1115 Busline Magazine

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Busline Motorcoach Feature

DIXIELAND Tours

Baton Rouge, LA Busline Transit Feature

“Happy Employees Make For Happy Customers”

SORTA Cincinnati, OH CEO/ General Manager

Dwight A. Ferrell

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CONTENTS

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IN THIS ISSUE New Generation Leads Dixieland Tours ..........................................8

Analytics: “What Gets Analyzed Helps You Grow” ......................20 For Cincinnati’s SORTA:

“Happy Employees Make For Happy Customers” .......................22 Busline’s Buyers Guide To Replacement Parts Suppliers ......................41 Busline’s Buyers Guide To Bus Flooring..................................................42 RAPID RESPONSE ..................................Page 6 INDUSTRY NEWS .................................Page 44

Busline Vehicle Showcase

TROLLEY BUSES, TRAMS & STREET CARS 36 – 40

ON THE COVER: Dixieland Tours' owners Norman "Bubbie" Augusta III and Lori Guyton are shown with one of their company's all-black MCI motorcoaches. The brother and sister team took over the company after the death earlier this year of their father, Norman Augusta Jr. Dixieland is based in Baton Rouge, LA. See page 8.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS JANUARY 2016 January 9-12 American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace Louisville, KY Info: 202-842-1645

May 15-18 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference Charlotte, NC Info: 202-496-4800 May 22-27 Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Expo 2016 Portland, OR Info: 800-891-0590

January 31 - February 4 United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Motorcoach Expo Atlanta, GA Info: 800-424-8262 MAY 2016 May 14-18 Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Annual Conference Halifax, Nova Scotia Info: 416-365-9800

JULY 2016 July 16-20 National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Annual Meeting & Convention Greensboro, NC Info: 703-684-3200

AUGUST 2016 August 2-4 International Motorcoach Group (IMG) Strategic Alliance Meeting Norfolk, VA Info: 888-447-3466 SEPTEMBER 2016 September 11-14 APTA Annual Meeting Los Angeles, CA Info: 202-496-4800 September 19-21 BusCon 2016 Indianapolis, IN Info: 800-576-8788

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

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

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November/December 2015

EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICES

Rankin Publishing Co., Inc. Don Rankin and Linda Rankin, Publishers 204 E. Main Street • P.O. Box 130 Arcola, IL 61910-0130, USA Email: drankin@consolidated.net Website: www.rankinpublishing.com (800) 598-8083 (U.S.) • (217) 268-4959 Fax: (217) 268-4815 Editorial: Harrell Kerkhoff, Editor Rick Mullen, Associate Editor Design: David Opdyke Reception: Gina Volk 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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Specialty Vehicles 38

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Company

Website

Alexander Dennis Altro Transflor Amaya-Astron Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation Better Life Technology, LLC Bitzer Carlyle Compressor Complete Coach Works Dixie Electric Ltd. Freightliner Hometown Trolley Marathon Brake Systems Midwest Bus Corporation Mile-X Motor Coach Industries (MCI)

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Website

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www.motorcoachtiresales.com www.pexna.com www.prevostcar.com www.protectiveinsurance.com www.rbs2000.com www.safetystep.net www.serviceins.com www.specialtyvehicles.com www.sutrakusa.com www.temsa.com www.tsomobile.com www.turtletop.com www.motorcoachexpo.com www.vanner.com www.willinghaminc.com

Read or Download Complete Issues Of Busline Magazine Online At: www.buslinemag.com Page 6

BUSLINE

November/December 2015

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New Generation Leads

DIXIELAND Tours

Brother/Sister Team Norman “Bubbie” Augusta III And Lori Guyton Steer The Company

By Harrell Kerkhoff, Busline Magazine Editor

Transition can be difficult, but it’s often necessary in business just as in life. Case in point is a brother and sister team now in charge of a family motorcoach operation after the death earlier this year of their father. Their ongoing efforts at Dixieland Tours, located in Baton Rouge, LA, serve as a testament to a desire for success in the wake of difficulty.

Siblings Lori Guyton and Norman “Bubbie” Augusta III have taken over the family business following the death of their father, Norman Augusta Jr., who died in January after a five-year battle with cancer. Guyton now serves as president of the company, while Augusta III is director of operations.

“The company has been in a transition period over the past five years since our father was diagnosed. Lori has been a very integral part of that transition, having taken over the day-to-day operations. All of this, however, would not have been possible without the overall vision for the company from our father,” Augusta III said.

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“The key to the success of Dixieland Tours has been maintaining our primary objective centered on safety and customer service.

Without question, this has been accomplished through teamwork within all of our departments.”

— Lori Guyton

Today, Dixieland Tours offers such transportation services as various types of charters; custom tours; military, school and university travel; convention shuttles; airport/cruise transfers and transportation for corporate events. The company has held contracts with the military since 1998, and has an “A” rating with the department of defense and a “Satisfactory” rating with the department of transportation, according to Augusta III. “Our workload is spread pretty evenly, and business is often cyclical,” Guyton said. “Some years we have more shuttle work than others. Right now, working with schools is probably our largest piece of business. Most of this revolves around providing transportation for sports teams.”

This includes a contract to transport athletic teams from Louisiana State University, better known simply as “LSU,” which is also located in Baton Rouge.

As its name suggests, Dixieland Tours mainly focuses on travel within the southern states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama and Florida. However, the company’s motorcoaches will travel to wherever customers need transportation. This includes the U.S. West Coast and Northeast as well as Canada.

Dixieland Tours currently has a fleet of 19 fullsize motorcoaches, mostly comprised of Motor Coach Industries’ (MCI) vehicles, and has a staff of approximately 40 full- and part-time employees.

Dixieland Tours' co-owner and Operations Manager Both Guyton and Augusta III said the company has Norman "Bubbie" Augusta III (left) is shown with grown over the years through hard work and a strong Bernard Pacheco, who is the company's dispatcher. focus on safety, reliability and customer service.

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November/December 2015

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“I would say the main key to the success of Dixieland Tours has been maintaining our primary objective centered on safety and customer service,” Guyton said. “Without question, this has been accomplished through teamwork within all of our departments.”

Augusta III added: “This consistency has been the backbone of our company. Most of our marketing is done through word-of-mouth through customer referrals. This would not be possible without everybody at our company focusing on safety and service.”

According to Guyton, Dixieland Tours has also been able to add to its customer base by helping specific groups of people who have found themselves unexpectedly without transportation.

“We have received calls from people who have had a carrier cancel at the last minute. These people are suddenly without transportation just before their big trip. They do receive money back, but have no way to getting to their destination. Many times, these people call

us and we are able to help,” Guyton “ It’s all about said. “We would never put a customer being reliable as of ours in a similar situation. It’s all about being reliable as a transportaa transportation tion provider, which is one of our provider, which major goals.

“There are some bids for work that is one of our we don’t submit, simply because we know it would require us to provide major goals.” added transportation services during a — Lori Guyton particularly busy time of year.We have to take care of our regular customers, and not just push them off to other companies. As business owners, it’s important to recognize our company’s capabilities. We have a fleet of 19 vehicles, and during certain weekends we can find work for 150 coaches. It’s all part of the challenge of this type of business.”

Listening to customers is another way officials at Dixieland Tours succeed when it comes to service and reliability. This often starts at the booking process.

“There are customers who specifically ask if our coaches have Wi-Fi and other amenities.

They also often want to know how many seats are in a full-size coach,” Augusta III said.

He added that a strong customer service program means being able to take care of problems if, and when, they occur.

“Unfortunately, sometimes you do have certain issues with customers that must be addressed,” Augusta III said. “It’s important to look into such problems, talk with the customer(s), find out what drove that problem and how it can be fixed.”

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November/December 2015

A Father’s Legacy xperience is golden when it comes to running a company. Fortunately for Guyton and Augusta III, they were able to learn a lot from their father prior to his death. This transportation knowledge is being used on a daily basis by not only the brother and sister team, but their employees as well. It’s knowledge accrued from experience in the travel business that dates to the 1970s.

“In 1995, our father purchased Dixieland Tours & Cruises with the idea of diversifying his then company, American International Travel, Inc. Having been in the travel business since 1977, he saw the need to integrate his business model by entering into the local tour market. He also purchased Travel New Orleans in 1994, an in-bound receptive tour company,” Guyton said.

Norman Augusta Jr. initially started his travel business during the 1970s following a 16-year career in the banking industry. He purchased a retail travel agency that had been operated by a bank. In the ensuing years, under his leadership, the agency grew from 1 location with 4 employees to 16 locations with 110 employees.

In 1979, Augusta Jr.’s American Inter-national Travel joined a worldwide consortium of

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travel agents called Woodside Travel Management, which was headquartered in Boston, MA. In 1981, Augusta Jr. and three other U.S. citizens, along with five international representatives, bought Woodside Management Systems. With Augusta Jr. as its chairman, Woodside developed a proprietary computer system that was licensed to several airlines and many hotels and car rental companies.

At the time of Dixieland’s 1995 acquisition

by Augusta Jr., the company was operating a fleet of 12 motorcoaches, all of which had been previously purchased used and comprised mostly of ex-Greyhound vehicles. In April 1995, the company’s long relationship with MCI began when Augusta Jr. purchased the first modern coaches to be added to Dixieland’s fleet. There were two MCI 102DL3s.

Guyton was employed at American Airlines’ headquarters in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, for 10 years when her father contacted her Dixieland Tours' representatives shown in front of the company's facility are, left to right, about coming home and operating American Melanie Kleinpeter, sales; Marilyn Duvall, sales; Lori Guyton, president/owner; Pam McCauley, sales; International Travel. She agreed. and Donna Achee, personnel/accounting.

“I was running our travel offices when he purchased Dixieland Tours as well as Travel New Orleans. Following Tours’ sales department. In 2008, she shifted all of her focus to the Hurricane Katrina (in 2005), we made various changes that included sales department at Dixieland.

Over the next two years, Guyton worked in different departments at downsizing our travel agencies,” she said.

Guyton started working on rebuilding the Travel New Orleans’ sec- Dixieland Tours, and, in 2010, took over as president, handling day-totor of the business, along with being involved part time with Dixieland day operations following Augusta Jr.’s cancer diagnosis.

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board, which he did in 2013. “At the time, I had been working for Farmers Insurance in the property and casualty claims department. The majority of that time was spent focusing on litigation work. I was involved with the insurance industry for 17-plus years,� Augusta III said. “It turned out to be a good time for me to move on in 2013. I was able to take the experience gained from a large corporation, and bring it to our family business. “The past several years have been both sad and exciting. Those closest to our company know that we have been involved in a transition period, ever since our father was diagnosed with cancer. I have had the opportunity to follow in my father’s and sister’s footsteps. While it has taken some time, we are confident that our employees feel comfortable that we are continuing our father’s legacy, which means being successful business owners.

My sister and I take great strength in Shown, left to right, are Dixieland Tours' senior drivers Charles Booker, knowing that our father was able to Rodney Prugh, John Robinson and Henry Nelson. inspire and see both of his children work“He basically turned everything over to me. He wasn’t at the office ing closely together, all in an effort to move the company forward. day-to-day, so I had to learn a lot on my own. Dad was able to help We have received a lot of positive feedback.� when I had questions,� Guyton said. “This process turned out to be a Although his official name is Norman Augusta III, he is often good way for me to learn the business.� referred to as “Bubbie� at work. It’s a nickname he has had all of She also asked her brother if he would be interested in coming on his life.

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“It certainly came in handy when my father and I were working at buses everywhere, but you don’t see many all-black coaches on the the same place, since we shared the same name. I continue to go by road. They really look nice. Who would have thought that the all-black ‘Bubbie,’” Augusta III said. “Since coming to Dixieland, I have con- look would set us apart? We are finding it was definitely the right centrated on the operations side of the business. This includes the move.

“As our fleet becomes upgraded with newer models that feature the maintenance and safety departments. all-black color scheme, we “I work closely with our two mechanics, and help “People think of these vehicles make sure they also are equipped with the newest keep a pulse on the back side as limousines, and we treat them technology. This includes 3of the business. I also work with our safety department, like limousines that just happen point seat belts, Wi-Fi and satellite television. In today’s help hire and train drivers to be motorcoaches. It’s part of world of contract requireand follow up with any disments, such features are a patch issues.” our overall marketing scheme.” necessity.”

— Norman “Bubbie” Augusta III Distinctive Looking According to Augusta III, Coaches Prove Beneficial with its large push in 2010 to here is no mistaken company identity when a group of motor- upgrade the company’s fleet, Dixieland Tours’ capability to provide a coaches from Dixieland Tours shows up at an event. Although large number of motorcoaches with 3-point seat belts allowed it to sucthe Dixieland decaling on these vehicles is considered minor by cessfully go after the school market.

“The school segment of our business has increased, especially at the most motorcoach standards, the all-black vehicles provide a presence that is very noticeable. Going with its current look was the idea of lower grade levels. The major factor was upgrading our fleet with six MCI J4500s that featured 3-point seat belts. At the time, we had the Augusta Jr. “Dad wanted to differentiate his company from most of his competi- largest number of coaches in our area with these seat belts. It also tors, and it continues to be a very good move. He knew this look would seems more school officials are starting to better understand how the help our motorcoaches stand out from others. People think of these motorcoach industry can help them with specific transportation vehicles as limousines, and we treat them like limousines that just hap- needs,” he said. “Our upgraded coaches have provided Dixieland with pen to be motorcoaches,” Augusta III said. “It’s part of our overall a great advantage, along with selling our customer service capabilities. marketing scheme. The jet black look provides a big differentiator All of this has allowed our company to grow with additional business.”

Being the director of operations at Dixieland Tours, Augusta III also between us and other companies. People are always looking and asking us about those ‘black’ coaches they’ve seen going down the road.” spoke highly of today’s engine technology improvements, such as Guyton added: “It’s crazy how many calls we get in the sales depart- Detroit™ Virtual Technician™ capabilities that allow emails to be sent ment after people see our motorcoaches, especially if it’s from a multi- to company representatives and online technicians when a “check coach move. We went to all-black vehicles in 2010. You see white engine” light appears. If the vehicle needs immediate attention, the

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online technician can provide the operator with information on the The feedback Guyton and Augusta III have received from customers nearest available facility to fix the problem. looking for “greener” transportation options has been very positive.

“This type of technology allows the operator to head off potential “We are finding more people are wanting to ride in greener equipproblems and downtime. It’s technology that can prove very benefi- ment, the ones with the newer technology,” Guyton added. “There are cial, helping the operator take care of an issue before customers even also larger companies that now require greener equipment, such as know there is a problem,” Augusta with shuttle work. Our Limo Series III said.

Green focus certainly helps.”

The entire 19-vehicle fleet of Keeping its fleet of motorcoachDixieland Tours is comprised of es sparkling clean is also a major 45-foot motorcoaches, 16 of which part of conducting business for are MCIs (14 J4500s and 2 DL3s). representatives of Dixieland “Since about 2010, we have Tours. made a big push for equipment “The idiom, ‘A picture is worth upgrades. We are in the process of a thousand words’ is so true, only finalizing a deal to acquire two in our case we are more concerned additional J4500s. These vehicles with first impressions when a cuscome with the added conveniences tomer enters one of our vehicles,” of power outlets, USB ports as well Augusta III said. “The way we as Wi-Fi and satellite capabilities. present our coach to a customer We have been very happy with this reflects to how they feel about our equipment,” Guyton said. company, starting with the initial She added that Dixieland Tours drive up. Thus, it’s imperative that has enjoyed a long relationship we provide an attractive product with MCI, a manufacturer that has when arriving, and throughout the been instrumental in helping the entire trip. It’s also good to have operator stay modern with fleet vehicles that attract people not upgrades. involved with a Dixieland trip, “This association with MCI such as those driving cars alongstarted years ago with our father, side our coaches. None of this can who began working with MCI Vice be underestimated from a cusPresident, New Coach Sales Pat tomer service and marketing point Ziska. She stood up for our father, of view.” who at the time, was new to the bus Helping with brand awareness industry, and helped Dixieland for Dixieland Tours also comes Tours achieve an upgraded fleet,” from some highly visible clients Guyton said. “From that point for— namely LSU athletics. The ward, Dixieland has enjoyed a LSU football team, for example, good relationship with MCI at all has a national following and is levels.” routinely among the top programs Mechanics Lou Destino (left) and Nick Liuzza help keep Focusing on the environment is in the country.

Dixieland Tours' fleet in great condition. a big part of the relationship that “We have serviced all of the has been established between Dixieland Tours, the operator’s cus- LSU athletic teams since 2012. This work provides our company with tomers and MCI. Dixieland’s “Limo Series Green” initiative stresses a lot of television exposure. It allows more people to see our jet black the importance of environmentally-conscious luxury motorcoach motorcoaches,” Guyton said. transportation.

The challenge, of course, is keeping all-black vehicles clean, which According to Guyton and Augusta III, the company’s MCI J4500 is more difficult while on the road. motorcoaches feature Detroit Diesel engines with the latest technolo“It’s important to put in the extra time and effort to make sure our gy for reduced emissions and greater fuel efficiency. vehicles are cleaned inside and out,” Augusta III said. “It helps that we “Dixieland will continue to have both day and night cleaning invest in newer coaches that uticrews who do a great job, making “ We are finding more people are wanting sure our equipment is up to cuslize cleaner engine technology, all with the idea to help reduce tomer standards.” to ride in greener equipment, the ones greenhouse gases,” Guyton said.

Home Has Always Been with the newer technology. There are “The term ‘Limo Series Green’ In Baton Rouge also refers to our black vehicles also larger companies that now require eing the state capital, that are often associated with the greener equipment. Our Limo Series Baton Rouge is the polititype of service customers expect cal hub of Louisiana, and when riding in a limousine.”

Green focus certainly helps.” is the state’s second-largest city The phrase, “Limo Series — Lori Guyton (behind New Orleans) with a popGreen Coach” is displayed on the ulation of over 228,000 residents. sides of Dixieland’s newer vehiThe city is located in a major industrial and petrochemical area, with cles, under the company’s name.

“What better way to publicize our ‘green’ initiative then having this The Port of Greater Baton Rouge, situated on the Mississippi River, phrase placed on our vehicles, which serve as rolling billboards,” being one of the largest water ports in the United States in terms of tonnage shipped. The city is also the longtime home of Dixieland Tours.

Augusta III said.

B

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“It’s hard to say what advantages and/or disadvantages our compa- of the company, while Bubbie is responsible for our maintenance and ny has experienced by being located here, because it’s all we have safety departments,� Guyton said. “As owners, we are here and active ever known. I do know this area has served us well over the years,� everyday.�

Finding, training and keeping qualified employees — especially Guyton said. drivers — is a challenge for most The facility at Dixieland Tours “There is a real advantage to having bus/motorcoach operators. This is a includes office space and a bus yard task taken very seriously at and maintenance area — all located competent competitors in our area. It Dixieland Tours. on a two-acre lot in an industrial part “When it comes to filling driving of the city. Augusta III said this locaallows all of us to maximize resources positions, a person must first be tion allows for easy access to area in order to meet the needs of the local qualified on paper to be a commerinterstates. cial vehicle driver; however, this “Our office space is used for all marketplace.� doesn’t mean he/she will automatiaspects of the operation. This inc— Lori Guyton cally be qualified as a (bus/motorludes accounting, a driver’s room, dispatch area, sales and safety departments and a conference room that coach) driver at our company,� Augusta III said. “I feel that the most also serves as an employee training area,� Augusta III said. “There is important quality in a good driver, when operating a vehicle full of also additional office space upstairs that is used for training and large people, is being able to see the ‘big picture.’ The driver has to successfully interpret all the small things that make up that big picture. company meetings. “There is a lot of preparation by a driver that must take place as “Our maintenance shop includes three full bays that help us accomplish almost any type of service work in-house, with the exception of he/she gets ready for a trip. It’s important that person uses all of his/her large engine and/or transmission work. There is also a large covered necessary skills to operate a large piece of equipment. This comes natwash bay at our facility. It’s capable of handling all of our own clean- urally to some drivers, but not everybody possesses the capabilities of ing needs, as well as different cleaning requirements for equipment driving a motorcoach full of people. There is a big difference between carrying cargo, and transporting 56 different personalities.� used by other transportation companies.�

At Dixieland Tours, company officials first evaluate a candidate’s Working with other motorcoach companies over the years has driving history. The next step is to get an assesment of his/her current proven beneficial for all sides, Guyton added. “There is a real advantage to having competent competitors in our skill level behind the steering wheel. This includes having the person area. It allows all of us to maximize resources in order to meet the drive a motorcoach on a skilled course located in a parking lot as well as driving on the road. needs of the local marketplace,� she added. “We do this to help determine the length and complexity of a trainThe majority of employees at Dixieland Tours are full- and part-time drivers. Other staff members includes a dispatcher who also assists in ing curriculum from Dixieland in order to properly train the specific the safety department, a sales staff, administrative officials and two driver candidate. We will set aside what amounts to an individual training program for that person,� Augusta said. “We have also recently mechanics. “I am directly responsible for sales and the day-to-day operations extended a candidate’s behind-the-wheel driving evaluation time in

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“It’s important to provide employees with as many benefits as possible. It shows that we, as owners, are trying to give back to them what they have given over the years to us.”

— Norman “Bubbie” Augusta III

association with our most experienced drivers who provide feedback and instruction. This assists new drivers to better understand our rules and procedures before they graduate.”

Also used in the company’s training program are videos from accident event recorders, showing real-life situations. This is all done to better provide new drivers with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe motorcoach operation.

Driver training at Dixieland Tours doesn’t stop once a person is hired, and determined ready to take a vehicle on the open road.

Continual driver training programs are the norm at the company.

“All of our drivers are required to complete a recertification skills course each year. This course changes on a yearly basis, and is designed to incorporate real life scenarios that drivers can encounter while on specific routes. Sometimes our drivers must get into close proximity to buildings and tight turns. Continual training helps them with these challenges. We try to make the courses different each year to improve their driving skills,” Augusta III said. “This training is designed to make sure drivers can see the big picture when setting up their hard left and right turns, being able to dock equipment into tight spots such as for shuttle work, and understanding equipment and driver capabilities when it comes to random backing situations.”

He added that it should be obvious why continuing education is important for bus/motorcoach drivers.

“All of our drivers are required to complete a recertification skills course each year. This course changes on a yearly basis, and is designed to incorporate real life scenarios that drivers can encounter while on specific routes.”

— Norman “Bubbie” Augusta III

“I hope all people understand it’s important to never stop learning. Things change, such as roads and equipment. It’s important to accept that change is going to happen, and it’s vital to adapt,” Augusta III said. “Our existing drivers seem to enjoy this additional training. It helps that our training changes yearly, so we are not just repeating the same old stuff.”

Of course, before a qualified driver can be hired and properly trained, he/she must be found. This process is not always easy. Just like their approach to marketing, officials at Dixieland Tours rely on word-of-mouth to attract new drivers.

“We offer our current drivers every opportunity to find, and forward to us, qualified people who they meet and feel would be great additions to our team. Our drivers receive a bonus when they refer a qualified person to Dixieland,” Augusta III said.

He added the term “teamwork” is used a lot at the company, and for good reason.

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“There’s never a dull moment in “It’s important that each facet of our company is able to hold the oth- “ I feel that the most important quality the travel industry, but I do feel it’s a very viable industry. One thing I ers up when needed. This is true in a good driver, when operating a have noticed is that it seems more when it comes to finding qualified vehicle full of people, is being able to bookings are arriving late. This trend employees,” Augusta III said. “Our current average tenure is just below see the ‘ big picture.’ The driver has to has taken place over the past few years, and makes it harder to forecast seven years, which has decreased successfully interpret all the small sales from year-to-year. I do think recently with the retirement of some of our older drivers. In replacing things that make up that big picture.” there is potential overall growth ahead for the industry.” them, we try to look for similar qual— Norman “Bubbie” Augusta III Her brother agrees. ities in new candidates. This “We remain excited for what the includes an attentiveness to details, multi-tasking capabilities, being responsible and showing the desire to future holds. While we are still in the transition phase, our company has received positive feedback from those closest to the organization. take ownership in one’s job.”

Dixieland Tours also offers safety and service bonuses on a monthly basis to employees, and recently reintroduced health insurance benefits “It’s important that each facet of our at the company. company is able to hold the others up “It’s important to provide employees with as many benefits as possible. It shows that we, as owners, are trying to give back to them what when needed.” they have given over the years to us,” Augusta III said.

Goals For The Future hen asked what her company must focus on in the future to remain a viable entity, Guyton presented three key business objectives. They are: n Secure additional set contracts that help representatives at Dixieland Tours accurately predict a future revenue stream; n Stay ahead of the technology curve and embrace all that change has to offer; and, n Adapt to the evolving needs and wants of customers.

W

— Norman “Bubbie” Augusta III

It’s good to look forward to the ever-changing opportunities and challenges that the transportation industry will throw our way,” Augusta III said. “We have aspirations in place as a transportation provider, but right now it’s more about making sure everybody here is taken care of, including employees and customers.”

Contact: Dixieland Tours, 10520 S. Choctaw Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70815. Phone: 225-273-9119.

Website: www.dixielandtours.com.

November/December 2015

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By Harrell Kerkhoff, Busline Editor

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These and other questions were addressed recently during an educational session presented by Greg Borr of O’Connor Company Inc. Analytics is information resulting from the systematic analysis of data and/or statistics. Simply put, analytics provides access to timely, relevant information that can help take a company to a higher level.

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“

For CINCINNATI’s SORTA:

Happy Employees Make For Happy Customers”

By Rick Mullen, Busline Magazine Associate Editor CEO/General Manager Dwight A. Ferrell

S

erving the public transportation needs of the little more than 2.1 million residents of the greater Cincinnati, OH, metro area is the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA).

Cincinnati is located in the southwest corner of Ohio, with the Ohio River as the city’s southern boundary.

“We are the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, also known as Metro,” said SORTA CEO and General Manager Dwight A. Ferrell, during a recent interview with Busline Magazine in the system’s downtown Cincinnati administration offices. “We operate primarily in the city of Cincinnati, but we also provide some express service in the outlying counties of Butler, Warren and Clermont. We have approximately 850 employees, including bus operators, mechanics and administrative employees.”

The system’s hourly employees are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 627.

Metro’s administrative leadership, headed by Ferrell, and its frontline employees have adopted and bought into strategies to enhance the transit system’s capabilities in meeting the needs of its passengers. These efforts have also been geared to engage citizens in the process.

“Our board has commissioned a citizens advisory committee to explore the future of Metro, and the future of public transportation in this region, which is exciting,” Ferrell said. “We have completed seven listening sesPage 22

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“our customers are important, but so are our employees. You can’t have happy customers without happy employees.

From a philosophical point of view, we have been working hard to improve our relationship with employees, whether they be represented by the union or not.” sions, where we have gone out in the community asking people what do they want to see for the future of Metro and the future of transit.”

The listening sessions are designed to receive community input on how Metro can connect more people to jobs; get more students to education and job training; help older adults maintain their independence; provide more travel options for people with disabilities; and to consider the broader transportation needs of the community. All feedback from the community listening sessions will be considered by the Metro Futures Task Force, composed of community leaders, who will present their findings to the SORTA Board in early 2016, according to a Metro news release.

“Currently, we are trying to improve how we do business, as well as exploring what other kinds of amenities we can offer our citizens within our current strengths,” Ferrell said. “As the board and the community go through this process, they will determine our future direction at some point next year. Right now, we are trying to balance what we do, placing the right kind of service in the proper location.”

Metro also offers connectivity services to local businesses to enable their employees to have a way to get to work.

“Businesses contract with us and they subsidize the rest of the service,” Ferrell said. “With what the employees pay and with the business subsidizing the remainder, we have a 100 percent fare box recovery

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Opposite page: CEO and General Manager Dwight Ferrell, right, and Operator of the Year Orlando King pose in front of the specially wrapped Operator of the Year bus.

with these arrangements.

“We are also working with other businesses to be able to provide more job connection services. There are several employers here who have a need for employees, but don’t have the connectivity. We see this as a way to expand at some point next year.”

SORTA is a political subdivision of the state of Ohio and is governed by a 13-member volunteer citizens’ board of trustees. Seven trustees are appointed by the city of Cincinnati and six are appointed by Hamilton County, of which Cincinnati is the county seat. Hamilton County appoints three of its own trustees plus one each representing Butler, Clermont and Warren counties. The funding relationship between SORTA and the city of Cincinnati was established by the City/SORTA Agreement of 1973.

CEO/General Manager Dwight A. Ferrell

Metro’s CEO STAR Award

I

t is a given that for a public transit system to thrive and be able to meet the needs of its constituents, stellar customer service is a must.

The traditional paradigm in providing excellent service flows from a system’s employees to passengers, with the emphasis on the individual bus rider. Ferrell and the Metro leadership team have adopted a somewhat different strategy that primarily emphasizes the system’s employees first, rather than passengers.

“Our customers are important, but so are our employees,” Ferrell said.

“You can’t have happy customers without happy employees. From a philo-

sophical point of view, we have been working hard to improve our relationship with employees, whether they be represented by the union or not.”

One of the ways Metro helps keep employee engagement and morale at a high level is its new CEO STAR Award program, which stands for “Service That Attracts Recognition,” awarding employees for excellence in providing customer service.

“For bus operators who receive a commendation, I personally send them a pin and a note thanking them for their work,” Ferrell said.

Employees receiving an award during a particular month, are eligible to participate in a drawing for a gift card held at the end of the month.

“We also give the ‘Operator of the Year’ a choice to have his or her

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own personalized bus,” Ferrell said. “No one can drive the bus but that operator. This program has been a big hit. It is all part of engaging employees so they, in turn, provide a better product to our customers.”

A recent, and dramatic, example of actions deserving a STAR award involved two Metro employees who may have saved a passenger’s life.

A Metro news release tells the story. On Aug. 31, maintenance employee Charlene Brown was on her way to a road call when she noticed a passenger who was disoriented.

Brown and Street Service Supervisor JoDawna Miles suspected a medical condition and called for emergency assistance. The EMTs discovered the passenger’s blood sugar level was at a dangerous level and he was taken for medical care.

Brown and Miles were recognized during a SORTA board meeting on September 15. Brown has been a Metro employee for eight years and was a “Maintenance Employee of the Year” finalist in 2014. Miles has been with Metro for 12 years, and Metro’s leadership staff members include, front row, left right, Vice President of Strategic previously served as a Metro operator for five years.

Initiatives Mary Moning, Vice President of Human Resources/EEO Officer Olivia Jones and Vice Ferrell said at the time, “We’re grateful that Charlene and President of External Affairs Sallie Hilvers. Back row, left to right are Senior Vice President Legal JoDawna were able to recognize the medical distress signs Services & Chief Counsel William Desmond, Chief Operations Officer & Senior Vice President of of the passenger and seek immediate help, as their sensitivOperations Randal Weaver, CEO and General Manager Dwight A. Ferrell and Executive Vice ity and judgment may have very well saved the gentlePresident Darryl Haley. man’s life. Every day our employees serve the community “We re-covered the pool table and put up flat-screen TVs in the break and outstanding actions such as these deserve recognition.”

Other ways in which Metro has emphasized its employees first can area. These amenities have been well received by our bus operators and be seen at the Queensgate facility, which is one of the transit system’s maintenance people,” Ferrell said. “We also invested in diagnostic lapbus maintenance, dispatch and operations centers. Queensgate employ- tops for our mechanics, who use them to diagnose and troubleshoot our ees enjoy a spacious break area outfitted with flat-screen TVs, a pool buses.

“In addition, we are engaging employees about what is working and table, healthy food vending machines and other amenities, including an what is not working, because they are interested in customer service, exercise room.

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too. We want to find out what is not working and how that is impacting our system. For example, we are revamping how we clean buses and implementing other improvements, all of which are designed to provide a better customer experience. These efforts originated from our conversations with employees.”

Emphasizing employees first in its customer service efforts, Metro has further enhanced its culture of being responsive to customers. Ferrell gave a recent example.

“There was an 87-year-old lady who came in recently — I happened to run into her in the elevator — who had previously reported we had damaged her folding shopping cart,” Ferrell said. “She thought we had taken Metro showcases its fleet diversity in front of the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal in the Queensgate neighborhood. too long to respond and she Serving The Queen City wanted her cart replaced.

“I personally purchased a cart and delivered it to her house the next etro’s fleet consists of 356 fixed-route buses, including 27 day. Our philosophy is to make sure we are responsive to our customers, hybrid-electric buses and 5 articulated buses, covering 26 and then take care of our customers by providing service to where they fixed-routes, 19 express routes and five job connection routes. want and/or need to go. Overall, I think we are doing a good job.”

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Cincinnati SORTA: Continued From Page 25 The paratransit service operates 49 vehicles. The system also maintains 21 park and ride locations. All buses are outfitted with bike racks and all have wheelchair lifts or ramps. The transit system has also installed security cameras on its buses. “Metro provides about 17 million rides a year, traveling 11 million miles,� Ferrell said.

Metro also operates what are called “mini-hybrid� buses. Ferrell explained the mini-hybrids are not true hybrid-electric buses.

However, 115 clean diesel buses have been modified to allow components that would normally be operated on a bus’ drive belt to run on electricity. “In a car, for example, the air conditioning compressor, starter, alternator, etc., all run off the drive belt,� Ferrell said. “We have converted our buses so these elements are independent of the drive belt. Our goal is to make sure our fleet is reliable. We are also exploring the possibility of using electric buses in the future.�

Metro’s door-to-door paratransit operation is called “Access.� “This is our fastest growing service,� Ferrell said. “It is operated through a contract with MV Transportation. Over the next 18 months, we will be looking to see how we can add to that fleet to reduce some trip times. Overall, our paratransit service does very well.�

Cincinnati’s most commonly heard nickname is “The Queen City.�

This moniker came about as the city experienced significant growth during the first 40 years after its founding. As stated on the www.library.cincymuseum.org website, by 1820 proud citizens began referring to the city as “The Queen City� or “The Queen of the West.�

Today, Metro’s route grid in The Queen City is basically a hub and spoke model, except the downtown “hub� is not centrally located, as is the case in most cities.

“Cincinnati is unique in how it is laid out as the downtown is on the southern edge of the city along the Ohio River,� Ferrell said. “Most of our service comes downtown to our Government Square hub, where riders transfer and go back out. Currently, we are exploring how we can modify the service to provide more crosstown and suburban connectivity, as opposed to having everything so downtown-centric.�

As has been the case in other U.S. cities, Metro and city of Cincinnati officials view public transportation as an integral cog in the region’s economic development efforts. There is also the trend of Millennials and senior citizens seeking to live in the downtowns of larger cities, and they are clamoring for more public transit service.

During a tour of Metro’s Queensgate and downtown Government Square sites, Metro Public Relations Manager Brandy Jones told Busline Magazine such is the case in Cincinnati, as the city’s revitalized downtown and nearby Over-the-Rhine neighborhood are attracting Millennials, as well as enhancing tourism.

The Over-the-Rhine neighborhood consists of 360 acres and has been historically the home to people of all economic classes and ethnic backgrounds, according to the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce website. The area’s earliest residents were of German descent. The first portion of the Miami and Erie Canal, completed in 1827, flowed between downtown and the neighborhood and reminded the German immigrants of the Rhine River in Germany. They called the canal “the Rhine,� which gave rise to the area being known as Over-the-Rhine.

Over the years, the area had fallen victim to urban blight and experienced rising crime rates. In recent years, however, there has been a concerted effort by the public and private sectors to stabilize the neighborhood, reduce crime, secure vacant properties and lots, and develop the neighborhood, the Chamber website said. The neighborhood is now a desirable place to live, eat, shop and play.

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Cincinnati’s New Streetcar Project

A

new project, called Cincinnati Streetcar, was originated by the city of Cincinnati as an economic development tool. It involves a 3.6-mile loop with 18 stops that will link major employment centers, popular destinations along the riverfront, the downtown business district and the historic OverLeft to right are Maintenance Supervisor Joe Vilvens, Operations Manager Shahn Gatherwright the-Rhine neighborhood. The and Public Relations Manager Brandy Jones. streetcar will connect to Metro bus service at its Government Square downtown hub, as well as sev- other serving as the return. In most systems, streetcars operated under a single supply wire, with the running rails acting as the eral bus stops downtown and in Over-the-Rhine.

While the Cincinnati Streetcar is a city project, Metro will oversee ground return. At its peak, the system encompassed more than 200 the operation of the streetcar route. Construction of the rails is com- miles of track, and annually served over 100 million passengers for decades plete and the first vehicle arrived Oct. 30.

The last two streetcar lines were abandoned on April 29, 1951.

“We are expecting to begin operation in the fall of 2016,” Ferrell said. “We are running the streetcar system under contract with the city. Streetcars were converted to trolley buses — commonly known as The city owns the assets, but we have an agreement with them to over- “trolley coaches.” The city’s trolley bus system lasted another 14 see the Cincinnati Streetcar. In July, we awarded a contract to years, until June 18, 1965.

Transdev to operate and maintain the streetcar system.”

Millennials Are Embracing Public Transit Indeed, streetcars have played a significant role from the early days of public transportation in Cincinnati. The first electric streetcar was eople who use public transportation are often divided into those introduced in 1889. who are “transit dependent” and those who are “choice riders.”

According to the website, www.metro-cincinnati.org/?page_id=977, However, Ferrell dismisses such labels.

Cincinnati’s streetcar system was unique in that electric power was “We just want people to ride who want to ride,” he said. “We want to provided by two overhead wires, one serving as the supply and the

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provide a service that people want to use, period. We want a transit system that connects people to wherever it is they want to get to. As a matter of fact, 50 percent of the people who use our service are going to work. We have people from every walk of life who ride the bus everyday. We have bankers, attorneys and business professionals who ride the bus. We have many school children who take public transportation to and from school. We have a very diverse ridership.”

Ferrell said one emerging demographic that is seeking more public

Metro employees enjoy the spacious break area at the Queensgate facility, which includes a pool table, flat-screen TVs, vending machines and an exercise room.

transportation services is the Millennial generation.

Indeed, 25 percent of Metro’s workforce is in that age group, between 23 and 35 years old.

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Millennials are impacting the workforce, as well as society as a whole.

Their expectations, needs and wants differ from their Generation X and Baby Boomer counterparts.

In determining the best way to engage its Millennial employees and to best service that age groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public transportation needs and desires, Metro has formed a Millennial Council. The formation of the council was the responsibility of Jones, who is also a Millennial. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I give our Public Relations Manager Brandy Jones all the credit for forming the council,â&#x20AC;? Ferrell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were talking about this demographic and how to reach them and thought a Millennial Council would be a good idea. As a result, we went through a competitive process where Metro employees had to apply and write an essay, etc., to be selected for the council. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Metro board has the objective of being an employer of choice. To be an employer of choice, we must have a culture that understands the different needs of people. Millennials think differently, and we wanted to understand how to provide an environment in which they would want to work. For those in that age group seeking to ride the bus, we asked, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;How do we provide service that meets the needs and requirements of Millennials?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The work environment and quality of life issues are more important to Millennials than they are to older generations. When I started out, people basically worked to get a pension and retire. Millennials tend to be more social and they are more concerned about the quality of their lives.

Furthermore, they want their employer to line up philosophically to with what Millennials believe â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they want to be engaged. The traditional â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;topdown, do as I sayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; workplace culture doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work with Millennials. As we hire people, we are seeing that demographic starting to move more and more into the workplace.â&#x20AC;?

In speaking of hiring new employees, Ferrell said Metro has been on a â&#x20AC;&#x153;hiring blitzâ&#x20AC;? as of late to increase the systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number of operators.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe public transportation is about economic development and quality of life issues, and we have to message this to the public.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been starting a new class training bus operators about every three weeks,â&#x20AC;? he said.

When it comes to operator candidates, Ferrell seeks people with good customer skills. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We ask that new operators complete the written portion requirement to acquire a commercial drivers license (CDL),â&#x20AC;? Ferrell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will train new operators how to drive a bus and help them get their CDL. We have also increased our starting pay. In addition, we reimburse operators for the cost of acquiring a CDL. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Metro conducts an operator career day every other week, and we are active in various job fairs that different organizations host. We have also been active in social media to let people know we are hiring. We are competitive with both our benefits package and starting salary.â&#x20AC;?

Using Technology To Make Riding The Bus More Convenient

I

n distributing real-time information to riders, Metroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts are centered on taking advantage of technologies related to smartphones and other such devices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are fortunate to have a local company that has developed an app, Bus Detective, that uses our software feed to disseminate real-time information,â&#x20AC;? Ferrell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also have another national app, Transit App,

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November/December 2015

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Radio Communications Center Dispatcher Kym Jackson works at Metro’s Queensgate state-of-the-art dispatch facility, where dispatchers can track buses in real time and can view live feeds of Interstate scenes.

that uses Google Maps technology to allow riders to access our real time feed on their smartphones. The app will tell passengers where they are and when the next bus is coming. The app also includes a trip planner.

“In addition, we are preparing to develop a much more robust social media presence to engage more people in the things that we are doing.

Metro is also looking at changes to our Enterprise Assets Management System, so we can mine more data to make better business decisions.”

Metro is also looking at equipping buses with Wi-Fi technology and outlets to allow riders to charge their electronic devises, such as smartphones.

“Being a mid-sized system, we don’t necessarily have the funding

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resources that larger systems have; therefore, we try to be smarter and leverage other ways to use technology. The real-time app from third parties is a good example. We are also planning to completely revamp the Metro website next year to make sure it is much more mobile friendly.”

Metro also employs technologies to track buses and to make announcements, etc., on the bus.

“In addition to the capability to make announcements, we have voice advertising on our buses,” Ferrell said. “Also, we have a relatively new fare box system, using cards that riders swipe. We are looking toward a point when passengers will be able to pay for their fare on smartphones.”

While not falling under the category of technological advancements, Metro buses are equipped with bike racks, as bicycle transportation is catching on in the city. Visitors to the downtown area will notice bike paths are available.

In fact, Metro has partnered with local bike sharing organization, Red Bike, to promote biking and riding for a healthier lifestyle, Jones said.

“On Valentines Day, we held a customer appreciation event and gave away free bus passes and Red Bike passes to show the community what a ‘Perfect Pair’ biking and riding make,” she said.

According to Red Bike, the service is a convenient, low cost, healthy and green transportation system. It is designed for short, point-to-point trips, and will add to the urban vitality of the city while increasing mobility for residents, workers, students, and visitors. There are 50 Red Bike stations located throughout the Cincinnati and northern Kentucky metro area.

Public Transportation: A Topic Of Discussion

F

errell said Metro is fortunate to receive significant support from the city and county governments, as well as local organizations, including the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber and the African American Chamber.

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Metro maintenance employee Charlene Brown, left, and Street Service Supervisor JoDawna Miles received CEO STAR awards for their potentially life-saving actions.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Public transportation is an ongoing topic of discussion in the community,â&#x20AC;? Ferrell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a growing demand for services, and our board is working to make the determination of what is the next step for Metro in meeting that demand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal is to continue to get better. We want to continue to improve our overall relationship internally with our employees. It is going to take some effort, but we will successfully start up and operate the Cincinnati Streetcar. We also want to continue to build support for transit and transit

funding to be able to expand service.â&#x20AC;?

To promote the benefits of public transportation, Ferrell believes communication is a key element. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe public transportation is about economic development and quality of life issues, and we have to message this to the public,â&#x20AC;? Ferrell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must communicate that public transportation appeals to a whole host of people. We must be consistent with that message. Public transportation is a choice, and it is a choice that people want. There are 77 million Baby Boomers and 93 million Millennials in the United States, and those demographics want public transportation. It is important we emphasize that everybody benefits from public transportation, whether they use it or not. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel very good about the future of Metro. I think we are progressing in the right direction. Obviously, we would like more resources.

Fortunately, we have a community where public transportation is on the minds of many people â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it is not in the corner somewhere. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have people and organizations in the community who are concerned about access to jobs. This is a positive aspect of Cincinnati in that people are wanting to have a conversation about public transportation, because they understand how it is going to impact everybody. It is a good place to be. I have been in this business a long time and I think this city and region are poised to do something great. People here recognize that public transportation is critical for the future.â&#x20AC;?

Contact: Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, 602 Main St., Suite 1100, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Phone: 513-621-9450.

Website: www.go-metro.com. www.Facebook.com/GoMetro www.Twitter.com/CincinnatiMetro

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Why Analytics?

Analytics: Continued From Page 20 A History Lesson

When making business decisions about a company’s rate of success and/or future direction, it’s important to rely on viable facts rather than The Maginot Line was a series of embankments and fortifications built unsubstantiated beliefs.

Borr presented random survey results showing why the use of analytics in eastern France by the French government between World War I and can be more dependable than relying on World War II. The defensive line was general opinions. For example, according designed to prevent future invasion by “You can’t keep thinking the same to surveys, 93 percent of Americans the German army. Its premise was based on past successes that French generals way all of the time. Just because you believe they have above-average driving skills; 87 percent of MBA students at experienced during World War I. won in the past, does not mean you Stanford University rated their academic The Maginot Line did not work. performance as above the median; and, 68 German forces simply went around these will win in the future.” percent of the faculty at the University of fortifications during the early stages of Nebraska rated themselves in the top 25 World War II, and conquered France in — Greg Borr percent for teaching ability. six weeks.

“If you ask your employees whether or not they do a good job, the “The moral of this story is, you can’t keep thinking the same way all of the time. Just because you won in the past, does not mean you will win majority will respond favorably to their performance,” Borr said. in the future. This is true in business. It’s important to evolve,” Borr said. “However, this is not really measuring true value or performance.”

He added that company executives need to ask themselves, “When He added that the words of the late Peter Drucker, a well-known management consultant, educator and author, ring true when it comes to busi- faced with a big decision, should we just get the smartest folks in the room and kick around some ideas, or should we take a look into the ananess analytics: “What gets measured, gets managed.” lytical world of actual data and metrics? Should we also place KPIs around that decision to track how well our decision worked out?”

“What gets measured, gets managed.”

Borr then asked: “When faced with a big decision for your company, “I would also say, ‘What gets analyzed helps you grow,’” Borr said. how do you decide which path to take?”

According to a recent report from PricewaterhouseCoopers, highly “You don’t want to build another Maginot Line. Instead, you want to data-driven companies are three times more likely to see a significant evolve and outpace the competition.”

This can be done through the use of important business benchmarks impact from big decisions than those that don’t rely heavily on data.

“If you are not making data-based decisions and your competitors are, and developing key performance indicators (KPIs) to help drive results they are outpacing you in today’s business climate. That is a fact,” he and continue the evolution process, according to Borr. said. “And yet, only one in three executives today say their organizations are highly data-driven.

“This tells me there is a lot of opportunity for gaining business by those companies that heavily rely on data.”

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The Right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

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November/December 2015

The use of analytics helps officials of a business focus on those aspects of their company’s performance that are most critical to ongoing success.

This can be done with the right KPIs. According to Borr, no two company’s KPIs should be exactly the same.

“KPIs should help drive your specific goals and business. If your main goal is to focus heavily on sales, your KPI is far different than a company wanting to mainly improve in other areas,” Borr said. “There should be a different set of KPIs in place on how you are going to drive results, what is going to be measured, etc.”

KPIs measure key areas and processes that influence customers, employees and company goals. They can include call response rates, ability to answer customer questions on the first call, etc.

“When you define your KPIs, don’t just show them to your management team. Let the world know about them. You might even have some of your customers get involved in the process,” Borr said. “As you look at KPIs, focus on customer value-added and business value-added measures. Stay away from non value-added measures. Why worry about anything that doesn’t hold value?”

When selecting KPIs, company officials should also define important metrics and benchmarks involved with the business.

“Look at the areas where you want to improve as a company, and share throughout your organization. Get everybody’s buy-in. Tell them, ‘This is important to us as a company. These are our targets. These are our goals,’” Borr said.

“You don’t have to have the most advanced systems in place to drive analytics, but (new technology) does make it easier,” Borr said.

One step to analytic development that is vital, however, is benchmark-

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“Look at the areas where you want to improve as a company, and share throughout your organization.

Get everybody’s buy-in. Tell them, ‘This is important to us as a company.

These are our targets. These are our goals.’” ing. This is when a company compares its processes and performance metrics with those of other companies within the same and/or different industries. Borr said it’s important to first identify, and then define, each company’s key benchmarks.

“It’s essential to ask, ‘What is important to us as a company?’ This might include your bottom line, sales, gross profits ... whatever you use to drive your company’s goals,” Borr said. “You have to research your industry, its practices and identify standards that are in place. It’s also important to document your current practices.

“Get your people together and talk about your company’s processs. And remember, there are three areas to concentrate on: customer value-added, business value-added, and non value-added. If it’s non value-added, it should go out the door. Don’t keep a process around just because it’s something your company ‘has been doing for years.’”

Documentation of a company’s business processes is important. It’s also good to look at, and discuss, the use of emerging technologies, Borr added.

“I’m an advocate of business intelligence. There is a lot of technology today that can help you optimize your business and help it evolve,” he said. “It’s also good to talk within your company about the concepts and benefits of benchmarking. This helps get everybody on board, including the management team. All personnel should understand how specific benchmarking numbers can drive performance, bottom line profits, etc.

“As you create collective benchmarks, you want to focus on those that are important to your goals.”

In Summary Applying analytics to business data helps many company officials foresee and enhance performance. As with most things in business, the amount of time and effort put into this process often dictates the level of success.

“I can’t drive home enough the fact that you want to use KPIs that focus on those aspects of your organizational performance that are most critical to current and future success,” Borr said. “Just don’t use a KPI because you read about it somewhere. It’s important to be properly measured.”

He gave examples of success stories from companies that used particular KPIs to overcome specific challenges and improve growth. This included an airline that found success by focusing on an on-time departure KPI. Borr reiterated that everybody within an organization should become involved in the process.

“It’s also important that everybody gets to celebrate the successes that analytics can provide,” he said. “Have a party, celebrate the wins and then move on to the next challenge.”

Borr quoted Dr. James Manyika, director of the McKinsey Global Institute, who said: “As the big data revolution gets underway, it’s becoming clear that the gap between firms will be not only of skills and investment, but of mindset.”

“What is your mindset going to be?” Borr asked. “Will your mindset revolve around building another Maginot Line, because that is what you have always done?

“Or, will your mindset be to utilize analytics throughout your organization to conquer the competition?”

For more information, send email to Greg Borr at: gborr@oconnorcompanyinc.com.

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Hometown Trolley

By Double K, Inc.

Hometown Trolley

By Double K, Inc.

Mainstreet Villager The Hometown Trolley Villager model is a front engine trolley capable of many applications from a small private tour operator to a full scale transit agency. The Villager model is available in gasoline, bio-diesel, CNG and Propane. The Villager can be equipped with minimal components to make a more economical choice for the small operator or loaded with many transit features such as destination signs, spiral brass railings, bike racks, GPS systems and more.

Double K, Inc. (Hometown Trolley) 701 N. Railroad Ave., Crandon, WI 54520 715-478-5090 • Fax: 715-478-5095 Email: kristina@hometowntrolley.com Web site: www.hometowntrolley.com Model........................................................................................................Villager Length .......................................................................................................22’, 40’ Width...............................................................................................93”, 96”, 99” Height ............................................................................................................10’6” Wheelbase ....................................................................158, 178, 190, 208, 228 Overhang (front/rear).................................................Front 28” / Rear 118” Inside Height (min./max.) ................................................................Aisle 88” Tire Size....................................................................................19.5x6.75 & 22.5 Engine .....................................................................................Cummins ISB 6.7 Transmission ........................................................................................Allison 2 Fuel Tank Capacity..................................................................................75 gal.

Chassis............................................................Ford, Workhorse, Freightliner Baggage Capacity ..............................................................................Available Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................Yes Suspension ...................................................................................Spring or Air Page 36

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November/December 2015

The Hometown Trolley Mainstreet model is a heavy-duty rear engine trolley combining all the transit components for the high volume urban areas, such as full air suspension, air brakes, Allison B300 transmission, Cummins ISB, LED destination signs, Voice Annunciation systems, instep ADA lift equipment and more. The Mainstreet trolley will provide the quality and reliability of any high demand transit needs while at the same time lending the nostalgic feel of the turn of the century cable car.

Double K, Inc. (Hometown Trolley) 701 N. Railroad Ave., Crandon, WI 54520 715-478-5090 • Fax: 715-478-5095 Email: kristina@hometowntrolley.com Web site: www.hometowntrolley.com

Model ..................................................................................................Mainstreet Length.......................................................................................................25’, 40’ Width.................................................................................................................99” Height..............................................................................................................11’2” Wheelbase ............................................................................160, 190, 208, 228 Overhang (front/rear)......................................................................42” / 120” Inside Height (min./max.) ................................................................Aisle 88” Tire Size..........................................................................................................22.5 Engine............................................................................................Cummins ISB Transmission.................................................................................Allison B300 Chassis .............................................................................................Freightliner Baggage Capacity ..............................................................................Available Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................Yes Suspension.......................................................................................................Air

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Hometown Trolley

By Double K, Inc.

Hometown Trolley

By Double K, Inc.

Carriage

Streetcar Trolley

The Hometown Trolley Carriage model is a front engine, lowfloor trolley providing ease of entry and exit with no steps. The Carriage low-floor design allows the ADA ratio of 5:1 and minimal step in height when pulled to curb locations. The Carriage is available in gasoline, diesel, CNG and full electric.

The Carriage is also available with LED destination signs, DVD player and monitor, HVAC with climate control, brass or brushed stainless handrailing, luggage rack, exterior wood package, forward facing or perimeter seating, 110 volt invertor for Christmas lighting on the interior and exterior, and many more transit components.

The Carriage is less than 22-feet in length, making it the perfect size for historical downtown areas, hotels, theme parks and many other shuttle type transportation needs. Capture the nostalgia of a Hometown Trolley in your hometown with the new low-floor Carriage, built to preserve integrity and craftsmanship true to its era of the “turn of the century.”

The Streetcar Trolley low-floor model combines the nostalgic features of the turn-of-the-century passenger cable car with the modern technology of today’s transit advancements. The Streetcar Trolley is a powerhouse heavy-duty trolley capable of running in any mass transit, high passenger capacity applications.

The Streetcar is a full stainless steel low-floor monocoque chassis design, exceeding the required 1:6 ratio for ADA loading with the fold out ADA ramp.

Optional equipment such as LED destination signs, DVD flat screen packages, mahogany finishes and many more choices are available to customize the Streetcar. Standard equipment such as a multiplex wiring system, brass or brushed stainless hand railings, as well as simulated wood trim set the Streetcar in a class all its own. Vintage tram interior, transit flooring, HVAC packages and ADA packages are available. Altoona-tested for 10 years/350,000 miles.

Double K, Inc. (Hometown Trolley) 701 N. Railroad Ave., Crandon, WI 54520 715-478-5090 • Fax: 715-478-5095 Email: kristina@hometowntrolley.com Web site: www.hometowntrolley.com Model ......................................................................................................Carriage Type ........................................................................................Low Floor Trolley Passenger Capacity...................................................................................16-20 Length......................................................................................................20’ - 24’ Width....................................................................................................................8’ ADA ...............................................................................................1 or 2 Position Engine ...............................................Gasoline, Diesel, CNG or Full Electric Chassis.............................................................................................Chevy 4500 Handrailing .........................................................................Brass or Stainless Comfort Control.................................................................................Full HVAC Mileage .................................................................................................MPG 12-15

Double K, Inc. (Hometown Trolley) 701 N. Railroad Ave., Crandon, WI 54520 715-478-5090 • Fax: 715-478-5095 Email: kristina@hometowntrolley.com Web site: www.hometowntrolley.com Model.......................................................................................Streetcar Trolley Passenger Capacity .................................................................................28-48 Length.....................................................................................................30’ - 40’ Width...............................................................................................................100” Overall Height .............................................................................................10’6” Wheel Base..............................................................................190”, 208”, 228” Door Opening......................................................................................48” x 78” GVW ............................................................................................27,500 - 32,000 Engine ..........................................Cummins Diesel, Series Hybrid Electric or Full Electric Transmission.................................................................................Allison B300 November/December 2015

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Specialty Vehicles

Specialty Vehicles

Front Engine - Gasoline CNG/LPG

Front Engine - Diesel

The Front Engine Gasoline Classic American Trolley is manufactured in 26’-35’ lengths with passenger capabilities of 20-39. They are built on a Ford F53 chassis with Ford 6.8L engine for maximum power and comfort. A welded tubular steel body and riveted galvaneal exterior panels contain solid hardwood interior and polished brass fixtures.

Air conditioning, heating and handicap accessibility are among many of the available options. Classic American Trolleys are designed to operate in various environments. Depending on the climate, road conditions and the customer’s final operating requirements, these trolleys are performance designed and built to perfection.

Altoona tested for 7 years and 200,000 miles – these powerful vehicles encompass all the features needed to handle various transportation needs.

Specialty Vehicles 440 Mark Leany Drive, Henderson, NV 89011 Phone: 702-567-5256 • Fax: 702-567-3020 Email: info@specialtyvehicles.com Website: www.specialtyvehicles.com Model..............................................................................................FE - Gasoline Length......................................................................................................26’ - 35’ Width...............................................................................................................100” Height..............................................................................................................133” Inside Height (min./max.)..................................................................76” - 91” Overhang (front/rear) ................................................................49”/100-122” Engine............................................................................................6.8L V10 Ford Transmission...................................................................................5 Spd. Auto Chassis...........................................................................................Ford F53 Rail Air Conditioning............................................................................70-125K BTU Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................Yes Steering ......................................................................................................Power Suspension......................................................................................Leaf Spring Page 38

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November/December 2015

The Front Engine Diesel Classic American Trolley is manufactured in 26’-35’ lengths with passenger capabilities of 20-39. They are built on a Freightliner MB65 chassis with Cummins ISB diesel engine for maximum power and comfort. A welded tubular steel body and riveted galvaneal exterior panels contain solid hardwood interior and polished brass fixtures.

Air conditioning, heating and handicap accessibility are among many of the available options. Classic American Trolleys are designed to operate in various environments. Depending on the climate, road conditions and the customer’s final operating requirements, these trolleys are performance designed and built to perfection.

Altoona tested for 10 years and 350,000 miles – these powerful vehicles encompass all the features needed to handle various transportation needs.

Specialty Vehicles 440 Mark Leany Drive, Henderson, NV 89011 Phone: 702-567-5256 • Fax: 702-567-3020 Email: info@specialtyvehicles.com Website: www.specialtyvehicles.com

Model...................................................................................................FE - Diesel Length......................................................................................................26’ - 35’ Width...............................................................................................................100” Height..............................................................................................................133” Inside Height (min./max.)..................................................................76” - 91” Overhang (front/rear) ................................................................49”/100-122” Engine ..........................................................................................6.7L Cummins Transmission...................................................................................6 Spd. Auto Chassis .........................................................................Freightliner MB65 Rail Air Conditioning............................................................................70-145K BTU Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................Yes Steering ......................................................................................................Power Suspension .........................................................Leaf Spring - Opt. Rear Air

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Specialty Vehicles

Specialty Vehicles

Rear Engine - Diesel Front Engine - Gas Wedding

The Rear Engine Classic American Trolley was engineered with transit agencies in mind from the ground up. They are equipped with Cummins ISB diesel engines and heavy-duty Allison transmissions. With GVWR’s from 26,000 to 32,000, seating configurations are available for a passenger capacity of 33-41 passengers with additional standees.

Many options are available including destination signs, fare boxes, air conditioning, heating and cushioned seats. Removable window sections, handicap accessibility, entertainment systems are also available.

Altoona tested for 10 years and 350,000 miles — these powerful vehicles encompass all the features needed to handle various transportation needs.

The Classic American Wedding Trolley will add a brilliant piece of nostalgia to an event while guests will feel the glamour of the elegant affair. The trolley is built on a Ford F53 chassis with Ford gasoline engine in lengths from 26’ to 35’, and seating from 20 to 39 passengers with a rear conductors platform.

The Classic American Wedding Trolley is more than just transportation, it is an experience that riders will remember and treasure. Built from the ground up with a choice of options, each trolley is customized to suit various needs with items such as dark mahogany wood, entertainment package and spiral brass stanchions.

Specialty Vehicles 440 Mark Leany Drive, Henderson, NV 89011 Phone: 702-567-5256 • Fax: 702-567-3020 Email: info@specialtyvehicles.com Website: www.specialtyvehicles.com

Specialty Vehicles 440 Mark Leany Drive, Henderson, NV 89011 Phone: 702-567-5256 • Fax: 702-567-3020 Email: info@specialtyvehicles.com Website: www.specialtyvehicles.com

Model ..................................................................................................RE - Diesel Length......................................................................................................33’ - 37’ Width...............................................................................................................100” Height..............................................................................................................133” Inside Height (min./max.)..................................................................76” - 91” Overhang (front/rear)........................................................................101”/132” Engine ..........................................................................................6.7L Cummins Transmission...................................................................................6 Spd. Auto Chassis................................................................Freightliner XB27-XB75 Rail Air Conditioning............................................................................70-145K BTU Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................Yes Steering ......................................................................................................Power Suspension.............................................................................................Air Ride

Model......................................................................................FE - Gas Wedding Length......................................................................................................26’ - 35’ Width...............................................................................................................100” Height..............................................................................................................133” Inside Height (min./max.)..................................................................76” - 91” Overhang (front/rear) ................................................................49”/100-122” Engine............................................................................................6.8L V10 Ford Transmission...................................................................................5 Spd. Auto Chassis...........................................................................................Ford F53 Rail Air Conditioning............................................................................70-125K BTU Wheelchair Lift Option.................................................................................Yes Steering ......................................................................................................Power Suspension......................................................................................Leaf Spring November/December 2015

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Specialty Vehicles

Specialty Vehicles

Classic American Tram Passengers and operators love the space and open air feeling of the Classic American Tram. Ample seating space allows 14-27 adult passengers to ride comfortably, while the open side design accommodates quick loading and off-loading. The open air half sidewalls are a fantastic way to further immerse clients into their surroundings.

Several options are available to enhance the Classic American Tram, such as ADA accessibility, interior luggage racks, a second entry stepwell, roof or side mounted advertising signs, seat belts and a 4-wheel drive upfit. Resorts, theme parks, zoos, tours and shuttle companies find this Tram ideal for their application.

The Classic American Tram is constructed with non-slip Z-tech bed liner flooring, fiberglass seating, step lighting and a P/A system. An 8 or 10 cylinder engine offers smooth power for all types of operations. Built on the Ford E Series Cutaway Chassis, the standard cab comes fully functional with air conditioning and heat.

Other standard features include steel side rails with black powder coat finish, fiberglass running boards, back up alarm and undercoating. Gas, CNG, propane or bi-fuel options are also available.

Specialty Vehicles 440 Mark Leany Drive, Henderson, NV 89011 Phone: 702-567-5256 • Fax: 702-567-3020 Email: info@specialtyvehicles.com Website: www.specialtyvehicles.com CLASSIC AMERICAN TRAM FEATURES: • Steel side rails with black powder coat finish • Driver compartment slide window • Fiberglass running board • Fiberglass gel coated front upper cap • Fiberglass gel coated seats, molded • Back-up alarm • Velac tripod mirrors (cab) - OEM • Non-slip Z-Tech Bedliner Flooring • Aluminum Roof • Heavy-duty Steel Frame • Safety Enclosure Panels • Large Pana-view Rear Windows • Climate Controlled Cab Page 40

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November/December 2015

Mini-Electric Trolley Go green with this all electric Mini-Trolley. This stylish vehicle can seat up to 23 passengers, and comes standard with cushion seats and non-slip flooring. The narrow body design is perfect for close quarters like parking lots, parking garages, botanical gardens and facility pathways.

The Mini-Trolley uses American made batteries and can travel up to 60 miles per charge. It is powered with an all electric 72V 10KW motor and Curtis Controller. Several custom options are available, including color design, rain curtains, solar panels, wheelchair accessibility, CD player with PA system, and more.

Specialty Vehicles 440 Mark Leany Drive, Henderson, NV 89011 Phone: 702-567-5256 • Fax: 702-567-3020 Email: info@specialtyvehicles.com Website: www.specialtyvehicles.com

MINI ELECTRIC TROLLEY FEATURES: • Lights Package • US Batteries • Curtis Controller • Up to 60 Miles per Charge • Narrow Body Design • Many Colors Available • Cushion Seats • Non-Slip Low Floor • Climbs up to 20 Percent Grade • Custom Options Available

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Euramtec 29650 Grand River Ave. Farmington Hills, MI 48336 USA 248-473-8660 E-Mail: contact@euramtec.com Website: www.euramtec.com Products: For over 30 years, Euramtec has provided top-quality European styled accessories for transit buses and coaches. It is prepared to meet most interior accessory needs. Dedicated to meeting the challenges in providing competitive, quality products and excellent service to customers. Supplies interior lighting, air diffusers, switches, service sets, push buttons, grab handles, and many other transit and coach related accessories. 15 Kirk’s Automotive, Inc. 9330 Roselawn, Detroit, MI 48204 USA 313-933-7030 Website: www.kirksauto.com Products: Kirk’s Automotive specializes in OEM new and remanufactured parts for the transit bus and motorcoach industries. Kirk’s is also a factory authorized repair facility for Ametek Rotron transportation products, and is a registered service dealer for C.E. Niehoff’s commercial line of brushless alternators. 15 Mohawk Mfg. & Supply Co. 7200 N. Oak Park Ave., Niles, IL 60714 USA 800-323-7652 Products: Bus parts supplier, furnishing more than 50,000 parts for the transit and motorcoach industries. As a supplier, Mohawk is a national distributor for such transportation manufacturers as Koni, Walex, Stabilus, Goodyear, Meritor, Haldex, Trucklite and Fleetguard.

Mohawk supplies parts to almost every type of

bus on the road today in North America, including RTS, MCI, Orion, Nova, Prevost, Flyer, Gillig, Eagle, NABI (Ikarus), AM General, Eldorado, Chance and Van Hool. As a manufacturer, Mohawk produces thousands of its own OEM-quality parts that meet or exceed OEM specifications. 15 Muncie-Baker, an ABC Company 800-428-8610 Website: www.abc-companies.com/parts/muncie-bakertransit Products: Muncie-Baker, an ABC Company, provides access to an independent supply of transit bus replacement parts for the North American market. More than 200,000 transit bus parts are available. 15 PEX German O.E. Parts LLC See Ad On Page 33 200 Hart St. Niceville, FL 32578 USA 850-729-0537 x224 Fax: 850-729-0538 E-Mail: e.stern@pexna.com Website: www.pexna.com Company Officers: Eric H. Stern, Head of HD Sales; Jeff Saidin, General Manager Products: PEX heavy-duty product groups include: brake wear sensors (disc and drum brushes), ABS sensors, ABS sensor extension cables, wire harnesses, engine management sensors (speed sensors, oil pressure sensors, coolant level sensors, exhaust temperature sensors, etc.). 15 TriMark Corporation 500 Bailey Ave. New Hampton, IA 50659 USA

641-394-3188 Fax: 641-394-2392 E-Mail: tips@trimarkcorp.com Website: www.trimarkcorp.com Company Officers: Scott Perkins, Ric Marzolf, Kevin Roths Products: TriMark is an employee-owned company. It’s a designer and manufacturer of hardware products for the bus/motorcoach, recreational vehicle, agricultural, truck, construction, and industrial enclosure markets. It offers a wide range of door and compartment handles, rotary and slam latches, locking systems, ignition locks, hinges, linkages and electronics including power lock actuators and keyless entry and related components.

The TriMark corporate headquarters is located in New Hampton, IA. TriMark serves the China market through TriMark Xuzhou, and the European market through its subsidiary, TriMark Europe Ltd. TriMark Europe also manufactures and sells the West Alloy range of products including locks, hinges, window stays and associated fittings for industrial and leisure vehicles. 15 TRP Website: www.trpparts.com Products: TRP as a brand began in 1994 with a select line of trailer-related parts sold exclusively by DAF truck dealers in Europe. It grew to include a full line of truck and bus parts.

TRP parts are now available to the North American, South American and Pan American markets as a global brand, representing a full line of aftermarket products for commercial equipment including trucks, trailers, buses, engines and winches. 15

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Altro Transflor See Ad On Page 23 12648 Clark St. Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 USA 800-382-0333 E-Mail: transflor@altrofloors.com Website: www.altrotransflor.com Products: Altro Transflor is a leading safety flooring manufacturer, with over 90 years of experience. It provides high performance, slipresistant, and flexible safety flooring for bus, rail and maritime applications. Offers a range of floor coverings engineered for the latest international smoke, fire and toxicity regulations and the demands of passenger safety and comfort.

The company’s safety flooring provides a combination of vinyl, quartz aggregate, aluminum oxide and silicon carbide that includes multilayered fiber reinforcement for controlled stability. Made with high quality, sustainable materials. Altro Transflor stands behind its products with warranties. It provides customized turnkey kits for easy installation. 15 Axalta Coating Systems Two Commerce Plaza, Suite 3600 2001 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 USA 855-547-1461 Website: www.axaltacs.com Products: Floor coatings for vehicles. 15

transit

Baultar Concept, Inc. 110, J.-E. Lemieux St. Windsor, QC J1S 0A4 CANADA 819-845-7110 Website: www.baultar.com Products: Baultar Flooring Solutions provides composite flooring and other products for the transit industry. 15 Better Life Technology, LLC See Ad On Page 5 9736 Legler Road Lenexa, KS 66219 USA Page 42

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913-894-0403 Fax: 913-894-0439 E-Mail: customerservice@bltllc.com Website: www.bltllc.com Company Officers: Brett Sneed, President; Jerry Herbert, C.O.O. Products: Founded in 1998, Better Life Technology (BLT) is a manufacturer of rollout vinyl flooring for several high traffic applications. The company’s first application for garage flooring set the stage for easily installed, aesthetically pleasing flooring that can handle heavy usage for long periods of time. The original solid color product soon became one of the most popular flooring choices for garages as well as other consumer applications such as dog runs, trailers, workshops, and more. Over time, BLT added new color options, textures, and dimensions, attracting the attention of the media, which featured the company and its products in many magazines and TV shows.

After several years of continued growth, BLT embarked on a project to develop a printed product for heavy wear and high traffic applications. BLT was successful with this development, opening up new markets such as retail display, trade show displays, marine and boat flooring, classrooms, and more. This imaged product continues to grow as users find new applications for a beautiful, durable floor that is easy to install and cost competitive. The latest market to discover these benefits is mass transit, including buses, rail, and maritime.

Better Life Technology’s products are made in the USA. The company’s 300,000-squarefoot operations center is located in Emporia, KS. This facility contains manufacturing, warehouse and distribution, and the fulfillment center for online sales, catalog sales and retail distribution. A separate facility, housing the corporate office and showroom, is in Lenexa, KS. 15

E-Mail: info.na@forbo.com Website: www.forboflooringna.com Products: Flooring product portfolio for the bus and coach sector. This portfolio includes entrance systems, safety floors, vinyl floors and flocked flooring as well as adhesives, accessories and installation tools. 15

Forbo Flooring Systems North America Humboldt Industrial Park P.O. Box 667 Hazleton, PA 18201 USA 570-459-0771

ProFusion Industries 3875 Embassy Parkway Fairlawn, OH 44333 USA 800-938-2858 Fax: 330-668-7705 E-Mail: kbell@profusionindustries.com

November/December 2015

Gerflor 595 Supreme Dr. Bensenville, IL 60106 USA 877-437-3567 Website: www.gerflortransport.com Products: Gerflor, a PVC floor covering manufacturer based in Tarare, France, has announced the launch of its new lightweight floor covering especially designed for the bus and coach industry: the new lightweight Tarabus. Gerflor’s R&D department has worked closely with bus manufacturers to adapt this product to the evolving needs of the bus industry. The result is a lighter floor covering that typically reduces the weight of vehicles by 110 pounds for a double decker bus; and 66 pounds for single deckers. The lightweight Tarabus is a 0.088-inch thickness floor covering which meets all the technical requirements demanded by the industry: durability, slip resistance, dimensional stability and ease of cleaning. The lightweight Tarabus is now in production. 15 Milwaukee Composites, Inc. S. Pennsylvania Ave. Cudahy, WI 53110 USA 414-571-2788 E-Mail: sales@milwaukeecomposites.com Website: www.milwaukeecomposites.com Products: Since 1997, Milwaukee Composites has produced its patented lightweight floor for the transit industry. 15

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Website: www.profusionindustries.com Company Officers: Jack Woodyard, and Keith Bell Products: ProFusion Industries manufactures a complete line of flooring, nosings, and step treads for both OEM and after-market use. All ProFusion products are 100 percent American made. Traditional rib products are available as well as the Koro-Trans Pebble Tread, a safety tread. Flooring products include marbled smooth and rib, in industry standard colors, as well as the new Astra Flor system.

The Koro-Trans Astra Flor system is a group of flooring, step tread, and nosing components that allow shuttle and transit bus manufacturers to meet floor system requirements. As an option, ProFusion offers all flooring types in either three-piece configurations or in a welded one-piece construction.

ProFusion One-Piece Flooring products are available in custom widths/lengths in both smooth and rib configurations. One-piece floors offer customers an option to specify floor layouts of smooth/rib combinations that are factory pre-welded, eliminating the need for welding by OEM personnel. These products show up ready to install with reduced trimming, reduced waste and a simplified installation process.

All Koro-Trans products are manufactured from proprietary polymeric formulations and engineered to incorporate both functional and decorative elements that will enhance any vehicle interior. Astra Flor products are available in smooth or textured thicknesses of

2.25mm, 3mm, as well as ribbed aisle materials up to 3/16 inch (4.75mm). Standard safety features include resistance to slip, abrasion, moisture and chemical contaminants. 15 Protectolite™ Composites Inc. 84 Railside Road Toronto, ON M3A 1A3 CANADA 416-444-4484 Website: www.protectolite.com Products: Protectolite™ has been serving the mass transit bus community for over 50 years. It supplies a wide variety of products, including transit seating and seat components, flooring, exterior and interior body panels, bezels and headlamp housings. 15 RCA Rubber Co. 1833 East Market St., P.O. Box 9240 Akron, OH 44305 USA 800-321-2340 Fax: 330-794-6446 E-Mail: bullockd@rcarubber.com Website: www.rcarubber.com Company Officers: Sherry Price, President; Shane Price, Vice President Products: Manufacturer of rubber floor covering and step treads for the transit industry. Made in USA. 15 Safeguard Technology Inc. 1460 Miller Parkway Streetsboro, OH 44241 USA 330-995-5200 E-Mail: info@safeguard-technology.com

Website: www.safeguard-technology.com Products: Anti-slip flooring products for transportation and other industries. 15 SpaceAge Synthetics, Ltd. 1402 39th St., NW Fargo, ND 58102 USA 701-277-5631 Website: www.spaceagesynthetics.com Products: Thermo-Lite Board®, a fiber-reinforced urethane product for applications subjected to static and dynamic loads. 15 TransitWorks 4199 Kinross Lakes Parkway, Suite 300 Richfield, OH 44314 USA 855-337-9543 Website: www.transit-works.com Products: SmartFloor is a patented flooring system that allows easy movement of seats practically anywhere in a vehicle, providing over 1,000 potential seating configurations. 15 Wooster Products, Inc. 1000 Spruce St. Wooster, OH 44691 USA 800-321-4936 Fax: 330-262-4151 E-Mail: sales@wooster-products.com Website: www.wooster-products.com Products: Wooster Products is a USA manufacturer of anti-slip safety stair and flooring products. Safety solutions include custom antislip stair nosings and treads. The company also offers anti-slip epoxy coatings. 15

Better Life Technology LLC Introduces G-Floor Transit Solid Vinyl Product Line Better Life Technology LLC, a manufacturer of rollout vinyl flooring for high-traffic applications to several markets, has introduced a new solid vinyl product line called the G-Floor Transit line for bus, rail, and maritime flooring.

“The G-Floor Transit is solid vinyl, offering durability; it’s also lighter for greater fuel efficiency, more malleable for easier installation, and completely recyclable. The wear-layer provides an optimal layer of protection. G-floor is made and stocked in the United States.

G-Floor Transit is 100 percent waterproof and offers a standard .075-inch wear-layer in up to 10 foot widths. It can be special ordered in a thick wear-layer of up to .120-inches. It is also able to handle extreme traffic without cracking or showing signs of strain,” according to the company.

All G-Floor Transit flooring meets and exceeds all ASTM C-1028 slip resistance

standards. Custom safety graphics are also available.

G-Floor Transit is offered in three styles: 1. Simply Solid comes in two colors — black and grey — and three patterns. It’s intended as an effective, durable solution with an affordable price point; 2. Premium Image offers designs, including wood grain and ceramic patterns.

Premium Image has a 100 percent clear polyvinyl wearlayer, for years without scratching, peeling, cracking, or deterioration of the design.

All imaged options provide multiple stylized options for customization; and, 3. Designer Custom is a 100 percent customized and personalized transit flooring option.

Color, graphics, and verbiage are all customized. Customers can add a company’s branding, safety instructions, or an advertisement. As with Premium Imaged, both wood grain and ceramic surface textures are available. The embedded design is protected by a 100 percent clear polyvinyl wear-layer, for durability without scratching, pealing, cracking, or deterioration of the design.

November/December 2015

For more information about Better Life Technology, visit www.blt-transit.com or call 913-894-0403.

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PERSONNEL

Prevost President/CEO Gaétan Bolduc To Retire “After 33 years at Prevost, the last 11 as achievements; I came from within the ranks, president and CEO, Gaétan Bolduc is retir- with nothing else to offer but what I had ing at the end of 2015. During his time with done previously at Prevost.” the company, Prevost has Prevost said, “Bolduc grown from an operation shaped the thinking of with 280 employees to Prevost’s business as not 1,500 employees, and has being just about manufacbecome an industry leader turing coaches, but about in seated-coach sales,” how those coaches are according to a press release used by the owners and from the company. operators in their busiGaétan joined Prevost in ness, and how Prevost 1982 as a process technicould best support that cian. Four years later, he business with its products became manager of indusand its service network.” trial engineering, methods Prevost is a manufacturand tooling. He was named er of intercity touring Gaétan Bolduc vice president of production coaches and produces conand material in 1993; execversion coaches for highutive vice president of operations in 1998; end motorhome and specialty conversion. It and president and CEO in 2004. is part of the Volvo Group. The Volvo Group Gaétan credits a supportive company is a manufacturer of heavy-duty diesel environment and the people he worked with engines. Prevost has its main manufacturing for giving him the training and opportunities facilities in Sainte-Claire, Quebec, Canada for continued growth and advancement. and has 10 Parts and Service Centers in the “At the time I became president, the lead- United States and Canada. ers of the company were taking a big risk,” Visit www.prevostcar.com Gaétan said. “I didn’t come with a big list of for more information.

Prevost Names Glen Gendron Director Of Pre-Owned Sales Prevost has announced the appointment of Glen Gendron as director, pre-owned sales. He takes over for Dann Wiltgen, who retired earlier this year.

Gendron has been with Prevost for over 19 years, and has worked as a regional parts sales manager, Glen Gendron internal parts sales and bid manager, new coach sales manager and sales coordinator with the Commercial Administration team.

He officially assumed his new duties on Nov. 2, 2015. Visit www.prevostcar.com.

Keolis Transit America Names Scott Lansing General Manager Of Las Vegas Operations Keolis Transit America has named Scott Lansing general manager of its Las Vegas operations.

Lansing began his transit career as a bus operator for the University of Virginia’s transit Page 44

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system. Most recently, he served as director of bus operations for Go Triangle, in Durham, NC, Prior to Go Triangle, Lansing worked as the general manager for UT Shuttle Services, in Austin, TX; as the executive director for the Chatham Area Transportation Authority, in Savannah, GA; and as general manager of the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company, in Lynchburg, VA. Las Vegas is Keolis’ largest fixed-route contract in North America, serving an average daily ridership of nearly 108,000 passengers. In partnership with the RTC, Keolis manages the transit service that runs along the resort corridor of Las Vegas Boulevard as well as the Deuce on the Strip (Deuce) Scott Lansing and the Strip and Downtown Express (SDX) routes.

Lansing takes over general manager responsibilities from Keolis Executive Vice President Kevin Adams, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Keolis has operating systems in 15 countries including Canada and the United States.

Visit www.keolisnorthamerica.com for more information.

November/December 2015

Randal Weaver And Olivia Jones Join Cincinnati Metro’s Executive Management Team Cincinnati Metro has two new members on its executive team, Senior V.P. of Operations/COO Randal Weaver and V.P. Human Resources/EEO Officer Olivia Jones.

Weaver oversees Metro’s Operations, Fleet and Facilities, Accessible Services, Transit Services Planning and Development departments, as well as the Cincinnati streetcar.

In the recent past, Wea ver served as president of TransPro Consulting, where he led strategic operational initiatives for transit systems across Randal Weaver the United States, including Las Vegas (RTC), the Pennsylvania DOT, Baton Rouge (CATS), Jacksonville (JTA), Tampa (HART and PSTA) and New York (BC Transit).

Earlier, he was the COO for the Rochester, NY-based RGRTA, an $80 million Authority that provides 23 million rides per year.

Weaver earned an MBA from the Simon Business School and a B.S. in electrical engineering, high honors, from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Jones oversees Metro’s Human Resources department and organizational training. She has more than 20 years of experience in the transportation industry. She served as assistant general manager at the Muncie Indiana Transportation System, where she was responsible for employee benefits, workers’ compensation, property and casualty insurance, labor relations/negotiations, Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE), and paratransit operations.

She held leadership positions at Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority, in Austin, TX, and at Union Pacific Railroad in Olivia Jones Des Moines, IA. Jones is a member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Human Resources Committee, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), and the Transportation Research Board.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management from the University of Phoenix. She is a veteran of the United States Army, where she served as a signal specialist and the Texas Army National Guard, where she served as a combat medic.

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

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Premier Transportation Takes Delivery Of 4 Temsa TS 30 Coaches Premier Transportation LLC, located in Knoxville, TN, has been offering group travel services for over 11 years.

The company specializes in charter bus and motorcoach services from the Southeast region and throughout the United States.

Premier owns and maintains a fleet of 34 vehicles.

The company recently took delivery of four Temsa TS 30 mid-size coaches.

Nate Frederick, COO of Premier Transportation LLC, said, “The decision to purchase the Temsas was made after the favorable reaction we received from a demo of the vehicle with some of our core customers. The TS 30 fits the need perfectly for those smaller groups, especially athletic teams such as tennis, volleyball and golf.”

Premier provides travel services for a number of universities, colleges, churches, corporate and civic groups.

Premier’s TS 30 coaches are seated for 30

passengers, allowing extra leg room. The coaches are also equipped with 110V plus USB

plugs, leather seats, an audio/video system, and wood-grain floors. It is a fully integral midsized coach, constructed from stainless steel.

Visit www.premiertransportation.net.

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

Visit www.chbussales.com for more information.

Amaya-Astron Ready To Help Companies Meet NHTSA’s Ruling On Seat Belts With the NHTSA’s (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) ruling that all new motorcoaches must include 3-point seatbelts on all seats, Amaya-Astron Seating has focused on working with MGA Research Corporation Laboratory on the standards set forth by FMVSS and CMVSS “Amaya-Astron Seating has been producing threepoint seat belted seats for over 6 years on all models of seats available to North American coach manufacturers. These models include the A2TEN, Torino G Plus, and the newest model available to the market, the Torino GT. “The engineers at Amaya work closely with NHTSA as well as motor coach manufacturers to provide the safest seats available for their coaches and passengers. In today’s transportation industry, safety has become the foremost topic of conversation and Amaya-Astron Seating strives to design the safest seats possible while also creating stylish and comfortable seats for those passengers sitting on them,” according to the company.

Amaya-Astron Seating has its own engineering and design departments.

“Our seats have also been designed with passenger comfort in mind. This comes with the commitment to not only improve on our exist-

ing models, but also to introduce new models meeting the ever-changing demands of today’s motor coach passengers. Amaya-Astron seats focus on ergonomic design allowing for more hip to knee room and thus more legroom overall. The introduction of the newest model, the Torino GT, will increase this legroom because of its thinner seat back design while maintaining the hip to knee comfort in the seat cushion.”

The most common options available are the automatic foot rests, grab handles, airline style and flip-up tray tables, cup holders, and mesh magazine pockets, and 110V outlets. AmayaAstron also offers luxury seating options such as the 2+1 seats. Amaya-Astron seats come with a 3-year warranty from the factory.

For information, contact Donovan Albarran in the Mexico City headquarters by phoning +52 (55) 5881-2007 or by e-mail: donovan@amaya-astron.com.mx. Customers can also visit www.amaya-astron.com.mx, which has an English language version.

For inquiries in the United States and Canada, contact George Farrell gfarr007@aol.com and Bob Greene bgreene45@cox.net. They serve the North American motorcoach industry providing aftermarket sales, service, and support.

November/December 2015

Complete Coach Works Announces Third Metro St. Louis Contract Complete Coach Works (CCW) has been awarded a contract to provide seven refurbished low floor buses to Metro St. Louis, MO. “The 40-foot buses will be used in regular service in Metro's St. Clair County Division in Illinois, and to transport St. Louis Cardinal fans to the downtown St. Louis stadium on game days,” said Dale Schaefer of Metro St. Louis.

The buses will undergo refurbishment at CCW including the power train and suspension, wheelchair foldout ramps, and complete interior and exterior rehabilitation.

“This is our third project with St. Louis Metro in three years,” Jay Raber with CCW said. “They have been pleased with our work in the past and we strive to continue a successful relationship with them.”

In previous contracts with CCW, Metro St. Louis bought 10 buses for the St. Clair County Division and 15 refurbished articulated buses for use in St. Louis on routes with the heaviest passenger loads, Schaefer said.

Complete Coach Works is a United States remanufacturing and rehabilitation company and has more than 28 years of service in the transportation industry.

Metro St. Louis operates the region’s public transportation system, which includes the 46-mile MetroLink light rail system; the 391-vehicle MetroBus vehicle fleet that operates on 77 routes in Missouri and Illinois; and Metro Call-A-Ride, a 120-van para-transit fleet. Metro is an enterprise of Bi-State Development, which also owns and operates St. Louis Downtown Airport, the Gateway Arch Riverboats and the Gateway Arch trams.

Visit www.completecoach.com for more information.

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Companies Purchase MCIs Lakeland Bus Lines Buys Its First MCI J4500 Lakeland Bus Lines, of Dover, NJ, has a 43year history. It has had MCI coaches for much of that time, and has purchased its first J4500.

Lakeland has a long history of operating MCI’s l E-Series coaches as well as its D-coaches.

“We’ve been with MCI forever,” said Lakeland President Maureen Leo, who, with her husband, Mark, and other family members, co-owns the company, started by her father, Bernard Flynn, in 1952. “We love them.”

Amenities include Amaya seats with threepoint seatbelts, seat-back cup holders and selfretracting footrests; two reversible seats and card tables and added social options including 110-volt outlets at every passenger seat, plus self-installed Wi-Fi; extra blue ceiling LED lighting; an upgraded driver’s seat and passenger-side window blinds; elegant wood-grain flooring and other wood-grain touches; an entertainment system with 15-inch monitors; back-up camera; wheelchair lift; and more.

“The drivers love it,” Leo said. “The turning radius is incredible, and the way it can stop is incredible too.”

Lakeland Bus Lines began in 1952 with 5 coaches. Today it has a fleet of 75 coaches, 54 of which serve routes on behalf of New Jersey

Transit. Another 21 MCI coaches serve the company’s tour and charter business, which has a “travel club” mailing list of about 6,000.

“We travel to the 48 states and throughout Canada,” Leo said. “We do our own charter and tours. Our tour coordinator has been with us for more than a decade. We’ve got great employees, who are happy because we have a fun office atmosphere.”

The company’s slogan, “We’re here to take you there,” is part of the graphics on all of its coaches Leo said that Lakeland’s relationship with MCI goes back to the 1970s, when it ran MCI’s MC-9s. She heard from a customer who saw one of the company’s old MC-9s operating in Honduras, still with the Lakeland logo.

Leo said the company decided to purchase the J4500 based on a fondness for MCI’s previous luxury coach, the E4500.

Visit www.lakelandbus.com for more information.

Travel By Bus! Has 5 New MCI J4500s Eight-year-old Travel By Bus! of Miami, FL, recently purchased five MCI J4500s.

“We wanted to renew our fleet, and we looked around for about four months,” said President Gunther Meyer, who co-owns the company with three partners. “We chose MCI because of the reliability, value, and five-year resale value.”

Travel by Bus! ordered its new J4500s with backup cameras, three-point seatbelts and an active collision mitigation system. The company also opted for power outlets and offers Wi-Fi

on its vehicles. The 2015 J4500s also come with model improvements, including an independent front suspension. The J4500s also have clean-diesel powertrain. Safety technologies include a tire-pressure monitoring and fire suppression.

Travel by Bus! said it is proud of its personalized service, including making sure that late-

night calls are answered by staff as opposed to an answering service. The company employs an administrative staff of four, plus about 13 drivers and additional mechanics for its current fleet of 11 coaches.

Visit www.travelbybususa.com for more information.

Motor Coach Industries (MCI), headquartered in Des Plaines, IL, is an intercity coach manufacturer in the United States and Canada, with sales, service and repair facilities in both countries.

MCI is also the distributor of the Setra S 417, Setra S 407 and Setra parts in the U.S. and Canada. The company offers 24-hour technical support and technician training along with aftermarket parts and repair service.

Visit www.mcicoach.com for more information.

Advantage Funding Launches New, Multi-Featured Web Site Advantage Funding has a new interactive website. It is equipped with payment calculators, an online application and automated customer account functions.

“Advantage Funding is pleased to offer state-of-the-art online services and information for users of mobile as well as traditional technology,” said Al Damiani, CEO. “It’s our goal to increase knowledge about our company and products while also providing new efficiencies for customers and prospects.”

A video on the home page introduces the company president and another segment offers information on Advantage Funding’s customer service. A drop-down menu under “Equipment for Sale” opens to show used equipment currently for sale at the company’s Brookhaven, NY, facility.

The new website also includes: • A pull-down customer service menu that provides secure access to customer account information and options; • A newsroom blog with short takes on subjects ranging from how to create a value proposition to what’s new in waste equipment; • Financing Information for dealerships as well as lease and loan customers and prospects; and, • Success stories and testimonials from Advantage Funding customers.

Visit www.advantagefund.com for more information.

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ABC Companies Introduces The Van Hool CX35 Premium Passenger Coach The Van Hool CX35 was officially introduced by ABC Companies at BusCon 2015.

“The user-friendly design is based on the popular and proven C-coach and incorporates an extensive array of common parts and components, which can lead to a reduction in the investment of spare parts inventory for those operators currently running the Van Hool CX45. The real news here is quality and value,” said Jay Oakman, vice president/ABC Commercial Group.

The CX35 is like the CX45 in body design, components, and driveability, and is indistinguishable from the CX45 when viewed from the front and rear.

“The main difference is the side view of the bus,” said Louis Hotard, ABC director of technical services. “It’s 10 feet shorter but packs all the punch of the larger coach.”

The CX35 features the same driver’s area layout and control panel as the CX45 — allowing drivers to easily adapt to operating the smaller

vehicle. The engine compartment layout is also similar to the CX45.

“Because it is designed and built for smaller groups, the CX35 enables greater fleet flexibility and allows operators to cater to the a more diverse traveling segment, while still providing the high-end amenities and standard features found on-board the full-sized CX45,” according to Roman Cornell, executive vice president of ABC Companies.

Featuring front-to-rear flat passenger floor design, the coach’s 102inch exterior width and full-size coach height offers a spacious cabin interior, with no step-up throughout.

The integrated A/C system allows for more luggage space below, plus a curved passenger entry offers the same uniform step height as the CX45 for passenger boarding. The CX35 also features a mid-ship wheelchair lift for ADA passengers.

For more information about the new Van Hool CX35, contact an ABC account manager or visit www.abc-companies.com.

OEM Partnerships Lead To New FCCC Products Exhibited At BusCon 2015 During BusCon 2015 in Indianapolis, IN, along with CAIO and TurtleTop, Freightliner Custom Chassis showcased a new luxury coach

The G3400

version of the G3400. It is built on an FCCC Power Module, which is based on FCCC’s XBR raised-rail, rear-engine chassis.

“The XBR is powered by a Cummins 8.9L ISL engine offering 330 HP and 1,000 LB-FT

of torque, and also features an Allison B400 automatic transmission and GVWR up to 37,000 lbs. The XBR Power Module offered CAIO flexibility in designing the G3400’s floorplan, features and amenities, utilizing a chassis-on-body, integrated monocoque construction that ensures extreme coach durability and reliability,” according to the company.

With UNVI, FCCC highlighted the Citytour 40, a new double-decker, open-top transit bus. UNVI is building the Citytour 40 on FCCC’s XBR raised-rail chassis. This is the first open-top bus built

by UNVI on a Freightliner chassis.

The Citytour 40 is powered by the XBR’s Cummins ISL diesel engine offering 330 HP and a 1,000 LB-FT of torque, with upper-deck seating for up to 60 passengers. UNVI is a global manufacturer offering double-decker buses and flexible configurations.

Its partnership with FCCC and the Citytour 40 is its first entre into the U.S. market.

FCCC also exhibited its S2C chassis that is the foundation of Glaval’s Legacy bus model.

With available length of up to 40 feet, the Legacy can seat up to 45 passengers and offers up to 330 HP and 660 LB-FT of torque. The

Legacy is configurable to a variety of ADAcompliant para-transit applications.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) is a manufacturer of gas, diesel and alternativefuel chassis for the medium-duty pick-up and delivery markets. FCCC offers services, including 24/7 factory direct support, a nationwide service network with more than 400 dealers in the United States and Canada, and an official

The Citytour 40

customer-support mobile app. FCCC also manufactures chassis for the motor home, school bus and shuttle bus markets. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company.

November/December 2015

Visit www.freightlinerchassis.com or call 1-800-FTL-HELP for more information.

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San Diego MTS Announces Consecutive Years Of Record Ridership With Nearly 97 Million Passengers In FY 2015 The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has set a new ridership record with 96,712,980 trips on MTS buses and trolleys in fiscal year 2015, breaking the previous record of 95,026,413 million set in fiscal year 2014.

“We added a significant amount of service with Rapid and the public responded,” said Paul Jablonski, chief executive officer for MTS. “A second straight year of record ridership and an 18 percent increase since 2010 demonstrates that transit is an affordable and attractive option for San Diego residents and visitors.”

Overall, the MTS bus system logged 56,578,389 trips in FY 2015, a 2 percent increase over FY 2014.

Trolley ridership passed the 40 million mark for the first time in its history, increasing 1 percent over the previous year from 39,694,624 trips in FY 2014 to 40,083,465.

Following are some ridership highlights for MTS trolley and bus services: n The Blue Line, with 16,532,209 riders in FY 2015, was the most-used trolley line.

Ridership increased 9.5 percent over the previous fiscal year. Green Line and Orange Line ridership both decreased slightly. The Silver Line

carried 32,944 passengers around the downtown loop on the San Diego Vintage Trolley; n The expansion of high-frequency, limitedstop Rapid service was a significant factor that led to increases in bus ridership and the overall ridership record. Three new Rapid routes

launched in 2014: Rapid 215 provides all-day, every-day service between downtown and SDSU; Rapid 235 provides all-day, every-day trips between Escondido and downtown, and Rapid 237 travels between Rancho Bernardo and UC San Diego on weekdays. In total, Rapid service accounted for 2,654,308 trips toward the new ridership record; n Some MTS bus routes saw major ridership increases, including most routes connecting to UC San Diego, University City and the

Sorrento Valley area. Bus routes with notable ridership increases over the previous year include Route 950 (Otay Mesa; 42,446 trips), Route 929 (South Bay communities; 65,625 trips), and Route 27 (Pacific Beach-Kearny Mesa; 28,086 trips). The busiest bus route in the system continues to be Route 7 (downtown – La Mesa; 3,473,855 trips); and, n Special events also contributed to the new record, which are economic drivers for the region. This included historic concerts at PETCO Park by Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones. And for Comic-Con, MTS achieved record ridership in FY 2015 with 239,227 extra trips taken during the four-day event, an 11 percent increase over the previous year.

MTS ridership has steadily grown over the past six years and is expected to surpass 100 million passengers in FY 2016.

MTS operates 95 bus routes and three trolley lines on 53 miles of double-tracked railway.

Every weekday more than 300,000 passenger trips are taken on MTS bus and trolley services.

MTS set a new record in FY 2015 with more than 96.7 million passenger trips.

Visit www.sdmts.com for more information.

HART Achieves 2nd Consecutive Award For Excellence In Financial Reporting The agency's CAFR for the fiscal year end- assure it met the program's standards. These For the second consecutive year, Florida’s Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority ing September 30, 2014 was reviewed by include, “going beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting (HART) has been recognized for its principles and preparing comprehensive accomplishments in financial accountfinancial reports that evidence the spirit ing. The Government Finance Officers of transparency and full disclosure to Association (GFOA) recently awarded clearly communicate its financial story.” the transit agency with the Certificate of "We are very proud to be the recipient Achievement for Excellence in of this distinguished award. This honor Financial Reporting, for its 2014 supports our objective of accountability Comprehensive Annual Financial to our customers and the community," Report (CAFR). This award is the highsaid HART Chief Executive Officer est form of recognition for financial Katharine Eagan. "It reflects the accounting, and HART officials said agency's dedication and commitment to they were very pleased to accept it. the highest standards and continued on"We are honored to accept this award going legacy of prudent financial manas it represents some of the agency's agement." core values which include transparency The GFOA is a non-profit professionand good stewardship," said HART Members of the HART finance team, from left, are Joan Brown, al association serving the needs of more Chief Financial Officer Jeff Seward. director of financial operations, Jeff Seward, HART CFO, and than 17,500 government finance profes"Our finance team has worked diligentPatricia Osborn, manager of accounting and financial reporting. sionals, and it has previously awarded ly to develop a financial accounting sysHART the Certificate of Distinguished tem that is top notch and this award confirms that we are being good stewards of the selected members of the GFOA professional Budget Presentation in FY2015, FY2014 and in public funding that we've been entrusted with." staff and the Special Review Committee, to FY2013.

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Bailey Coach Donates Use Of Motorcoach Bailey Coach, of York, PA, donated the services of a motorcoach for one day, Oct. 7, 2015, to transport the champion USA Little League team to Washington, D.C. The team was hosted

by Congressman Scott Perry, R-PA, and the Congress of the United States.

After a visit to Congress, the team toured Washington, D.C. Pictured are members of the Little League championship team, along with Bailey Coach driver Mike Kaltreider.

FMCSA Awards $2.3 Million In Grants to Help Train Veterans In Jobs As Commercial Truck And Bus Drivers The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has about $2.3 million in grants, double the amount provided in 2014, to 13 technical and community colleges across the country to help train veterans and their families for jobs as commercial bus and truck drivers. The funding is provided through FMCSA’s Commercial Motor Vehicle - Operator Safety Training (CMV-OST) grant program.

“We support job opportunities for veterans who have served our country, but not only because it is the right thing to do, it also makes good sense,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “One of the most important, fastest growing employment sectors is for qualified commercial vehicle drivers and veterans bring invaluable experience to the industry and can enter the workforce quickly.”

FMCSA awards CMV-OST grants to a variety of educational institutions that provide truck driving training, including accredited public or private colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, post-secondary educational institutions, truck driver training schools, associations, and state and local governments, including federallyrecognized Native American tribal governments “We doubled the amount we have previously provided through this grant program because of the important role qualified commercial truck and bus drivers hold in moving our economy forward,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling. “The men and women who complete these commercial driver training programs also serve our country in a vital way by making safety their top priority every mile, every day.”

FMCSA awards CMV-OST grants to a variety of educational institutions that provide truck driving training, including accredited public or private colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, post-secondary educational institutions,

truck driver training schools, associations, and state and local governments, including federallyrecognized Native American tribal governments.

The 2015 FMCSA grants will provide training for hundreds of new students. The awards were made to the following organizations: •California – West Hills Community College District, Coalinga, $199,460 •Georgia – Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, $146,771 •Maryland – Cecil College, North East, $101,825 •New York – Erie 2 Chautauqua Cattaraugus BOCES, Angola, $105,201 •North Carolina – North Carolina Department of Transportation, Raleigh, $200,000 •Ohio – Cuyahoga Community College District, Cleveland, $195,040 •Oklahoma – Central Technical Center, Drumright, $200,000 •Pennsylvania – Lancaster County Career & Technology Center, Willow Street, $194,811 •Pennsylvania – Northampton County Area Community College, Bethlehem, $134,400 •Pennsylvania – The Sage Corporation, Camp Hill, $198,504 •South Carolina – Orangeburg-Callhoun Technical College, Orangeburg, $197,399 •Texas – Alamo Colleges/ St. Phillip’s College, San Antonio, $196,680 •Virginia – Tidewater Community College, Norfolk, $199,879 “The Commercial Motor Vehicle - Operator Safety Training Grant Program was established

by Congress in 2005 through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEALU), to expand the number of commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders possessing enhanced operator safety training to help reduce the severity and number of crashes on U.S. roads involv-

ing large trucks and buses,” according to the press release.

In July 2014, FMCSA announced that the Military Skills Test Waiver Program had been expanded to include all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“Under this program, state licensing agencies have authority to waive the skills test portion of the CDL application for active duty or recently separated veterans who possess at least two years of safe driving experience operating a military truck or bus. Waiving the skills test expedites the civilian commercial drivers licensing application process and reduces expenses for qualified individuals and operating costs to state licensing agencies.”

FMCSA last year also announced that, beginning with Virginia residents, returning military service personnel who possess a state-issued Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate due to a limb impairment will automatically be recognized as equivalent to an FMCSA-issued SPE certificate and allowed to obtain an interstate commercial driver’s license (CDL). FMCSA encourages other state licensing agencies to establish comparable equivalency SPE programs.

To learn more about the Commercial Motor Vehicle - Operator Safety Training Grant Program, please visit https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/grants/cmv-operatorsafety-training-grant/commercial-motor-vehiclecmv-operator-safety-training.

To learn more about the Military Skills Test Waiver Program, visit https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/military.

To learn more about the U.S. Department of Transportation's dedication to the nation's veterans, please visit http://www.dot.gov/veteranstransportationcareers.

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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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BEST VIEW FROM EVERY ANGLE. Prevost coaches deliver the luxury experience that todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charter travelers are looking for. With their fuel-efficient powertrain and low-maintenance design, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re as comfortable on your balance sheet as they are for your passengers. www.prevostcar.com