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MCI is offering free training for motorcoach drivers
Des Plaines, Ill. —Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is introducing a driver training program to help answer the industry’s shortage of qualified drivers. Part of the ASE-accredited MCI Academy, the Motorcoach Operator Certificate Program is a graduated sequence of online training courses on safety, federal regulations, and coach systems, geared to meet the needs of both new and experienced drivers, and enable career advancement.
In an independent recruitment survey, external training was cited as one of employees most preferred incentives for staying with a company. It can also incentivize job seekers to apply because of the potential to advance their career.
MCI Academy’s program is online, free of charge, and spans all skill levels. The program is designed around 4 levels of training. Levels 3-1 include eight hours of training per level with coursework taught via video and PowerPoint narratives. The 4th level is a Master level certificate for the most experienced coach operator.
The Level 3 Certificate helps prepare entry-level drivers to meet new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) application. Mid-career drivers benefit by Level 2 and 1 coursework designed to improve road safety and coach system knowledge. There is also Master Level coursework for drivers who complete the three levels of certification.
“We’ve built a solid training program for drivers from a registry of industry approved sources,” said MCI Training Manager Scott Crawford. “The beauty of the program is that drivers can complete their training while waiting for their groups or during their off hours from any location via laptop or mobile device.”
The new program completed a soft rollout with nearly 100 drivers earning a Level 3 certificate and six achieving a Master certificate.
Participants in the MCI Academy Motorcoach Operator program complete their certificate training in this order:
Level 3 drivers receive basic instruction covering FMCSA theory training, safe driving habits, passenger safety, hours of service rules, and several of insurance leader Lancer presentations.
Level 2 improves driver skills, covering turns, highway and city driving hazards, along with EDL use and roadside enforcement.
Level 1 teaches drivers how braking and safety systems work, such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Collision Avoidance and Fire Suppression and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, and covers weather-related and fuel economy driving behaviors.
Master Level coursework covers driver knowledge on major coach systems from engines to HVAC, trouble-shooting skills, and communication with service shop personnel.
“The course structure includes something for every driver,” said Crawford. “It’s a manageable program for every level, building on and enhancing other industry sponsored driver training programs. We invite the industry to take advantage of the knowledge levels our program offers. Operators will benefit from drivers who are well-trained, engaged and proud to work in a profession that contributes to the well-being of transportation businesses, passengers and road safety.”
The program also helps tour, charter, employer shuttle programs and limousine operators recruit and develop driver talent from outside the motor coach industry for well-paying jobs with a future, advises Crawford, noting LMS training account records are never deleted and are available to employers throughout a driver’s career.
Visit mcicoach.com for more information.
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RMA Worldwide CEO Robert Alexander Rockville, Md. —RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation announced this week the acquisition of Addison Lee US, the North American division of United Kingdom-based Addison Lee Group. After this acquisition, which closed on February 19, 2020, RMA Worldwide is one of the nation’s largest private transportation companies. The business will operate under the RMA Worldwide brand and will provide services from Boston to Richmond, and west to Los Angeles, and all major cities in between.“We are extremely excited to announce the acquisition of Addison Lee US,” says RMA Worldwide CEO Robert Alexander. “This lets us expand our footprint. We’ve been doing a lot of work in the New York market for years, working with some really great affiliates. It was the right opportunity at the right time.
Following the acquisition, RMA Worldwide will serve more than 25,000 clients and transport nearly 20,000,000 passengers each year. The privately held company will employ more than 1,000 people in the United States with annual revenues of more than $140 million, and will have offices in Boston, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, and Los Angeles.
“Providing our clients with exceptional customer service has always been our top priority. We look forward to bringing RMA’s commitment to excellence to all of Addison Lee’s clients and affiliates,” says Alexander.
A leader in private transportation services, RMA Worldwide provides reliable and professional chauffeured transportation around the world. RMA’s clientele includes Fortune 500 companies and executives, as well as high profile individuals working in finance, media, entertainment, sports, and university athletics. RMA's extensive fleet of more than 700 vehicles includes new executive sedans, SUVs, deluxe touring vans, and more than 150 late model mini-buses and full-sized motor coaches used to service over 30 charter and shuttle contracts with colleges, universities, private schools, municipalities, and building owners.
UK-based Addison Lee Group is one of the world’s largest ground transportation service providers. As part of the acquisition, RMA Worldwide and Addison Lee Group have agreed to a long-term strategic partnership. Both companies believe this partnership will allow them to better serve their clients on a worldwide scale.
Visit rmalimo.com for more information.
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ECHO AFC Transportation’s new Van Hool coaches Houston, Texas —Expanding his fleet with new equipment models is key to market success for leading Texas ground transportation provider and longtime ABC customer, ECHO AFC Transportation President and CEO John Ferrari. His company recently took delivery of 20 new Van Hool coaches over a two-month period. The new Van Hool CX45 coaches have been built to customer specifications designed to reflect ECHO AFC Transportation’s luxury brand image and reputation for a highline passenger experience. With 2019 business projections soaring ahead of expectations, Ferrari attributes fleet revitalization as a major factor in the company’s growth and brand building efforts.
“Catering to our customers’ preferences influences the way we spec our equipment and the feedback has been exceptional about the sleek and spacious cabin look on these new coaches,” said Ferrari.
The company leverages a variety of options to please passengers. The recently delivered coaches feature ECHO AFC Transportation’s custom black on black reflective graphics and paint scheme, with a range of interiors—some with leather insert seating and modified parcel racks, some with contoured parcel racks, and others with wheelchair lifts. All coaches were ordered with available advanced driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control and collision mitigation systems.
“Upgrading our assets has been pivotal in helping us secure new contracts, increase our rates and reap the business benefits of the latest and greatest onboard technologies,” said Ferrari.
He noted that customers want and expect the newest and best from their transportation experience. In addition to providing high style, comfort and digital amenities, the 2020 Van Hool coaches also integrate a reengineered driver’s area that gives his drivers a high degree of confidence and a sense of pride about the vehicles they drive.
“Drivers love the new look and feel of the dashboard,” commented Ferrari.
Interior of Van Hool CX45 coach People First, Safety Driven is the company mantra, and the new Van Hool coaches support that mission with a host of standard and optional features that are designed to enhance driver performance and passenger security. The new 2020 models integrate ABC’s RECON (Readiness for Emergency CONditions) options and feature 360-exterior-view cameras that give drivers a complete view around the vehicle, and capture incidents—providing accurate data about driver behaviors. Also, driver alerts and collision mitigation systems utilize the CX45’s new user-friendly digital dash to provide in-dash driver alerts for safe following distances, forward collision warning alerts, and more. ECHO AFC Transportation also upgraded the onboard REI entertainment system to enable customized safety messages, which provide date and time log verification of announcements. And, ABC’s new Immersive Ambient Lighting System featuring 12 selectable colors that can bathe the coach interior in programmable lighting schemes, adds dramatic lighting to these new coaches.
ABC offers a full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems through its optional RECON packages. RECON options can help increase driver awareness with driver alert displays that detect and warn drivers of potential risks. Available options include: 360 Exterior View Camera System; Side View Cameras; Driver Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control; available Mobileye provides Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCS), pedestrian & cyclist detection and over-speed warnings.
In addition to RECON options, a variety of other “smart-enabled” features will also be available from ABC this year. From bolt on systems that offer adjunct auxiliary power and more visibility into fleet operations, to its comprehensive asset management tool—ABC Connect—the company is focused on a number of new technology offerings in 2020.
“We have an incredible working relationship with John. We understand his brand and the company’s passion to offer the gold standard in ground transportation in his market,” said ABC Account Manager Greg Gates. “For 20 years we’ve been fortunate to help ECHO AFC Transportation build a prestigious fleet that has steadily become one of the largest and most prestigious throughout the state of Texas with expanding operations in Florida.”
Visit abc-companies.com for more information.
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