National Bus Trader Magazine May 2024 Digital Edition

The Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada

Victory at Last! MTA Exempts Private Buses from NYC Congestion Pricing (by Matthew W . Daus, Esq)

Matthew Daus reports on the final decision on New York City Congestion Pricing with details on what buses were exempted from paying the toll and the rates for the other buses and vehicles

Van Hool Update for May (by Larry Plachno)

This follows the ongoing saga of the Van Hool bankruptcy and subsequent developments This installment follows up the previous report in the April issue at the end of March and reports on the bankruptcy and subsequent decision to let VDL and Schmitz Cargobull step in to take over operations.

Charging Forward or Filling Up? The Race to Decarbonize Bus Travel (by Matt Perry)

This report covers the ongoing movement to decarbonize bus travel. It also highlights the fact that the Europeans are moving to hydrogen fuel cell power as an alternative to battery-electric power to eliminate carbon emissions

Bus Lift Safety (by Dave Millhouser)

Bus lifts are great things because they allow the handicapped to ride along in the same bus. Bus industry expert Dave Millhouser points out that bus lifts require exercise and maintenance while those who operate them require training and education.

King County to Get Gillig Electric Buses

Gillig, a leading manufacturer of heavy-

d u t y t r a n s i t b u s e s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , announced on March 18 a substantial milestone has been reached in their decadesl o n g p a r

c buses from Gillig moves us closer to our goal of being the first large transit agency in North America that is 100 percent zero-emission W

community members, customers and operators will benefit from cleaner air as we con-

We

forward to welcoming the new buses to King County and introducing them to our routes and riders ”

equipped with oppor tunity charging capabilites in addition to plug-in charging, allowi n g f o r g re a

not only for its technological advancements but also for its exceptional safety, reliability and per for mance A Gillig batter y-electric bus achieved the highest performing score o f a n y z e

Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center, s e t t

the industr y

r y - e l e c t r i c b u s e s f o r K i n g

chase up to 306 of the zero-emission vehicles The order marks the first procurement o f G i l l i g b a t

C o u n t y M e t r o , w h i c h o p e r a t e s i n a n d a ro u n d t h e g re a t e r S e a t t l e a re a i n Wa s h -

i n g t o n s t a t e a n d i s k n o w n f o r i t s s t r o n g c o m m i t m e n t t o a d o p t i n g i n n o v a t i v e , s u s -

t a i n a b l e t r a n s i t s o l u t i o n s

The agency has long been at the forefront of sustainable transit, introducing electricpowered trolleys in 1932 and incorporating the first ar ticulated hybrid-electric buses in America into their fleet in 2004 In keeping with their histor y of choosing reliable, sust a i n a b l e t r a n s i t s o l u t i o n s , K i n g C o u n t y Metro’s latest contract with Gillig represents an investment in the best of zero-emission technology and per for mance

Dow Constantine, King County executive, highlighted the reasons behind selecting Gillig for this pivotal transition: “Acquiring

These buses will advance King County’s p

’s

stewardship and will empower a more sust

greater Seattle area The initial deployment o

y Metro’s first fully electrified bus base in Tukwila, Washington, currently under construct

rounding south King County communities, where air pollution is higher than other parts of the region

Built on Gillig’s highly proven low-floor p

-

l e c t r i c b u s i s engineered for maximum durability, safety a n d

tures 686 kWh of onboard ultra-high-dens i t y e n

l

s extended range for King County’s challengi n

G i l l i g , e x p re s s e d h i s e n t h u s i a s m f o r t h e

p r o j e c t : “ W e a r e p r o u d t o s u p p o r t K i n g

C o u n t y M e t r o i n t h e i r i n d u s t r y - l e a d i n g

t r a n s i t i o n t o t h e f i r s t f u l l y z e ro - e m i s s i o n s

f l e e t i n A m e r i c a T h i s o r d e r i s n o t j u s t a

s i g n i f i c a n t a c h i e v e m e n t f o r G i l l i g ; i t i s a

t e s t a m e n t t o t h e s t r e n g t h o f t h i s

l o n g - s t a n d i n g c u s t o m e r p a r t n e r s h i p We

c o n t i n u e t o p r o u d l y d e s i g n , b u i l d a n d

s u p p o r t t h e b e s t p e r f o r m i n g , s a f e t y a n d

m o s t r e l i a b l e t r a n s i t b u s e s a s w e w o r k

h a rd t o a c h i e v e t h e s h a re d v i s i o n f o r b o t h

G i l l i g a n d K i n g C o u n t y M e t ro f o r a m o re

s u s t a i n a b l e , a c c e s s i b l e a n d e q u i t a b l e

f u t u re ”

A Yankee Line Adds MCI and New Flyer Vehicles

A Ya n k e e L i n e , a l o n g - s t a n d i n g M C I

a n d N e

with Gillig for

greater Seattle area in Washington State

Equipment News

c o m e d f i v e N e w F l y e r X c e l s i o r ® c l e a n -

d i e s e l t r a n s i t b u s e s t o t h e i r f l e e t T h e n e w

buses feature an effective emission control

s y s t e m t o p ro v i d e a s i g n i f i c a n t d i ff e re n c e

i n a i r q u a l i t y a n d i n n o v a t i v e S m a r t R i d e r ™

t e c h n o l o g y t o d e l i v e r u n m a t c h e d a c c e s -

s i b i l i t y f o r a l l p a s s e n g e r s

A Ya n k e e L i n e a l s o a d d e d e i g h t n e w

J 4 5 0 0 m o t o

o a c h e s i n t o i t s c h a r t e r a n d

tour fleet Since 1982, Yankee Line, a private t r a n s p o r t a t i o n c o m p a n y b a s e d i n S o u t h Boston, Massachusetts, has relied on NFI’s proven transit technology with multiple bus and motorcoach deliveries from New Flyer and MCI

ABC Press Statement

ABC Companies has been officially notifi e d t h

Following the recent bankruptcy of Van Hool, the court has indicated that VDL Group is the successful bidder for the Van Hool bus division Shown here is a Van Hool ExquCity built for operation in Malmo ABC Companies is the American distributor of Van Hool coaches

bidder for the Van Hool motorcoach division In anticipation of a quick restar t and while the details of the next steps are still unfolding, ABC companies is committed to ensuring that the transition will be as smooth as possible for its customers ABC Companies will provide more information as it becomes available

CVSA’s 2024 Out-of-Ser vice Criteria Now in Effect

Star ting April 1, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2024 North Ameri c a n S t

c l e s p r e s e n t a n i m m i n e n t h a z a r d a n d s h o u l d b e p l a c e d o u t o f s e r v i c e T h e f e d e r a l r e g u l a t i o n s , t o g e t h e r w i t h C V S A’s o u t - o f - s e r v i c e c r i t er i a , p r o

Alliance approved 11 changes to the outof-service criteria In accordance with the CVSA Bylaws, the proposed changes were communicated to the voting members of the Alliance on October 5, 2023, and ratified on October 20, 2023 The out-of-service criteria

A Yankee Line recently took delivery of five New Flyer Xcelsior® clean-diesel transit buses These buses come with an effective emission control system to improve air quality.

A Yankee Line also took delivery of eight new MCI J4500 coaches, The company is based in South Boston, Massachusetts

a re u p d a t e d a n n u a l l y, e ff e c t i v e A p r i l 1 o f each year

The following changes were made to the out-of-service criteria:

1 A n o t e w a s a d d e d t o “ P a r t I , I t e m 3

Commercial Driver’s License, c Endorsements and Restrictions” to provide clarity on the status of a hazardous materials (HM) endorsement when the driver’s Transpor tation Security Administration screening/HM

d e t e r m i n a t i o n i s e x p i r e d a n d t h e d r i v e r requires the HM endorsement

2 Ontario Class D license was removed

f r o m t h e n o t e i n “ P a r t I , I t e m 4 D r i v e r

Medical/Physical Requirements, b Medical Cer tificate ”

3 “Par t I, Item 7 Drugs and Other Subs t a n c e s , c P r o h i b i t e d f r o m P e r f o r m i n g

Safety-Sensitive Functions” was amended to add the new 392 15 violation code and a note

4 The applicability table for commercial l e a r n e r ’s p e r m i t d r i v e r s w a s a m e n d e d i n “Part I, Item 7 Drugs and Other Substances, c P r o h i b i t e d f r o m P e r f o r m i n g S a f e t y -

Sensitive Functions ”

5 M i s s i n g c a m s h a f t b u s h i n g s w a s added to the 20 percent criterion in “Par t II, Item 1 Brake Systems, a Defective Brakes, ( 5 ) D r u m ( C a m - Ty p e a n d W e d g e ) A i r Brakes, (a) ” 6 Wa t e r m a r k s w e re a d d e d t o “ P a r t I I , Item 1 Brake Systems, a Defective Brakes, 20 percent Criterion” and the end of 20 percent criterion to better identify the 20 percent out-of-service criterion and the 20 percent criterion relative to steering axle brakes

7 T h e w o r d “ s h a l l ” w a s c h a n g e d t o “may” in “Par t II, Item 1 Brake Systems, q

Equipment News

Performance-Based Brake Test” to allow for i n s p e c t o r d i s c r e t i o n i n r e f e r e n c e t o t h e requirement of retesting the vehicle

8 “Par t II, Item 3 Coupling Devices, c P

(Excluding Fifth Wheels and Pintle Hooks), (1)” was amended to add latches that are

matched with the receiver

9

(

lamps, Tail Lamps, Stop Lamps, Turn Signals and Lamps/Flags on Projecting Loads), a When Lights are Required to Be On” to clarify that lights not being tur ned on does not constitute an out-of-service condition

10 A note was added to “Par t II, Item 9 Lighting Devices (Headlamps, Tail Lamps, Stop Lamps, Tur n Signs and Lamps/Flags on Projecting Loads)

11 By adding a new number (2) to “Par t II, Item 12 Tires, b Tires Other Than Those F

rest of Item 12 b had to be renumbered

These changes have been incorporated i

procedures, operational policies and training videos

There are different for mats (e g , print, electronic other languages, etc ) of the 2024 out-of-service criteria available for purchase through the CVSA online store It is also available for purchase in CVSA’s app by searchi n g ( C V S A O

h

App Store or Google Play Bulk orders of the handbook and the app are available

Executive Coach recently took delivery of a new luxurious MCI J4500 motorcoach The company has been an MCI customer since 1979 Executive Coach is based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and serves a wide range of customers including sports teams, student groups, wedding parties and more

CVSA hosted a webinar in Januar y outlining the changes to the out-of-service crit e r i a T h e w e b i n a r i s a v a

a b l e t o C V S A members through their CVSA member port a l O

C V S A Lear ning tab, then click on “Roadside” to view the webinar

For fur ther questions about the criteria, c o n t a c t C V

phone (202) 998-1650

Executive Coach Takes Deliver y of New J4500 Coach

MCI recently delivered a new, luxurious J4500 motorcoach to Executive Coach, an MCI customer since 1979

Pennsylvania-based company is built on a mutual commitment to first-class transportation and an excellent customer experience T

will make the ride that much more enjoyable for corporate travelers, spor ts teams, stud

surrounding areas

Napaway Coach, Anderson Coach & Travel Announce Par tnership Napaway Coach and Anderson Coach & Tr a

coaches equipped with Napaway’s unique luxur y seating system to its fleet, allowing the company to offer a first-class option to its half-million yearly riders As a Napaway partner, Anderson secures the rights to operate Napaway coaches within an exclusive territor y, which includes Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh

F

family-owned company Anderson Coach & Travel has always operated at the forefront of the motorcoach industry Operating more than 150 vehicles, ranging from full-sized coaches to executive van limos and even school buses, the company is well known for its exceptional equipment, superior customer service and commitment to embracing new technology

“ A

nership with Napaway, which will diversify

coaches,” said COO Evan Anderson

comfort, privacy and luxury, which our cus-

Equipment News

Described as “America’s first true first-

Napaway and Anderson Coach & Travel recently announced their partnership Anderson will be adding Napaway’s unique luxury seating system to their fleet to provide a higher level of service Founded in 1937, Anderson Coach & Travel will operate the luxury coaches in Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh

Originally known for its line-run sleeper service, the company has since made sig-

where its private suites, lie-flat seating and h

for

is par tnering with coach operators around the countr y to bring their product to riders e

“ W

Anderson,” said Napaway CEO Dan Aronov “They have a long history of providing highquality motorcoach service to the region and will be great stewards for the brand We look forward to expanding our par tnership with Anderson and adding additional operators for charter service in other markets throughout the countr y ”

A

their first co-branded Prevost coach on the road and operating by June of this year

NFI Shows Off Cutting-Edge EV at the TTA Expo

The New Flyer, MCI and ARBOC sales teams were at the annual Texas Transit Association’s (TTA) 2024 State Conference Expo a n d R o a d e o i n S a n A n t o n i o , Te x a s i n l a t e March

At the show New Flyer and MCI’s Rex Colorado, regional sales manager, were on hand to showcase CapMetro’s zero-emission Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ 40-foot bus

Those who attended also had the advantage of this fantastic opportunity to connect with Kim Yoder, sales and marketing, vice president, ARBOC, to hear the most recent p r o d u c t d e v e l o p m e n t s a n d c o m p a n y updates Those who attended were able to hear about the New Flyer, MCI and ARBOC mobility solutions

Spring Fling 2024 at the Bus Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania

This year’s Bus Spring Fling will be held at the Antique Car and Bus Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 This year’s event is recognizing Prevost for their 100-year anniversary The event will begin on Friday with a bus tour to visit Rabbit Transit’s offices and shop area in York, Pennsylvania Rabbitt is the region’s largest mass transit provider in south central Pennsylvania serving 11 Pennsylvania counties and transpor ting more than 9,000 people each day (More information on the trip along with a reservation link will be released later)

The tour will then drop the group off at the York Fairgrounds to visit the 50th anniversary

Equipment News

National Street Rods Association show to enjoy the vehicles’ vendors attending To complete the day there will be a group dinner for all attending at Troges Brewery in Hershey, Pennsylvania The group tour will have transportation provided by Bailey Coach

a

y a n t i q u e coaches at the Museum with shuttle service provided by Wolf Bus Lines to the mainte-

nance facility from 10:30 a m until 3 p m Many vendors will have items for sale during

100-year-old Prevost coach that was fully restored

ABA Ur ges Caution in Transition to Electric Vehicles

issued the following statement from Presi-

New Flyer, MCI and ARBOC sales teams were recently at the Texas Transit Association’s 2024 State Conference Expo and Roadeo in San Antonio, Texas New Flyer ’s regional sales manager showed Cap Metro’s zero-emission Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ 40-foot bus. The sales team also provided information on other mobility solutions

The 2024 Spring Fling at the Museum of Bus Transportation will take place on May 31 and June 1 Activities include a tour of Rabbit Transit in York, Pennsylvania, a chance to see the National Street Rods Associations show and the usual Sunday bus displays This event celebrates Prevost’s 100th anniversary and the replica of their first coach will be on display

Equipment News

dent and CEO Peter J Pantuso in support of the Clean Freight Coalition regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s final Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3 rule:

“The ABA and its members, along with those of the Clean Freight C o a l

appropriate climate initiatives that gradually move the United States in that direction Today, the ABA emphasizes that moder n motor-

MCI recently delivered new MCI J4500 coaches to the California Baptist University Founded in 1950 and located in Riverside, California, the school has more than 8,000 undergraduate students

coaches, powered by clean diesel, are among the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation They produce fewer emissions per person per mile than nearly all other for ms of passenger transpor tation Motorcoaches also contribute to a cleaner environment and alleviate traffic congestion by taking up to 50 individuals out of their cars

“

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent rule mandating a rapid shift to electric vehicles This forced march towards electric v e h

potentially doubling them Moreover, the current lack of infrastructure and limited electric capacity makes this transition impractical and financially burdensome for the industr y and consumers

“The ABA fir mly believes that a realistic and gradual approach is necessar y to ensure a successful transition to electric vehicles Rushing this process without adequate infrastructure and electric capacity will only burden the end user, the consumer and the taxpayer with increased costs The ABA urges policymakers to consider the long-term implications and feasibility of such a transition, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive plan that addresses the challenges associated with electric vehicle adoption

“As an association representing the motorcoach industr y, the ABA remains steadfast in its commitment to working with policymakers, industr y stakeholders and environmental advocates The ABA advocates for the development of sustainable solutions that b

challenges faced by the motorcoach industry and ensures a cleaner and more efficient transportation system for all This approach necessitates a comprehensive plan that addresses the challenges associated with electric vehicle adoption ”

MCI Suppor ts Private Operators From Coast to Coast

MCI continues to support private operators all across North America with its J-Series coaches and best-in-class service team Recent MCI J4500 motorcoach deliveries include four luxur y coaches for Califor nia Baptist University and Florida’s Olympus Limo, and one customized coach for Virginia’s Abbott Bus Lines It is thrilling to see MCI’s top-notch coaches providing superior passenger experiences from coast to coast S

best-selling touring coach, praised by operators for its ease of ownership, by passengers for best-in-class legroom and by drivers for its nimble handling

ABC Companies and Martin Energy Announce Strategic Partnership

In a landmark par tnership, ABC Companies and Mar tin Energy Group (MEG) are thrilled to announce their collaboration This par tnership is set to redefine the energy landscape by offering cuttingedge microgrid and power storage solutions designed to promote energy independence

L

offerings, including generator sets and EPA-cer tified engines with c

microgrid and energy storage systems, these engines can operate on natural gas or propane providing flexibility and adaptability in energy generation Power solutions can be precisely tailored to meet fluctuating demands, offering a seamless match for a diverse range of energy needs

MEG offers engines that not only cater to stationary applications but also mobile charging solutions Each engine can be housed in

MCI delivered a customized J4500 coach to Abbott Bus Lines Based in Roanoke, Virginia, the company operates extensive charter service and has their own tour programs

Olympus Limo recently took delivery of luxury MCI J4500 coaches The company serves many locations in Florida and provides service to several Florida airports

a s t a t i o n a r y w e a t h e r p r o o f e n c l o s u r e o r m o u n t e d o n a t r a i l e r, p r o v i d i n g fl e x i b l e options for mobile energy needs This offeri n g i s e s p e c i a l l y b e n e fi c i a l f o r c u s t o m e r s requiring adaptable solutions for electrification and mobility projects

For more infor mation about ABC Companies, Mar tin Energy and the par tnership, v i s i t w w w a b c - c o m p a n i e s c o m a n d www mar tinenergygroup com

Euro Bus Expo 2024

F i r m l y e s t a b l i s h e d a s t h e U K - b a s e d c o a c h a n d b u s i n d u s t r y s h o w c a s e , E u ro Bus Expo serves as a consistent catalyst for n e w v e h i c l e a n d p r o d u c t l a u n c h e s I t enables tens of thousands of visitors to stay a h e a d o f i n d u s t r y a d v a n c e m e n t s , p ro p e l their businesses forward and gain valuable insights through its renowned seminar prog r a m I t c o n n e c t s i n d u s

h o p e r a t o r s , t r a n s p o r t p l a n n e r s , a u t h

i e s and municipalities from across the UK and Europe, time and again

T h i s y e a r ’s m a j o r t r a d e e v e n t i s s e t t o uphold this legacy With anticipation building, and nine months until the show’s opening, the organizers announce the 77 percent of exhibition space has already been sold, reflecting strong demand from industry suppliers and underscoring the event’s significance within the industr y

Showcasing Cutting-Edge Vehicles

N o t e w o r t h y p a r t i c i p a t i o n f ro m l e a d i n g vehicle dealers and manufacturers promises the exhibition halls will be transfor med into

Equipment News

a s h o w ro o m o

Ve h i c l e exhibitors confirmed to date include Alexander Dennis, Ayats, BASE Coach Sales, BYD, Coachtraders/UNVI, EVM, GM Coachwork, Harris Bus & Coach UC, Ilesbus, Irizar UK and Noone Turas

Further vehicle exhibitors set to take part include Karsan, London Hire, Mellor, Minibus O p t i o n

Great Britain and TBC Conversions

Comprehensive industry Showcase

T h e 2 0

full extent of the industr y Across the show halls, visitors will find all the essential products and services to operate, improve and future proof a passenger transport business The latest in zero-emission vehicles, conversion services, mechanical and engineeri

solutions, cutting-edge technologies will be on display

Content shaped by the industry

Alongside the comprehensive exhibition,

program In response to popular demand and to facilitate knowledge exchange across the industr y, the organizers are welcoming p

show Web site – eurobusxpo com

Says Helen Conway, event director: “We believe that diverse perspectives, sharing on-the-ground experiences, discussing best

p

provoking debates are vital components of an industr y-leading platfor m, and look forward to working with the industr y directly to shape the show content ”

Enhanced trade show experience

The introduction of a new meeting planner platform and dedicated meeting lounge aims to elevate the overall trade show experience These new features are being introduced to facilitate connections, improve netw

business outcomes among attendees Visitors will benefit from exhibitor and seminar recommendations tailored to their interests, a

schedule appointments ahead of the event, allowing for best time efficiency

Networking opportunities

Situated in a central, easily accessible location and surrounded by options for netw

including the co-located Routeone Awards

The prestigious awards, renowned as the U K ’s p re

minibus operators, is set to take place on the second night of the show, November 13, at The Vox, Resor ts World Bir mingham

Subscribe

for event updates

Registration for Euro Bus Expo 2024 will open soon To be the first to hear about event developments as they happen, join the mailing list at www eurobusxpo com

Frankfur t Opts Again for Hydrogen Buses

In-der-City-Bus GmbH (ICB), the public transpor t management company of Frank-

There are already 13 Urbino hydrogen vehicles running in the metropolis since 2022 The operator also intends to launch its own hydrogen refueling station by mid-year The new order of buses has been added to the ICB fleet in the first quar ter of 2024

Frankfur t am Main is one of the largest cities in Ger many The municipal transpor t company In-der-City-Bus GmbH operates three bundles in Frankfurt am Main, covering m

services The company operates 34 routes with a 228-vehicle fleet – 24/7, 365 days a y e a r A r o u n d 7 5 0 p e o p l e w

b u s drivers, workshop professionals and in the administrative staff In line with the climate protection goals of the city of Frankfur t am Main, ICB aims to electrify the bus fleet by the early 2030s With battery and hydrogen

environmentally-friendly connections and National Bus Trader / May, 2024 • 11

Euro Bus Expo is scheduled for November 12-14, 2024 at the National Exhibition Center in Bimringham, England More than 77 percent of the exhibition space has been sold Major exhibitors will include Alexander Dennis BYD, Irizar as well as others

comfor table urban mobility The operator’s fleet already includes both battery-powered S o l a r i s U r b i n o 1 2 e l e c t r i c v e h i c l e s a n d hydrogen-powered Solaris models for passenger transpor t since last year

In the last few days, the carrier has settled a tender for the purchase of 10 additional hydrogen buses, choosing Solaris as t h e

Equipment News

hydrogen-powered model as in the previous order – the Urbino 12 hydrogen The newly contracted buses will feature similar equipment to the hydrogen buses already known to the citizens of Frankfur t

cells, producing only heat and water vapor as by-products The electricity generated in the process of reverse electrolysis is then

In-der-City-Bus GmbH in Frankfort, Germany, has placed a repeat order for hydrogen buses with Solaris Included are 10 Urbino 12 hydrogen buses This follows an earlier order in 2022 for 12 similar buses form Solaris The company operates 34 routes and has a fleet of 228 vehicles

Volvo Buses recently introduced its new European 8900 electric bus for city, intercity and commuter operations Available in both two-axle and three-axle versions with a capacity of up to 110 passengers, the 8900 electric will be available in selected European markets in 2025 It is the electric version of the popular 8900 model that has been in operation since 2010

transmitted directly to the axle with two electric motors, which power the bus Each of the buses ordered will be equipped with an additional Solaris High Power batter y The energy storage plays an auxiliary role in the hydrogen bus and is used during times of high energy demand, as well as in the recu-

standards

The Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen will be equipped with several state-of-the-art ADAS solutions to support the driver, including the MirrorEye system, which is a set of cameras installed in place of the side mirrors to provide the driver with excellent visibility in dif-

scheduled to deliver the buses in the first quar ter of 2024 The total value of the order is around €6 5 million

Cities are increasingly using hydrogen buses for their regular urban traffic and the technology is of growing interest to transport operators Solaris is the largest European m

been developing this technology for almost a decade The company has already delivered almost 120 fuel cell vehicles to 15 European cities Since last year, Solaris hydrogen portfolio also includes an articulated model, the Urbino 18 hydrogen

Volvo Buses Launches Volvo 8900 Electric Intercity Bus

Volvo Buses extends its European Electromobility offer to include operations outside a n

Electric is an electric low-entr y bus for city, i

offered in both two- and three-axle configu

efficient, sustainable and profitable traffic for operators The first versions of the Volvo 8900 Electric will be available in selected European markets during 2025

Vo l v o B u s e s ’ l o w - fl o o r e l e c t r i c b u s e s have been very successful; they are in daily o p e r a t i o n

been in operation since 2010 The new 8900 Electric platfor m builds on that success

“It’s logical to include electrified solutions f

tions The 8900 Electric is a dedicated Euro-

effor ts to provide efficient and sustainable people transpor t solutions,” says Thomas Nylund, head of Volvo Buses Europe

The Volvo 8900 Electric comes in two- or three-axle configurations, with a capacity of up to 110 passengers The driveline can be

specified with one or two motors, giving a traction power of up to 400kW, or 540 hp In c o m b i n a t i o n w i t h t h e m o d u l a r b a t t e r y arrangement of up to 540 kWh, these options m a k e t h e Vo l v o 8 9 0 0 E l e c t r i c s u i t a b l e f o r most applications in extended city and intercity operation

“In Europe electromobility continues to grow, and at Volvo Buses we have gathered m o re t h a n a d e c a d e o f fi r s t - h a n d e x p e r ience, together with customers and partners With the launch of the Volvo 8900 Electric, we’re convinced that we now have a product and complete offer that will be a long-ter m solution for customers,” says Nylund

The Volvo 8900 Electric comes with several features that boost comfor t and safety for the driver A multi-function steering wheel and a dynamic instrument cluster provide a superior overview of important driver information, enhancing driver focus and control

“Safety and passenger satisfaction start with the driver,” says Nylund, “and we also k n o w t h a t Vo l v o ’s d r i v e r ’s s t a t i o n i s h i g h l y appreciated as a comfortable and rewarding workplace ”

The Volvo 8900 Electric is built on the allnew Volvo BZR Electric chassis – a platform based on a Volvo Group common e-mobility architecture This means that major components and sub-systems are manufactured i n l a r g e v o l u m e s , w h i c h i s a n a d v a n t a g e when it comes to spare par ts commonality and logistics This in turn means more opera t o r u p t i m e T h e b o d y f o r t h e Vo l v o 8 9 0 0 Electric will be manufactured by the selected par tner, MCV

“ T h e Vo l v o 8 9 0 0 E l e c t r i c i s a p re m i u m product with the highest quality, and it’s a p ro d u c t t h a t c u s t o m e r s h a v e a s k e d f o r I t will be able to operate different types of traffic and cater to most needs that an operator has,” says Nylund

T h e Vo l v o 8 9 0 0 E l e c t r i c c o m e s w i t h a l l o f Vo l v o B u s e s ’ a c t i v e s a f e t y s y s t e m s These include several safety features with a s p e c i a l f o c u s o n t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f v u ln e r a b l e ro a d u s e r s s u c h a s c y c l i s t s a n d p e d e s t r i a n s O n e e x a m p l e i s t h e c o l l i s i o n w a r n i n g s y s t e m I t d o e s n o t o n l y re a c t t o v e h i c l e s , w h i c h i s t h e l e g a l re q u i re m e n t , b u t a l s o t o p e d e s t r i a n s a n d c y c l i s t s T h e

s a f e t y s y s t e m s e x c e e d t h e n e w E U re g u -

l a t i o n s , a s w e l l a s t h e l e g a l re q u i re m e n t s o f m o s t c o u n t r i e s o u t s i d e t h e E U

VDL Bus & Coach Opens State-of-the-Ar t Bus Plant in Roeselare, Flanders

VDL Bus Roeselare, the new Flemish prod u c t i o n f a c i l i t y o f V D L B u s & C o a c h , w a s officially opened April 10 In addition to the

Equipment News

2 7 , 0 0 0 m 2 p r o d u c t i o n f a c i l i t y, t h i s a l s o l a u n c h e s t h e w o r k s h o p , w a r e h o u s e a n d offices of VDL Bus Roeselare and VDL Bus & Coach Belgium nv

The site at Krimmebeekpark 2, Roeselare, which covers an area of 77,000m2, has been in operation for some time At VDL Bus Roeselare, there will be serial production of the new generation Citea, the 100 percent electric bus for public transpor t

The opening was attended by Flemish P r i m e M i n

s h Minister Lydia Peeters (Mobility) as well as customers, suppliers and media

The foundation stone of VDL Groep’s new bus plant was laid on February 8, 2022 After more than two years, these plans have come to fruition in what is the most moder n bus factor y in Europe T

L Groep’s sustainability and innovation philosophy, which is reflected in several areas T

underfloor heating and extensive ventilation s

y Solar panels have been integrated into the d

sufficient in its energy needs The green roof not only contributes to the aesthetics of the building, but also acts as a natural insulator a

environment With these facilities, VDL Bus & Coach strives for a sustainable and ecol o g i c

m

reducing its ecological footprint

VDL Bus & Coach deliberately chooses to build its buses in Europe “We have a reliable network of production facilities, close to customers, with our own skilled workers who have been loyal to us for years, and with sustainable production methods Our employees are highly qualified and use state-of-the-art technology to produce the electric buses of today and of the future,” says Rolf-Jan Zweep, CEO of VDL Bus & Coach

L Bus Roeselare, also stresses the importance o

technically-skilled people are of paramount importance for the high-end manufacturing industr y It is crucial that we also continue to invest in lifelong learning as bus builders to adapt the skills of our employees to the changing needs of the economy However, we should not assume this happens automatically; it requires a great effort from both employer and employee ”

V D L

owned VDL Groep, is a staunch advocate o

skills within its own region To continue that endeavor and keep the bus manufacturing industr y within Europe, VDL Bus & Coach

VDL recently cut the ribbon on April 10 to open its new state-of-the-art bus production facility in Roeselare, Belgium, a little ways northwest of Kortrijk Located at Krommebeepark 2, the new location covers an area of 77,000 square meters (about 19 acres) and includes a 27,000-square-meter (about 290,000 square feet) production facility capable of building 800 buses annually Headquartered in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, VDL has more than 15,000 employees and 2023 sales of 6,354 billion Euros in high-tech, mobility, energy, infratech and foodtech areas

stresses the impor tance of a level playing field with initiatives from other continents “There has to be fair competition, playing by the same rules,” says Rolf-Jan Sweep

VDL Bus Roeselare’s production capacity

i s a ro u n d 8 0 0 b u s e s p e r a n n u m D e s p i t e the fact that Roeselare plant could manufacture this total number of new-generation C i t e a s e a c h y e a r o n i t s o w n , V D L B u s & Coach deliberately chose to share production of this electric city bus with its other production facility in Valkenswaard This maxi m i z e s t h e u s e o f a v a i l a b l e p r o d u c t i o n capacity It also increases flexibility

The core activities of VDL Bus & Coach

c o m p r i s e t h e d e v e l o p m e n t , p r o d u c t i o n ,

s a l e s , a f t e r s a l e s a n d s e r v i c e o f a w i d e

r a n g e o f p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t b u s e s a n d

c o a c h e s V D L B u s & C o a c h c o n s i s t s o f

s e v e r a l o p e r a t i n g c o m p a n i e s t h a t a r e jointly active on the world market Production takes place in Wester n Europe Quali t y, s a f e t y, d u r a b i l i t y, t h e e n v i ro n m e n t , l o w

e n e r g y c o n s u m p t i o n , c o m f o r t a n d l o w

m a i n t e n a n c e c o s t s a r e o f p a r a m o u n t impor tance In the transition to zero e mis-

s i o n t r a n s p o r t , V D L B u s & C o a c h o f f e r s total solutions VDL Bus & Coach products

a re s o l d t h ro u g h a w o r l d w i d e n e t w o r k o f

o w n b r a n c h e s , i m p o r t e r s a n d a g e n t s i n more than 30 countries The customer can rely on a fast and faultless aftersales, ser-

v i c i n g a n d m a i n t e n a n c e s e r v i c e b y

e m p l o y e e s o f o n e o f t h e m a n y s e r v i c e

p o i n t s A v e r y e x t e n s i v e d i s t r i b u t i o n n e t -

w o r k e n s u re s t h a t s p a re p a r t s a re d e l i vered to their destination as quickly as poss i b l e V D L B u s & C o a c h h a s g r o w n i n t o o n e o f t h e l a r g e s t b u s m a n u f a c t u r e r s i n E u ro p e

Strength through cooperation This is the backbone of VDL Groep, the inter national manufacturing and family companies with its head office in Brainpor t, Eindhoven, the Netherlands Founded in 1953 and now 71 years old, it remains to this day a family company ,with the third generation of the family Van der Leegte at the helm since 2017 With more than 15,000 employees, VDL Groep is now active in 19 countries The group contains more than 100 operating companies, each with its own field of exper tise and all working closely together The activities of these companies can together be summarized in the five worlds of VDL – Hightech, Mobility, Energy, Infratech and Foodtech

C o m b i n e d a n n u a l s a l e s re a c h e d € 6 3 5 4 billion in 2024

Alexander

Dennis

Further Increases Warrantable Ener gy Throughput

Equipment News

generation electric buses. Both their Enviro100EV “big small bus” and their Enviro400EV “crowdshifter” have a future proof battery system designed to maximize use before battery replacement becomes necessary This is a big advantage for operators who want to deploy electric buses on heavyduty or high-mileage services

March 11 announced that it is driving value through longevity with battery supply partner Impact Clean Power Technology by increasing the warrantable energy throughput of its next-generation electric buses

T h e E n v i ro 1 0 0 E V “ b i g s m a l l b u s ” a n d

Enviro400EV “crowd-shifter” have a futureproof battery system designed to maximize use before battery replacement becomes necessary Drawing on the versatility of NMC cell chemistry, Alexander Dennis has increased the longevity and value offered to operators of its next-generation electric buses

This improves the already class-leading warrantable energy throughput to a massive 1 6 G W h o v e r e i g h t y e a r s f o r t h e Enviro400EV with 472kWh batter y, or 1 2G Wh with 3454 kWh batter y

On the Enviro100EV, an energy throughput of 1 2G Wh can be warranted when the bus is fitted with the larger 354kWh battery system, or 800,000 kWh for the 236kWh battery option

“We have recognized with our customers that the energy throughput, including regene r a t i

longevity of their batter y capacity choice, and by using our industr y-standard multiphysics simulation modeling, we can ensure w e d

mance that meets expectations

“Route analysis shows that our batteries provide the available energy to cover two consecutive seven-year contract ter ms on typical Transpor t for London routes without a battery change, or typical provincial routes f

change of batteries ”

Thanks to the flexibility in its offer, Alexander Dennis can tailor warranty length and warranted throughput to best suit the operation and duty cycle, including 10- and 12year warranty options

With the Enviro400EV’s recently confirmed energy consumption of a benchmark 0 68 kWh/km over the UK Bus Cycle in Zemo Partnership zero-emission bus certification testing, t h e v a l u e d e l i v e r e d t h r o u g h e

y, longevity and flexibility makes the next generation of Alexander Dennis electric buses a compelling proposition for zero-emission bus fleet adoption and acceleration

Buses

of Its Next-Generation Electric

A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s , a s u b s i d i a r y o f N F I Group Inc , one of the world’s leading indep e n d e n t g l o b a l b u s m a n u f a c t u r e r s , o n

Alexander Dennis Group Sales and Business Development Director Ben Werth said: “The option to warrant higher-intensity battery use is great news for operators planning to deploy electric buses on heavy-duty or high-mileage services We’re delighted to be driving value through longevity by giving our customers peace of mind that our nextgeneration electric buses will offer longerter m operational profitability

First Demonstration of the Hydrogen Ecosystem in Mountain Resor ts

As par t of the mobility plan for mountain regions, several resorts such as Courchevel

and Tignes are looking into the feasibility of introducing hydrogen technology into their programs The aim is to move forward with the decarbonization of public transpor t in towns and villages that suppor t ski resor ts

To t h i s e n d , t h e t o w n s o f M o û t i e r s , Courchevel and Tignes have decided to test the hydrogen ecosystem in their effor ts

In collaboration with HYmpulsion, Safra and the GEG Group, a demonstration of the hydrogen distribution solution is being organized in April, including a distribution station in Moûtiers, coupled with the presentation of Safra’s HYCITY bus

The aim of this demonstration is to highlight the comparative advantages of hydrogen motorization over other decarbonization s o l u t i o n s H Y m p u l s

H Y C I T Y e m i t o n l y w a t e r v a p o r i n t o t h e atmosphere

The result of a public-private partnership between the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, E N G I E , M i c h e l i n , C r é d i t A g r i c o l e a n d Banque des Territoires, HYmpulsion is the pioneer of renewable hydrogen mobility to drive connections between territories

Through the construction and operation of more than 15 renewable hydrogen stat i o n s , p o w e re d b y a t w o - M e g a w a t t e l e ctrolyzer, HYmplusion is making a reality of environmentally-friendly, high-performance and reliable mobility

The objectives are:

• Weaving a network that interconnects territories

• Facilitate the introduction of more than 1,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles, with the help of subsidies and par tnerships

And so contribute to reducing emissions a n d a c h i e v i n g c l i m a t e o b j e c t i v e s I t s ro l e goes beyond simply building infrastructure

H Y m p u l s i o n a c c o m p a n i e s a n d s u p p o r t s organizations in their low-carbon transition

Safra, a French company, is an historic player in the renovation of passenger transpor t equipment and a pioneer in hydrogen mobility The company is aligning its strategy with environmental societal and sovereignty issues, with the aim of becoming the leading gas pedal of the energy transition through the sustainable decarbonization of public transpor t in Europe Safra offers solutions that per fectly meet the needs of transpor t authorities as they move towards the decarbonization of their fleets: the construction and marketing of hydrogen-powered buses, the retrofitting of diesel coaches with hydrogen, the renovation and heavy maintenance

Equipment News

of passenger transpor t vehicles and customer service

With its sights fir mly set on the future the G

energy provider in the Alps Founded more

entire energy chain, from production to supply, distribution and lighting Committed to sustainable development and the develop-

local, sustainable, socially responsible and innovative energy to its customers in Greno-

stands out for its many commitments: the fight against fuel pover ty, a policy in favor of access to employment and impeccable service quality Convinced that the local publ i c e n

a n

o tomorrow’s energy challenges, GEG is fully committed to driving the energy transition in Grenoble and the surrounding region The group is fully committed to innovation and, through its partnership with the Régie électrique de Tignes, aims to develop a hydrog e

region C

Buses for the Four th Time

The public transport operator in Cologne, R e g i o n a

RV

once again chosen Solaris as the supplier o f h y

e buses are Urbino 12 hydrogen buses with a length of 12 meters, while 11 are ar ticu-

lated Urbino 18 hydrogen buses After the o

Cologne will number 84 Solaris buses

There are already 46 Solaris hydrogen buses in Cologne, with another 18 vehicles in production and deliver y Solaris has now received an order for an additional 20 hydrog e n b u s e s , i n c l u d i n g 1 1 i n

version The deliver y of the newly ordered buses is scheduled for the first half of 2025 T h e

Cologne’s commitment to the development of hydrogen technology, which is becoming t h e f o u n d

por tation system

“For us, another order for Solaris hydrogen buses of this number demonstrates the high level of confidence in our company and its products It’s also a sign that the develo p m e n t

rapidly We are proud that RVK, as a pioneer i n t h i

vehicles and that our long-standing, trusting cooperation can be fur ther strengthened in t h

director of Solaris Deutschland GmbH

D

M

RVK, added: “Step by step we are getting closer to meeting our goal: no emissions at all Working together with local authorities and our transpor tation board, we invested ver y early in hydrogen solutions, including

Safra’s HYCITY bus was recently used in a demonstration to test hydrogen fuel cell bus operation in the mountain resorts area of Moûtiers, Courchevel and Tignes, southeast of Geneva in Switzerland. The goal of the demonstration was to show the comparative advantages of hydrogen fuel cell power over other solutions Based in Albi, France, Safra was founded in 1955 as a body builder and now offers hydrogen transportaton solutions

the appropriate infrastructure As a result, as a major regional carrier, we already have a full hydrogen mobility network in place ”

T h e o rd e re d U r b i n o 1 2 h y d ro g e n a n d

U r b i n o 1 8 h y d ro g e n b u s e s a re e q u i p p e d

w i t h t h e l a t e s t f u e l c e l l s w i t h p o w e r s o f 7 0 kW and 100 kW respectively The guaran-

t e e d r a n g e o f b o t h v e h i c l e s i s 3 5 0 k m , r e g a r d l e s s o f a t m o s p h e r i c a n d t o p ographic conditions Like previous vehicles

f o r RV K , t h e m o d e l s w i l l f e a t u re m o d e r n

Equipment News

c i e n c y a i r c o n d i t i o n i n g w i t h a C O 2 h e a t p u m p , a n a d v a n c e d m o n i t o r i n g a n d p a s -

s e n g e r i n f o r m a t i o n s y s t e m A m o n g t h e

d r i v e r a s s i s t a n c e s y s t e m s , s p e c i a l m e ntion should be made of the fleet monitoring

a n d re m o t e m a n a

w

i c h d e t e

y s t e m

o b j e c t s i n t h e i m m e d i a t e

v i c i n i t y o f t h e b u s

S o l a r i s i s t h e u n d i s p u t e d l e a d e r o f t h e

E u ro p e a n h y d ro g e n b u s m a r k e t a n d h a s the most experience in manufacturing and

Cologne, Germany has now ordered hydrogen buses for the fourth time Nine of the buses are the Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses with a length of 12 meters (about 39 feet) and 11 are the Solaris articulated Urbino 18 hydrogen model with a length of 18 meters (about 59 feet) When delivered, Cologne will be running 84 Solaris buses.

s u p p l y i n g t h i s t y p e o f v e h i c l e T h e c o mp a n y ’s m a r k e t s h a re i n 2 0 2 3 re a c h e d a n i m p re s s i v e 4 4 5 p e rc e n

buses already serve traffic in 10 European c o u n t r i e s ,

For 2024-2026, the company’s order por tf o l i

New Swiss Customer VBSG

Ebusco, a pioneer and frontrunner in the d

systems and energy storage has signed a contract with VBSG – Berkehrsbetriebe St Gallen This order consists of 12 Ebusco 3 0 12-meter buses which will be deployed in St Gallen beginning 2025

The 12 Ebusco 3 0 12-meter buses will feature a low floor, three doors and will be

buses are well equipped to cover the estim

The Ebusco 3 0 is exceeding boundaries, both literally and figuratively With this new order, the Ebusco 3 0 will again enter a new country In the next years, the Ebusco 3 0 is expected to be on the road in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and now Switzerland Nevertheless, this will mark the first time the Ebusco 3 0 will be deployed in mountainous terrain The characteristics of the Ebusco 3 0, such a

maneuverability, make this bus highly suitable for steep landscapes and therefore the perfect choice for VBSG

contract with VBSG in St Gallen, Switzerland for 12 Ebusco 3 0 12meter battery-electric buses They feature a low floor, three doors and will be powered by a battery pack of more

new buses are due for

d will mark the first time the Ebusco 3 0 will be deployed in mountainous terrain

Switzerland has long held clean air in high regard, and it comes as no surprise that the cleanest air in the world can be found in this country As per the Paris Agreement, Switzerland developed a long-term climate strategy, targeting net zero emissions for 2050 Aligned with its country’s strategy, VBSG has set the same goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050, and is currently in the process of converting its entire fleet to an electric driveline W i t h t h i s o r d e r, E b u s c o a n d V B S G a r e together contributing to meeting both regional and national targets

Dr Ralf Eigenmann, CEO at VBSG, comments: “With this new order, we take another significant stride towards our goal of becomi n g c l i m a t e n e u t r a l b y 2 0 5

W

, fir mly believing that the Ebusco 3 0 represents the optimal choice for delivering clean a n d s u s t a i n a b l e t r a n s p o r t t h ro u g h o u t o u r region We are confident that this partnership will not only benefit our community but also contribute to a greener, more environmentally-friendly future ”

P a t r i c k O o s t e r v e l d , s a l e s d i r e c t o r o f Ebusco, comments: “For the Ebusco 3 0 there i s n o m o u n t a i n h i g h e n o u g h t o c l i m b S t Gallen features stunning scenery, and we’re privileged to add to its beauty with our bus We are very confident that the Ebusco 3 0 will once again excel in performance and provide St Gallen with sustainable and reliable transportation for many years to come ”

Škoda Group Initiates Type Test for Trolleybuses Headed to Vilnius

The First trolleybus, Škoda 32 tr for Vilniaus viešasis transpor tas, has entered the t y p e t e s t a n d h o m o l o g a t i o n p r o c e s s i n Pilsen This milestone signifies big progress in producing 91 trolleybuses bound for Vilnius, Lithuania The first vehicle will undergo an extensive list of mandatory tests involving approximately 2,500 km of driving, to ensure reliability and per for mance

“We have completed the assembly of the first trolleybus, which is now going through the type tests and homologation process With an additional 12 trolleybuses currently i n p ro d u c t i o n a n d a p ro d u c t i o n s c h e d u l e a l i g n e d w i t h o u r c o n t r a c t u a l o b l i g a t i o n s , w e ’ r e o n t r a c k t o f u l fi l l o u r p r o m i s e t o enhance the public transpor t system in Vilnius,” comments Radek Svoboda, managing director Škoda Electroc at Škoda Group

“ W e h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g w i t h Š k o d a Group for more than 60 years, during which t i m e w e h a v e t e s t e d a n u m b e r o f p u b l i c transport models We are delighted that our paths have crossed again when the need to renew the trolleybus fleet arose and are c o n fi d e n t t h a t t h e n e w t r o l l e y b u s e s w i l l ensure safe and fast jour neys in the capital

Equipment News

Škoda is testing trolley buses bound for Vilniaus, the Lithuanian capital The new vehicles feature state-of-the-art camera systems, the “Mirror Eye” system replacing conventional exterior side mirrors,

Republic and builds buses, trams and railcars. Many Eastern European countries have retained trolley buses to reduce pollution

of Lithuania The whole of Vilnius is eagerly awaiting the new trolleybuses, the first par t of which will reach us this year and the second part in early 2025,” says Ignas Degutis, director of Vilnius Public Transpot

The Škoda 32 tr trolleybus has begun a series of testing procedures, including covering approximately 2,500 kilometers on the streets of Pilsen These comprehensive tests are crucial to ensuring the reliability, safety and performance of the vehicles, confirming their readiness for operation in Vilnius Each following vehicle will then travel 250 km on the streets before being prepared and delivered to the customer

b

i n g autonomous driving for at least 20 kilometers Additionally, the trolleybuses feature state-ofthe-art camera systems for enhanced traffic monitoring, as well as the “Mirror Eye” system replacing conventional exterior side mirrors, ensuring the safety of both passengers and p e d e

s a re equipped with sensors on their side to monitor the movement of passengers around them

The contract with the transpor t operator Vilniaus viešasis transpor tas includes the delivery of the 91 Škoda tr trolleybuses with a t o t a l v

The order also includes a contract for the s u p p

maintenance of the trolleybuses for the first five years of operation The fleet of trolleyb

cleaner and healthier living environment for the residents of the Lithuanian capital q

On March 27, 2024, the Metropolitan Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n A u t h o r i t y ( M TA ) board finalized its approval of cong e s t i o n p r i c i n g , p a v i n g t h e w a y f o r t h e agency to toll drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street Many industry representatives and transportation advocates testified in support of congestion pricing, while taxi advocates argued against the program

Determined by an 11-1 vote, the decision represents the culmination of a protracted process to introduce these tolls Originally endorsed by the New York State Legislature in March 2019, the initiative was first required to undergo federal review and an environmental assessment The Transportation Mobility Review Board (TMRB) then recommended toll prices to the MTA, which was required to hold hearings and accept public comments for at least 60 days before finalizing the rates

The MTA made three notable changes to the TMRB’s recommended tolling structure. First, the MTA included private buses prov i di n g sch e du l e d commu t e r se r v i ce s t h a t are open to the public to the exemption for commuter buses This was a major victory f o r t h e b u s o p e r a t o r s , m o s t o f w h o m a r e small business owners My law firm serves as pro bono counsel for BUS4NYC, a NYCbased and – focused advocacy group comprised of private bus company owners – and related business and associations – promoting the industry as a viable transportation solution and local economic driver

A l o n g w i t h P a t r i c k W C o n d re n , BUS4NYC’s vice president, and Glenn Every, B U S 4 N Y C p re s i d e n t , a n d t h e l e a d e r s a n d members of several other bus associations, we were all grateful that the MTA understood that the buses providing scheduled trips are anticongestion After all, each motorcoach can re m o v e u p t o 5 0 a u t o m o b i l e s f ro m N Y C streets It was a congestion pricing victory for the bus industry, as well as a recognition of what the bus industry does to transport people in a manner that is anti-congestion

A s a n a d d i t i o n a l u p d a t e , t h e M TA exempted school buses that are transporting s t u d e n t s u n d e r c o n t r a c t w i t h t h e N Y C Department of Education from the toll. Also, t h e M TA e x p a n d e d t h e e x e m p t i o n f o r m u n i c i p a l fl e e t v e h i c l e s t o i n c l u d e c i t yowned vehicles needed for public work Yellow and green taxis and FHVs (for-hire vehic l e s ) w i l l i n c u r a c h a rg e o f $ 1 . 2 5 p e r t r i p , while High Volume FHVs (Uber and Lyft) will be charged $2 50 per trip

The approval of congestion pricing is a landmark achievement for transit advocates w h o h a v e c a m p a i g n e d f o r m o r e t h a n 5 0 years for tolls on vehicles entering Manhattan's busiest areas. However, the program ' s rollout is contingent upon ongoing legal proceedings in federal courts in both New York and New Jersey. Most, if not all, of the infrastructure necessary for the program has been

Victory at Last!

MTA Exempts Private Buses from NYC Congestion Pricing

by Matthew W Daus, Esq

installed, and the MTA aims to begin operations in June of this year.

Buses are a key piece of New York City’s t r a n s p o r t a t i o n s y s t e m . N o t o n l y d o t h e y transport people inside and outside the city, but they also mitigate congestion by taking m i l l i o n s o f c a r s o ff t h e ro a d O

carry the equivalent of 40 to 60 single-occupancy vehicles but with fewer emissions and taking up less of the roadway The city and the surrounding region rely on buses to get people where they need to go. With the number of vehicles entering the city at an all-time

high of about 335 million tolled bridge and tunnel crossings, congestion mitigation is more important than ever

One of the goals of congestion pricing is to discourage the use of private vehicles and e

have only exempted commuter buses oper-

This photo looks approximately northeast past the Statue of Liberty to Manhattan. The entire southern end of Manhattan, from the south end of Central Park to the Battery, is included in the Congestion Pricing area. As this photo shows, Manhattan is essentially an island with vehicle access limited to bridges and tunnels on this southern end. NBT

Times Square is one of the more popular bus tour stops in southern Manhattan. It offers a combination of bright lights, traffic, restaurants and other attractions Times Square is located in the Congest i o n To l l i n g a r e a o f Manhattan graphicsdays1989

a toll each time they entered the Manhattan central business district (cbd) would have made it more difficult for travelers and commuters to make the economic and sustainable choice to use those services

the bus industry made itself heard We assisted and worked with the industry as it pushed for expanded bus exemptions. the argument was simple: all buses, regardless o f w h e t h e r o r n o t t h e y t r a n s p o r t p e o p l e under a government contract, are essential t o r e d u c i n g c o n g e s t i o n i n t h e c b d a n d should be exempt from congestion pricing. We brought together representatives from across the bus industry to speak out against congestion pricing. those groups included

(https://uma org/), the american bus association (aba) (https://www buses org/), the greater new Jersey Motorcoach assoc

/ / w w w. gnjma com/), the bus association of new york (bany) (https://www banybus org/), a

to

w e called for parity between public buses and privately run commuter and intercity services – and the Mta heard us

new york’s congestion pricing process saw the bus industry unified in an unprecedented way. Operators in the new york region and

The Congestion Pricing tolls apply to various types of vehicles including buses Since this is the first application of congestion pricing in the United States, it could set a precedent for similar future tolling programs In this case the resulting revenue goes to the MTA that provides public transportation in the New York metropolitan area nbt

bus organizations across the country were calling for the Mta to consider full exemptions for all buses periodically, the industry has operated on several joint efforts, such as to push for pandemic relief funding, but most issues before the bus industry tend to concern specific regional or local organizations

the effects of congestion pricing in new york city could ripple across the country boston, Los angeles, san Francisco, seattle and portland, Oregon are considering steps to implement congestion pricing programs c o n g e s t i o n p r i c i n g h a s t u r n e d i n t o a national issue on many fronts, namely traffic, pollution and financing public transit it also r a i s e s q u e s t i o n s a b o u t e x e m p t i o n s a n d potential tolling structures new york city’s congestion pricing will act as a blueprint for cities across the country, and this exemption for buses sets an example that will hopefully be followed.

What the Future Holds

the bus industry is poised for growth in t h e n e w yo r k c i t y a re a Wi t h c o n g e s t i o n pricing encouraging further and continued u

intercity services, ridership may increase. a

front is the port authority’s Midtown bus terminal replacement.

the new terminal will replace the existing 73-year-old structure, delivering a state-ofthe-art facility for greater connection to the region. the new facility will include a 2.1million-square-foot main bus terminal with a light-filled atrium entrance, a separate bus s

ramps leading directly into and out of the Lincoln tunnel the new terminal will add capacity and meet projected 2040-2050 commuter growth, provide a best-in-class cus-

and enhance the surrounding community. It will also be designed to achieve net zero

g y throughout At the end of construction, the public will have access to 3.5 acres of green space on Port Authority property In addition, the project is expected to create 6,000 union construction jobs.

The bus industry can leverage its success in New York to advocate nationally Organizations can use ridership data, emissions re d u c t i o n s t a t i s t i c s a n d e c o n

m

c i m p a c t reports that the MTA will eventually publish to evaluate the congestion pricing program to demonstrate commuter buses’ positive role in reducing traffic congestion and supporting sustainable transportation Groups can also develop detailed case studies highlighting the successful implementation of bus exemptions in NYC. These can be shared with other cities considering congestion pricing, showcasing the benefits for commuters and the bus industry.

By fostering collaboration between public and private transportation providers, New Yo r k c a n c r e a t e a m o r e e f fi c i e n t , u s e rfriendly and environmentally-sustainable transportation network for the future This collaboration will be key to maximizing the success of congestion pricing and achieving t h e p r o g r a m ' s g o a l s o f r e d u c e d t r a f fi c , improved air quality and a more robust public transportation system q

Crossing Credit for Overnight (9 PM- Lincoln & Holland 5 AM weekdays (entering); Hugh L. Vehicle Classification Charge 9PM-9AM Carey & Queensland weekends) Midtown Tunnels (entering & exiting)

Passenger vehicles $15 (capped at

(base auto) once per day)

Small trucks (moving

vans, box trucks)

Large trucks (articulated, pulling one

or more trailers)

Transit & commuter buses (including privately run scheduled commuter services Exempt n/a n/a open to the public), and Commuter vans licensed by TLC

buses

School buses contracted with DOE Exempt n/a n/a (transporting students)

Yellow taxis, green $1.25 per ride to, $1.25 per ride to, cabs & black cars from and within from and within the None licensed by TLC the CBD CBD

App-based FHVs $2.50 per ride to $2.50 per ride to, licensed by TLC from and within from and within None the CBD the CBD

City-owned vehicles Exempt n/a n/a needed for public work

As we reach the end of April, the Van Hool saga continues to rank as the n u m b e r o n e n e w s i t e m i n t h e b u s

industry The April issue of NATIONAL BUS

T R A D E R c o n t a i n e d u p d a t e s t o t h e e n d o f

M a r c h O n p a g e 4 1 t h e “ C u r i o u s C o a -

c h o w n e r ” c o l u m n i n c l u d e d s o m e b a c kground information while pages 19-21 had a longer article providing details through the end of March

At that point the situation was that Van H o o l w a s i n d e b t t o a n a m o u n t re p o r t e d

t o b e f o u r m i l l i o n E u r o s N o o n e h a d

s t e p p e d f o r w a r d t o h e l p t h e m w i t h t h a t

d e b t s o t h e c o m p a n y p l a n n e d t o d e c l a re

b a n k r u p t c y a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f A p r i l

M a k i n g a b i d t o t a k e o v e r t h e Va n H o o l

o p e r a t i o n s w a s V D L , a b u s b u i l d e r b a s e d in the Netherlands and Schmitz Cargobull, a truck trailer builder from Germany VDL

w o u l d t a k e o v e r t h e b u s p a r t w h i l e

S c h m i t z w a n t e d t h e i n d u s t r i a l

v e h i c l e / t a n k e r t r u c k

G u i d o D u m

Vi a s t u i n , a D u t c h c o m p a n y

This update follows up from where we left off in the April issue

On April 2, Van Hool issued a statement saying that they were going to wait another week to declare bankruptcy to “safeguard the possibility of a quick restart ” There was some speculation on why they did this One source suggested that the Van Hool family was thinking of making a bid for the company themselves, but nothing was reported in the news

On April 8, Van Hool did file for bankruptcy in the Mechelen Commercial Court a t 9 : 3 0 a m T h e c o u r t a p p o i n t e d f o u r trustees to oversee the formal process By this time the Dutch company Viastuin had backed out of the bidding process. However, once the bankruptcy became formal, other bidders appeared

T h e G u i d o D u m a r e y G r o u p h a d p r e v i o u s l y m a d e a n o f f e r t h a t i n c l u d e d re t a i n i n g m o re s t a ff a t t h e K o n i n g s h o o i k t facility, but they had backed out Now they returned with another offer in partner with A B C C o m p a n i e s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , t h e Va n H o o l d i s t r i b u t e r i n N o r t h A m e r i c a I t w a s n o t e d t h a t A B C C o m p a n i e s h a d 4 0 p e r c e n t o f t h e o f f e r w h i l e t h e D u m a r e y Group would have 60 percent Presumably t h i s w a s f o r o n l y t h e b u s m a n u f a c t u r i n g .

C I M C a p i t a l a l s o p l a c e d a b i d f o r t h e i n d u s t r i a l v e h i c l e / t a n k e r t r u c k d i v i s i o n t h a t w o u l d d o v e t a i l n i c e l y w i t h t h e

A B C / D u m a re y o ff e r. C I M o ff e re d t o t a k e

over t he t railer division in it s ent iret y and w o u l d g u a r a n t e e 7 0 0 j o b s i n K o n i n gshooikt. Mark Van Hool is a partner in this company His part of the family, under his

Van Hool Update for May

father Paul, left Van Hool in 2001 and sold o u t t o t h e o t h e r f a m i l y m e m b e r s .

Expectedly, the employee’s groups and u n i o n s a t K o n i n g s h o o i k t w e re w a t c h i n g

t h e o f f e r s a n d t h e n u m b e r o f j o b s t h a t w o u l d b e re t a i n e d f ro m t h e 2 , 5 0 0 B e l g i a n s t a ff . S c h m

retaining 300 to 600 at Koningshooikt. VDL

open their new state-of-the-art bus plant in Roeselare, Belgium on April 10. It is located in a modern industrial park on the north side of the community about 15 miles northwest of Kortrijk. The entire properly covers about 77,000 square meters (about 19 acres) with a production facility of 27,000 square meters (about 290,000 square feet). The ceremony was attended by the Flemish Prime Minister J

Peeters as well as customers, suppliers and the media

as the most modern bus factory

timely coincidence, VDL cut the ribbon to

Three different Van Hool coaches were gathered together by ABC Companies for this photo. ABC, the distributor for Van Hool in North America, has been involved in the Van Hool situation in order

emerge as the ongoing North American distributor for

coaches.

by Larry Plachno

w

than 100 operating companies active in 19

reported that VDL demanded clarity in the Van Hool takeover and apparently did not want to start a bidding war They said that i

immediately named VDL and Schmitz Cargobull as the two companies that would take over the Van Hool production. This, in spite of the fact that it would eliminate 1,550 to 1,850 jobs in Koningshooikt Their reasons

weeks to reopen the bidding process to the

Van Hool’s involvement in hydrogen buses goes back to 2003 when they supplied three buses to AC Transit in Oakland that were powered by hydrogen fuel cells Since then, Van Hool became a leader in the movement to hydrogen power in Europe. The company usually offered several power options on its transit buses VAN HOOL

new bidders They also mentioned that VDL and Schmitz could resume production the quickest which would not only help retain the value of the company but also get some people back to work the soonest.

A side note on this is that Schmitz indic

tanker truck production at Koningshooikt.

tional sad incident on April 13 when Denis Va

industry. In 2013 he handed over management of the company to his son Fillip who t

develop plans for selling coaches in North A m

Companies However, one source has sug-

Hool family and not by the company itself B

would like to acquire this stock. It was suggested that there may be restrictions on its

This photo shows Van Hool’s battery-electric c

n o w becoming popular in the United States Seve

Francisco area as well as elsewhere. Presumably, we will see more of these in the future ABC COMPANIES

O n A p r i l 2 0 t h e n e w s p a p e r i n M o r r i s -

t o w n , Te n n e s s e e c a r r i e d a n a r t i c l e m e n -

t i o n i n g t h e Va n H o o l b a n k ru p t c y a n d t h e

f o r t h c o m i n g t a k e o v e r b y V D L a n d

Schmitz Cargobull. Morristown is the site

s e l e c t e d f o r a p l a n n e d Va n H o o l b u s f a c -

t o r y i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s E x p e c t a t i o n s were that Van Hool was planning to build

t r a n s i t b u s e s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s t h a t

w o u l d c o m p l y w i t h B u y A m e r i c a n p ro v i -

s i o n s . H o w e v e r, d u e t o t h e p a n d e m i c , t h e

s i t e h a d n o t p r o g r e s s e d b e y o n d i n i t i a l

g r a d i n g A m e m b e r o f t h e M o r r i s t o w n

A r e a C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e p l a n n e d t o

m e e t w i t h V D L t o s e e w h a t i n t e re s t t h e y

h a d i n c o m p l e t i n g t h e p ro j e c t .

There have been concerns on Van Hool

o rd e r s n o t y e t d e l i v e re d , p a r t i c u l a r l y o n

t h e t r a n s i t s i d e o f t h e b u s i n e s s T h e re a re

2 0 E x q u i C i t y t o b e b u i l t f o r P a r i s T h e s e

a r e d o u b l e - a r t i c u l a t e d 2 4 - m e t e r s l o n g

( n e a r l y 7 9 f e e t ) f o r a s p e c i a l r o u t e T h e y

a re p a r t o f a 5 6 - b u s c o n t r a c t . T h e

Q b u z z i n t h e N e t h e r l a n d s i

l u d i n g 1 3meter (42 feet) low-entry buses. Also pendi n g f o r Q b u z z i s a n o rd e r f o r 5 4 t h re e - a x l e buses There has been no word on whether t h e s e b u s e s w i l l b e b u i l t a n d d e l i v e re d

A s w e r e a c h t h e e n d o f A p r i l a n d o u r deadline for the May issue, we have yet to s e e a n y i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m e i t h e r V D L o r Schmitz Cargobull on when they will take

over operations at Koningshooikt and the plans they have We will continue to watch

as things develop and will report again in the June issue q

Taken on the production line at Koningshooikt, this shows Van Hool’s ability to provide a wide variety of buses to suit individual needs. You can tell by the door that the bus in front is probably headed to the UK. The one in back looks like a transit bus with trolley poles. NBT

Charging Forward or Filling Up? The Race to Decarbonize Bus Travel

A Look at Increasing Interest in Hydrogen in Europe

Li d

e n g

E U e a c h y e a r w o u l

t c h p a s t Pluto, out of the solar system and into the foothills of interstellar space Emission-free

b

c a r r i a g e w a y t o N e t Z

t r a n s p

,

u

t h e r e a r e r o a d w o r k s a h e a d , s a y s R o g e r Brereton, head of sales at steering parts specialist, Pailton Engineering.

Bus travel accounts for more than half of public transport journeys in Europe, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). Despite most vehicles being powered by fossil fuels, it is also the lowest polluter per passenger mile

A t o v e r a q u a r t e r ( 2 6 p e rc e n t ) o f t o t a l U K emissions, transport is the largest contributor t o d o m e s t i c g r e e n h o u s e g a s e m i s s i o n s , according to government statistics With so many miles travelled each year, decarbonizing bus travel offers significant opportunities to reduce emissions

However, emission-free bus transport is more complicated than putting batteries in

every bus Unlike electric cars, often used f o r s h o r t j

y overnight, the next generation of buses and c

minimal stoppage time Indeed, ACEA data suggests that only 1 4 percent of buses curr

powered

Electric avenue

There is an alternative to battery-pow-

more suitable for buses: the hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric vehicle (FCEV) Much like how petrol and diesel perform best in different applications, FCEVs offer certain benefits over BEVs that could be particularly advantageous to bus travel.

Most importantly, FCEVs enable instant refuelling While charging a BEV for hours

plugging their car in overnight, it becomes

stored in a tank to create the electricity that powers them, rather than electricity stored

by Matt Perry

stations. Though this network is gradually expanding, stations are currently few and

Fueling infrastructure is one thing, but what about the actual supply of hydrogen? Despite being the most abundant substance in the universe, pure hydrogen can be tricky

locked up in water or organic compounds Unfortunately, the cheapest way to generate hydrogen is to use natural gas as a feedstock, releasing CO2 as a waste product – not very green.

The cleanest way to produce hydrogen is to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis Ironically, most of the electricity used in this process currently comes from processes like burning coal. Using this “black hydrogen” negates all the environ-

In the movement to reducing carbon emissions in transportation, some people are looking for alternatives to battery-electric power for various reasons. What seems to be the best alternative is the hydrogen fuel cell which also generates power for electric motors on buses The movement to hydrogen fuel cell power is increasing as it does offer some advantages. PALTRON

mental benefits that formed the reason for FCEVs in the first place

“ G r e e n h y d r o g e n ” f r o m r e n e w a b l e

e n e r g y s t i l l f a c e s e f f i c i e n c y c h a l l e n g e s . FCEVs need about three times more electricity per mile than BEVs, due to multiple conversion steps in hydrogen production wast-

i n g e n e r g y, w h i l e B E V s d i r e c t l y u s e electricity for charging

On the other hand, scaling up renewable electricity production would make hydrogen cheaper and FCEVs more attractive. Liquid hydrogen could be produced where land a n d e n e rg y a re

i t y demand is low, then transported as needed T h e h o m

We

, i s already investing in this option, planning to launch the UK’s largest fleet of hydrogenpowered buses

In an ideal world, BEVs and FCEVs would c o m p

transport, ensuring cleaner air and a sustainable future for cities Although there is much progress to be made, decarbonized public transport is surely closer than interstellar space

Pailton Engineering designs and manufactures steering components and full steering systems for the bus and coach sector Find out more at pailton.com. q

Bus Lift Safety

by Dave Millhouser

The wheelchair ’s arching path over the park ing lot mimick ed a rainb ow, b ut the pot of gold at the end belonged to the lawyers

With accuracy that would make Kim Jongun’s missile program jealous, a passenger had l a u n c h e

bus’s open lift door, and landed atop the occupant of another chair that had just been lowered on the lift. Either he hit the wrong switch or was impatient, but the result was mayhem

An increasing percentage of coaches sold in the U S are equipped with wheelchair lifts as a result of both ADA requirements and the industry’s efforts to serve the disabled community In tandem with that trend is likely to be an increase in “incidents.”

A D A c

regulatory, social, mechanical and training factors that I am not bright enough to navigate. If you are an owner, driver or office person, you need to be smarter than me

Two major areas of concern leap to mind.

L i k e f a s h i o n m o d e l s , l i

s y a n d require both exercise and maintenance In the motorcoach business, some of us are slackers b e c a u

forgo a job because it will not cycle, or be late for a pick up because your driver was testing it The public relations and regulatory cons e q u e n c e s o f l e a v i n g a d i s a b l e d p e r s o n o n the curb (or worse, stuck four feet in the air) are ugly

Companies that specialize in transporting handicapped folks often cycle their lifts frequently. They have found out that exercise improves reliability

Another aspect we sometimes do not do enough with is training Operating a motorcoach wheelchair lift can be complex with a number of steps

Theoretically, if your driver is cycling that j e w e l b e f o re t h e y l e a v e t h e g a r a g e , t h i n g s should be okay Bear in mind, though, that different coaches may have different protocols, and the temptation is to skip the test (particularly if it is an unfamiliar model).

The driver should know where the lift is located (some are in front, some amidships a n d s o m e i n t h e r e a r ) T h i s i s s o t h e y c a n accomplish the time honored feat of parking with the entrance over puddles. (or make sure t h e l i f t c u s t o m e r c a n

spot).

Most lifts have a manual mode, where, in place of some mechanical hiccups, they can b e o p e

, because it can be complex You do not want to be learning it during a thunderstorm, while your customers glare at you

Wheelchair lifts are a great invention because they allow the handicapped to ride along on scheduled service, charters and tours However, safe operation requires driver knowledge and training some companies even cycle their lifts often to make sure they are operating properly. MCI.

A bit more obscure, but increasingly important, is knowing the lift’s weight capacity. Powered wheelchairs have become increasingly heavy, and newer lifts have higher weight ratings A driver in an older coach, confronted with a robust customer on a super-duper powered chair may want to do some calculating.

Your office and sales folks need training too In addition to being sensitive to the customers’ needs, they should be cognizant of the

Drivers should be trained in wheelchair lift operation as well as related safety issues. As indicated in the article, you do want to make sure that the passenger and his or her wheelchair stays on the lift all the way to the bottom Office staff should also be trained in wheelchair operation particularly what regulations your company falls under. RICON

regulations In some cases lift-equipped buses must be available on every move, in other instances, you are entitled to notice. It is important for your people to understand the rules

What you do not need is to field a complaint by saying, “Golly,

sake – do not say it Someone in your company, smarter than me, needs to fully understand and teach ADA compliance

It is not certain what (if any) kind of training could have prevented t

helpful lawyers found SOMETHING the operator should have done differently – because they put him out of business. q

Lifts can also be found on smaller vehicles like this Sprinter van Note that different lifts on different vehicles may require additional training for drivers and other staff. NBT ARCHIVES

While many coaches such as this MCI tend to have wheelchair lifts at the rear to permit restroom access, other vehicles may have their lifts in the front or center of the bus. MCI

Sur vival and Pr osperity

by Ned Einstein

New Opportunities for Increased Motorcoach Usage in Transit Service

Just as the bottom was about to drop out of the transit industry – ridership so low that a few systems abandoned fares altogether –new opportunities for increases in ridership a re o p e n i n g u p I a m c e r t a i n t h a t t h e d y sfunctional transit sector will squander the m a j o r o p p o r t u n i t y, b u t i t s t i l l i n t e re s t i n g table talk

N e w o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r increases in ridership are opening up

The opportunity is derived mostly by the substantial number of riders and potential riders working remotely – either totally or, more re ce n t l y, on a h y b r i d b a si s. In e i t h e r c a s e , t h e ro a d w a y s o f m a n y c i t i e s s h o u l d thin out meaningfully (despite the dynamic known as “latent demand”), making transit m o v e f a s t e r ( i n t h e s a m e t r a f fi c s t re a m a s automobiles) than it has for decades, despite still serving multiple stops – which oddly e n o u g h p ro v i d e m o re o p p o r t u n i t i e s t h a n they do constraints.

Missing Pieces and Missing Opportunities

This reality is likely true even while so m a n y p i e c e s o f a c o h e re n t t r a n s i t s y s t e m h a v e b e e n re d u c e d o r e l i m i n a t e d – w h i l e also never fully developed I identified the m a j o r p i e c e s i n p r e v i o u s N AT I O N A L B U S T R A D E R i n s t a l l m e n t s T h e s e c o m p o n e n t s include feeder service, which disappeared almost altogether (see https://transalt com/ article/making-public-transportation-workpart-3-feeder-service/), park-and-ride lots -- great decreased and many now too costly t o b e a d d e d t o t h e s y s t e m ( s e e https://transalt.com/article/making-public-t ransport at ion-work -part -2-park -andride-lots/), ridesharing, which was stupidly designed to compete with transit rather than t o s u p p l e m e n t i t ( s e e h t t p s : / / transalt com/article/making-public-transportation-work-part-5-ridesharing/), and high-occupancy vehicle lanes, which have b e e n r e d u c e d a s a p o l i t i c a l r e a l i t y ( s e e https://transalt com/article/making-public-transportation-work-part-6-high-occu-

pancy-vehicle-lanes/). The use of alternative w

Improvements in the design of fixed route transit systems are so scarce that they could not fill a commercial airline’s barf bag (see https://transalt.com/article/making-pub-

design-and-networks/)

The reduction in traffic from otherwise r

work only a day or two a week, has reduced w

“hybrid” workers could mean lighter loads, f

service, an underappreciated component of the system since its greater use would unclog the freeways The growth in transit ridership could have a heyday – if only we could add the essential missing pieces of a true, opera b l e t r a n

amenities that could easily be made available in the vehicles.

One obvious sign of this new opportunity is the reduction in traffic – at least in many places. A less obvious but more fascinating sign of this new opportunity is the reduction in many inner-city parking charges In midtown and downtown New York City, it used to cost about $75 to $90 a day to park one’s car for more than 90 minutes In less than a year this costs appears to have slid to about $50 to $60/day This trend is, of course, not helpful to transit – although the nature of this unregulated market renders it uncont ro l l a b l e b y m

n m e n t s A s I noted in an earlier installment of NATIONAL BUS TRADER, if regulations exist, and if they contained a modicum of thought, parking rates could be designed to penalize singleo c c u p a n c y v e h i c l e s I n t h i s m o d e r n , reduced-cost environment, it might cost single occupancy motorists $90/day, vehicles arriving with two occupants $50/day, vehicles arriving with three occupants $30/day, a n d v e h i c

h

o r m o r e occupants nothing One consequence of such a structure would be to increase ridesharing – in competition with transit

Yet I doubt many three- or four-passenger loads would materialize Going to all this

trouble, some if not many of these travelers would mode-split to transit – where unlike ridesharing participants, they would not be c

schedules to avoid inconveniencing other m

nothing), the cost of traveling to and from the inner city would be a pittance. The flexibility to travel in both directions would be

These dynamics might give public transit a

l i k e fi r s t - c l a s s c o m p a r t m e n t s w i t h f u l l y reclining seats – would further draw riders to the mode.

T h i s d y n a m i c w o u l d p ro d u c e a m a j o r boost to the motorcoach industry, as most c o m m u t e r / e x p r e s s v e h i

coaches – which could be packed with even m o re a m e n i t i e s , e v e n w i t h t h e re l a t i v e l y s h o r t t r i p s i n v o l v e d F o r e x a m p l e , u s i n g

s h o p p i n g c e n t e r s a s p a r k - a n d - r i d e l o t s w o u l

s h o p

a c c o m p l i s h n u m e ro u s o t h e r t i m e - s a v i n g and convenience goals, ranging from grabbing a cup of coffee for the inbound trip to d ro p p i n g o ff d

up on the return trip) In general, combining more luxurious vehicles with opportun i t i e s t o g e t o t h e r t h i n g s d o n e a l o n g t h e way would create a sea change in one’s perception of transit

The Nature

and Structure of Remote Working

The New York Times article titled, “Who S t i l l Wo r k s F r o m H o m e ” ( h t t p s : / / www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/03/08 / b u s i n e s s / e c o n o m y / r e m o t e - w o r khome html) was an eye-opener to even the casual reader It provides a terrific glimpse of the radical changes in commuter travel that opens up all kinds of opportunities to rebuild a transit system that was dying, by 10 percent a year during even the two years before COVID-19 struck. Now, particularly with Wi-Fi available on most motorcoaches ( w h i c h e n a b l e s l a p t o p a

eliminate the otherwise annoying banter of f

,

d which provide the ability to get work done on the vehicle, the allure of travel by bus or m o t o rc o

h

work-day shorter – accomplishing a form of

alternative work scheduling not envisioned before laptops came along

A commuter with a long ride who makes good use of this amenity might only need to remain at work for six hours These six-hour days could be staggered to broaden both the a m and p m peak periods – lessening traffic during both, and increasing travel speeds in the process Or this amenity could translate into a four-day work week – allowing

e v e n f u l l - t i m e w o r k e r s w h o m u s t a t t e n d work physically to enjoy, to a great degree, the benefits that those working hybrid workweeks do

M o s t d i s c u s s i o n s o f t h o s e A m e r i c a n s working remotely or partly-remotely (i e , “hybrids”) are dominated by socio-economic consideration focusing largely on education As an example, of those working from home all the time or part of the time:

• N i n e p e r c e n t h a v e a h i g h s c h o o l degree or less

• 17 percent have some college

• 44 percent have a bachelor ’s degree

• 29 percent have a graduate degree

S o m e s o c i o - e c o n o m i c f a c t o r s a re o f t e n

c o n s i d e re d . F o r e x a m p l e , t h o s e w o r k i n g remotely are more often White and Asian Overall, about 80 percent of the workforce works fully in person, while 20 percent work fully or partly remotely.

T h e s e d a t a , a n d m o s t o t h e r s , r a re l y i f ever focus on what percentage within each sub-population typically travels by public transit To even speculate about this factor

re q u i re s s o m e i m a g i n a t i o n , a n d a c o n s i d-

e r a b l e m a rg i n o f e r ro r, b u t i t i s i m p o r t a n t

s p e c u l a t i o n . I t h a s a s o u n d h i s t o r y. F o r

d e c a d e s , t r a n s i t p ro f e s s i o n a l s n o t e d t h a t

a l a rg e p e rc e n t a g e o f t h o s e r i d i n g t r a n s i t

( f o r a l l p u r p o s e s ) w e r e “ t r a n s i t - d e p e n -

d e n t . ” T h e y e i t h e r d i d n o t h a v e a c c e s s t o

a p e r s o n a l o c c u p a n c y v e h i c l e ( o r “ P O V, ”

a s a d r i v e r o r a p a s s e n g e r ) o r i f t h e y d i d ,

t h e y c o u l d n o t a ff o rd t h e e x p e n s e s a s s o c i -

a t e d w i t h u s i n g i t t o t r a v e l t o w o r k – f u e l ,

m a i n t e n a n c e , b r i d g e a n d t u n n e l f e e s a n d , m o s t d a u n t i n g i n m o s t u r b a n a re a s , p a r k -

i n g c o s t s N e w Yo r k C i t y ’ s s o o n - t o - b eimplemented congestion parking fees will

f a c t o r s i g n i f i c a n t l y i n t o t h e s e e x p e n s e s , a n d w i l l t i l t t h e t r a n s i t - d e p e n d e n c y e q u a -

t i o n e v e n m o re i n f a v o r o f t r a n s i t

Wi t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f r i d e s h a r i n g – a sorely misguided U S policy designed for motorists and their passengers to compete w i t h t h e i r t r a v e l i n g b y t r a n s i t – o n e e l em e n t o f t h e c o s t s c i t e d a r e d e l i b e r a t e l y

d e s i g n e d t o g u i d e , i f n o t p u s h , t h e s e i n d ividuals toward traveling to and from work

b y t r a n s i t . T h i s w o u l d n o t b e a b a d t h i n g , or even a measure of discrimination, were t r a n s i t s e r v i c e s a n y g o o d T h e f a c t t h a t

s i n c e t h e P a n d e m i c , a s o l i d 2 0 p e rc e n t o f

a l l e m p l o y e e s w o r k t o t a l l y o r p a r t l y

re m o t e l y s o f t e n s t h i s i n e q u a l i t y b e c a u s e , f o r o n e , t h e s e r e m o t e w o r k e r s o p e n u p m o r e r o a d w a y s p a c e , l e s s e n t r a f f i

Changes and Opportunities

A s n o t e d a b o v e , w h i l e h i g h e r t r a n s i t travel speeds are an important incentive, the missing pieces of a coherent transit system provide discouraging disincentives While cause-and-effect are hard to prove, the disappearance of these “missing pieces” or the f a i l u re t o d e v e l o p o r f u l l y - d e v e l o p t h e m appear to be a major, direct cause of the transit industry’s disappointing severe decline in ridership and, along with it, the decline in the percentage of operating costs covered by riders

whose physical presence is more critical. In

physical presence is just as important as it is for nurses Few nurses are transit-dependent, and do not comprise a high percentage of transit riders

i

T h o s e w h o c a n w o r k r e m o t e l y e a r n m o r e m o n e y a n d a r e c o ns i d e r a b l y l e s s t r a n s i tdependent. Tr

transit-dependent.

T

paid “blue collar workers” such as policem

workers’ jobs become increasingly dependent on higher-level skills, things must be d

by POV With transit ridership at its lowest level ever – even below the point when the industry’s survival was rescued by capital

i

n – a n d

As noted, the failure to study what percentage of each of the four sub-population g ro u p s a b o v e t r a v e l e d t o a n d f ro m w o r k b y p u b l i c t r a n s i t i m p e d e s

e r a t i n g r a t i o s c l e a r l y a t t h e i r l o w e s t l e v e l s e v e r ( a n d m o r e a n d more dependent on federal, state and local o p e r a t i n g a s s i s t a n c e ) – t r a n s i t c a n n o t b e expected to survive by transporting merely t h e t r a n s i t - d e p e n d e n t .

The conclusion of all this is that providing the “missing pieces” is only part of the solution. The other part must be to improve t h e v e h i c l e s – a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t o f t h e “ t r a v e l e x p e r i e n c e ” L a s t y e a r, i n a n e ff o r t to help identify a huge, potential new mark e t f o r t h e m o t o rc o a c h i n d u s t r y, I d e fi n e d t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f a m o t o r c o a c h t h a t

remotely earn more money, and are considerably less transit-dependent.

2 Those who earn less money increasi

show up in person

This means that the non-college-educated segment of our population is clearly the most transit-dependent What about transit ridership by those who are not transit-dependent? One interesting bump in the relationship between levels of education and remote workers in the fact that the increase in working remotely reverses at the top. Those workers with an advanced degree work remotely l

degree The simplest, most obvious explanation for this statistic is that these individu

, bosses and members of upper management,

c o u l d c o m p e t e f a v o r a b l y w i t h s h o r t - d i st a n c e o r m e d i u m - d i s t a n c e c o m m e rc i a l a i r t r a v e l ( s e e h t t p s : / / t r a n s a l t . c o m / article/survival-and-prosperity-part-2-themagic-coach/) – if the industry could ever accomplish anything substantial (I am not convinced it can). Some of these easier-toi n s t a l l f e a t u re s – p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e c re a t i o n o f a fi

e r c h

- e a s y

i e s ( a c o a t closet, a microwave, a coffee machine, etc.) – w o u l d m a k e s e n s e f o r c o m m u t e r t r a v e l , just as some of the missing pieces could be skewed to provide amenities for some nontransit-dependents (e.g., one stop could be

The inescapability of this equation is the fact that part of the heart of this solution is m

Sur vival and Pr osperity

c o a c h e s o p e r a t i n g i n c o m m u t e r / e x p re s s m o d e ( i n s t e a d o f a m i x o f b u s e s a n d c o n -

v e n t i o n a l m o t o r c o a c h e s ) , fi l l i n g i n t h e missing pieces will not be enough to make sense for the volume of total riders needed

t o k e e p t r a n s i t a l i v e . O n e m a y t h i n k t h e

i n d u s t r y c a n s h o e h o r n a b ro a d e r s e c t i o n

o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n i n t o t h e t r a n s i t - d e p e n -

d e n t c l a s s b y c re a t i n g m o re c o n s t r a i n t s t o POV travel – like congestion pricing, or by further increasing bridge and tunnel costs

A s N e w Yo r k C i t y h a s s h o w n – a n d l i k e l y many others – as POV travel has declined,

p a r k i n g f e e s h a v e d e c re a s e d – o ff s e t t i n g

t h e d e t e r re n t t h a t c o n g e s t i o n p r i c i n g w i l l

c re a t e

I t i s a b o u t t i m e t h a t w e b e g a n d o i n g t h i n g s t o make riding public transit more attractive.

T h e h a r s h r e a l i t y i s t h a t o n e c a n n o t

f o r c e p e o p l e t o r i d e t r a n s i t s i m p l y b y

m a k i n g p r i v a t e o c c u p a n c y v e h i c l e a l t e r -

n a t i v e s m o re p u n i t i v e , a n d e re c t i n g m o re

a n d m o r e b a r r i e r s a n d h a r d s h i p s T h e s e factors clearly have not worked. It is about t i m e t h a t w e b e g a n d o i n g t h i n g s t o m a k e

r i d i n g p u b l i c t r a n s i t m o re a t t r a c t i v e F i l l -

i n g i n t h e m i s s i n g p i e c e s o f t h e s y s t e m ,

a n d c r e a t i n g b e t t e r, h i g h - e n d v e h i c l e s , must both be part of this equation Neither alone will return enough former riders and a t t r a c t n e w o n e s t o m a k e e n o u g h o f a difference to ensure the continued survival o f p u b l i c t r a n s i t A s n o t e d , t h e e x p a n d e d u s e o f u p g r a d e d m o t o rc o a c h e s i s n o t j u s t

a k e y p a r t o f t h i s s o l u t i o n I t i s d o u b t f u l t h a t t h e s o l u t i o n c a n b e

t h e m

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

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34 • National Bus Trader / May, 2024

equipment that may be of special interest to our r eader s Please, include a list explaining what

interesting.

TRADER, 9698 West Judson Road, Polo, Illinois

6

With Van Hool in the news, we have had requests for photos taken in their Koningshooikt facility. Here are two that might be interesting.

Left: Here is a Van Hool double-deck coach on the assembly line VDL has expressed particular interest in the Van Hool doubled e c k c o a c h e s w h i c h a r e p o p u l a r i n

o t h Europe and North America Expectations are that they will continue to be available through ABC Companies in the future.

The south end of the Koningshooikt plant is dedicated to industrial vehicles which a r e p r i m a r i l y t a n k e r s . H e r e a r e a c o u p l e under construction that may well end up as semi-trailers These industrial vehicles a r

GRW, an affiliate of Schmitz Cargobull.

Number 305 of a Series

“ T h e C u r i o u s C o a c h o w n e r ” i s a q u e s t i o n a n d a n s w e r c o l u m n t h a t p ro v i d e s s i m p l e a n s w e r s t o s i m p l e q u

shor t to warrant a full ar ticle or inclusion in one of our regular columns We will accept re a s o n a b l y s i m p l e t e c h n i c a l o r h i s t o r i c a l questions on coaches, buses or even conver ted coach shells by letter, fax, e-mail or phone If our staff is unable to answer them, w e w i l l c a l l u p o n o u r p a n e l o f e x p e r t s Names and addresses should be submitted w i t h y o u r q u e s t i o n s , b u

l l w i t h

d n a m e s f r o m p u b l i c a t i o n o n r e q u e s t W e reserve the right to modify questions to make them more useful to our readers

Q A r e E L D s n o w c o n s i d e r e d d a n g e rous?

–– Several Readers

A Electronic logging devices seem plagued to be moving from one problem to another The feds decided to move from paper logs to ELDs to make driver logging more accurate and improve safety Everyone knew that many drivers were fudging on their paper logs to sneak in some extra driving time

However, the statistics showed that moving from paper logs to the mandated ELDs did nothing to improve safety because the number of accidents increased The reason is because drivers could no longer fudge their driving record, they resorted to driving faster to accomplish the same thing

T h i s l a t e s t d e v e l o p m e n t p u t s E L D s i n a n even worse position An associate professor and two graduate students from Colorado State University showed how easily ELDs c a n b e h a c k e d u s i n g B l u e t o o t h o r W i - F i connections

Apparently, ELDs can be wirelessly manipulated by someone within wireless range This includes another vehicle while on the ro a d o r s o m e o n e i n a n a re a w h e re t r u c k s a n d b

truck stop

They showed three different ways to disrupt the vehicle with the ELD

1) Anyone within wireless range could send a n a r b i t r a r y m e s s a g e t h a t c o u l d d i s r u p t some of the vehicle’s systems This would use the CAN network which connects various vehicle components

The Curious Coachowner

2) Anyone within range would connect with the device to upload malicious fir mware to manipulate data and vehicle operations

3) Possibly the most concerning is that they could upload a vehicle-to-vehicle worm that w

and spread the wor m

It will be interesting to see whether the feds take notice of this and make changes

Q W h a t w o u l d i

printed magazines?

–– Several Readers

A This same question comes up repeatedly The basic situation is that subscriptions do not pay for the printed magazine, advertising d o e s W h

stopped buying new buses As a result, the

because the buyers were not buying

We could probably go back to printed magazines if each reader bought two new buses e

there is an additional concern in that the cost of printing and postage has gone up 50 percent since the pandemic Most of this was caused by increases in paper prices M e a n w

download the PDF file from our busmag com Web site and print whatever pages you want on your home or office printer

Q W h y a m I h e a r i n g c o n c e r n s o v e r Coach USA?

–– New England Bus Operator

A

largest bus company in the United States, w

Some in the industr y have suggested that t h e c o

pandemic that has already put several bus operations out of business

One source indicates that Coach USA has o ff e re d s o m e o f i t s l

c a t i o n s f o r s a l e , b u t there have been no takers Another source has indicated that the company is having difficulty purchasing items because of a lack of credit

N o f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n i s a v a i l

s w e complete this section, but we will be watching for developments in the future

Q. Is Europe lowering the age restriction on commercial drivers?

–– Reader in Texas

A Due to an extreme shor tage of commercial drivers in Europe, the road industr y is lobbying to allow 18-year-olds behind the w h e e l o f c o m m e r c i a l t r u c k s W i t h t h e a p p ro v a

member countries have already lowered the commercial driving age to 18 provided they h a

training in addition to the required practical and theor y tests

accompanying truck drivers so that they can begin driving when they tur n 18

While there have been concerns over safety, those in favor of reducing the commercial driving age point to an accompanied driving scheme for 17-year-old car drivers in Germany that showed positive results for road safety

Q. Will Illinois adopt California emission standards?

–– Midwest Reader

A In February, an Illinois State representative introduced House Bill 1634 that would have Illinois adopt the vehicle emission standards of California It is noteworthy that the bill had 3 , 8 0 0 o p p

nents As you might guess, this has become a battleground on the movement to electric vehicles

The Illinois Trucking Association said that they would file a suit if the bill becomes law There are two concer ns One is that Illinois would be bound by California law over which it has no control The second is the movement to electric vehicles The Association said that they have reduced carbon emiss i o n s b y 9 8 p e r c e n t o v e r t h e l a s t t h r e e decades They also mentioned that electric t r u c k c o s t s a r e p r o h i b i t i v e a n d w o u l d increase consumer costs while putting 34 percent more trucks on the road A n s w e r s n o t c re d i t e d t o o t h e r i n d i v i d u a l s are provided by Larr y Plachno q

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q Vol XXVIV, No 3 February, 2006

q Vol. XXVIV, No. 4 March, 2006

q Vol. XXVIV, No. 5 April, 2006

q Vol XXVIV, No 6 May, 2006

q Vol XXVIV, No 7 June, 2006

q Vol XXVIV, No 8 July, 2006

q Vol XXVIV, No 9 August, 2006

q Vol XXVIV, No 10 September, 2006

q Vol. XXVIV, No. 11 October, 2006

q Vol. XXVIV, No. 12 November, 2006

q Vol XXX, No 1 December, 2006

q Vol XXX, No 2 January, 2007

q Vol XXX, No 3 February, 2007

q Vol XXX, No 4 March, 2007

q Vol. XXX, No. 5 April, 2007

q Vol. XXX, No. 6 May, 2007

q Vol XXX, No 7 June, 2007

q Vol XXX, No 8 July, 2007

q Vol XXX, No 9 August, 2007

q Vol XXX, No 10 September, 2007

q Vol. XXX No. 11 October, 2007

q Vol. XXX, No. 12 November, 2007

q Vol XXXI, No 1 December, 2007

q Vol XXXI, No 2 January, 2008

q Vol XXXI, No 3 February, 2008

q Vol XXXI, No 4 March, 2008

q Vol. XXXI, No. 5 April, 2008

q Vol. XXXI, No. 6 May, 2008

q Vol XXXI, No 7 June, 2008

q Vol XXXI, No 8 July, 2008

q Vol XXXI, No 9 August, 2008

q Vol XXXI, No 10 September, 2008

q Vol. XXXI, No. 11 October, 2008

q Vol. XXXI, No. 12 November, 2008

q Vol XXXII, No 1 December, 2008

q Vol XXXII, No 2 January, 2009

q Vol XXXII, No 3 February, 2009

q Vol XXXII, No 4 March, 2009

q Vol. XXXII, No. 5 April, 2009

q Vol. XXXII, No. 6 May, 2009

q Vol. XXXII, No. 7 June, 2009

q Vol XXXII, No 8 July, 2009

q Vol XXXII, No 9 August, 2009

q Vol XXXII, No 10 September, 2009

q Vol XXXII, No 11 October, 2009

q Vol. XXXII, No. 12 November, 2009

q Vol. XXXIII, No. 1 December, 2009

q Vol XXXIII, No 2 January, 2010

q Vol XXXIII, No 3 February, 2010

q Vol XXXIII, No 4 March, 2010

q Vol. XXXIII, No. 5 April, 2010

q Vol XXXIII, No 6 May, 2010

q Vol XXXIII, No 7 June, 2010

q Vol XXXIII, No 8 July, 2010

q Vol XXXIII, No 9 August, 2010

q Vol XXXIII, No 10 September, 2010

q Vol XXXIII, No 11 October, 2010

q Vol. XXXIII, No. 12 November, 2010

q Vol XXXIV, No 1 December, 2010

q Vol. XXXIV, No. 2 January, 2011

q Vol XXXIV, No 3 February, 2011

q Vol. XXXIV, No. 4 March, 2011

q Vol XXXIV, No 5 April, 2011

q Vol. XXXIV, No. 6 May, 2011

q Vol XXXIV, No 7 June, 2011

q Vol. XXXIV, No. 8 July, 2011

q Vol XXXIV, No 9 August, 2011

q Vol. XXXIV, No. 10 September, 2011

q Vol XXXIV, No 11 October, 2011

q Vol XXXIV, No 12 November, 2011

q Vol XXXV, No 1 December, 2011

q Vol XXXV, No 2 January, 2012

q Vol XXXV, No 3 February, 2012

q Vol XXXV, No 4 March, 2012

q Vol. XXXV, No. 5 April, 2012

q Vol XXXV, No 6 May, 2012

q Vol. XXXV, No. 7 June, 2012

q Vol XXXV, No 8 July, 2012

q Vol. XXXV, No. 9 August, 2012

q Vol XXXV, No 10 September, 2012

q Vol. XXXV, No. 11 October, 2012

q Vol XXXV, No 12 November, 2012

q Vol. XXXVI, No. 1 December, 2012

q Vol XXXVI, No 2 January, 2013

q Vol XXXVI, No 3 February, 2013

q Vol XXXVI, No 4 March, 2013

q Vol XXXVI, No 5 April, 2013

q Vol XXXVI, No 6 May, 2013

q Vol XXXVI, No 7 June, 2013

q Vol XXXVI, No 8 July, 2013

q Vol XXXVI, No 9 August, 2013

q Vol. XXXVI, No. 10 September, 2013

q Vol XXXVI, No 11 October, 2013

q Vol. XXXVI, No. 12 November, 2013

q Vol XXXVII, No 1 December, 2013

q Vol XXXVII, No 2 January, 2014

q Vol XXXVII, No 3 February, 2014

q Vol XXXVII, No 4 March, 2014

q Vol. XXXVII, No. 5 April, 2014

q Vol XXXVII, No 6 May, 2014

q Vol. XXXVII, No. 7 June, 2014

q Vol XXXVII, No 8 July, 2014

q Vol. XXXVII, No. 9 August, 2014

q Vol XXXVII, No 10 September, 2014

q Vol. XXXVII, No. 11 October, 2014

q Vol XXXVII, No 12 November, 2014

q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1 December, 2014

q Vol XXXVIII, No 2 January, 2015

q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 3 February, 2015

q Vol XXXVIII, No 4 March, 2015

q Vol XXXVIII, No 5 April, 2015

q Vol XXXVIII, No 6 May, 2015

q Vol XXXVIII, No 7 June, 2015

q Vol XXXVIII, No 8 July, 2015

q Vol XXXVIII, No 9 August, 2015

q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 10 September, 2015

q Vol XXXVIII, No 11 October, 2015

q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 12 November, 2015

q Vol XXXIX, No 1 December, 2015

q Vol. XXXIX, No. 2 January, 2016

q Vol XXXIX, No 3 February, 2016

q Vol. XXXIX, No. 4 March, 2016

q Vol XXXIX, No 5 April, 2016

q Vol. XXXIX, No. 6 May, 2016

q Vol XXXIX, No 7 June, 2016

q Vol. XXXIX, No. 8 July, 2016

q Vol XXXIX, No 9 August, 2016

q Vol XXXIX, No 10 September, 2016

q Vol XXXIX, No 11 October, 2016

q Vol XXXIX, No 12 November, 2016

q Vol XL, No 1 December, 2016

q Vol XL, No 2 January, 2017

q Vol. XL, No. 3 February, 2017

q Vol XL, No 4 March, 2017

q Vol. XXXX, No. 5 April, 2017

q Vol XXXX, No 6 May, 2017

• UMA Motorcoach Expo in St Louis

• The Prize-Winning Aerocoach at the Museum of Bus Transportation

• Rochester City Lines Still Making, Preserving and Celebrating History

q Vol XXXX, No 7 June, 2017

• Industry History From UMA Shows – Installment I

• Extended Service Protection on Your Bus Fleet

• Bus History on a Wall

q Vol XXXX, No 8 July, 2017

• Vicinity – A Mid-Size Bus Success Story

• Prevost Conversion Shells for All Types of Coaches

• The Bus Accident in Red Lion, Delaware

q Vol. XXXX, No. 9 August, 2017

• “J” is for Jackpot with the 2018 J4500

• Industry History from UMA Shows – Installment II

• Book Review

q Vol. XXXX, No. 10 September, 2017

• Propane Continues to be Clean and Economical

• H&L Charter – The Best Comes in Small Packages

• Industry History from UMA Shows – Installment III

q Vol XXXX, No 11 October, 2017

• ABC & Van Hool Celebrate 30 Years

• Taking a Venture in Norfolk

•The Five “No’s” You Must Overcome to Sell Your Bus Business

q Vol XXXX, No 12 November, 2017

• MCI Reliability Rally 2017

• BusCon 2017 in Indianapolis

• Exit Planning Becoming More Complicated for Family-Owned Bus Businesses

q Vol. XXXXI, No. 1 December, 2017

• Complete Coach Works and the Carson Heritage

• The Busboys Vintage Bus Rally in Evansville, Indiana

• Virginia’s Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum Ravaged by Fire

• Re-Energizing the North American Diecast Model Bus Scene

q Vol XXXXI, No 2 January, 2018

• Prevost Again Moves Ahead in Support, Service and Parts

• New 2018 J4500 Highlights Busy Season for MCI

• Common Rail Technology and the GHG17 Volvo Engine

q Vol. XXXXI, No. 3 February, 2018

• Walking the Irizar Assembly Line in Ormaiztegi

• Busworld 2017 in Belgium

q Vol XXXXI, No 4 March, 2018

• UMA Motorcoach Expo 2018i

• Van Hool to Build Buses in Eastern Tennessee

• The New MCI D45 CRT LE

q Vol XXXXI, No 5 April, 2018

• Charging Ahead with Electric Buses

• Holiday Tours Puts Customers First

• How Chicago’s “Party Bus” Ordinance is Affecting

Bus Tourism

q Vol XXXXI, No 6 May, 2018

• The CHTC HT45 amd HT35 Coaches

• The Pacific Bus Museum – From Hobby to Formal Museum

• Twenty Tips on Hiring Bus Drivers

• Van Hool Builds Bus Factoryin Morristown, Tennessee

q Vol. XXXXI, No. 7 June, 2018

• MCI Academy Wins Fans Across Industry

• Where are the Buses Built? #1

• The Campaign Bus for the President of the Philippines

• The Penn Highway Transit Company

q Vol XXXXI, No 8 July, 2018

• Farber Continues Custom Coach Traditions

• Prevost’s New Flat Floor Slide-Outs

• Liberty Coach Busch Bus

q Vol XXXXI, No 9 August, 2018

• ZF Components for Electric Buses

• Museum of Bus Transportation Spring Fling Open House Success

• “Friends” of the NJ Heritage Center Takes Eight Vintage Coaches to the 2018 MOBT Spring Fling

q Vol XXXXI, No 10 September, 2018

• Van Hool’s CX35 – Small in Size, Big in Quality

• Diecast Model Buses Impress in a Big Way

• Master ’s Transportation – Where to go to increase your fleet quickly or temporarily

q Vol. XXXXI, No. 11 October, 2018

• ZF Technology Day in Friedrichshafen

• MCI’s 2018 Reliability Rally

• How Will Autonomous Cars Impact the Bus Industry?

q Vol XXXXI, No 12 November, 2018

• Peter Pan Celebrates 85 Years on the Road

• Clean Up Your Fleet with a Bitimec Wash-Bot

q Vol XXXXII, No 1 December, 2018

• Prevost Unveils New Features and New Possibility on the Volvo 9700 at UMA Expo

• MCI’s New J3500 – Small in Size, Big in Features

• The e GO Mover – Filling a Gap in Transportation with ZF Technology

• Giving Buses a Second Life at Complete Coach Works

q Vol. XXXXII, No. 2 January, 2019

• BusCon 2018 in Indianapolis

• Panorama Tours Keeps Things in the Family

• How Will Demand or Congestion Toll Pricing Impact Bus Operations?

q Vol XXXXII, No 3 February, 2019

• Test Driving the New Electric MCI J4500e CHARGE

• Stagecoach Group Sells Coach USA and Coach Canada

• The Story of the Australian Scenicruiser

q Vol XXXXII, No 4 March, 2019

• UMA 2019 Motorcoach Expo in Fort Lauderdale

• Angel Tours Celebrates 20 Years

• The Saga of #5496, a 1937 Yellow Coach Model 733

q Vol XXXXII, No 5 April, 2019

• Buses at the 2019 ABA Marketplace in Louisville

• Are Pre-Owned Coach Sales Declining?

• The Six Levels of Autonomous Vehicles

q Vol XXXXII, No 6 May, 2019

• Temsa North America Inc – Temsa’s Increased Support for the American Market

• MCI Launches Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship Program

• 2019 Spring Fling Announced

q Vol. XXXXII, No. 7 June, 2019

• Looking Beyond the Driver Shortage to Demography and the Global Economy

• Are the Reasons for Coach Seat Belts Changing?

• The Passengers Left Behind – Take the Accessible Information Test

q Vol. XXXXII, No. 8 July, 2019

• Prevost Motorhome Expo

• Featherlite Luxury Coaches

• Emerald Luxury Coaches Unveils First H3-45 Conversions

• Ten Things to Consider When Choosing a Luxury RV

q Vol XXXXII, No 9 August, 2019

• NFI Group Acquires Alexander Dennis

• Getting the Glow – Take a look inside the “New Look” of Liberty

• Book Review – Chicago Motor Coach

q Vol. XXXXII, No. 10 September, 2019

• The 2019 Spring Fling in Hershey

• Congestion Pricing May Affect Bus Operators

• In the Beginning – The Bus Industry Prior to Regulation in 1935

q Vol XXXXII, No 11 October, 2019

• Proterra Launches Proterra Powered™ Vehicle Electri-

fication Solutions for Commercial Fleets

• Bendix Tech Tips: Avoiding the “Gotchas”

• The “Shorty” Flxibles of Pikes Peak

q Vol XXXXII, No 12 November, 2019

• 30 Years of Foxy Travel & FTI Coach

• Fleet Graphics is an Art at ABC Companies

• MCI debuts 2020 model line-up with a SNEAK PREVIEW of the battery-electric D45 CRTe LE CHARGE

at Bay Area Reliability Symposium on October 1

q Vol XXXXIII, No 1 December, 2019

• Temsa’s Redesigned TS 30

• BusCon 2019 in Indianapolis

• Hammond Transportation

q Vol XXXXIII, No 2 January, 2020

• Anchor Transportation – 30 Years and Counting in a Growing Nashville

• David Thomas Tours and Their Short Temsa Coaches

• Museum of Bus Transportation to Merge with Antique Automobile Club of America Museum

q Vol XXXXIII, No 3 February, 2020

• Busworld 2019 in Brussels, Part I

• Heroes’ Honeymoon

• Philadelphia to New York Every Half Hour

q Vol. XXXXIII, No. 4 March, 2020

• Busworld 2019 in Brussels, Part II

• The Changing Bus Industry

q Vol XXXXIII, No 5 April, 2020

• ABA Marketplace 2020 in Omaha

• Procedure and Liability After a Collision with an Automated Vehicle

• Impaired Drivers

q Vol. XXXXIII, No. 6 May, 2020

• Bringing Back the Bus Industry

• Bus Industry Suggestions from Shriver Insurance

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

• UMA Motorcoach Expo 2020 in Nashville

• Bus Preservation After the Merger

q Vol XXXXIII, No 7 June, 2020

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

• Time to Think Tours

• Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness

q Vol XXXXIII, No 8 July, 2020

• What the IATR and Transportation Regulators are Doing to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic

• A Tribute to Kirwan Elmers and Custom Coach Corporation

• RiverLandings Motorcoach Resort, Where True Luxury Reaches New Heights

q Vol XXXXIII, No 9 August, 2020

• The Evolving MCI Product Line

• The Impact of COVID-19 on the Transportation Ecosystem

• Marijuana and Drivers

q Vol XXXXIII, No 10 September, 2020

• New Coach Review

• Seven Simple Steps to Show Your Customers You Are Open for Business

• Can Bus Operators Change to Survive?

q Vol XXXXIII, No 11 October, 2020

• Getting People Back on the Buses

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

• Didn’t See That Coming

• The Eucharistic Congress in Chicago

q Vol XXXXIII, No 12 November, 2020

• How Temsa Developed Their Programmable Electric Bus

• Can Bus Companies Get to and Survive in the “New Normal?”

• Talk’s Cheap – Let’s Play

q Vol. XXXXIV, No. 1 December, 2020

• Keolis Moves People

• Are Mergers the Answer?

• A Lesson from the Sea – Time to Choose a Strategy

• Now is Not the Time to Skip on Bus Maintenance

• The Small Business Reorganization Act – A New Option in Bankruptcy

Classified

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1 – BUSES WANTED

Seeking 102D3 converted by Custom Coach Prefer motor home interior with side aisle or semi-side aisle

Please provide details by e-mail to safety@busmag com or phone Larry at (815) 946-2341

6 – MOTOR HOMES FOR SALE

MCI MC5A ’67 (shell) 8V-71, 4-speed For sale to highest bidder Call (928) 358-6415 or (505) 71

AZ I

1991 Hawkins motorcoach 3208T CAT, 35 ft with all awnings Alcoa wheels, landing/docking lights, heated m

s , propane generator, exhaust brake Always stored indoors

Asking $15,000 Contact Dallas in MI at (269) 591-2564 I 1956 Flxible coach – old conversion Phone (802) 9482886 in VT for details I

Please mention National Bus Trader when answering adver tisers

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

14 – NOTICES

Visit our 45+ vintage bus collection most Saturday morni

J Transport Heritage Center ($30 annually) See/learn: www friendsnjthc org I

Down The Road

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