, people will be supportive.

“We want to continue to provide the best quality, safe, reliable transit service that we can. We want to look at ways to continue to keep the system financially constrained, making sure we spend taxpayer dollars wisely, earning the trust to do so from the public.”

In anticipation of an economic boom brought on by the development of the natu-

grams, as well as surface transportation safety and research and some rail programs, expires Sept. 30, 2014.

“I hope Congress takes a hard look at making sure public transportation is funded for the next four to six years so there won’t be any service cuts throughout,” Thomas said. “We have the possibility to expand service down the road, but it depends on how the federal government acts.”

Contact: Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority,

520 Juliana St., Parkersburg, WV 26101.

Phone: 304-422-4100.

Email: movta@easyriderbus.com.

Website: www.easyriderbus.com.

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his past summer marked the third anniversary of Solano County Transit (SolTrans), of Vallejo, CA, that serves the cities of Vallejo and Benicia, both located just north of the San Francisco/Oakland metro areas.

“Prior to the inception of SolTrans, both cities operated their own separate transit systems,” said SolTrans Executive Director Mona Babauta. “It was at the end of calendar year 2010, when both cities, in the interest of establishing a sustainable transit system of south Solano County, signed a Joint Powers Agreement to establish SolTrans. Approximately six months later, the agency then assumed the full responsibility of operating transit services for each city.”

As a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), SolTrans is considered its own governmental entity in California and outsources its

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transit operations to National Express Transit.

“SolTrans is an urban system,” Babauta said. “In addition to providing services to both Vallejo and Benicia, it also runs commuter service to BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) stations in the cities Walnut Creek and El Cerrito. Both of these BART stations are in Contra Costa County.

“From both stations, customers can also travel to major destinations in the Oakland or San Francisco areas by catching a BART train.

We also operate service up Vallejo, CA to the city of Fairfield, which is here in Solano County.

“Furthermore, SolTrans offers complementary bus service for the San Francisco Bay Ferry to augment is ferry service between downtown Vallejo and San Francisco. Essentially, bus service is provided between ferry trips and when the ferries are not available.”

SolTrans’ fleet includes 45 fixed-route, and 12 paratransit vehicles. The system

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averages 1.6 million revenue miles per year.

“We operate seven local fixed-routes and five regional routes,” Babauta said. “Our

Because of California’s stringent air emissions standards, SolTrans is finding it more and more difficult to purchase diesel-electric hybrid buses.

“There is a compliance issue currently with CARB (California Air Resources Board) that is prohibiting us from buying diesel-electric hybrid buses at this time,” Babauta said. “Every year manufacturers need to go through CARB to certify their diesel-electric hybrid systems, resulting in significant procurement delays.”

As a result, SolTrans is looking to CNG vehicles for the future, which the SolTrans Board of Directors recently authorized during its SolTrans Executive Director Mona Babauta.

June 2014 board meeting. local fleet is largely SolTrans ridership is around 1.4 million diesel-electric hybrids. passengers per year.

Three of our local buses “About one-half of our ridership travels and our entire commuter on our commuter routes,” Babauta said. fleet are of the old diesel variety, and they “These are folks going to San Francisco, all need to be replaced in the next one to five Oakland, Walnut Creek, etc., for work or years.” school. I would consider these customers to

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“We have a lot of promotions. We are at community events. We set up booths and we educate people on transit. We work very closely with the press to let them know what progress we have made.”— SolTrans Executive Director Mona Babauta be primarily choice riders.

“The commuter service is popular because it is extremely expensive to park in San Francisco or anywhere in the urban core of the Bay Area. In addition, to get from Solano County to downtown San Francisco by car, people must pay two bridge tolls, which adds up to $10 per day on top of paying for parking.

“The other half of our ridership is local customers, of which a good portion are youths getting to and from school, in addition to seniors and the disabled.”

According to SolTrans, its ADA paratransit service is available to qualified, certified persons with disabilities who are unable to board a regular fixed-route bus, access a bus stop, or otherwise navigate the regular fixed-route bus system due to a disabling condition as defined by the ADA. This does not include disabilities that only make use of accessible transit service difficult or inconvenient.

“The paratransit service is origin to destination,” Babauta said. “Our drivers go out of their way to help people receive the service they need. Drivers are tuned in to their clients’ special needs.”

SolTrans also offers two subsidized taxi services. The Solano County Intercity Taxi Scrip Program is a flexible option limited to qualified ADA paratransit certified riders.

This service provides premium curb-tocurb, same day transportation at a reduced cost for trips within Solano County. This program is in addition to ADA paratransit bus services available by public transit providers throughout Solano County.

In addition, the SolTrans Local Taxi Scrip Program provides alternative transportation at a reduced cost for Medicare cardholders, seniors 65 and over, and persons with disabilities living in the cities of Vallejo and Benicia.

“The subsidized taxi programs are a lifeline,” Babauta said. “When our buses stop running about 8 p.m., our paratransit system shuts down as well. Let’s say someone is on a commuter route, and he or she arrives downtown where there is no local route that would take that person the rest of the way home. He or she would have the option of taking a taxi. We work with the local taxi companies to address that transportation need. We subsidize 50 percent of the ride.

“We also subsidize what we call inter-city taxi service within Solano County, which

allows eligible individuals to buy $100 worth of taxi script from SolTrans for $15. It is a popular service for people who need to go up to Fairfield or Vacaville, or other places within the county. Mostly, these people are traveling to medical appointments or to work.”

While under Babauta’s leadership, SolTrans now enjoys the support of local and state governments, as well as the riding

public. This wasn’t always the case, at least in the beginning.

“Gaining local support has been an ongoing process,” Bab auta said. “A year after SolTrans was formed, we had to cut service. The communities involved in the former separate systems, at that point, were very disappointed. People wondered if their elected officials made the right decision in creating SolTrans and reducing services in each of the cities.

“What people didn’t know at the time was the cuts were eventually going to happen —

September/October 2014

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APTA EXPO

Heads To

houston

world s the TA) s o r c P s: rom a ’s (A onnals f sociation eague c l o l i o n s i s C profe tation As nce, held ation n t o r i t o r e a p r ns sport anspo confe es in lic Tra c tran Public Tr t-related b i l u b ervic lic P u s i p r s n d a 0 n a n e a c 0 a b r ri D , 15,0 blic t ducts Ame ire pu 12-15 n for the largest pu s, pro or the ent ce their n r o e i b t ’s tf cto an sto ova On O er in Hou the world Meeting. latest inn tend even ts to enh delightt n , l e h a a are at th ip ua PO ste will g tional EX PTA Ann howcases is the mu all partic s year, we will serv , s r i A a o h O n X e f O r P Inte ith th TA EXP stry. EX rtunities rks. T County, T P etwo u o ion w -art junct riennial A tation ind ique opp essional n of Harris f-the n o t r n e f t y o u o e t a r i p t o r s p rs Th and s ith handsc tran and offe and their nsit Autho ies.” i s l t b n u e t an a W m li the p industry, r careers you c f an Tr g Possibi t advance rail cars. t , i e l l i o t b e i p a to trans ations, th he Metro “Powerin the lates mock-up ion avail e fee e r a u t z t i f y o a q , a n o s v l w m orga ETRO the theme will disp at least t itor infor 0,000 net t will mo at M a d 8 b s h i r h n h 2 t t t h o a i t e x d i s e tw xhib rse th buses t of e logie r hos g, 750 e 60-plus us amoun can trave e techno d. n as ou eetin a h h g M t r t u o n a i l o d e e a d y r n r w e nlu s, lo nu or Mo y, inc nd a trem ther word , and exp usiness f s An f e d u c a t i o ’ g A o l T o a P t ) or b th A techn strations, eup o nsive ne r, in o floor or (o de show nsit system nction wi n g i n g l i n e n t o l o x f e m de ow tra and onju c tra de-ra the sh e EXPO publi held in c p e c t a w i c a l t o u r s walk th i your x is an e echn EXPO a n s y o u c o r u m s , t 1 4 , E X P O f e ral hm in 20 und the whic ons, gene es. New s aro o ti ssi rtuni ing Zone dicated t o al se p p e o n d r g a ea in ces en L as an are and servi work v e s ts niell res featu oor, as w ng produc le commu i l b f s ed t a a show rs showc d sustain nsit-orien o n a t a i tr exhib to livable ets and e in r d t e s t you rela ete l p g n m i co eet ties, to m ent. d m r p a o l deve o o k f o r w l e W n to !

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Phillip A. Washington APTA Chair, 2014-2015 September/October 2014

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APTA EXPO

15,000 Expected O

ver 15,000 transit professionals and 750 exhibiting companies from around the world will gather in October at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX, for the American Public Transportation Association’s 2014 Annual Meeting & EXPO. The event officially runs from Sunday, October 12 through Wednesday, October 15.

The EXPO takes place every three years. At this year’s event, attendees can visit exhibits featuring different types of technology, products and services, while talking with representatives of 750-plus public transportation-related

companies. Company booths will be located throughout the EXPO showfloor.

EXPO hours are as follows: n 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, October 13; n 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14; and, n 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15.

The EXPO offers a marketplace for the public transportation industry. Products on display will include alternative-fueled buses and trol-

leys featuring the latest in technology.

Meanwhile, the APTA Annual Meeting, held concurrently with the EXPO, features a series of educational sessions, forums and other learning and networking opportunities.

Plaza 3 Added To EXPO Along with the Level 1 showfloor, this year’s APTA EXPO also features Plaza 3, located on the third floor of the George R. Brown Convention Center. Plaza 3 includes the EXPO Sustainability Showcase that features products designed to meet commitments to environmental quality, social well-being and economic

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growth. Also featured at Plaza 3 are the COMTO Pavilion, showcasing various DBE exhibitors; The APTA Center, where attendees can learn more about the association; and various restaurants.

APTA Registration Hours Admission to all scheduled APTA Annual Meeting & EXPO activities requires a name badge. Attendees must register and pick up their individual badges upon arrival. The registration desk, located in the George R. Brown Convention Center, will be open during the following times: Saturday, October 11 – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, October 12 – 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, October 13 – 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, October 14 – 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 15 – 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Opening General Session The Opening General Session will take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Monday, October 13, in the George R. Brown Convention Center’s Grand Ballroom. Attendees will hear an update on the state of public transportation, and witness the “exchanging of the gavel” ceremony between the incoming and outgoing APTA chairs. The session concludes with the official grand opening of the 2014 APTA EXPO. The keynote address at this year’s Opening

General Session will be given by Dr. Stephen L. Klineberg, co-director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Houston’s Rice University. Dr. Klineberg will speak on, “The Changing Face of Houston: The Prospects for Walkable Urbanism in a Car-Centered City.”

October 15.

Visit www.aptaexpo.com for more information about the 2014 APTA Annual Meeting & EXPO.

Educational Opportunities There are a variety of educational sessions scheduled for the 2014 APTA Annual Meeting & EXPO. These sessions will be located throughout the George R. Brown Convention Center. This involves three concurrent Annual Meeting Education Sessions as well as other sessions scheduled at seven Learning Zones.

Speakers will discuss topics ranging from fare collection systems and transit shelters, to mobility management and green solutions.

(Courtesy of APTA: Current As Of Sept. 11, 2014)

APTA Technical Tours APTA Annual Meeting & EXPO registrants are also invited to participate in four technical tours arranged by Houston Metro. They are as follows: Arts In Transit; Metrorail Operating Facility; Metrolift Operations Center; and Houston Transtar-Emergency Management.

Those interested are asked to sign up in advance at the host information desk at the APTA registration area in the convention center.

The tours will take place from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on both Tuesday, October 14, and Wednesday,

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September/October 2014

2014 APTA Annual Meeting & EXPO Schedule

Saturday, October 11 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

APTA Committee Meetings 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Registration Open (Exhibitor Registration Opens at 7:30 a.m.)

Sunday, October 12 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

APTA Committee Meetings 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Registration Open (EXPO-only Registration Opens at Noon) 1 - 2:15 p.m.

This is APTA 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception Monday, October 13 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Registration Open 8:30 - 10:15 a.m.

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Opening General Session & EXPO 2014 Grand Opening Ceremonies 8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Learning Zone Presentations 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

EXPO 2014 Open 1:30 - 3 p.m.

General Session 3 - 5 p.m.

Public Transportation Innovations 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

AdWheel Awards Ceremony 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Concurrent Annual Meeting Edu. Sessions: • Linking Transit & Land Use: Building & Sustaining Transit-Oriented Communities; • Congress & The Federal Transportation Agenda; • Big Transportation Infrastructure Projects Worldwide; • Funding for Public Transportation; and, • Local Share Funding Sources Pub. Trans.

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Young Professionals in Trans. Happy Hour 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.

APTF Reception (tickets required) Tuesday, October 14 7:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Learning Zone Presentations

7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Registration Open 8 - 9 a.m.

Business to Business Breakfast for Exhibitors Only on EXPO Floor 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

APTA’s Annual Awards Breakfast 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

EXPO 2014 Open 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Concurrent Annual Meeting Edu. Sessions: • Good Faith Effort: Live or Memorex?

APTA-COMTO DBE Assembly; • Celebrating Tomorrow’s Leaders: Leadership APTA & The APTF Scholarship Awards; • Promising Practices in Asset Management, State of Good Repair & Performance-Based Planning; • It’s All About Advocacy: How to Engage the Public and Stakeholders; • Reimagining Transit Services & Orgs: A Texas Roundup; and, • Comprehensive Approaches to Financing New Projects.

2 - 4:30 p.m.

Houston METRO Technical Tours 4 - 5:30 p.m.

General Session 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.

Leadership APTA Reception

•

Wednesday, October 15 7:30 - 9:15 a.m.

General Session & Breakfast 7:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Learning Zone Presentations 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Registration Open 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

EXPO 2014 Open 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Concurrent Annual Meeting Education Sessions: • Management and Integration of Current and New Technologies; • The Transit Board Member’s Role in Procurement; Top Actions to Mitigate Distracted Driving; • Executive Roundtable: Advancing Your Front-Line Workforce; •You Are a Powerful Force: Public Transportation and Real Estate Values; and, • Arts in Transit.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Closing General Session 1 - 5 p.m.

FTA’s Major Capital Investment Grant Workshop 2 - 4:30 p.m.

Houston METRO Technical Tours

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ing that they are hearing a lot of positive requests and inquiries, etc., making sure comments about the system. This indi- strong safety and maintenance programs Continued From Page 33 cates both communities, Vallejo and are in place is key, according to Babauta. they just happened after SolTrans was Benicia, have really formed. During the past few years, we have come to embrace the “Policymakers are beginning to realize that transit really worked hard to rebuild the confidence system. I think overreally is a solution to reducing our dependency on all, we have a strong of the people SolTrans serves. fossil fuels and improving the environment, while “Now, we are out there in the community. relationship with the helping to shape healthier communities.”

We have a lot of promotions. We are at com- communities that we munity events. We set up booths and we serve. In addition, “With regards to safety, we recently were educate people on transit. We work very local and regional governments have been awarded an APTA Gold Award,” Babauta closely with the press to let them know what supportive.”

When it comes to customer service, in said. progress we have made.

The award was announced by APTA at the “SolTrans’ board members are now say- addition to responding to customers’ organization’s annual Bus & Paratransit Conference in May in Kansas City, MO. It was a Gold Award for Safety for private companies providing contracted transportation management and services. According to APTA, “(National Express Transit and SolTrans) created a vision for building its safety culture and developed a safety action plan.”

“Last July we switched contractors,” Babauta said. “National Express Transit came in and really transformed the safety program, reducing the number of preventable accidents.

“We want to make sure the community and the people we carry everyday know that when they board our buses they are going to have a safe ride. As a part of ensuring a safe and secure experience, we installed video systems in all of our buses last year. As a result, people feel a lot safer and secure on the bus.

“We have taken a comprehensive appYour one stop shop for coach, rail, and ship interiors. roach to customer service, from both the Upholstery, New & Used passenger & Drivers safety perspective and also the maintenance perspective. We have really transseats, flooring, floor structural, foam, gas formed our maintenance program. We struts and upholstery cleaning machines. make sure buses are reliable and breakdowns have vastly been reduced.

Dealers for Isringhausin and National Seats, “Furthermore, SolTrans signed onto www.511.org last year, where customers can we have a full stock of seats and parts for get online and plan their trips before boardboth brands. We also have parts for Ameriing the bus. In addition, we just recently got can, Amaya, Vanhool and Wakefield seats. on Google Transit.”

Currently, National Express Transit If we don't have it, we can get it. employs about 110 people to operate the SolTrans system, in addition to 10 people who work for SolTrans at its administrative Over 40 years of service to the headquarters. motorcoach industry, all seat covers “The system’s employees are the heart guaranteed for 4 years or 400,000 miles. and soul of what we do every single day, especially the operators who are out in the front line,” Babauta said. “Many of these Any questions about your seats or other needs, please employees worked for the two separate trancall 425-432-9867 or visit us at www.willinghaminc.com. sit systems before SolTrans was created.

When the two systems merged, many of them stuck around. I take my hat off to them. Through all the chaos of consolida-

Public Transit Demand Increasing:

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tion, they stuck it out and remained committed, making sure the people they had served for years continued to be served well.”

One of SolTrans biggest challenges looking ahead is how to extend services to meet the growing demand.

“Just within the past year on our local system, we have seen demand increase by more than 15 percent,” Babauta said. “A year after SolTrans was formed, it was realized there were sustainability issues. As a result, the board had to make the tough decision of cutting service. Since I have been here, we have addressed the sustainability issues.

“We now have healthy financial reserves, and we are in a position to put back some of the service that we cut, which amounts to about 7,000 revenue hours. We now operate about 82,000 revenue hours on an annual basis. Over the past few months, I have been talking with my board about how we would handle an additional 7,000 hours of service in a way that would make sure our performance is as strong as it is right now.

“How we put back that service, while also preserving our strong performance, is critical in making sure we continue to be competitive for grant funds. Performance is becoming a bigger factor for grant funding, especially here in the San Francisco Bay area.”

Babauta said typically, when discussing

adding service, people will say they want expanded hours and service on Sunday.

However, the solution of what is the best way to add service is not that simple.

“We all know in the industry that late service and service on Sunday are typically the least productive times for a transit system,” Babauta said. “It becomes a matter of how do we meet that need, while also trying to make sure that we perform well.

“Long-term funding is also an issue. We have money right now to expand the service, but there is going to be a continued demand for more and more service. How do we fund that? Giving back 7,000 hours doesn’t even come close to what the communities really want and/or need.”

Looking into the future, Babauta feels public transit is beginning to play a more dominant role in state and national policies.

“Here in California, and nationwide as well, I think policymakers are beginning to realize that transit really is a solution to reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and improving the environment, while helping to shape healthier communities. We are beginning to see that in legislation that is

being passed in terms of dedicated funding sources, to make sure transit continues to be funded efficiently and services to the communities are sustained, at the least.”

Contact: Solano County Transit (SolTrans), 311 Sacramento St., Vallejo, CA. Phone: 707-736-6990.

Website: www.soltransride.com.

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ocated in the southeast corner of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, population about 160,000, is served by Sioux Area Metro (SAM), which operates 12 fixed-routes and four “school tripper” routes.

“Our urban system is split evenly between fixed-route and paratransit service, with about 20 vehicles runSioux Falls, SD ning for each daily,” said SAM General Manager Eric Meyerson. “Our routes run Monday through Saturday. We also recently began running a couple of additional hours during the week. We run as late as around 9 p.m. on weeknights on five of our more popular routes.”

According to Meyerson, the fixed-route service logs an average of around 730,000

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miles per year, while the “I think younger people are much more interested in the urban lifestyle. In order to paratransit service travels successfully navigate the urban lifestyle, transit has to be a big part of that package.” nearly 650,000 miles each — SAM General Manager Eric Meyerson year.

“All our newer buses use clean diesel fuel,” Meyerson said. “Sioux indicates our passengers are mostly transit- getting away somewhat from depending on Falls officials are undergoing a study look- dependent,” Meyerson said. “However, cars.

“I think younger people are ing at the entire city fleet, much more interested in the exploring the possibility of urban lifestyle. In order to sucusing alternative fuels, such as cessfully navigate the urban compressed natural gas (CNG), lifestyle, transit has to be a big hybrid-electric, etc.” part of that package. I think the SAM carries more than 1 outlook for the growth of pubmillion passengers a year on its lic transportation is looking fixed-route service and about good.

150,000 paratransit riders “There is a theory that one annually. of the reasons for the change in Meyerson explained that, attitudes about public transaside from Sioux Falls and portation has been television.

Rapid City, most of South When I was growing up, the Dakota is very rural. While the families on TV were all suburSioux Falls economy and ban families, like the ‘Brady quality of life is attracting Bunch,’ etc. More recently, people from other parts of the however, there have been state, they are likely to not be SAM’s fixed-route service logs approximately 730,000 miles per year, shows like ‘Seinfeld’ and well versed in urban living, while the paratransit service travels nearly 650,000 miles each year.

‘Friends’ that take place in including the use of public choice ridership will likely increase as cities. Younger people relate to these shows transportation.

“While we haven’t done any official Millennials and Baby Boomers are tending and the lifestyles they depict, which might studies on ridership, anecdotal evidence to embrace public transportation more and be a significant factor in the growing

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acceptance of public transportation.” makes it very difficult to replace vehicles. haven’t had to cancel a single trip due to SAM’s paratransit operation is an origin- We have had to make some operational weather. to-destination shared ride service for per- decisions just based on the availability of “Sometimes when the weather is excepsons who are unable to use accessible capital funding. tionally severe, we might make some minor fixed-route bus service. Passengers must be “Nonetheless, the city of Sioux Falls has changes for routes that travel through hilly certified eligible as per guidelines estab- been phenomenal. City officials are really portions of the city. All of our vehicles are lished in the Americans with Disabilities committed to making transit work. When kept indoors at night, so we really don’t Act (ADA). have issues with them not starting.

“When the federal money was reduced, the Many residents have lived here a long “We offer a good, quality paratransit service,” Meyerson said. city came through and found funding, which I time and are used to dealing with the “We have great drivers and nice weather.” thought was exemplary. The state government is equipment. We also use some of Meyerson said SAM’s goals for the the larger vehicles for this service not really a major factor.” future include improving the fixedas we do a number of group trips. route network.

“SAM is a customer-driven public tran- the federal money was reduced, the city “We want to build up some frequencies, sit system. I think we are blessed being came through and found funding, which I work on more direct routes and expand located in South Dakota. People here are thought was exemplary. The state govern- services into some areas,” he said “The city friendly and helpful and there is a strong ment is not really a major factor.” is growing rapidly. We have been gaining work ethic. This all translates into high Given Sioux Falls location in the upper 3,000 residents a year, on average. We have quality customer service. Our dedicated Midwest, winters can be brutal. While one of the lowest unemployment rates in and skillful employees are key to the entire many areas of the country experienced the country. It is a high quality of life city. operation. They are the ones who make colder temperatures and more snowfall We have really good parks and it is just a SAM successful. We have just over 100 than usual last year, in Sioux Falls harsh pleasant place to live, work and raise a employees.” winter weather is often the norm. The cold family.”

SAM is funded primarily at the local and snow typically does not have much of Contact: Sioux Area Metro, level and with federal matches. an impact on SAM’s day-to-day operations.

500 East Sixth St., “The biggest challenge has been the “Our city crews do a phenomenal job of Sioux Falls, SD 57103-7016. reduction of available federal funding for keeping the roads clear,” Meyerson said.

Phone: 605-367-7151. capital purchases,” Meyerson said. “This “As a result, during the past two years, we Website: www.siouxfalls.org/sam.aspx.

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Kalamazoo Metro Transit: Continued From Page 22

as a part of the ERI program, including the entire top line of executive managers,” McBride said. “Also retiring were three-fourths of line supervisors and one-third of mechanics and bus drivers. It was an amazing turnover.”

While the ERI may have cost the city and Metro many employees with years of experience, there is a silver lining as younger employees who have been thrust into top level management and other positions are bringing a fresh perspective to the transit system in many ways, McBride explained.

“The ERI program has provided an opportunity to see things from a different perspective in implementing improvements and finding new ways to doing things,” he said.

“Many of the younger employees are coming to their jobs without a lot of baggage, such as being locked into doing things just because it is the way it has always been done.”

Currently, Metro has 120 employees.

McBride explained the system’s structure is that of administrative people, a maintenance division and operations division. Metro has a third-party contractor for its demand and response services.

“Bus drivers, by far, make up the majority of our employees,” he said. “The point of entry into our system is at the Transportation Center, where we have customer service staff processing permits, passes, etc. Dispatch supervisors are the heartbeat of the organization. We also have our top echelon of managers, like myself.

“I’m not the one out there providing service. I depend on operation supervisors to make the day-to-day decisions. They deal with the various issues that drivers bring to them. We have a really strong group. They are the heartbeat of the organization, making sure things run smoothly. I never underestimate, and truly appreciate what they do.”

When hiring new drivers, Metro has an extensive testing and interviewing process in place. Operator candidates need not have prior experience or hold a commercial drivers license (CDL) to be considered. However, excellent customer service skills are a must.

“We look at a candidate’s ‘soft skills’ very closely,” McBride said. “We examine his or her customer service skills and personality.

We find out if a candidate wants to embrace interacting and communicating with our riders.”

New hires start out as part-time drivers, with a view to becoming full-time drivers after training.

“While the new driver is training and working part time, we will determine if that person is the right fit for Metro,” McBride said.

Despite the challenges and with the inherent excitement of transitioning to a regional system, McBride is optimistic about the future of public transit in Kalamazoo, as well as nationwide.

“I am extremely optimistic about the viability and importance of public transit in the near future,” he said. “I see bus rapid transit (BRT) routes as a possibility for the future of Kalamazoo.

“I think the demographics of our nation are such to embrace public transportation.

Populations are shifting away from the suburbs and outlying areas into the urban core, which is a positive trend for public transit. We are also seeing the Millennials not embracing the car as much, while using other modes of transportation, be it the bicycle, public transit or walking. Also, Baby Boomers looking for options to move into the urban center is another positive development.”

Contact: Metro Transit, 530 N. Rose St., Kalamazoo MI 49007.

Phone: 269-337-8222.

Website: www.kmetro.org.

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High Performance Transit

Brake Linings & Air Disc Pads

From North America’s #1 Name in Transit Friction Marathon’s industry leading and OE approved KVT brake linings and DiscStar air disc pads are proven performers for transit and coach lines across the country. KVT and DiscStar are quiet, long life materials that are friendly to drums and rotors.

To get the most from your bus brakes, count on Marathon!

See us at Booth 2562

www.MarathonBrake.com Page 44

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From Russell Cress Company:

Bike Rack Advertising Panels Russell Cress Company Inc. has announced national distribution of its Bike Rack Advertising Panels, available to transit companies throughout the United States.

Large and small systems can place advertiser’s information on the front of buses that already have bike racks installed.

From Handi-Hut:

LANTA Uses Solar Power For Shelters

“These low-cost panels, 14 inches by 47 inches, present a way to derive additional income continually with a very small investment in hardware,” said company officials.

According to the company, the Chicago System, CTA has had success with its program conducted through the Titan Outdoors Advertising Program, and has ordered these panels to install on additional buses, 350 units shipped recently.

Russell Cress Company also manufactures and offers king, queen, tail and interior frames for buses.

Custom design and fabrication services of hardware for mass transit displays and advertising are also available.

Visit www.russellcressco.com for more information.

Solar-powered bus shelters are now among LANTA’s (Allentown, PA) fleet of more than 90 covered waiting areas for users of the publicly-funded bus service.

The new shelters use solar cells to convert sunlight to electricity, storing the power in batteries to illuminate the waiting area for customers, as well as the advertisements that help pay for shelter maintenance, according to Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority Planning Director Owen O’Neil.

Handi-Hut, of Clifton, NJ, provider of LANTA’s solar shelters, estimates that avoiding the need to install in-ground power lines to shelters can save its customers $5,000 to $7,000.

“At about $9,400, each ‘green’ kiosk costs $3,000 more than a model powered by a standard electrical connection. All of LANTA’s shelters use electricity to light the interiors as well as the ad panels,” O'Neil said.

Visit www.handi-hut.com for more information.

Keeping You in Motion

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September/October 2014

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BITZER To Highlight Products During Chillventa 2014 In Germany BITZER, a specialist in refrigeration compressors, will showcase its key 2014 innovations during the international trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany, known as Chillventa 2014. The event takes place October 14-16.

One of the new products the compressor specialist BITZER will be showcasing at Chillventa is the optimized CRII capacity control.

Chillventa is a show for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps. One of the new products the company will be showcasing is its further optimized CRII capacity control. The system delivers adjustable capacity control for the ECOLINE reciprocating compressors with four, six and – now for the first time – two cylinders.

“Depending on the operating conditions and refrigerant, a special control algorithm allows compressors to be infinitely adjusted,” according to a news release.

With the CRII, BITZER has a range of control between 10 and 100 percent for two-, fourand six-cylinder compressors. The increased switching frequency, however, ensures smaller fluctuations in controlled value, temperature as well as pressure and, in combination with the expanded range of control, optimizes system efficiency.

Volker Stamer, BITZER director of sales for stationary products, said, “With the CRII system, we are offering our customers a whole new level of flexibility and supporting customization to suit all possible ECOLINE compressor operating conditions. This increases system efficiency while protecting the environment.”

BITZER is also expanding its range of CO2 compressors. With the introduction of the 4PTC-6K model for lower displacements and the 4DTC-25K and 4CTC-30K models for higher displacements, the series for transcritical compressors now ranges from 183 to 1,092 cubic feet of displacement per hour at 60 Hz. Fair visitors can see an expanded product range and a new CO2 series at the BITZER stand.

Holdsworth Fabrics rolling on with Camira We hope you’ve heard our name is changing from Holdsworth to Camira.

Weaving the original wool moquette fabrics, flat cloths and ancillary trims, bearing the hallmarks of sustainability and innovation.

You can be sure we’ll keep the wheels turning and the world moving.

www.camirafabrics.com | www.holdsworthfabrics.com | 616 288 0655

See us at APTA Expo Booth #1613 Page 46

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For the first time, the company is presenting to the public an open-drive screw compressor in the OS series. The model is based on the construction of the OS series and, for now, is designed for use with NH3 (ammonia) in medium and low temperature applications.

The CSVH3 series is a new development in the field of speed-regulated compact screw compressors. BITZER has added two more powerful

Trade fair visitors can see a new CO2 series at the BITZER stand.

larger models to its existing CSVH series. The CSVH37 compact screw compressor has a cooling capacity of 1,878 kBtu/h (+41/122°F) with a displacement of up to 33,902 ft3/h.

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BITZER has added two, more powerful, larger models to its existing CSVH series; the CSVH37 and the CSVH38

The larger CSVH38 has a cooling capacity of 2,254 kBtu/h (+41/122°F) with a displacement of up to 40,823 ft3/h. BITZER has developed a new housing size that allows this level of performance. The series is based on the engineering and electronics of the CSVH2 series and has a range of applications, from air cooled liquid chillers to heat pumps.

The CSVW2 is also a compact screw compressor, specially designed for liquid chillers with a low condensing temperature. Its engineering is based on the CSVH2 compact screw compressor and combine strengths with new capabilities at low load conditions.

For high coefficient of performance (COP) for this type of application, and a good ESEER, BITZER has integrated a permanent magnet motor. The drive technology is especially beneficial in liquid chillers with a water cooled con-

denser. The internal volume ratio (Vi) of the compressor was also adjusted to allow the CSVW2 series to achieve more efficiency in the lower speed and load range than the CSVH series. The company modified the frequency inverter accordingly.

“In the scroll compressor segment, the BITZER Advanced Header Technology (BAHT) for compressor tandems or trios is a pioneer in the design of air conditioning and heat pump systems. The newly developed suction gas header plays a key role, as it spcifically directs oil to one of the compressors and then, inside the compressor tandem or trio distributes it evenly among other compressors. It also works when uneven compressors are combined and allows frequency of a single compressor to be adjusted in the unit,” according to a company release.

The unit does not require active oil management with an oil separator or a lead compressor into which the oil can flow back. Also, when one or two compressors are shut off, oil distribution is maintained.

BITZER said Advanced Header Technology offers the following benefits: n Only one suction line for many compressor combinations without an individual combination of restrictor washers; n Reliable functioning at high and low suction gas volume flows;

n Uneven capacity adjustment through different displacements in the unit; n Different compressor housing sizes (GSD6 and GSD8) can be combined in one unit; and, n Less warehousing, simpler installation and

The BITZER Advanced Header Technology (BAHT) for compressor tandems and trios.

error prevention in the production of multi-compressor units.

“The lower oil carry-over rate of the ORBIT scroll compressors, and the new suction gas header, promote longer operation with equalized oil levels in the compressors, even in demanding conditions. This includes the integration of reversible heat pumps and iced evaporators,” said the company. “The oil needs to be able to return to the suction line.”

Visit www.bitzerus.com for more information.

“Images: BITZER US, Inc.”

See us at APTA Expo Booth #3900 September/October 2014

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Trans/Air Offers New Driver Air Diverter For Flush Mount 55 Evaporator Trans/Air Manufacturing, a Dallastown, PA, U.S. manufacturer of transportation climate control systems, now offers a Driver Air Diverter for the Trans/Air Flush Mounted FM55 Evaporator.

Trans/Air manufactures a full line of climate control systems. Units, parts, service, warranty, and new or aftermarket installations are

available through factory owned operations or a network of distributors throughout North America.

For additional information on any of Trans/Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products and services, visit www.transairmfg.com.

From Marathon Brake Systems:

High Performance Brake Linings And Disc Pads

Trans/Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Driver Air Diverter

The Driver Air Diverter is designed specifically to ensure the comfort of the driver and can be added as an option to Trans/Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s front flush mounted FM55 evaporator. The design consists of four multidirectional rectangular louvers to direct air to the passenger compartment and a separate adjustable ball louver which directs air directly to the driver.

The company says advantages of the Driver Air Diverter include easy aftermarket installation and compatibility with mirrors on all OEM front bulkhead options.

Marathonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industry OE approved KVT brake linings and DiscStar air disc pads are designed for transit and coach lines. KVT and DiscStar are quiet, long life materials that are friendly to drums and rotors, according to Marathon.

KVT Transit Brake Linings: A Quiet, Long Life Friction Material Designed For Intracity And Intercity Bus Fleets OE Transit Approved KVT is formulated to handle the high heat of multiple stopping of a city bus and the heavy-duty demands of a motor coach.

KVT is an organic, non-asbestos brake lining that combines stopping power and quiet operation with a long lining life. KVT meets federal regulations for brake effectiveness, fade and recovery in accordance with FMVSS 121 test procedure and is rated for 28,660 lb. axle loads.

DiscStar Air Disc Pads: A High Performance Brake Pad Designed For Air Disc Brakes, With Wear And Low Noise Characteristics Marathon now offers a high performance air disc pad, DiscStar.

Designed specifically for air disc brakes, Marathonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DiscStar disc pads were created to handle the extreme conditions of transit bus and coach applications. DiscStar disc pads provide stopping power, a long pad and rotor life and significant noise reduction, according to a news release. Visit www.MarathonBrake.com for more information, or call 800-223-5201.

Booth #3129 "15" &YQP )PVTUPO 59

Altro Transflor Wood Safetyâ&#x201E;˘ Altro Transflor Wood Safety Slip resistant, wood-look flooring for

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0VS MBUFTU USBOTJU ýPPSJOH JOOPWBUJPO EFMJWFST TVQFSJPS TMJQ SFTJTUBODF JO BVUIFOUJD transportation applications.

XPPE WJTVBMT BOE "MUSP &BTZDMFBO .BYJT 163â&#x201E;˘ GPS JOEVTUSZ MFBEJOH DMFBOBCJMJUZ t 4UBJO 3FTJTUBOU t 8BUFSQSPPG #BSSJFS t &YUSFNFMZ Ă˝FYJCMF t -POH XBSSBOUZ t 4UBJO SFTJTUBOU t 4MJQ 3FTJTUBOU t -POH 8BSSBOUZ t 4MJQ SFTJTUBOU t &YUSFNFMZ 'MFYJCMF

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From Garavelli Enterprises, Inc.:

Commercial Seating For Passenger Waiting Areas Garavelli Enterprises, Inc. is a business to business global supplier. Its Airport Seating Alliance division has supplied seating to international and regional airports and other transportation facilities for over 20 years.

The company designs, manufactures and supplies commercial seating for passenger waiting areas in airports, first class lounges, train stations, bus terminals, hospitals, cruise ship terminals, conference centers, doctors’ offices, and casinos worldwide.

Customers include Amtrak Penn Station NYC, Chicago Union Station, Washington, D.C. Union Station, American Airlines, GSA military bases, Social Security offices, Long Island Railway, Port Everglades Cruise Ship Terminals, Bellingham Bus Terminal and Lynx Bus Terminal.

“Airport Seating Alliance works closely with architects, general contractors, designers and airport management to provide just-in-time delivery, assembly and installation of waiting area seating. The company’s methods, procedures and project management programs chart the progress of multiple projects to achieve delivery schedules. Airport Seating Alliance supplies only high quality seating. Its line con-

sists of seating in perforated steel, extruded or sheet aluminum, contour molded wood, injection molded and roto-cast polypropylene for indoor and outdoor seating. It has an extensive selection of fabrics and vinyls that meet all international commercial safety standards,” said company representatives.

Some of the company’s models offer polyurethane molded cushions designed to with-

stand extreme use where passenger traffic is very high. In addition to seating, the company cooperates with other companies to supply airport interior products such as waste receptacles, planters, check-in counters and children’s play modules.

All of its products are unique in design, function and provide user comfort while being easy to maintain. It has innovative custom seating solutions for the international and domestic traveler.

Visit the company’s website at www.airportseatingalliance.com for products and specifications, or send e-mail to: info@airportseatingalliance.com.

From Bitimec:

1 Detailer; 8 Minute Bus Wash “Bitimec bus washing equipment allows one detailer to soap, wash and rinse a full size coach in eight minutes, and up to 40 buses a day.” The ‘pallet size’ bus-wash machines are autonomous, affordable, self-contained bus wash systems which turn a single operator into a ‘wash-crew,” said company representatives.

“The Speedy Wash power bus washers come in electric/diesel/battery and hybrid power versions. Prices range from $20,000 to $50,000 installed,” said the company.

Visit www.bitimec.com for more information.

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PERSONNEL NEWS FROM MCI Guy Charron Joins MCI As V. P. Regional Sales Eastern Canada Guy Charron has joined MCI as vice president, regional sales Eastern Canada, succeeding Joe Simard, who is retiring after an eight-year career at MCI and 31 years in the industry.

Charron is responsible for MCI and Setra newcoach sales, as well as the sale of pre-owned coaches to private and public operators in Quebec and the Maritime provinces.

He reports to Patricia Ziska, MCI vice president of New Coach Sales.

Charron was formerly president of World Bus Corporat ion, a joint venture Guy Charron between entities in Mexico and Canada to develop an urban bus for the Latin America market. Before that, he was with Corbeil Buses, a school-bus manufacturer founded in Quebec by his grandfather in 1936. Charron also has a 21year career as a production supervisor at an urbanbus plant in the Saguenay region of Quebec, that had been owned by several manufacturers, includ-

ing MCI from 1987 through 1993.

Charron, who studied manufacturing engineering, began his career at GMC Trucks in 1977, and worked for a time at GM’s diesel division in powertrain purchasing. A native of Montreal, he is fluent in French, English and Spanish.

MCI’s Canadian group includes regional sales vice presidents Guy Tessier, responsible for Western Canadian provinces, and John Leone, Ontario; Chad Sadowy, MCI technical solutions manager; and Doug DePape, MCI parts solutions manager. In addition, the MCI Sales and Service Center in Montreal serves area operators with factory-trained technicians and offers maintenance, repair and regional parts supply.

Charron can be reached at Guy.Charron@mcicoach.com.

Wiebe Joins MCI As Contracts Manager Bruce Wiebe, a senior contracts professional, has joined MCI as contracts manager. Wiebe is responsible for all of MCI’s public sector procurement preparation and submissions as well as contract management. He is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and reports to Tom Wagner, vice president of public sector sales.

Reporting to Wiebe are MCI’s three contract administrators, Dale Majury, Mike Harpin and Brad Driedger, who comprise the sales and opera-

See us at APTA Expo Booth #2327 Page 50

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tions team in Winnipeg. This team also plans and updates forecasts for production and inventory planning, working closely with MCI sales representatives and public sector customers on lead time and product specifications.

Wiebe, who had a 17-year career with IBM, Winnipeg, was most recently a negotiating consultant for new deal opportunities and change orders for existing contracts in a variety of fields including public sector. He also has sales experience from his previous IBM roles as software account manager and leasing sales specialist, along with technical experience through his role as a technical solution manager.

Prior to IBM, Wiebe held a number of Bruce Wiebe positions with Manitoba Hydro and began his career at North American Life Assurance as an APL programmer after graduating from the University of Alberta.

Wiebe earned a B.Sc. in math from the University of Alberta and an MBA in finance from the University of Manitoba. He has a C.M.A. from the Society of Management Accountants.

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From Specialty Vehicles: Three Supreme Classic American Trolleys Purchased By Seoul City Tours Seoul City Tours in Seoul, South Korea, has recently bought three Supreme Classic American Trolleys for use in its custom tour services.

capacity from 22 to 39. They are Altoona tested, meeting all U.S. and Canadian DOT codes.

These vehicles are designed to operate in various environments and feature climate control systems. Additional options such as handicap accessibility, removable sidewalls and a conductor’s

platform are available.

In 1998, SVI partnered with Supreme Corporation to become the exclusive worldwide distributor for both Classic American Trolleys and Classic American Trams. Since then, over 500 trolleys have been manufactured at Supreme and sold throughout the United States, Guam, Asia and South America.

Visit www.specialtyvehicles.com.

Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) General Manager Sherrie Fisher Retires

Seoul City Tours offers tailored packages to foreign visitors looking to enjoy Seoul in a trolley. Tourists are provided access to popular destinations and attractions with headsets offering a variety of languages to experience Seoul. The company recently displayed the latest vehicle in its fleet at the Seoul Expo in April.

All Classic American Trolleys feature vehicle amenities with the appearance of a classic trolley. Available in gasoline, diesel, LPG, and CNG, the trolleys are manufactured by Supreme Corporation in Goshen, IN, with a passenger

Santa Barbara (CA) Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) General Manager Sherrie Fisher has announced her retirement. Fisher began her career at MTD in May, 1974, when she was hired as the agency’s first female bus driver. She continued as a bus driver until 1979, when she moved into an administrative role as MTD’s scheduler and planner.

She was next promoted to manager of planning and marketing, followed by manager of risk, personnel, and operations. In 1988, while retaining that position, she was also appointed assistant general manager.

MTD’s Board of Directors selected her as acting general manager in 2003 and as general manager in 2004.

MTD faced a crisis in 2013, when MTD drivers, supervisors, mechanSherrie Fisher ics, and utility workers (represented by Teamsters Union Local 186) expressed concerns about the impact of California’s Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) on bargaining rights. This disagreement threatened MTD’s annual federal funding and could have resulted in a major service cut. However, the differences were eventually resolved with no loss of funding. Visit www.sbmtd.gov for more information.

See us at APTA Expo Booth #4400 September/October 2014

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TEMSA Global And CH Bus Sales Extend Distributor Agreement TEMSA Global and CH Bus Sales, Inc. recently signed an agreement to extend their exclusive distributor partnership. Since February 2010, CH Bus Sales has been the exclusive distributor of TEMSA motorcoaches in the United States, and more recently in Canada, offering sales, service, and after-sales support.

“Until recently, CH Bus Sales offered two mid-size models to U.S. operators, the TEMSA TS 30 and TEMSA TS 35.

Now, with the newly introduced fullsize coach, the TEMSA TS 45, CH Bus Pictured left to right are Dincer Celik, Sales is able to offer a more diverse general manager of TEMSA Global, and Bob Foley, product offering to the U.S. market,” president & CEO of CH Bus Sales. according to a press release from the company.

Dincer Celik, general manager at TEMSA integral monocoque manufactured coaches in Global, said, “We are pleased with the progress three different lengths, 30, 35, and 45 feet,” said CH Bus Sales has made in this market the last representatives.

“TEMSA Global, an automotive company in few years and look forward to a long term relaTurkey, manufactures and distributes buses and tionship.”

“TEMSA and CH are the only providers of coaches with its own brand in domestic and

international markets. TEMSA Global has a total annual production capacity of 11,500 vehicles in one shift at its Adana Production Plant, comprised of 4,000 buses and coaches, and 7,500 light trucks. TEMSA sells its products to 64 countries in addition to Turkey. In France alone, more than 3,000 TEMSA branded buses are on the roads,” according to the company.

“The company’s major markets in Europe include Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Lithuania and the Benelux region, and TEMSA has increased its market share in the United States through increased product diversification,” said officials.

CH Bus Sales also offers full service after-sales support, warranty assistance, and parts availability. Administrative headquarters are based out of Faribault, MN, with full-service facilities and customer delivery locations in Orlando, FL; Las Vegas, NV; and Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. Company representatives say the company looks to expand to other locations in the Northeast and West Coast next year.

Visit www.chbussales.com and www.temsa.com for more information.

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See us at APTA Expo Booth #3354 Page 52

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Espar Now Manufacturing Legacy Carrier AC 310 And AC 350 Roof Mounted Systems In North America Espar Climate Control Systems is now manufacturing the legacy Carrier AC 310 and AC 350 roof mounted AC Systems in North America.

In 2010, ESPAR’S parent company, Eberspaeche, purchased the assets of the Carrier Sutrak for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India and Mexico. Espar Climate Control Systems, a

provider of fuel operated heaters in North America since 1974, initially accepted the responsibility to provide support for the Eberspaecher AC systems being imported on Van Hool, Volvo and TEMSA coaches.

Espar is now manufacturing the LEGACY AC 310 and AC 350 Roof Mounted AC Systems, which the company said are popular in the school bus and shuttle coach markets. These systems are currently distributed though American Cooling Technology/Pro Air and TransArctic.

Espar officials said the company is developing other systems for varied markets requiring primarily roof mounted AC Systems.

Espar Products is the manufacturer of fuel operated heaters, designed for mobile applica-

tions such as truck, bus, off-highway, marine and automotive. Espar also manufactures rooftop mounted AC systems for the motorcoach, transit and school bus markets, as well as the IMobile Flex Cool Freezer containers for the transportation of temperature sensitive goods.

Visit www.espar.com for more information.

Stout’s Transportation Takes Delivery Of 2 Temsa TS 35 Coaches Stout’s Transportation, Trenton, NJ, has been serving the tri-state area, and beyond, for more than 60 years.

The company bought its first Temsa in the fall of 2013, a Temsa TS 30 mid-size coach.

“The company liked the look and ride of the TS 30 and found it was new, different and fit well within our operation,” said Harry Stout, owner/CEO of Stout’s Transportation.

The company has recently taken delivery of two TS 35s, in addition to the TS 30.

“The world class Temsa TS 35 is a fully integral mid-sized coach that offers a luxurious and spacious interior for passengers and driver. The TS 35 is constructed from stainless steel for

extra durability and safety. An American driveline is combined with European quality and craftsmanship to create a high quality driving experience. The TS 35 has independent front suspension and automatic transmission, contributing to a smooth, comfortable ride,” said company officials.

CH Bus Sales, Inc., is the exclusive distributor of Temsa motorcoaches in the United States and Canada. It is a privately owned corporation.

Visit www.chbussales.com and www.temsa.com for more information.

See us at APTA Expo Booth #1307 September/October 2014

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Web Site: www.austinmohawk.com Products: A selection of pre-manufactured structures of bus and transit shelters. Built to last with high quality aluminum or steel. Shelters are durable, attractive, and can be equipped with budget-conscious features such as new LED solar lighting. These bus shelters serve the needs of a community, enhance urban design, and promote infrastructure. All Austin Mohawk shelters meet or exceed International Building Code (IBC) standards. The company also offers fast turnaround times and professional installation anywhere in the continental United States.

Austin Mohawk has spent more than 80 years building prefabricated structures. Its product line-up includes pre-manufactured buildings, shelters, press boxes, and overhead metal canopies. Custom built structures are modular, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. The company is known for its design options, engineerColumbia Equipment Co. Inc. has been specializing in Passenger Shelters for ing, and lead times. Austin Mohawk is a Veteran 53 years! When it comes to prefabricated bus and train station shelters, we Owned Business. 13 wrote the book! Columbia shelters are in use from coast to coast and all around the world. May we build a shelter for you too? Please contact: BikeLid LLC Columbia Equipment Company, Inc. P.O. Box 408 3430 Evergreen Point Rd. 180-10 93rd Avenue / Jamaica, N.Y. 11433 Medina, WA 98039 USA Phone: 718-658-5900 / Fax: 718-526-4110 206-963-7585 800-742-1297 / www.columbiaequipment.com Fax: 206-726-8488 shelterpr@columbiaequipment.com Web Site: www.BikeLid.com Products: Durable and secure Class 1 (longterm) public bicycle parking (bike locker).

Tough, lightweight, graffiti resistant polyethylene shell, reinforced by steel, is attached by spring-loaded hinge to a steel bike guide/frame, which provides one or two full-sized bicycles protection. Bolts to any ground surface.

Moldable in virtually any color.

Austin Mohawk and Company Inc. 2175 Beechgrove Pl. Utica, NY 13501 USA Toll Free: 800-765-3110 Fax: 315-793-9370 E-Mail: sales@austinmohawk.com

Shelter Shelter Shelter

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See us at APTA Expo Booth #5637

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according to the company. It has been specializing in this field since 1961. Columbia offers standard and custom designs in a variety of sizes and configurations and in all price ranges. Product line includes bus stop shelters, train station shelters, windscreens, smoking shelters, walkway canopies, information kiosks, ticket vending shelters and custom street furniture. 12

See us at APTA Expo Booth #2673

Standard locking mechanism is secured by the bicyclist’s own lock. Optional pre-stalled locks include external U or monoblock locks, and internal key, combination, or on-demand electronic locks, including Park-by-Phone.

Installed across the country, from Portland, OR, to Portland, ME, 13 Brasco International, Inc. 32400 Industrial Drive Madison Heights, MI 48071 USA Toll Free: 800-893-3665 E-Mail: info@brasco.com Website: www.brasco.com Company Officers : Daniel Padilla, President; Doug Pew, Executive Vice President Products: 100 percent in-house design and fabrication, made in Detroit, MI. Products include bus stop shelters, BRT station shelters, bike shelters, transit shelters, solar powered LED safety bollards, windscreens, advertising boxes, solar powered ad box retrofits, custom glass etching, roof retrofits, benches, bike racks, waste receptacles, shopping cart corrals, advertising signs, solar lighting retrofits, shade shelters, leaning rails, covered walkways and canopies. 14 Columbia Equipment Co., Inc. See Ad On Page 54 180-10 93rd Avenue Jamaica, NY 11433 USA Toll Free: 800-742-1297 718-658-5900 Fax: 718-526-4110 E-Mail: shelterpr@columbiaequipment.com Web Site: www.columbiaequipment.com Products: Columbia Equipment Co., Inc. is the original manufacturer of pre-fabricated aluminum bus shelters in North America, Page 56

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Daytech Limited 70 Disco Road Toronto, ON M9W 1L9 CANADA Toll Free: 877-329-1907 Fax: 416-675-7183 E-Mail: info@daytechlimited.com Web Site: www.daytechlimited.com Products: DAYTECH Limited is a North American manufacturer of pre-fabricated transit shelters, bike shelters, canopies, street furniture and transit signage. It has over 60,000 product installations in every corner of the continent, from Florida to Alaska, and offers a wide assortment of standard products.

In addition, DAYTECH can customize shelters for exact requirements. 13 Duo-Gard Industries Inc. 40442 Koppernick Rd. Canton, MI 48187 USA Toll Free: 800-872-4404 Fax: 734-207-7995 E-Mail: info@duo-gard.com Web Site: www.duo-gard.com Products: Duo-Gard transit shelters provide versatility in size, styles and services that meet goals for aesthetics, performance and economy. This versatility is also found with Duo-Gard’s canopies, walkways, windbreaks, stairway enclosures, furniture, bike racks and other structures needed to complete a project.

10 EDF, Inc. P.O. Box 228 Jenison, MI 49428 USA 616-796-1260 Fax: 616-396-0944 Web Site: www.edfsolutions.com Products: EDF, Inc. manufactures the En Route line of steel framed passenger waiting shelters for permanent installation. Options available are windscreen enclosures, benches, display cases and solar powered LED lighting. All steel components are E-coated and powder coated. 12 Enseicom Inc. See Ad On Page 55 225 Norman Montreal, QC H8R 1A3 CANADA

September/October 2014

514-486-2626 Fax: 514-486-6465 Toll Free: 800-663-0673 E-Mail: info@ensei.com Web Site: www.enseicom.com Products: Enseicom manufactures electric signs, billboard structures and street furniture in North America. Staffed with a full inhouse graphic and technical design team overseen by civil and structural engineers, Enseicom is constantly designing, redesigning and developing products with superior durability and serviceability, all the while maintaining state-of-the-art green technology including solar and wind power applications. Its products are installed throughout North America, The Dominican Republic and Jamaica. 13 Handi-Hut, Inc. See Ad Top Left Of This Page 3 Grunwald St. Clifton, NJ 07013 USA 973-614-1800 E-Mail: staff@handi-hut.com Web Site: www.handi-hut.com Company Officers: Mel Cohen, President & CEO; John Cozza, Vice President Products: Handi-Hut has been designing and manufacturing bus stop, bicycle and smoking shelters since 1970, as well as overhead canopies. All shelters are shipped in pre-fabricated sections that are easily installed onsite and make low cost shipping possible.

Shelters can be made with advertising panels or stand alone ad panels that retrofit to existing shelters.

New dusk-to-dawn solar light kit attaches in minutes to any shelter with just 8 screws and costs only $595. The illuminated shelter provides security and promotes the bus stop.

14 ICON Shelter Systems, Inc. 7900 Logistic Drive, Suite C Zeeland, MI 49464 USA 616-748-0985 Fax: 616-748-0985 E-Mail: info@iconshelters.com Web Site: www.iconshelters.com Products: ICON designs, engineers and fabricates pre-engineered open, outdoor structures. The line of urban transit shelters are specifically designed for use as transportation waiting structures. ICON manufactures all structures in steel, and offers a heavy powder coat finish over liquid epoxy e-coat primer.

Benches and Lexan® windscreens are available for each model. 08

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Madrax / Thomas Steele 1080 Uniek Dr. Waunakee, WI 53597 USA 608-849-1080 Fax: 608-849-1081 E-Mail: sales@madrax.com Web Site: www.madrax.com, www.thomassteele.com Products: Madrax is a maker of heavy-duty, high quality bike racks that are innovative, practical, and aestheticallly pleasing. Thomas Steele manufactures benches, litter receptacles, and tables that create good environments for people at work and play. 12 Mountain Shelter Solutions 6950 Base Line Wallaceburg, ON N8A 1A1 CANADA 877-588-8858 Fax: 519-627-6475 E-Mail: sales@moutainsheltersolutions.com Web Site: www.mountainsheltersolutions.com Products: Provides transit shelters, smoking shelters, bicycle shelters, covered walkways, canopies, advertisement signs and all street furniture. The company offers both

power and off-grid options. All shelters are made with aluminum extrusions and components. Only stainless steel hardware is used during assembly. The company powder coats to AAMA2604 and 2605 standards; top in the industry. Mountain Shelter Solutions ships to, and can install anywhere, in North America. 12 Poligon by PorterCorp 4240 136th Ave., Holland, MI 49424 USA 616-399-1963 Fax: 616-399-9123 Web Site: www.poligon.com Products: Standard and custom shade coverings for applications in steel, fabric and wood.

Structures include transit shelters, walkway covers, pavilions, trellises, signs and fabric shade. Streamlined process to make finding the perfect product easy and efficient. An experienced sales staff can guide customers through the entire process and will work with them from initial design to completed installation. Wide selection of standard shelters can be fully customized. Ability to create new designs is offered for a unique structure.

Protected with the powder coat finish Poli-

5000®. Frame finishes are available in 24 smooth colors and 10 textured colors. The company also offers a variety of roof types and colors. 12 Tolar Manufacturing Co. 258 Mariah Cir., Carona, CA 92879 USA Toll Free: 800-339-6165 Fax: 951-808-0041 E-Mail: info@tolarmfg.com Web Site: www.tolarmfg.com Products: Since 1991, Tolar Manufacturing has been recognized as a leading manufacturer of transit shelters, kiosks, benches and trash receptacles. 08 Transitshelter.com 1953 N. 17th Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160 USA 847-678-8425 Fax: 847-678-8471 E-Mail: info@transitshelter.com Web Site: www.transitshelter.com Products: Transitshelter.com is a street furniture, urban decor project of Tafco Corporation. Products include bus shelters, windscreens, smoking shelters, kiosks and street decor. 10

SAFE, STURDY & DURABLE Safety Step will meet all your transportation needs…

s Safety Steps full line of transportation steps are designed specifically for the transportation industry s Anti-tip design makes it impossible to tip over with normal use s Transportation models provide a 6”, 8”, 10” or 12” boost s The 10" and 12" steps have brackets for extra durability s Rugged all-aluminum welded construction s All models are lab tested to hold over 1,000 pounds, but weigh a mere 7 pounds s Non-slip angled rubber leg tips and gripper strips keep your passengers and your Safety Step securely in place s Durable powder coat finish available black, silver or safety yellow

To view all our transportation steps or to order online, visit our website:

www.safetystep.net or call (888) 448-4237 September/October 2014

BUSLINE

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Avail Tech, Inc. 1960 Old Gatesburg Rd., Suite 200, State College, PA 16803 USA Phone: 814-234-3394 Website: www.availtec.com Products: A fully integrated suite of products, designed to meet the specific needs of small- to medium-sized transit properties. Availâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offerings include automatic passenger counters and fare collection products. 14

Brush Industries 301 Reagan St., Sunbury, PA 17801 USA Phone: 570-286-5611 Website: www.brushindustries.com Products: Long life magnetic recording heads and card readers for the smart card and magnetic stripe card industries. 14 Cubic Transportation Systems 5650 Kearny Mesa Rd., San Diego, CA 92111 USA Phone: 858-627-4587 Website: www.cts.cubic.com.

Products: An integrator of payment and information technology and services for intelligent travel solutions. Turnkey solutions support all public transport modes including bus and bus rapid transit. Every year, nearly 7 billion rides are taken worldwide using Cubic fare collection systems. 14

THE DIAMOND FAMILY

Serving The Industry Since 1947 Made in the U.S.A.

diamondmfg.com 800-343-1009 816-421-8363 See us at APTA Expo Booth #3407 Page 58

BUSLINE

September/October 2014

Diamond Manufacturing Inc. (See Ad At Left) 2330 Burlington, N. Kansas City, MO 64116 USA Toll Free: 800-343-1009 E-Mail: todcull@aol.com Website: www.diamondmfg.com Company Officers: Todd Cull, General Manager Products: Diamond Manufacturing offers a line of fare collection equipment to the transit industry. It supplies traditional, manual fare boxes, donation boxes and a fare box with a remote fare dump option.

Diamondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional fare boxes are the round units (Models H, E-5, D), which are designed to accept coins, tokens and tickets; and, rectangular units (Models RV, SV, XV, NV), which are designed to accept dollar bills, coins, tokens, tickets, passes and similar fare media.

Donation boxes come in three sizes to fit most applications. These units can be mounted in a variety of ways: on the modesty panel or stanchion pole in either a vertical or horizontal position. Models F-1 and F-24 remote dump fare boxes can be mounted away from the driver with a push button dump feature. These models can be paired with smart card readers. 14 Electronic Data Magnetics, Inc. 210 Old Thomasville Rd., High Point, NC 27260 USA Phone: 800-336-8115 E-Mail: contactus@electonicdata.com Website: www.electronicdata.com Products: RFID and Magnetic Striped products on thin gauge paper and

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plastics. EDM provides both high and low coercivity magnetic stripe cards and tickets, while offering encoding services. 14 Evolis Card Printers 3201 W. Commercial Blvd., Suite 110 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 USA Phone: 954-777-9262 Website: www.evolis.com Products: Fare products for public transportation companies and agencies to better control their revenues. Products help optimize efficiency. 14 Genfare, a Division of SPX Corporation 751 Pratt Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 USA Phone: 847-593-8855 E-Mail: genfare.sales@spx.com Website: www.genfare.com Products: SPX Genfare provides customized fare solutions to transit agencies of all sizes throughout North America. Genfare integrated systems encompass the latest in electronic validating fareboxes, smart card and mobile payment options, ticket vending and point of sale card distribution systems. These are all managed by sophisticated local and webbased data processing systems. 14 INIT, Innovations In Transportation, Inc. 1420 Kristina Way, Suite 101, Chesapeake, VA 23320 USA Phone: 757-413-9100 Website: www.initusa.com Products: MOBILEticket is a smart phone application that helps transit authorities connect with their riders, reduce operating costs, and move into the future of open payment systems. With MOBILEticket, riders can buy and use their public transit passes from their mobile phones. 14 LECIP Inc. 1011 East Touhy Ave., Suite 140, Des Plaines, IL 60018 USA Phone: 312-626-2528 Website: www.lecip.com Products: Automated fare collection systems including fareboxes, smart card systems, transfer voucher issuance machines and digital fare displays. 14

Scheidt & Bachmann USA, Inc. 31 North Ave., Burlington, MA 01803 USA Phone: 781-262-6655 Website: www.scheidt-bachmann.de Products: The company’s fare collection systems division is a global supplier in fare collection technology. It has been providing local and regional transit solutions since 1978. All products and services appear under the brand FareGo. 14 TransitFare & Systems 125 Don Hillock Drive, Unit 2, Aurora, ON, L4G 0H8 CANADA Phone: 416-993-2503 E-Mail: info@transitfare.com Website: www.transitfare.com Products: A developer of integrated fare management solutions for small to medium sized transit operators. The company’s solutions integrate fare management, ticket issuing and validation, revenue management, and financial and ridership reporting. The TFS1200B is the company’s latest onboard ticket issuing device. It is a key component of an integrated fare management solution. TransitFare & Systems officials work with public and private transit operators in the North American, South American, African, Asian and European markets. 14 Xerox 7160 Riverwood Dr., Columbia, MD 21046 USA Phone: 443-259-7196 Website: www.xerox.com/transportation Products: An integrator of computer-aided dispatch/automatic vehicle location systems (CAD/AVL), Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and fare collection solutions for public transportation services, public works and school bus fleets. 14

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

Equipment?

Passengers and

MJM Innovations 1501 Sulgrave Ave., Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21209 USA Phone: 410-664-0700 E-Mail: info@mjminnovations.com Website: www.mjminnovations.com Company Officers: Jeffrey Venick Products: MJM Innovations’ EzTransport automated fare collection solution streamlines fare collection for agencies. State-of-the-art card technology makes it possible to totally automate the collection of fares, whether it’s a contactless smart card or magnetic swipe card. The EzTransport solution includes a back-end software management system, in-vehicle fare collection and a transaction processing platform. These technologies can immediately save time and money. The EzTransport solution works for paratransit, deviated route and fixed-route. 14

F.R. Cushioning (meets FMVSS 302)

CR SAFGUARD™ XL Fire-Resistant Cushioning

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

MEI, Inc. 3222 Phoenixville Pike, Suite 200 Malvern, PA 19355 USA Phone: 610-203-6587 Website: www.meigroup.com Products: MEI is a manufacturer of electronic note acceptors, coin mechanisms and other unattended transaction systems. Today, MEI electronic payment systems are relied upon for over 2 billion transactions per week in more than 100 countries worldwide. 14

SAFGUARD™ XL Fire-Resistant Cushioning…

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

• Minimize risk and liability related to vehicle fire safety.

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

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

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

See us at APTA Expo Booth #1913 September/October 2014

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NEWS FROM ABC Wise Coach, Nashville, TN, Purchases 3 2014 Van Hool TXs “I started working as a coach cleaner when I was 16, and fell in love with the business,” said Alan Wise, owner of Wise Coaches of Nashville, TN. “By my early 20s I figured out that I love travel and liked the people in the bus business, and decided there was no reason I couldn't run my own company successfully.”

Starting in 1997, Wise has built a fleet of 25 full-sized motorcoaches and 15 mini-coaches, and offers nationwide charter and tour services, as well as convention shuttles and military transportation.

“Our business model isn’t ‘rocket science’ — we offer the best equipment and service we possibly can. Nashville is a high quality market, and we work hard every day at being the best.

We listen to our customers because our future

depends on responding quickly to their thoughts and needs,” Wise said.

The company recently took delivery of three 2014 Van Hool TXs. ABC Companies is a provider to the transportation industry with product and service offerings including new and pre-owned full size highway coach equipment, mid-size shuttle transport vehicles, and advanced design heavyduty transit equipment.

ABC offers an after-sale service network for service and repairs, collision services, extensive OEM and quality aftermarket parts for transit, motorcoach and heavy-duty equipment from 11 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Private and municipal financing and leasing options are also available through the company's financial services group.

Call 800-222-2875 or visit www.abc-companies.com.

Van Hool Drawing Wins Be Ready, Be Buckled Safety Contest U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro recently participated in a ceremony honoring the winners of the 2104 “Be Ready. Be Buckled” safety belt contest.

The national contest, sponsored by the U.S.

» WEH® CNG FUELING COMPONENTS Top quality for maximum RELIABILITY

WEH® offers a wide range of NGV1 compatible products for safe and easy CNG vehicle refueling:

» Fueling Nozzles » Receptacles » Breakaways

» Check Valves » Filters » Hoses

WEH Technologies Inc. Call us: 832 331 00 21

» www.weh.us

See us at APTA Expo Booth #3758 Page 60

BUSLINE

September/October 2014

Department of Transportation is an effort to stress the role of seat belts in saving lives. The artwork of the winners as well as that of 10 other students will be included in the 2015 “Be Ready. Be Buckled” art contest calendar, available this fall.

Heather Li, a third grade student in Orlando, FL, won top honors in the third through sixth grade age group. The winning entry had a Van Hool TX45 motorcoach in the foreground. Her father, Yao Li, works at ABC Companies Parts Division.

The ceremony was held at the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, D.C., and was followed by a special program for the winners at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall.

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Motorcoach Marketing Council Will Auction A 2015 TEMSA TS 35 During Travel Exchange

From ARI-HETRA:

Heavy-Duty Drum & Disc Lathe ARI-HETRA introduces the WS-BL2000 Heavy-Duty Drum and Disc Lathe designed specifically for bus, truck and trailer wheels. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The model WS-BL2000 Brake Lathe produces an evenly cut drum (Max. Drum Turning Dia. 33.5 in.), rotor (Max. Disc Turning Dia. 20 in.) or flywheel. The extra-large 60 mm diameter arbor and oversized spindle dampens vibrations allowing it to work without the use of a tailstock - even for dual wheels with the drum attached,â&#x20AC;? said company spokespeople.

Advanced functions include powered in/out and left/right table motion, continuous or intermittent variable feed in both working directions (to avoid spiral effect) and spindle rotation speed (20-120 RPMs) controlled by a dial. The WS-BL2000 variable spindle speed helps control acceleration and deceleration, useful when turning heavy brake components. The machine

allows turning and grinding of tapered flywheel surfaces with an optional cutting adaptor. The adjustable travel end stops on both tables. The ergonomically positioned and easy-to-use control panel, the built-in oiler and tilt up safety guard are also elements that make the WSBL2000 a good choice.

ARI-HETRA is a privately held company offering the heavy-duty mobile lifting equipment, exhaust extraction systems, and wheel service equipment.

Its systems are used in over 40 different industries. Customers include airlines and airport authorities, fire departments, military bases, transit, bus and coach companies, utility companies, school districts and other heavy-duty automotive repair facilities.

Visit the website at www.ari-hetra.com for further details, or call at: 800-562-3250.

The Motorcoach Marketing Council has announced its 2015 Silent & Live Auction will include a 2015 TEMSA TS 35 coach donated

by CH Bus Sales. The coach will be available to view at the Sneak Preview â&#x20AC;&#x201D; UMA EXPO Floor Opening on Monday, January 19. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On behalf of the Motorcoach Marketing Council, I wish to thank CH Bus Sales/TEMSA for their generous donation to our auction,â&#x20AC;? said Chairman Peter Shelbo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The auction is our number one funding mechanism to help continue the council's mission of providing quality marketing tools to every motorcoach operator in North America.â&#x20AC;?

The year 2015 marks the fifth year for the Motorcoach Marketing Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silent & Live Auction on the expo floor during the United Motorcoach Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Travel Exchange Convention.

The Motorcoach Marketing Council is an operator-driven coalition of motorcoach operators, coach vendors, state, regional, and national associations, suppliers, vendors and travel and tourism partners.

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We also supply Bus: King, Queen, Tail & Interior Frames, Custom Design and Fabrication Services For Mass Transit Displays and Advertising Russell Cress Company Inc. 145 Lodi Street, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 t 'BY SEDSFTT!GSPOUJFSOFU OFU t XXX SVTTFMMDSFTTDP DPN September/October 2014

BUSLINE

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IEEE Honors Vanner Of Ohio Engineering Team At ITEC14 Conference Vanner Senior Engineer-Power Conversion Specialist Alexander (Sasha) Isurin and Alec Cook, vice president engineering and chief technology officer, were the recipients of the Best Paper Award at the 2014 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo in Detroit, MI. Isurin presented the paper titled, "Philosophy of Topology and Components Selection for Cost and Performance Converters" at the conference, where he detailed the critical requirements of electronics equipment for the automotive industry â&#x20AC;&#x201D; cost, reliability, and electromagnetic compatibility. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very honored that Sashaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Alecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper was selected as the conference's best paper,â&#x20AC;? said Steve Funk, president of Vanner Incorporated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The automotive and commercial vehicle energy management market is extremely competitive and to have IEEE recognize the significance of their findings speaks volumes about the quality engineering team we have here at Vanner. It also reinforces Vannerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business model and its commitment to bring cost-effective advanced energy man-

power product design. It was part of a multiday conference intended to advance IEEE's mission of providing sustainable technologies for humanity.

agement for vehicles to market. With new topologies coming from Vannerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engineering department, we bring to market cost-effective

Vanner Incorporated is a privately held company producing commercial vehicle energy management systems since 1977. Vanner develops energy solutions for transit and coach buses, ambulances, trucks, mobile office and military vehicles. Over 1,200 Vanner hybrid beltless alternators are now in service worldwide providing conversion of 600VDC to 24VDC. Visit www.vanner.com for more information.

designs with 100 percent on-time delivery.â&#x20AC;?

Sasha Isurin presented the paper at the conference that focused on methodologies engineers must use and topologies to consider in

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5 Star Specialty Programs ABC Companies ABC Companies/ Muncie Baker Aesys Alexander Dennis Inc. Altro Transflor American Cooling Technology, Inc. APTA EXPO ARBOC Specialty Vehicles ARI-HETRA Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison Auto Meter Products, Inc. Bauer Compressors Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation Bitimec Bitzer C.E. Niehoff Camira Fabrics Chestnut Ridge Foam Clean Seal Columbia Equipment Crosspoint Kinetics CUTA De Leo Textiles Diamond Manufacturing Dixie Electric Ltd. Ensiecom Espar Climate Systems Euramtec Corporation Freightliner Garavelli Enterprises, Inc.

Website

Page #

www.5starsp.com www.abc-companies.com www.abc-companies.com/transit_parts.asp www.aesys.com www.alexander-dennis.com www.altrotransflor.com www.actusa.us.com www.aptaexpo.com www.arbocsv.com www.ari-hetra.com www.atlanticdda.com oem.autometer.com www.bauercng.com www.bauerscertifiedpreowned.com www.bitimec.com/ www.bitzerus.com www.ceniehoff.com www.camirafabrics.com www.chestnutridgefoam.com www.cleanseal.com www.columbiaequipment.com crosspointkinetixs.com www.cutaactu.ca www.deleoco.com www.diamondmfg.com www.dixie-electric.com www.enseicom.com www.espar.com www.euramtec.com www.freightlinerchassis.com www.airportseatingalliance.com

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Company

Handi-Hut, Inc. Hometown Trolley Marathon Brake Systems Midwest Bus Corporation Mile-X Monochem Motor Coach Industries Onspot PEX German O.E. Parts LLC Prevost Car Protective Insurance Company Relational Bus Systems Russell Cress Company, Inc. Safety Step Service Insurance Shriver Insurance Agency Sutrak TEMSA TIB Transit Sales International TriMark Turtle Top UMA Motorcoach Expo Vanner Power Vehicle Inspection Systems Voith Turbo Inc. Volvo Vossloh North America WEH Technologies Inc. Willingham Inc.

September/October 2014

Website

www.handi-hut.com www.hometowntrolley.com www.MarathonBrake.com www.midwestbus.com www.mile-x.com www.worldwidemonochem.com www.mcicoach.com www.onspot.com www.pexna.com www.prevostcar.com www.protectiveinsurance.com www.rbs2000.com www.russellcressco.com www.safetystep.net www.serviceins.com www.shriverinsurance.com www.sutrakusa.com www.temsa.com www.tibinsurance.com www.transitsales.com www.trimarkcorp.com www.turtletop.com www.motorcoachexpo.com www.vanner.com www.VISCheck.net www.usa.voithturbo.com www.prevostcar.com www.vossloh-north-america.com www.weh.us www.willinghaminc.com

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Motor Coach Industries

MCI® Commuter Coach

MCI® J4500 A 10-year industry best-seller, the MCI J4500 provides premium workhouse reliability, low total cost of operation and significant fuel economy gains, thanks to powertrain optimization. Recently redesigned for heightened curb appeal and a more elevated presence, the 2015 J4500 will feature a new ZF independent front suspension, offerng a turning radius nearly seven feet tighter than before. A new Bendix braking system delivers car-like control, along with a collision mitigation feature.

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

Model..............................................................................................MCI® J4500 Passenger Capacity ......................................................................................56 Length ........................................................................................................45.58’ Height.......................................................................................................140.75” Headroom .................................................................................................78.25” Wheelbase ....................................................................................................315” Engine ......................Cummins ISX 12L, 425 hp engine w/engine brake; optional Detroit Diesel Transmission................Allison B500 6-speed automatic transmission with prognostics capability with fuel saving RELS-Reduced Engine Load at Stop Brakes...................................................Bendix® ADB22X™ Air Disc Brakes Fuel Tank Capacity...............................................................................183 gal.

Fuel Options .................................................................................Clean Diesel DEF Tank Capacity........................Cummins/Detroit Diesel 15 gal/10 gal GVWR.................................................................................................54,000 lbs.

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Motor Coach Industries

September/October 2014

Available in clean-diesel, hybrid and CNG, the MCI Commuter Coach is built for highway speed. It’s ideally suited for commuter express service with forward-facing seating, a 42 percent greater seating capacity than a typical transit bus. Buy America-compliant and Altoona-tested, the model offers a highly competitive perseat price, plus low cost of operation, and the best mean distance between failure (MDBF) rate over all other types of bus models, according to MCI. Motor Coach Industries; 200 East Oakton St., Des Plaines, IL 60018; 847-285-2000; 800-428-7626; Fax: 847-285-2013 • Email: marketing@mcicoach.com; Website: www.mcicoach.com

Model..........................................................................MCI® Commuter Coach Passenger Capacity .................................................................................57, 49 Length.......................................................................................................45’, 40’ Height..............................................................................................................137” Wheelbase...........................................................................................318”, 279” Headroom ..................................................................................................78.25” Turning Radius ..................................................................................47’, 44.70’ Interior Height..........................................................................................78.25” Fuel Tank Capacity......................................................................164 gal. CNG, 114.6 Diesel Gallon Equivalent (DGE) Chassis .............................................................................................Monocoque Fuel Options..........................................................Clean-diesel, hybrid, CNG Transmission Options................................................................Allison B500, Allison EP 50 Hybrid drive Engine Options....................................................Cummins ISL, ISX or ISL G Brakes ......................................................Air, Meritor all-wheel EX-225 disc with unitized hubs and preset GVWR...........................................................................50,000 lbs., 46,000 lbs.

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ABC Companies

ABC Companies

New Flyer Xcelsior® New Flyer MiDi® ABC Companies now distributes the New Flyer MiDi® transit bus direct to private bus and shuttle operators in the United States. ABC provides after-sales service through its established service locations and select independent dealerships. All New Flyer products purchased through ABC will be fully supported by New Flyer’s warranty, genuine New Flyer spare parts, and lifetime customer care programs.

The New Flyer MiDi® is a medium-sized, low-floor bus that is ideal for use in medium-duty transit and shuttle services. The streamlined design offers passengers accessibility with one or two doors and user-friendly features including low, step-free entries, a wide vestibule, and large windows. Available in 30’ and 35’ lengths.

ABC Companies 1506 30th Street NW; Faribault, MN 55021 USA Phone: 507-334-1871; Fax: 507-334-0246 E-mail: abc-specialityvehicles@abc-companies.com.

Website: www.abc-companies.com.

Model.......................................................................................New Flyer MiDi® Capacity............. 30’ - One Door - up to 27 seats, up to 26 standees Two Door - up to 24 seats, up to 30 standees 35’- One Door - up to 35 seats, up to 31 standees Two Door - up to 32 seats, up to 33 standees Length................................................................................................30’ and 35’ Width....................................................................................................................8’ Height .............................................................................................................10’1” Engine ...............................................................Cummins ISB Diesel, 250 HP Transmission.............................................................Allison B300R, 6-speed Chassis..............................................Weight-optimized Steel chassis with Aluminum body structure HVAC........................Thermo King roof-mounted heater/air conditioner Wheelchair Accessibility ...........Entrance 32” width/ step height 10.4” knelt/ADA Compliant with 2 forward-facing wheelchair positions with tie downs and 3-point belts Brakes ......................................................4 wheel disc brakes (pneumatic)

ABC Companies now distributes the New Flyer Xcelsior® transit bus direct to private bus and shuttle operators in the United States. ABC provides after-sales service through its established service locations and select independent dealerships. All New Flyer products purchased through ABC will be fully supported by New Flyer’s warranty, genuine New Flyer spare parts, and lifetime customer care programs.

Since its introduction in 2008, more than 4,400 Xcelsior® buses with a variety of propulsion systems - in 35’, 40’ and 60’ lengths - have built or are on order. The objective to deliver life-cycle savings and improve the experience for passengers and drivers has been accomplished.

The vehicle features better fuel economy, lighter weight, disc brakes and the industry’s first LED headlights, combined with New Flyer’s product reliability and aftermarket parts and services.

Model................................................................................New Flyer Xcelsior® Capacity (with Wheelchair barrier protection............................................

35’ - up to 32 seats, up to 33 standees 40’ - up to 40 seats, up to 43 standees 60’ - up to 59 seats, up to 64 standees Length ....................35’5” Over Body/40’2” Over Body/60’0” Over Body Width ...............................................................................................................102” Height............................................................................................126” over A/C Propulsion ........................................Transmission/Hybrid Drive - Allison; Voith and ZF options available Hybrid Drive - Allison hybrid drive; BAE HybriDrive® Engine Options ....................................................................................................

35’ - Cummins ISL 280/Option-Cummins ISB 280 (Hybrid) / ISL-G 280 (CNG) 40’ - Cummins ISL 280/Option-Cummins ISB 280 and ISL 330 (Hybrid)/ISL-G 280 (CNG) 60’ - Cummins ISL 330/Option-Cummins ISL 330 (Hybrid)/ ISL-G 320 (CNG)

HVAC ........................................................................................................................

35’ - Thermo King RLF-1 (A/C and heat or heat only) for Diesel and Hybrid, Thermo King T-15 for CNG 40’ - Thermo King RLF-1 (A/C and heat or heat only) for Diesel and Hybrid, Thermo King T-15 for CNG 60’ - Thermo King Dual RLF (A/C and heat or heat only) for Diesel and Hybrid, Thermo King RLF front unit and T-15 evaporator rear unit for CNG

September/October 2014

BUSLINE

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Alexander Dennis

Nova Bus

Nova LFS Smart Bus Nova Bus is driven by the cities of its customers and strives to design Smart Buses that meet their needs. The value-added offer includes an extensive list of Smart Features engineered to provide the best in terms of safety, accessibility and life cycle cost.

The entire line of vehicles at Nova Bus is based on a single proven platform that requires minimal maintenance and far exceeds APTA’s White Book crashworthiness requirements, according to the company. Its built-in Swivel Zone offers convenient access space to accommodate any type of mobility device.

The completely redesigned Nova eCooling system has shown fuel savings of up to 31 percent when combined with the latest transmission technology. At the end of the day, Smart Features add value to a transit service where it really counts.

And as a Volvo Group company, Nova Bus has a network (to develop complete transit solutions) who can handle the toughest challenges. From standard 40-foot buses to high-capacity articulated BRT vehicles, from clean diesel to hybrid-electric and natural gas drives, the Smart Buses have the capacity to respond to service demand at any time. That’s why Nova Bus vehicles are a Smart choice.

Enviro500 The new ‘Go-Anywhere’ low height Enviro500 Double Deck from Alexander Dennis Inc. offers a combination of high capacity, maneuverability and passenger comfort. Still with over 80 seats and capable of carrying almost 100 passengers, it brings a new dimension to public transport and builds on the reputation that has made the Enviro500 a winner in New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto.

The new reduced height model ushers in a stylish look for the ADI Double Deck Range, whether it is for transit or interurban operations.

Alexander Dennis Inc 31566 Railroad Canyon Road #342 Canyon Lake, CA 92587-9446 USA Tel: 951-244-9429 Fax: 951-755-0318

Nova Bus; 260 Banker Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 USA Phone: 800-350-6682; Email: sales@novabus.com Website: www.novabus.com

Model...............................................................................Nova LFS Smart Bus Seating Capacity.............................................................................................41 Length..............................................................................................................40’ Width ..............................................................................................................102” Height ...........................................................................................124” with A/C Engine ..................................................................................................Cummins Type of Fuel......Clean diesel, diesel hybrid-electric and natural gas Transmission ..............................................................ZF, Allison, Voith, BAE Chassis......................................................................Integral Stainless Steel Fuel Capacity ............................125 gal. (diesel), 82 or 125 gal. (hybrid), ....................................................................................18.765 SFC (natural gas) Fuel Options ......Clean diesel, diesel hybrid-electric and natural gas Floor ...............................................................................................................Low Brakes.................................All-wheel air disc ABS with traction control Page 66

BUSLINE

September/October 2014

Model ...................................................................................................Enviro500 Seating Capacity.............................................................................................80 Length ............................................................................................42’ 5”/ 12.9m Width ..................................................................................................8’ 3”/ 2.5m Height ................................................................................................13’ 6”/ 4.1m Engine .............................................................Cummins ISL 330HP & 380HP Type of Fuel ...............................................................................................Diesel Chassis ........................................................................................ADI Enviro500 Air Conditioning ..........................................................................Thermo King Wheelchair Lift Option ......................................................................Ricon 1:6 Steering .............................................................................................................ZF

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See us at APTA Expo Booth #7440

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TriMark Corporation:

Quality Handles, Latches, Striker Bolts, Linkages, Electronic Access, And Complete Door Access Systems

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

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

(815) 562-5840

Seating for 40, Specialty Sandwiches, Homemade Soup, Fresh Salads & Sides, Blue Bunny Ice Cream!

(815) 561-9595

Designated Bus Parking and Pull-Thru Fueling Island

Bus Drivers & Tour Guides Eat free!

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

ATM, Major Credit Cards accepted.

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

OPEN 24 HOURS

Please call ahead!

Page 68

BUSLINE

September/October 2014

A designer and manufacturer of hardware products, TriMark Corporation is an employee-owned company. Its products are for on- and off-highway vehicle markets including bus/mass transit, recreational vehicle, agricultural, truck, construction, specialty vehicle (fire/rescue/utility body), power sports, armored vehicle and industrial enclosure markets.

“TriMark offers a range of handles, latches, striker bolts, linkages, electronic access, complete door access systems and related components of truly exceptional quality. TriMark’s main strength is the hardware used on doors that secure occupants because of the sophistication and mandatory requirements to meet federal standards for strength and safety,” said company officials.

TriMark’s Mass Transit Access Hardware Solutions are a combination of products and systems that were developed by TriMark, and the Prima Industries products (handles and locking devices) for which TriMark is the exclusive North American distributor. Access panels, baggage doors, exterior doors, window systems and ignition systems are some of the areas where TriMark products are a viable off-the-shelf solution for this market.

“One of TriMark's strategic strengths is the ability to provide complete door systems; our keyless access control system adds a further dimension of functionality, convenience and security to our systems. This selection of compatible components allows for complete keyless entry for on- or off-highway vehicle applications,” according to representatives.

TriMark’s products include latches, handles and linkages for mechanical products and RF transmitter FOBs, keypads, I/O modules, power lock actuators and a variety of accessories for electronic products.

Visit www.trimarkcorp.com for more information.

Go Riteway Sponsors Ozaukee Washington Land Trust (OWLT) On June 16, one of GO Riteway’s motorcoaches introduced a new look to promote the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust’s (OWLT) new fundraising initiative, Washington County-Opoly.

Washington County-Opoly is a board game created to support the nonprofit organization’s mission including their summer youth corps program. Played much like the long-time favorite Monopoly, County-Opoly is marked with local landmarks and businesses who participated as sponsors in the fundraising effort.

GO Riteway’s origin as a ground transportation company began 56 years ago when the Bast Family founded Riteway Bus Service, Inc. With three generations of family members at the lead, it continued to expand and provide dependable and safe transportation for business travelers, tourists, students and local residents.

It operates out of 14 locations in Wisconsin with a fleet that includes school busses, motor coaches, shuttle coaches, limo coaches, limousines, executive sedans and vans. GO Riteway is the official transportation provider of the Milwaukee Bucks, and embraces green technology, receiving 12 green awards and certifications since 2009.

Visit www.goriteway.com for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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VOLVO PERFORMANCE BACKED BY unparalleled SERVICE.

TALK ABOUT A WINNING COMBINATION. When you pair unbeatable operational efficiency with the highest standard for service in the industry, you have one powerful machine on your hands. The Volvo 9700 uniquely combines the proven performance and fuel efficiency of the Volvo D13 engine with the exceptional and experienced network of Prevost professional service. But it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop there. This workhorse ups the ante on fuel economy with integrated features, like the I-Shift transmission, which ensures that the engine runs at the ideal speed for maximum fuel savings. Advanced safety features and passenger comfort round out the list of features that make the Volvo 9700 the best investment your business can make.

www.prevostcar.com See us at APTA Expo Booth #3037