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Great Canadian Coaches added three 2019 Prevost H3-45coaches to their fleet St. Claire, Quebec—Great Canadian Coaches recently added three 2019 Prevost H3-45 models to its fleet bringing their coach count to 60—including the five H3-45 coaches delivered last year. Founded in 1984, by group tour veterans Larry and Lorna Hundt, the Kitchener, Ontario-based company is a member of the Trailways Transportation System.
“The purchase of the newest model coaches is in accordance with our company’s goal to adjust and modernize the fleet to 50 units while maintaining a strict 10-year model range. This new operating structure will include 42 Prevost H3-45s,” explained Great Canadian Coaches President Larry Hundt.
The Hundt’s longstanding relationship with Prevost dates back to 1990 when they purchased their first H-Series coach to run in Southern Ontario. Hundt says he chose the Prevost flagship coach for its large and inviting panoramic windows. “I wanted my customers to have the best scenic views and Prevost was the obvious choice to provide that feature,” said Hundt.
In addition to the Prevost Electric Fan Drive and standard safety systems, the new H3-45 models purchased by Great Canadian offer a surround-view camera system that provides the driver a full view of the areas immediately surrounding the coach.
The company plans to use the video feature to monitor driver performance regarding following distance and handling in tight spaces, in order to ultimately improve passenger comfort and safety.
The striking graphics that dress each Great Canadian coach denote the company’s pride in promoting Canadian unity. Their patriotism and creativity earned the Hundts the prestigious Meritorious Medal presented by Canada’s Governor General in 2018. The patriotic theme carries into the interior, where each custom-upholstered seat displays Canada’s iconic red maple leaf stitched onto the deep rich blue seating fabric and red piping.
Great Canadian Coaches serves a loyal customer base throughout Southern Ontario and in U.S. states along the border; providing group travel tours, transportation of in-bound international groups, corporate and sports team transport as well as airport transfers and custom charters.
Prevost H3-45s coach branded for All Aboard America!
Meanwhile, more than 3,000 miles south in Mesa, Ariz., All Aboard America! is acquiring four 2019 H3-45s this year to add to their predominantly Prevost fleet. The company currently offers coach charters, scheduled daily route and express service in rural communities, as well as contracted coach services for park and ride facilities, casino runs, employee shuttles, and custom contracts.
All Aboard America! takes pride in its original and unique graphic design plans that ensure no two coaches will look exactly alike.
“The most striking feature of these newest Prevost’s is their vibrant color schemes,” says General Manager Eugene Thomas. “One is painted neon Lamborghini yellow; the other a rich metallic copper with our trademark flourishes that really add spice to our branding.”
In addition to the head-turning colors, Thomas says the all-new black wheel rims add to the “hot rod” look. “This touch is creating a lot of buzz,” he says. “We are just trying features we think no one has seen to this point.”
The new H3-45s feature the standard Prevost Electric Fan Drive. All Aboard America! was the first operator to demo the fan drive system prior to production The company was so impressed, based on their technicians’ feedback, they decided to retrofit the fan assembly on a 2013 model H3-45.
Visit prevostcar.com for more information.
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A restored OmniRide bus in ABC’s maintenance facility
Woodbridge, Va.—ABC Companies recently completed a major bus overhaul contract for OmniRide, the operating name for the mobility services offered by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC). OmniRide’s goal is to provide safe, reliable, and flexible transportation options while helping to reduce congestion and pollution in one of the region's fastest growing areas. In 2018, OmniRide had more than 150 buses in its active fleet making over 2.5 million passenger trips. ABC Companies completed an earlier contract with the company, having successfully restored 65 vehicles for OmniRide/PRTC in 2015.
On this most recent project, ABC was selected via OmniRide’s extensive RFP bid process in 2017. The scope of work to be completed encompassed a full overhaul of twenty-three MCI D4500, model year 2008/2009 buses. The contract was managed, coordinated and conducted at ABC Companies Winter Garden, Fla., facility over a two-year period. From structural repairs and exterior paint and graphics, to electrical, mechanical, and interior restoration, the project refurbished the vehicles to extend their fleet life according to ABC Companies National Director of Operations, Southeast Region Ed Harmon.
ABC overhauled 23 MCI D4500 buses for OmniRide
“If you’ve ever been to a vintage car show and examined the condition of those beautifully restored vehicles, that’s pretty much what we’ve accomplished with the OmniRide restoration project,” said Harmon. From inside the engine compartment to the bus interior and exterior, these vehicles have been rebuilt, restored, and detailed.
Throughout the project, strict quality guidelines were followed in order to meet or exceed quality standards. An in-house inspector contracted by OmniRide conducted on-site inspections at the ABC Florida facility on a daily basis throughout the entire project. ABC’s Service Department utilized high-tech equipment throughout the restoration including for example; laser alignment technology, which compensates for environmental variances, and ensures proper axle alignment by greatly reducing the margin for error.
“After sale support, a commitment to quality and responsive customer service are the priorities,” says Harmon. “It has been a rewarding process that matches well with ABC’s work ethic and quality standards. We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with OmniRide and look forward to supporting their fleet via future contracts.”
Visit abc-companies.com for more information.
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The MCI D45 CRT LE coach participated in the NCIL March & Rally
Des Plaines, Ill.— For the second year in a row, Motor Coach Industries (MCI) brought its MCI D45 CRT LE to the National Council on Independent Living’s (NCIL) March & Rally July 23 at the U.S. Capitol. The newly designed motorcoach was the only vehicle appearing at the event, which hosts more than 1,000 people with disabilities, disability advocates and allies, members of Congress, and government officials. The 1.5-mile march marked the 29th anniversary of the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed on July 26, 1990.
The MCI D45 CRT represents the biggest change to bus design since MCI built the very first highway bus with a wheelchair lift, pioneering the first inboard-based elevator lift six years ahead of the ADA. NCIL’s leadership advised on design of this revolutionary new commuter coach, which is built for highway speeds and features the first-ever second door with patented curb-level Low-Entry Vestibule with seating for improved ADA accessibility.
MCI has positioned its newest coach as the vehicle of choice for public and private transportation systems, serving a workforce of all ability levels. Offering sleek, contemporary exterior styling, the coach also sports techie- and millennial-friendly features, including cabin-wide Wi-Fi, power outlets, USB ports at each seat, and optional bike racks.
NCIL Executive Director Kelly Buckland, who uses a wheelchair, was one of many volunteers for the disability community that evaluated concepts and final prototype design.
“One of the things we learned was how valuable the engagement and feedback would be from everyday users of our vehicles for accessibility features. NCIL and others were directly reviewing our design as it developed. They told us it is still not common to make user groups part of the design process in transportation, an important part of a person’s independence,” said MCI Vice President of Public Sector Tom Wagner.
NCIL’s leadership advised on design of the MCI D45 CRT “MCI is exceptionally proud to return as the pace bus for the March to the U.S. Capitol for this reason. We are very proud of this coach and the one-of-a-kind collaboration that built it,” said Buckland. “You will see many transit agencies with accessibility committees that involve groups like ours, but this is the first time we’ve worked directly with a major manufacturer of motor coaches to design a vehicle from Day One. The MCI D45 CRT LE addresses the day-to-day challenges people with disabilities face. MCI offered us unprecedented access to their process and incorporated our feedback throughout. And that is why this coach is part of the March to the U.S. Capitol.”
Featuring a curb-level ramp requiring minimal operator support, the coach allows passengers with mobility devices to board through a mid-coach door that opens directly into a same-level, patent-pending low floor entry (LE) vestibule. The vestibule offers passenger seating, including for those using mobility devices, plus companion seating, and amenities including power outlet access. The coach also offers the manual Q’Straint wheelchair securement system as standard and the automated Quantum securement system as on option for the rear-facing position on the right of the vestibule.
Since its unveiling in fall 2017, the MCI D45 CRT LE has joined public transit fleets and the private commuter service of a Silicon Valley giant.
Visit mcicoach.com for more information.
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