National Bus Trader The Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada Volume XLV, No. 1 by Bus Tours Magazine

National Bus Trader The Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada Volume XLV, No. 10 September, 2022 Serving the bus industry since 1977. Visit us at www.busmag.com. •Is Transit in Trouble? •Are Government Regulations Decreasing Safety? •The Shrine of our Lady of Good Help •Top 10 Uses for Coaches Without Seat Belts

With its redesigned, revamped, and reloaded construction, we geared up the new TS45. Experience the New TS45 with more standard offerings! FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR TEMSA REGIONAL HEAD OF SALES WE GEARED UP THE NEW TS45! TEMSA NORTH AMERICA INC. 404 Zell Dr, Orlando FL 32824 (833)-628-3672 temsa.com Andy Byars Southwest 8andy.byars@temsa.com17-247-1819 Randy Angell W & Head of Sales 61randy.angell@temsa.com2-940-8219 Tony Mongiovi NE 8tony.mongiovi@temsa.com56-325-0094 Tim Guildin SE 4tim.guildin@temsa.com07-625-9207 Ethan Sprengeler Central Plains 5ethan.sprengeler@temsa.com07-491-8164 Ryan Angell MW/NW 61ryan.angell@temsa.com2-965-1245

Top 10 Uses for Coaches Without Seat Belts (by David Millhouser) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Dave suggests that sometimes it might be a good idea to have a lawyer in your corner when faced with excessive regulations or questionable requirements is $30 for first 25 words, 25¢ for each a d d i t i o n a l w o r d R a t e i n c l u d e s Internet access Name, address, and phone number are not included in word count Display advertising rates sent on request Advertising deadline is the fifteenth day of the 2nd preceding month unless other wise indicated Affiliations and Memberships: American Bus Association, The Bus History Association, Family Motor Coach Association, International B u s C o l l e c t o r s , N o r t h A m e r i c a n Tr a c k l e s s Tr o l l e y A s s o c i a t i o n , Motor Bus Society, Omnibus Soci e t y o f A m e r i c a , To u r i s t R a i l w a y A s s o c i a t i o n , U n i t e d M o t o rc o a c h AssociationNATIONAL B U S T R A D E R i s T H E M a g a z i n e o f B u s E q u i p m e n t f o r t h e United States and Canada The contents of this publication m a y n o t b e re p ro d u c e d e i t h e r i n whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher The name National Bus Trader, the logo incor porating the outline of the United S t a t e s , a n d t h e p r i c i n g g u i d e t o u s e d b u s

N AT I O N A L B U S T R A D E R ( I S S N 0194 939X) is published monthly by National Bus Trader, Inc , 9698 W J u d s o n R o a d , P o l o , I l l i n o i s 61064 9015 Subscriptions, $30 (in U S f u n d s ) a n n u a l l y, C a n a d a & I n t e r n a t i o n a l $ 3 5 ( i n U S f u n d s ) P r i n t e d i n U S A P e r i o d i c a l s postage paid in Polo, Illinois 61064 and at additional mailing ofﬁces P O S T M A S T E R : S e n d a d d r e s s c h a n g e s t o N a t i o n a l B u s Tr a d e r, 9698 W Judson Road, Polo, Illinois 61064 9015 Change of Address: Please send old mailing label (or old address and computer number) as well as new address Advertising: Classiﬁed ad rate

The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help (by Larry Plachno) . . . . . . .28

Is Transit in Trouble? (by Larry Plachno) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

e s a r e t r a d e m a r k s o f National Bus Trader, Inc STAFF Equipment News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Bus Equipment People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Survival and Prosperity 32 Photographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Curious Coachowner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Back Issues 40 Classiﬁeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Safety and Liability Ned Einstein Dave Millhouser CONTRIBUTORS Depar tments Features National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 3 Editor & Publisher Larry Plachno Business Manager Nancy Ann Plachno Typesetting/PageLayout Sherry Mekeel Production/Design/Web Jake Ron Plaras National Bus Trader 9698 W. Judson Road Polo, Illinois 61064-9015 Phone: (815) 946-2341 Web site: www.busmag.com Volume XLV Number 10 September, 2022 Advertiser ’s Index appears on page 42 Since we are looking back at transit history in this issue, we felt that a nice historical transit bus should grace our cover. This classic White was saved by Mike Glikin and today can be seen at the bus museum in Hershey We think t h a t i s N e w Yo r k C i t y i n t h e b a c k g ro u n d R O B E RT R E D D E N / R E D D E N ARCHIVES Cover Photo

N a t i o n a l B u s T r a d e r The Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada

An attempt to help ﬁnd solutions for our friends in the transit end of the business by looking back at the history of public transit and what seems to work today. Are Government Regulations Decreasing Safety? (by Larry Plachno) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Mandating ELDs was intended to increase safety but may have done just the opposite because truckers are driving faster to make up for the time they could steal with paper logs.

The only approved Marian apparition site in the United States, located in Champion, Wisconsin, is becoming popular with faith based bus tours.

G e o r g i a C o a c h L i n e s , a f a m i l y o w n e d and operated business and one of the pre m i e r t o u r a n d m o t o r c o a c h o p e r a t o r i n A t l a n t a , re c e n t l y t o o k d e l i v e r y o f a 2 0 2 3 H 3 4 5 m o t o rc o a c h , t h e f i r s t n e w P re v o s t i n t h e c o m p a n y ’s h i s t o r y T h e e x c h a n g e t o o k p l a c e a t t h e a n n u a l c o n v e n t i o n f o r t h e G e o r g i a , A l a b a m a a n d S o u t h C e n t r a l M o t o r c o a c h A s s o c i a t i o n s i n P e a c h t r e e C i t y, G e o r g i a “We have admired Prevost coaches for years but had never considered purchas i n g o n e b e c a u s e w e h a d a g re a t re l a t i o n s h i p w i t h a n o t h e r c o a c h p r o v i d e r, ” s a i d G e o r g i a C o a c h L i n e s P re s i d e n t a n d C E O C l a re n c e E C o x I I I “ We a re e x c i t e d a n d so far, we have received excellent service a n d c o m m u n i c a t i o n d u r i n g t h e d e l i v e r y p e r i o d ” The coach, dubbed #134, is equipped with Prevost’s exclusive Cloud One seating, 360 degree cameras, eMirror technology and a premium, onboard entertainment sys t e m o ff e r i n g p a s s e n g e r s a c c e s s t o W i F i , the latest movies, TV shows and more “This coach has so many amenities on it, and we look forward to introducing it to our clients real soon,” said Cox Decked out in Georgia Coach Lines’ sig nature grey and green, the new unit was on display for the outdoor coach presentations at the GMOA AMA SCMA Regional Meeting where operators and motorcoach industr y par tners in attendance had the privilege of being the first group to take a ride Cox has #134 scheduled for a special trip before it b e g i n s r e g u l a r s e r v i c e p r o v i d i n g g r o u p transportation in the Atlanta area “Our first over the road experience will be filled with friends and family as we visit our neighbor ing state of Tennessee,” he said “We are so honored to welcome the entire Georgia Coach Lines team to the Prevost family,” said Prevost VP of new coach sales and funding, Brad Wiese “The strength of the Prevost after market network was a key factor in their purchase, and we are proud to be their partner ” The Prevost service net work is the largest in the motorcoach indus try with coverage from coast to coast in both the U S and Canada Prevost provides end to end support through its team of customer s u p p o r t m a n a g e r s , O E M o w n e d s e r v i c e center locations and mobile service vehicles strategically placed throughout North Amer ica Georgia Coach Lines has always had a f a m i l y f o c u s a n d b e g a n o p e r a t i o n s w i t h u s e d m o t o rc o a c h e s i n F e b r u a r y 1 9 8 5 i n Atlanta under the leadership of Cox’s father and uncle Upon his uncle’s death in 2017, F o x a n d h i s w i f e , W e n d y H o l l i n g s w o r t h Cox, took over the business and have since expanded the fleet to nine coaches They also opened a new facility in Fayetteville, G e o r g i a i n A p r i l 2 0 2 0 w h e re t h e i r o p e r a tions are headquar tered Cox plays a very active role in the motor c o a c h i n d u s t r y a s G e o r g i a M o t o r c o a c h O p e r a t o r s A s s o c i a t i o n p re s i d e n t , U n i t e d Motorcoach Association sitting board mem b e r a n d A f r i c a n A m e r i c a n M o t o r c o a c h C o u n c i l c h a i r m a n f o r t h e A m e r i c a n B u s Association Both Cox and Hollingswor th C o x b e l i e v e i n g i v i n g b a c k t o t h e i r l o c a l c o m m u n i t y a n d re g u l a r l y d i s t r i b u t e f o o d a n d c l o t h i n g t o t h o s e i n n e e d t h r o u g h a par tnership with a local non profit, Caring for Others Georgia Coach Lines was also instrumental during the celebration of life for friend and civil rights leader Rep John L e w i s a s t h e y t r a n s p o r t e d f r i e n d s , f a m i l y and staff across the Southeast civil rights trail in July 2020 P re v o s t h a s p ro v i d e d c o a c h s o l u t i o n s for nearly a centur y with an uncompromis ing commitment to quality, a drive for con stant innovation and improvement and ded ication to safety and sustainability in ever y business aspect Today, Prevost is one of Nor th America’s largest producers of pre mium intercity touring coaches and is the world leader in the production of high end m o t o r h o m e a n d s p e c i a l t y c o n v e r s i o n coaches Customer suppor t is secured via t h e l a r g e s t s e r v i c e n e t w o r k i n t h e m o t o r coach industry with OEM owned and oper ated service centers across North America, a specialized customer suppor t team with more than 260 years of industry experience and 60+ mobile service vans Prevost man u f a c t u r i n g f a c i l i t i e s a re l o c a t e d i n S a i n t e Claire, Quebec, Canada Prevost is par t of the Volvo Group, one o f t h e w o r l d ’s l e a d i n g m a n u f a c t u r e r s o f b u s e s , t r u c k s , c o n s t r u c t i o n e q u i p m e n t , p o w e r s o l u t i o n s f o r m a r i n e a n d i n d u s t r i a l a p p l i c a t i o n s , fi n a n c i n g a n d s e r v i c e s t h a t increase customer uptime and productivity F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n v i s i t www volvogroup com MCI Ghost Bus Hawaii A n M C I J 4 5 0 0 m o t o r c o a c h h a s b e e n conver ted into a “Ghost Bus,” the first and only haunted house on wheels in the United States In 2021, JTB Hawaii, a destination 4 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022

Georgia Coach Lines Takes Delivery of Its First Prevost H3-45

Equipment News

Georgia Coach Lines recently took delivery of its first Prevost H3 45 Given number 134 in the fleet, the coach is equipped with Cloud One Seating, 360 degree cameras, eMirror technology and a per manent onboard entertainment system Based in Atlanta, the family owned company was founded in 1985, operates nine coaches and recently opened a new facility in Fayetteville

National Bus Trader / September, 2022

“And for over 30 years I have been proud to be a par t of such an incredible team and legendar y brand I have ever y conﬁdence that Kai and Flix Nor th America will not only protect that legacy but improve upon it with its global approach, smar t technology and an environmental friendly focus I look for w a rd t o s e e i n g t h e f u t u re i n n o v a t i o n s t h i s new entity will bring both to the intercity bus sector and its ability to better serve commu nities across the U S ” Flix acquired Grey hound in the U S last year Both Kâmil Koç and greyhound are well established com panies and brand which can look back on a centur y in the travel business

T h e n e w s t r u c t u r e i n t h e U S a l s o involves a change in the Kâmil Koç business i n Tu r k e y C a g a t a y K e p e k , c u r re n t l y c h i e f commercial and operations ofﬁcer, becomes the new CEO of Kâmil Koç Expanding Buses on Airline Routes

The latest sensation in Hawaii is the Ghost Bus Built into an MCI J4500 is a Japanese style haunted house on wheels with ghost actors for domestic and international visitors. It was created with the assis tance of Japanese horror master Michaelty Yamaguchi FlixBus and Greyhound Lines recently announced the introduction of Flix North America Inc Based in Dallas, this new entity will oversee operations for both Greyhound and FlixBus across North America Leading the new group is Kadir “Kai” Boysan, former CEO of Kâmil Koç Buses Inc while Greyhound CEO Dave Leach will retire after 30 years with the company

• 5 Equipment News

m a n a g e m e n t c o m p a n y p r o v i d i n g t r a v e l services, event planning and transportation, created a mobile Japanese style haunted house on wheels, a unique attraction with ghost actors for domestic and inter national Hawaii visitors Created with the assistance of legendary J a p a n e s e h o r r o r m a s t e r M i c h a e l t y Ya m a g u c h i , G h o s t B u s H a w a i i i s a u n i q u e “haunted house” on wheels, built inside a stationar y, dark coach that utilizes audio visual sensory effects and incorporates live a c t o r s t o p ro v i d e t h e a u t h e n t i c J a p a n e s e horror experience The one of a kind Ghost Bus Hawaii was re c e n t l y f e a t u re d o n l o c a l m e d i a a n d h a s become a sensation in Honolulu, creating a big buzz among social media influencers Flix SE Launches Flix Nor th America Inc. Flix SE, the global mobility provider that operates FlixBus, FlixTrain, Kâmil Koç and G re y h o u n d L i n e s , I n c ( G re y h o u n d ) , h a s a n n o u n c e d t h e i n t ro d u c t i o n o f F l i x N o r t h America Inc (Flix North America) This entity, based in Dallas, will oversee operations for both Greyhound and FlixBus across Nor th America “The acquisition of Greyhound last year was a major step forward for Flix; the expan sion into two brands helped achieve an inte gral par t of our growth strategy to build our global presence,” said André Schwämmlein, founder and chief executive officer of Flix SE “By increasing synergies of both brands under Flix Nor th America Inc , we can con tinue to provide consumers an affordable, comfortable, smart and sustainable mobility solution much more efficiently ” Key to the Dallas based entity, is a new l e a d e r s h i p t e a m , l e d b y n e w l y a p p o i n t e d C E O K a d i r “ K a i ” B o y s a n , f o r m e r C E O o f Kâmil Koç Buses Inc Boysan has worked w i t h F l i x s i n c e t h e c o m p a n y a c q u i r e d K â m i l K o ç i n 2 0 1 9 , b r i n g i n g v a l u a b l e experience from leading the brand’s oper a t i o n s i n Tu r k e y G r e y h o u n d L i n e s I n c C E O D a v e L e a c h , w h o h a s b e e n w i t h t h e c o m p a n y for more than 30 years, will retire at the end o f 2 0 2 2 L e a c h w i l l re m a i n w i t h t h e c o m pany as a strategic advisor until his retire ment He will hand over to COO and Pres i d e n t B i l l B l a n k e n s h i p w h o i s w i t h G re y h o u n d f o r 2 5 y e a r s “ D a v e ’s l e a d e r ship and exper tise has been an impor tant i n fl u e n c e o n h o w w e h a v e b e e n a b l e t o c re a t e a s t ro n g f o u n d a t i o n f o r a p a t h f o r w a r d , ” s a i d S c h w ä m m l e i n L e a c h fi r s t j o i n e d G re y h o u n d i n 1 9 8 6 a s a b a g g a g e handler and worked his way up to leading t h e i c o n i c b r a n d a s C E O i n 2 0 0 7

NATIONAL BUS TRADER columnist Ned Ein stein has been writing about the advantages of using buses on short airline routes While there are already several bus lines operating routes like this, some new activity is being seen that is supported by the airlines them selves In early June, Landline began oper a t i n g c o n n e c t i n g b u s s e r v i c e f o r A m e r i

6 • National Bus Trader / September,

Airlines from Philadelphia to both Atlantic City and Allentown/Bethlehem What makes the new service innovative is that in addition t o b e i n g a b l e t o p u r c h a s e a c o n n e c t i n g ticket through the airlines, it offers coaches painted in American Airlines colors and pre boarding security Previous routes with the airlines included L a n d l i n e ’s c o n n e c t i o n s w i t h S u n C o u n t r y a t M i n n e a p o l i s S t P a u l t o D u l u t h a n d Mankato that star ted in 2019 and connec t i o n s b e t w e e n U n i t e d A i r l i n e s a t D e n v e r with For t Collins and Breckenridge In both situations, the bus trips carried airline flight numbers and could be purchased with your airline ticket In addition, your luggage was c h e c k e d a n d m o v e d b e t w e e n t h e p l a n e a n d b u s Tr a n s f e r r i n g f ro m a i r l i n e t o b u s worked well, you simply got off the plane, walked to another gate and then boarded the bus H o w e v e r, t h e re t u r n “ fl i g h t ” w a s n o t a s convenient You boarded the bus and rode to the airpor t When you arrived at the air port, you still had to go through security This n e w c o n n e c t i n g s e r v i c e a t P h i l a d e l p h i a changes that because you go through secu r i t y b e f o r e b o a r d i n g t h e b u s W h e n y o u arrive at the airpor t, you go directly to the gates, bypassing security This is possible because the two destination airports already had TSA security services A m e r i c a n A i r l i n e s d i d n o t fl y f r o m Philadelphia to Atlantic City Creating this bus extension to Atlantic City opens a new market for the airline and presumably pro v i d e s n e w o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o re a c h A t l a n t i c City on America Airlines from distant loca tions American does fly to Allentown from C h a r l o t t e a n d C h i c a g o , b u t t h e l a s t fl i g h t from Allentown to Philadelphia ended in May of 2020 There were no plans to put planes back on this route, par ticularly considering the current pilot shor tage Detractors to this service point out that i t s c o n v e n i e n c e i s e s s e n t i a l l y l i m i t e d t o p a s s e n g e r s m a k i n g o n g o i n g p l a n e c o n n e c t i o n s T h e re w o u l d b e l i t t l e a d v a n t a g e f o r p a s s e n g e r s m e re l y r i d i n g t h e b u s a n d not continuing on a plane It was also men t i o n e d t h a t t h e p a s s e n g e r w o u l d e n d u p a t t h e a i r p o r t a n d w o u l d s t i l l h a v e t o m a k e a r r a n g e m e n t s t o g e t t o t h e i r fi n a l d e s t i n a t i o n P a s s e n g e r s s i m p l y g o i n g b e t w e e n the two cities, and not connecting onward, m i g h t p re f e r s e r v i c e i n t o t o w n r a t h e r t h a n t h e a i r p o r t MCI: Ser vice You Can Rely On M o r e t h a n j u s t a s e r v i c e c e n t e r, M C I delivers a relationship driven and responsive a p p ro a c h t o c u s t o m e r c a re W h e n M C I ’s l o n g t i m e c u s t o m e r, C h a m p i o n C o a c h , needed help training a new employee, they came to MCI for on the job training “MCI is always willing to do whatever it t a k e s t o s t r e n g t h e n o u r p a r t n e r s h i p , ” explained Craig Dance, chief executive offi cer, Champion Coach Dedicated to providing reliable service t o k e e p t r a n s i t o p e r a t o r ’s fl e e t s r u n n i n g smoothly, New Flyer and MCI’s service net w o r k i s h e r e f o r y o u r e q u i p m e n t m a i n t e nance, repair and service needs Spring Fling 2023 Save the date The Museum of Bus Trans portation/AACA Museum Spring Fling 2023 will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10, 2023 The Pennsylvania Bus Asso ciation’s 100th year will be celebrated and t h e h u g e c o n t r i b u t i o n s t h a t P e n n s y l v a n i a o p e r a t o r s h a v e m a d e t o t h e b u s i n d u s t r y and histor y Historically, the Fling is the first weekend in June, but this year for several reasons the museum decided to push it back a week A 2022

Equipment News

American Airlines has moved ahead with using buses on short routes to connect with their planes Starting in June, Landline began connecting the Philadelphia airport with Atlantic City and Allentown/Beth lehem Passengers boarding buses going to Philadelphia will go through security before boarding and will not have to again go through security in Philadelphia.

MCI Service Centers offer more than just work on customers’ coaches When long time MCI customer Champion Coach needed help with training a new employee, they were able to come to MCI for on the job training The New Flyer and MCI Service Network has facilities at many different locations

National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 7 number of bus operators had suggested a later date, so they can par ticipate (the first week in June is traditionally very busy for them) S e v e r a l o t h e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n r e l a t e d shows are held on the first weekend in June, so scheduling Fling a week later offers the oppor tunity for enthusiasts to attend more than one event In addition the museum was offered the opportunity to host a major event on the first J u n e w e e k e n d , s o 2 0 2 3 s e e m e d a n i d e a l oppor tunity to push back a week As planning proceeds you can keep up t o d a t e a t w w w / a a c a m u s e u m o r g / e v e n t / museum of bus transportation spring fling/ ABC Companies “Zero Emissions Tours” in Seattle ABC Companies, a leading provider of motorcoach, transit and specialty passenger transport equipment in the U S and Canada, together with partners MTRWestern and Pro terra are recognizing another significant step towards zero emissions travel As part of the A B C C o m p a n i e s “ Z e r o E m i s s i o n s To u r, ” MTRWester n put into operation an industr y leading, 75 passenger, Proterra powered, batter y electric Van Hool TDX25E double d e c k m o t o rc o a c h P i l o t i n g t h e u s e o f t h i s i n d u s t r y l e a d i n g m o t o rc o a c h , w h i c h c a n t r a v e l i n e x c e s s o f 2 6 0 m i l e s b e t w e e n charges, MTRWestern is bringing zero emis sions travel to many of its clients in the U S Equipment News The 2023 Spring Fling at the bus museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania is set for the weekend of June 9 and 10, 2023 In 2023, the event will be pushed back to the second weekend of June to avoid a conflict with other activities As always, all are invited and participants can drive in with their own bus if desired

and Canada The program culminated with a c e l e b r a t i o n o f s e l e c t s t a k e h o l d e r s , environmentally focused businesses and government officials, highlighting “firsts” for MTRWestern and the ABC Companies Zero Emissions Tour including: • The first ever, zero emissions interna t i o n a l r e v e n u e s e r v i c e r o u t e w i t h c r o s s border service between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia • Zero emissions travel options for sev eral char ter and scheduled service routes carr ying up to 75 passengers The par tners co sponsored a reception e v e n t o n J u l y 2 7 a t t h e V i c t o r Ta v e r n a t D e n n y Tr i a n g l e , i n S e a t t l e w h e r e g u e s t s h a d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o n e t w o r k a n d l e a r n m o re a b o u t t h e “ t o u r ” a n d h o w M T RWe s t er n is utilizing the zero emissions Van Hool T D X 2 5 E i n s c h e d u l e d fl e e t o p e r a t i o n s o n b o t h s i d e s o f t h e U S / C a n a d i a n b o rd e r Special guests included Washington State Senator Christine Rolfes, Washington State R e p r e s e n t a t i v e N i c o l e M a c r i , H o w a r d W r i g h t , c h a i r m a n o f S e a t t l e H o s p i t a l i t y G r o u p ( S H G ) , a s w e l l a s l e a d e r s f r o m r e g i o n a l b i g t e c h a n d e n e r g y p r o v i d e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s A l s o i n a t t e n d a n c e , M i c h a e l M a n n , executive director for Clean & Prosperous Washington, addressed the impor tance of r e d u c i n g c a r b o n e m i s s i o n s t o i m p r o v e h e a l t h a n d j o b o u t c o m e s a n d p r o p e l a s t r o n g e r, m o r e c o m p e t i t i v e e c o n o m y i n Washington State During the event, guests w e re i n v i t e d t o e n j o y a fi r s t h a n d e x p e r i ence aboard the TDX25E as par t of a vehi c l e d e m o n s t r a t i o n i n c l u d i n g a t e s t d r i v e E a r l i e r i n t h e d a y, t h e b u s t r a v e l e d t o t h e S e a t t l e C e n t e r f o r p h o t o o p s s h o w c a s i n g i c o n i c S e a t t l e l a n d m a r k s i n c l u d i n g t h e S p a c e N e e d l e , t h e A m a z o n S p h e re s a n d t h e S e a t t l e M u s e u m o f P o p C u l t u re “The gathering allowed key zero emis sions advocates to discuss the significant progress and readiness of the unique elec tric vehicles available today featured in the ABC Zero Emissions Tour, while also bring ing attention to the growing challenges pre sented by limited publicly available charters for commercial passenger vehicles,” said Thom Peebles, VP of marketing, ABC Com panies “These vehicles are available and in market now and not only operate with zero emissions but also remove up to 75 vehicles from the roadways per trip while in operation The significant impact they can make is what we are tr ying to raise awareness of within the ABC Zero Emissions Tour They should be a priority in infrastructure planning ” “ T h e Z e ro E m i s s i o n s To u r p ro v i d e s a n u n p re c e d e n t e d o p p o r t u n i t y t o s h o w c u s tomers, along with industry and government leaders on both sides of the U S /Canada border, our commitment to literally building a bridge to sustainability,” said Jeremy But zlaff, president MTRWestern “We are proud and pleased to be the first U S operator to connect riders to two of the most beautiful cities in Nor th America in a zero emissions transpor t experience ” The integration of all electric options into MTRWester n services signals the progress a n d m u l t i t u d e o f b e n e fi t s z e ro e m i s s i o n s ground transpor tation brings to fleets and the communities they serve MTRWester n a n d P r o t e r r a ’s i n v o l v e m e n t i n t h e A B C Companies Zero Emissions Tour, is key to e d u c a t i n g s t a k e h o l d e r s a n d l a w m a k e r s a b o u t t h e c r i t i c a l ro l e h i g h c a p a c i t y p a s senger vehicles like the Van Hool TDX25E motorcoach play in reducing greenhouse e m i s s i o n s i n t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n s e c t o r R e c e n t t o u r s t o p s i n t h e N o r t h e a s t h a v e already attracted the attention of the media and elected officials who see this as a tan g i b l e e x a m p l e o f g r o w i n g i n f r a s t r u c t u r e needs to address vehicles that are in ser vice today

“We’re excited about the continued tour rollout, and the oppor tunities it offers oper ators like MTRWester n to raise awareness about our industry’s significant contribution t o e n v i r o n m e n t a l s u s t a i n a b i l i t y i n t r a n s f o r m i n g o u r l o c a l a n d re g i o n a l c o m m u n i ties, while also having an impact on global c a r b o n re d u c t i o n , ” s a i d R o m a n C o r n e l l , p r e s i d e n t a n d c h i e f c o m m e r c i a l o f fi c e r A B C C o m p a n i e s “ T h ro u g h t h e t o u r a n d w i t h t h e g ro w i n g n u m b e r o f e l e c t r i c v e h i c l e s A B C C o m p a n i e s h a s s o l d a n d c u r rently suppor ts, companies like MTRWest e r n a r e p i o n e e r i n g t h e m a n y b e n e fi t s o f zero emissions transpor tation in their com m u n i t i e s w i t h t h e i r c u s t o m e r s ”

“MTRWester n is aligned with the goals f o r t h e A B C C o m p a n i e s ‘ Z e ro E m i s s i o n s Tour’ We want our customers and commu n i t i e s t o u n d e r s t a n d t h a t z e ro e m i s s i o n s travel is a reality now, even as technology a n d i n f r a s t r u c t u re a re s t i l l g ro w i n g , ” s a i d Butzlaff “As par t of our par ticipation in the tour, we are excited to give our passengers a r a r e o p p o r t u n i t y t o e x p e r i e n c e z e r o e m i s s i o n s t r a v e l ﬁ r s t h a n d t h a t w i l l l e a d a transfor mation that is top of mind with the public and our gover nment ”

“This tour gave stakeholders an oppor tunity to literally kick the tires of innovation,” explained Mann “We saw that the technol o g y e x i s t s t o s q u e e z e t h e p o l l u t i o n o u t o f our transpor tation system Now, we simply n e e d p o l i c y m a k e r s t o g e t t h e i n c e n t i v e s right to make it happen ” Through the Zero Emissions Tour initia tive, ABC Companies is committed to sup por ting the net zero sustainability goals of c o m m u n i t i e s , m u n i c i p a l i t i e s a n d re g i o n a l operations throughout Nor th America The company’s diverse portfolio of EV commer cial ground transportation vehicles integrate world class technology, technical expertise and aftermarket support that focus on bring ing zero emissions solutions to passenger t r a n s p o r t a t i o n p r o v i d e r s To l e a r n m o r e a b o u t A B C ’s Z e r o E m i s s i o n To u r v i s i t

8 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022 Equipment News

ABC Companies “Zero Emissions Tour” included a special demonstration of a battery electric Van Hool TDX25E double deck coach MTRWestern put the coach on a route between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia This represented the first ever zero emissions international revenue service route with cross border service between Seattle and Vancouver

National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 9 EXPERIENCE GUIDED BUS TOUR! Sit back, relax, and allow our costumed step-on guides to transport your guests back in time to April 19, 1775. You’ll explore the notable sites and historic houses around Lexington Battle Green, Minuteman National Park and the Old North Bridge in Concord. Or, create your own custom itinerary! Tours available seven days per week! MASSACHUSETTS To book a step-on guide and custom tour scan here: All tours depart from the Lexington Visitors Center: 1875 Avenue,MassachusettsLexingtonMAHistory

The list is still getting longer every day of a diverse range of component and acces sor y suppliers From solar ﬁlm to power the b a t t e r y o f d i e s e l v e h i c l e s , o v e r A D A s y s tems, safety cameras, fabrics, doors, to light ing and much more, it will all be available at Busworld Southeast Asia

Equipment News

The second Busworld Southeast Asia is scheduled for October 5 7, 2022 at the Jakarta International Expo in Indonesia Several new models are expected to be launched at this event Shown is a Volvo double deck coach that was displayed at the previous Busworld Southeast Asia

Alexander Dennis, an NFI subsidiary, recently hosted the launch of Scotland’s Pathway to Zero Emission buses in Larbert for the Scottish government Alexander Dennis is providing zero emission bus models including battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell ADL is a member of the Bus Decarbonization Taskforce, a joint initiative between the industry and the Scottish government

During two days, October 5 and 6, Bus world visitors can attend six different sem inars Each seminar is being hosted by an i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r l o c a l p a r t n e r, t o u c h i n g a different subject relevant to the Southeast A s i a n m a r k e t A l l s e s s i o n s h a v e s i m u l t a n e o u s t r a n s l a t i o n E n g l i s h B a h a s a 10 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022

www abc companies com/abc companies zero emissions tour/ NFI’s ADL Hosts Launch of Scotland’s Pathway to Zero Emission Buses N F I s u b s i d i a r y A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s L i m i t e d ( A D L ) re c e n t l y h o s t e d t h e l a u n c h o f S c o t l a n d ’s P a t h w a y t o Z e r o E m i s s i o n B u s e s i n L a r b e r t o n b e h a l f o f t h e S c o t t i s h g o v e r n m e n t As a member of the Bus Decarbonization Taskforce, a joint initiative between the indus try and the Scottish government, ADL is pur s u i n g a n a g g re s s i v e n e w p ro d u c t d e v e l o p e n t a g e n d a f o r z e r o e m i s s i o n b u s e s , including new battery electric and hydrogen f u e l c e l l e l e c t r i c m o d e l s T h e a g e n d a includes an exciting new product aligning with the pathway’s plans to increase the sup p l y o f s m a l l e r z e r o e m i s s i o n b u s e s T h e investment in engineering further underpins t h e c o m p a n y ’s c o m m i t m e n t t o d o m e s t i c manufacturing Busworld Southeast Asia is Getting Ready For Its Second Edition The second edition of Busworld South e a s t A s i a , o r g a n i z e d b y B u s w o r l d a n d i t s I n d o n e s i a n p a r t n e r, G E M I n d o n e s i a , w i l l b e h e l d f o r t h re e d a y s f ro m O c t o b e r 5 7 , 2 0 2 2 i n t h e J a k a r t a I n t e r n a t i o n a l E x p o i n I n d o n e s i a After a first and successful show in 2019, the bus and coach industry is ready to meet i n p e r s o n a g a i n L i k e o t h e r re g i o n s i n t h e world, Southeast Asia’s bus and coach busi n e s s w a s l a r g e l y i m p a c t e d b y t h e p a n demic Now that the market is recovering, the time is per fect to relaunch the business at Busworld’s event Not only the coach business is picking up again, but also the bus industr y is at a tur ning point with bus electrification plans being high on the agenda of the Indonesian gover nment A c c o rd i n g t o A s k a r i n d o , t h e a s s o c i a tion of bodybuilders in Indonesia, the four b i g g e s t c o m p a n i e s L a k s a n a , N e w Ar mada, Adi Putro and Tentrem represent between 85 and 90 percent of the market They are all more than eager to showcase t h e i r l a t e s t b u s e s a n d c o a c h e s a t t h e s h o w Laksana will launch its brand new coach, which according to them will be an absolute eyecatcher New Ar mada will also launch a new coach, the rest remains a secret and will be unveiled on the show floor Adi Putro w i l l b r i n g t h e o n l y m o n o c o q u e b u s o f Indonesia, and Tentrem invites ever yone to come and discover what they will be bring ing in their booth G o l d e n D r a g o n , w h o h a s a n o n g o i n g electric bus test project with TransJakar ta, is presenting two electric buses in the booth: a six meter and a 12 meter version

Equipment News

National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 11 V D L e l e c t r i c C i t e a b u s e s r e c e n t l y c e l e b r a t e d t r a v e l i n g 2 0 0 m i l l i o n k i l o m e t e r s S i n c e t h e f i r s t C i t e a S L F 1 2 0 e l e c t r i c b u s w a s i n t r o d u c e d i n 2013, they have been setting records in zero e m i s s i o n o p e r a t i o n s C u r r e n t l y, t h e r e a r e 1,300 electric Citeas on t h e r o a d t h a t c o v e r m o r e t h a n 2 4 0 , 0 0 0 kilometers daily in 11 E u r o p e a n c o u n t r i e s and 77 cities

In June, VDL Bus & Coach won the EBUS Aw a rd f o r t h e n e w g e n e r a t i o n C i t e a T h i s impor tant Ger man environmental prize for t h e p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t i n d u s t r y i s a w a rd e d ever y two years to companies that make a substantial contribution to the development of electric public transport in Germany VDL was victorious for the second time in a row, having previously won the prize in 2019 In 2021, the ceremony was cancelled due to coronavirus

Topics are: an indepth market analysis, post covid health protocols and ever ything you have to know regarding zero emission buses and their operation The seminars are f r e e o f c h a r g e a n d t a k e p l a c e i n a r o o m inside the exhibition hall It is a perfect oppor tunity to combine a visit of the show with all its novelties and attend a seminar to update your market and technological knowledge

The Web site is updated on a daily basis with exhibitor and general bus news Ticket re g i s t r a t i o n h a s b e e n o p e n e d , s o v i s i t o r s can save time at the entrance and register their badge beforehand Electric VDL Citeas Travel 200 Million Kilometers In just one and a half years, the number of kilometers driven by electric VDL Citeas in Europe has doubled Whereas in February last year the counter stood at 100 million, in August of this year the 200 million electric kilometer mark was passed “A milestone of which we are ver y proud,” says Paul van Vuuren, CEO and VDL Bus & Coach “ O v e r a p e r i o d o f 1 0 y e a r s , i n t h e f u r t h e r d e v e l o p m e n t o f o u r V D L C i t e a s , w e h a v e a l w a y s s u c c e e d e d i n f i n d i n g s o l u t i o n s f o r t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s , n e e d s a n d w i s h e s o f t h e E u ro p e a n m a r k e t , ” e x p l a i n s v a n V u u r e n V D L i s d e m o n s t r a t i n g t h i s again with the introduction of the new gen e r a t i o n C i t e a “We have developed a versatile mobility platfor m that meets the sustainability ambi tions of our customers In this way, we remain at the forefront of the public transport market, where our experience makes us a leader in E u ro p e T h e t re n d i n t h e m a r k e t f o r f a s t growing electric public transpor t has con tinued even during the coronavirus crisis w h i c h i s v i s i b l e t h r o u g h a d e c r e a s e i n demand for diesel vehicles We have proven t o b e a s t ro n g , re l i a b l e a n d e x p e r i e n c e d par tner over the past decade, which is why contracting authorities and public transport companies continue to invest in our electric b u s e s We a re v e r y p ro u d o f t h a t We w i l l c o n t i n u e t o w o r k o n c o n t i n u o u s i m p ro v e ments in order to build on this status in the future,” he added T h e N e t h e r l a n d s h a s t h e m o s t e l e c t r i c V D L v e h i c l e s a n d t h e r e f o r e a l s o c o v e r s t h e m o s t e l e c t r i c k i l o m e t e r s a l m o s t 1 6 5 m i l l i o n A p p ro x i m a t e l y 6 5 0 e l e c t r i c b u s e s are operational in 35 cities As a result, the e l e c t r i c C i t e a s h a v e b e c o m e a n e s s e n t i a l par t of the current street scene throughout t h e N e t h e r l a n d s T h e y o p e r a t e i n , a m o n g o t h e r s , A m s t e r d a m , R o t t e r d a m , T h e H a g u e , M a a s t r i c h t a n d E i n d h o v e n V D L a l s o p l a y s a n i m p o r t a n t ro l e i n t h e e l e c t r i ﬁ c a t i o n o f a n i n c re a s i n g n u m b e r o f c o n cession areas, with deployment in smaller c i t i e s a n d re g i o n a l t r a n s p o r t

The Busworld organization is very grate ful to its par tners ITDP (Institute for Trans p o r t a t i o n a n d D e v e l o p m e n t P o l i c y ) , F ro s t and Sullivan, MTI (Indonesia Transportation Society), Instran (Institute of Transport Stud ies), Askarindo (Association of Carrosserie Manufacturers) and Ipomi (Indonesia Young B u s E n t r e p r e n e u r s ) w h o a c t i v e l y h e l p develop and promote the trade show and the seminars The combined knowledge and n e t w o r k w i l l u n d o u b t e d l y re s u l t i n a v e r y interesting exhibition

The Netherlands is a pioneer in the elec triﬁcation of public transpor t This was ini tiated by the Zero Emission Bus Adminis t r a t i v e A g re e m e n t , a s s i g n e d b y t h e j o i n t c o n c e s s i o n a i re s i n M a rc h 2 0 1 6 I n s p i re d by the Paris Climate Accord, this adminis t r a t i v e a g re e m e n t s t i p u l a t e s t h a t a l l n e w buses entering into public transpor t in the Netherlands must be emission free by 2025 at the latest

When it comes to the number of electric kilometers driven, VDL Bus & Coach is mak ing rapid progress in Germany In February 2021, 88 buses in six cities together covered 4 5 million electric kilometers In the summer o f 2 0 2 2 , t h o s e n u m b e r s a r e s e t t o r i s e sharply; more than 12 million kilometers will have been covered by 358 electric Citeas operating in 15 cities Scandinavia also remains one of the most impor tant markets for VDL Bus & Coach In Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, 250 VDL Citeas have covered around 25 million electric kilometers Alex de Jong, business m a n a g e r P u b l i c Tr a n s p o r t V D L B u s & Coach: “For the future, we are also expressly l o o k i n g a t t h e l a r g e g r o w t h m a r k e t s i n Europe For VDL Bus & Coach, this mainly concer ns France and Italy, where we have already booked our ﬁrst successes in the ﬁeld of public transpor t orders Our goal is to build up a stable market position in these countries ” I n 2 0 2 1 , V D L B u s & C o a c h p re s e n t e d t h e n e w g e n e r a t i o n o f e l e c t r i c C i t e a s F ro m t h e V D L v i s i o n a n d b a s e d o n e x p e r i e n c e w i t h t h e c u r re n t V D L C i t e a f l e e t , a b u s c o n c e p t h a s b e e n d e v e l o p e d t h a t i s e n t i re l y b a s e d o n a n e l e c t r i c d r i v e t r a i n , r e a d y f o r t h e f u t u r e a n d i n w h i c h z e r o e m i s s i o n i s a g i v e n B a t t e r i e s i n t h e f l o o r, a o n e p i e c e c o m p o s i t e s i d e w a l l , c l e v e r e n e r g y m a n a g e m e n t , a s o p h i s t i c a t e d c l i m a t e c o n t r o l s y s t e m a n d a n e r g o n o m i c d r i v e r ’s e n v i r o n m e n t W i t h t h e s e f i v e i m p o r t a n t i n n o v a t i o n s , V D L B u s & C o a c h introduces the new generation Citea prod u c t r a n g e , c o n s i s t i n g o f f o u r l e n g t h v a r i a n t s a n d f i v e t y p e s T h e r a n g e o f t h e n e w g e n e r a t i o n o f C i t e a s h a s b e e n c o n s i d e r a b l y i m p ro v e d

The BYD ADL Enviro200EV is equipped with world class BYD iron phosphate battery technology, providing a longer driving range, optimized batter y life and ultra safe per for mance This will enable Cobra to run a full d a y ’s s h u t t l e b u s s e r v i c e o n o n e c h a r g e , help improve the air quality while providing a comfor table and sustainable jour ney for passengers

• Suppor t the SIMOUV’s energy transi tion strategy, with a focus on BioNGV for the buses and electric for downtown shuttles;

Ebusco recently received an order for 21 Ebusco 2 2 buses to operate in Barcelona The 12

Sky Staff Shuttles Go Electric With BYD ADL Par ntership, Dawsongroup and Cobra NFI’s Alexander Dennis (ADL) and BYD UK recently jointly announced that their elec t r i c v e h i c l e p a r t n e r s h i p , t h e U K ’s l e a d i n g electric bus producer, is working with Daw s o n g r o u p b u s a n d c o a c h ( D G B C ) a n d Cobra Corporate Services Limited (Cobra) t o p r o v i d e z e r o e m i s s i o n t r a n s p o r t a t i o n services for broadcasting and telecommu nications group Sky

• Improve the safety of transport modes, employees and passengers

12 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022 Equipment News

foot) buses will be used in metropolitan bus services

first order for the Spanish market

Alexander Dennis and BYD jointly announced that they are providing e l e c t r i c b u s e s t o t h e b r o a d c a s t i n g a n d t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s group Sky These all e l e c t r i c b u s e s w i l l r e p l a c e c o n v e n t i o n a l vehicles currently used for the shuttle bus ser vice The Enviro200EV m o d e l h a s a n i r o n phosphate battery and c a n r u n a f u l l d a y o f shuttle service on one charge meter (39 This Ebusco’s

Ebusco Receives the First Order for the Spanish Market Ebusco (Euronext: EBUS), a pioneer and frontrunner in the development of electric buses and charging systems, has signed a c o n t r a c t w i t h À r e a M e t r o p o l i t a n a d e Barcelona (AMB) in Spain for 21 Ebusco 2 2 12 meter buses and related chargers, to be d e l i v e re d i n t h e s e c o n d q u a r t e r o f 2 0 2 3 With this contract, Ebusco for the ﬁrst time g e t s a f o o t h o l d i n t h e S o u t h e r n E u ro p e a n m a r k e t a n d t h u s t h e n u m b e r o f c o u n t r i e s where Ebusco operates will be increased to nine A M B i s t h e p u b l i c a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e m e t r o p o l i t a n a r e a o f B a r c e l o n a , a l a r g e u r b a n c o n u r b a t i o n m a d e u p o f 3 6 m u n i c ipalities AMB plans and operates bus and s u b w a y n e t w o r k s a n d o t h e r s u s t a i n a b l e transpor t services The 21 new Ebusco 2 2 b u s e s w i l l b e u s e d i n m e t r o p o l i t a n b u s s e r v i c e s P e t e r B i j v e l d s , C E O o f E b u s c o , c o m ments: “We are ver y excited to expand our g e o g r a p h i c a l p re s e n c e w i t h t h i s v e r y ﬁ r s t o rd e r i n S p a i n S p a i n i s o n e o f t h e t a r g e t m a r k e t s i n o u r i n t e r n a t i o n a l e x p a n s i o n strategy as the electric bus market in Spain i s e x p e c t e d t o g r o w c o n s i d e r a b l y i n t h e c o m i n g y e a r s We a re l o o k i n g f o r w a rd t o s u p p o r t A M B i n t h e i r t r a n s i t i o n t o s u s t a i n a b l e t r a n s p o r t ” Keolis to Operate the Multimodal Transpor t Network in and Around Valenciennes O n J u l y 1 1 , 2 0 2 2 , t h e Va l e n c i e n n o i s A s s o c i a t i o n o f C o m m u n e s f o r U r b a n O r g a n i z a t i o n a n d M o b i l i t y ( S I M O U V ) a w a rd e d K e o l i s t h e o p e r a t i o n a n d m a i n t e n a n c e o f i t s e n t i re p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t n e t w o r k , Tr a n s v i l l e , w h i c h i n c l u d e s b u s a n d coach networks, trams, city center shuttle s e r v i c e s a n d a f l e e t o f b i c y c l e s T h e c o n t r a c t i s v a l i d f o r s e v e n y e a r s a n d w i l l s t a r t o n J a n u a r y 1 , 2 0 2 3 I t i s e x p e c t e d t o g e n e r a t e c u m u l a t i v e r e v e n u e s o f m o r e t h a n € 4 0 0 m i l l i o n In compliance with the SIMOUV’s wishes, Keolis’ main tasks will be to:

• Modernize the service offer, by launch i n g a n e w W e b s i t e a n d m o b i l e a p p a n d introducing an “open payment” validation service based on contactless bank cards;

• Strengthen the transpor t offer, in par t i c u l a r b y c r e a t i n g t w o k e y l i n e s a n d r e d e s i g n i n g t h e o n d e m a n d t r a n s p o r t s e r v i c e , w h i c h w i l l s e r v e t w i c e a s m a n y municipalities;

For the design of the new Citea genera tion, VDL Bus & Coach already received two i m p o r t a n t a w a rd s t h i s s p r i n g : a R e d D o t Award and the iF Design Award The attrac tive design should convince even more poe ple to choose public transport The new gen eration of Citeas has already been sold in several countries and will be deployed in a number of cities and areas starting this year: T h e N e t h e r l a n d s ( A m s t e r d a m a n d E i n d hoven), Finland (Kotka and Lahti), Belgium (all of Flanders), Germany (Oberhausen and Braunschweig) and France (Bordeaux)

The all electric, zero emission buses will replace conventional vehicles currently used for the shuttle bus service and will assist Sky in reducing its carbon footprint and achiev ing its goal of becoming net zero by 2030

Sustainable technology at your service Irizar USA 100 Cassia Way Henderson NV, 89014 (702) 431-0707 www.irizarusa.com SALES Jason Rounsaville (916) 802-9802 jrounsaville@irizarusa.com SERVICE Miguel Oliva (702) 756-1995 service@irizarusa.com @IrizarUSA #ByYourSide

From Januar y 1, 2023, Keolis will oper a t e a n d m a i n t a i n t h e t r a n s p o r t n e t w o r k s e r v i n g t h e c o n u r b a t i o n s o f Va l e n c i e n n e s Métropole and Por te du Hainaut in France, meeting the needs of 350,000 people living i n 8 2 m u n i c i p a l i t i e s Currently consisting of 42 lines, includ ing two tram routes, the network has a fleet o f 1 5 2 v e h i c l e s a n d 3 0 t r a m s a n d p ro v i d e services to the Valenciennes hospital, the H a i n a u t s t a d i u m , t h e t h e r m a l b a t h s a n d t h e c a s i n o o f S a i n t A m a n d l e s E a u x I t a l s o c o v e r s t h e m a j o r z o n e s o f e c o n o m i c a c t i v i t y s u c h a s t h e s i t e s o f S t e l l a n t i s i n H o rd a i n , o f To y o t a i n O n n a i n g , o f G S K i n S a i n t A m a n d , l e s E a u x a n d o f B o m b a rd i e r a n d A l s t o m i n C re s p i n a n d P e t i t e F ô re t I n 2 0 2 3 , t h e t r a n s p o r t o f f e r w i l l b e strengthened for suburban municipalities, w i t h t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f a d y n a m i c o n demand transport service almost in real time (reservations up to 30 minutes before depar t u re ) a n d Tr a n s v i l l e s P ro , a n o n d e m a n d transport service dedicated to covering the zones of activity In 2024, the transpor t offer will also sig niﬁcantly be expanded with the launch of a new network, that will in particular represent the addition of two key routes It will ensure buses at 10 minute intervals at peak times all year round and at 15 minute intervals at other times of the day W i t h t h e a i m o f p ro v i d i n g a m o re d i g i talized transpor t service, the SIMOUV and K e o l i s w i l l c a r r y o u t m a j o r d e v e l o p m e n t s o v e r t h e c o u r s e o f t h e c o n t r a c t t o m a k e Tr a n s v i l l e s o n e o f t h e m o s t m o d e r n n e t w o r k s i n F r a n c e To a c h i e v e t h i s a i m , a n o p e n p a y m e n t s y s t e m w i l l b e r o l l e d o u t f ro m S e p t e m b e r t o D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 3 T h i s will enable passengers to pay and validate o n b o a rd , u s i n g t h e v a l i d a t o r s , w i t h t h e i r c o n t a c t l e s s b a n k c a rd T h e M t i c k e t p a y m e n t s o l u t i o n , w h i c h w o r k s o n s m a r t p h o n e s , w i l l b e e x t e n d e d t o t h e e n t i r e Tr a n s v i l l e s f a re r a n g e I n a d d i t i o n , a We b s i t e a n d m o b i l e a p p w i l l b e l a u n c h e d b y s u m m e r 2 0 2 3 Suppor ting the SIMOUV’s intentions to promote more sustainable mobility, Keolis will contribute to the introduction of vehicles that run on alter native energy, with a focus on BioNGV for the buses and electric for the downtown shuttles The renewal of par t of the ﬂeet (about 30 buses an 10 shuttles) will begin in 2023 and will be carried out grad ually throughout the contract To address the shor tage of drivers and suppor t the local economy, Keolis intends to recruit 44 drivers by 2023 for a total of 427 employees including 246 drivers to ensure operation and maintenance of the network These recruitments will complement the launch of a “Keolis Mobility Campus” class in autumn 2024 Created in Februar y 2021, this apprenticeship training center (CFA) is open to candidates between 20 and 29 who have held a B driving license for two years and wish to become a driver in one of the t r a n s p o r t n e t w o r k s o p e r a t e d b y K e o l i s i n France

The future QUANTRON complete buses, i n c l u d i n g t h e a l l e l e c t r i c Q U A N T R O N C I Z A R I S 1 2 E V l o w fl o o r b u s , a r e c u s tomized according to the strict Quantron AG quality standards In the after sales division, QUANTRON also focuses on full customer support for service and spare parts provided w i t h i n t h e c o m p a n y a s p a r t o f t h e 3 6 0 degree QaaS service offering, which also includes customer advisory service for infra structure and solutions Sales in the bus sector will be expanded and fur ther developed in the inter national m a r k e t s b y A l e x a n d e r S t u c k e a s h e a d o f Sales Bus Q u a n t r o n A G i s a s y s t e m p r o v i d e r o f sustainable batter y electric and hydrogen powered e mobility for commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses and vans The wide range of services is based on the two busi ness units Q Retrofit (electrification of used and existing vehicles from diesel to zero e m i s s i o n e l e c t r i c d r i v e ) a n d Q M o b i l i t y (OEM for own zero emission QUANTRON vehicles) With the Quantron as a Service E c o s y s t e m ( Q a a S ) , Q u a n t r o n A G a l s o offers an overall concept for zero emission mobility This includes the creation of indi v i d u a l o v e r a l l c o n c e p t s i n c l u d i n g t h e t a i lormade charging solutions, hydrogen refill ing infrastructure as well as rental, financing and leasing offers and training courses and w o r k s h o p s a t t h e Q U A N T R O N A c a d e m y The e mobility pioneers also sell batteries and integrated customized electrification concepts to manufacturers of commercial vehicles, machinery and intralogistics vehi cles The German company from Augsburg i n B a v a r i a h a s a n e t w o r k o f 7 0 0 s e r v i c e p a r t n e r s a n d t h e e x t e n s i v e k n o w l e d g e o f qualified experts in the fields of power elec tronics and batter y technology As a high tech spinoff of the renowned Haller KG, it combines more than 140 years of commer c i a l v e h i c l e e x p e r i e n c e w i t h s t a t e o f t h e ar t emobility know how QUANTRON stands for the core values R e l i a b l e , E n e r g e t i c , B r a v e T h e t e a m o f experts at the innovation driver for e mobility

14 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022 Equipment News

Starting in January of 2023, Keolis will begin operating the transport network serving Valenciennes Métropole and Porte du Haunaut in Northeast France The operation includes 42 lines including two tram routes Involved are 152 vehicles and 30 trams

Strategic Realignment in the Bus Sector at QUANTRON In the course of the strategic realignment as a manufacturer of own complete buses as OEM, Quantron AG will no longer distrib u t e K A R S A N p r o d u c t s b y t h e e n d o f t h e year However, QUANTRON will continue to provide technical suppor t to its customers for their KARSAN products in the after sales depar tment

is making a signiﬁcant contribution to sus tainable, environmentally friendly passenger a n d f r e i g h t t r a n s p o r t Yo u c a n ﬁ n d m o r e infor mation at www quantron net q National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 15 Equipment News Quantron recently announced a strategic realignment in its bus sector Quantron will no longer distribute KARSAN products but will be providing its own line of buses Shown is the Quantron Cizaris 12 EV model

NOTICE Please make sure we have your email address so you are able to a c c e s s y o u r d i g i t a l e d i t i o n o f N AT I O N A L B U S T R A D E R E m a i l readers@busmag com or phone the ofﬁce at (815) 946-2341.

Lynn Marzullo

Scotty Kesseler

NFI congratulates McNeill on her election as chair of the CUTRIC Board of Directors, as she continues to lead the new mobility era toward a more sustainable future q 16 • Bus Trader September, 2022

Jennifer McNeill

• Air powered version since 1985.

Absolutely the finest dump valve ever.

Lynn Marzullo American Bus Association’s Women in B u s e s ( W I B ) h a s r e c e n t l y f e a t u r e d Ly n n Marzullo , m a r k e t i n g m a n a g e r, M C I , i n i t s WIB Member Spotlight Marzullo, with a background in corporate marketing, joined MCI in July 2006, focusing i n i t i a l l y o n r e g i o n a l e v e n t p l a n n i n g a n d expanding her knowledge of the company and the motorcoach industry through a vari ety of positions before accepting her current marketing role in 2020 “As a sponsor of ABA’s Women in Buses for many years, MCI places a high priority on the work the council i s d o i n g , ” s a i d Marzullo “Person ally, I’ve become a more active mem b e r o f t h e c o u n c i l because I believe in the WIB leader s h i p ’s p a s s i o n f o r helping others nav i g a t e t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d t o u r i s m m a r k e t through its mentor ing and educational programs ” NFI NFI’s Jennifer McNeill, vice president of Public Sector Sales and Marketing, has been elected chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Inno v a t i o n C o n s o r t i u m ( C U T R I C ) , a n o n p ro ﬁ t organization spearheading and launching technology and commercialization projects that advance next generation zero carbon mobility solutions across Canada Since its inception, CUTRIC’s board has helped to build Canada’s low carbon smart mobility and zero emission transit industr y, and will continue assisting CUTRIC in industry championship, s u p p o r t i v e d i p l o m a c y a n d i n t e l l i g e n t a n d transparent governance McNeill has been with NFI since 2012 and joined CUTRIC’s board in 2017 She is a rec ognized leader who advocates for zero emis sion bus adoption and has contributed to the development of sustainable mobility solutions in North America for nearly a decade In 2021, McNeill was distinguished as a Canada Cli mate champion at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties In 2020, she was named an H o n o r e e o f Canada’s Clean50 l i s t , r e c o g n i z i n g C a n a d a ’s l e a d e r s advancing sustain a b i l i t y a n d c l e a n c a p i t a l i s m , a n d was also named to the Clean16 for out standing contribu t i o n t o t h e c l e a n energy economy in the manufacturing a n d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n sector McNeill also serves on the boards of the American Public Transit Association (APTA) and the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) She holds a Mechanical Engineer i n g d e g r e e a n d a M a s t e r s o f B u s i n e s s Administration (MBA) from the University of Manitoba and is an accredited Professional Engineer

National

Bus Equipment People

• All parts easily replaceable DUPREE PRODUCTS

MCI (Motor Coach Industries) M o t o r C o a c h I n d u s t r i e s ( M C I ) , N o r t h America’s public and private market motor c o a c h l e a d e r w i t h fabrication, manu facturing and ser vice centers in the United States and C a n a d a , a n d a s u b s i d i a r y o f N F I Group Inc (NFI), a l e a d i n g i n d e p e n d e n t b u s a n d c o a c h m a n u f a c turer and a leader i n e l e c t r i c m a s s mobility solutions, o n A u g u s t 1 2 a n n o u n c e d t h a t S c o t t y K e s s e l e r joined the MCI Sales Team as the regional vice president for Canadian New and Pre Owned Coach Sales B a s e d i n M o n t re a l , C a n a d a , Kesseler brings 15 years of sales experience to the MCI team and will be responsible for new and pre owned coach sales to private oper ators in Canada His career also spans 14 years of experience as a professional auc tioneer, which coupled with his hard work and dedication, earned Kesseler two Cham pions Club awards at his previous position for top performing sales in Canada, both in 2018 and 2021 “Scotty brings a wealth of sales experi ence to MCI, and we are glad to welcome him to our team Scotty’s record of profes s i o n a l a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s , i l l u s t r a t e s h i s unwavering commitment to building strong c u s t o m e r re l a t i o n s h i p s a n d l o y a l t y, ” s a i d Patricia Ziska, vice president, Private Market S a l e s , M C I “ L e v e r a g i n g h i s e x p e r t i s e i n s a l e s , a u c t i o n i n g , c u s t o m e r re l a t i o n s h i p building and business training, Scotty will lead our Canadian sales, helping our cus t o m e r s t o e x p a n d t h e i r ﬂ e e t s w i t h M C I ’s industr y leading products ” Fluent in English and French, Kesseler b r i n g s a c u s t o m e r f o c u s e d a p p r o a c h t o transpor tation sales After graduating from T h e M i s s o u r i A u c t i o n S c h o o l , w h e r e h e g a i n e d a h i g h e n e r g y s e l l i n g s t y l e a n d understanding of new and pre owned vehi cle sales, Kesseler star ted his career as a professional auctioneer before transitioning to a sales position with his prior employer L e e d s Tr a n s i t I n c D u r i n g h i s c a r e e r, Kesseler established professional relation ships with customers who purchased both motorcoaches and school buses, making a smooth transition into his new role at MCI

Phone: (888) 668-4288 Fax: (905) www.dupreeproducts.com374-3796

National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 17

Is Transit in Tr ouble?

Showing what was undoubtedly a milestone for the transit industry, AC Transit in the Esat Bay began operating hydrogen fuel cell buses in 2003. They acquired three Van Hool transit buses and equipped them with hydrogen fuel cell equpiment to operate in regular service The program helped make this type of power more popular in both the United States and Europe. TRANSIT

by Larr y Plachno

• National Bus Trader / September,

One of the more interesting develop m e n t s t o c o m e f ro m t h e p a n d e m i c has been increased attention to var i o u s b u s o p e r a t i o n s a n d s t a t i s t i c s t o f i n d o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o i n c re a s e d s a l e s a n d h e l p bring the industry back to normal However, what has interested several researchers is a decline in transit usage in recent years Some of those who go back to 2014 suggest ride sharing companies as the cause while others who go back a century come up with a dif ferent answer.

What some researchers have called “The Great Vehicle Motor Transportation Trans f o r m a t i o n ” t o o k p l a c e i n t h e n e x t t w o d e c a d e s B y 1 9 2 2 , t h e s e s a m e s o u rc e s s a y that passenger cars took over more than 90 percent of transit trips while streetcar usage d w i n d l e d t o l e s s t h a n 1 0 p e r c e n t . B u s e s eventually took over from the streetcars as t h e p re domi n a n t t r a n si t v e h i cl e , b u t t h e i r victory was brief and ephemeral. By 1930, 98 7 percent of all vehicular motorized trans portation was from automobiles This figure continued to rise over time and reached the even higher proportion of 99 86 percent by 1980. This brings up three interesting points that come to mind • A n y o n e w h o h a s re a d t h e h i s t o r y o f transportation during this 1902 1922 period is well aware of the animosities between rail ro a d s , i n t e r u r b a n s , s t re e t c a r s a n d b u s e s . Many railroads refused to allow the interur 18 2022

H i s t o r i c a l l y, o u r f r i e n d s o n t h e t r a n s i t side of the bus business have put in a heroic e f f o r t p r o m o t i n g p u b l i c t r a n s i t o v e r t h e p a s t c e n t u r y i n s p i t e o f t h e f a c t t h a t t h e i r b i g g e s t c o m p e t i t o r h a s b e e n t h e p r i v a t e automobile It has been an uphill battle for t h e m d e a l i n g w i t h A m e r i c a n ’ s l o v e f o r their cars while trying to reduce traffic and p o l l u t i o n b y g e t t i n g p e o p l e o n b u s e s a n d t r a i n s . C u r re n t n u m b e r s s u g g e s t t h a t t h e c a r s a re w i n n i n g a n d t r a n s i t m a y h a v e t o e i t h e r c o a x p e o p l e a w a y f ro m t h e i r a u t o m o b i l e s o r re t h i n k c u r re n t o p e r a t i o n s . I f you will bear with me, I will try to explain some of the history, what happened when the pandemic arrived and look at possible a l t e r n a t i v e s f o r t h e f u t u re Looking Back in History M o s t p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o n o r i g i n a t e d with horsecars for no other reason than the technology and power were readily avail able Moving to something better required new technology. The most successful early replacement for horsecars was the cable car, d e v e l o p e d i n 1 8 7 3 b y A n d re w H a l l i d i e t o climb the hills of San Francisco Eventually, cable car lines were built in many American cities, but they were expensive to build and not much faster than the horsecars T h e s o l u t i o n c a m e i n 1 8 8 8 w h e n F r a n k Sprague, a former naval officer, developed a reliable electric motor and means of current collection for a new street railway in Rich mond, Virginia Acceptance was quick and complete; within three years 200 streetcar sys tems were built or ordered By 1902 some 97 percent of street railway mileage was electri cally operated. Records from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Federal Highway Adminis tration indicate that in 1902, about 80 percent o f a l l c i t y t r a n s p o r t a t i o n w a s h a n d l e d b y streetcars The other alternatives included walking, bicycle, motorcycle and horses.

bans to cross their tracks and the bus opera tors called the streetcars “old fashioned ” This is interesting because electric power is looked upon favorably today What has become obvi o u s o v e r t i m e i s t h a t w h i l e e a c h o f t h e s e modes of public transportation were fighting one or more of the others, the real enemy of all of them was the private automobile. • I and other transportation historians might question the year 1922 as being very early for the dominance of the private auto mobile since paved roads outside of cities were still rare at this time While the Ford Model T introduced reasonably priced cars to Americans in 1908, how did they achieve such popularity in so few years? Since most of us do not remember back to 1922, I would suggest a book titled American Road by Pete Davies It tells the story of an army convoy, known as the First Continental Motor Train, that set off from the White House in 1917 for San Francisco Their mission was to look at a n d e v a l u a t e e x i s t i n g ro a d s i n t h e U n i t e d States Included in the staff was a young offi cer named Dwight Eisenhower The trip took two months and involved primarily dirt and u n i m p r o v e d r o a d s w i t h a l o t o f d i g g i n g vehicles out of the mud Hence, America’s l o v e a f f a i r w i t h t h e i r p r i v a t e a u t o s g o t started even before we had paved highways between cities. • W h a t t h e s e f i g u re s s h o w i s t h a t i n a s p a n o f a b o u t 2 0 y e a r s , m o s t A m e r i c a n s m o v e d f ro m d e p e n d i n g o n p u b l i c t r a n s portation to depending on their private auto mobile As a result, transit usage fell to as little as one or two percent of all motorized passenger trips. These figures tend to show t h a t e s s e n t i a l l y a l l o f t h e p a s s e n g e r s t h a t stopped using public transportation moved to using private automobiles Reasons for Switching Modes

T h e o b v i o u s q u e s t i o n i s w h a t p ro m p t s p e o p l e t o s w i t c h t r a n s p o r t a t i o n m o d e s ? Expectedly there have been numerous lists of reasons and many of them are very similar

Let me suggest what was put forward by Boris Pushkarev and Jeffrey Zupan in their 1977 book Public Transportation and Land Use Policy since it has become somewhat of a classic Pushkarev and Zupan suggest that the i n d i v i d u a l s i n v o l v e d m a k e t h e i r d e c i s i o n based on four “price” factors. These include: 1 Price in Money 2 Price in Travel Time 3 Price in Access Time and Effort And, 4 Price in Discomfort and Disamenity. It should be n o t e d t h a t n o t e v e r y i n d i v i d u a l p u t s t h e same value on each of these four items Some i n d i v i d u a l s a r e w i l l i n g t o s p e n d m o r e m o n e y t o s a v e t i m e w h i l e o t h e r s m a y b e willing to spend more time to save money. What is noteworthy is that the first item, p r i c e i n m o n e y, c o u l d f a v o r p u b l i c t r a n s portation But the other three criteria prob ably do not One of the more obvious ques tions would be what do you need to do and how much do you need to spend to attract people back to public transportation from their private automobiles? There are numer ous trade offs, and each may affect people differently. For example, both interurbans and bus companies tried to save money by re d u c i n g f re q u e n c y o f s e r v i c e A s s e r v i c e declined, so did the number of riders. Hence you get into a situation where you have to weigh various options by their cost and pos i t i v e i m p a c t We w i l l t a l k m o re a b o u t t h i s later Recent Ridership Reductions T h e r e s e a r c h e r s w h o o n l y l o o k e d a t recent numbers point out that if things were n o t a l re a d y b a d e n o u g h , t r a n s i t r i d e r s h i p began to seriously decline in 2014. While the annual percentage of decline has been rela tively small (figures from the American Pub lic Transportation Association suggest 1.4, 1 9 and 2 9 percent fewer riders annually), the overall decline is substantial in numbers From 2014 to 2017 it looks like U.S. transit ridership declined by 650 million passen National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 19

In the early days, streetcars carried the bulk of transit riders. However, Americans fell in love with their new automobiles and they soon took over as the most popular means of local transportation. Shown here are a pair of streetcars crossing the Franklin Bridge in Johnstown, Pennsylvania Note that a second overhead wire is already in place for replacement trolley buses. NBT ARCHIVES.

In many cities trolley buses replaced the streetcars They required two overhead wires but continued to use the same power as the streetcars. Although uncommented at that time, they operated with zero emissions This Brill trolley bus operated in Vancouver, British Columbia ANGUS MCINTYRE

gers That is more than enough people to fill a huge number of buses Reports covering the declining passen gers were interesting. Every city, regardless o f s i z e , s h o w e d a d ro p i n r i d e r s h i p A s a result, the highest decline in numbers was noted in the larger urban areas. What was equally noteworthy is that approximately 90 percent of the declining passengers were from bus operations but less than ten percent from rail transit Some of the researchers suggested that at least a part of this decline could be attrib utable to taxis, Uber, Lyft and other ride shar ing operations It was noted that ride sharing o p e r a t i o n s a n d t a x i s i n N e w Yo r k C i t y already account for 15 percent of local trips. However, others noted that it would be dif f i c u l t f o r r i d e s h a r i n g t o h a v e t h i s k i n d o f impact in smaller cities Those concerned with emissions and pol lution make an interesting observation The primary concern with transit vehicles is not reducing their own pollution since they rep resent such a tiny percentage of vehicles on t h e r o a d R a t h e r, t h e c o n c e r n s h o u l d b e directed to getting individuals to park their a u t o m o b i l e s a n d r i d e t h e b u s o r t r a i n i n s t e a d . R e d u c i n g t h e n u m b e r o f p r i v a t e autos on the road will make a much bigger i m p a c t o n e m i s s i o n s a n d p o l l u t i o n t h a n efforts to clean up transit buses. Pandemic Problems A s w e a l l k n o w, t h e p a n d e m i c c a u s e d m a j o r r i d e r s h i p d e c l i n e s f o r p u b l i c t r a n s portation. In 2014, public agencies reported 10 7 billion unlinked passenger trips By 2019 t h e n u m b e r o f u n l i n k e d p a s s e n g e r t r i p s dropped to 9.9 billion. After the pandemic hit, the National Transit Database figure of unlinked passenger trips for 2020 was only 4 7 billion Even prior to the pandemic, transit oper a t i o n s h a d b e e n h e a v i l y s u b s i d i z e d R e v enues from the fare boxes in many cases cov e r e d l e s s t h a n o n e t h i r d o f t h e c o s t o f operation Some cities have already given u p c o l l e c t i n g f a re s , a n d o t h e r s s a y t h a t i t costs more to collect the fares than what they b r i n g i n M a n y s y s t e m s w e re a b l e t o c o n tinue to run almost empty buses because of the $69 5 billion in federal funds provided to transit agencies in three relief packages S o m e p e o p l e h a v e o b s e r v e d t h a t i t w a s unfortunate that PPP money to help com panies retain staff who could ride the buses was discontinued. T h e c u r re n t s i t u a t i o n i s t h a t t h e a c t u a l funding for transit has gotten way out of step g i v e n t h e a c t u a l n u m b e r o f r i d e r s A t o n e point transit was getting a third of combined federal highway and transit funding but only providing 2 5 percent of person trips nation wide. The big question is whether our econ omy can afford these huge subsidies for tran sit? Can we find a way to get more people to park their automobiles and get back on the buses? Or, should we be looking at ways to redesign transit to reduce costs or make it more appealing to passengers? Where Did the Riders Go?

Several of the researchers suggest that a measurable number of transit riders have switched to taxis, Uber, Lyft as well as other TNCs Statistics support this since something like 15 percent of local trips in New York City use taxis and TNCs. One has to ask whether the TNCs have an advantage because they come to the passengers instead of asking the passengers to come to the buses VICTOR LAZLO

One of the more obvious possible solu tions for transit is to find ways to get people to park their automobiles and get back on buses In order to do this we need to figure out why the passengers left and see if we can reverse their thinking and their actions Here is a list of some of the more likely causes that may be worth exploring S o m e p e o p l e s u g g e s t t h a t p a r t o f t h e decline in transit riders is because more peo ple are now working from home. While this may be partially true, the researchers behind the statistics suggest that this is a relatively tiny part of the ridership decline. Others suggest that the higher price of fuel should result in increased transit ridership Again the people working with the numbers 20 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022

The General Motors modular RTS (Rapid Transit Series) model was originally planned as a short term replacement between the “New Look” models and the proposed new TransBus Since the TransBus never went into production, the RTS lingered on for many years as one of the most popular high floor transit buses before the industry started going to low floor models. After General Motors sold, MCI acquired this line and moved production to Roswell, New Mexico This example was photographed in Brooklyn, New York on January 1, 2000. J.C. REBIS JR.

September,

t o o p e r a t e m o t o rc o a c h e s f ro m s u b u r b a n c o r n e r s t o d o w n t o w n C h i c a g o a n d n o r t h o n M i c h i g a n Av e n u e P a s s e n g e r s g a v e u p t h e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e t r a i n b u t i n t u r n g o t a o n e s e a t r i d e t o w o r k a s w e l l a s a r e s t r o o m , r e c l i n i n g s e a t s a n d r e a d i n g lights It worked well Hence, I would sug g e s t t h a t f o r m a n y c o m m u t e r s , a o n e s e a t ride is more important than cost There are s o m e c o m p a n i e s i n S i l i c o n Va l l e y t h a t d o t h i s s a m e t h i n g f o r t h e i r s t a f f T h e y a r e picked up near their homes and get a one s e a t c o a c h r i d e t o w o r k .

The roofline gives this away as a CNG powered bus, another move to alternative fuels It is a 2001 Orion 07 operated by MTA New York City Transit and was photographed on Bedford Park Boulevard in Bronx, New York on January 29, 2002. J C REBIS JR

shake their head Any positive transit rider ship change based on increased fuel costs has been minimal. However, this fact might sug gest that costs may be a lesser important fac tor in transportation mode changes. My own suspicion is that a major factor in transportation mode changes is whether the buses go where the passenger wants to go Historically, if we go back 100 years we will find that a substantial number of pas senger trips were similar with trains, rapid t r a n s i t a n d s t re e t c a r s b r i n g i n g p e o p l e t o downtown to work or shop As families and businesses moved to the suburbs, the trips g o t t o b e m o r e a n d m o r e s c a t t e r e d w i t h almost infinite differences between starting and ending points Hence, it became very difficult for fixed route buses to serve this multiplicity of transportation needs and peo ple had no choice but to depend on their pri vate automobile O n e v a r i a t i o n o n t h i s i s t h e i n c re a s i n g concern over what is known as “first mile, l a s t m i l e ” t r i p s I n o rd e r t o g e t p e o p l e o n c o m m u t e r t r a i n s o r c o m m u t e r b u s e s y o u need to get them from home to the train sta tion or bus stop Then, you need to get them from the downtown terminal to their place of employment This could explain some of the increased use of Uber, Lyft and taxis to provide this first and last mile L e t m e t a k e t h i s o n e s t e p f u r t h e r. Ye a r s a g o I w a s i n v o l v e d i n c re a t i n g s h u t t l e b u s s e r v i c e t o r a i l r o a d s t a t i o n s i n C h i c a g o ’ s southwest suburbs Meeting with the com muters, I learned that many were unhappy to change from bus to train to bus to get to w o r k A s a re s u l t , w e s t a r t e d a n e w c o m p a n y c a l l e d E x e c u t i v e C o m m u t e r C o a c h

Another factor to consider is that a sub s t a n t i a l d e c l i n e i n r i d e r s h i p w a s c a u s e d b y t h e p a n d e m i c S o m e p e o p l e r e t i r e d e a r l y w h i l e o t h e r s s i m p l y l e f t t h e w o r k f o r c e I a m a l s o a w a r e o f s e v e r a l p e o p l e w h o e i t h e r c h a n g e d j o b s , b e c a m e s e l f e m p l o y e d o r d e v o t e d t h e i r t i m e t o f a m i l y m e m b e r s . Yo u m i g h t b e a b l e t o g e t s o m e o f t h e s e p e o p l e b a c k o n t h e b u s e s i f t h e programs were in place to help companies r e t a i n c u r r e n t s t a f f a n d i n c r e a s e s t a f f t o p re p a n d e m i c l e v e l s It is interesting that some passengers sim ply do not want to ride with others Some of this may be social distancing, but others fear unsavory passengers including the unem ployed In this case the cities may be their o w n w o r s t e n e m y. R e c e n t l y, t h e r e w a s a mass exodus of people moving out of larger cities Statistically, it is the larger cities that have the most violence and murders Solving this problem might be more the responsibil ity of the cities and not the transit operators. An interesting statistic would be to deter mine how many bus drivers in your city ride the bus to work and how many drive their car to work Re Thinking Transit W h a t c a n w e d o t o h e l p t h e t r a n s i t industry? With increasing costs and declin i n g r i d e r s i t m a y w e l l b e t i m e t o s t e p b a c k a n d l o o k a t o p t i o n s a n d a l t e r n a t i v e s A g o o d p l a c e t o s t a r t w o u l d b e t o s e t a s i d e p a s t t r a d i t i o n s a n d l o o k a t w h a t t h e p a s s e n g e r s re a l l y w a n t o r o t h e r i n n o v a t i o n s t h a t h a v e s o m e m e r i t . W h i l e s o m e p a s s e n g e r s a re c o n c e r n e d with cost, others place a higher priority else where My own experience is that some pas sengers prefer a one seat ride over cost. This i s u n d o u b t e d l y w h y U b e r, Ly f t a n d t a x i s have become more popular What can the transit industry do to provide a more per sonalized service? G o i n g b a c k m o re t h a n 1 0 0 y e a r s t o t h e streetcar era, public transit has involved larger vehicles on fixed routes. Streetcars had to fol low fixed routes because they need tracks and an overhead trolley wire Buses require nei ther. Would smaller buses on more person alized routes help increase ridership? Bus Trader / 2022 • 21

National

To their credit, the transit industry quickly moved to alternative fuels when they become available. Shown here is a 1999 Orion equipped with hybrid power It was photographed at Orchard Beach in Bronx, New York on May 20, 2001. J.R. REBIS JR.

M a y b e t h e r e a r e a l t e r n a t i v e s t o b i g vehicles. People movers can provide more of a personalized service that would most l i k e l y b e m o re a c c e p t a b l e t o p a s s e n g e r s T h e d i s a d v a n t a g e i s t h a t p e o p l e m o v e r s are expensive to build and would probably b e u n w o r k a b l e o n a l a rg e s c a l e . Would non standard operating schemes h e l p ? I k n o w t h a t S e a t t l e h a d a r t i c u l a t e d buses bringing in commuters in the morning and back home at night Many were driven by commuters who made this one round trip each day F i n a l l y, w o u l d i t h e l p t o a s k t h e c o m m u t e r s a n d p a s s e n g e r s w h a t t h e y w a n t ? Instead of defining transit by the needs of streetcars, maybe we should define transit b y t h e n e e d s o f t h e p a s s e n g e r s M y o w n experience suggests that a one seat ride or at least fewer vehicle changes would be at t h e t o p o f t h e l i s t T h i s m o s t l i k e l y i s n o t g o i n g t o w o r k w i t h b i g b u s e s o n f i x e d r o u t e s W h a t o t h e r a l t e r n a t i v e s c a n w e come up with? q 22 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022 The state of the art in t r a n s i t o p e r a t i o n s t o d a y i s t h e b a t t e r y e l e c t r i c t r a n s i t b u s . New Flyer offers sev e r a l v a r i a t i o n s i n i t s p o p u l a r X c e l s i o r CHARGE line as well as other-zero-emission p o w e r c h o i c e s . T h i s X c e l s i o r C H A R G E a r t i c u l a t e d b u s w a s p h o t o g r a p h e d w h i l e r e c h a r g i n g f r o m a n o v e r h e a d c h a r g e s t a tion NEW FLYER O n e o f t h e m o r e s u c c e s s f u l a n d i n t e r e s t i n g d e v e l o p m e n t s i n t r a n s i t h a s b e e n c o n t r a c t e d s e r v i c e i n Silicon Valley to trans p o r t e m p l o y e e s t o work at leading com p a n i e s f r o m t h e S a n Francisco area. Shown here is a Temsa TS 30 coach used in this ser v i c e b y L o o p Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n N o t e t h e a r e a f o r p a r k i n g e m p l o y e e b i c y c l e s t o t h e r e a r. T h e c o m pany transports more t h a n 1 0 , 0 0 0 c o m muters daily who take a d v a n t a g e o f t h i s o n e s e a t r i d e L O O P TRANSPORTATION.

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There has been concern that electronic logging devices (ELDs) introduced to enforce hours of service and prevent fatigue, were encour a g i n g s o m e t r u c k d r i v e r s t o i n c r e a s e t h e i r speed The increased speed would make up for the time lost by complying with the ELDs. Shown here is the cockpit area of the prototype Temsa TS 45E all electric coach NBT

A poll of truckers were asked their top 10 challenges. Number one on the list was deal ing with the new hours of service laws and regulations Several people have suggested t h a t w h a t t h e t r u c k e r s h a v e d o n e i s t o increase their speed in order to deal with the lack of flexibility in the hours of service reg ulations. This results in more accidents on the highway and in work zones Are

Numbers and Notes The electronic logging devices became mandatory on December 18, 2017 Hence, they replaced the traditional paper logs that many of us grew up with Much of the rea s o n i n g b e h i n d t h e E L D s w a s t o i m p r o v e compliance with hours of service laws and re d u c e d r i v e r f a t i g u e T h e re w e re s t ro n g assumptions that commercial drivers were t a k i n g l i b e r t i e s w i t h f i l l i n g i n t h e i r p a p e r l o g s s o t h a t t h e y c o u l d d r i v e m o re h o u r s T h e n e w E L D s m a d e i t m o r e d i f f i c u l t t o change the numbers Expectations were that this increased compliance with the hours of service rules would reduce fatigue and therefore reduce accidents H o w e v e r, w h e n t h e s t a t i s t i c s w e r e re p o r t e d t h e f o l l o w i n g y e a r, t h e n u m b e r s w e r e t e r r i b l e . D e a t h s f r o m l a r g e t r u c k crashes had reached their highest point in 29 years Large truck fatalities increased nine percent to 4,761, an increase of 392 lives lost from the previous year About 1,300 of these deaths were truckers The other 72 percent of the deaths came from the other vehicles involved in the collision In comparison, the statistics also showed that overall there was a t w o p e r c e n t d e c l i n e i n m o t o r v e h i c l e crashes. Numbers for trucks continued to rise the following year E v e n m o re s t a t i s t i c s b e c a m e a v a i l a b l e

They had reached a point where trucks were involved in one third of all fatal work zone crashes In 2019, 842 people died in highway w o r k z o n e c r a s h e s , a s u b s t a n t i a l i n c re a s e from 757 the year before This 11 2 percent i n c r e a s e w a s t h e l a r g e s t p e r c e n t a g e o f increase of fatalities in high work zones so far this century Wednesday, April 28 was designated as a national “Go Orange” Day to show sup port for highway workers

Government Regulations Decreasing Safety?

The Federal Highway Administration indi c a t e d t h a t t h e r e h a v e b e e n a n i n c r e a s i n g number of truck accidents in work zones

24 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022

Our initial plan for this article was to re v i e w i n f o r m a t i o n o n t r u c k a c c i dents increasing following the move t o e l e c t ro n i c l o g g i n g d e v i c e s ( E L D s ) T h e statistics caught our attention because one of the major reasons for moving to ELDs was to keep drivers in line with hours of service laws and reduce driver fatigue. The accident numbers were particularly interesting con s i d e r i n g t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y s h o u l d h a v e declined because of reduced travel during the pandemic In getting into the research, we ran across a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t s e e m e d t o g o well beyond just ELDs. In addition, talking to several people in the bus industry they b ro u g h t u p s e v e r a l o t h e r t o p i c s a n d c o n cerns. Hence, we elected to try to roll all of this into one article While some of this material pertains to trucks, a great deal of it spills over into the bus industry. It is suggested that you take this information into consideration for bus d r i v e r t r a i n i n g a n d k n o w l e d g e We w i l l i n c l u d e t r a i n i n g s u g g e s t i o n s a t t h e e n d . M u c h o f t h i s m a t e r i a l d o e s p e r t a i n t o b u s o p e r a t i o n s a n d t h e r e m a i n d e r m a y b e o f i n t e re s t f ro m a s a f e t y s t a n d p o i n t . B e a r i n mind that truck drivers may be able to get a w a y w i t h m o r e t h i n g s t h a n b u s d r i v e r s because they have no passengers watching them.

by Larry Plachno

O n e o f t h e b i g c o m p l a i n t s i s t h a t t h e government is working at cross purposes.

Fatigue Multiple studies of commercial drivers cite fatigue and lack of sleep as danger signs i n m a i n t a i n i n g s a f e t y. O n e s t u d y s h o w e d t h a t m o s t c r a s h e s i n v o l v i n g s l e e p y o r fatigued drivers took place at least 20 min utes from the nearest rest area or truck stop. Several people in the industry feel that a sig nificant portion of driver fatigue is caused by the lack of accessible and safe parking. T h a t t r u c k d r i v e r p o l l b y t h e A m e r i c a n Transportation Research Institute asking for their top 10 challenges showed that the sec ond most important item cited by drivers was safe rest areas and truck stops. A s a r e s u l t , m a n y i n t h e i n d u s t r y a r e p u s h i n g f o r m o re f u l l s e r v i c e t ru c k s t o p s and rest areas It was noted that rest areas in ZF has been busy developing autonomous systems to increase safety on trucks and buses This photo shows a ZF autonomous truck automatically braking because of cars ahead It was taken on a test track in Aachen, Germany.

Some people in the bus industry are concerned because Deregulation fostered competition and lower driver ’s wages in the industry while the increasing safety guidelines are expecting more from drivers and companies. It has been suggested that the Feds should decide between lower con sumer prices or increased safety Shown here is a pre Deregulation PD4104 from Capitol Trailways that is now in the bus museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

ROBERT REDDEN, REDDEN ARCHIVES.

ZF National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 25

Deregulation and Priorities

O n t h e o n e h a n d t h e y d e r e g u l a t e d t h e i n d u s t r y i n o rd e r t o i n c re a s e c o m p e t i t i o n a n d re d u c e c o s t s t o c o n s u m e r s T h i s a l s o r e d u c e d d r i v e r w a g e s N o w t h e y a r e e x p e c t i n g m o r e f r o m d r i v e r s i n o r d e r t o i n c r e a s e s a f e t y I t d o e s n o t w o r k w e l l t o r e d u c e i n c o m e w h i l e t r y i n g t o i n c r e a s e s a f e t y. I t h a s b e e n s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e F e d s s h o u l d d e c i d e o n w h e t h e r r e d u c e d c o n s u m e r p r i c i n g o r s a f e t y a r e m o r e i m p o r t a n t Some people among motor carriers feel that the bureaucrats that make the rules do not understand the business The bureau crats get paid the same regardless of whether they work or not. This is not true with the motor carriers They need to drive miles and t r a n s p o r t g o o d s ( o r p e o p l e i n t h e c a s e s o f buses) in order to make money. Anything that slows them down or reduces their hours is seen as a negative from the standpoint of earning money Some people note that Deregulation in 1982 did not help the situation. It opened the door to competition which brought prices down to consumers However, when prices went down because of competition, so did driver salaries Then, those same bureaucrats began squeezing from the other end There were more and more driver requirements i n c l u d i n g a l c o h o l a n d d r u g t e s t i n g , a national data base and now the ELDs While these regulations were intended to increase the quality of drivers, they may have done just the opposite These increased requirements, combined with limited driver salaries because of deregulation, made dri ving less and less attractive to those looking for careers The result is that we have had a driver shortage for years Instead of improv ing the quality of drivers, it has limited the pool of drivers. It is difficult to pick the best apples from your basket when the basket is nearly empty One federal official complained that the average age of bus drivers keeps going up I t i s g e t t i n g i n c r e a s i n g l y d i f f i c u l t t o g e t younger people and women to pick bus dri ving as a career. Some people in the industry p o i n t t o t h e f a c t t h a t t r a n s i t b u s d r i v e r s , w h e re t h e re i s n o c o m p e t i t i o n w i t h o t h e r companies, tend to be paid more than coach drivers Several people question how much additional safety would come from less com petition and being able to pay drivers more One has to bear in mind that most truck d r i v e r s m a k e t h e i r m o n e y b a s e d o n m i l e a g e o r t r i p s T h e d r i v e r s c a n e a s i l y b e caught between management’s push for a f a s t d e l i v e r y o n t h e o n e h a n d a n d t h e hours of service laws and sp eed limit s on t h e o t h e r h a n d M a n a g e m e n t m a y n o t b e all that guilty because they in turn have to d e a l w i t h c o m p e t i t i o n f o s t e re d b y D e re g ulation The result is that drivers are often g u i l t y o f c o u r t i n g f a t i g u e o r s p e e d i n g i n o rd e r t o m a k e a l i v i n g .

It has been noted that bus drivers are less likely to speed than truck drivers because freight cannot watch while passengers can. As a result, speeding has become an increasing concern with trucks as have truck accidents in work zones However, with buses, driver fatigue is still a very important concern MCI ZF has been developing driver assist systems for both trucks and buses to increase safety. These new systems can detect automobiles or other obstacles and take action by stopping or avoiding the hazard. Shown here is their Innovation Truck being put through its paces. ZF.

some states have been closed because of a l a c k o f m o n e y T h i s i s n o t h e l p i n g d r i v e r fatigue and accident statistics. Barry Pottle, t h e c h a i r m a n o f t h e A m e r i c a n Tr u c k i n g Associations, said that five rest areas in his h o m e s t a t e o f M a i n e h a v e c l o s e d re c e n t l y b e c a u s e o f t h e l a c k o f m o n e y t o o p e r a t e them. It seems strange that the politicians express concern over driver fatigue while failing to keep rest areas open A n i n t e re s t i n g s i d e n o t e i s t h a t t h i s i s o n e a re a w h e re t h e t r u c k a n d b u s o p e r a t o r s d i f f e r W i t h t r u c k e r s , s p e e d i n g i s rapidly becoming more of a problem than fatigue. However, past experience and sta t i s t i c s s h o w t h a t f a t i g u e i s a m a j o r f a c t o r in bus fatal accidents The worst bus fatal i t i e s t y p i c a l l y c o m e f r o m s i n g l e v e h i c l e accidents where the bus driver falls asleep c a u s i n g t h e b u s t o l e a v e t h e ro a d w a y a n d ro l l o v e r

On the other hand, there are people who say that it is good that commercial fleets are using more safety technology Even some 26 • Bus / September, 2022

Speeding Speeding is replacing fatigue as a major cause of truck accidents In fact, the FMCSA rates speeding as the number one cause of fatal crashes Some people suggest that the increase in speeding is caused by reduced options with the ELDs With paper logs, the drivers could do some creative logging to give themselves a little extra time. This extra time allowed them to drive slower and to exercise more care in work zones With the ELDs, the extra time disappeared, prompt i n g m o re s p e e d i n g a n d l e s s c a re i n w o r k zones Jim Mullen, chief council for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, was quoted as saying: “We hear a lot of drivers saying because of a lack of flexibility, we’re speeding ” He says that he hopes they are n o t p u t t i n g t h e m s e l v e s a n d t h e m o t o r i n g public at risk just to get their freight from Point A to Point B because of the regulations While the truckers are allowed to drive 11 h o u r s , t h e y a re s u p p o s e d t o t a k e a 3 0 minute break after eight hours of driving M a n y d r i v e r s s a y t h a t t h i s i n c re a s e s t h e i r fatigue instead of decreasing it. They would p re f e r t o d r i v e s t r a i g h t t h ro u g h a n d t h e n quit at the designated time Accidents Statistics show that each year one in five truck drivers is in an accident The average cost of each accident is around $24,000 Most truck accidents do not involve fatalities. The most typical accidents, and often the most p re v e n t a b l e , i n v o l v e b a c k i n g i n t o p a r k e d vehicles or fixed objects Much of this could b e e l i m i n a t e d w i t h b a c k u p c a m e r a s a n d extra care. C h r i s S p e a r, t h e c h i e f e x e c u t i v e o f t h e American Trucking Associations, has said t h a t m o s t a c c i d e n t s i n v o l v i n g t r u c k s a re c a u s e d b y a u t o m o b i l e s S o m e re c e n t s t a tistics suggest that automobiles are respon s i b l e f o r 7 0 p e rc e n t t o 9 0 p e rc e n t o f t ru c k accidents. One reason is distracted driving.

National

I n m a n y c a s e s , t h e a u t o m o b i l e d r i v e r s d o not understand that heavy vehicles do not m a n e u v e r q u i c k l y a n d n e e d m o re t i m e t o s t o p Technology T h e re a re a w i d e r a n g e o f o p i n i o n s o n whether new technology is improving safety.

There are increasing reports on truck drivers who put their trucks on cruise control and then put both feet on the dash Jim Mullen from the FMCSA has suggested that driver assist features could be causing some truck drivers to pay less attention Some industry leaders are worried that truckers may expect t h a t t h e n e w t e c h n o l o g y w i l l re d u c e t h e i r need to be alert and follow safety regulations because the computer will do it for them.

Cruise control may lead to more accidents

Trader

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Universally, the experts recommend increased driver training This should include traditional training and exposure to new safety systems in both classrooms as well as behind the wheel school ing The ultimate goal is to promote culture and safety mindset in your organization MAN a PEEK AT LIFE USED TO

There is increasing interest in driver ana lytics and telematics. In addition to moni toring the vehicles, you can also watch the drivers New technologies can monitor dri v e r a c t i o n s i n c l u d i n g s e a t b e l t u s e , h a r d braking and speeding You can actually rate d r i v e r s b a s e d o n t h e i r d r i v i n g h a b i t s a n d you can retain the best of them provided you have enough driver applicants

RAILWAYVILLAGE.ORG For

thing as simple and inexpensive as audible b a c k u p a l a r m s a n d b a c k u p c a m e r a s w i l l reduce accidents. Lane deviation, adaptive cruise control and other driver assist systems can all help improve safety.

MAINE + THE WAY

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Driver Shortage A s w e w r i t e t h i s i n m i d M a y, w e a r e f i n d i n g t h a t t h e s h o r t a g e o f d r i v e r s i s a major negative factor in going back to nor mal following the pandemic People have been vaccinated and want to travel again Tour planners are planning tours Some of the National Parks have invited bus groups for summer 2021, and the new CERTS fund i n g w i l l a l l o w b u s o p e r a t o r s t o c a t c h u p financially. However, virtually all bus operators are reporting difficulty in finding driver appli c a n t s S o m e p a s t d r i v e r s h a v e g o n e i n t o t r u c k i n g , o t h e r s h a v e g o n e i n t o o t h e r c a r e e r s M a n y p a s t d r i v e r s h a v e r e t i r e d and some are on unemployment Bus oper a t o r s h a v e h a d t o t u r n d o w n b u s i n e s s b e c a u s e o f a l a c k o f d r i v e r s T h i s p ro b l e m i s n o t l i m i t e d t o b u s c o m p a n i e s o r t o t h e United States The same situation prevails i n o t h e r i n d u s t r i e s a n d i n m a n y o t h e r c o u n t r i e s . T h i s i s n o t h i n g n e w a n d h a s b e e n a p r o b l e m f o r t h e b u s i n d u s t r y f o r m a n y y e a r s T h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f l o w wages because of competition and increas i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s h a s m a d e i t m o r e a n d more difficult to find qualified people who w o u l d l i k e t o m a k e a c a r e e r o u t o f b u s d r i v i n g Training I n a d d i t i o n t o e m b r a c i n g n e w t e c h n o l o g y, t h e e x p e r t s re c o m m e n d m o re d r i v e r t r a i n i n g t o i n c re a s e s a f e t y H e re a re s o m e o f t h e s u g g e s t i o n s . • M o r e a n d m o r e c o m p a n i e s a r e increasing safety awareness to reduce acci d e n t s I n a d d i t i o n t o re g u l a r t r a i n i n g s e s s i o n s a n d i n c re a s e d u s e o f t e l e m a t i c s c o n sider the use of predictive models, real time monitoring and enhanced collision avoid a n c e t e c h n o l o g y • Provide more behind the wheel train ing Classrooms are good but can be boring Behind the wheel training takes learning to a more practical level Embrace new technology and safety systems. They should be accompanied with professional new driver training and ongo ing safety training for all current staff Use driver analytics and telematics to find out who are your best and worst dri vers This allows you either replace drivers, if you can, or schedule them for additional training Promote a professional safety culture and safety mindset within your organiza tion It does not need to be limited to only drivers. q National Bus Trader / September 2022 • 27 An increasing concern has been a lack of driver applicants that seems to have worsened because of the pandemic This problem is not limited to the United States and Canada but is also seen in Europe and elsewhere. Shown here is your editor driving the J4500 electric prototype. PAT PLODZEEN.

I f y o u a r e l o o k i n g f o r a g o o d l o c a t i o n f o r a f a i t h b a s e d t o u r o r c h a r t e r, y o u m i g h t w a n t t o c o n s i d e r T h e S h r i n e o f O u r L a d y o f G o o d H e l p i n C h a m p i o n , Wi s c o n s i n . L o c a t e d j u s t e a s t o f G re e n B a y a n d n e a r p o p u l a r D o o r C o u n t y, i t i s t h e o n l y a p p ro v e d M a r i a n a p p a r i t i o n s i t e i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d i s i n c re a s i n g l y b u s friendly as more and more visitors and pil g r i m s a r r i v e b y m o t o rc o a c h M a r i a n a p p a r i t i o n s i t e s a re a m o n g t h e most popular locations for faith based travel The best known sites are Guadalupe, Mex ico; Lourdes, France and Fatima, Portugal These locations normally attract as many as f o u r t o f i v e m i l l i o n v i s i t o r s a n d p i l g r i m s annually The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help is easily accessible by motorcoach and is increasingly becoming more popular with charters and tours The story behind the shrine starts with Adele Brise who was born in Belgium and had plans to enter a convent but came with her parents to the United States in 1855 They settled in what was then Robinsville, Wis consin, a rural area northeast of Green Bay In 1859, one year after the 1858 apparations of the Blessed Virgin to Saint Bernadette at L o u r d e s , A d e l e t h r e e t i m e s s a w a l a d y dressed in white. When asked who she was, the beautiful lady said: “I am the Queen of Heaven, who prays for the conversion of sin n e r s , a n d I w i s h y o u t o d o t h e s a m e . ” S h e then gave Adele the mission of teaching the local children Adele’s father built a small chapel on the site, but it proved inadequate for the visiting pilgrims In 1861, Adele’s father built a larger c h u rc h o n a n e x p a n d e d f i v e a c re s i t e t h a t had been donated. Adele originally traveled the countryside w h i l e t e a c h i n g c h i l d r e n b u t e v e n t u a l l y f o r m e d a c o m m u n i t y o f s i s t e r s u n d e r t h e Third Order of Franciscians. A convent and s c h o o l w e re b u i l t i n 1 8 8 5 , a n d t h e c u r re n t chapel was built in 1941 Virtually from the start, the chapel and property became pop ular with pilgrims and is known for cures and other healing events Sister Adele Brise and Sister Maggie, as well as some school children, were buried on the site In common with other apparition sites, the shrine has had its share of miracles The most noteworthy was the famous Peshtigo Fire of 1871 that took place in early October at the same time as the Great Chicago Fire and numerous other fires in Michigan, Illi nois and Wisconsin Known as the worst fire in the history of the United States, it started north of Green Bay near Peshtigo, Wisconsin Fanned by high winds, the flames grew to 200 feet in height and traveled through the f o r e s t s a t h i g h s p e e d s T h e f i r e n o t o n l y moved northeast along the bay into Michi gan, but jumped over the water of Green Bay i t s e l f a n d b u r n e d m a j o r s e c t i o n s o f D o o r County, Wisconsin located south and east of the bay

The shrine is easily reached from Green Bay by coach. Take exit 185 from Interstate 43 and follow Highway 57 northeast Turn right on Highway K and follow it east to the shrine. A second large parking lot has been b u i l t f u r t h e r b a c k o n t h e p ro p e r t y, a n d i t includes designated bus parking spaces. You will also find restrooms suitable for groups

The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help An Approved Marion Apparition Site in Champion, Wisconsin by Larry Plachno Photos courtesy of the Shrine

The lower Oratory (prayer place) at the a p p a r i t i o n s i t e i s a c c e s s i b l e b y s t a i r s f ro m t h e c h u rc h o r f ro m t h e o u t s i d e A d j a c e n t t o t h e c h a p e l i s a v e r y n i c e g i f t s h o p t h a t c a r r i e s i t e m s n o t e a s i l y f o u n d e l s e w h e re . F o o d i s a v a i a b l e i n t h e S c h o o l h o u s e C a f e , 28 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022

O u t s i d e a c t i v i t i e s a t t h e s h r i n e i n c l u d e a ro s a r y / m e d i t a t i o n w a l k , s t a t i o n s o f t h e c ro s s , s e v e r a l p r a y e r s i t e s a n d a n u m b e r o f s t a t u e s a s w e l l a s t h e g r a v e s i t e s T h e s t a t u e g r o u p i n g d e p i c t i n g t h e F a t i m a a p p a r i t i o n s i s p a r t i c u l a r l y p o p u l a r w i t h visitors The shrine is open year round and there are other activities if the weather pre cludes going outside. Most of the areas are handicap accessible and heated ramps are provided in the winter Mass is celebrated i n t h e u p p e r c h a p e l a t 11 a . m . S o m e p i l g r i m g ro u p s c o m e f o r M a s s a n d s t a y f o r l u n c h .

The Peshtigo Fire burned around 1,875 square miles of forest, approximately twice the size of Rhode Island, and took the lives of about 800 people. When the raging fire a p p r o a c h e d t h e c h a p e l , l o c a l r e s i d e n t s b ro u g h t t h e i r f a m i l i e s a n d a n i m a l s t o t h e chapel property for protection Miraculously, t h e f l a m e s j u m p e d o v e r a n d s p a r e d t h e c h a p e l p ro p e r t y a n d t h o s e t a k i n g s h e l t e r there In more recent years there have been reports of healings and similar events Sev e r a l p e o p l e h a v e l e f t c r u t c h e s , c a n e s a n d o t h e r i t e m s b e h i n d n e a r t h e O r a t o r y a f t e r visiting the shrine.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help is the only approved Marian apparition site in the United States There are only 11 approved Marian apparition sites in the world and some of them have become popular tour attractions. This photo was taken in the Oratory on the lower level near the original apparition site

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September,

Statues and benches are located around the site to facilitate prayer and meditation. This grouping depicts the apparition in Fatima, Portugal with the three shepherd children Towards the rear of the property, you can see the stations of the cross in the center and the rosary/meditation walk around the outside that also offers several prayer areas This aerial view shows m u c h o f t h e s h r i n e p r o p e r t y B e c a u s e o f the need to accommo d a t e a n i n c r e a s i n g n u m b e r o f v i s i t o r s , a second parting lot was recently completed at the upper right. Design a t e d b u s p a r k i n g i n this new lot is located near the chapel.

National Bus Trader / 2022 29

but groups can make special arrangements f o r l u n c h Two things are offered that have become very popular with groups With sufficient prior notice, the shrine staff may be able to provide guided tours They typically break larger bus groups into two smaller groups of about 25. This offers an opportunity to see and hear about the history of the shrine as well as many of the statues and areas around the property. You can also arrange lunch in advance for your group and meeting rooms are available for groups Food can be ordered from the Schoolhouse Cafe or provided from elsewhere For more information on The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, visit www cham pionshrine org or phone (920) 866 2571 I f y o u a re l o o k i n g f o r a d d i t i o n a l s t o p s f o r y o u r t o u r o r c h a r t e r, t h e re a re s e v e r a l o p t i o n s n e a r b y T h e N a t i o n a l S h r i n e o f S t J o s e p h h a s m o v e d b a c k t o t h e C a m p u s o f St. Norbert College in De Peere, Wisconsin and is located in the old St Joseph Church A n o t h e r p o p u l a r s t o p i s t h e S t F r a n c i s X a v i e r C a t h e d r a l a n d G re e n B a y D i o c e s e M u s e u m i n d o w n t o w n G re e n B a y G ro u p tours of both the church and museum will also include some of the history of the area a n d c a n b e a r r a n g e d b y p h o n i n g ( 9 2 0 ) 4 3 2 4 3 4 8 . G ro u p s c a n a l s o v i s i t t h e C a t h e d r a l B o o k a n d G i f t S t o r e l o c a t e d b e h i n d t h e C a t h e d r a l About two hours south of the shrine and a little northwest of Milwaukee is Holy Hill Also known as the Shrine of Mary Help of C h r i s t i a n s , i t i s l o c a t e d i n H u b e r t u s , Wi s consin Incorporated in its 435 acres are sev eral faith based sites and activities. To t h e e a s t f r o m t h e s h r i n e i s D o o r County, a traditional popular stopping place for bus groups Known for its long shoreline and many parks, Door County offers numer ous places of interest for groups including lighthouses, chapels, boats and several din ing options. q

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Editor

N e w M o t o r c o a c h e s b u i l t a f t e r N o v e m b e r o f 2 0 1 6 w e r e r e q u i r e d t o h a v e t h r e e p o i n t s e a t b e l t s installed. Several bus operators had been ordering them on new coaches for quite some time. While there was some concern about what to do with older coaches without seat belts, problems were much less than anticipated Shown here are some Amaya seats equipped with seat belts AMAYA 10 Uses for Coaches Without Seat Belts Dave Millhouser

’ s Note: This was originally written a few years back when the spectre of mandated seat belts was on the horizon. Fortunately, the situation with older coaches turned out to be less of a problem than expected. With the current number of used coaches on the market today, we might again want to revisit these suggestions and either smile or groan. It was brutally cold in Breckenridge as we l o a d e d s k i e r s f o r t h e t r i p h o m e . T h e 4 1 0 4 barely started, and would not rev it became clear that the throttle cable was frozen T h e o n l y w a y t o g e t h o m e w a s o v e r Hoosier Pass, and you actually needed some throttle to climb it We sent a kid to Sears to get 50 feet of clothesline Tying one end to the y o k e o n t h e g o v e r n o r, w e r a n i t u p t h e l e f t side of the bus and pulled the end through t h e d r i v e r ’ s t i c k e t w i n d o w Vo i l a a h a n d throttle Off we went over the mountain Nothing is more fun than using things in ways different than their designers intended When NHTSA recently announced that, starting in 2016, all new motorcoaches needed t o h a v e s e a t b e l t s , n o o n e w a s s u r p r i s e d Many operators had been buying belts as an option for several years It is uncertain how dramatically the new rule is going to impact the value of older coaches purchased without belts, but it is not likely to be pretty Retro fitting is possible, but only makes sense on some buses The market has already spoken, and many g ro u p s c a n n o t ( o r w i l l n o t ) c h a r t e r a n o n belted bus. Looming over the landscape like a vulture is the specter of accidents involving older coaches The fact that a coach was built before belts were even available is not reliable protection for an operator from catastrophic lawsuits (even if their customer knowingly rented the beltless bus) Manufacturers offer virtually nothing for them as trades, because they will not assume the liability of re selling them What do we do with our older buses? We can sell some to churches and schools, and turn a bunch into motor homes, but over the years you have come to expect more from this column so here is a list of 10 possible uses for beltless buses. Please understand, I am not that bright Every one of these things has actually been done I am stealing other people’s ideas Here are my bottom 10 second careers for motorcoaches 1 Tr a n s p o r t H o g s t o M a r k e t Ye a r s a g o a Nebraska farmer bought a surplus Sceni cruiser, removed the seats and carried pigs i n c o m f o r t I f y o u h a v e e v e r b e e n s t u c k i n t r a ff i c b e h i n d a re g u l a r h o g t ru c k , y o u w i l l u n d e r s t a n d h e d i d t h e p i g s a n d t h e p u b l i c a f a v o r 2 . “ S p i r o A g n e w M o b i l e H e a d q u a r t e r s . ” W h e n o u r o l d A e r o c o a c h ’ s m o t o r c ro a k e d , m y b o s s s o l d i t t o A g n e w ’ s c a m p a i g n T h e y t o w e d i t a r o u n d t o d i f f e r e n t l o c a l e s , u s i n g i t a s a n o ff i c e . We o l d e r f o l k s k n o w h o w t h a t s o r t e d o u t S u r e l y y o u k n o w s o m e p o l i t i c i a n s 3 . B o m b S h e l t e r. S h o r t l y a f t e r 9 / 11 a n enterprising Long Island operator rented a n u m b e r o f c o a c h e s t o a M a n h a t t a n b a n k

They were positioned as barriers to prevent t h e a p p ro a c h o f p o t e n t i a l c a r b o m b s . N i c e w o r k i f y o u c a n g e t i t b u r n s n o f u e l I t i s u n c e r t a i n h o w h i s i n s u r a n c e c o m p a n y f e l t about the idea (or if they knew).

30 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022

8 Wi n d b r e a k a t a S a l v a g e Ya r d We g a v e a b u n c h o f o l d M a c k t r a n s i t s t o a j u n k y a rd , o n t h e c o n d i t i o n t h a t w e c o u l d c o m e b a c k a n d t a k e o f f a n y p a r t s w e needed Worked out pretty well until I was u n d e r o n e , p u l l i n g u s e d b e l l o w s o ff a n d k i c k e d t h e j a c k o v e r 9 Forget About Them I was at a Great Big Bus Line garage years ago when the yard manager did his required daily count. There w e r e s u p p o s e d t o b e 7 3 c o a c h e s , s o h e peeked out the window and said “looks like 73 to me ” Just pretend the old ones do not exist (and hope the finance company is okay with it).

1 0 . D e a t h m o b i l e . L e a v e i t t o t h e c r e ative Communist Chinese to come up with t h e b o t t o m o f t h e v e h i c u l a r b a r r e l I n a n effort to provide quality service to outlying communities that can not afford their own executioner, the ChiComs have developed t r a v e l i n g e x e c u t i o n v a n s A c o a c h w o u l d provide superior quality in an application w h e r e s e a t b e l t s a r e n o t n e c e s s a r y, a n d t h e re a re f e w c o m p l a i n t s I hope this helps, and would really love to hear your ideas R e m e m b e r, t h e r e m a y b e d a n g e r i n i m p r o v i s i n g B a c k i n t h e d a y s w h e n antifreeze was alcohol based, my buddy Bob was checking the coolant level in his bus He could not see it, and did not have a flashlight, so he used his lighter In a flash, his eyebrows were burned off, and for years afterward he was known as “Sparky.” q National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 31 For those who do not know or have forgot t e n , h e r e i s w h a t a G e n e r a l M o t o r s PD4104 looks like that was mentioned in the t e x t . M o r e t h a n 5 , 0 0 0 w e r e b u i l t b e t w e e n 1953 and 1960, making it one of the most pop u l a r 3 5 f o o t c o a c h e s This one was operated b y C a p i t a l Tr a i l w a y s in Pennsylvania NBT ARCHIVES. Buses have been used as mobile blimp docks over the years They help a great deal when docking blimps at places with no regular facilities Shown h e r e i s a n e a r l y F l x i b l e b u s u s e d b y G o o d y e a r a s a b l i m p d o c k . N B T ARCHIVES

4 I n t e r i o r D e c o r a t i n g A l o n g t i m e “ b u s g u y ” t o o k a p a r t a S c e n i c r u i s e r a n d re a s s e m b l e d t h e i n s t ru m e n t p a n e l i n h i s l i v i n g ro o m T h i s m a y n o t w o r k f o r m a r r i e d m e n 5. Artificial Reef. If they can dump old MTA subway cars in the Atlantic off New J e r s e y, w h y n o t m o t o rc o a c h e s ? I n s t e a d o f shipping them overseas, ship them under seas. 6 . B e e r l i n e r. 1 4 0 0 m i l e s c o m / t h e b e e r liner/ A 45 foot coach could carry a lot more beverage Enough said 7 Blimp Dock For years Goodyear used Flxibles (with anchor masts) in their blimp p ro g r a m . F o r t h e re c o rd , t h e H i n d e n b u rg was a dirigible, not a blimp

In later years, Goodyear moved to using newer models of buses as mobile blimp docks Shown here is an MC 8 used for this purpose The buses also helped blimp operations by carrying supplies and spare parts. NBT ARCHIVES

• Boarding and alighting 200 to 300 peo ple at a single door (whereas any school bus driver can evacuate his or her entire full size vehicle in 90 seconds)

• Vi d e o s y s t e m s w h e re p i l o t s j a m t h e most wanted stations (try watching an NBA p l a y o ff g a m e o n a b a s i c c h a n n e l ) s o t h a t they can charge you $39 99 for a Wi Fi con n e c t i o n t h a t y o u h o p e w i l l a l l o w y o u t o stream the game or show on your phone

• A i r l i n e d e l a y s a n d o t h e r c o r ru p t i o n (including overnight stranding)

32 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022 Sur vival and Pr osperityby Ned Einstein

• Finding and staying in a hotel on those days you are stranded, or cannot get onto a stand by flight and hoping to not spend the night on the airport floor (Our clever air p o r t p l a n n e r s d i d n o t i n s t a l l h a n d l e s o n every otherwise bench seat for no reason At least you will not have to sleep head to head with some homeless victim, saving lots of money otherwise spent by police officers poking them awake with night sticks )

Just when the opportunity to slaughter the commercial airline industry and explode into prominence, the same old do nothings in the motorcoach industry continue to do w h a t t h e y d o : N o t h i n g T h e t e r m “ i m p o tence” would be understated and mislead ing, since that term would suggest, at least, that some sort of challenge failed Five pre v i o u s a r t i c l e s a b o u t t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y i n NATIONAL BUS TRADER obviously accom p l i s h e d n o t h i n g u n l e s s t h e y t r i g g e re d a misguided response by the airline industry, which as least recognizes the opportunity (see discussion below) The TNCs, already e x p l o d i n g i n t o t h e s c h o o l b u s a n d t r a n s i t industries, cannot be far behind if they’re not already way ahead A recent article (July 27, 2022) titled, “The Democratization of Airport Lounges” (see https://www nytimes com/2022/07/27/tr a v e l / a i r p o r t l o u n g e s . h t m l ) p ro v i d e d t h e i n s p i r a t i o n f o r t h i s i n s t a l l m e n t M u c h o f what follows is a summary of that article’s c o n t e n t s , a n d a n e x p a n s i o n i n t o t h e e v e r growing opportunities for motorcoach travel t h a t s t e m s f ro m i t F o l l o w i n g i t a re s o m e other responses again, none with the term “motorcoach” in them In a nutshell, commercial airline travel is changing, noticeably The quality of service has turned into squalor, while the bandits in charge are growing ever richer. No other m o d e h a s b e g u n t o i n t e l l i g i b l y a d j u s t t o these changes, or profit from the opportu nities they present (If American Airlines can con the Transportation Security Adminis tration into action, as it apparently has, the o p p o r t u n i t y f o r o t h e r m o d e s c o u l d s n a p shut like a rat trap ) M a n y p a s t i n s t a l l m e n t s o f t h i s s e r i e s focused on the multiple layers of corruption, wasted time, inconvenience, unpredictability and other travesties of commercial airline travel Most important has been this sector ’s impunity and complete lack of accountability (Once again, I exclude Southwest Airlines from as much of this collapse as it can miti gate ) This installment will focus first on a single, minor element of this collapse: The airport terminal experience, and the extents to which one must go (and pay) to tolerate it Democracy and Escape of the Elite A recent article about the airport experi ence was actually titled “The Democratization of Airport Lounges” (by Gary Leff, of the air line blog View From The Wing ) The lead in sentence read, “No longer just for the flying elite, these havens from chaos are easier to get into now, with the crowds to prove it ”

• Those late morning meetings you will now miss on those planned same day, out and back ﬂights you booked • Hours of ﬂight delays in the airport, at the boarding gate and on the tarmac

The big con, of course, is that one must b e a n u b e r f r e q u e n t fl y e r t o e n t e r t h e s e lounges Or one can pay a “day fee,” or pur chase a hefty annual pass (sometimes called a Priority Pass) or premium credit card. A priority pass was cited as costing $299/year Other premium credit cards can cost up to $699/year (with a few lesser “credits” for specific hotels and similar travel related ser vices) Banks and airline companies must be frantically hawking credit cards and similar e s c a p e f r o m t h e m a s s e s s c a m s t o w e l l heeled suckers. Capitol One Bank recently opened a lounge in Dallas/Ft Worth Air port With its Venture X card and $399/year, one can even ride a stationary bicycle, take a shower and sip a free cocktail. Given the frequencies and magnitude of flight delays, there is no need to gulp Of, course, isolating one from the crowd of proletariats does not get one much free snacks Access to a bar (while bars in the con course are rarely crowded, whereas dining in overpriced restaurants risk one missing his or her flights) Airlines with such lounges a l s o b o a s t o f c l e a n b a t h ro o m s a l t h o u g h most regular airport restrooms are relatively c l e a n a n d p l e n t i f u l . O t h e r w i s e , e n j o y t h e snack These lounges do not even offer over priced meals Of course these lounges fail to address every serious problem and inconvenience of airport travel (see several previous articles a b o u t t h e s e p ro b l e m s , a n d t h e o b v i o u s l y solution to them, in NATIONAL BUS TRADER: h t t p s : / / t r a n s a l t c o m / a r t i c l e / d r i v e r s v robots part 2 the nature of modern travel/; https://transalt com/article/expanding the mode split dividing line part 1 expo n e n t i a l a i r l i n e i n d u s t r y c o r r u p t i o n / ; https://transalt com/article/survival and

• “Consolidating” one’s trip to a differ ent flight often an out of the way connect ing flight with a long layover and notifying the traveler of the change the morning of the originally scheduled flight

• Elbow to elbow ﬂights on planes on w h i c h l e g ro o m h a s d e c re a s e d m a r k e d l y over the past three decades although you need not worry about masking (no air trav eler uses one anymore). Social distancing has obviously been deﬁned out of existence

Part 6: The Beginning of Death

• S e a t re s e r v a t i o n s c a m s ( l i k e p a y i n g extra for a choice of seats which you do not

A n e x p a n s i o n i n t o t h e ever growing oppor tuni ties for motorcoach travel

• Airport parking fees (and ﬁnding one’s vehicle once one returns much less often l a n d i n g a t a d i ff e re n t a i r p o r t a l t o g e t h e r, w h i c h a i r l i n e s o f t e n re ro u t e o n e ’ s re t u r n trip to)

p r o s p e r i t y p a r t 1 m a g i c c o r r i d o r s / ; https://transalt com/article/survival and p r o s p e r i t y p a r t 2 t h e m a g i c c o a c h / ; https://transalt com/article/survival and prosperity part 3 the gains of winning the cost of failure/; https://transalt com/arti cle/survival and prosperity part 4 service concepts/ ) Like: • Travel time and cost to and from the airport

• Unavailable reservations by phone (for $25 if one is lucky to even reach one), broken Web sites and often next day call backs

One suspects that many of these upper crusters fly first class I have been arguing that motorcoaches should offer such seating for at l e a s t t w o d e c a d e s n o w ( i n c l u d i n g s e v e r a l pleas for this in NATIONAL BUS TRADER arti cles) To no avail, of course The Paris subway has had these since at least the mid 1980s Trivial Adjustments and Subterfuge Ironically acknowledging the shortcom ing of the costly and eletist lounge sanctu aries (might they morph to include a first c l a s s s e c t i o n ) , o u r d o m e s t i c a i r l i n e s h a v e n o w b e g u n t o f a l s e l y a d d re s s t h e i r s h o r t comings by replacing mid distance flights with mid distance motorcoach service Of course, with imaginations the size of fleas, airline planners have these coaches originate a n d t e r m i n a t e a t a i r p o r t s P l u s o n e m u s t e v e n g o t h ro u g h s e c u r i t y t o b o a rd t h e m Needless to say, no modifications have been made to the vehicles One brilliant American Airline’s spin off Landline took advan tage of a recent TSA ruling (see discussion below) to seemingly establish a new mode o f t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , a s t h o u g h b u s e s a n d motorcoaches do not exist, and never did

National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 33

Mirroring (not likely copying) my idea for setting up service in poorly served airline c o r r i d o r s , t h e fi r s t t w o L a n d l i n e l i n e s f o r American (launched this past June 3, 2022) run from Philadelphia to either Atlantic City or to Allentown/Bethlehem So short is this “innovation” and so underserved is this cor r i d o r t h a t o n l y S p i r i t A i r l i n e s fl i e s f r o m Philadelphia to Atlantic City a 62 mile jour ney that cannot possibly cost much more by taxi (or Uber or Lyft if one does not mind his or her personal information being mined, s o l d a n d r e s o l d ) t h a n b y a i r m u c h l e s s door to door service without any hassles, and often without any fellow passengers JetBlue, poised to acquire Spirit, cannot seri ously be drooling over this particular oppor tunity It is likely drooling over the oppor t u n i t y t h i s m o d e l r e p r e s e n t s i f w i d e l y replicated. Insofar as the motorcoach indus try, given its clout and imagination, perhaps I was too critical about the brain size of air line decision makers I f o n e c a n fi g h t t h ro u g h t h e d i s j o i n t e d dots, perhaps one can discern American Air line’s goal: “Now with this service, Ameri can can add more value and try to gain better l o y a l t y i n t h e l o c a l c o m m u n i t y ” I c a n n o t h e l p q u e s t i o n i n g t h e l o y a l t y t o A m e r i c a n A i r l i n e s a s i t s L a n d l i n e c u s t o m e r s m u s t absorb much of the “airline experience” to now take a motorcoach, which they could otherwise have ridden from city center to city center instead of from airport terminal to airport terminal. This is only my pedes trian opinion In exchange, however, Land line (ahem, Sun Coach) offers the benefit of refunding the fare when your coach arrives l a t e . I t i s a n y o n e ’ s g u e s s w h a t “ l a t e ” w i l l mean once Sun Coach begins “consolidat ing” coach trips to ensure that every seat is filled Will the delayed departure time of the next full coach count if the travel time is the same? Will traffic jams become the new tur bulence? Yet the passenger ’s ticket will have a flight number on it Sun Country considers this a “good step forward.” United Airlines recently began a similar experiment with “flights” on buses to Fort Collins and Breckenridge, Colorado. Except that the bus trip is merely the two hour con necting “flight” to or from Denver Your real aircraft lands in Denver, and passengers then transfer to a different gate to board their air plane on wheels “Seamless,” as the transit industry bureaucrats have referred to fixed route transit, subway and light rail transfers for decades now American Airlines (excuse me, Landline, I mean Sun Country) has a better idea. Trav elers from Philadelphia to Atlantic City or A l l e n t o w n w i l l fi r s t t r a v e l t o t h e a i r p o r t , check their bags, pass through security and t h e n b e t a k e n “ a i r s i d e ” ( w h a t e v e r t h a t means) in Philadelphia, where they will get o ff a t a g a t e a n d w a l k t o t h e i r c o n n e c t i n g flight as if they had walked off a regional jet ( A re g i o n a l j e t a n d a n u n m o d i fi e d m o t o r coach: Some comparison, eh?) We can thank the Transportation Security Administration for this travel streamlining I n d a y s g o n e b y, s u c h s e r v i c e s w e r e referred to as “feeder service,” a mode that s t i l l e x i s t s t h ro u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y, a l b e i t without the initial trip to the airport, the tick eting procedures, the concourse (upgraded now with those swell lounges) and the secu rity check throughs, where lucky passengers can get their genitalia rubbed for free (with o u t e v e n h a v i n g t o t a k e o f f a n y o f y o u r clothes other than your belt and shoes) According to (the source o f m u c h o f t h e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o v e ) , “ t h e opportunities are endless, though it requires the TSA’s willingness and funding ” Accord i n g t o , “ t h i s fi r s t s t e p i s t h e biggest, because it establishes that functional partnership with TSA. It is hopefully going to open up all kinds of opportunity ” I hope so; I would pay big bucks to squeeze some TSA guard’s genitals, and I would get my money’s worth.

•

excepted)

Sur vival and Pr osperity

Gnat in the Net It is not hard to follow how these swell lifestyle improvements came about. As part o f o n g o i n g a i r l i n e c o n s u m e r p r o t e c t i o n efforts, USDOT recently announced new rule making that would strengthen protections for consumers seeking refunds of airline tick ets (see https://www transportation gov/air consumer) One suspects this pinprick to the airline industry was triggered when, earlier this summer, ignoring this gnat, some airline left USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg off the “ D o N o t F Wi t h ” l i s t , a n d c a n c e l e d h i s

One suspects that many o f t h e s e u p p e r c r u s t e r s fly first class I have been a r g u i n g t h a t m o t o r c o a c h e s s h o u l d o f f e r s u c h s e a t i n g f o r a t l e a s t two decades now. T h i s fi r s t s t e p i s t h e b i g g e s t , b e c a u s e i t establishes that functional par tnership with TSA.

get once you are on board ﬁrst class seats excepted) Change fees, cancellation fees and bag g a g e f e e s ( a g a i n , S o u t h w e s t A i r l i n e s

The airlines’ motto should be, “Send us your flying elite, yearning to be snookered and have your wallet fattened by still more credit cards ” Adding the need to scrutinize your credit card statements even more care fully, and experience even more pop ups, would make the slogan too long. Exploring America’s National Parks Beyond commercial airlines, U S banks cannot resist scamming attendees of major venues like national parks, which draw hun dreds of millions of travelers a year JPMorgan C h a s e w i l l s o o n o p e n i t s C h a s e S a p p h i re Lounge by the Club for those with a Chase S a p p h i r e R e s e r v e c r e d i t c a r d c o s t i n g $550/year, which offers benefits including $300 in credits on travel purchases and Prior P a s s m e m b e r s h i p ( w h i c h a l s o c o s t s m o re m o n e y ) N e v e r m i n d t h a t t h e c re d i t c a rd s g l o p o ff a s i z e a b l e c h u n k o f t h e g ro s s o n e spends on anything purchased with his or her card. Of course, a less frequent flyer need not make such an investment A PPL Pass Americas (from Plaza Premium Group) costs only $59 and entitles its user to two free vis its to their lounge every year although at the moment, there are currently only six of them in the continental United States This is not much help if you fly on airlines like Air France, which (like other far better airlines from abroad) are not permitted to provide domestic flights within the United States

ﬂight, delaying his trip by hours. Perhaps refunding the fares of disrupted ticketholders whose trips were ruined and their ﬂights can celled, by the delay, is the spanking that the a i r l i n e s n e e d . I d o u b t t h a t S e c r e t a r y Buttigieg’s public statement of outrage put t h e f e a r o f G o d i n t o t h i s g i a n t , m o n o p o l y “When Americans buy an airline ticket they should get to their destination safely, reliably, and affordably This new proposed rule would protect the rights of travelers and help e n s u r e t h e y g e t t h e t i m e l y r e f u n d s t h e y deserve from the airlines.”

F i n a l l y, o n A u g u s t 1 , 2 0 2 2 , U S D O T ’ s O f fi c e o f Av i a t i o n a n d C o n s u m e r P ro t e c t i o n s u b m i t t e d t o t h e O f fi c e o f M a n a g e m e n t a n d B u d g e t a N o t i c e o f P r o p o s e d R u l e m a k i n g o n t h e “ Tr a n s p a re n c y o f A i r line Ancillary Fees ” Frankly, the existence o f a n c i l l a r y f e e s i s t h e o n e t h i n g a b o u t d o m e s t i c a i r l i n e s t h a t i s o v e r t l y t r a n s p a r e n t Wi t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f t h e o n e a i r l i n e noted, every single competitor charges for change fees (occasionally waived) and bag g a g e f e e s . ( I re c a l l o n c e p a y i n g m o re t h a n $1,000 to change a direct flight to a connect ing flight a day later ) In fairness, on those fl i g h t s d e l a y e d b y s e v e r a l h o u r s , fl i g h t attendants often distribute terrific free ear buds made in China Otherwise, if USDOT had any remote interest in the passengers, i t w o u l d i n t e r v e n e i n t h e e ff o r t s o f f e l l o w a i r l i n e s t o k e e p S o u t h w e s t A i r l i n e s o u t o f most Ea st Coa st a i r p or t s ( Tw o Sou t h we st flights actually leave LaGuardia; otherwise, to fly Southwest from any airport on Long Island dominated by JFK and LaGuardia o n e m u s t t r a v e l t o t h e e a s t e r n e n d o f t h e i s l a n d a n d fl y o u t o f I s l i p ( n o t t e r r i b l y f a r from Block Island, a carless steppingstone f r o m R h o d e I s l a n d a n d a fi s h e r m a n ’ s h a v e n ) Otherwise, as if USDOT (or certain jour nalists) have no memory, one announcement containing this information attributed it to the start of the Pandemic (I suspect that the bat seller who created COVID was also on the grassy knoll.) Regardless, the new regulations portend to codify the notions of refunds and cancellations, and will eliminate an “unfair practice ” In truth the unfair practice is pro hibiting all those fabulous foreign airline car riers Air France, Lufthansa, Swiss Air, Philip pine Airlines, El Al Airlines (to name a few) from providing domestic flights Along with Southwest, these carriers would turn our other domestic carriers into dust History and Memories For those readers still awake, you may recall that this article began with the subject o f m o t o r c o a c h e s O b v i o u s l y, t h e e v e n t s described above skipped right over them by focusing on one of the frontrunners only too s t u p i d , a t t h e p re s e n t t i m e , t o re a l i z e t h e opportunities explored in the last five install ments of NATIONAL BUS TRADER A savvy, experienced public transportation profes sional should really place his or her bets on TNCs, whose disruption of more and more a r l y a l f o f a l l i r e c are retur n trips quandar y is the n o t i o n o f m e a s u r i n g delay

Ooh! It must be Halloween. This proposal actually did nothing but outlaw non refundable flights flights for which the airline industry formally charged more (I suspect the airlines found their way around this prohibition in less time than a flight from Brooklyn to Staten Island.) Per haps the worldwide cancellation of half of all flights in 2021, and Secretary Buttigieg g e t t i n g c a u g h t i n t h e n e t , t r i g g e r e d t h i s spanking as if its costs could remotely off set the extraordinary savings that the airline i n d u s t r y o b t a i n s f ro m i t s i m p u n i t y t o re book any and every traveler to some flight o f t h e a i r l i n e ’ s c h o i c e . F a r m o re l i k e l y, o f c o u r s e , m o s t o f t h e s e t r a v e l e r s s i m p l y accepted the re scheduled flights, hardships and all Keep in mind that nearly half of all direct flights are return trips; cancelling them to obtain one’s precious refund hardly seems like a choice As it turns out, USDOT actually possessed the statutory authority to prohibit unfair air line practices like these for years However, the concept of ‘cancellation’ “had not previ o u s l y b e e n d e fi n e d ” w h i c h r e s u l t e d i n i n c o n s i s t e n c y a m o n g c a r r i e r s r e g a r d i n g refunds (Keep in mind throughout this dis c u s s i o n t h a t S o u t h w e s t A i r l i n e s d o e s n o t e n g a g e i n c o r ru p t c a n c e l l a t i o n s , h a s o p e n seating (i e , no first class or business class seats), boards according to first come/first served, does not charge late fees (if you are late, they simply put you on the next flight), does not charge change fees (unless the new flight costs more) and does not charge bag gage fees ) Even the newly proposed rule making barely make a dent in this tiny foot note of airline corruption To qualify:

Another quandary is the notion of mea s u r i n g d e l a y. D o e s t h e t i m e a p l a n e i s stranded on the tarmac count as part of the delay? It would seem that air trafﬁc control problems could just as easily be blamed for this as would be the bunching up of ﬂights f ro m t h e c a n c e l l a t i o n o f o t h e r s Wi t h t h e r i g h t s c e n a r i o , a n a i r l i n e c o u l d a n n i h i l a t e t h i s p ro v i s i o n i n a l a w s u i t w h i c h 9 , 9 9 9 o f every 10,000 travel victims would bow out of (or perhaps settle out for a discounted air port lounge pass)

• The domestic flight must be changed or delayed by more than three hours (or six h o u r s f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l fl i g h t s f o r t h o s e travelers stupid enough to fly internationally on America’s airline carriers)

34 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022 Sur vival and Pr osperity N e

• T h e n u m b e r o f c o n n e c t i o n s w o u l d have to increase not much disincentive for airlines with choices They could avoid the refund burden by switching one’s con necting return flight to a direct flight to the same airport as noted, so long as the leg with the extra connection does not take off more than three hours late • The type of aircraft changes substan tially such that it downgrades the “air travel experience ” One suspects this might apply t o a p l a n e w i t h a p r o p e l l e r T h e f a c t t h a t travel speeds decrease considerably in “pud dle jumpers” seems to be missed by this par ticular regulation So too is the downgrading of amenities, since even coast to coast flights rarely provide “meals,” and they are even m o re n e e d e d o n l o n g e r fl i g h t s c re a t e d b y traveling at much slower speeds, in more c r o w d e d l o w e r fl i g h t p a t h s , o n s m a l l e r planes The TSA is certainly right about the fact that air travel in the United States is an “experience ” Some “minor” provisions “require” air lines and ticket agents to provide passengers with flight credits or vouchers that are valid indefinitely when passengers cannot fly for p a n d e m i c re l a t e d re a s o n s S o m e h o w t h i s provision misses the fact that if airlines were required to have “spares,” and if they were penalized for cancellations, there would be plenty of flights available where one could s o c i a l d i s t a n c e . O t h e r w i s e t h i s p ro v i s i o n would not seem to apply to a passenger who cancelled if he or she had COVID Just to an airline, with a quick shrug These are not regulations without teeth They are regulations without gums The big j o k e a b o u t t h e s e re g u l a t i o n s m u s t b e t h a t n o t a p e n n y o f a n y o l i g a rc h ’ s m o n e y w a s likely spent lobbying against them Other w i s e , w i t h s u c h f a u x t h o r n y c o n s t r a i n t s , America’s airlines need merely to return to t h e i r f o r m e r p r a c t i c e o f t r a n s f e r r i n g t h e i r otherwise delayed or stranded passengers to flights on fellow airlines In days of yore, one would have to race down the concourse to catch the newly assigned flight before the door at its boarding gate closed

• The departure or arrival airport would have to change (Imagine having to travel to a new departure airline worth the refund )

t ﬂights

Another

modes is not only growing, but welcomed. S o t o o w e re t h i n g s l i k e T h a l i d o m i d e a n d helium dirigibles To t h o s e i n t h e m o t o rc o a c h i n d u s t r y, I have to admit that it seems comforting (not f ro m e x p e r i e n c e ) t o s i t o n o n e ’ s b u t t o c k s Unfortunately, there is little future in it If o u r c a s i n o s o r b o o k i e s w o u l d t a k e t h e m , it would be wise to place one’s bets against t h e U S m o t o r c o a c h i n d u s t r y Wr i t i n g about this dying industry is becoming little m o r e t h a n h i s t o r y l e s s o n s w r i t t e n i n advance One wonders if U S transporta tion history, in the future, will even bother t o i n c l u d e i t The opinions expressed in this article are that of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of NATIONAL BUS TRADER, Inc or its staff and management. q National Bus Trader / September, 2022 • 35 Survival and Prosperity Ned Einstein is the president of Transporta tion Alternatives (www transalt com [1]), a p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o n w i t n e s s ﬁ r m . Einstein (einstein@transit com) specializes in catastrophic motorcoach accidents

At right: Stagecoach South is running t w o A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s d o u b l e d e c k buses with unique exterior designs in s o u t h e r n E n g l a n d . T h e y h a v e s p e c i a l graphics commemorating the Platinum anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. This is a very unique event since records do not show any previous B r i t i s h r e i g n i n g m o n a r c h w h o s t a y e d on the throne for 70 years. We hope to put together a short article on this B e l o w : J u s t a r e m i n d e r t h a t t h e b u s museum’s Spring Fling is scheduled a week later in 2023. It will take place on t h e s e c o n d w e e k e n d i n J u n e F r i d a y, June 9 and Saturday, June 10. The back r o w i n t h i s p h o t o i n c l u d e s a g r o u p o f buses from New Jersey that traditionally drive to the Spring Fling every year. 36 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022 Photographs R e a d e r s a n d a d v e r t i s e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o s e n d i n p h o t o g r a p h s o r s l i d e s o f b u s e s o r equipment that may be of special interest to our r eader s Please, include a list explaining what m a k e s t h e p i c t u r e d i t e m d i ff e r e n t , u n u s u a l o r interesting. P h o t o s s h o u l d b e s e n t t o N AT I O N A L B U S TRADER, 9698 West Judson Road, Polo, Illinois 6 1 0 6 4 . P l e a s e i n d i c a t e i f y o u w o u l d l i k e y o u r p i c t u r e r e t u r n e d P i c t u r e u s a g e i s d e p e n d e n t o n t h e q u a l i t y o f t h e p h o t o a n d s p a c e a v a i l a b l e .

A We are still somewhat reluctant to tr y to c o m e u p w i t h v a l u e s o n u s e d c o a c h e s Reduced operations with a substantial num ber of used coaches available tends to make it difﬁcult to come up with accurate numbers

• National Bus Trader / September, 2022 The Curious Coachowner

Bus Appraiser

Q Are there any updates on how the bus industry is coming back after the pandemic?

In addition, the manufacturers continue to make ongoing improvements and updates on the new coaches that tend to set them apar t even more from the older models

The coach people received some CERTS m o n e y t o h e l p w i t h p a n d e m i c p ro b l e m s H o w e v e r, r i d e r s h i p i s s t i l l b e h i n d p r e pandemic levels and the gover nment still wants to tax the CERTS money, which seems somewhat contradictor y In addition many, if not most, operators are still saying that the charter business is not yet back to pre pan demic levels In numbers, our estimate is that more than 5 0 0 c o a c h e s w e re s o l d i n t h e ﬁ r s t h a l f o f 2022 although some of these were public sector sales There are orders so there is a chance we might duplicate this number in the second half of the year and hence end up with 1,000 coaches or slightly more for the year W h e re d o e s t h i s l e a v e u s ? T h e a n s w e r i s that it depends who you talk to While new coach sales have reached more than 3,000 annual units in ver y good years, it has also d r o p p e d t o n o t m u c h m o r e t h a n 1 , 0 0 0 c o a c h e s i n p o o r y e a r s s u c h a s 1 9 9 1 a n d 2010 Since this is not a very good year and t h e r e s t i l l a r e a n u m b e r o f g o o d u s e d coaches on the market, I would suggest that the sales numbers are showing that we can probably count on some continued improve ment so long as no other problems appear and the industry continues its improvement Q. Did you know that George Herwig is celebrating his 100th Birthday? –– Leonard J Zimmerman A George Herwig, who has spent most of his life in the Pittsburgh area, is well known to many people in the bus industry because of his experience with buses, as a Trailways driver and later a popular tour guide He served in the U S Coast Guard during World War II, initially driving buses for military personnel and then was assigned to a small freighter that delivered ammunition and food f o r t h re e y e a r s i n t h e A t l a n t i c a n d P a c i ﬁ c areas A f t e r r e t u r n i n g f r o m t h e w a r, H e r w i g b e c a m e a d r i v e r f o r P i t t s b u r g h M o t o r C o a c h H e l a t e r e n d e d u p d r i v i n g b u s e s i n o t h e r c i t i e s E v e n t u a l l y h e re t u r n e d t o P i t t s b u r g h a n d b e g a n t o d r i v e f o r Tr a i l ways In those years most of the highways w e r e o n l y t w o l a n e s H e i s c r e d i t e d w i t h 41⁄2 m i l l i o n s a f e d r i v i n g m i l e s After retiring from Trailways at the age of 64, Herwig star ted a new career as a local tour guide He became well known because of h i s e n c y c l o p e d i a k n o w l e d g e o f t h e c i t y ’s histor y as well as his outgoing personality and sense of humor He received the Pitts burgh Tour Director of the Year award H e r w i g i s a l s o k n o w n f o r h i s h u g e m o d e l b u s c o l l e c t i o n t h a t w a s r e c e n t l y s o l d although he still retains a few Bor n in 1922, Herwig celebrates his 100th b i r t h d a y o n N o v e m b e r 9 H e c r e d i t s h i s l o n g e v i t y t o h i s w i f e , D e l o re s T h e y h a v e been married for 53 years Both had previ ously lost spouses A n s w e r s n o t c r e d i t e d t o o t h e r i n d i v i d u a l s are provided by Larry Plachno q 38

Number 286 of a Series “ T h e C u r i o u s C o a c h o w n e r ” i s a q u e s t i o n a n d a n s w e r c o l u m n t h a t p ro v i d e s s i m p l e a n s w e r s t o s i m p l e q u e s t i o n s t h a t a re t o o shor t to warrant a full ar ticle or inclusion in one of our regular columns We will accept re a s o n a b l y s i m p l e t e c h n i c a l o r h i s t o r i c a l questions on commercial coaches or con ver ted coach shells by letter, fax, e mail or phone If our staff is unable to answer them, w e w i l l c a l l u p o n o u r p a n e l o f e x p e r t s Names and addresses should be submitted w i t h y o u r q u e s t i o n s , b u t w e w i l l w i t h h o l d n a m e s f r o m p u b l i c a t i o n o n r e q u e s t W e reserve the right to modify questions to make them more useful to our readers Q Are you aware that American Airlines is now running bus “flights” on routes out of Philadelphia? Reader in Pennsylvania A Yes We already new about their routes f r o m P h i l a d e l p h i a t o A t l a n t i c C i t y a n d t o Allentown/Bethlehem that star ted in June These should be mentioned in this month’s n e w s s e c t i o n We j u s t re c e i v e d w o rd t h a t American has added a third bus route out of the Philadelphia airpor t to Lancaster This expansion is interesting since NATIONAL B U S T R A D E R c o l u m n i s t N e d E i n s t e i n h a s been discussing using buses on shorter avi ation routes between city pairs What makes this new service of American A i r l i n e s d i ff e re n t i s t h a t i t i s e s s e n t i a l l y a n extension of its existing flight network and is geared primarily to passengers who plan to get off the bus at Philadelphia and board a c o n t i n u i n g p l a n e T h e b u s s e r v i c e h a s flight numbers, it can be purchased in con junction with the airline ticket, and your lug gage is automatically transferred What Ned Einstein proposed was a down town to downtown bus service not neces sarily connected with the airlines although it could stop at airpor ts This service would be geared primarily for travel between the two cities It would not require you to drive or take a bus to the airpor t and would not require that you arrive early to go through security Moreover, if the bus had Wi Fi, pas sengers could profitably use their travel time while on board I t w i l l b e i n t e re s t i n g t o s e e h o w A m e r i c a n A i r l i n e s d o e s w i t h t h i s n e w s e r v i c e a n d whether existing bus operators look at start ing service between other city pairs not con nected with the airlines

Several Readers

While transit ridership is down, new transit b u s s a l e s a re m o v i n g a h e a d w i t h t h e h e l p o f f e d e r a l m o n e y M a n y i f n o t m o s t o f t h e n e w t r a n s i t b u s e s b e i n g o r d e r e d a r e b a t t e r y e l e c t r i c a l t h o u g h i t a p p e a r s t h a t h y d r o g e n f u e l c e l l b u s e s a r e b e c o m i n g m o re p o p u l a r

Q. Is it possible to come up with residual values on buses as you did in the past?

A The situation is different for different seg m e n t s o f t h e i n d u s t r y M o s t s c h o o l b u s service has come back There has been a federal push for electric school buses which s h o u l d w o r k o u t w e l l f o r a l m o s t a l l s c h o o l bus routes because of their limited mileage T h e b u s t o u r e n d o f t h e b u s i n e s s i s a l s o coming back nicely although some of the suppliers have limited budgets or are slow in inviting the bus tours to come

q Vol II, No 7 June, 1979 q Vol II, No 10 September, 1979 q Vol III, No 4 March, 1980 q Vol III, No 5 April, 1980 q Vol III, No 6 May, 1980 q Vol. III, No. 9 August, 1980 q Vol III, No 10 September, 1980 q Vol. III, No. 12 November, 1980 q Vol IV, No 5 April, 1981 q Vol. IV, No. 6 May, 1981 q Vol IV, No 7 June, 1981 q Vol. IV, No. 9 August, 1981 q Vol IV, No 10 September, 1981 q Vol. IV, No. 11 October, 1981 q Vol V, No 2 January, 1982 q Vol. V, No. 3 February, 1982 q Vol V, No 6 May, 1982 q Vol V, No 11 October, 1982 q Vol V, No 12 November, 1982 q Vol VI, No 2 January, 1983 q Vol VI, No 5 April, 1983 q Vol VI, No 7 June, 1983 q Vol. VI, No. 9 August, 1983 q Vol VI, No 10 September, 1983 q Vol. VI, No. 11 October, 1983 q Vol VI, No 12 November, 1983 q Vol. VII, No. 5 April, 1984 q Vol VII, No 9 August, 1984 q Vol. VII, No. 10 September, 1984 q Vol VII, No 11 October, 1984 q Vol. VII, No. 12 November, 1984 q Vol VIII, No 2 January, 1985 q Vol. VIII, No. 4 March, 1985 q Vol VIII, No 6 May, 1985 q Vol VIII, No 7 June, 1985 q Vol VIII, No 8 July, 1985 q Vol VIII, No 10 September, 1985 q Vol VIII, No 12 November, 1985 q Vol IX, No 5 April, 1986 q Vol. IX, No. 6 May, 1986 q Vol IX, No 8 July, 1986 q Vol. IX, No. 9 August, 1986 q Vol IX, No 10 September, 1986 q Vol. IX, No. 12 November, 1986 q Vol X, No 2 January, 1987 q Vol. X, No. 4 March, 1987 q Vol X, No 5 April, 1987 q Vol. X, No. 6 May, 1987 q Vol X, No 9 August, 1987 q Vol X, No 10 September, 1987 q Vol X, No 11 October, 1987 q Vol X, No 12 November, 1987 q Vol XI, No 2 January, 1988 q Vol XI, No 3 February, 1988 q Vol. XI, No. 4 March, 1988 q Vol XI, No 5 April, 1988 q Vol. XI, No. 6 May, 1988 q Vol XI, No 11 October, 1988 q Vol. XI, No. 12 November, 1988 q Vol XII, No 2 January, 1989 q Vol. XII, No. 3 February, 1989 q Vol XII, No 4 March, 1989 q Vol. XII, No. 5 April, 1989 q Vol XII, No 6 May, 1989 q Vol. XII, No. 7 June, 1989 q Vol XII, No 10 September, 1989 q Vol XII, No 11 October, 1989 q Vol XIII, No 2 January, 1990 q Vol XIII, No 4 March, 1990 q Vol XIII, No 6 May, 1990 q Vol XIII, No 5 April, 1990 q Vol. XIII, No. 7 June, 1990 q Vol XIII, No 8 July, 1990 q Vol. XIII, No. 10 September, 1990

q Vol XIV, No 2 January, 1991 q Vol XIV, No 4 March, 1991 q Vol XIV, No 7 June, 1991 q Vol XIV, No 10 September, 1991 q Vol. XIV, No. 11 October, 1991 q Vol XIV, No 12 November, 1991 q Vol. XV, No. 2 January, 1992 q Vol XV, No 3 February, 1992 q Vol. XV, No. 4 March, 1992 q Vol XV, No 6 May, 1992 q Vol. XV, No. 7 June, 1992 q Vol XV, No 8 July, 1992 q Vol. XV, No. 9 August, 1992 q Vol XV, No 10 September, 1992 q Vol. XVI, No. 7 June, 1993 q Vol XVI, No 11 October, 1993 q Vol XVI, No 12 November, 1993 q Vol XVII, No 2 January, 1994 q Vol XVII, No 3 February, 1994 q Vol XVII, No 4 March, 1994 q Vol XVII, No 6 May, 1994 q Vol. XVII, No. 7 June, 1994 q Vol XVII, No 10 September, 1994 q Vol. XVII, No. 11 October, 1994 q Vol XVII, No 12 November, 1994 q Vol. XVIII, No. 2 January, 1995 q Vol XVIII, No 3 February, 1995 q Vol. XVIII, No. 4 March, 1995 q Vol XVIII, No 6 May, 1995 q Vol. XVIII, No. 7 June, 1995 q Vol XVIII, No 8 July, 1995 q Vol. XIX, No. 2 January, 1996 q Vol XIX, No 3 February, 1996 q Vol XIX, No 4 March, 1996 q Vol XIX, No 8 July, 1996 q Vol XIX, No 11 October, 1996 q Vol XIX, No 12 November, 1996 q Vol XX, No 2 January, 1997 q Vol. XX, No. 5 April, 1997 q Vol XX, No 6 May, 1997 q Vol. XX, No. 6 May, 1997 q Vol XX, No 7 June, 1997 q Vol. XX, No. 8 July, 1997 q Vol XX, No 9 August, 1997 q Vol. XX, No. 10 September, 1997 q Vol XX, No 12 November, 1997 q Vol. XXI, No. 2 January, 1998 q Vol XXI, No 3 February, 1998 q Vol XXI, No 5 April, 1998 q Vol XXI, No 7 June, 1998 q Vol XXI, No 8 July, 1998 q Vol XXI, No 9 August, 1998 q Vol XXI, No 10 September, 1998 q Vol. XXII, No. 2 January, 1999 q Vol XXII, No 4 March, 1999 q Vol. XXII, No. 5 April, 1999 q Vol XXII, No 6 May, 1999 q Vol. XXII, No. 7 June, 1999 q Vol XXII, No 8 July, 1999 q Vol. XXII, No. 9 August, 1999 q Vol XXII, No 10 September, 1999 q Vol. XXII, No. 11 October, 1999 q Vol XXII, No 12 November, 1999 q Vol. XXIII, No. 2 January, 2000 q Vol XXIII, No 3 February, 2000 q Vol XXIII, No 4 March, 2000 q Vol XXIII, No 5 April, 2000 q Vol XXIII, No 6 May, 2000 q Vol XXIII, No 7 June, 2000 q Vol XXIII, No 8 July, 2000 q Vol. XXIII, No.9 August, 2000 q Vol XXIII, No 10 September, 2000 q Vol. XXIII, No.11 October, 2000 q Vol XXIII, No 12 November, 2000 q Vol. XXIV, No.3 February, 2001 q Vol XXIV, No 4 March, 2001 q Vol. XXIV, No.5 April, 2001 q Vol XXIV, No 6 May, 2001 q Vol. XXIV, No.7 June, 2001 q Vol XXIV, No 9 August, 2001 q Vol. XXIV, No.10 September, 2001 q Vol XXIV, No 11 October, 2001 q Vol XXIV, No 12 November, 2001 q Vol XXV, No 2 January, 2002 q Vol XXV, No 3 February, 2002 q Vol. XXV, No. 4 March, 2002 q Vol. XXV, No. 5 April, 2002 q Vol XXV, No 6 May, 2002 q Vol XXV, No 8 July, 2002 q Vol XXV, No 9 August, 2002 q Vol XXV, No 11 October, 2002 q Vol. XXVI, No. 4 March, 2003 q Vol. XXVI, No. 6 May, 2003 q Vol XXVI, No 7 June, 2003 q Vol XXVI, No 8 July, 2003 q Vol XXVI, No 9 August, 2003 q Vol XXVI, No 10 September, 2003

q Vol XXVI, No 11 October, 2003 q Vol. XXVI, No. 12 November, 2003 q Vol. XXVII, No. 2 January, 2004 q Vol XXVII, No 3 February, 2004 q Vol XXVII, No 4 March, 2004 q Vol XXVII, No 5 April, 2004 q Vol XXVII, No 8 July, 2004 q Vol. XXVII, No. 9 August, 2004 q Vol. XXVII, No. 10 September, 2004 q Vol XXVII, No 11 October, 2004 q Vol XXVII, No 12 November, 2004 q Vol XXVIII, No 2 January, 2005 q Vol XXVIII, No 3 February, 2005 q Vol. XXVIII, No. 4 March, 2005 q Vol. XXVIII, No. 5 April, 2005 q Vol. XXVIII, No. 6 May, 2005 q Vol XXVIII, No 7 June, 2005 q Vol XXVIII, No 9 August, 2005 q Vol XXVIII, No 10 September, 2005 q Vol XXVIII, No 11 October, 2005 q Vol. XXVIII, No. 12 November, 2005 q Vol. XXVIV, No. 2 January, 2006 q Vol XXVIV, No 3 February, 2006 q Vol XXVIV, No 4 March, 2006 q Vol XXVIV, No 5 April, 2006 q Vol XXVIV, No 6 May, 2006 q Vol. XXVIV, No. 7 June, 2006 q Vol. XXVIV, No. 8 July, 2006 q Vol XXVIV, No 9 August, 2006 q Vol XXVIV, No 10 September, 2006 q Vol XXVIV, No 11 October, 2006 q Vol XXVIV, No 12 November, 2006 q Vol. XXX, No. 1 December, 2006 q Vol. XXX, No. 2 January, 2007 q Vol XXX, No 3 February, 2007 q Vol XXX, No 4 March, 2007 q Vol XXX, No 5 April, 2007 q Vol XXX, No 6 May, 2007 q Vol. XXX, No. 7 June, 2007 q Vol. XXX, No. 8 July, 2007 q Vol XXX, No 9 August, 2007 q Vol XXX, No 10 September, 2007 q Vol XXX No 11 October, 2007 q Vol XXX, No 12 November, 2007 q Vol. XXXI, No. 1 December, 2007 q Vol. XXXI, No. 2 January, 2008 q Vol. XXXI, No. 3 February, 2008 q Vol XXXI, No 4 March, 2008 q Vol XXXI, No 5 April, 2008 q Vol XXXI, No 6 May, 2008 q Vol XXXI, No 7 June, 2008 q Vol. XXXI, No. 8 July, 2008 q Vol. XXXI, No. 9 August, 2008 q Vol XXXI, No 10 September, 2008 q Vol XXXI, No 11 October, 2008 q Vol XXXI, No 12 November, 2008 q Vol XXXII, No 1 December, 2008 q Vol. XXXII, No. 2 January, 2009 q Vol. XXXII, No. 3 February, 2009 q Vol XXXII, No 4 March, 2009 q Vol XXXII, No 5 April, 2009 q Vol XXXII, No 6 May, 2009 q Vol XXXII, No 7 June, 2009 q Vol. XXXII, No. 8 July, 2009 q Vol. XXXII, No. 9 August, 2009 q Vol XXXII, No 10 September, 2009 q Vol XXXII, No 11 October, 2009 q Vol XXXII, No 12 November, 2009 q Vol XXXIII, No 1 December, 2009 q Vol. XXXIII, No. 2 January, 2010 q Vol. XXXIII, No. 3 February, 2010 q Vol XXXIII, No 4 March, 2010 q Vol XXXIII, No 5 April, 2010 q Vol XXXIII, No 6 May, 2010 q Vol XXXIII, No 7 June, 2010 q Vol XXXIII, No 8 July, 2010 q Vol. XXXIII, No. 9 August, 2010 q Vol XXXIII, No 10 September, 2010 q Vol. XXXIII, No. 11 October, 2010 q Vol XXXIII, No 12 November, 2010 q Vol. XXXIV, No. 1 December, 2010 q Vol XXXIV, No 2 January, 2011 q Vol. XXXIV, No. 3 February, 2011 q Vol XXXIV, No 4 March, 2011 q Vol. XXXIV, No. 5 April, 2011 q Vol XXXIV, No 6 May, 2011 q Vol. XXXIV, No. 7 June, 2011 q Vol XXXIV, No 8 July, 2011 q Vol XXXIV, No 9 August, 2011 q Vol XXXIV, No 10 September, 2011 q Vol XXXIV, No 11 October, 2011 q Vol XXXIV, No 12 November, 2011 q Vol XXXV, No 1 December, 2011 q Vol. XXXV, No. 2 January, 2012 q Vol XXXV, No 3 February, 2012 q Vol. XXXV, No. 4 March, 2012 q Vol XXXV, No 5 April, 2012 q Vol. XXXV, No. 6 May, 2012 q Vol XXXV, No 7 June, 2012 q Vol. XXXV, No. 8 July, 2012 q Vol XXXV, No 9 August, 2012

can either

1979 thru c u r r e n t a r e $ 3 U S , $ 4 5 0 C a n a d a a n d $ 5 International (US) each postpaid

BACK ISSUES EVERY ISSUE IS NEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ IT!

NATIONAL BUS TRADER continues to receive requests on availability of back issues so that readers locate

following

the

Issues

desired information or obtain missing issues

While they last, the back issues are available beginning with June,

Several issues are already “out of print,” hence we suggest that you indicate second requested are no longer available

choices We r e s e r v e t h e r i g h t t o r e f u n d m o n e y i f i s s u e s

• Now is Not the Time to Skip on Bus Maintenance

• Book Review q Vol. XXXX, No. 10 September, 2017 • Propane Continues to be Clean and Economical

• Bus History on a Wall q Vol XXXX, No 8 July, 2017

• Vicinity A Mid Size Bus Success Story • Prevost Conversion Shells for All Types of Coaches • The Bus Accident in Red Lion, Delaware q Vol. XXXX, No. 9 August, 2017 • “J” is for Jackpot with the 2018 J4500 • Industry History from UMA Shows Installment II

• Van Hool Builds Bus Factoryin Morristown, Tennessee q Vol. XXXXI, No. 7 June, 2018 • MCI Academy Wins Fans Across Industry • Where are the Buses Built? #1 • The Campaign Bus for the President of the Philippines

• Time to Think Tours • Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness q Vol XXXXIII, No 8 July, 2020 • What the IATR and Transportation Regulators are Doing to Respond to the COVID 19 Pandemic

• Taking a Venture in Norfolk •The Five “No’s” You Must Overcome to Sell Your Bus Business q Vol XXXX, No 12 November, 2017 • MCI Reliability Rally 2017 • BusCon 2017 in Indianapolis • Exit Planning Becoming More Complicated for Family Owned Bus Businesses q Vol. XXXXI, No. 1 December, 2017 • Complete Coach Works and the Carson Heritage

• Marijuana and Drivers q Vol XXXXIII, No 10 September, 2020

• How Will Autonomous Cars Impact the Bus Industry? q Vol XXXXI, No 12 November, 2018 • Peter Pan Celebrates 85 Years on the Road

• The Six Levels of Autonomous Vehicles q Vol XXXXII, No 6 May, 2019 • Temsa North America Inc Temsa’s Increased Sup port for the American Market

• The 2019 Spring Fling in Hershey • Congestion Pricing May Affect Bus Operators

• Grants, Loans and Programs to Help Transportation Companies Survive COVID 19 Business Disruption

• Book Review Chicago Motor Coach q Vol. XXXXII, No. 10 September, 2019

• Busworld 2017 in Belgium q Vol XXXXI, No 4 March, 2018 • UMA Motorcoach Expo 2018i • Van Hool to Build Buses in Eastern Tennessee

• Clean Up Your Fleet with a Bitimec Wash Bot q Vol XXXXII, No 1 December, 2018 • Prevost Unveils New Features and New Possibility on the Volvo 9700 at UMA Expo • MCI’s New J3500 Small in Size, Big in Features

• Extended Service Protection on Your Bus Fleet

• Ten Things to Consider When Choosing a Luxury RV q Vol XXXXII, No 9 August, 2019 • NFI Group Acquires Alexander Dennis • Getting the Glow Take a look inside the “New Look” of Liberty

• Museum of Bus Transportation Spring Fling Open House Success • “Friends” of the NJ Heritage Center Takes Eight Vin tage Coaches to the 2018 MOBT Spring Fling q Vol XXXXI, No 10 September, 2018 • Van Hool’s CX35 Small in Size, Big in Quality • Diecast Model Buses Impress in a Big Way • Master ’s Transportation Where to go to increase your ﬂeet quickly or temporarily q Vol. XXXXI, No. 11 October, 2018 • ZF Technology Day in Friedrichshafen • MCI’s 2018 Reliability Rally

• Angel Tours Celebrates 20 Years • The Saga of #5496, a 1937 Yellow Coach Model 733 q Vol XXXXII, No 5 April, 2019 • Buses at the 2019 ABA Marketplace in Louisville • Are Pre Owned Coach Sales Declining?

• UMA Motorcoach Expo 2020 in Nashville

• Are the Reasons for Coach Seat Belts Changing?

• New Coach Review • Seven Simple Steps to Show Your Customers You Are Open for Business • Can Bus Operators Change to Survive? q Vol XXXXIII, No 11 October, 2020

• The Passengers Left Behind Take the Accessible Information Test q Vol. XXXXII, No. 8 July, 2019 • Prevost Motorhome Expo • Featherlite Luxury Coaches • Emerald Luxury Coaches Unveils First H3 45 Conversions

• The Penn Highway Transit Company q Vol. XXXXI, No. 8 July, 2018 • Farber Continues Custom Coach Traditions • Prevost’s New Flat Floor Slide Outs • Liberty Coach Busch Bus q Vol XXXXI, No 9 August, 2018 • ZF Components for Electric Buses

• Temsa’s Redesigned TS 30 • BusCon 2019 in Indianapolis • Hammond Transportation q Vol XXXXIII, No 2 January, 2020 • Anchor Transportation 30 Years and Counting in a Growing Nashville • David Thomas Tours and Their Short Temsa Coaches

• Stagecoach Group Sells Coach USA and Coach Canada • The Story of the Australian Scenicruiser q Vol XXXXII, No 4 March, 2019 • UMA 2019 Motorcoach Expo in Fort Lauderdale

• Talk’s Cheap Let’s Play q Vol XXXXIV, No 1 December, 2020 • Keolis Moves People • Are Mergers the Answer?

• 10 Easy Ways to Update Your Web Site During COVID 19

• Bringing Back the Bus Industry • Bus Industry Suggestions from Shriver Insurance

• The Small Business Reorganization Act A New Option in Bankruptcy

• Industry History from UMA Shows Installment III q Vol XXXX, No 11 October, 2017 • ABC & Van Hool Celebrate 30 Years

• Getting People Back on the Buses

• Museum of Bus Transportation to Merge with Antique Automobile Club of America Museum q Vol XXXXIII, No 3 February, 2020 • Busworld 2019 in Brussels, Part I • Heroes’ Honeymoon • Philadelphia to New York Every Half Hour q Vol XXXXIII, No 4 March, 2020 • Busworld 2019 in Brussels, Part II

• The Changing Bus Industry q Vol XXXXIII, No 5 April, 2020 • ABA Marketplace 2020 in Omaha • Procedure and Liability After a Collision with an Automated Vehicle • Impaired Drivers q Vol. XXXXIII, No. 6 May, 2020

• How Temsa Developed Their Programmable Electric Bus • Can Bus Companies Get to and Survive in the “New Normal?”

• In the Beginning The Bus Industry Prior to Regula tion in 1935 q Vol XXXXII, No 11 October, 2019 • Proterra Launches Proterra Powered™ Vehicle Electri ﬁcation Solutions for Commercial Fleets • Bendix Tech Tips: Avoiding the “Gotchas” • The “Shorty” Flxibles of Pikes Peak q Vol XXXXII, No 12 November, 2019 • 30 Years of Foxy Travel & FTI Coach • Fleet Graphics is an Art at ABC Companies • MCI debuts 2020 model line up with a SNEAK PRE VIEW of the battery electric D45 CRTe LE CHARGE at Bay Area Reliability Symposium on October 1 q Vol XXXXIII, No 1 December, 2019

q Vol XXXV, No 10 September, 2012 q Vol XXXV, No 11 October, 2012 q Vol XXXV, No 12 November, 2012 q Vol XXXVI, No 1 December, 2012 q Vol. XXXVI, No. 2 January, 2013 q Vol XXXVI, No 3 February, 2013 q Vol. XXXVI, No. 4 March, 2013 q Vol XXXVI, No 5 April, 2013 q Vol. XXXVI, No. 6 May, 2013 q Vol XXXVI, No 7 June, 2013 q Vol. XXXVI, No. 8 July, 2013 q Vol XXXVI, No 9 August, 2013 q Vol. XXXVI, No. 10 September, 2013 q Vol XXXVI, No 11 October, 2013 q Vol. XXXVI, No. 12 November, 2013 q Vol XXXVII, No 1 December, 2013 q Vol XXXVII, No 2 January, 2014 q Vol XXXVII, No 3 February, 2014 q Vol XXXVII, No 4 March, 2014 q Vol XXXVII, No 5 April, 2014 q Vol XXXVII, No 6 May, 2014 q Vol. XXXVII, No. 7 June, 2014 q Vol XXXVII, No 8 July, 2014 q Vol. XXXVII, No. 9 August, 2014 q Vol XXXVII, No 10 September, 2014 q Vol. XXXVII, No. 11 October, 2014 q Vol XXXVII, No 12 November, 2014 q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1 December, 2014 q Vol XXXVIII, No 2 January, 2015 q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 3 February, 2015 q Vol XXXVIII, No 4 March, 2015 q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 5 April, 2015 q Vol XXXVIII, No 6 May, 2015 q Vol XXXVIII, No 7 June, 2015 q Vol XXXVIII, No 8 July, 2015 q Vol XXXVIII, No 9 August, 2015 q Vol XXXVIII, No 10 September, 2015 q Vol XXXVIII, No 11 October, 2015 q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 12 November, 2015 q Vol XXXIX, No 1 December, 2015 q Vol. XXXIX, No. 2 January, 2016 q Vol XXXIX, No 3 February, 2016 q Vol. XXXIX, No. 4 March, 2016 q Vol XXXIX, No 5 April, 2016 q Vol. XXXIX, No. 6 May, 2016 q Vol XXXIX, No 7 June, 2016 q Vol. XXXIX, No. 8 July, 2016 q Vol XXXIX, No 9 August, 2016 q Vol XXXIX, No 10 September, 2016 q Vol XXXIX, No 11 October, 2016 q Vol XXXIX, No 12 November, 2016 q Vol XL, No 1 December, 2016 q Vol XL, No 2 January, 2017 q Vol XL, No 3 February, 2017 q Vol XL, No 4 March, 2017 q Vol. XXXX, No. 5 April, 2017 q Vol XXXX, No 6 May, 2017 • UMA Motorcoach Expo in St Louis

• Rochester City Lines Still Making, Preserving and Celebrating History q Vol XXXX, No 7 June, 2017 • Industry History From UMA Shows Installment I

• The New MCI D45 CRT LE q Vol XXXXI, No 5 April, 2018 • Charging Ahead with Electric Buses • Holiday Tours Puts Customers First • How Chicago’s “Party Bus” Ordinance is Affecting Bus Tourism q Vol XXXXI, No 6 May, 2018 • The CHTC HT45 amd HT35 Coaches • The Paciﬁc Bus Museum From Hobby to Formal Museum • Twenty Tips on Hiring Bus Drivers

• The e GO Mover Filling a Gap in Transportation with ZF Technology • Giving Buses a Second Life at Complete Coach Works q Vol. XXXXII, No. 2 January, 2019 • BusCon 2018 in Indianapolis • Panorama Tours Keeps Things in the Family • How Will Demand or Congestion Toll Pricing Impact Bus Operations? q Vol XXXXII, No 3 February, 2019 • Test Driving the New Electric MCI J4500e CHARGE

• Bus Preservation After the Merger q Vol XXXXIII, No 7 June, 2020

q Vol XXXXI, No 2 January, 2018 • Prevost Again Moves Ahead in Support, Service and Parts • New 2018 J4500 Highlights Busy Season for MCI • Common Rail Technology and the GHG17 Volvo Engine q Vol. XXXXI, No. 3 February, 2018 • Walking the Irizar Assembly Line in Ormaiztegi

• A Tribute to Kirwan Elmers and Custom Coach Corporation • RiverLandings Motorcoach Resort, Where True Lux ury Reaches New Heights q Vol. XXXXIII, No. 9 August, 2020 • The Evolving MCI Product Line • The Impact of COVID 19 on the Transportation Ecosystem

• The Prize Winning Aerocoach at the Museum of Bus Transportation

• Didn’t See That Coming • The Eucharistic Congress in Chicago q Vol XXXXIII, No 12 November, 2020

• H&L Charter The Best Comes in Small Packages

• MCI Launches Motorcoach Technician Apprentice ship Program • 2019 Spring Fling Announced q Vol XXXXII, No 7 June, 2019 • Looking Beyond the Driver Shortage to Demography and the Global Economy

• The Busboys Vintage Bus Rally in Evansville, Indiana • Virginia’s Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum Ravaged by Fire • Re Energizing the North American Diecast Model Bus Scene

• What Can Bus Companies Do To Reduce Insurance Costs During COVID 19?

• A Lesson from the Sea Time to Choose a Strategy

Classified ad rate is $30 per issue for first 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Rate includes Internet access. Name, address, zip and phone number are not included in word count The total number of words in a classified ad can not exceed 70 Rates apply on each ad individually the rate for multiple insertions is the total of each ad figured individually. Free classified ads are acceptable ONLY when sub mitted on or with your free classified ad cer tificate. Display advertising rates on request. 1 BUSES WANTED Seeking 102D3 converted by Custom Coach Prefer motor home interior with side aisle or semi side aisle Please provide details by e mail to safety@busmag com or phone Larry at (815) 946 2341 5A ADULT MINIBUSES FOR SALE Shuttle, limo, ADA configurations New & pre owned Buy or lease Financing available Contact Coachwest Luxury & Professional Motorcars Inc at (310) 609 2900 in CA q 6 MOTOR HOMES FOR SALE 2 0 1 2 D 4 5 0 5 B i n d o o r m i s s i n g R e b u i l t e n g i n e transmission Transmission in bin You haul $9,500 Call (662) 902 0422 in MS I 1991 Hawkins motorcoach 3208T CAT, 35 ft with all awnings Alcoa wheels, landing/docking lights, heated m i r r o r s , d u c t e d h e a t , l e v e l e r s , t w o a i r c o n d i t i o n e r s , propane generator, exhaust brake Always stored indoors Asking $15,000 Contact Dallas in MI at (269) 591 2564 I 6 MOTOR HOMES FOR SALE MCI MC5A ’67 (shell) 8V 71, 4 speed For sale to high est bidder Call (928) 358 6415 or (505) 713 9242 in AZ I 1956 Flxible coach old conversion Phone (802) 948 2886 in VT for details I 10 – PARTS AND EQUIPMENT Detroit Diesel engines, parts New and used S53, S71, S60, S92 Also will rebuild or repair your engine Leid Diesel Service, 2952 W Carson City Rd , Sheridan MI 48884 Phone (616) 754 5871 q 6V 92T Detroit Diesel engine Fresh overhaul In stor age Spent $4,700 Make offer Phone (815) 262 0587 in IL I 13 EMPLOYMENT AND POSITIONS Steamboat Springs Transit, Colorado, is hiring transit bus operators Full time, seasonal, local and regional drivers $21 34 hour plus bonuses for licensed drivers CDL training $18 84 hour Phone us at (970) 879 3717; email us at transit@steamboatsprings net or text us at (970) 846 1279 I 14 NOTICES Visit our 40+ vintage bus collection most Saturday morn ings at Lakewood NJ Bus Terminal Join: Friends NJ Transport Heritage Center ($30 annually) See/learn: www friendsnjthc org I 42 • National Bus Trader / September, 2022 Classified Down The Road Coming events of interest to readers of NATIONAL BUS TRADER. Submissions for the department should be directed to the editor Unless otherwise indicated, events are not open to the general public. Nov e mbe r 1 3 1 6 , 2 0 2 2 N TA Tr a v e l Exchange. Reno Tahoe, Nevada J a n u a r y 1 2 1 6 , 2 0 2 3 U M A M o t o r coach Expo 2023. Orlando, Florida For m o re i n f o r m a t i o n v i e w m o t o rc o a c h expo com F e b r u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 2 3 A m e r i c a n B u s Association Marketplace 2023. Detroit, Michigan. M a rc h 1 5 1 8 , 2 0 2 3 F M C A ' s 1 0 6 t h I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n v e n t i o n a n d RV E x p o . G e o rg i a N a t i o n a l F a i rg ro u n d s and Agricenter, Perry, Georgia. March 28, 2023 Pennsylvania Bus Association Marketplace. Holiday Inn, Morgantown, Pennsylvania Boothbay Railway Village & Antique Automobile Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Bradford House Historical Association 9 Bus Conversion Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 City of Ft. Madison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Crawford County CVB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Dupree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 FMCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Heartland Travel Showcase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Irizar USA . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Midwest Bus Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Motor Coach Industries . . . . . 44 Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Prevost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Temsa Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 39 Town of Lexington, Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Visit The Colony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 White Pines Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 ZF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Adver tiser’s Index Please mention National Bus Trader when answering adver tisers

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National Bus Trader The Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada Volume XLV, No. 1

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