NBT The Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada Volume XLIV, No. 6 May, 2021

National Bus Trader

The Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada Volume XLIV, No. 6

May, 2021

Serving the bus industry since 1977.

Visit us at www.busmag.com.

• MCI Leads Alberta’s First Zero-Emission Coach Demonstration • Think Small • Doing Things Backwards • Brexit, Politics and Northern Ireland

Together for a safer and more sustainable future Irizar USA 100 Cassia Way Henderson NV, 89014 702 431 0707 www.irizarusa.com

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National Bus Trader The Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada STAFF Editor & Publisher Larry Plachno

Business Manager Nancy Ann Plachno Typesetting/Page Layout Sherry Mekeel

Production/Design/Web Jake Ron Plaras

Volume XLIV

National Bus Trader 9698 W. Judson Road Polo, Illinois 61064-9015 Phone: (815) 946-2341 Web site: www.busmag.com

Number 6

May, 2021

Features CONTRIBUTORS Safety and Liability Ned Einstein Dave Millhouser

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Affiliations and Memberships: American Bus Association, The Bus History Association, Family Motor Coach Association, International Bus Collectors, North American Trackless Trolley Association, Motor Bus Society, omnibus Society of America, Tourist Railway Association, united Motorcoach Association.

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MCI Leads Alberta’s First Zero-Emission Motorcoach Demonstration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 MCI’s J4500 CHARGE™ was shown in Calgary and Fort Murray in March. This was the first time a zero-emissions battery-electric motorcoach was on the road in Alberta.

It was also used for employee transportation.

Think Small – for a big way to get buses moving again (by Larry Plachno) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 While smaller groups may have been looked on unfavorably in the past, in the post-pandemic world they may be a blessing as smaller groups find that buses can be safer to ride than other public transportation.

Doing Things Backwards (by Dave Millhouser) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Bus industry pundit Dave Millhouser suggests that doing things backwards can make things difficult. He points out that money spent in America on enforcing and complying with laws amounts to a substantial amount.

Brexit, Politics and Northern Ireland (by Larry Plachno) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 our editor suggests that part of the problem with Brexit and the increasing unrest in Northern Ireland may stem from the fact that politics has taken priority over being practical and listening to the people.

Cover Photo

Departments

MCI’s J4500 CHARGE batteryelectric coach was involved in a demonstration in Calgary and Fort Murray, Alberta in March.

This marked the first time a battery-electric coach operated in Alberta and was even used for employee site transportation. See the article starting on page 20 for more information. MCI.

Equipment News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Bus Equipment People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Safety and Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Advertiser’s Index appears on page 34

National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 3

Equipment News

The Museum of Bus Transportation, which recently merged with the Antique Automobile Club of America, will be holding its annual Spring Fling on June 4.

Activities will include bus displays, a flea market vendors selling bus memorabilia, and prizes awarded for buses in various categories. Members can attend the event without charge.

Bus Museum Spring Fling The Museum of Bus Transportation, which has merged with the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, will be holding it’s first post pandemic Spring Fling June 4-5.

The Fling is sort of a family reunion for bus history enthusiasts from all over the country and showcases the museum’s collection of more than 40 historic buses and dozens of visiting coaches – some coming all the way from California. In recent years the event has drawn nearly 500 visitors.

There will be an informal outdoor town hall on Friday evening, and Saturday will feature the traditional bus show and a flea market for vendors selling bus memorabilia.

As in the past, prizes will be awarded for the best of various categories of visiting buses, and there will be a “Parade of Champions” of the winning coaches.

This year’s theme is The Golden Age of Buses – the 1950s and 1960s – but every year and model is more than welcome.

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Cost is $19 for non-members of the museum and free for members. Annual membership to the MOBT/AACAM is only $35 – hint hint. You can join online or at the Fling.

For more information, to join, register or rent vendor tables, go to www. busmuseum.org or www.aacamuseum.org For more specifics on the event, or questions not addressed by the web page, you can e-mail info@busmuseum.org.

ABC to Offer Vicinity Lightning Buses ABC Companies, a leading provider of motorcoach, transit and specialty passenger transport equipment in the USA and Canada, announced that it has placed an initial order for 10 Vicinity Lightning™ EV buses with its new U.S. distribution partner, Grande West, a leading supplier of electric, CNG, gas and clean diesel buses. The ABC distributorship supports Grande West’s focus on U.S. expansion as it begins marketing the fully Buy America compliant Vicinity™ heavy-duty midsize bus – the Vicinity Lightning™ EV and

Vicinity™ LT light duty models – to new and existing customers.

The new Vicinity Lightning EV buses currently on order will bring a unique 28foot, low-floor offering to the U.S. marketplace. With a flexible floorplan utilizing proven components such as BMW sourced battery packs, modules and components, public and private customers will be able to offer zero emission transportation to a variety of passengers. Production units are slated for delivery to ABC in the third and fourth quarters of 2021 for resale into the U.S. “The size, flexibility and quality of the Vicinity Lightning EV bridges the gap between larger buses and lower passenger shuttles, with a very compact footprint which benefits the operators, drivers and passengers. We think it is a real win-win-win,” said Roman Cornell, president and chief commercial officer of ABC Companies. “The Vicinity Lightning EV joins the portfolio of zero emission vehicles ABC sells and services to meet the rapidly evolving batteryelectric market.”

Equipment News The order is the first from ABC, who recently entered an agreement with Vicinity Motors to distribute its full line of products which currently includes the Vicinity heavy-duty, mid-size bus, the Vicinity Lightning EV and Vicinity™ LT light duty models. The Vicinity line fills key transit and private shuttle roles within the ABC vehicle portfolio, enhancing its offerings to current customers while expanding sales further into the U.S. transit market.

“We anticipate high demand for our clean, sustainable Vicinity Lightning EV, and these initial orders mark the beginning of a valuable partnership with the excellent team at ABC,” said William Trainer, founder and chief executive officer of Vicinity Motors.

“People are recognizing the need to move people more efficiently using proven zero emission technology with a smaller environmental footprint, and governments are responding to these demands. In fact, just last week the Government of Canada announced a $2.75 billion investment over the next five years that includes zero-emissions public transit and school buses.

“As customers transition to and adopt electric vehicles, the Vicinity Lightning EV provides maximum versatility to support multiple transportation applications utilizing high quality, proven and commercially available technology and industry standardized charging solutions. With our production ramp up, we now have 25 Vicinity Lightning EV buses in the production phase and are gearing up for significant growth. We look forward to expanding our reach and sales in the U.S. through our partnership with ABC, driving forward a more sustainable public transit system,” concluded Trainer.

ABC Companies is a leading provider to the transportation industry with diverse product and service offerings that cover a full spectrum of operational needs including new and preowned, full-size highway coach equipment along with transit specialty vehicles including battery-electric vehicles. ABC supports customers with a comprehensive after sale service network for service and repairs, collision services, extensive OEM and quality aftermarket parts needs for transit, motorcoach and heavyduty equipment from ten strategically placed locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Additionally, private and municipal financing and leasing options are available through the company's financial services group – one of the largest financial service providers within the industry. For more information, contact ABC Companies at (800) 222-2875 or visit the company Web site at www.abccompanies.com.

Sanitize Air and Surfaces with Envirocare from Prevost Prevost recently launched EnviroCare, a dual ionization system that sanitizes and

ABC Companies will be selling the Vicinity Lightning electric bus. The Vicinity small transit bus was developed in Canada and has become popular in the United States because it complies with Buy America provisions. The 28-foot Lightning offers different interior options for a variety of applications.

cleans the air and surfaces in coaches through the air and climate system. A proven technology used in home and automotive applications globally, EnviroCare supports motorcoach operators in providing a safe environment and boosting confidence for group travel riders.

reach places, will be sanitized,” said Francois Tremblay, vice president and general manager of Prevost. “We are proud to bring this solution to our customers and their fleets creating an environment where groups can feel comfortable traveling together again.”

“Operators have been using deep cleaning methods to sanitize coaches with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now we can ensure the air and surfaces in the entire coach, including those hard to

This dual ionization system is added to the cabin climate system and helps to suppress and deactivate viruses, bacteria and mold that are airborn or on surfaces. EnviroCare uses a balance of positive and neg-

Prevost’s new EnviroCare system provides a safer bus environment while promoting passenger confidence. This dual ionization process is added to the cabin climate control system to suppress and deactivate viruses, bacteria and mold both airborne as well as on surfaces. The system works without chemicals and has been used around the world in different industries.

National Bus Trader / May, 2021• 5

Equipment News ative ions to attach to and change the structure of viruses, bacteria and other pollutants to create harmless and invisible water vapor.

Geoff Lynch, president of Hampton Jitney, has worked with Prevost on use and real-world testing of the system in his motorcoach operations. "Our priority at Hampton Jitney has always been the safety and wellbeing of both our passengers and employees,” said Lynch. “The EnviroCare system helps us achieve that mandate and has been a great addition to our Wellness Protection program for our motorcoaches. We have been working with Prevost to test the effectiveness of the system and we have seen hospital-grade cleanliness in the coach. I have confidence that our passengers and staff benefit from the natural sanitation of the cabin air and surfaces with the EnviroCare System."

Additionally, Prevost leads the industry in air flow standards. All the air within the passenger cabin is refreshed every five minutes and the air inside the coach is filtered every minute. Replenishing and filtering the air so often reassures passengers they are not breathing contaminates from other sources.

“At Prevost, safety is always a priority.

We tested many systems with EnviroCare standing out to make the cabin and surfaces sanitized without chemicals, side effects and all trip long,” said Jeff Gagne, product manager. “This technology has

been used around the world, in many different industries. It just makes great sense for the specific application of motorcoaches.”

Your Prevost team is always ready to assist by providing or reviewing the system and testing results. Check out a quick video overview at https://youtu.be/EXMd0Z_DPgs and visit www.prevostcar.com for further information on EnviroCare and other Clean + Care program offerings from Prevost.

Prevost has provided coach solutions for nearly a century with an uncompromising commitment to quality, a drive for constant innovation and improvement and dedication to safety and sustainability in every business aspect. Today, Prevost is one of North America’s largest producers of premium intercity touring coaches and is the world leader in the production of high-end motor home and specialty conversion coaches. Customer support is secured via the largest service network in the motorcoach industry with 17 OEM-owned and operated service centers across North America, a specialized customer support team with more than 260 years of industry experience and 60 mobile service vans. Prevost manufacturing facilities are located in Sainte-Claire, Quebec, Canada. Prevost is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of buses, trucks, construction equipment, power solutions for marine and industrial applications, financing and services that increase customer uptime and productivity.

The Midwest Bus & Motorcoach Association celebrates its 10th anniversary in August of 2021. Support stretches from Kansas to Ohio while activities include an annual convention and trade show as well as other kinds of operator support. This photo was taken in 2016 at an MBMCA show in the Chicago area.

For more information, please visit www.volvogroup.com.

MBMCA Celebrates 10 Years The Midwest Bus & Motorcoach Association celebrates 10 years in August 2021.

The inaugural Annual Convention took place in Lisle, Illinois, in November 2011. The association was formed to bring together tour and travel, and school bus industries through networking and education at an Annual Convention and Trade Show. The Annual Convention soon added a driver safety competition in year two, and the winner is sponsored by the association to participate in the national safety competition.

Support of the association stretches from Kansas to Ohio.

MBMCA provides resources to raise awareness of: • OEM and industry supplier contacts and technical information • Publications and position papers • Legislative and regulatory updates The online membership directory provides an avenue to connect with peers and solution providers as well as targeted advertising.

In 2020, the membership came together more than ever with grassroots efforts to save the industry from the effects of COVID19 through a nationwide awareness campaign, “Motorcoaches Rolling For Awareness,” in addition to thousands of e-mails, calls and letters sent to Congress. The national effort proved one of the most recognized collaborative efforts in D.C. and obtained 68 percent support for the CERTS Act from Congressional Representatives and Senators, the most of any bill in Congress that session.

In 2020, the association moved ahead with the Annual Convention and Trade Show on a smaller scale, providing the venue safely and free to all members who could attend. Even as everyone experienced a tremendously difficult 2020, support for the event was fantastic and the association is looking ahead to a brighter future. The 2021 Annual Convention, Trade Show and Safety Competition will be held July 21-22, in Elkhart, Indiana. Plan to join and celebrate these 10 years of accomplishments.

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New Flyer Unveils its Most Advanced EV Bus New Flyer of America Inc. (New Flyer), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, recently unveiled its next generation battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ heavy-duty transit bus, built on the proven Xcelsior® platform.

Equipment News Based on North America’s first low-floor transit bus introduced by New Flyer in 1991, the Xcelsior was launched in 2009, with more than 16,000 delivered to date. Having surpassed 4.5 million service miles with its battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ and fuel cell-electric Xcelsior CHARGE H2™ buses, New Flyer applied the best of zeroemission design, performance, research and ingenuity to develop its newest electric bus.

New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE NG incorporates three distinct technology advancements to deliver a high-performance bus, including next generation high-energy batteries that extend range up to 13 percent, advanced protective battery packaging designed for easy install and simpler serviceability and a new lighweight electric traction drive system with up to 90 percent energy recovery.

“The Xcelsior CHARGE NG harnesses the best technology on the market. It includes a streamlined design that reduces maintenance, increases energy density and improves energy recovery while significantly reducing weight – offering a lighter, more energy efficient and longer range electric bus,” said Chris Stoddart, president, New Flyer and MCI. “As EV demand continues

to build, so too has our innovation. With better manufacturability, higher energy recovery, fewer parts and improved system durability, our Xcelsior CHARGE NG is a high-performance bus that is more sustainable and easier to maintain.”

New Flyer manufactures its own batteries in its bus production faiclities. The battery packaging, developed by New Flyer, utilizes single waterproof enclosure design and offers weight reduction and simpler maintenance, decreasing the number of parts by 90 percent. Its streamlined approach also allows technicians to simply “plug in” or “unplug” individual battery packs, significantly reducing bus downtime and allowing easy replacement as needed in the future.

High-energy, long-range batteries utilize an active liquid cooling system to maintain temperature and respond quickly to increases in power demand and environmental loads. The batteries are also better insulated, lending optimal temperature maintenance, prolonged battery life and greater power efficiency. Finally, the Siemens ELFA 3 traction system delivers up to 90 percent energy recovery and weighs 69 percent less than ELFA 2, allowing greater passenger capacity and lending more efficient design

through compact inverters and embedded drive controllers.

“Millions of people count on us every day, whether for reaching their destinations or expecting the highest quality from our technology,” said Jennifer McNeill, vice president of Public Sector Sales and Marketing. “This is why, alongside vehicle technology advancements, we have evolved our manufacturing and field services processes to ensure a safe, reliable, scalable approach to be ready for tomorrow’s growing electric bus demand today. In turn, we also enhanced training for our teams and those of transit agencies across North America, enabling EV adoption while supporting continuous workforce development to drive the new mobility era.”

To provide workforce development on Xcelsior CHARGE NG technologies, New Flyer will host a no cost virtual training session on May 26, 2021, through the Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC). To register for the VIC session or to learn more about the Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric bus, visit newflyer.com/NG. Alongside MCI, New Flyer also operates the VIC, the first and only innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing bus tech-

National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 7

Equipment News nology and providing essential workforce development through electric bus training, now available online. For information on the VIC, visit newflyer.com/VIC. Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI is leading the electrification of mass mobility around the world. With zeroemission buses and coaches, infrastructure and technology, NFI meets today’s urban demands for scalable smart mobility solutions. Together, NFI is enabling more livable cities throughout connected, clean and sustainable transportation.

With 8,000 team members in 10 countries, NFI is a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the brands New Flyer ® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI® (motorcoaches), Alexander Dennis Limited (single- and double-deck buses), Plaxton (motorcoaches), ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses) and NFI Parts™. NFI currently offers the widest range of sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission electric (trolley, battery and fuel cell), natural gas, electric hybrid and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base of more than 105,000 buses and coaches around the world.

New Flyer is North America’s heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the most advanced product line under the Xcelsior® and Xcelsior CHARGE brands. It also offers infrastructure development through New Flyer Infrastructure Solutions, a service dedicated to providing safe, sustainable and reliable charging and mobility solutions. New Flyer actively supports more than 35,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI and Orion) currently in service, of which 8,600 are powered by electric motors and battery propulsion and 1,900 are zero-emission. Further information is available at www.newflyer.com.

Busworld Europe 2021 Cancelled With pain in their heart Busworld decided to cancel Busworld Europe 2021.

For the Busworld Team, the event is more than just business, it Is a passion. When the customers are happy, Busworld is happy.

Literally everything was done to avoid having to take this decision.

Reality cannot be changed. Reality at this moment is that Busworld cannot fully guarantee its exhibitors that the visitors will join the show in October in the usual numbers. Because there is no way of predicting travel restrictions, and there is no way to measure the willingness to travel of the visitors with the negative impact of covid-19 on their business results for more than a year now, there is too much uncertainty.

8 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

Busworld Europe has cancelled their October 2021 event because of the pandemic. Scheduled every two years, Busworld Europe is often considered the premier gathering for the bus industry. Shown here is a scene showing the introduction of a new Volvo electric bus at a recent busworld show.

Although the prospects were positive in the beginning of the year, the promised speed of the vaccination campaigns , especially in Europe, were not met at all. Since the preparations to participate to a trade show start at least six months before the actual show takes place, there are too many question marks for our exhibitors.

Even though it would have been perfectly possible from a practical side to organize a trade show with the utmost respect for everyone’s safety, the bullet was bitten recently and a sensible but tough decision was made: Busworld cancels its 2021 edition. This in the year of its 50th birthday, a very black page in its history, no doubt. The decision was made with full support of Busworld’s main exhibitors.

They respected and agreed with the decision, and all assured that they will be present at the next edition in 2023.

Some smaller, alternative events might take place in the “Busworld period” of October 2021. Keep an eye on all Busworld communication.

Mieke Glorieux concluded, “Our thoughts go out to the whole industry, who has suffered severely for over a year now. We said it before and we keep saying that we are all in this together. Today we bring you bad news, tomorrow is another day. We are agile.

And we’ll be back.”

The next edition of Busworld Europe will take place in Brussels fromOctober 7-12, 2023.

Spokane Transit Adds 12 Xcelsior CHARGE EVs New Flyer of America Inc. (New Flyer), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, announced that the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) on March 19 unveiled its first 60-foot, five-door zero-emission Xcelsior CHARGE™ City Line bus, as part of a contract that New Flyer won in June 2020.

The contract, not previously announced by New Flyer, was for 10 60-foot and two 40foot Xcelsior CHARGE battery-electric, heavy-duty transit buses (22 equivalent units or EUs).

STA is the public transit authority serving the Spokane, Washington region and providing more than 10 million annual rides through transit.

The Xcelsior CHARGE bus is the first of 10 City Line buses that will operate along STA’s new six mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route serving the downtown area through to Spokane Community College, aimed at revitalizing mobility and economic development while building STA branding through recognizable BRT vehicles.

“STA is moving quickly toward a sustainable future. We have innovated alongside STA for over 20 years, and today we shift toward zero-emission buses with five-door entry and exit capability,” said Chris Stoddart, president, New Flyer and MCI. “STA can offer ADA accessible boarding at every door and will leverage our SmartRider technology for intelligent leveling of the bus. In

Equipment News addition, the BRT buses can support multimodal journeys through multiple interior bike racks. As Spokane grows, we will continue providing efficient and clean mobility that not only improves air quality but also enhances the passenger experience and builds more livable communities."

The order for 12 zero-emission buses delivers on STA’s commitment to sustainable mobility through its 10-year plan, STA Moving Forward, aimed at providing better transit service and including construction of a dedicated BRT route, complete with zero-emission buses and infrastructure that will provide long-term benefits of cleaner air and quieter transportation.

“Our partners at New Flyer have developed a sleek, modern and customer-centric vehicle that also achieves our industry’s environmental objectives of transitioning to zeroemission buses,” said Brandon Rapez-Betty, STA’s Director of Communications and Customer Service. “As the marquee feature of Spokane’s first Bus Rapid Transit route, the City Line, we’ve worked together with New Flyer to build a distinct brand experience, both exterior and interior, to appeal to the broadest audience of transit users we can.

We look forward to introducing the City Line in 2022 as we begin to rebuild ridership in the post-pandemic era.”

The high-capacity 60-foot buses are configured with five doors, New Flyer’s SmartRider™ smart suspension system and interior bike racks for ease of passenger exit and entry. To date, New Flyer remains the only manufacturer offering five door configurations.

NFI is a leader in zero-emission mobility with battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles operating in more than 80 cities in four countries that have completed more than 20 million electric service miles. NFI also operates the Vehicle Innovation Center, the first and only innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing bus and motorcoach technology and providing essential workforce development through electric bus training, now available online. NFI is testing automated vehicle technology and remains committed to the development of technology standards that deliver safe, clean, sustainable, connected mobility options to communities.

Euro Bus Expo Postponed Until 2022 Euro Bus organizer Diversified Communicaitons UK on April 14 confirmed that the vent has regrettably been postponed for a further 12 months.

The organizer has made the difficult decision to reschedule Euro Bus Expo following

Spokane Transit Authority will be operating 10 60-foot articulated and two 40-foot Xcelsior CHARGE battery-electric buses from New Flyer. The buses will operate on the new six-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route between downtown Spokane and the Spokane Community College. It is noteworthy that the articulated buses are unique to New Flyer in having five doors to allow additional exit and entry points.

ocnsultation with its show partner, ehxibitors and visitors. The major UK-based showcase for the coach, bus and mini vehicle sector will now take place on November 1-3, 2022 at the NEC Birmingham.

In tandem with the permier trade event, the highly esteemed routeone Awards has also been postponed and will next take place on November 2, 2022.

The decision to postpone the events has been brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been much further reaching than anyone first anticipated and is having a huge impact on the sector.

Says Event Director Helen Conway, “The decision to postpone was particuarly difficult given the show of support form visiotrs, exhibitors and partners. Over 90 percent of exhibitors and visitors rated Euro Bus Expo as being important to their business in a survey completed over the last two weeks. Thisconfidence in our events and their standing within the industry places emphasis on the importance of meeting our stakeholders’ expectations.”

Feedback from the industry and its best interests overall, were central to the decision being made, with survey particpants suggesting the event should be postponed for another year. The new dates provide the time needed to focus on recovery, while also giving planning security to all stakeholders and meeting trend-based buying cycles.

The new dates will also ensure that when the events return, they will do so with vigour and a renewed focus on future growth and development.

The move, which follows similar announcements from other major trade events in the sector, is supported by show partner, the Confederation of Passenger Transpot UK. Says CEO Graham Vidler, “Euro Bus Expo is the premier trade event that offers a great opportunity to bring the industry together. However, with the pandemic onctinuing to affect the coach and bus sector, we fully support our partners at Diversified Communications UK in having to make this difficult but most sensible decision to postpone the event until November 2022.

“We look forward to coming together again in brighter times. In the meantime, we will continue to work with operators and suppliers as we collectively navigate the challenges ahead.”

Conway continues, “We will look ahead to next year’s events with a new energy and the confidence that they will be safe, economically feasible, well attended and will live up to their enviable reputation. Expect an impressive Euro Bus Expo 2022, rich in innovation, on a size and scale that fully represents the industry, and a prestigious routeone Awards that recognizes the commendable work happening across the sector. We thank all our exhibitors and partners for their patience, continued support and commitment.”

National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 9

Equipment News Until Euro Bus Expo unites the sector again the organizers will be working on new ways to connect the industry and highlight new product and service developments as they happen.

To keep up with event developments, visit eurobusxpo. com and join the mailing list.

Museum Needs Display Cases When the Museum of Bus Transportation and the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum merged more than a year ago, one of the goals was to make the history of the bus industry more visible on a national platform.

The entrance to the award winning AACA Museum is an open rotunda with several vehicles on display.( www.busmuseum.org; www.aacamuseum.org ), For those who have not visited the museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, it is an impressive spot.

In an effort to make the bus presence more prominent, the museum has decided to exhibit their collection of bus models in that main entrance hall. This accomplishes several important goals.

First, every visitor will see bus history preservation as a major part of the AACA Museum’s mission and call attention to the buses exhibited on the ground floor.

ABC Companies is now repowering traditional diesel-powered coaches to electric power. The first coach converted in this program is now operating for one of the largest battery-electric fleet commuter operators in the Silicon Valley. This first converted coach is a 2012 Van Hool T2145 and has a range of up to 200 miles.

The collection will be much more visible and they will regularly rotate the models on display in the rotunda.

By moving the model collection out of the exhibit hall, the museum gains additional floor space for buses and added visibility for the museum’s unique wall mounted “timeline” of coach manufacturing.

In order to make this happen some help is needed. The old cases are not appropriate for what they are trying to accomplish, and it will cost $4,400 for a first rate exhibit.

Provided is a photo of the proposed display cases. Anything you can contribute would be greatly appreciated to support the

The bus model collection will be moved to the rotunda entrance at the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania. In addition to highlighting the museum’s extensive historical bus collection, this will open additional floor space for buses. Donations are being solicited for display cases to make this happen.

10 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

efforts to showcase the history of the bus industry.Please note on your gift that it is for the bus model display. https://busmuseum.org/product/additionaldonation/.

ABC Companies/Lightning Repowered Coach ABC Companies, a leading provider of motorcoach, transit and specialty passenger transport equipment in the United States and Canada, has delivered its first-ever repowered diesel-to-electric motorcoach to one of Silicon Valley’s largest battery-electric fleet commuter operators.

Together with its industry-leading partner, Lightning eMotors, the company has achieved a successful proof-of-concept – creating a cost-effective, sustainable path to EV fleet adoption via a proprietary ZEV Repower approach.

“ABC is committed to streamlining the move to EV for customers that are ready to integrate now,” said Roman Cornell, president and chief commercial officer of ABC Companies. “With this successful proof-ofconcept in market and in service, we’ve demonstrated the feasibility of lowering EV market cost of entry by bringing a unique solution to extend the value and working life of an existing asset. Similar to the many repower programs ABC has completed using updated diesel engines, this is simply the next evolution of a robust process we have used many times before. The importance of this milestone is to help owners discover a significantly more affordable option that repurposes existing assets in a timely, cost-effective way. We believe it’s a really novel approach to carbon neutrality, that’s available to them right now.”

As an authorized Lightning eMotors exclusive partner and certified Lightning eMotors zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) repower kit installer, ABC can provide a full range of motorcoach zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) repower options, as well as repower for many popular shuttle vans and cutaway applica-

Equipment News tions including the Lightning Ford Transit passenger van, E-450 and F-550 chassis. “The Lightning eMotors portfolio provides a great fit for ABC and our customers,” Cornell said.

“Many of our customers utilize these smaller vehicles for various short distance routes, such as airport runs and hotel shuttles, as well as last-mile services for smaller groups.

These vehicles can offer a lower-cost stepping stone (vs. full-size motorcoach) to EV integration as fleet owners work to get back on the road. We are ready to help them identify vehicles for repower or choose from our OEM EV product line, as we also continue to support their traditional equipment and operational needs.”

“Expanding product options and price points for customers is a core business focus for ABC in 2021,” Cornell said. “EVs will play a pivotal role in our portfolio diversification. We are actively seeking partners for collaboration that are like-minded in creating growth for the industry. We have the potential to connect our customers to a broader range of platforms that harness technology and innovative solutions to help enable their growth and sustainability.”

The first project consisted of a 2012 Van Hool T2145, which was converted to full-battery electric capability with collaboration between ABC and Lightning eMotors – a leading developer of zero-emission electric drivetrains for commercial vehicle fleets. The repowered motorcoach can be seen cruising throughout South San Francisco as it provides employee commuter shuttle service in the area. With a range up to 200 miles, the repowered coach provides riders with the ultimate passenger experience offering clean, quiet, zero-emissions transport to their workplace, while taking numerous cars off the road. For more information and further details about the ABC repower process, visit abc-companies.com/repowered.

Bailey Success with Fogging There are events that happen in a lifetime that will never have to be explained to those who lived through them. This pandemic will forever be understood for its impact by those who experienced it, struggled through it and survived it. As coronavirus spread rapidly throughout our cities, Bailey Coach, a transportation company headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, was forced to lay off 51 of its 57 employees. Nearly one year later, Vice President Courtney Bailey is still overcome with emotion and struggles to articulate how difficult that day was – to tell her work family the news.

During one of the darkest times in the company’s 23 year history, an idea was born. Could the company sell the fogging solutions it had used for years to sanitize its Bailey Coach fleet? The disinfecting appli-

As the pandemic slowed down the bus industry, the people at Bailey Coach in York, Pennsylvania began offering their fogging system commercially. Today that new venture has reached sales of $2 million. Shown here from left to right are Kristy Fasano, Courtney Bailey and John Bailey.

cation of fogging did, after all, kill COVID19 and other viruses. Fast forward less than a year later and the answer is yes.

In less than a year from launching Bailey’s Zero Hazard, the fogging company, which is owned and operated by two determined women, saw sales reach $2 million. Bailey’s Zero Hazard provides disinfecting services to local companies and municipalities and sells its fogging equipment and solution all over the country.

Fogging is an application method of applying a cleaner or disinfectant with a machine that uses large volumes of air at low pressures to transform disinfectant into droplets that are dispersed into the atmosphere. The droplet size on the foggers that the Bailey’s Zero Hazard technicians use is about three times smaller than the tip of human hair, so no wiping is required, making fogging a very efficient disinfecting application and allowing technicians to treat up to 23,000 square feet per hour per technician.

Bailey’s Zero Hazard’s solution is quickly becoming recognized as industry leading and preferred among major manufacturers.

Today, what was once Bailey Coach, has transformed into the Bailey Family of Companies. The company now offers its disinfecting services through Bailey’s Zero Hazard, automotive services through Bailey Automotive, and as from the beginning, transportation services through Bailey Coach. Ask Bailey what led to the company’s recent success and she will tell you, “100 percent employee adaptability. We have the

absolute best employees here who, instead of leaving us, hung in there and did everything they could to ensure we came out okay on the other end of this.”

If you visit company headquarters now, youwill find drivers that are now fogging technicians, mechanics who used to work on 50,0000-pound buses now servicing eight-pound foggers, office staff who use to book bus trips and airport transportation trips now scheduling disinfecting treatments and fulfilling shipping orders, and driver instructors now picking up and delivering disinfecting solution.

Bailey Coach experienced a 95 percent loss in revenue in 2020, but because its employees were able and willing to learn new skills and make that pivot, Bailey’s Zero Hazard has thrived.

Each week the Bailey’s Zero Hazard technicians disinfect approximately 3.2 Million square feet of space for businesses within a two-hour radius of York, Pennsylvania. The other half of their company consists of selling fogging equipment and solution, and training others how to utilize fogging for their businesses in order to keep their employees and customers safe. Bailey’s Zero Hazard also hosts bi-weekly training webinars where they certify their customers as foggers to equip them with the tools necessary to fog their own space.

Bailey’s Zero Hazard is a majority woman owned company led by Courtney Bailey and Kristy Fasano, who are mentored by founder National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 11

Equipment News John Bailey. Since the beginning, the Bailey family has always had a commitment to community service, and with these two new businesses in full swing, both of their new ventures continue to support the local community. Over a nine-week period from March- May 2020, Bailey Family of Companies donated more than 315 hours of time to sanitize 800+ first responder vehicles as a complimentary service to the community.

Their automotive staff provided free Pennsylvania vehicle inspections and emissions to Veteran’s in honor of Veteran’s Day 2020.

Eberspächer Names ABC Companies as Certified Service Partner ABC Companies, a leading provider of motorcoach, transit and specialty passenger transport equipment, parts, service and technical support in North America, has been designated as the Eberspächer Certified Service Partner for the United States. After an extensive vetting process, Eberspächer selected ABC Companies; Specialty Vehicles and Technologies (SVT) division to provide Eberspächer customers a comprehensive range of service, parts and dedicated technical support. This new program is part of Eberspächer’s ongoing enhancements in customer satisfaction for motorcoach and transit customers, including emerging zero emissions electric vehicles (ZEV).

As a qualified Eberspächer Service Partner, ABC SVT and ABC Parts Source divisions will support Eberspächer HVAC systems within the OE and replacement markets, providing access to parts and service directly through a nationwide parts and service network. Offering numerous benefits including on-site repairs at customer locaitons, as well as mobile tech services, Eberspächer customers can acess technical and field support services via a 24/7 Customer Care hotline. With access to a comprehensive online parts ordering system and U.S.-based call center, customers can expect fast and convenient turnaround on Eberspächer components. ABC warranty claims specialists can also assist Eberspächer customers in warranty support and claims processing as required.

“Customers can trust ABC to support their needs for major repairs and overhauls to simple components, and we are excited to represent a quality tier one supplier like Eberspächer within our service offering, technical support and expansive parts inventory,” said Roman Cornell, president, ABC Companies. “We distribute numerous tier one OEM and national aftermarket brands, so we understand the importance of providing high-quality components, delivered via a superior customer experience.

We began working with Eberspächer in this capacity to provide field service assistance 12 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

on Proterra buses given our familiarity with Eberspächer and ZEV requirements. This created the synergy with our technicians, warranty and parts specialists to offer the knowledge and expertise necessary to help customers keep their fleets up and running including critical climate controls for passengers and drivers.” John Gillis, ABC vice president Parts Source, stated, “We are proud to represent the Eberspächer brand, giving operators direct access to ABC’s established supply chain, nationwide network of parts hubs and warehouses, as well as proven support and service capabilities.”

“We believe that customer service starts at delivery, regardless of whether it is a motorcoach or a simple part. Being able to find, order, receive and be accurately billed seems basic, but consistently delivering is critical. Making sure we can answer any questions and provide necessary support along the way allows us to continually improve our service,” said Thom Peebles, ABC Companies/ vice president marketing.

“Working with organizations like Eberspächer, who share our commitment to customer service and can leverage our systems and processes, allows them to continue focusing on designing and manufacturing high-quality components, while relying on a robust process to satisfy their customers, a real win-win,” added Cornell. “By aligning with new, innovative partners, we continue to develop a higher level of technical knowledge that can deliver greater operational efficiency and opportunity to transit and motorcoach operations. The ability to bring

this expertise as a service to Eberspächer and its customers is something we see as a growing opportunity for other manufacturers and suppliers, and we are happy to be behind the scenes using our resources on their behalf,” concluded Cornell.

ZF Accelerates Change and Benefits from New Technologies In 2020, the technology company ZF continued to focus on the transformation of mobility. The founding of the Electrified Powertrain Technology Division, the integration of the commercial vehicle technology company Wabco, and the sale of independent software solutions as well as the start of a new software center were prime examples. In an economically challenging environment, ZF was able to secure substantial customer orders in new technology business sectors. They confirm ZF’s “Next Generation Mobility” strategy and secure future growth. At the same time, the coronavirus pandemic had an impact on ZF’s 2020 business figures. Group sales of 32.6 billion were 11 percent below the prior year’s figure of €36.5 billion. Adjusted EBIT amounted to €1.0 billion (2019: €1.5 billion); the adjusted EBIT margin was 3.2 percent (2019: 4.1 percent). Net profit after tax amounted to minus €741 million.

“2020 was an ambivalent year. Nevertheless, we mastered the crisis together, further advanced the company’s transformation and secured substantial new orders in strategically important fields of future technologies,” said Chief Executive Officer Wolf-

ZF has been accelerating change and benefits from new technologies. In recent years the company has made an impressive transition from heavy-duty vehicle components to new technology and state-of-the-art systems for vehicles. ZF recently acquired Wabco which will add to commercial vehicle technology.

Equipment News Henning Scheider in March at ZF’s 2021 annual press conference.

At the beginning of 2021, ZF established the new Electrified Powertrain Technology Division that bundles conventional, hybrid and purely electric drive technologies for passenger cars. With this approach, ZF has successfully pushed the transformation to e-mobility. Scheider stated, “We are in a good position to offer our customers the entire range of e-mobility from a single source in all mobility areas.”

The core of the product range is the inverter as a central component of the power electronics. “In this segment, we want to become the market leader in Europe and a top global supplier,” emphasized Scheider.

By the end of 2020, ZF has won orders for electric driveline components with a sales volume of €14 billion over the next several years. This positive trend has continued in the first few months of 2021 with additional new orders. With the foundation of the division, ZF is also strengthening cross-functional cooperation and shortening coordination and decision-making.

ZF also aims at a unified, efficient and cooperative organization in the commercial vehicle sector. The commercial vehicle technology company Wabco will be combined with the existing ZF Commercial Vehicle Technology Division by the end of this year.

Wabco was acquired on May 29, 2020; its figures are included in the consolidated financial statements for the seven months following the acquisition.

Scheider sees great progress in the integration process, “Wabco turns out to be more of a perfect match every day. We have developed initial joint projects and turned them into customer orders. And: We can already see benefits from the cooperation in terms of products and new orders as well as financially.”

In view of the long-term strategic realignment, the expansion of future-oriented technology fields, as well as the newly concluded orders last year, ZF is looking ahead with confidence. Based on the expected further recovery of the global economy and the current estimates for the individual divisions, ZF expects to generate sales of between €37 billion and €39 billion this year. ZF expects an adjusted EBIT margin in the range of 4.5 to 5.5 percent; adjusted free cash flow is expected to be between €0.8 billion and €1.2 billion. Effects on the forecast due to uncertainties arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and the extent and duration of corresponding lockdowns cannot be ruled out. Current semiconductor supply shortages represent a challenge and affect the entire supply industry, includ14 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

Stertil-Koni has improved its scissor-style ECOLIFT to feature a hot-dip galvanized containment box as standard. This will provide corrosion resistance at floor level as well as below. It is particularly effective in wet environments which are common in many workshops.

ing ZF. However, at this point, the impact on the full year 2021 cannot yet be assessed.

Stertil-Koni Ecolift With Galvanized Containment Box Heavy duty vehicle lift leader Stertil-Koni recently announced that it has enhanced its highly acclaimed inground scissor-style ECOLIFT to feature a hot-dip galvanized containment box as standard, effective April of this year.

The benefits are clear. Hot dip galvanization provides corrosion resistance at floor level as well as below and is particularly effective in protecting the liif in wet environments – not uncommon in many workshops across North America.

“The latest development with ECOLIFT raises an already top-performing heavyduty vehicle lift to new heights,” noted Stertil Koni President Dr. Jean DellAmore.

ECOLIFT is recognized as the industry’s first ultra-shallow, full-rise axle-engaging inground scissor lift. Available in two- , three- and four-scissor configurations, it features a lifting capacity of 30,000 pounds per scissor – or 120,000 pounds in the largest model.

What’s more, ECOLIFT delivers wheelsfree lifting for complete vehicle access with superior ease and performance. The ultrashallow pit design, only 34 inches in depth, is ideal for retrofit and existing workshop and uniquely makes it easy to relocate – typically within a single day.

Concluded DellAmore, “Like all StertllKoni lifts, ECOLIFT is performance driven, ultra-safe and utilizes dependable hydraulic technology.” It also has a robust mechanical locking system, is fully synchronized for ultimate safety, features a free-standing touchscreen control console for easy access and quick maintenance and delivers a continuous recess system for maximum lifting flexibility.

ECOLIFT is available with three pit box lengths: 10-, 13- and 17-foot.

Continental Celebrates 150-Year Anniversary Continental, one of the largest tire and automotive technology suppliers in the world, is celebrating its 150th year in business in 2021. The company was founded in Hannover, Germany, in 1871. Over the next 15 decades, Continental transformed from a local manufacturer of tires and soft rubber products to an international technology company.

Today, Continental has nearly 15,000 employees in the United States. Worldwide, three out of every four vehicles on the road are equipped with the company’s tires or automotive technologies. An estimated one billion people place their trust in Continental every day.

Throughout this year, Continental will celebrate the company’s esteemed history Throughout this year, Continental will celebrate the company’s esteemed history with stories on how it became a driving force of technological progress. Before cars were

Equipment News even invented, the company began by manufacturing horse “hoof buffers” along with solid tires for carriages and bicycles. In 1904, Continental was the first company in the world to develop automobile tires with a patterned tread, and four years later invented the detachable rim. On the year of its 50th anniversary in 1921, Continental produced its first commercial truck tires and became the first German company to produce tires reinforced with pliable cords rather than linen fabric. Six years later, it launched the very first pneumatic tractor tire in Europe.

Did you know? Until 1926, tires were white due to the use of natural rubber latex.

Carbon black was added in 1926 as a reinforcing agent to give the tire more resistance to wear and aging. It also gave tires their new characteristic color – black.

The following decades saw continued innovation. In 1955, Continental was the first company to develop air springs for trucks and buses, and the first German company to start manufacturing tubeless car tires, which it had patented after World War II. By the 1960s, widespread production of radial tires had begun, and Continental employed 26,800 people. It revolutionized the solid tire segment, which are used on forklift trucks, airport vehicles and other heavy-duty industrial applications, with its ContiSuperElastic tires, leading to what is today the industry standard abbreviation for the category: CSE. In 1967, the company opened the Contidrom test track, which is still used as a global standard today in tandem with the Uvalde Proving Grounds in Texas, where tires have been tested since 1959.

By 1988, the company had almost doubled in size, employing 45,900 people around the world. It had acquired Uniroyal and Semperit in Europe, and General Tire in the United States. Within the next 10 years, the company reinforced its position as a global tire manufacturer by adding sites in Central and South America, Africa and Eastern Europe. After a 10-year hiatus, Continental reentered the OTR construction and mining tires segment in 2015, and shortly thereafter restarted production of radial agricultural tires.

Continental has been recognized as a premium tire manufacturer throughout its history, and the tradition continues today, expanded with additional technologies. In 2019, Continental was one of the two most recognized brands in U.S. Consumer Reports' top tire picks, tying for first place in the all-season light truck category and taking second place in three others.

Rally and OurBus Unite Rally and OurBus announced recently that they have entered into a combination

Continental celebrates its 150th year anniversary in 2021. Founded in Hannover, Germany in 1871, the company has evolved from rubber products and tires to an international technology company.

Today, Continental has 15,000 employees in the United States.

merger through an acquisition transaction creating the leading technology company for mass mobility in the United States. Until now, each has disrupted a segment of the private bus industry, with Rally focusing on arranging event charters and OurBus on scheduled intercity travel. Each did so with the same ethos of improving the bus rider experience while increasing revenue to bus operators.

OurBus has improved regional travel for millions of riders by creating an experience that people actually like. Available in 100+ U.S. locations, they have changed consumer expectations for intercity bus travel, as reflected in their 4.4/5 star rating with more than 8,000 reviews.

Rally has created the platform and demand for thousands of bus trips across 40 states and provinces with its “bus rideshare.” Their app aggregates likeminded individuals going to events both small and large, from weddings and corporate outings to arena sports and music festivals. The technology crowdsources bus stops and crowdfunds buses to create ondemand trips.

The company provides a single technology platform affecting the private bus industry’s 700 million annual passenger trips. They empower the 3,000+ small businesses that comprise the U.S. private bus industry. The typical bus company owns about 10 buses in their fleet, indicating a highly fragmented market. The industry’s buses are only 50 percent utilized in aggregate. By generating

new demand for buses with use-case innovations, Rally and OurBus convert billions of dollars spent on cars to shared buses. By doing so, they unlock the value of the industry’s idle vehicle capacity, which is a lost opportunity of $5 billion annually in the U.S. and $35 billion globally.

The companies have established new consumer brands in busing built for the sharing economy. The consumer-facing Rally and OurBus products will continue to run separately, supported by a more efficient, combined bus operator network, to whom they offer a fully operational SaaS infrastructure.

The companies have raised $10 million in financing and strategic investors, including Daimler AG, one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in the world and a leader in e-mobility and autonomous technology for buses. Additional strategic investors, such as Liil Ventures and numerous bus operators, contribute both capital and industry intelligence from a global perspective. Nico Rosberg, world champion F1 driver, is an early investor. Senior executives from Uber, Meetup, BoltBus and WeWork have recently joined the advisory board.

Having efficiently utilized this capital to develop a managed marketplace for buses, the companies come together to accelerate the disruption of the bus industry. This acquisition will facilitate the launching of new highquality bus transportation for regional travelers and event-goers alike, first in North America and then globally.

National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 15

Equipment News “We believe movement is essential to human nature. We’ve created the systems that will change the way people move together,” said Numaan Akram, founder of Rally, of their collective vision. Narinder Singh, founder of OurBus, added, “Travel is set to boom from pent-up demand. We are fueling the private bus industry to be the future of mass mobility.”

The companies capture market share by meeting or surpassing the modern consumer’s expectations of easy online booking, customer-centric policies, high-quality operators and a technoogy-oriented approach to the entire customer journey. The companies’ mass mobility as a service paves the way for exponential growth in the mass mobility sector, echoing the ways in which personal mobility options exploded in the past decade.

While the disruption of the taxi industry was destructive, the companies will share the road with a vibrant and community-minded network of local bus operators.

44 Zero Emission Irizar Buses for Bulgaria Irizar e-mobility is continuing its European expansion and its electromobility solutions are arriving in Bulgaria. Specifically, they are arriving in Burgas, which for the first time will include 44 Irizr ie bus zero emissions electric buses in its fleet. It is the first electromobility project in that city and one of the largest in Bulgaria to date.

Burgas Bus will be in charge of operating the buses. They are a Bulgarian public transport operator that has more than 130 vehicles in their fleet.

The buses that will be provided include two different lengths. There will be 34 12meter long units and 10 18-meter units. The 12-meter long ie bus will have three doors, 26 seats (four of which are PRM) and a wheelchair area. The 18-meter long bus, on the other hand, will have four pneumatic doors, 32 seats (four of which are PRM) and a wheelchair area.

The vehicles will be equipped with Irizar lithium ion batteries. Irizar e-mobility will also provide 44 interoperable ECI-100 chartgers

by Jema Energy (an Irizar Group company).

The charters have a 100 kW smart charging system that will charge the vehicles in three hours using a Combo 2 charging outlet.

They will also include telemetry systems

by Datik, an Irizar Group company, which the operators can use to monitor and manage their electric vehicle fleet at all times and get the maximum performance out of their operation.

Irizar e-mobility has worked closely with Burgas Bus for this project to give the fleet

16 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

While Irizar sells coaches in the United States, they offer a wide range of buses in Europe. Irizar will soon be delivering 44 ie model electric buses for operation in Bulgaria. Thirty-four of them will be the conventional 122 meters in length with three doors and 10 will be 18 meters in length with four doors.

All of the buses will be powered by lithium ion batteries and will come equipped with telemetry systems

by Datik.

a modern and attractive design. Aesthetic features of the ie bus and the Irizar ie tram were combined in the design to create a mixed vehicle that maximizes the luminosity of the space inside the cabin.

The delivery of the first units is expected to be made in September 2021.

Burgas is the fourth largest city in Bulgaria.

The firm commitment being made to electrify their fleet of buses is an enormous step forward for the city, and it will connect places and visitors in a clean and efficient way.

Cologne Expands to 113 Electric Citeas For the third time in a row public transport company KVB Cologne has ordered electric VDL Citeas from VDL Bus & Coach. This time it concerns 51 articulated buses in BRT design.

When these Citeas SLFA-181 Electric are all delivered in 2022, the bus fleet of KVB Cologne will consist of 113 VDL Citeas Electric.

"This new order from VDL Bus & Coach underlines the decisiveness of KVB Cologne, already one of the frontrunners in Germany in the field of electric mobility," says Boris Höltermann, managing director of VDL Bus & Coach Deutschland GmbH. "We are proud of this renewed trust. It allows us to continue our cooperation in the field of e-buses, which we started in 2012. It also shows that we are playing in the Champions League when it comes to the electrification of public transport in Germany."

VDL Bus & Coach will supply 51 articulated Citeas with its largest battery pack for the first time: 525 kWh. The entire energy requirement of the Citeas SLFA-181, including the climate control system, is covered by the battery. This makes the buses 100 percent emission-free. The BRT design gives the Citeas an innovative character, with which the vehicles contribute to a modern city image.

The new Citeas will be used on lines 126, 142 and 146 on the left bank of the Rhine and on lines 151, 152, 155 and 196 on the right bank. In this way, seven more bus lines in Cologne will be converted to e-mobility starting in 2022. The Citeas SLFA-181 are charged overnight via a pantograph on the roof at the depot and, due to the heavy urban use, also en route at charging stations.

The cities of Cologne, Mu nster, Osnabruck, Oberhausen-Bottrop, Leipzig and Kiel in Germany make a daily contribution to the principle of VDL Bus & Coach: 'Aiming for Zero'. This involves more than 100 vehicles in Germany, with a combined experience of more than four million electric kilometres in public transport. In the coming years the cities/municipalities of Plön, Völklingen, Neuss, Braunschweig, Verden and Goslar will also be added to this list.

VDL has been active in the field of electric transport for more than 25 years. Since

Equipment News the introduction of the first Citea SLF-120 Electric in Geneva, during the UITP Mobility & City Transport exhibition in 2013, VDL Bus & Coach has focused strongly on electric mobility. In 2021 VDL Bus & Coach will present the new generation of electric Citeas. Based on the VDL vision, a bus concept has been developed, entirely based on an electric drive train, that is ready for the future and where zero emission is a given. VDL Bus & Coach will be revealing more details through a special social media campaign and on its Web site until the beginning of May. With more than 800 buses in 10 countries and more than 135,000 kilometers travelled daily in many European cities and regions, the magic number of 100 million kilometers of electric mobility in public transport has been reached.

Keolis Autonomous Operation in France Inaugurated on 31 March 2021, a new bus line serving the suburban train station of Saint-Quentin-en- Yvelines-Montigny-leBretonneux and several local business parks in the Île-de-France Mobilités network enables passengers to reach their destination on autonomous electric shuttles.

Following previous trials in La Défense and Vincennes, this project, led in close collaboration with Saint- Quentin-en-Yvelines intercommunal district, is a new milestone in the development of autonomous shuttles as a mobility solution by Île-de-France Mobil-

VDL will be delivering 51 articulated BRT-design battery-electric buses to KVB in Cologne, Germany.

After delivery, the KVB bus fleet will include 113 VDL electric Citea buses. This photo was taken at the main railroad station (Hauptbahnhof) in Cologne (Köln) which is adjacent to the Cathedral and near the west bank of the Rhine River.

ités, the public transport authority for the Paris Île-de-France region.

For the first time, the autonomous shuttles operate alongside regular traffic and feature as a mobility solution in the Île-de-France Mobilités journey planner app, just like the other 1,500 bus lines in the Île-de- France network.

Keolis operates this interesting free autonomous electric shuttle in the Ile-de-France region of Paris.

It connects a suburban railroad station with several local businesses. What makes this shuttle interesting is that it operates alongside regular traffic and provides an eight-minute headway in rush hours.

With €2.4 million in funding from Îlede-France Mobilités, the service is free of charge for all passengers and operates Monday to Friday from 7.30 am to 8 pm.

The choice of Keolis to run the first regular autonomous shuttle service on behalf of Île-de-France Mobilités reflects a commitment to delivering a quality of service in line with the level achieved on other bus lines in the region. The new line has been designed to complete the existing bus service by providing a last mile solution for the local employment area.

From 31 March 2021 to June 2022 (with a possible extension), three Navya autonomous shuttles will run between the Pas-du-Lac business park in Montigny-leBretonneux and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines / Montigny-le-Bretonneux train station, over a 1.6 km route featuring three stops. The shuttles will operate every eight minutes in rush hour and every 17 minutes at off-peak times.

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines intercommunal district, with the support of Montigny-le-Bretonneux, the Pas-du- Lac local co-ownership association (ASL) and Banque Populaire Val de France, are providing technical engineering expertise and in-depth knowledge of the region for the project. The district also made the necessary adjustments to enable the shuttles and their integrated technology to operate safely in high density traffic. q National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 17

Bus Equipment People Prevost Prevost announced on March 24 that Jack Forbes has retired from the company, effective March 5, after more than 40 years in the motorcoach industry.

Forbes started his career in the industry in 1980 and joined the Prevost team in 1998 as vice president of parts sales.

Through providing great customer service and having the right parts available at the right time, Forbes grew the Prevost parts business. In 2012, he took on the daunting task of a dual role as vice president parts sales and corJack Forbes porate accounts.

“I continued working to grow the parts side while also developing our plan to move into the public sector commuter business,” Forbes said. In 2016, he moved to coach sales where he was responsible for seated coach and public sector as vice president of new coach sales.

In the last year, Forbes shifted his focus to key corporate accounts, during which time he also began the process of passing the torch to Prevost newcomer Brad Wiese.

“I mentored Brad, our new sales vice president during the past year in preparation for my retirement,” Forbes said. “He is up to speed and ready for the tasks at hand.”

Prevost thanks Forbes for his dedication and many contributions over the years. “We are grateful for the hard work, accomplishments and upbeat attitude Jack brought to Prevost,” said Francois Tremblay, Prevost general manager. “He leaves big shoes to fill, and we wish him the absolute best in his retirement.”

Forbes is well known for his positive, cando attitude and hard-working mentality. “I am extremely proud of the long-term relationships I’ve built with customers and bus industry associates over the years,” said Forbes. “Many go back almost 40 years and were much more than just business; they are friendships.”

Forbes stated, “I am proud of the reputation I have built as a resource that gets the 18 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

job done, is always transparent and likes to have fun when the time is right.” Forbes never missed a UMA Expo, and this year was no different.

leader in its field,” said Tassy. It’s a unique opportunity for me to contribute to the integration of new solutions and innovative technologies in response to the current and emerging needs of urban transportation. q

Nova Bus Nova Bus has announced the addition of Myléne Tassy as vice president of sales and marketing for Canada and the United States. In this new role, Tassy will lead the sales, marketing, bids and proposals, sales, engineering and product management teams.

“I am convinced that the addition of Myléne to the management team will bring our sales and product promotion to new heights,” said Martin Larose, vice president and general manager of Nova Bus. “Her knowledge of the manufacturing and transportation industries will be highly valuable to Nova Bus. We’re very pleased to welcome her as a member of our management team.”

Tassy is recognized in the field as a natural leader who has been honing her skills throughout her 25 years of experience, most notably as vice president of sales, business development and marketing at Thales Avionics Canada.

She boasts a deep understanding of the fields of engineering, sales, proposals and marketing in aviation and other sectors. Her business development expertise recently earned her a spot Myléne Tassy in the Excellence 2020 cohort, an initiative that recognizes leaders who are making a dfiference in the business landscape.

After earning two bachelor’s degrees from McGill University, one in mechanical engineering with a minor in management, and the other in environmetnal and agricultural engineering, Tassy further boosted her skills with an MBA from the University of Cumbria in 2018.

Tassy’s diverse experience, energy and passion will infuse a good dose of enthusiasm within Nova Bus and its partners.

“I feel very privileged to join the great team at Nova Bus, a company recognized as a

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lithium ion batteries, delivering a range of up to 200 miles on a single charge.

MCI Leads Alberta’s First Zero-Emission Motorcoach Demonstration

Some of the features of the MCI J4500 CHARGE™ include: • 72 miles per hour, designed for highway applications • Average range of 200 miles • Charges to full in under four hours • Regenerative braking using kinetic energy to recharge the battery system, making for highly efficient driving stop-start traffic conditions Diversified Transportation has been providing safe and sustainable employee transportation services to oil, gas, energy and construction companies in Northern Alberta since 1964. With facilities in both Edmonton and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Diversified carries approximately five million passengers per year via their fleet of modern highway motorcoaches, site service vehicles, and shuttles - all uniquely equipped to handle the extreme northern weather conditions.

“Diversified Transportation is excited to partner with MCI to provide our customers and passengers with the opportunity to experience the energy of a 100 percent electric, zero-emissions motorcoach. Compared to cars, trains and airplanes, motorcoach travel is the most sustainable form of passenger transportation and with the introduction of a 100 percent battery-electric option we can further reduce our carbon footprint,” said Tim Lindsay, vice president of Diversified Transportation.

Photos courtesy of MCI In March MCI and Ebus successfully demonstrated MCI’s battery-electric J4500 CHARGE™ coach in Alberta. This was the first time that a zero-emission motorcoach was on the road in Alberta. It was also the first time that this coach was used for employee site transportation.

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n March, MCI and Ebus (a division of the Pacific Western Group of Companies) successfully demonstrated MCI’s battery-electric J4500 CHARGE™ in Alberta.

The coach was shown in Calgary and Fort Murray, leveraging zero-emission vehicle technology from New Flyer and delivering range up to 200 miles on a single charge.

Diversified Transportation, in partnership with Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI), and Fort McMurray First Nation Group of Companies, demonstrated a 100 percent battery20 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

electric motorcoach in varying settings in the Wood Buffalo region from March 2 through March 14, 2021.

This was the first time a zero-emissions motorcoach – a 45-foot, battery-electric MCI J4500 CHARGE™ – was be on the road in Alberta, and the first time in Canada that it was utilized for employee site transportation.

The 56-passenger MCI J4500 CHARGE™ leverages electric vehicle technology from New Flyer, another NFI subsidiary, and is equipped with 544 kWh of heavy-duty

The MCI team, and those across the entire NFI Group family, remains committed to sustainable mobility and showcasing this technology in collaboration with our customers.

Our zero-emissions J4500 CHARGE™ motorcoach performed well by delivering clean, safe, quiet transportation powered with battery-electric technology. Together with our sister brands, NFI offers the widest range of zero-emissions buses and coaches in North America, and provides leading infrastructure support through New Flyer Infrastructure Solutions.,” said Brent Maitland, MCI’s vice president of private sector sales and marketing.

Following its appearance in Fort McMurray, the J4500 was moved to Calgary for a similar appearance on March 19. The bus arrived in Calgary from Fort McMurray, Alberta, where it was demoed from March 2 through March 14, 2021 with Ebus' sister company, Diversified Transportation.

The Ebus story has been one of expansion and growth from the beginning. Ebus was conceived in 2011 as an economical option to the luxury Red Arrow brand, which has been serving Alberta for more than 40 years.

Ebus is an affordable travel option while also

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While the componentry of the J4500 CHARGE™ is all-electric, the basic body and interior remains typical MCI appearance and quality. The coach seats 56 passengers and provides the same high quality interior and passenger options found on the diesel coaches.

The J4500 CHARGE™ provides speeds of up to 72 miles per hour and has a range of 200 miles on a single charge. Other features include regenerative braking to recharge the battery system while braking and the ability to fully recharge the coach in four hours.

providing the benefits that passengers are looking for when they travel:

can be spent connecting, for work or with friends and family

• Safety – with highly experienced drivers and well-maintained coaches • Customer Service – friendly, professional staff, easy check-in and wellappointed buses • Comfort - on-board washrooms and comfortable seats with plenty of legroom • Sustainability – one Ebus can potentially take 50 cars off the road each trip, making bus travel green travel • Productivity – complimentary onboard WiFi and power outlets so travel time

Ebus and Red Arrow are divisions owned and operated under the Pacific Western Group of Companies, the largest privately-owned people transportation company in Canada. The Core Value of Customer Service is exemplified while onboard their coaches, ensuring the passenger experience is of the highest standard.

Getting the passengers Safely Home is the promise they make to their customers and that commitment to safety lies at the heart of everything that they do.

The coach was shown in Fort McMurray from March 2 through 14 and in Calgary on March 19.

Involved with the demo were Ebus and Red Arrow, divisions of the Pacific Western Group of Companies. Also involved was Diversified Transportation Ltd., the leading industrial employee transportation company in North America.

Diversified Transportation: Diversified Transportation Ltd. is the leading industrial employee transportation company in North America, providing safe and reliable services to oil, gas, energy and construction companies in Northern Alberta. With facilities in both Edmonton and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Diversified carries approximately five million passengers per year via their fleet of modern highway motorcoaches, site service vehicles and shuttles - all uniquely equipped to handle the extreme northern weather conditions.

Diversified transports workers to and from worksites, using optimized routing systems designed with environmental sustainability in mind. Diversified is part of the Pacific Western Group of Companies, the largest privately-owned people transportation company in Canada. As an operator and integrator of mobility, the Pacific Western Group of Companies is proud to provide multiple innovative new mobility solutions that connect people and communities: Autonomous Vehicles, On-Demand Transit, and Mobility-as-a-Service (Maas).

MCI is North America's leading public and private market motorcoach brand, building the J4500 (an industry best-seller for more than a decade), 35-foot J3500 model, and the workhorse D-Series including the ADA-accessible MCI D45 CRT LE Commuter Coach. Zero-emission offering includes the battery-electric, D45 CRTe LE and J4500 CHARGE™ coaches. MCI also provides maintenance, repair, 24-hour roadside assistance, parts and technician training through the industry's only Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) accredited MCI Academy. NF and MCI have been leading innovation in mobility for 90 years, today supporting North American cities with sustainable coaches, technology and infrastructure.

22 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

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In partnership with New Flyer, MCI also operates the Vehicle Innovation Center, the first and only innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing bus and coach technol-

ogy and providing workforce development through electric bus training, now available online. q

If you look into the engine compartment of the J4500 CHARGE™, you will find some of the electrical equipment instead of a diesel engine. Power is provided by 544 kWh of heavy-duty lithium ion batteries. All of the components and systems on the coach are electrical including heating and air conditioning.

Visit our website at: visitfortmadison.com

1-800-210-TOUR (8687)

National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 23

Think Small

For a big way to get buses moving again

by Larry Plachno

Smaller groups, traditionally considered a negative by the bus industry, could end up being a positive because they can travel safely by bus. Bus travel for small groups can be safer than regular public transportation when partitions and other safety features are in place. The executive coach shown here was operated by Coach Quarters of Dublin, Ohio and was photographed while loading a small group at the Columbus Zoo. nbt.

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or those who do not know or do not remember, “think Small” was an advertising campaign designed to sell the Volkswagen beetle. It was originally created in 1959 by Helmut Krone and Julian Koenig using the facilities of what was then the young advertising firm of DDb & Co. It was an almost overnight triumph. In an era where many people virtually worshiped big cars, this campaign was hugely successful and sold a lot of beetles.

today, this advertising program is considered to be one of the best advertising strategies of the 20th century. Part of the reason for this is because it was successful in selling cars. the more interesting part is because it pioneered a new way of marketing that was called a “Creative Revolution.”

Instead of selling cars as in the past by providing tons of mechanical information, it sold a car based on a lifestyle. As bob 24 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

Garfield of Advertising Age put it, “beetle ownership allowed you to show off that you did not need to show off.” the “think Small” program developed a generation of loyal customers for Volkswagen.

How does this pertain to today’s bus industry? there are two obvious lessons to be learned here. One is that if not the norm, smaller groups are certainly making a faster comeback in the bus industry for reasons of both group size as well as safety. the second lesson is to take these smaller groups, what would normally be considered a negative to bus operations, and sell them as a positive thing because, with proper equipment and precautions, they allow safer travel than other forms of public transportation.

What makes a good business owner or leader? Any audience could come up with several things including being able to hire

and train good staff as well as good business management and knowing what the public wants and is willing to buy. Let me suggest that some of the best business leaders were people who understood where their industry was going and then got ahead of it to be there when it arrived. It has been said that those who do not know or understand history are forced to repeat it. Hence, we can go back for a look at the 9-11-01 tragedy because it has several similarities to what is going on in the bus industry today.

As all of us remember, travel and tourism was down on the months following 9-11. this was very similar to what is happening today. Although some of the circumstances are slightly different, the results are similar to 2021. there are two reasons why travel and tourism was down at that time. One was that people were afraid to travel because of terrorism. today, that reason is the pan-

demic. the second reason why travel and tourism was down because marketing had slowed down and the people who wanted to travel were not being invited.

While not everyone was anxious to travel, many people were interested. they simply needed an invitation. What broke the ice was that some places – my memory tells me locations like Wisconsin Dells and St. Louis – began inviting them. this proved to be immediately successful. What it showed is that people, customers and bus tours need to be invited, not ignored. the interesting development of 9-11 is that we began to see more smaller groups. then it was at least partially because of some people being reluctant to travel. this created some confusion for a while because the big bus builders had moved away from 35-foot coaches and hence at that time there were no smaller integral coaches on the market. it is interesting that a foreign builder, temsa, saw this need to move smaller groups and began selling shorter integral coaches in 2008.

Some people who travel are realizing that moving a small group on an executive coach provides both safety and comfort. It keeps the group separated form others while traveling and allows the bus operator to sell the concept of safety. This particular coach interior was done by Creative Mobile Interiors of Grove City, Ohio. cmi.

We can now fast-forward to 2021 and compare what is happening today to 9-11. to start with, we have the same situation in that many people are afraid to travel. the major difference is that the reason back then was terrorism while today is it the pandemic.

However, we also have the same second problem that we had back then. People are now getting the vaccine and are tired of months of being shut up. many are ready to travel again but are not finding invitations.

mend introducing a new product halfway through a recession. the problem we are facing is that the bus tour and industry suppliers have gone into hibernation instead of inviting people to travel or buy. As happened after 9-11, we need some companies to step foward and break the ice by inviting bus tours and inviting bus and other industry sales.

Experts recommend continued advertising during a recession to maintain market share and customer confidence. they also recom-

Like after 9-11 we are seeing that many if not most of the 2021 charters and tours are smaller groups. Why? One reason is that not

We are hearing of increasing interest in families and other small groups seeking to charter private coaches for travel. Travel by private coach provides more safety than travel by regular public transportation. Shown here is an MCI MC-9 that was converted by Custom Coach Corp. nbt.

everyone has yet elected to travel. A major factor overlooked by many is that the buses can be a safer way to travel for smaller groups than other forms of public transportation. Among the customers coming back to buses are athletic teams, small tours and small employee groups. it is obvious that there is an increasing interest in smaller groups, even down to family size, interested in chartering an executive coach or coach conversion for their travel needs. more and more people are realizing that a smaller group traveling by bus is safer than most public transportation if safety features and systems are in place. One of the coach operators we know is arranging specialized tours for small groups in executive coaches. Another tells us that there has been an overwhelming interest in chartering converted coaches for travel because of their safety over other means of travel.

A coach set up with safety features is the safest way to transport a small group. to some extent it is an island of safety in our pandemic world. the question is whether we can change our marketing strategy like “think Small” did for the beetle. instead of selling seats, we need to be selling safety. instead of talking about engines and transmissions, we should talk about plastic partitions and air purification systems. instead of traveling with other people, we should point out the advantages of keeping a small group isolated on your bus.

Admittedly, this means turning what was once a negative for the industry – fewer people on board – into a positive. it means we need to sell safety as well as transportation. q

National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 25

Doing Things Backwards

by Dave Millhouser

Shown here is one of the earliest tests of hydrogen fuel cell bus operations in America. It took place in 2005 under the guidance of AC Transit, the transit operator in the East Bay area across from San Francisco. Proponents of hydrogen fuel cell buses indicate that they are increasingly becoming more popular. ac transit.

M

y buddy Johnny owned a sightseeing company in Washington, Dc. One night (many years ago – long past the statute of limitations) he got a phone call from a driver. the automatic transmission in his Mc-8 betrayed him and refused to engage any gear but reverse.

Johnny thundered across town in a spare coach to rescue the stranded customers.

Once they were happily on their way, he climbed into the Mc-8’s drivers seat and backed that jewel plumb across our nation’s capital to his garage. How would you like to be a driver stopped at a red light, and have a bussy butt pull up next to you – then roar off backwards when the light turned green? think this is about Johnny’s unbelievable backing skills? Gotcha. consider other things that are being done backwards, and the dangers they present. in business, you use creativity and sweat to provide services that people want to buy. if you are successful, they pay you for them. the better you do – the more you make.

26 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

Wouldn’t it be easier to do it backwards?

Decide how much money you want and require your customers to provide it. then, if you feel like it, offer whatever level of quality you are in the mood for. instead of working at improving services, or making them more efficient, pump all your effort into thinking up ways to demand more revenue, and figure out ways to fool customers into thinking someone else is paying. this backwards approach only works when the public has no choice (like with transit authorities). then, of course, there is the regulatory environment that supposedly makes businesses operate honestly and safely. theoretically elected officials make the rules, and we might assume they would hire folks knowledgeable about the industry to enforce them. nah. Legislators delegate responsibility for rule-making and enforcement to bureaucrats whose expertise is bureaucracy. those functionaries then try to learn the business they are responsible for controlling.

When things go awry, officials we elected (and therefore can fire) cower behind layers of civil service employees who are difficult to discipline. On the rare occasion when incumbents are “fired,” the bureaucrats live on, hovering out of sight in the depths like prehistoric coelacanths. in this backward approach, the public suffers as companies pour resources into compliance with regulations of dubious value, rather than improving service, productivity or products. clyde Wayne crews of the competitive Enterprise institute, in his annual survey of the state of federal regulation, posits that if the money spent in america on enforcing and complying with federal regulations was used instead to start a whole new country, that country would be a major economic player on the world stage. (cei.org/studies/ten-thousand-commandments-2014) a wizened friend said that “everyone wants a good economy . . . but it has been

Columnist Dave Millhouser suggests that a huge amount of money is spent in America on enforcing and complying with federal guidelines.

That money and effort might be better applied elsewhere.

Shown here is one of the early Temsa buses that arrived in the United States about 2008. temsa.

taken over by regulators and bureaucrats . . . and Congress is scared to do anything.”

We sometimes take a backwards approach to legitimate law enforcement – working at making it easier to police people and industries.

Our Founding Fathers insisted on a Bill of rights limiting government, in order to do the opposite. they had seen how police power could be abused and wanted to limit it. even well intentioned abuse is still abuse (everyone thinks they are on the side of angels). Nazi Germany is an example of efficiency in making law enforcement simple and easy. a bit of sloppiness is a hallmark of a free society.

a regulatory agency whose statistics mulishly include traffic violations that were dismissed by the court system may be well intentioned, but the Founding Fathers would want to spank them. that particular incident may be behind us (pun intended), but is symptomatic of a backwards approach where regulators feel free to ignore “due process.” the garage phone rang, and my friend, a mechanic, picked up. a driver reported that he had just started his engine and it was blowing oily dark smoke and going backwards when he stuck the transmission in first gear. “Go back and shut that sucker off,” said my friend. When the driver came back on the phone and asked what to do next, he said, “start ‘er back up.” this time all went

well, and the driver thought my buddy was a wizard.

In ye olden days, sometimes if you punched the starter button (rather than hold it down), two-stroke Detroit Diesel engines could fire up – backwards. You then had a bus with one forward speed and four in reverse – noisy, little useful power and belching black smoke out the air filter. there is a metaphor in there somewhere.

Johnny from D.C., might like that, but it is not very practical in the long run. In fact, if you did not shut it down in time, it seized. (the oil pump is pulling when it should be pushing.)

Doing things backwards involves some real long-term risks. q

This Setra coach was photographed in 2006 while driving along a waterway in Tampa, Florida. A reflection on the windshield suggests that the sun was behind the photographer’s back. Suggestions are that the Setra will be redesigned and renamed in the near future. setra.

National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 27

Brexit, Politics and Northern Ireland

by Larry Plachno

Brexit, the story behind the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union, has been evolving into an ongoing saga. Putting a customs border in the middle of a country is a unique concept that has not been accepted by some people. The result has been turmoil and unrest in Northern Ireland. tumisu.

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he February, 2021 issue of NatioNal Bus trader contained an article titled “Brexit and the Bus industry” that explained the basics of Brexit and how it might affect the bus industry. Brexit is a short form of British exit, which is the departure of the united Kingdom (uK) from the european union (eu). since then, there has been some strife and violence in Northern ireland. readers are asking about this and how it will impact Brexit and the bus industry. as a general comment, your editor would suggest that many if not most of the problems with Brexit stem from decisions going political instead of practical. one of the more obvious is that Brexit passed by less than two percent of the vote. the outcome would have been different had the elected officials taken the time and put in the energy to address the concerns of the 28 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

people who voted “leave” instead of “remain.” many in the uK fishing industry were unhappy about eu fishing boats in British waters. Could elected officials have gotten some concessions from the eu to improve this situation? there were complaints about more attention being paid to london rather than smaller cities and rural areas, but i would have to question whether this was really an eu problem. there were also concerns about eu immigrants and a struggling National Health service. Had these problems been addressed practically rather than politically, there conceivably would have been more people voting “remain” with fewer voting “leave” and Brexit would not have happened. the story behind what is going on in Northern ireland goes back a century and

may be difficult to understand for those who do not know the background. i will try my best to go through the history and the current situation. Please forgive me if i simplify things for the sake of brevity. a good place to start is with geography. all of this is taking place on two large islands to the west of Continental europe. the larger of the two islands, located closer to Continental europe, is called Great Britain and includes england, Wales and scotland. located slightly to the west is the island of ireland that includes the republic of ireland and Northern ireland. today, england, Wales, scotland and Northern ireland constitute the united Kingdom. at one point both islands were part of the united Kingdom. in 1922, the southern and central portions of the island of ireland broke

away and formed what is today the republic of ireland. six remaining counties in the northeastern part of the island became northern ireland. the basic problem is that the residents of northern ireland are a mixed group. some relate to ireland and are primarily Catholic. some relate to the united Kingdom and are primarily Protestant. the two groups do not mix well. with both the republic of ireland and northern ireland in the European union the border between them was essentially open, but there still were major problems and confrontations with paramilitary groups. One source says that about 3,600 died in conflicts that came to be called “the troubles.” this was finally resolved in 1998 with what became known as the good Friday agreement that created an uneasy peace by balancing the two sides. the agreement covered the northsouth border to ireland, the east-west sea crossing to the uK and a partnership government for northern ireland. this seemed to work reasonably well until brexit came along. in 2016, the united Kingdom voted on whether to “remain” or “leave” the European union. Approximately 1.9 percent more voters wanted to leave rather than remain. both England and wales had more people voting leave by a few percentage points, scotland voted rather strongly to remain while northern ireland also voted to remain. A subsequent poll showed that northern ireland wanted no borders.

Movement towards brexit languished for a few years. however, what could be considered a landslide election in December of 2019 served as a mandate for Prime Minister boris Johnson and his conservative tory party to get brexit done. this was easier said than done

Brexit activity is primarily located on two islands west of Continental Europe. The first island of Great Britain includes England, Wales and Scotland. Further west is the island of Ireland that includes the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The only land border between the United Kingdom and the European Union is the 310-mile border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. nbt.

because the Eu was not about to give the uK a good deal and negotiations on a post-brexit trade agreement went right down to the wire.

Prior to becoming the prime minister of the UK, Boris Johnson was elected as London’s mayor in 2008. He was responsible for modernizing and retaining double-deck Routemaster buses for London. Shown here is one of the newer double-decks with hybrid power that was built by WrightBus in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. wrightbus.

if the Eu gave the uK a good exit deal, other Eu members might decide to follow. the obvious question was where to put the border between the Eu and the uK. the Eu wanted a defined border to protect their single market. the logical location would be the 310-mile border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland. however, ireland – remaining an Eu member – was opposed to this as were the pro-ireland people in northern ireland. As a result, it was decided to put the border in the irish sea between northern ireland and the remainder of the uK. northern ireland would be partially in the uK and partially in the Eu – a somewhat awkward position. while there were people who liked this idea, others would question it. some people pointed out that there was no study done on whether putting a customs border in the middle of a country was a good idea. had this been done before? had it been successful? how did this relate to the good Friday agreement as well as the past problems and violence? it was pointed out that not only was there no study of these important issues, but there were little or no newspaper articles covering the pros and cons of this arrangement.

National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 29

in addition, northern ireland would be subject to eu market rules but had no representation in the eu. strangely, there appeared to be a clause in the trade agreement that allowed northern ireland to reject this arrangement four years in the future, but no option for rejecting it today. hence, it was not unexpected that there was unrest in northern ireland, particularly with the pro-British people who did not want to be cut off from the uk by a customs border. there had been problems getting food to stores, problems with customs paperwork and even an inability to move pets, trees or soil across the irish sea between two parts of the uk. it did not help that the proirish group escaped prosecution for cOViD19 restrictions thus upsetting the balance and calling for the resignation of the northern ireland chief constable.

While elected officials and the police in northern ireland are urging a reduction in violence, everyone seems to be ignoring the real problem which is the unwanted customs border in the irish sea. Pro-British loyalist militants in northern ireland said there had been a “spectacular collective failure” to undersand their fears and anger over Brexit. it has been suggested that this is a classic example of three foxes and a chicken voting on what is for lunch. the foxes are the eu, ireland and the uk while the chicken is the British people of northern ireland. in this case the chicken is being ignored for the convenience of the foxes. as of early april, the situation has become complex and multi-faceted. the eu is emerging as somewhat of a bully by insisting that the irish sea customs border move ahead while ignoring the negativity and violence in northern ireland. some of the northern ireland elected officials are calling for an alternative to the customs

Much public transport in the UK is operated by private companies under contract. Shown here is a bus with a Wright body on a Volvo chassis operating in Bath, Northern Ireland by First Group.

It was a former airport bus for Belfast International Airport. charlie uk.

border in the irish sea. there has been a legal move to eliminate the customs border that may do something as early as May. several people point out that the irish sea customs border violates the Good Friday agreement by upsetting the critical balance between the groups in northern ireland. if peaceful means to remove the border do not work out, we may see a return to the violence of the past. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has effectively kicked the can down the road by suspending some of the customs arrangements until later in the year.

Where does this leave things? there are several different possible outcomes. One is

Translink is the provider of public transport in Northern Ireland. Metro and Glider Services operate in the Belfast area while Ulsterbus and Goldline bus services connect the rest of Northern Ireland.

This Translink Goldline bus incorporates an Irizar i6 body with a Scania chassis. translink.

that the european union could refuse to approve the post-Brexit trade agreement with the uk because of these problems. this could lead to a hard exit with no agreement and with trade on World trade Organization rules. this would also keep eu fishing boats out of uk waters and the eu would also lose other things in the trade agreement. One eu official said that the irish sea customs border was the price that the uk had to pay for Brexit. however, it would be difficult for the eu to reverse the uk public vote for Brexit. some British elected officials have talked about another Brexit referendum, but that would put the uk in the unenviable position of begging for readmission to the eu. some people have talked about a united ireland by joining northern ireland with the republic of ireland. however, it is questionable whether the voters of the republic of ireland want to take on a million pro-British residents who side with the uk and would be more opposed to this than to the irish sea customs border. the results might be worse than the past troubles. the basic bottom line is where do you put the customs border? Based on past experience and past violence, it is obvious that putting a customs border anywhere in northern ireland is not a good idea. You upset a very delicate balance if you draw a line between ireland and northern ireland or if you draw a line between the uk and northern ireland.

30 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

hence, it is premature to talk about how this will impact the bus industry until the various groups agree to get together to see if they can work things out. We will try to keep watching the situation. q

Safety and Liability

by Ned Einstein Defending Contractors Part 2: The History of Contracting and Brokerage In Part 1 of this series, I explained the relationships among operating companies, lead agencies and brokers. I began the discussion about how operating companies are victimized by lead agencies and brokers, whose ignorance and impunity often create operating environments which make it impossible to provide service safely or profitably. I introduced the core goal of this series: How to defend operating companies from liability exposure related to incidents caused largely or solely by negligence committed by the lead agencies or brokers who “make the rules.”

I found that the vehicles were running behind schedule i more than half the incidents.

The rules matter. Most “lead” agencies (those public agencies which receive the funding) create the routes and schedules, select the stops (or at least their robots do).

They establish many other critical parameters of service – such as on-time performance targets and penalties for failing to meet them. In the more than 650 lawsuits in which I have served as an expert, I found that the vehicles were running behind schedule in more than half the incidents.

In many cases, the negligence of lead agencies and brokers are the principle proximate causes of an incident; in some cases, it comprises the sole proximate causes. For this reason, understanding the dynamics among these three entities – private operating companies, lead agencies and brokers – is the key to defending private contractors. In facilitating this understanding, a brief history of how these entities and relationships came about is helpful.

Origins, Omens and Enigmas In those modes requiring no subsidies (e.g., taxis, limousines, hotel and airport shuttles, motorcoaches providing charter, tour and intercity/scheduled service), contracting is moot. Regulatory agencies define some parameters of service and may provide some degree of oversight. Those modes whose capital and operating costs cannot

(or can no longer) be covered by passenger fares require funding assistance from public sources – in most cases a combination of federal, state and local funds. Contracting has been around for a long time in certain modes: • In pupil transportation (or school bus) service, about a third of all services were contracted out as early as the 1980s (some before then); this percentage has remained pretty much constant.

• Paratransit service was contracted out by some municipalities when it emerged in the 1970s. Most of it was contracted out the moment the ADA was promulgated in 1990. This practice reflects the relative complexity of demand-responsive services, and the ADA’s mandatory application to every disabled individual of any age. (The major exceptions were non-disabled elderly individuals usually transported by pre-ADA systems, and “special needs” students of school age transported by school buses.) Paratransit services provided by adult day care centers, social service agencies and to other “niche” subpopulations were usually provided by in-house staff and vehicles when the service was on a small sale, while larger operations were typically contracted out.

Fixed route transit services were rarely contracted out before the 1990s.

• Fixed route transit services were rarely contracted out before the 1990s – even while there were calls for “privatization” in the 1980s (early advocates for it in Los Angeles referred to a combination of publicly- and privately-provided service as “mixed mode”). The exception was the use of motorcoaches deployed in commuter/express service: Because the FTA’s predecessor, UMTA (Urban Mass Transportation Administration) began paying for 80 percent of capital costs since 1964, transit agencies commonly purchased the vehicles and leased them to contractors for $1/year – a practice which now applies to cases where contractors deploy buses in other types of transit service (e.g., local and regional service).

• Non-emergency services – such as those for non-emergency medical trans-

portation (NEMT), and similar services for non-school-age Medicaid recipients and Veterans Administration funding recipients – were almost always contracted out from the inception of the programs created to provide and fund them.

As noted, the principle incentives for contracting out service, or “privatization,” have been (a) cost-savings and (b) public agencies shedding the responsibility for designing and operating demand-responsive services, which were exponentially more complex to operate (particularly where they were not designed at all, as most were not). The latter of these reasons was a bad omen. It established precedents for increasingly dangerous and inefficient services. When brokers became more common (particularly for non-emergency services), these trends expanded into extraordinary fraud and waste. Finally, the emergence of routing, scheduling and stop selection software added a peculiar dimension to these trends, particularly where contractors were providing the service. Lead agencies demanded that service be as efficient as possible, often selected software developers on the perceived basis of their ability to provide it, and demanded they employ “algorithms” to facilitate efficiency.

As a consequence, contractors were forced to operate according to schedules which were increasingly impossible to adhere to without committing a variety of safety compromises (see safetycompromises.com ). When brokers were later inserted between lead agencies and their contractors, these problems were compounded by fraud and waste from the incompetence and indifference of both lead agencies and their brokers. After all, if a lead agency required a broker because it could not control its service providers (or make them efficient), how could one expect them to do monitor or control their brokers – who obviously do not work on some “honor system?”

History and Socioeconomics To understand contracting, one must understand public transportation and its curious history. Those alive then, or who may have read about it, know that fixed route transit service practically collapsed in the 1960s. Transit systems were either reduced to a skeleton of routes or disappeared entirely. The last to go was New National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 31

Safety and Liability Jersey Transit, which nearly disappeared in 1969.

A number of dynamics led to this collapse. Most important of them was the explosion of suburbanization unleashed by the Defense Highway Act of 1953 and the creation of the Mortgage Guarantee Insurance Corporation (MGIC) in 1957. The Defense Highway Act lead to the creation of 49,500 miles of mostly toll-free freeways which radically restructured the distribution of the U.S. population. The MGIC made the federal government the sole provider of mortgage insurance, universally stabilizing investments in newly-purchased housing throughout the country. The MGIC program allowed many or most “qualified” homeowners to purchase homes almost anywhere, and insured the first $100,000 of their mortgages.

Cities in each subregion were easily connected by a mix of fixed route bus and rail services.

Before this suburbanization, when farming and other industries were booming in rural areas, most of the non-rural population was concentrated in cities of various sizes – typically one major urban area surrounded by a small cluster of medium-sized cities and large townships. With this structure, the handful of cities in each subregion were easily connected by a mix of fixed route bus and rail services. Because most of the passengers resided and/or worked in these cities, ridership levels were high on both services between these cities and within them. Routes were not fragmented to provide service to the low density areas in between (other than at some stops “along the way”). So thick was the ridership on these services that intercity bus routes were referred to as “trunk lines.”

Within the cities themselves, their dense populations were served primarily by a network of buses and streetcars – both of which enjoyed heavy ridership.

Suburbanization ended this neat, simple and efficient framework. When our population began to spread out, it became impossible to support the “intermediate areas” and their lower ridership with farebox revenue – just like it was always impossible to serve every nook and cranny of our rural population with any form of public transportation. At the same time, the cities expanded into “metropolitan areas,” as the cities became ringed with suburbs, which over time, included enclaves further and further away from the city. The ability to serve 32 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

these growing enclaves with buses became increasingly impossible. As urban populations began to spread out, the streetcar networks began to vanish. Only a handful – like those of San Francisco – remain today, even while 40 years ago “light rail” services were reintroduced to replace them – often with low ridership, and requiring extraordinary subsidies to cover the balance of operating costs not paid for by the riders. The “alternatives analysis” process introduced by the Ford Administration in 1975 was designed to put a stop to the light and heavy rail “new starts” – largely in places where bus ridership was thin. It failed. Otherwise, suburbanization effectively killed self-supporting transit service.

Accompanying the collapse of transit was an explosion in traffic.

Social Programs and Structural Changes The collapse of urban transit services also coincided with a huge influx of lowerpaid wage earners, replacing and exceeding the higher-wage earners who abandoned the cities for the suburbs. The result was a severe deterioration of urban areas – even while many or most cities still maintained some “high-end” neighborhoods.

Accompanying the collapse of transit was an explosion in traffic, as many employment centers remained in the “inner cities.”

On roadways connecting the suburbs to the cities, traffic expanded to intolerable levels. The response was to build more and more roadways. In many cities, 80 percent of the land was paved with a combination of roadways, freeway interchanges and parking lots.

To address the overall deterioration of our urban areas, former President Johnson created the Model Cities Program in 1964, a program within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A major component of this Program was the creation of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA). UMTA’s major thrust was to pay for 80 percent of the cost of buses (and other capital items) purchased by transit agencies or municipalities, resuscitating these agencies. However, in 1967, when Johnson created USDOT, he immediately moved UMTA from HUD to USDOT. He created operating assistance. (Some grants were “block” grants while others [called “formula” grants] reflected demographics and other factors.) A decade later, 50 percent of transit operating costs were provided by some combination of federal, state and local funds. Sixty-two percent of these funds translated immediately into wage increases.

Regardless, transit funds flowed from a transportation bureaucracy at the federal level to a transportation bureaucracy at the municipal or subregional level. (In oddball cases like Rhode Island, which has a statewide transit system, the funds still flowed to a state transportation bureaucracy.)

A year later, in 1965, President Johnson also created MediCare, which contained a transportation component (non-emergency medical transportation [NEMT] service).

Soon after came Medicaid and its transportation component. He never managed to shift NEMT service into USDOT. Still today, NEMT service remains a part of the Department of Health and Human Services. As a consequence, transportation funds for MediCare, Medicaid and VA transportation flow from a healthcare bureaucracy in Washington, D.C. to a healthcare bureaucracy at the state, county or municipal level.

While much criticism can be, and has been, leveled about efficiency and waste in public transit (and especially in complementary paratransit service), at least those in charge, at all levels, are “in the field.” The exact opposite is true of non-emergency transportation services (NEMT, Medicaid and VA services). This distinction is compounded by the fact that all non-emergency services are door-to-door or curb-to-curb “demand-responsive” services – exponentially more complex to operate, particular where there is no coherent system design (see https://transalt.com/content/principles-paratransit-system-design/). As noted, this complexity encouraged most transit agencies to contract out their version of these services (complementary paratransit service) the instant the ADA required all of them to provide it. That many or most disabled individuals were eligible for both complementary paratransit and NEMT service only made the complexity worse.

Regardless, if the transit industries’ alleged “professionals” could not handle the operation of such services, it is hardly a wonder why healthcare agency professionals – even genuine professionals in their field – could not begin to. The consequences of this failure should be obvious: Envision placing your city’s transit agency or state DOT in charge of the ballet.

The next installment in this series will explain how the non-emergency transportation sector’s decades of failure in the provision of its services led to the profusion of brokers. It will explain how the infusion and expansion of brokers led to hundreds of billions of dollars a year of taxpayers’ money squandered by fraud and waste.

This sad tale may represent the worst that contracting can be. It will also illustrate how

Safety and Liability Much of the carnage is not the fault of the victimized private companies. much of the carnage is not the fault of the victimized private companies which provide the actual service in many of the modes listed above. Readers will begin to understand how to defend them when they are blamed for it.

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

Ned Einstein is the president of Transportation Alternatives (transalt.com [1]), a public transportation consulting/expert witness firm. Einstein (einstein@transalt.com) specializes in catastrophic motorcoach accidents.

National Bus Trader / May, 2021 • 33

Classified Visit National Bus Trader’s Online Classified Ads at www.busmag.com 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 submitted on or with your free classified ad certificate. Display advertising rates on request.

1 – BUSES WANTED 1940s White Model 788 or 798 wanted. 12 cylinder engine mounted under floor midship. Would like a complete original bus, but like to hear about parts buses. Contact Howard Lane, Hardwick MA 01037 at (413) 477-8790 or howard.lane@comcast.net.

I 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.

2 – COACHES FOR SALE 1955 PD4501 #403 GM coach Scenicruiser Greyhound bus. 318 Detroit engine (runs), manual 4-speed, extra parts. $8,000. Contact Danny Flaherty, 9041 E Staring Lane, Eden Prairie MN 55347 at DannyFlaherty@gmail.com or (952) 836-8999.

I Please mention National Bus Trader when answering advertisers

5C – MISCELLANEOUS BUSES 1982 BBC/GMC HR150G trolley bus. Brown-Bovari controls, running condition. Must dispose due to space limitation. Make offer. Contact Dale@trams.ca or phone (604) 325-9990 in Vancouver.

I 6 – MOTOR HOMES FOR SALE 2000 MCI DL3 Custom Coach conversion. Detroit Diesel engine and Allison trans. Sleeps 4-6, BA, shower, microwave, refrigerator, stove, generator, 4 aux. AC units, 2 flat-screen TVs, DVD, Bose speakers. No slides. Customize to suit. 185,208 original miles. Asking $72,500.

All serious offers considered. Call (610) 868-6001, Ext 115. More pics and details at transbridgelines.com/busesfor-sale.

I 1956 Flxible coach – old conversion. Phone (802) 948-2886 in VT for details.

I MCI MC5A ’67 (shell). 8V-71, 4-speed. For sale to highest bidder. Call (928) 358-6415 or (505) 713-9242 in AZ. I ’67 Flxible. Converted, 6V-92, 10-spd./OD, diesel generator. Recent $10,000 rebuilt – rebushed. Don’t see well; can’t drive and enjoy. Best offer over $17,500.

Needs TLC. Phone Chet at (269) 445-0641 in MI. I 10 – PARTS AND EQUIPMENT 6V-92T Detroit Diesel engine. Fresh overhaul. In storage. Spent $4,700. Make offer. Phone (815) 262-0587 in IL. I Next Deadlines – May15 for July issue June15 for August issue

Advertiser’s Index APTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Bradford House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 City of Ft. Madison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Don Brown Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 23 Dupree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 FMCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Irizar USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Midwest Bus Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Motor Coach Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Rocky Gap Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Royal Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Temsa Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

ZF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 34 • National Bus Trader / May, 2021

14 – NOTICES Visit our 40+ vintage buses at Lakewood NJ Bus Terminal Saturdays. Join Friends NJ Transport Heritage Center. www.friendsnjthc.org. Annual dues $30. Call Tom at (732) 833-1213.

I 15 – MISCELLANEOUS Wanted: Original upholstery for AC Transit 800-900 Series Fishbowl. Gold and blue striped pattern used on bucketstyle seats. Used seat covers acceptable. Contact Ed at enapiwoc@aol.com.

I

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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.

July 7-10, 2021. FMCA's 103rd International Convention and RV Expo.

Cam-Plex Multi-Event Facilities, Gillette, Wyoming.

August 25-29, 2021. Flxible Bus Rally. Mohican Adventures Campground, Loudonville, Ohio. For more information visit flxibleowners.org

November 7-10, 2021. American Public Transportation Association (APTA) EXPO 2021. Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida. For information visit www.aptaexpo.com.

November 14-18, 2021. NTA Travel Exchange. Cleveland, Ohio.

March 15-18, 2023. FMCA's 107th International Convention and RV Expo. Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, Perry, Georgia.

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