MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES / 2015
UNIVERSiTY MOTOR COACHES
Universities earn smart-transportation credentials with MCI coaches.
NJ Transit BUYS 772 coaches New Jersey’s public transit board officially approves a $395 million contract.
J4500: THE EVOLUTION OF A CLASSIC
All Star Open Houses/
Onsite deals, training opportunities & more...
October in Montreal/
Join MCI at the last reliability rally of 2015...
The Evolution of a Classic/ The 2016 MCI J4500 brings more performance ...
Setras for Mercedes-Benz/
Thrasher Brothers lands contract with MercedesBenz...
NJ Transit Buys 772/
NJ finalizes contract to purchase 772 MCI coaches to upgrade fleet...
When Bad Things Happen to Good Coaches/
The Workhorse/
MCI Service Centers bring banged-up coaches back to new
The New D/
MCI Online Learning System/
MCI D Series gets a facelift and other important upgrades... Specifications of the new D series coach ...
Back to School/
110 companies strong and growing fast...
Universities earn smart-transportation credentials...
Taking Care of Business/
Elvis Presley’s custom coach sells at auction...
FIND US Questions and feedback:
200 East Oakton Street Des Plaines, Illinois 60018 Phone: 866-MCICOACH Email: info@mcicoach.com www.mcicoachcom
MCI Service Centers open houses prove popular Montreal event to be held Thursday, Oct. 22
owners. They give you the chance to see how our coaches continue to lead the industry in popularity, amenities and low total cost of operation, with parts and service to match. Over the past several months, MCI spent time at regional meetings, industry organization’s annual meetings, and hosted open-houses at MCI Service Centers. All together, the events attracted 350 attendees, representing 191 motor coach businesses. Guests enjoyed lunch and prizes; purchased new and pre-owned coaches; and took advantage of parts specials and training sessions. If you’ve missed the U.S. events, there’s still time to attend the MCI open house at the expanded location in Montreal. The Thursday, Oct. 22, event will offer networking opportunities and give you a chance to learn about our new products and services. Click here to register today. Venues like these give us first-hand knowledge of the issues important to MCI and Setra coach
Keeping you well-informed is a component of our Reliability Driven commitment to you. In this third e-zine issue, you’ll learn more about what’s happening at MCI, including what new 2016 models can do for you, and how easy it is have an older coach look like new with first-rate collision repair available at all six MCI Service Centers in the U.S. and Canada. I hope you enjoy the articles, and look forward to speaking to you personally at a future industry or MCI event.
Brent Maitland
MCI Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning
New coach sales industry wide skyrocket in first half of 2015 The America Bus Association, which tracks industry sales figures, reports that sales of new motor coaches during the first half of this year posted gains that haven’t been seen in a decade. In fact, combined private- and public-sector sales of new MCI, Setra and competitor brands of Prevost/ Volvo, VanHool and Temsa motor coaches during the first six months of this year were on pace to put sales of those five brands above 2,000 for the first time since 2008. At MCI combined private- and public sector purchases during the first six months of this year were up 37 percent from the first six months of 2014. (Numbers are based on ABA data, excluding entertainer shell sales and estimating Temsa sales as they do not report.)
Looking back on 2014, MCI had a strong and leading presence in the coach market. • Based on the numbers in the chart below, MCI maintains a 324 unit or 75% advantage over the nearest competitor. MCI & Setra
#2
#4
#3
By model sales in 2014, MCI’s D Series holds the top spot while the J4500 is the #2 overall, but #1 in the Private Sector.
Leading the industry starts with a winning team.
MCI J4500 Top-selling private sector model for 2014 and for 11 years running
Parts World-class fill rates and inventory for all makes and models
Support 24/7 via in-house ERSA, Technical Call Center and extensive field support
Setra S 417 World-wide luxury leader
Training Online LMS, LEARN webinars and Technical Tune-ups
F
MCI D-Series First in total market sales for 2014, with more on the road than any other model
Manufacturing Quality-at-the-source transformation
Performance Lowest total operating cost, maximum uptime
rom head-turning good looks to the market’s
from our team to troubleshoot your problem, get you
lowest cost of ownership, and safety technologies
your part, and get you on your way, thanks to second-
like adaptive cruise control and optional collision
to-none service and support. It’s what MCI has been
mitigation, our coaches lead the industry not just in
doing better than anyone for the last 80 years. And it’s
sales, but in features, amenities and value. Plus, we
what we’re still doing better today. See what an MCI
offer the assurance that there will always be someone
J4500, MCI D-Series, or Setra coach can do for you.
Discover what it means to be Reliability Driven.
©2015 MCI
To learn more about the MCI J4500’s lowest total cost of operation advantage scan here.
mcicoach.com
Evolution of a classic: MCI 2016 J4500 offers more performance, reliability, comfort 6
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When MCI redesigned its best-selling J4500 model in 2013, it made the coach sleeker, more fuel-efficient and betterhandling, building on its longstanding reputation for style, dependability and value. For 2016, the evolution continues. Outside, the J4500 continues to impress, with full-on curb appeal, a distinctive lighting profile featuring custom LED daytime running lamps (DRL) and integrated turn signals; and a smooth rear cap that offers more advertising space.
Inside, operators will find features both subtle and dramatic, all adding up to a better driving, owning and riding experience. From the lighter weight that contributes to the model’s best-in-class 16,000-pound payload capacity to reliability-driven improvements like new 150-amp Denso alternators and easier access to electrical components, the J4500 is working even harder to earn operators’ loyalty and cement its status as the coach with the industry’s lowest cost of ownership. www.MCIcoach.com
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Handling Last year’s independent front suspension continues to impress drivers and passengers with its nimbleness and smooth ride. The turning radius stands at 41 feet, 9 inches, with the standard passive rear tag — tight enough to maneuver more easily on congested city streets and parking lots. Additionally, the MCI Dynamic Suspension System gives the coach full front and rear rise, offering more maneuverability in hilly locales like San Francisco. A more efficient air system reduces the kneeling and rise times to four and just three seconds, respectively.
Bendix Wingman
When MCI introduced Bendix Wingman collision-avoidance systems on its 2015 J4500s, operators were excited to have a tool that could help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of collisions. For 2016, the system is getting a display that’s easier to read, thanks to an improved location. Wingman systems use front-mounted radar sensors to detect moving metallic objects and gauge closure rates (the standard setting is three seconds) to avoid or lessen the impact of a collision. Basic Bendix Wingman is an adaptive cruise-control option, meaning that intervention occurs only when speed control is activated. Wingman Advanced, the industry’s first always-on collision-mitigation system, acts whether or not the cruise control is activated. In both options, Wingman will alert the driver of the hazard before dethrottling and braking. There are three types of alerts (stationary object, following-distance, and impact). The driver can still steer or brake as he or she sees fit. The system can be customized. Wingman also allows “rubber-banding” with forward vehicles, which can help operators save fuel and brake pads. Bendix additionally makes the brakes on the J4500, offering car-like control and excellent stopping distances.
Easier DPF duty
For 2016, MCI has equipped its Detroit Diesel DD13-powered coaches with a larger, 15-gallon DPF tank, which extends vehicle range.
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New options in comfort Inside, the J4500 is gaining seating and fabric options, including stylish new Kiel seats that offer more than an additional inch of hip and knee room along with a more modern profile. Operators are increasingly opting for MCI’s 110-volt and USB outlets at every seat, and an updated Saucon Wi-Fi router will add to their connectivity menu. A new REI A/V system will keep passengers even better entertained, should they tire of the view from the panoramic windows.
Driver comfort
While more changes are in the works, drivers will enjoy one of the most ergonomic cockpits found in any coach. Recent improvement include more legroom and an added overhead vent.
Wheelchair savvy
For operators that honor ADA guidelines by purchasing a coach equipped with a Braun wheelchair lift, MCI will offer a few upgrades as well. Most importantly, with the Amaya A-2Ten and Torino G seats, the slider seat that gives access to wheelchair-using passengers is gaining a few inches — it will now be 40 inches wide, the same as the rest of the seats. Mobility-impaired riders will still have easy access to the coach, and there won’t be any complaints from able-bodied passengers about getting stuck in a narrower seat. www.MCIcoach.com
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Heavy-duty applications Operators serving mining and other rugged applications will appreciate MCI’s optional heavy-duty package, complete with beefedup undercarriage protection against rocks and road debris, plus increased engine and cabin air filtration to combat the effects of silt and dust. Cold-weather operators will also be able to opt for automatic tire chains on the J4500 that eliminate the need to stop and manually chain-up a coach in bad weather. “We’re still enjoying the success of our 2013 J4500 redesign,” says Brent Maitland, MCI Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning. “Many of these latest refinements are based on customer feedback; the enhancements add to the reliability of our coaches and build on their appeal to operators and their passengers.” Expect to see MCI’s newest models at industry trade shows this winter.
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Thrasher BrothersTrailways serv Mercedes-Benz with Daimle of Setra 417s.
Growth of Alabama’s automotive and aerospace industry drives Thrasher’s growth in corporate transport 14 www.MCIcoach.com
ves er-built fleet
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In the 20th century, the Thrasher family was known as a gospel music powerhouse. In the 21st, the music family’s Thrasher Brothers Trailways tour bus companyturned-transportation giant is set to become a Dixie powerhouse in international corporate transportation. “In so many parts of the country, manufacturing’s best days are behind them. In Alabama, we’re seeing incredible growth,” says Alan Thrasher, co-owner of Thrasher Brothers Trailways, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. “We now serve a global audience.” Thank Alabama’s continued expansion in the automotive, aerospace and ocean-bound shipping industries. Automakers Hyundai and Honda operate growing plants in Montgomery and Talladega counties, and airline giants Airbus and Boeing are expanding in Mobile and Huntsville – Airbus with its first U.S. manufacturing plant and Boeing with a research center announced just this year. Meanwhile, the Port of Mobile continues to grow as it handles increasing traffic for these global manufacturers and new suppliers moving into the state. Even James Bond’s favorite automaker, Aston Martin, is reportedly planning a manufacturing plant in Alabama. Thrasher sees opportunity everywhere, and the charter coach company his father and uncle started in 1969 is getting a big taste of it with Alabama’s global manufacturing leader, Mercedes-Benz. In 2013, Thrasher won a four-year contract to deliver coach services to the Daimler division’s Brand Immersion Experience, a program that will bring some 26,000 worldwide Mercedes employees to the main facility in Vance, Ala., to learn about the company’s production practices, history and the cutting-edge technology headed for its newest vehicles. The attendees will also use the testing grounds at Barber Motorsports Park, a leading Indy Car track, to test-drive vehicles in the program. Thrasher will be the primary contractor driving participants to all program sites. And that’s not all. Thrasher Brothers, a longtime MCI customer, will dedicate its entire fleet of Setra TopClass S 417 coaches, purchased from MCI, to serve visitors to the Brand Immersion Experience. A Daimler coach for Daimler employees Thrasher Brothers recently completed a new, four-coach Setra S 417 order specifically for the business. “We’re providing an all-Daimler experience for the attendees,” said Thrasher, co-owner of the business with his sister Alyce Davidson. “Some of these Mercedes dealer employees have never ridden in a motor coach before, and they’re amazed,” said Thrasher, adding, “We’ve even 16 www.MCIcoach.com
made sure the upholstery is in Mercedes gray and black.” The luxury is pure Setra. The new coaches offer all the swank accoutrements for which the brand is known, including, in this case, power outlets at every seat and wood-look flooring. The pinpoint scheduling required by the German manufacturer calls for a transportation company that’s on its toes. Thrasher knows every mile by heart, from plant to training center to Barbor and for meals and entertainment in between. Each Mercedes dealership employee has a chance to go to Brand Immersion, and according to Thrasher, there’s plenty to see. “We have the only Daimler-owned plant in the United States that was built from the ground up, and we’re very proud of that,” said Thrasher, pointing out that the company’s M-Class, R-Class, GL-Class, C-Class and the new GLE Coupe are built in Tuscaloosa County for the North American market. Thrasher, MCI …and Michael Jordan Thrasher, who began driving Eagle tour buses for his family’s band at age 17, grew up in the musician transport business, eventually diversifying into general commercial passenger transport with Trailways, a safety-oriented member network of motor coach service companies founded in 1936. Alan is on their national board. But first, a little history about the Thrasher Brothers. Jim, Buddy and Joe Thrasher began a gospel group as children in 1948, winning the Ted Mack National Talent Show and performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. They eventually went off on their own to become gospel stars into adulthood, even producing a nationwide syndicated television show called “America Sings” from 1968 to 1972. The group became known for the gospel classic “One Day at a Time” and even performed the theme song for the CBS 1980s primetime series “Simon and Simon.” Jim and Joe would turn their tour bus operation into a real business in 1974, and the trio retired in 1986. With deregulation in the 1980s, the family expanded into the charter business, and Thrasher began to evaluate the market for a wider range of luxury coaches – which led the company into an unexpected marketing coup thanks to MCI Vice President of new coach sales Patricia Ziska and a rookie minor league player in 1994 named Michael Jordan. In 1993, Jordan shocked the sports world by announcing his retirement from professional basketball. To keep him in the fold, Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf arranged for Jordan to join the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A team in the White
Sox organization. Though Jordan’s minor league career was less than stellar (his batting average was .202) – Jordan ended up hitting a home run for Thrasher, which worked with Ziska to provide Jordan a fresh new MCI D-Series coach for his short baseball career. A deal was worked out that gave Thrasher the title and a year’s worth of great publicity, solidifying the company’s long association with MCI. “Jordan was going through spring training, and we started hearing horror stories about the bus used by the team. Knowing MCI’s Chicago connection, Dad got on the phone with MCI and Pat helped us get a new MCI 102 DL3 down here fast,” said Thrasher. “Michael didn’t have to do a thing. It changed everything about our company. We decided at that point to invest in nothing but new coaches.” Thrasher is now transporting the Birmingham Barons for the 34th consecutive year. That relationship had deepened with MCI by 2012, when the company assumed responsibility for the sales and service of Setra coaches in the United States and Canada. This move had the worldwide luxury coach brand leader joining forces with the dominant leader in the North American market.
Thrasher has had his eye on a Setra coach for some time, even becoming the first American to participate in a grand prix rally with Setra in 2003. “A stick shift? On a coach? That was amusing,” Thrasher laughed, remembering the test-drive. “But I told them that when they decided to Americanize that coach, I wanted to know.” Going forward With more than 20 coaches in Thrasher Brothers’ tour and charter fleet, the company continues its relationship with Trailways and handles all types of groups, college and professional sports, and even entertainment clients – the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Joan Jett are recent customers. The company is licensed to do business throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, as Alabama industry grows, Thrasher hopes to follow. “Leading global corporations want quality road transportation they don’t have to think about – fully featured coaches with a great safety record and on-time delivery,” said Thrasher. “When we got the call from Mercedes, we realized this was the next stage.”
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772
It’s official: NJTransit to buy 772 MCI coaches New Jersey’s public transit board has officially approved a $395 million contract to purchase 772 commuter coaches from Motor Coach Industries.The coaches will be delivered to the transit agency over six years. NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey’s public transit board has officially approved a $395 million contract to purchase 772 commuter coaches from Motor Coach Industries. The contract, one of the largest between New Jersey Transit and MCI, calls for the coach manufacturer to supply the transit agency with the 45-foot, clean-diesel, cruiser-style coaches over six years, beginning in 2016. The agreement also includes parts, service and support, and training for drivers and mechanics. The contract price works out to an average price of $495,037 per coach, according to New Jersey Transit. The transit agency selected MCI over two other bidders, Prevost/ Volvo and ABC-Van Hool. Although exact figures were unavailable, they reportedly bid $540,000 and $570,000 per coach, respectively. 18 www.MCIcoach.com
MCI has been supplying New Jersey Transit with buses for the past 33 years, giving the company a leg up on the competition. The transit agency, the nation’s third largest behind New York City and Los Angeles, said that based on a combination of technical specifications and cost, “Motor Coach Industries was determined to offer the best value and advantageous proposal.” “We are tremendously honored that New Jersey Transit has once again selected MCI,” said MCI President and CEO Rick Heller. “Our commuter coach has been the mainstay in its express service capabilities for decades. Today’s announcement for 772 additional vehicles marks another milestone in an important customer relationship centered on coach performance and innovation.” New Jersey Transit said it is purchasing two different configurations of the 45-foot cruiser bus: 712 of the
We are tremendously honored that New Jersey Transit has once again selected MCI, buses will not be equipped with lavatories and will seat 57 passengers; 60 of the buses will be equipped with lavatories and will seat 55 passengers. All of the buses will be equipped with Detroit diesel engines, Allison transmissions, three-point seatbelts and a vehicle stability system. They will be Wi-Fi capable. The new buses also will have wheelchair lifts and will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and will incorporate Diesel Exhaust Fluid to reduce exhaust emissions as prescribed by the latest Clean Air Act amendment. The new buses will replace 772 older (2000 to 2008 model year) MCI coaches in the agency’s fleet, many of them with more than 500,000 miles on them. The new buses will replace 235 45-foot and 360 40-foot cruisers operated by New Jersey Transit and 177 45-foot cruisers operated by private carriers. The transit agency said replacement of the older buses will improve service reliability and the customer experience and will reduce operating costs. The agency said replacing the 40-foot buses with 45-foot models would increase the seating capacity of its cruiserbus fleet by 6 percent.
Patrick Scully, MCI’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, said about 40 percent of the company’s business is with the public sector. MCI, North America’s leading motorcoach supplier, has far and away been the dominant supplier of commuter coaches to New Jersey Transit. MCI won its first contract with New Jersey Transit in 1982 for 700 MC-9 cruiser buses, and the agency purchased another 415 in 1987. In 2000, the agency gave MCI the biggest public transit order in North American busindustry history at the time with a 1,400-vehicle purchase. New Jersey Transit also was the first U.S. public transit agency to purchase new-model CNG-powered MCI commuter coaches, starting with a 50- coach order as part of a 1999 pilot program and adding 27 more units the following year. It replaced those models with 177 MCI CNG-powered coaches delivered in 2014 and 2015. “This new procurement is very significant for us and for New Jersey Transit,” Scully said. “We are very excited about it. From our perspective, our proposal represents the best overall value for New Jersey Transit.” www.MCIcoach.com
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The workhorse:
MCI D-Series takes best-seller spot; new headlights advance style
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D MCI finished 2014 with the D-Series coach ranking as the overall best-selling coach in the public sector, complementing the success of the MCI J4500, now the private sector’s best-selling model for 11-years running. The D-Series, including the MCI Commuter Coach, has earned its position as the leader in longer-distance express service by offering low cost of ownership, and an excellent MDBF rate, measured as the #1 performer with the fewest failures per vehicle among all bus types. MCI offers the model in 40- and 45-foot clean-diesel, hybrid and CNG versions. The D-Series model recently gained a step up in aesthetics with new 90-mm headlights, including an LED option, and continues to wow with its workhorse reputation. Full details are found in the specs that follow. www.MCIcoach.com
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Denver’s RTD Flatiron Flyer Bus RapidTransit to feature the MCI Commuter Coach
Denver’s RTD will use 59 MCI Commuter Coaches — emblazoned with a distinctive blue-and-sunriseorange paint scheme — for its new BRT (bus rapid transit) service. The Flatiron Flyer, which connects
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Denver to Boulder and everywhere in between, will launch January 17, 2016. The Denver agency expects to transport nearly 11,000 passengers per weekday on the 18-mile route that runs along U.S. 36.
MCI Commuter Coach Technical Specifications Built for safety and comfort at highway speeds, the MCI Commuter, available in clean-diesel, hybrid or CNG, is strong and durable with a rugged semi-monocoque structure that elevates passengers and drivers above traffic, earning its position as the leader in Commuter Express Bus Service public transit systems.
Dimensions
Safety & Performance
Overall Length (bumper to bumper) Wheelbase Front Overhang Rear Overhang Overall Width Overall Height Interior Height Front Track Rear Track (drive) Rear Track (trailing) Turning Radius Gross Vehicle Weight
D4500 D4000 D4500 D4000 D4500 D4000
D4500 D4000 D4500 D4000
45.42 ft. 40.50 ft. 318.00 in 279.00 in 75.90 in 105.60 in 83.49 in 102.00 in 137.00 in 78.25 in 85.60 in 76.50 in 85.60 in 47.00 ft 44.70 ft 50,000 lb 46,000 lb
13.84 m 12.34 m 8.08 m 7.09 m 1.93 m 2.68 m 2.12 m 2.59 m 3.48 m 2.08 m 2.17 m 1.94 m 2.17 m 14.33 m 13.62 m 22,680 kg 20,865 kg
Standard Equipment Cummins ISX 12 liter, 425hp with engine brake Engine Options Cummins ISL 9 liter, 380hp (330hp-Hybrid) (2015 EPA Compliant) Cummins ISL G, 9 liter, 320hp–CNG w/ fuel system by Agility Cummins ISX G 12 liter, 400hp-CNG w/ fuel system by Agility
Standard Equipment Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Automatic Traction Control (ATC) Disc Brakes with 6 channel Antilock Braking System (ABS) Amerex fire suppression system Methane Detection (CNG) Fully multiplexed solid-state electrical system Braun wheelchair lift with 2 wheelchair positions MCI® A/C compressor
Optional Equipment Three-point passenger seat belts (multiple seat models available) Video surveillance SmartWave® integrated tire pressure monitoring system Sliding battery tray 4 Group 31 batteries Curb lights
Entertainment Systems & Digital Amenities
Transmission Options
Allison B500 (ISX) Gen V Allison B500R with retarder (ISL) Gen V Allison Ep50 Electric Drive Propulsion System (Hybrid)
Front Axle
16,000 lb (7,257 kg) with conventional bearings
Hands-free PA system
Drive Axle
22,500 lb (10,206 kg) with conventional bearings
2 Way Radio pre-wiring
Tag Axle
D4500: Meritor (Steerable) 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) D4000: Meritor 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)
WiFi system
Seating
D4500: 57-passengers D4000: 49-passengers
Automatic stop announcement system
Wheels
Hub-mounted steel, 22.5 x 9.0
Tires
Michelin® XZA2 Energy315/80R22.5 9.00" wheel L-rated
Alternator
Delco Remy 50DN 270A 24V (ISL) Dual 150A 24V Denso (ISX)
Standard Equipment
Brakes
Meritor all-wheel EX-225 disc
LED overhead reading lights and individual airflow controls
Parking Brake
Spring brake on drive axle
LED exterior lighting Full-length open parcel racks
Fuel System
164 U.S. gal. (Diesel) DOT 304 compliant capacity of 15.94 SCF (standard cubic feet), 114.6 DGE (diesel gas equivelant) at 3600 PSIG at 70°F (CNG)
Body Type
Stainless steel lower frame and high-tensile low-alloy steel in upper-body framing and high-stress areas
Exterior Skin
Bonded aluminum roof skin, fiberglass front & rear end caps, galvanized steel sidewalls
Baggage Doors
Underfloor pantograph-type with pneumatic lock and aluminum or stainless steel exterior skin
Entrance Door
Air-operated bi-part style door
Electrical System Fully multiplexed electrical system
Optional Equipment REI Elite Audio/Video system with six 10" LCD wide-screen monitors
110V outlets w/USB at seats Automatic passenger counter (APC)
Other Features
Energy absorbing front and rear bumpers, 2" rub rails Fare-box mounting provisions including notched dash and below-floor HVAC system Fixed baggage door panels on roadside
Optional Equipment Parcel rack air conditioning Enclosed parcel racks Stainless steel or painted exterior lower body panels 5" rub rails
Gauges
Multifunction Electronic Display including speedometer, oil pressure, water temperature, fuel level, voltmeter, air pressure and DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) level
Warning Lights
Real-time diagnostics of all operating systems
Aluminum or Durabrite® wheels
Cooling System
High-mounted, parallel radiator/charge air cooler module
Fan Clutch
Linnig electromagnetic, 3-speed
Aluminum fuel tank Air-operated sedan-style door Hinged baggage doors on roadside
Destination Sign Provisions for front, side and rear destination signs Steering System
Integral power steering
Suspension
Air suspension with automatic mechanical leveling system
Batteries
Two 8D with threaded studs (1350 c.c.a. each)
Voltage
12 volt and 24 volt
Exterior Lights
12 volt LED, except headlights
Motor Coach Industries, Inc. 200 East Oakton Street Des Plaines, IL 60018
USA (866) MCICOACH (624.2622) Canada (800) 624-8886 e-mail: marketing@mcicoach.com www.mcicoach.com
Bicycle rack Lavatory
Altoona-tested and Buy America compliant
©2015 Motor Coach Industries, Inc. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice. Registered trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
Now equipped with quieter, fuel-saving 2013 EPA compliant engine technology
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Commuter 13
BACK TO SCH
Universities earn smart-transportation cre
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HOOL /
edentials with MCI coaches
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MCI has long been at the head of that coach class, offering universit lowest 10-year ownership cost; exceptional comfort; legendary reli and compressed natural gas powertrain options that can give a scho When colleges transport teams, VIPs or just rank-andfile students on their way to class, they resoundingly ask for buses. After all — there’s no mode of transportation that’s more flexible, rich in amenities or eco-friendly. And increasingly, schools are opting to own and operate their own coach fleets instead of exclusively relying on charter contracts. The advantages are many — the ability to take control over the transportation budget and schedule; enjoy the higher visibility that comes with custom paint jobs and flashy decals; and woo student riders with such options as Wi-Fi and power outlets. In addition, motor coaches offer the best per-passenger fuel economy in the transportation industry, with near-zero emissions, thanks to today’s generation of clean-diesel powertrains. MCI has long been at the head of that coach class, offering universities models with the indus-try’s lowest 10-year ownership cost; exceptional comfort; legendary reliability; and hybrid-electric and compressed natural gas powertrain options that can give a school green bragging rights. Filling the roster Most universities gravitate to the MCI J4500, North America’s best-selling charter coach for more than 11 years running, for its mix of luxury, dependability and most attractive clean-diesel fuel economy in its class. Redesigned in 2013, and now offered with adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation and improved handling (see
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accompanying article) thanks to a new, independent front suspension, the J4500 offers a premium experience that impresses students, faculty and visitors, with tiered front seating, signature spiral entryway, multi-screen video packages, expansive seating options and advanced safety technologies. And it’s not the only campus-ready model that MCI makes or sells. The clean-diesel MCI D4500 stands as the overall best-selling coach in the U.S. and Canada, offering good looks and durabil-ity. Its shorter sibling, the 40-foot D4005, offers more (and less) of the same. In addition, MCI sells the German-built Setra S 417 and Setra S 407, both offering fresh options, impressive interiors, great safety features and impressive value in their respective classes. Environmental Studies But for schools that seek to kick their green credentials up a notch, there’s only one way to go. Or so says Oklahoma State University, which recently replaced all of the coaches in its Big Orange Bus system with MCI D4500s powered by compressed natural gas. “It’s a big milestone: We’re the first in the state to have a bus fleet that is completely CNG,” said Tom Duncan, Oklahoma State University Transit Service Manager, crediting BOB service with boosting employment, educational opportunities and attendance at OSU’s Tulsa campus. “The majority of ridership is tied to the university, but residents and travelers to the area find the
ties models with the indus-try’s iability; and hybrid-electric ool green bragging rights.
service convenient because we connect with Greyhound and Tulsa International Airport.” There’s a practical side to going CNG, too. Beyond valuing the environmental benefits, OSU likes the lower costs associated with CNG. “While the cost of CNG varies, the target we’re working off of is $1.50 a gallon, which should save us about $100,000 a year,” said Duncan. Not that it’s all about saving money. Riders enjoy free Wi-Fi and access to wheelchair lifts, and there’s something in it for the men and women behind the wheel as well. “Our drivers like the steerable tag axle and rear-raise on the coach,” said Duncan. “We haven’t been shy about driving the coaches around while training our drivers, and the graphics attract a lot of attention.”
Indeed, it’s hard to miss a bright orange bus that’s emblazoned with an image of Pistol Pete, OSU’s mascot. And to make sure no one misses the bus, OSU uses its Ride System smartphone app to display routes and estimated real-time arrival times at each stop. BOB also tweets and texts information such as delays and route changes. All together, OSU operates 24 CNG vehicles on a system that includes fixed route, shuttle and paratransit service. As the school year gets underway, Duncan said he expects to transport 6,000 passengers a day system wide. “We’re usually filled to capacity.” It’s a sentiment shared by many transportation directors who have chosen MCI coaches for their university fleet.
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Speeds Up Learning
An online training system equips technicians and drivers with tools to succeed Today’s motor coaches are a finely tuned combination of leading-edge technology and luxurious interiors. All are designed for optimal safety and comfort. Yet each requires a professional team equipped to properly maintain and operate the motorcoach. MCI understands that ongoing and relevant training is the key to keeping every motorcoach running smoothly, safely, and on time.
We’re up to 110 companies using the system, and that number is growing quickly. 28 www.MCIcoach.com
That’s why the company recently added a comprehensive, web-based training program called Learning Management System (LMS), available free upon request to all MCI and Setra operators. The convenient online library includes courses for both technicians and drivers. Courses are interactive by combining video, audio, and realtime quizzes to engage users and encourage participation. Since LMS is available on demand 24/7 and can be accessed anywhere
on a tablet, laptop, or other Wi-Fi enabled device, there’s no lost time in the shop or behind the wheel. Users can fit the courses into their schedule, or managers or operators can create schedules incorporating LMS training time. As an added bonus, LMS includes a tracking option, allowing managers or operators to set goals, monitor technician progress, generate reports, and offer incentives for courses completed. The system also creates a transcript for each user, as well as a printable numbered certificate for all completed courses. Currently there are about 200 courses with new ones uploaded regularly. What’s more, MCI’s Technical Training Manager Scott Crawford creates new courses based on customer feedback. If a topic a customer wants isn’t in the existing library, he can quickly create and upload a new course.
LMS is available on demand 24/7 and can be accessed anywhere on a tablet, laptop, or other Wi-Fi enabled device
with Tech 3 (entry level) to Tech 1 (advanced). Users access the courses at their skill level. Courses are also cross-referenced by topic (such as brakes or disc brakes), so users can take a specific subject if needed. Users always can retake a course as a refresher.
Crawford says the response to LMS has been “amazing.” “We’re up to 110 companies using the system, and that number is growing quickly,” he adds. “That’s about 1,200 individual accounts at 160 locations. As owners see what the system does and realize its value to them, more and more are getting on board.” He points to Lakefront Lines, a Coach USA property, as a recent success story. It recently signed up all 251 of its drivers and 40 to 45 of its technicians. Charting a Course for Success How operators, managers, and their teams use the library is up to them. This flexibility makes it easy for operators to customize LMS training to fit their company’s needs. “Some customers offer financial incentives to technicians and drivers to take as many LMS courses as possible,” Crawford says. “Others
tie completion of LMS courses to pay increases and promotions. Others pick specific courses they want employees to take and mandate that they them in certain time period.” Perhaps the biggest value of LMS, according to Crawford, is the clear career path it creates. He designed the system so that technicians, in particular, can develop foundational knowledge and build on it at their own pace. People who are motivated to advance quickly can do so— building confidence, competency, and a transcript as they complete each LMS course. “Owners need a way to attract young talent and retain them,” Crawford says. “With LMS, there’s a clear path to advance. If owners offer incentives such as increased pay, it creates motivation to learn the new systems as quickly as possible.
“In the motor coach industry, it used to be the more experience you had, the more valuable you were,” says Crawford. “But with advanced systems, it’s knowledge that matters. LMS gives technicians and drivers a convenient way to build that knowledge and quickly advance their careers. “For operators, LMS provides clear documentation that people driving and working on their vehicles know how these advanced motor coach systems work and are working on them correctly,” he adds. “In the old days, you could hire an experienced mechanic or driver off the street. That doesn’t work any more. Motor coach technology is advancing so fast that you have to stay up to speed.” ●
To learn more, email Crawford at training@mcicoach.com. MCI also offers monthly public webinar tours of the system. Crawford can schedule private webinar tours for companies upon request.
“The LMS course catalog is classified by skill levels beginning www.MCIcoach.com
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When bad things happen
MCI Service Centers bring banged-up coac
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to good coaches:
aches back to new
When MCI closed its popular collision repair center in Loudonville, Ohio, in December, some customers mourned the loss of a central location to take their crashed, damaged and refurb-ready coaches. But, in fact, Ohio’s loss has been everyone else’s gain. All six MCI service centers in the United States and Canada now offer the same heavy-repair, OEM-level capabilities once found only in Loudonville. MCI planned the transition carefully, keeping key talent like Carey Kadyschuk, now body shop manager at MCI’s Des Plaines, Ill, Service center; and Loudonville parts manager Rich Wells, now a part of MCI’s pre-owned coach division. But to many customers, MCI collision repair wouldn’t be the same without longtime Loudonville manager Ron Miller. Fortunately, Miller has taken on the role of fleet services manager, assisting customers and insurance agents throughout the MCI heavy-repair network. We asked him to share his insights on what makes MCI firstrate at collision repair. Q. What makes MCI Service Centers a good place for collision repair? RM: It’s because everything we do, right down to the welds, we do to OEM specifications, using OEM parts and OEM standards. As manufacturer of the coach, we have access to all the original blueprints and parts, along with company expertise. When an operator gets his or her MCI or Setra back following a major accident or refurbishment, it will be the same as if it rolled right off the assembly line. We think that counts for a lot. Q. Let’s talk about the frame for a moment. MCI’s stainless steel lower framing and semi-monocoque construction has long been a point of pride in MCI vehicles. It makes them strong, and it’s one of the reasons so many MCI coaches are still on the road even after a million or more miles. What happens when a coach does suffer a collision in which the frame is affected?
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RM: There are two choices. You can straighten the frame, or you can take out the damaged part and replace it. We believe that straightening a frame is more of a band-aid approach. When you merely straighten the frame of a coach, you may leave behind a lot of hidden damage. Plus, energy moves differently through a coach with a straightened frame, which may compromise the safety and performance of the coach in the future. That’s why we prefer to replace damaged framing rather than straightening it. The new framing offers the same strength and integral reliability as the day the coach came off the factory floor. We take the same OEM approach to electrical harnesses. We don’t splice; we replace, so operators are less likely to end
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up with wiring problems later on. Again, the coach comes back to the customer in like-new OEM condition. Q How does MCI handle retrofits and refurbs? RM: In the same way. MCI is capable of OEM-quality wheelchair retrofits. We also refurbish coaches. We swap out entire powertrains as well as doing the cosmetic work you’d expect to see in a refurbished coach, like installing LED lighting and three-point passenger seatbelts. We’re busy, and already have refurbishment coach work on deck into 2016. Right now, we’re getting a number of requests to outfit older models with 110volt outlets. MCI Service Parts is offering a great price on the installation kit, and the MCI service center locations can complete the installation quickly, usually within a week.
Q. What if a customer isn’t satisfied? RM: Satisfaction is our goal. In the 11 years I have been with MCI, I haven’t heard many protests. We set realistic expectations so customers know what they are getting. People who are new to coach repairs are sometimes taken aback by how much even a simple fender bender can cost to repair. It is definitely a whole different world than most of us experience with our personal cars. Whereas a car insurance policy might have a deductible of $250 or $500, we know it’s pretty common to see coach deductibles starting at about $10,000. The reason is that there’s a lot more equipment on a bus, both because passengers require comfort and safety is at stake. And we want to make sure a coach is put back together right. Owners of coaches are successful business people, and they are demanding. We try not to make a promise we can’t keep. Sometimes, if a job is quoted to takes 30 days and it starts to look like it will take 60 because a part is no longer available, we’ll discuss the situation with the customer to avoid negative surprises. We understand that coaches are revenue-generating assets, and we work as quickly as possible to get a coach back on the road. Q. How does the collision repair process work at MCI? I will be contacted by an MCI Technical Solutions or parts manager, the customer or an insurance representative. We usually start with a few pictures to give us an overview of the extent of the damage. We’ll either create an estimate using the pictures, or go see the coach. It’s about 50-50. Customers always want to know how much it will cost, and how long it will it take. Once the customer and insurance agent agree on the submitted quote, we’ll call the towing vendor to have the coach brought to an MCI Service Center. As the coordinator, I am able to determine the best location for the coach repair. The advantage to having six service centers means it’s usually no more than a day’s drive. I work with Carey and his crew, keeping track of the progress.
people want to know about styling details and various features that our coaches offer. They want to know what color seats they can get, and whether or not the coaches have Wi-Fi, and what kind of entertainment packages they can offer their passengers. But mostly, I think it’s important to know how safe coaches are, how reliable, and how repairable. Of course, one of the best ways to ensure coach safety is to keep one’s fleet modern and up to date. Today’s coaches offer more safeguards for drivers. Things are even better structurally and internally. The front bumpers are more durable, with parts more easily replaceable. On the loss-prevention side of things, there’s the Amerex fire suppression system that’s been updated, and the tire-pressure monitoring system that now has always-on sensors. As with all MCI coaches, there is a full complement of handling features, including the ESC, ATC and ABS, and the steerable tag axle that offers extra nimble handling. Optional side-view cameras and the new collision mitigation system available on the J4500 enable the driver to more easily avoid dangerous situations—and hopefully big repairs. There are also over 20 significant corrosion control enhancements including improved air tanks, more stainless steel bracketry and expanded HydroArmor coverage. That doesn’t necessarily sound like an obvious benefit to anyone paying the bill after an accident repair, but it is. A coach with corrosion problems is harder and more expensive to fix. If you are interested in body repair, refurbishing or drive train swaps, please email Ron.Miller@mcicoach.com Or, please contact an MCI Service Center by calling 888912-9983 to arrange for your next appointment. Click here for a map of MCI Service Center locations.
Q. How many customers come back for this type of work? RM. The majority are repeat customers. A wreck is a traumatic experience. We’re not usually the most inexpensive guys on the block, but we’re probably the most thorough, and we are dedicated to offering the best value. I always want MCI to be the best. Q. What is the best advice you could give an operator? When we go to trade shows or talk to customers, most
Ron Miller
MCI Fleet Services Manager www.MCIcoach.com
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A bit of history
Taking Care of Business Elvis Presley’s custom-designed tour bus, an MCI built in 1976, went on the block at Julien’s Auctions of Beverly Hills, May 16, at New York City’s Hard Rock Café.
by a mobile-home specialist in Texas. The bus sold with a framed copy of the $25,000 downpayment check that Elvis made out to friend and mentor J.D. Sumner, who led The Stamps.
Originally designed for the King’s backup TCB Band — which, of course, stands for “taking care of business” — the coach sold for $263,000. Fully road-worthy, the coach seats 12, has nine sleeping berths and is equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, microwave, televisions and speakers There are even chandelier-style lights hanging from the lounge area.
The article quotes Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions, as saying that Elvis once took it on a joy ride, calming Sumner’s nerves by promising to buy him another if it crashed. “He took the bus out from Graceland and he drove right out into the country and then he was worried, ‘how am I going to turn this bus around,’ so he drove into a cornfield, drove back out again and back home,” said Nolan.
According to an article on the sale, it was bought 34 www.MCIcoach.com
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the future of motorcoach travel. Today.
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