FYI from MCI Spring Edition 2020

FROM

FYI

Spring 2020

MCI CUSTOMER CENTRIC MODEL

TRAINING CAMP

MAINTENANCE MATTERS

Technical teams, new programs, apps keep fleets rolling.

Training Schedule through May 2020.

Taking the Byte out of coolant temperatures with the new MCI electric EFAN cooling system.

© 2020 Motor Coach Industries International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FROM

FYI

THE ONE TO TRUST FOR SUPERIOR SERVICE – MCI

Throughout its history, MCI has ruled the road by building reliable coaches, introducing industry-leading innovations and providing expert technical, parts, training and service support to extend every coach’s useful life.

In 2020, MCI is offering even quicker response from an organization that has everything you need to keep your fleet on the move.

In this issue you’ll learn about all the ways MCI’s service and support structure offers you a more personalized experience. You’ll also see how MCI’s move to battery-electric models later this year meets the motor coach industry’s greener goals.

Keep reading to learn how the MCI’s electric E-FAN system, now standard on 2019 or newer coach models, improves reliability and contributes to even greater Low Total Cost of Operation.

But first, we invite you to click here to view our video for UMA Expo 2020, where you’ll see the enthusiasm coworkers at MCI and NFI Parts bring to their jobs to serve you with the best products in the industry.

For MCI, “Life is a Highway,” and we’re honored to having you riding with us.

Enjoy this issue and thank you for your loyal support of MCI.

2

Powering your success

Next-gen clean diesel and 100% battery electric With powertrains that redefine road readiness, MCI’s intelligently engineered 2020 models do more for your fleet. You’ll get MCI’s proven reliability, along with differentiating features that add to your bottom line, including low total cost of operation, industry-leading interior space, collision mitigation, responsive technical support, roadside assistance, and NFI Parts’ commitment to best-in-industry value.

Make your next power move MCI. Visit mcicoach.com to learn more.

3

J3500 D45 CRTe LE CHARGE

CONTENTS Spring 2020

4

34

MCI BUILDS ON CUSTOMER-CENTRIC, RESPONSIVE SERVICE AND SUPPORT MODEL

MAINTENANCE MATTERS TAKING THE BYTE OUT OF COOLANT TEMPERATURES WITH THE NEW MCI ELECTRIC EFAN COOLING SYSTEM

14

TRAIN

10

ING CAMP

MCI RINGS IN 2020 BATTERY ELECTRIC, NEW TELEMATICS AND NEXT-GEN D-SERIES COACHES

MCI BUILDS ON CUSTOMER-CENTRIC, RESPONSIVE SERVICE AND SUPPORT MODEL

TECHNICAL TEAMS, NEW PROGRAMS, APPS KEEP FLEETS ROLLING Knowing that motor coach customers seek out those manufacturers who demonstrate expertise in both coach sales and support, MCI’s leadership is prioritizing and personalizing the customer service experience, enhancing 24/7 responsiveness with a cohesive approach to support and maintenance and repairs.

MCI’s service and support strategy combines expert, round-the-clock technical support and roadside assistance; parts, service and training options; and mobile apps that put information in the hands of drivers and operators.

MCI covers its customers in a myriad of ways:

WHAT REALLY MAKES MCI SERVICE SUPPORT RELIABILITY DRIVEN

• For diagnostic or roadside assistance, the MCI staff of professional service engineers is available 24/7 by calling MCI Technical Support at 800-241-2947.

RESPONSIVE TEAM uTechnical and roadside assistance 24/7: call 800-241-2947 u A Technical Solutions Manager for coach system orientations and trouble-shooting u Parts Solution Manager at NFI Parts assists TSMs when necessary, offers seasonal specials, parts kits, mid-life overhauls, fast delivery uMore than 126 MCI Service Center factory-trained technicians

NEW PROGRAMS

• MCI boasts the industry’s largest team of Technical Solution Managers (TSMs), regional professionals who help smooth the way with new-coach deliveries and orientations. TSMs also react in coach down situations and help operators with various technical matters.

u MCI Service Center pre-owned coach loaners available on a limited basis u Improving the skills of technicians and drivers with Level 3 to 1 and Master certificate programs from ASE accredited MCI Academy along with U.S. Department of Labor registered Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship Program and NEW high-voltage safety, and battery-electric training

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY u MCI Connect Telematics in beta testing for improved monitoring and diagnostics u MCI Companion and MCI Motorcoach Operators Apps

4

• MCI Service Centers now offer pre-owned coaches as loaners, available on a limited basis, to operators who may need help to meet their fleet needs and schedules.

• NFI Parts supplies the industry with the widest selection of OEM parts for all makes and models of coaches, transit buses and cutaways with parts availability at all MCI Service Centers as well as by phone and online. NFI Parts also offers monthly and seasonal special offers, and parts kits like the new solar charger to reduce jump starts and mid-life overhaul programs. In addition, NFI Parts has a continuous-improvement culture, resulting in shorter delivery times and other customer benefits.

• Supported by a six-member Field Quality Management Engineering team, led by MCI Winnipeg factory career-veteran Bruce Malcolm, MCI Warranty can be easily reached by calling 800-2412947 or emailing Warranty@mcicoach.com. Customers may now order warranty parts free of charge.

• Recognizing that talented technicians and drivers are scarce resources, the MCI Academy is designed to help operators attract, develop and retain technicians and drivers. The ASE accredited MCI Academy develops technicians’ repair skills, and drivers can now take advantage of a new, no-cost, online Motorcoach Operator Certificate Program covering topics from safety to FMCSA theory training for new CDL applicants. See the full training schedule here.

MCI Academy’s two-day regional Tech Tune Up session, which took place February 11-12 at Northwestern suburban Chicago’s MCI Service Center in Des Plaines, Illinois, included 14 technicians from eight Midwest motor coach companies. Regional training in Alaska and Canada will be held March 17-18. The Academy also hosts sessions at its Louisville, Kentucky training center and onsite at customer locations.

5

• A new MCI Motorcoach Operator’s App enables drivers to easily access instructional videos and MCI Drivers’ Guides.

Strengthening service – and the team behind it MCI sees its service model as only as good as the people behind it. In early 2019, Patrick Scully added MCI’s Field Service and Service Centers to his responsibilities and a new title - Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service. This consolidation helped strengthen MCI’s 2018 move to bring Field Service Support, which includes MCI’s technical call center; TSMs, warranty and training, back to an OEM function.

The changes are leading to greater field responsiveness, faster improvements to coach models, lower warranty claims, greater engagement with longtime customers, and new customers seeking the best sales, service and parts teams in the industry.

TSMs—a personalized approach “We’ve taken a regional-team approach in supporting our customers, and we’re finding it goes a long way in building confidence in MCI – it also builds a personalized approach to every sale and service contact,” said Scully. “Over the past year, we’ve worked very hard at forming a seamless service and support structure, and it’s exciting to see how well our teams have stepped up to help one another in the field for the benefit of our customers.”

MCI is also building stronger relationships with suppliers. MCI’s Technical Solutions Managers (TSMs) have front-line communication with all suppliers’ reps including Cummins engine and electronics leader REI. “No matter what the issue is, our TSMs find the solution faster by working with the right people,” says Steve Batho, MCI Director of Technical Support. Batho leads a 51-member service team that includes 22 TSMs. “Their knowledge of coach systems is truly vast. Our experts work closely with MCI’s technical support phone center, NFI Parts reps and MCI Service Center managers so customers receive a fast, unified response in coach down situations.”

MCI TSMs are also actively involved in testing the latest technologies in new MCI models. From demonstrations of battery-electric models coming online in 2020 to beta field tests of new MCI Connect Telematics diagnostics systems and NFI Parts’ new heavy-duty solar charger system kits, MCI TSMs are behind every new product, collecting vital data for continuous improvement.

TSMs are also key in integrating field information with factory engineering teams to help quickly determine root cause and develop solutions. “Our TSMs are the eyes and ears for our products in the field, and that information goes directly to our engineering groups at the factory,” Scully explains. “Everything our operators experience in the garage or on the road has an open line of connection with decision makers at headquarters, which helps bring quality products to market faster.”

Service Centers: A strong national service model with local roots MCI’s seven North American Service Centers play an equally large role in improving MCI products and service.

6

MCI Service Centers and Managers (shown here with MCI’s executive leadership at headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois) play an equally large role in service support, offering personalized and customized service to meet regional needs, including expanded hours when necessary. Each MCI Service Center also offers NFI Parts supply, factory-trained technicians and the newest diagnostic equipment for engine repair, brake service, air systems and HVAC services, audio/visual installation, upgrades, electrical and multiplexing troubleshooting, full warranty service and heavy-duty repairs.

If you want to see the future of MCI onsite parts support, service and training, look no further than the San Francisco Bay Area location in Hayward, California. MCI invested nearly $3 million in the twostory, 34,000-square-foot complex at 4120 Point Eden Way, which opened in 2017. The facility has hosted the launch of the battery-electric D45 CRTe LE and several key regional meetings for industry associations including a recent open house for California’s Limousine Association.

“We’re in the middle of a comprehensive OEM branding strategy at other MCI Service Center locations to mirror our Hayward feel and customer experience,” said Mike Apple, MCI Vice President of Pre-Owned Coaches and MCI Service Centers. “And we believe in customizing our offerings to serve the exact needs of these communities.”

7

Here’s how that works: • The big story at Hayward is long-distance employee commuter shuttles that not only require maintenance agreements but flexible service hours to meet the needs of the greater Bay Area, which includes Silicon Valley’s biggest employers.

• At the Dallas MCI Service Center, there’s a growing segment of limousine operators with coach fleets, and complete coach maintenance agreements are growing in popularity. To accommodate the business, Dallas offers basic turnaround services – coach cleaning including full-service lavatory maintenance. Business is good, and MCI Dallas recently started a second shift to meet the demand.

• Northwest of Chicago, the Des Plaines, Illinois Service Center is where you’ll find MCI’s Manager of Heavy-Duty and Collision Repair Cary Kadyschuk, who started his career on the MCI factory floor in Winnipeg. His expertise makes an enormous difference when evaluating jobs and making repairs to OEM standards.

• MCI’s Montreal Service Center provides service to all brands of coaches operating in Canada’s busiest tourist province. It’s a busy, one-stop shop for bus wash, lavatory and fuel service 24/7.

This location also rebuilds and retrofits all models of coaches for operators throughout its region.

“We’re getting closer than ever to our customers and building our sales, service and support model around them,” says Apple. “It requires more attention to each region, but it’s working for us. And it’s helping customers build their businesses – they consider MCI their partner, even if they’re not running MCI exclusively.”

Throughout North America, MCI Service Centers employ 126 MCI factory-trained technicians - including experts at heavy-duty body work - in Des Plaines, Illinois; Orlando, Florida; Los Alamitos, California; Hayward, California; Blackwood, New Jersey; Dallas, Texas, and Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Technicians are required to complete 40 hours of training annually through ASE-accredited MCI Academy, which also extends regional training opportunities to its regional customers onsite at each MCI Service Center.

“We’re going to continue evaluating and building our business around what operators need most,” said Apple. “You only make money when equipment is on the move. MCI understands that, and that’s why our pre-owned and service model is focused on keeping customers’ fleets rolling.”

At the past two annual sales meetings at MCI, attendees not only included executives and sales representatives, but TSMs and management at MCI Service Centers. It’s a new approach, and it’s working. “We’ve created a culture entirely around customer response,” says Scully. “At MCI, we have a big group of doers, and we’re all moving in the same direction to deliver greater growth in 2020 and beyond.” 

8

MCI Serv

MCI Service Centers Reliable support to meet your fleet needs

Choose the leader in service and repair, MCI MCI Service Centers have everything you need to keep your coaches on the go.

Our factory-trained technicians inspect, clean, repair, paint and rebuild to OEM standards. And when repairs affect your schedule, we even provide a pre-owned loaner coach on a limited basis* to keep you rolling. MCI can even customize a

Download the

preventative maintenance package for your fleet. So, no matter how big or small

for fast access to

your service needs are, there is no better place to service your coach than at an

MCI Companion App service and technical support.

MCI Service Center. Call 888-912-9983 to book your appointment today.

mcicoach.com

vice Center ad_app_BMN.indd 1

(*Some restrictions apply.)

9

7/17/19

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

MCI RINGS IN 2020 WITH A DECADE'S WORTH OF ADVANCES: BATTERY ELECTRIC, NEW TELEMATICS AND NEXT-GEN D-SERIES COACHES TO ROLL INTO A NEW ERA MCI'S LEADING PRODUCT LINE DELIVERS NEW STANDARDS IN LUXURY, RELIABILITY AND LOW TOTAL COST OF OPERATION

Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., ("NFI"), one of the world's largest independent global bus manufacturers, is setting new standards in zero emissions highway transportation, operator efficiency and uncompromising service in 2020. Rolling out its biggest year of product launches in nearly nine decades, MCI introduces its first battery-electric models in the new year.

10

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

And that's just the start.

For motor coach operators, 2020 offers an opportunity to explore new markets and territories with an expanded MCI vehicle lineup that leverages the company's long-held reputation for leading coach models, customer support, parts, service, training and best-in-industry low Total Cost of Operation (TCO).

"MCI is entering a time of extraordinary innovation that supports new markets in over-the-road transportation, and everything we're designing and building today is intended to help operators support their customer base and expand into new markets," explains Ian Smart, MCI President.

"As part of NFI Group, MCI is bringing more resources, expertise and shared experience in the North American coach and bus market than any other competitor in design and technology for low operating cost."

Patrick Scully, MCI Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Customer Service, affirms that 2020 will not only deliver advancements in product but also in aftersales service support.

"We have expanded hours of operation and enhanced service offerings at MCI Service Centers together with a focus on delivering technical field solutions quickly and efficiently through our field service team. We've been working to deliver the best product and service network in North America with day-to-day support that operators need from the largest most experienced field service base in the industry, and we see 2020 as a continuation of that effort," says Scully.

Here's what's coming in 2020: MCI goes battery-electric: MCI will debut its battery-electric J4500e and D45 CRTe LE CHARGE coaches; with units on the road in demonstrations and testing in 2020, primarily with operators offering commuter or employee transportation programs. MCI augments its electric coach offerings working closely with sister company New Flyer, which builds the battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses equipped with XALT USA-made batteries, and its Infrastructure Solutions team to help develop successful deployment of electric charging infrastructures to operators' specifications.

MCI's J4500e and D45 CRTe LE battery electric models are designed for operators with intercity and long-distance routes and varying operating conditions. While the J4500e will deliver maximum battery-electric range to the employee and commuter shuttle market, the MCI D45 CRTe LE offers zero-emissions capability in a Buy America compliant coach with unprecedented accessibility for all passengers — including those using mobility aids — thanks to a mid-coach Low-Entry vestibule with seating and retractable ramp access that allows faster boarding for all passengers.

Orders are being taken now for both CHARGE coaches.

11

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T. Emphasis on reliability, easy maintenance and fuel economy: The 2020 MCI J4500 and new J3500 offer parts compatibility, and new technologies that make the industry's best-selling coach family even more reliable. The swing-out electric e-Fan cooling package launched last year, is available to help fuel efficiency on both models, while the J4500 now features the lighter, more efficient X12 Cummins engine as standard.

Opening new markets: New J-Series coaches also deliver MCI luxury with something extra: best-inclass legroom, seating and luggage capacity for groups that want to go big — or a little smaller. In 2019, MCI turned its product-tailoring strengths to help customers grow in the luxury coach market, as well as give operators a small-group option with its J3500 coach. Today, MCI's new Livery Edition line offers new and pre-owned buyer's models with sleek, all-black exteriors and high-end cabin touches including diamond-stitched leather seating. MCI builds new J-Series stock Livery Edition models throughout the year for inventory, while its pre-owned division converts wellmaintained J4500s into Livery Editions per operator specifications.

Data-driven transportation leadership: Available as standard equipment on some 2020 MCI J4500 models and planned for a full 2021 launch, MCI Connect Telematics will help support

improved uptime and responsiveness by predicting failures, updating key systems remotely and collecting important operating data for operators. Beta testing is underway, with over 200 units in the field; MCI field support, technical service and ERSA teams will use the Telematics information to improve responsiveness and diagnostics of vehicle field issues.

MCI's million-mile testing of coaches with the new system have shown that combination of MCI Connect Telematics, J4500 Cummins X12 and new eFan system delivers an astounding 10% overall fuel economy improvement versus the prior Cummins ISX engine with e-Fan. Operators are invited to speak to their MCI sales representatives to learn about or test the easyto-use MCI Connect app and web portal and participate in using and providing input to improve system functionality.

At MCI, it's safety first, safety always: MCI continues its ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) leadership with next-generation collision mitigation. Operators can select our Bendix 12

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T. Fusion option, which integrates a forward-facing camera with vehicle recognition software to detect and help stop the coach to avoid stationary objects, recognize traffic signs and offer warnings on lane changes to drivers. A state-of-the-art 360-degree camera is also available as an option to provide a bird's eye view around the coach for better maneuvering at low speeds.

A next-generation D-Series: The popular MCI Commuter Coach offers even greater options in 2020 with a D45 CRT LE that can be equipped with either clean diesel or battery electric and the all-new model variants of the next-generation D-Series to fit operator needs. The D4520 highfloor, tour, charter and line-haul focused coach and the D45 CRT high-floor Commuter Coach for public transit will launch later in 2020.

Wider inventory, easy ordering with NFI Parts: MCI's alignment with NFI Parts provides complete inventory, fast delivery, industry leading orders systems and savings for customers. NFI Parts is an OE supplier of MCI parts and has multi-brand bus and coach parts always in stock to accommodate operators with diverse fleets for one-stop shopping and value.

24/7 MCI service as close as your driver's smartphone: The new MCI Operators App from NFI Parts offers instant access to drivers guides, instructional videos and more. That's in addition to expert technical assistance, emergency roadside assistance and industry-leading rapid response on all service issues from MCI, which offers the largest, most extensive in-field technical support team in North America coupled with expert maintenance and heavy-duty repair at MCI Sales and Service Centers across North America. The new App is downloadable at the App store or Google Play.

Top training for your team at MCI Academy: MCI Academy is home to the motor coach industry's only ASE accredited training program and the only Motor Coach Technician Apprenticeship

Program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. MCI Academy not only helps operators preserve their hard-working, multi-brand fleets—it also helps operators train, attract and retain top technicians. 

13

TRAI N I NG CAM P

Amerex Fire Suppression System Inspection Qualification Training Amerex Fire Suppression Systems must be inspected and serviced at required intervals by qualified and trained technicians. Failure to perform and document these required inspections can release Amerex from any responsibility if a system fails. Previously, this training was provided only by Amerex, but MCI Academy has added LMS Course 07.601.2 Amerex Fire Suppression System Inspection Qualification to its curriculum. Co-developed by MCI Academy and Alan Fulton, project manager of vehicle systems at Amerex, students completing this coursework will be tracked by Amerex quarterly. If you haven’t been inspecting your systems, enroll your technicians in this MCI Academy coursework today.

High Voltage Safety Training With electric coaches entering the market, operator management, staff and technical teams need to understand the full range of operational, repair and safety issues associated with high voltage vehicle systems. MCI Academy now offers its first all-electric curriculum beginning with three courses to prepare technicians and operators for the first electric coaches in their fleets. One course is designed for managers and supervisors, another for employees who may enter the work area, and the third for technicians working directly on these systems. The Managers course and the staff course, also known as the “Unqualified” course, are available at no charge in the MCI LMS and the technician (“Qualified”) training consists of eight hours of training at a fee. No other manufacturer but MCI offers this type of High Voltage Safety training.

14

X12 Courses MCI started installing Cummins X12 engines in the model year 2020 coaches. 18 courses are available in the Cummins Engine Course Catalog at MCI Academy.

Announcing the Motorcoach Operator Certificate Program for Drivers!

New for 2020 is the 100% LMS-based Motorcoach Operator Certificate Program. It provides a structured training program for motorcoach drivers similar to the Technician Certificate Program and consists of four different certificate levels. Each certificate consists of several lessons with a quiz that must be passed to advance to the next level, though the lessons don’t have to be completed in any particular order within each individual certificate. This four-certificate program allows operators to standardize the knowledge of their technical teams. The LMS allows companies to track the training of all Motorcoach Operators throughout their career since no MCI Academy LMS accounts are ever deleted.

Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship Program Having a hard time finding qualified technicians? Then create your own training program through MCI Academy’s registered Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship program with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This five-year program includes over 800 hours of training and allows technicians to earn all the System Qualifications, Technician Level Certificates, Specialist Diplomas and a Journeyworker designation from DOL. This program is available at no charge.

MCI’s full schedule of courses offered through the MCI Academy and hands-on Tech Tune-Up sessions can be found at www.mciacademy.com. This website is where you’ll find all that MCI offers to make your technicians, drivers and shop staff the industry’s best. Our online, anytime Learning Management System (LMS) modules help technicians, owners and others get to know their MCI coaches inside and out. All training opportunities are offered at no cost to MCI Customers. Check out the website, mark your calendars, and make your plans. Chances are there’s a learning opportunity that’s just right for you.

15

Training Schedule (through 5/24) MCI Academy Courses – MCI National Training Center, Louisville, Kentucky • March 2-6 – Electrical 201 (Specialist Diploma) • March 10-13 – HVAC 101 (Specialist Diploma) • March 16-20 – Electrical 201 (Specialist Diploma) • March 16-20 – Tech 3 (Certificate) • March 30-April 3 – Electrical 101 (Specialist Diploma) • March 30-April 3 – Tech 2a (Certificate) • April 6-10 – Tech 1b (Certificate) • April 13-17 – Electrical 301 (Specialist Diploma) • April 13-17 – HVAC 301 (Specialist Diploma) • April 13-17 – Tech 2b (Certificate) • May 4-8 – HVAC 201 (Specialist Diploma) • May 4-8 – Tech 3 (Certificate) • May 11-15 – Electrical 301 (Specialist Diploma) • May 12-15 – HVAC 101 (Specialist Diploma) • May 18-22 – Electrical 201 (Specialist Diploma)

MCI Regional Technical Tune-ups – MCI Sales and Service Centers • March 17-18 – Montreal, Quebec (French) • March 17-18 – Alaska

Congratulations to our Graduates Meet Evan McIntire of Quick-Livick Inc., parent of Staunton, VA-based Quick’s Bus Company. Evan is the first Master Technician graduated by MCI Academy, the first training program in the motor coach industry to be accredited by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Professionals like Evan are one of the reasons why Quick’s has been on the road for more than 60 years – behind every great coach operator, there’s a great technical team. Evan completed all of MCI Academy’s Technician Level programs and received his Specialist Diploma in December. MCI congratulates Evan and the entire Quick-Livick organization for recognizing the value of consistent, state-of-the-art training in recruiting and retaining the best motor coach talent. 

16

STAY ON SCHEDULE:

NEW MCI COMPARISON VIDEO DEMONSTRATES HOW BREAKTHROUGH BOARDING TECHNOLOGY ON THE D45 CRT LE COMMUTER COACH LOWERS DWELL TIMES

This time-elapsed video illustrates an approximate four minute advantage in loading a passenger in a mobility device on the D45 CRT LE vs using a traditional wheelchair lift.

Take a look at our time-elapsed video comparing the process of securing a passenger with a wheelchair on a conventional high-floor coach, involving a multi-step process, versus the breakthrough low-entry vestibule technology design on the D45 CRT LE where boarding is radically easier.

Altoona-tested, ADA- and Buy America-compliant, MCI’s next-generation D45 CRT LE Commuter Coach, offers modern styling and rider comfort with passenger accessibility via a second door with a low-entry automatic ramp system to match low-floor transit bus dwell times.

The D45 CRT LE also features a shorter turning radius than the current MCI D-Series models to better navigate city streets. Enhanced interior illumination and new standard LED headlights are brighter to enhance visibility for off-weather daytime conditions and night driving. A wider front door with an ergonomic spiral entryway also features enhanced illumination on the stairwell. 

17

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

MCI Launc ches Motorcoach Te echnician App pprenticeship Program Registered with the U.S. Department of Labor Combines education courses and work-based learning to complete Journeyworker Certification in five-year program

by Pat Plodzeen Photos courtesy of MCI

T

h e M C I A c a d e m y – t h e f i r s t m o t o rcoach training program to earn Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) a c c re d i t a t i o n i n 2 0 1 7 – i s b re a k i n g m o re new ground with a new U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) national registered Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship Program.

Intended to promote top maintenance of motorcoaches, the program allows participating operators to offer apprenticeships to recruit new entrants into the industry and e s t a b l i s h a c a re e r- p a t h f o r t e c h n i c i a n s already on staff that has not existed before.

“Apprenticeships are available for more than a thousand occupations from electricians to precision machinists that demand h i g h s k i l l s b u t n o t a l w a y s a f o u r- y e a r degree,” said Scott Crawford, MCI manager of technical training, who worked with the Kentucky Division of Apprenticeship and TransPORTs, a U.S. DOL Office of Apprent i c e s h i p n a t i o n a l i n d u s t r y p a r t n e r, t o develop and register the program. “Apprenticeships appeal to high-school graduates, veterans and others who prefer to earn while they learn without running up student debt.

We’re excited to offer the program to industry operators as well as technicians employed by MCI.” “MCI Academy’s commitment to its workforce and partner employers by offering this new national Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship program reflects our state’s leadership in supporting innovative, indust r y - re s p o n s i v e a p p re n t i c e s h i p p ro g r a m development,” said Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Derrick Ramsey. “We are proud to s u p p o r t M C I A c a d em y a s a n e w n a t i o n a l program sponsor and look forward to many K e n t u c k i a n s t a k i n g a d v an t a g e o f t h i s n e w opportunity.”

TransPORTs provided extensive technical assistance and targeted incentive funding to help MCI create and launch its new n a t i o n a l p ro g r a m . “ A p p re n t i c e s h i p i s a proven model for building a stronger, more skilled talent pipeline,” said TransPORTs Executive Director Barbara Murray. “MCI A c a d e m y c a n l o o k f o r w a rd t o c re a t i n g a f u t u re - re a d y g e n e r a t i o n o f s k i l l e d , l o y a l m o t o rc o a c h t e c h n i c i a n s a s a re s u l t o f i t s n e w n a t i o n a l a p p re n t i c e s h i p p ro g r a m . ” A c c o rd i n g t o U S D O L , 9 1 p e rc e n t o f a p p re n t i c e s re m a i n o n t h e j o b l o n g a f t e r completing the program.

Matt Young was hired a year ago by Miller Transportation in Louisville, Kentucky. Miller operates a fleet of 107 motorcoaches, 183 school buses plus shuttle and transit buses. Miller became one of the first operators to enroll someone into the MCI Academy Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship Program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor when they entered Matt Young into the program.

T h e p ro g r a m b u i l d s o n c u r r i c u l u m already available through MCI Academy offering a tiered structured learning path with 800 hours of online Learning Management System (LMS) c ourses (including 200 hours in safety courses) and weeklong training events at MCI’s Louisville, Kentucky-based National Training Center to earn Tech 3, 2 and 1 with 16 system qualification certificates including HVAC and National Bus Trader / May, 2019 • 25

18

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

electrical systems, coupled with on-the-job training hours.

The one- through five-year Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship Program offers a tiered structured learning path with 800 hours of online and classroom course work and week-long training events at MCI Academy based in Louisville, Kentucky. Attendees earn Tech 3, 2 and 1 with 16 system qualification certificates including HVAC and electrical systems, combined with work-based training hours to receive Journey Worker certification from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Matt Young (left), a quick service mechanic from an automobile dealership, was hired a year ago

by Greg Miller (right), director of fleet operations at Miller Transportation in Louisville, Kentucky.

Young is among the first to enroll in the MCI Academy Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship Program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor.

26 • National Bus Trader / May, 2019

19

MCI apprenticeship candidates must be working for a motorcoach industry employer participating in MCI’s apprenticeship program. Participating employers will pay their apprentices’ wages, provide the on-the-job learning (OJL) training portion of the apprenticeship program and assign a mentor to each apprentice. Participating mentors will complete an instructional orientation session and w i l l b e re s p o n s i b l e f o r v e r i f y i n g t h a t t h e apprentice has mastered the required level of expertise within the five-year program to earn Journeyworker certification. Program g r a d u a t e s a re p ro j e c t e d t o e a r n b e t w e e n $40,000-$60,000 or more based on location.

Each employer will also cover travel costs to L o u i s v i l l e , w h e re M C I A c a d e m y ’ s m a i n training center is located. MCI Academy will p ro v i d e t h e re q u i re d re l a t e d t e c h n i c a l instruction (RTI) at no fee for MCI operators.

MCI stresses that this program is available to any operator participating in MCI’s Apprenticeship Program.

Louisville’s Miller Transportation, with a 1 0 7 - m o t o rc o a c h f l e e t , 1 8 3 s c h o o l b u s e s , plus shuttle and transit buses, is one of the f i r s t p a r t i c i p a t i n g o p e r a t o r s t o e n ro l l a r e c r u i t i n t o t h e M o t o r c o a c h Te c h n i c i a n A p p r e n t i c e s h i p P r o g r a m . G r e g M i l l e r, director of fleet operations, explained that Matt Young, a quick service mechanic from

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

a n a u t o m o b i l e d e a l e r s h i p w h o w a s h i re d a year ago as a charter check technician, shows the “talent and character” qualifying

him for apprenticeship. “It’s important to us to foster his growth, and I expect him at the completion of this program to be able

One of the strong points of the Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship Program is that it takes advantage of modern digital and online help and assistance. The program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. MCI does not charge for the training portion of the program, but employers will be responsible for travel costs and other expenses.

t o d i a g n o s e a n d re p a i r a n y i s s u e w e s e e with our fleet,” said Miller. “ We s e e M C I A c a d e m y a s a n i n v e s t m e n t i n t h e f u t u re o f t h e c h a n g i n g m o t o rc o a c h i n d u s t r y, ” s a i d C r a w f o r d . “ T h e industry needs top trained technicians to keep fleets moving, but we also want to c o m m u n i c a t e t h a t m o t o rc o a c h t e c h n i c i a n c a re e r s a re w e l l - p a y i n g j o b s w i t h b r i g h t f u t u re s . ” For full details on the Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship Program please email S c o t t . C r a w f o rd @ m c i c o a c h . c o m , o r v i s i t www.mciacademy.com to schedules for all other training sessions. ❑

AIR C O N D I T I O N I N G • • • NEED NOT BE DIFFICULT!! CALL WELCH INDUSTRIES FOR COMPRESSORS, CONDENSER COILS, HOSE & CONVERSION KITS, EXPANSION VALVES, AUXILIARY AIR CONDITIONING UNITS AND GOOD ADVICE ON A/C MAINTENANCE.

WELCH INDUSTRIES 650 Red Oak Rd., Stockbridg e , G A 3 0 2 8 1 Te Tel. l 770-4 474 1150 el.

770 474-1150 4

Reprinted with permission from National Bus Trader.

Temsa T emsa TS TS 3 35 5f for or s sale ale From the

May,

2012 42 012 Temsa Temsa TS TS 35 35 185,760 - 1198.599 185,760 98.599 miles miles 2019 $165.000-$175,000 $165.000-$175,000

Issue of

40 p 40 passenger assenger c capacity apacity 110 outlets 110 outlets

4 REI REI Video Video Monitors Monitors National Bus Trader Side Side Shades Shades D river Partition Pa rtition 9698 W. Judson Road • Polo, Driver Illinois 61064 A Alcoa lcoa W Wheels heels Located in Located in San San Francisco Francisco CA CA Ph: (815) 946-2341 Fx: (815) 946-2347

Cont nt tact a Abdul Khan K 415-915-9732 AKhan@hallcon.com www.busmag.com

National Bus Trader / May, 2019 • 27

20

It’s grow time

Move up to an MCI Livery Edition J-Series Coach When you purchase an MCI J-Series Livery Coach, you don’t just add capacity to your fleet. You add reliability. MCI makes ownership as easy as possible, starting with the coach itself—both our 35- or 45-foot models offer comfortable seating, state-of-the-art safety technology, and a smooth, quiet ride. Just as importantly, each MCI coach delivers low total cost of operation, along with a service and support network designed to maximize your ownership experience—even if it’s your first time owning a motor coach. Our field and technical support team can assist with establishing your service program. Plus with 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, we’ve got your back, and can even help train technicians or pre-qualify your drivers at the MCI Academy.

See what an MCI can do for your fleet today. Visit mcicoach.com/livery.

Request a Motorcoach Purchase & Readiness Checklist

21

Congratulations to these MCI is honored to be in the fleets of many of these companies recognized with prestigious awards during January 2020 industry meetings that included American Bus Association’s Marketplace and IMG’s Maintenance & Safety Forum, held in Omaha, NE, and UMA EXPO which took place in Nashville, TN. MCI celebrates your passion for innovation, service and safety and congratulates you on your award.

BISC Norm Littler Memorial Safety Award

MCI Motorcoach Driver of the Year Award

Carmen Daecher Daecher Consulting

Tom McGlynn

Camp Hill, PA

Anderson Coach & Travel

Greenville, PA

BusRide Magazine’s Good Stewardship Award

Women in Buses Award Kim Grzywacz CIT Signature Transportation

John Oakman Independent Bus Company Inc & J & J Transit Inc./A Coach USA Co.

Ames, IA

Elizabeth, NJ

Groups TODAY! Award

IMG 2020 Spirit Award

Bob Roger’s Tours

Karst Stage

Naperville, IL

Bozeman, MT

MCI Leadership & Environmental Sustainability Award

IMG 2020 Safety Award

Coach USA

Garden Grove, CA

Pacific Coachways

Paramus, NJ

Metro Innovative Operator Award GoPegasus Orlando, FL

22

industry award winners!

Vision Award

John McCommon

BUSRide Motorcoach Industry Achievement Award

Cline Tours

Marcia Milton

Large Fleet Operator

Ridgeland, MS

First Priority Trailways District Heights, MD

Vision Award

Small Fleet Operator

METRO Magazine Operator of the Year

Charles (Chuck) Rustad

Stephen Story

Rustad Tours

James River Transportation

Kerkhoven, MN

Richmond, VA

Environmental Leadership Award

UMA Safety Leader of the Year

Mike Cassidy

Tim Stout

The Cassidy Group/Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus

Stout’s Transportation Ewing, NJ

Charlottetown PE, CANADA

Maintenance Competition Grand Champion

Go Motorcoach Marketer of the Year

Darren Haines

Village Tours

Michaela Tye

Jag Motorcoach

Wichita, KS

Gladwin, MI

Driver Competition Grand Champion Wren Nance

Northeast Charters & Tours Lewiston, ME

23

/2020

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

LCT - Luxury Coach & Transportation January/February 2020

24

/2020

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

LCT - Luxury Coach & Transportation January/February 2020

25

/2020

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

LCT - Luxury Coach & Transportation January/February 2020

Reprinted with permission from LCT Magazine.

26

Experience accessibility on a whole new level Newly reimagined, the MCIÂŽ D45 CRT LE for Commuter Rapid Transit warmly welcomes all passengers, creating an innovative low-entry vestibule with a ramp and adjoining seating area designed with mobility device users in mind. Beyond game-changing accessibility features to speed entry and exit, the all-new model offers modern good looks and the amenities that commuters have come to expect from MCI, including comfortable forward-facing seats, power outlets, parcel racks and Wi-Fi options, plus the sturdy reliability that has long made the MCI commuter coach the leading choice for commuter express.

Reliable. Rapid. Revolutionary.

Get it soon in 100% electric Learn more at future-of-commuting.com 27

PR O D U C T S & S ERV I C E S

ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN: MCI GOES BATTERY-ELECTRIC IN 2020 MCI will debut its battery-electric J4500e and D45 CRTe LE CHARGE coaches when production begins later in the year, but demonstration units are already in service.

Select operators around the country have been integrating the new models into their commuter and/or employee charter programs for testing.

varying operating conditions. While the J4500e will deliver maximum battery-electric range to the employee and commuter shuttle market, the MCI D45 CRTe LE offers zero-emissions capability in a Buy Americacompliant coach with unprecedented accessibility for all passengers, including those using mobility devices. The coach’s unique design features a mid-coach LowEntry vestibule with seating and retractable ramp access that allows faster boarding for all passengers.

MCI’s J4500e and D45 CRTe LE CHARGE battery-electric models are designed for operators with long distance routes and

28

Demonstrations of the D45 CRTe LE electric began in November with operators in California and other states, including regular route service testing with Austin’s Capital Metro system in January.

Solutions team helps deploy electric charging infrastructures to operators’ specifications.

For more information, please read the accompanying profile in BUSRide Magazine “MCI All-Electric Coaches Unveiled”– it was the publication’s most popular article in 2019.

You may also want to view MCI’s Electrically DRIVEN video featuring the MCI D45 CRTe LE CHARGE. This production won First Place in APTA’s AdWheel Awards competition and has qualified for a Grand Award to be announced at APTA’s TRANSform Conference & EXPO 2020, in Anaheim, California, October 11-14. 

MCI also announced that Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus will be the first in Canada to test the 100% battery-electric MCI D45 CRTe LE in early March.

MCI augments its electric coach offerings by working closely with sister company New Flyer, which builds the battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses equipped with XALT USAmade batteries. New Flyer’s Infrastructure

29

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

MCI ALL-ELECTRIC COACHES

UNVEILED p 14

30

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

MCI ALL-ELECTRIC COACHES

UNVEILED W

ith the impending 2020 launches of its all-electric models – the MCI J4500e CHARGE and MCI D45 CRTe LE CHARGE – Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is poised to extend its proven knowledge and expertise into the zeroemissions vehicle market.

Working with the extensive proven in-field performance of the all-electric fNew Flyer CHARGE products, MCI’s CHARGE initiative aims to approach electric coaches from a holistic perspective. Recognizing that that all-electric vehicles represent significant investments for businesses and agencies, MCI intends to work with its customers to also evaluate their operational needs and infrastructure requirements.

Brent Maitland, vice president of marketing and product planning at MCI, said the push toward electric motorcoaches was born from customer input combined with MCI’s strength as a member of the NFI Group.

“Customers were telling us, ‘You've got to be able to get over 200 miles a day with an electric bus, which will essentially get us through an entire operating day in their specific commuter application,’" he said. “That became the clear benchmark for our development team .”

2

Research and development According to David Warren, director of sustainable transportation at New Flyer, achieving a range of “over 200 miles” is more complicated than it initially sounds. In short, an all-electric vehicle’s range is predicated on numerous factors including application, componentry, accessories, and weather. Changing any one of these factors affects the true range of a bus, Warren said, so MCI and New Flyer spent a lot of time and effort developing a battery which would perform reliably across multiple applications with appropriate infrastructure requirements.

Maitland said that it was critical the all-electric lineup perform similarly to the company’s proven diesel lineup.

“MCI has established standards for vehicle performance,” he said.

“We have to bring out an electric product that meets our customers’ expectations for reliability and durability.”

As such, Maitland said, vehicle testing has been extensive, and MCI is confident that its range and charge projections are accurate, although range will be specific to each customer’s expectation.

“Anybody can talk about a theoretical range of 500 miles that our customers will never see,” he said. “We could do that also, but then we’d set an unrealistic expectations of real-world performance. Our coach needs to deliver the miles in the planned application for many years. It is that performance that earns customer trust.” busride.com

BUSRIDE | F I E L D T E S T

31

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

The company designed the MCI J4500e CHARGE and MCI D45 CRTe LE CHARGE to feature common electric architecture. Both buses include a high-torque, 350-horsepower Siemens 3320 LB FT electric drive system designed to handle long distance applications and highway speeds, and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries charge by the current latest 150 kWh depot charger with a common CCS 1 plug.

The NMC batteries allow for a full charge in less than four hours after plug-in for MCI’s544 kWH battery configurations and faster for lower setups.

Brad Lamothe, senior technical advisor at MCI, said the company focused heavily on the drive system’s performance, so that it is similar to the responsiveness of a clean diesel engine.

He added that the vehicle’s regenerative braking uses kinetic energy to recharge the vehicle battery, which works well in stop-start applications.

“The Siemens system has massive torque, allowing the vehicle to easily climb hills,” he said.

“At average road speeds and conditions its range can exceed 200 miles and in some ideal, but real-world test routes we’ve seen over 350 miles predicted range.”

Powering success: MCI’s engineering team completes the first battery electric D45 CRTe LE CHARGE commuter coach, raising the bar for accessibility and long-range ZERO emissions express route transportation. MCI is demonstrating the model with both private and public transit operators before its Altoona test, required for all new bus models for use in federally funded public transit systems procurement.

The D range of MCI coaches will be fully Buy America compliant.

MCI D45 CRTe LE The first of MCI’s lineup to go all-electric, the MCI D45 CRTe LE’s diesel counterpart was introduced in 2017 as part of the company’s foray into accessibility-focused transportation.

“The D45 CRT LE was a significant project for MCI,” Maitland said. “We took several years to research the best possible solution to improve accessibility to the coach. We were able to get real feedback from people with disabilities and other users and incorporated their suggestions into the patented vestibule design, which major advocacy group such as AAPD (American Association of People with Disabilities) and NCIL (National Council on Independent Living) have evaluated and approved. ” The commuter coach is notable for its low-floor design, for quickly and efficiently loading and unloading passengers with disabilities. The vehicle’s boarding time is comparable to a low-floor transit vehicle and features a mid-coach low-entry vestibule (and automated ramp) with seating optimized for fast boarding and wheelchairs.

The vestibule allows for numerous seating configurations for users of mobility devices, and just as importantly their companion or attendant: five seats in the lower vestibule; a single forward-facing position; rearward facing with QUANTUM by Q’Straint; a rearward and forward position; or two forward positions.

MCI offers the manual Q-Straint wheelchair securement system as standard, and the automated QUANTUM as an option for the rear facing position on the right of the vestibule.

The coach allows for 54 passengers, or 52 passengers with two mobility devices.

Maitland said that the coach is proving popular in transit agency operation -settings, and MCI has begun seeing more demand in both the private and public sector for the low-entry commuter coach. busride.com | BUSRIDE

32

3

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

Getting onboard with all-electric The MCI CHARGE vehicles are easily reaching and sustaining highway speeds up to 72 mph and reliability targets in initial prototype test runs, Lamothe said.

After the J4500e and D45 CRTe LE hit the road, Maitland said the company will begin introducing other electrified models including D45 CRT, our next generation high floor commuter coach that is planned to have the same long range capability as the J4500, and based on demand and applications other variants such as the next generation D4520, the J3500,By 2020 we will have 2 electric models in market and up to 6 total 100% electric variants across the D and J models over the new few years.

MCI CHARGE vehicles are backed by MCI’s sales, 24/7 service, parts and technical training infrastructure – including 24/7 roadside assistance, ongoing technical training from the industry’s only ASE-accredited MCI Academy training center, and parts support from NFI Parts.

Maitland said that MCI will be installing a 150-kilowatt charging station by ABB at its Hayward, California, facility.

“That charging station will be the base for continued vehicle testing, as well as customer demonstrations which are in process and will continue through 2020”” he said.

“At the same time, we are getting significant requests from places like California for electrification,” he said. “The loudest are Bay Area tech companies which can use these coaches for employee transportation programs where both 100% battery electric and improved accessibility are important.”

This confluence of technological capabilities and consumer demand made the D45 CRTe LE prime for electrification. The D45 CRTe LE all electric model is also equipped with MCI Connect Telematics, a system that measures key performance metrics including distance and time on route, auxiliary systems, along with battery efficiencies related to grade and ambient temperature in real time.

MCI J4500e The J4500 is MCI’s long-time best-selling tour and charter coach, and the electrified J4500e promises to be the company’s longest-range electric vehicle.

“The J4500’s high-floor design allows for more battery packs, making it the longest-range vehicle in our fleet,” Maitland said. “A lot of range is dictated by a vehicle’s architecture, and the J4500e will be a electric workhorse like its diesel-powered predecessors.”

Just like its diesel counterpart, the J4500e features seating for up to 60 passengers with best-in-class legroom and usable floor space.

Featuring at least 15 inches more usable floor space than its closest competitors, the J4500e’s passenger cabin’s sleek design is inspired by the airline industry.

The driver’s area features increased legroom, a toe kick, improved visibility over the dash and a new, integrated high-definition instrument panel with on-screen information and key system diagnostics for the driver. The vehicle’s signature spiral stairway features improved visibility and RGB lamps that coordinate with cabin lighting.

BMW Group’s Designworks were design partners for both the exterior and interior of the J4500e and the D45 CRTe LE and their work ensures a high level of appeal, especially when equipped with extensive seating and trim choices, parcel racks, spacious interiors for enhanced passenger comfort, and Wi-Fi connectivity with power outlets at every seat.

4

Reliable innovation Research and development is ongoing for MCI. Anniston, AL is home to the Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC), a joint partnership with New Flyer of America and MCI where electric and advanced driver assistance systems technology are on display and showcased. The VIC also serves as a primary training facility for both MCI and New Flyer electric vehicles “The J4500e, our private sector luxury tour coach and D45 CRTe LE, designed to meet the needs of our public transit agencies, provide two electric coach alternatives,” Maitland said. “MCI is prepared to show all of our customers – both in public transit and private transportation – a viable path toward zero emissions.” busride.com

BUSRIDE | F I E L D T E S T

Reprinted with permission from Busride.com

33

M A I N T E N A N C E M AT T E R S

TAKING THE BYTE OUT OF COOLANT TEMPERATURES WITH THE NEW MCI ELECTRIC EFAN COOLING SYSTEM 34

With the introduction of the 2019 J4500, MCI made a change to the best seller’s radiator and cooling fan package. Gone were the fan belt, clutch and gear box, used since the introduction of the E model in 1997. New MCI J4500, J3500 and D45 CRT LE coaches now feature the electric EFAN cooling package, providing greater coach reliability, reduced service time and improved fuel efficiency.

The system consists of eight fans total: six for the radiator and two for the CAC (Charge Air Cooler).

Contained within a single, swing-out unit for easy maintenance, the EFAN system features computerdriven controls connecting its Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to the engine’s ECM, or Electronic Control Module.

The EFAN is a “smart” engine temperature managing system incorporated on MCI coach models.

As engine temperature increases, MCI’s EFAN starts operating at a slow speed and accelerates to prevent overheating as the vehicle warms up.

MCI’s D model coaches have been using a similar cooling package system for many years with excellent results.

This new electronic design provides several unique features over the previous mechanical drive system.

For example, when the fan test switch, located in the rear remote electrical box on D models, and at the right-hand rear side service door on the J-Series coaches and the D45 CRTLE, the fans run in reverse at high speed for several seconds to confirm they’re all operating. At the same time, this reverse air flow assists in keeping the radiator and CAC clean. (Regular cleaning maintenance is still required) The EFAN system also monitors the health of each of the fan motors.

If a motor fails, the ECU sends a message to the dash alerting the driver to the failure. The remaining motors then compensate to maintain the cooling capacity of the entire module. The coach remains drivable if one, or even possibly two of the EFAN’s motors fail.

The new EFAN also keeps weather conditions or road debris from shutting down the whole system. If ice, snow or other obstructions accumulate in the fan blades preventing the motors from turning, the system electronically disables motors affected until the obstructions can be removed. A warning signals the driver and the remaining fan motors adjust speed to compensate. The coach remains drivable until the problem is dealt with.

MCI’s data reveals that the EFAN system combined with the Cummins X12 engine, now standard on 2020 MCI J4500, delivers an astounding 10% overall fuel economy improvement compared to all previous configurations.

To learn more about the EFAN system, contact the MCI Technical Support Line at 800-241-2947. 

35

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

N NFI FI G Group roup Acquires Acquires A Alexander lexander D Dennis ennis A History History o off Leadership Leadership iin n Bus Bus Production Production

by Larry Plachno

Alexander Dennis is the leading British bus builder and is known for their double-decker buses. Shown here is their model 400H which preserves the traditional red London double-deck design but adds a modern hybrid power train. Alexander Dennis is now part of the NFI Group, joining New Flyer, MCI and ARBOC. ALEXANDER DENNIS.

O

n M a y 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 , N F I G ro u p announced their acquisition of British bus builder Alexander Dennis. This brings Alexander Den nn nis into the same family as New Flyer, Motor Coach Industries (MCI) and ARBOC, thus creating a market-leading global bus and coach manufacturer.

P e rh a p s t h e m o s t i m p re s s i v e f a c t o r about this addition is that each of these

four m ajor bus manufacturing comp anies is a leader in their respective markets and y e t o ff e r s d i v e r s e p ro d u c t l i n e s t h a t c o m p l i m e n t e a c h o t h e r r a t h e r t h a n c om p e t e .

N F I G ro u p e m p l o y s m o re t h a n 6 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e a t 3 1 l o c a t i o n s a n d i s t h e l a rg e s t b u s a n d c o a c h m a n u f a c t u re r a n d d i s t r i b u t o r in Nor th America. New Flyer is the leading heavy-duty transit bus builder with a p p ro x i m a t e l y a 4 5 p e rc e n t m a r k e t s h a re .

18 • National Bus Trader / August, 2019

36

MCI leads in the motorcoach segment with a p p ro x i m a t e l y a 3 9 p e rc e n t m a r k e t s h a re .

ARBOC is the market leader in low-floor shuttle buses. In addition to being the leading bus and coachbuilder in the United K i n g d o m w i t h a 4 9 p e rc e n t m a r k e t s h a re , Alexander Dennis is t he electric bus leader in the UK as well as the #1 global producer of double-deck buses.

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

Alexander Dennis brings two interesting d i ff e re n c e s t o N F I G ro u p . O n e i s t h a t , i n k e e p i n g w i t h B r i t i s h t r a d i t i o n , t h e y o ff e r body-on-chassis buses while New Flyer and MCI specialize in integral products. Since Plaxton and Alexander have long-standing reputations for quality bus bodies and Dennis has a heritage of building popular chassis, we are talking about some high-class, body-on-chassis products.

The second difference is that Alexander D e n n i s i s i n t e r n a t i o na l w i t h f a c i l i t i e s a n d partnerships in Europe, Hong Kong, Singap o re , C h i n a a n d N e w Z e a l a n d a s w e l l a t North America. Traditionally, buses built in the United States and Canada are built to a specification best suited to these markets so there is significant specification variance and b u i l d re q u i re m e n t s w h e n s e l l i n g i n o t h e r markets The experience of Alexander Dennis in international sales may help NFI Group move into additional markets.

Since other news sources will undoubtedly concentrate on the financial and stock market ramifications of this acquisition, we here at NATIONAL BUS TRADER will go a different route and take advantage of our past experience in buses to present two observat i o n s p ro m p t e d b y t h e A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s acquisition. Then, we will cover the corporate and bus-building heritage of the companies involved, although limiting informat i o n o n M C I s i n c e w e h a v e c o v e re d t h e i r history several times over the years. We beg your indulgence since we could easily write a book on these subjects but have to edit things down to the more important items to keep this article to a reasonable size.

Western Flyer introduced their model P-41 in 1958, and it remained in production until 1966. It was powered by a 6V-71 engine and was somewhat contemporary with the GM PD4106. The one shown here was built in 1963 for Eagle Bus Lines and was photographed in 1979 while fueling up at their garage in Winnipeg. ROBERT REDDEN.

Observations and Trends Moving Away from Engines For generations, much of the bus building industry has been dominated by engine b u i l d e r s s i n c e t h e y p ro v i d e d t h e m o s t important component in the vehicle. In the United States, General Motors dominated the bus market for many years because of their engines. It is noteworthy that when the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust suit against GM in 1956, one provision was the requirement to supply engines to other manufacturers.

This same importance of engines has b e e n r e p e a t e d i n E u ro p e w i t h M e r c e d e s Benz leading the transit bus market while other engine builders including MAN, Volvo, Scania and Iveco carved out a share of the vehicle industry. However, with the t re n d t o e l e c t r i c b u s e s , w e a re w i t n e s s i n g a movement away from diesel engines and t o n e w t e c h n o l o g y i n t h e b u s i n d u s t r y.

VDL took an early lea d with electric buses i n E u ro p e , I r i z a r re c e n t l y b u i l t a f a c t o r y for electric buses, and Alexander Dennis h a s t a k e n a l e a d i n t h e U K . T h e f u t u re o f bus building is shifting from diesel engines to electric technology that explains why

Introduced in 1964, the new Western Flyer Canuck 500 soon replaced the older standard models in the product line. It looked much like a GM PD4106 or an MCI MC-5. This one operated for Moncton Transit and was photographed in Halifax in July of 1978. ROBERT REDDEN.

n e w l e a d e r s a re d e v e l o p i n g i n t he b u s industry.

Paul Revere Some people in the bus industry are sugg e s t i n g t h a t w e a re a t t h e e n d o f t h e P a u l Revere era. That popular patriot is known for his famous words “The British are coming.”

Stagecoach Group from the UK came to the United States in 1999 and purchased Coach USA and soon put together Coach Canada.

Their primary rival in the UK, First Group, followed them across the Atlantic in 2007 to purchase Laidlaw school buses and obtain a controlling interest in Greyhound Lines.

L a i d l a w w o u l d b e re n a m e d F i r s t S t u d e n t a n d w h i l e t h e G re y h o u n d n a m e

re m a i n e d , i t w a s t r a n s p l a n t e d t o t h e U K f o r s o m e o p e r a t i o n s t h e re . I n l a t e 2 0 1 8 , S t a g e c o a c h G ro u p a n n o u n c e d t h e s a l e o f Coach USA and Coach Canada, effectively re t re a t i n g b a c k a c ro s s t h e A t l a n t i c . J u s t recently, First Group announced that Greyhound Lines was for sale although they plan to keep First Student.

An interesting additional note to all of this is that Sir Brian Souter and his sister Ann Gloag, who founded Stagecoach Group and continue as shareholders, also had a majority interest in Alexander Dennis. As a result, S o u t e r I n v e s t m e n t s w i l l re t a i n a n e q u i t y interest in NFI and Alexander Dennis having been issued shares in NFI Group as part of the acquisition.

National Bus Trader / August, 2019 • 19

37

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

New Flyer developed the first low-floor buses, their model D40LF, with the first order going to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 1991. This C40LF offered both natural gas power as well as a low floor and was photographed at the Jackie Gleason depot of New York City Transit in 1999. J.C. REBIS JR.

New Flyer Western Auto & Truck Body Works was founded in 1930 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by J o h n C o v a l . C o v a l h a d p re v i o u s l y b e e n employed by the Standard Carriage Company where he had learned how to build bus bodies for fitting on chassis that were commercially available. The company started w i t h a s t a ff o f f i v e w h o c o n c e n t r a t e d o n building bus bodies that were mounted on commercial chassis. In 1937, the company b e g a n b u i l d i n g c o m p l e t e b u s e s t h a t w e re p a r t i a l l y s t y l e d a f t e r t h e c u r re n t Ye l l o w Coach products with a flat front and a front engine. This design w as popular with customers who operated on dusty roads. This design eventually came to be called the Standard and remained in production for many years. In addition to buses, the company continued to build bus bodies and other vehicles.

The name Western Flyer was first applied to a newly designed 28-passenger intercity coach introduced in 1941. Both the bus and the name soon became popular, but bus production was shut down for two years starting in 1942 when the plant was used to build truck bodies for the war effort. Bus production resumed with the 28-passenger coach, later known as the T-28. A larger 32-passenger T-32 model effectively replaced the T-28 in 1945, and in 1946, an order for two sightseeing buses for Salt Lake Transportation Company was reported as the first time a Canadian manufacturer sold to the United States. Increasing popularity of the Western F l y e r m o d e l s p ro m p t e d t h e c o m p a n y t o change its name to Western Flyer Coach, Ltd. in 1948. Longer T-40 and T-36 models were introduced in 1949 and 1950.

New Flyer ’s product line grew substantially in the 1990s with different lengths of buses and different types of power. Shown here is a D60 articulated built in 1997 for New York City Transit. It was photographed in October of 2000 at the Chelsea Piers in New York City while on MABSOTA Route M-23. J.C. REBIS JR.

four deck-and-a-half coaches imitating the GM Scenicruiser design. They were design a t e d a s m o d e l 4 0 - 2 L , w e re b a s e d o n t h e T- 3 6 S t a n d a r d d e s i g n a n d h a d f r o n t moun ted gasoline engines. The new P-37 C a n u c k m o d e l w i t h a re a r e n g i n e j o i n e d the product line in 1955. A longer P-41 version came in 1958 and a shorter P-33 was also made available. These newer models eventually replaced the front engine Stand a rd d e s i g n a l t h o u g h o rd e r s f ro m t h e C a n a d i a n g o v e r n m e n t k e p t t h e S t a n d a rd in production until 1965.

Joh n Coval, who had founded the company in 1930, remained in control until 1963 when a group headed by A.J. Thiessen, who owned several bus lines, took over. They

introduced the new Canuck model 500 in 1 9 6 4 t h a t l o o k e d m uc h l i k e a G M P D 4 1 0 6 or MCI MC-5. An improved Canuck model 6 0 0 w a s i n t ro d u c e d i n 1 9 6 7 w i t h a l e n g t h of 38 feet offering 43 reclining seats and a re s t ro o m . I t w a s u p d a t e d i n 1 9 6 8 t o t h e m o d e l 6 0 0 A t h a t w a s p o w e re d b y t h e Detroit 8V-71 engine and had a 24-volt electrical system.

While the new 600A model was mechanically equal to the better coaches o n t h e m a r k e t , i t f a i l e d t o c a p t u re m o re t h a n a h a n d f u l o f o rd e r s d u e t o t h e i n t ro duction of the new and longer 40-foot c o a c h e s o ff e re d b y M C I a n d G M . O n e source indicates that New Flyer only sold 693 coaches between 1946 and 1968. The

New Flyer got into trolley buses at an early date with the first going to Toronto in 1968. Photographed in Cambridge, Massachusetts was one of 50 model E800 trolley buses that went to Boston. The unusual door on the left side of the bus permitted stopping at a station platform. ROBERT REDDEN.

Following the introduction of the General Motors PD4104 in 1953, the Western Flyer standard design was modernized the following year with larger passenger wind o w s . I n 1 9 5 5 a n d 1 9 56 , t h e c o m p a n y b u i l t 20 • National Bus Trader / August, 2019

38

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T. Thiessen management made a virtual overnight transition to move from an intercity coachb uild er to a transit bus builder.

A demonstrator city transit bus was built i n 1 9 6 7 a s t h e D 7 0 0 , o ff e r i n g a m u l t i - p a n e windshield similar to the GM “New Look” d e s i g n . A m a t c h i n g d e m o n s t r a t o r t ro l l e y bus was built in 1968 as the E700. In 1970, the D700 design was licensed to AM Gene r a l w h e re i t w a s m o d i f i e d a n d t h e n p u t i n t o p ro d u c t i o n a t M i s h a w a k a , I n d i a n a .

More than 5,000 units were built under the M e t ro p o l i t a n n a m e .

In 1971, the Manitoba Development Corp. acquired 74 percent equity to keep the operation going and changed the company name to Flyer Industries Limited. Due in part to the limited transit bus competition, the company was able to develop a market s h a re i n C a n a d a . F l y e r t o o k t h e m o d i f i e d Metropolitan design from AM General and put it into production as the D800 in both 35- and 40-foot lengths. A total of 561 were built between 1974 and 1979. In 1978, a modified version known as the D900 was offered

Modern history at New Flyer starts in 2008 with the introduction of their new Xcelsior transit bus.

It soon became the leading transit bus model in North America and is built at several plants. The Xcelsior is available in different lengths and with several different types of power. NEW FLYER.

New Flyer ’s joint venture with Mitsubishi, the Manitoba government, Manitoba Hydro and Red River College resulted in the development of a battery-electric bus in 2012. Named the CHARGE, it has subsequently become increasingly popular with North American operators. This photo shows the bus is capable of being charged along the route using overhead connectors. NEW FLYER.

with a simplified flat pane windshield. More than 1,700 were built.

In view of later developments, it is noteworthy that New Flyer jumped into the electric bus business whe n no other manufacturer in North America was interested. The first E700 trolley bus went to Toronto in 1968 and was followed by E700 and E800 orders to San Francisco, Dayton, BC Hydro, Boston and others. BC Transit would also buy 246 of the E900 version.

Faced with a need to invest in the company, the Manitoba government decided to sell to an experienced bus builder. Den Oudsten Bussen from the Netherlands took over in July of 1986 in an arrangement where they purchased the company for $1 million and agreed to invest more than $2 million. At the time of the acquisition, the name of the company was changed to New Flyer Industries. While the logos of New Flyer and Den Oudsten were similar, they w e r e n o t j o i n e d f i n a n c i a l l y. U n d e r t h e direction of Jan Den Oudsten, the company virtually exploded with new designs and new technology, becoming a leader in the North American transit industry.

Tr a d i t i o n a l d i e s e l , h i g h - f l o o r t r a n s i t buses were continued as the D35, D40 and the D60 articulated models. Suburban vers i o n s k n o w n a s t h e D 4 0 S a n d D 4 5 S w e re o ff e re d b u t h a d o n l y l i m i t e d c u s t o m e r s .

New Flyer developed North America’s first low-floor transit bus, the D40LF, with the first production models going to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 1991. Within a matter of only a few years, m o s t p ro d u c t i o n w e n t t o t h e l o w - f l o o r design. New Flyer the n developed the first c o m p re s s e d n a t u r a l g a s ( C N G ) b u s i n North America and the world’s first hydrogen fu el cell bus in 1994. A low-floor articulated was introduced in 1995.

In only a matter of a few years, the original simple product line had increased substantially. New Flyer now offered diesel, CNG and LNG buses, hybrid and hydrogen f u e l b u s e s , s o m e i n d i ff e re n t l e n g t h s a n d some offered in either high-floor or low-floor design. New Flyer also continued to offer trolley buses and eventually developed low floor versions. It is noteworthy that Jan Den Oudsten’s work at New Flyer later prompted his induction into the American Public Transportation’s Hall of Fame.

Financial problems with Den Oudsten in Europe led to KPS Special Situations Fund p u rc h a s i n g a c o n t ro l l i n g i n t e re s t i n N e w Flyer in 2002. KPS provided funds to recapitalize the company while the Manitoba Development Corporation provided a loan.

After these upgrades, ownership passed to Harvest Partners and Lightyear Capital in late 2003. Less than two years later, New Flyer became a publically traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

National Bus Trader / August, 2019 • 21

39

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T. New Flyer modernized its low-floor p ro d u c t l i n e i n 2 0 0 5 w i t h n e w f ro n t a n d rear end caps but then introduced its new X c e l s i o r t r a n s i t b u s mo d e l i n 2 0 0 8 . A s w i t h the earlier models, it became available in s e v e r a l l e n g t h s a n d po w e r o p t i o n s . I t s o o n became the leading transit bus model in North America. A joint venture with Mits u b i s h i , t h e M a n i t o ba g o v e r n m e n t , M a n i toba Hydro and Red River College resulted in New Flyer developing an electric batt e r y - p o w e re d b u s i n 2 0 1 2 . I n 2 0 1 3 , M a rc o p o l o S . A . f ro m B r a z i l a c q u i re d a 1 9 . 9 9 p e rc e n t s t a k e i n N e w F l y e r. I t w a s l a t e r re d u c e d t o 1 0 . 8 p e rc e n t i n 2 0 1 6 , b u t M a r copolo continues as the largest shareholder in N ew Fl y e r. Si n ce 20 13 , N e w Fl ye r h a s been expanding with the purchase of suppliers and other bus manufacturers.

When Daimler closed down their Orion b u s p l a n t i n Mi ssi ssau g a , O n t a r i o, i n 2 0 1 3 , N e w F l y e r s t e p p e d i n a n d p u rc h a s e d t h e aftermarket parts bus iness. In addition to providing parts for current Orion operators, New Flyer acquired additional customers.

I n J u n e o f t h a t y e a r, N e w F l y e r a c q u i re d competitor North American Bus Industries.

This is a separate story in itself.

Ikarus was a major bus builder in H u n g a r y a n d s u p p l i e d b u s e s t h ro u g h o u t the Communist countries. As Communism d e c l i n e d , I k a ru s b e g a n l o o k i n g f o r o t h e r customers for its buses. An early effort was a 1 9 8 0 - 1 9 8 6 j o i n t ve n t u re w i t h C ro w n Coach in California to provide articulated transit buses to the American market.

Founded in 1982 in Alabama, NABI was originally intended to take unfinished b u s e s f ro m I k a r u s a n d c o m p l e t e t h e m f o r sale in the United States. A new plant in Anniston, Alabama w as built in 1993 to do

t h e f i n a l a s s e m b l y. Wi t h t h e f a l l o f t h e B e r l i n Wa l l i n 1 9 8 9 , N A B I g o t i n v o l v e d with bus building in Hungary. For a few y e a r s N A B I o w n e d O p t a re G ro u p i n t h e UK.

The most recent acquisition is Alexander Dennis. The two companies worked together in the past on a joint venture in 2012 to design and manufacture a low-floor midi bus for the American market. Alexander Dennis provided the design and New Flyer built the bus. In May of 2019, New Flyer purchased Alexander Dennis, the reason that prompts this article.

I n 2 0 0 6 , C e r b e ru s C a p i t a l M a n a g e m e n t acquired all shares of NABI. Later, Optima B u s o f Wi c h i t a , K a n s a s w a s p u rc h a s e d .

T h i s w a s a n o u t g ro w t h o f C h a n c e M a n u facturing, an amusement park ride maker, who started with park trams and themed b u s e s . C e r b e r u s t h e n a c q u i re d B l u e B i rd Corporation of Fort Valley, Georgia. Their c o m m e rc i a l b u s e s w o u l d e n d u p w i t h NABI, but the school buses and Wanderlodge division went in different directions.

T h i s m e rg e r o f t h re e o p e r a t i o n s d i d n o t work out well so New Flyer stepped in and acquired NABI in 2013. Current NABI o rd e r s w e re f i n i s h e d a n d t h e n t h e A n n i s t o n p l a n t b e g a n p ro d u c i n g t h e X c e l s i o r model under the name of New Flyer of Ameri ca, Inc. It became the fourth facility building New Flyer Xcelsior buses.

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) M C I i s a c o n t e mp o r a r y t o N e w F l y e r.

Founded as the Fort Garry Motor Body C o m p a n y i n Wi n n i p e g i n t h e 1 9 3 0 s , t h e company name was changed to Motor Coach Industries in 1942. Unlike New Flyer, MCI made the decision to concentrate on intercity motorcoaches. However like New Flyer, MCI became the leader in its market segment. The company has an interesting history including being part of the original Greyhound Corp. and control by a Mexican company as well as private e q u i t y f i r m s b e f o re c o m i n g i n t o t h e N e w Flyer family in 2015.

Expansion continued when New Flyer a c q u ire d M o t o r C o a c h I n d u s t r i e s ( M C I ) from KPS Capital Partners in 2015. What is interesting is that New Flyer and MCI were b o t h f o u n d e d i n Wi n n i p e g w i t h i n a f e w years of each other. One company decided t o c o n c e n t r a t e o n c o a c h e s a n d t h e o th e r o n t r a n s i t b u s e s , b u t b o t h b e c a m e t h e le a d e r i n t h e i r re s p e c t i v e m a r k e t s e g m e n t s . I n Decem ber of 2017, New Flyer announced the acquisition of ARBOC Specialty Vehicles. This marked a departure from the past s i n c e A R B O C p ro d u c e s s m a l l e r s h u t t l e type v ehicles but specializes in low-floor models that use a ramp for mobility devices rather than a lift.

Since we have provided a great deal of historical information on MCI over the years, we will not re peat it here. We will mention specific past issues if you would like to search out those articles. The October, 2003 issue of NATIONAL BUS TRADER contained an article covering MCI’s 70th Anniversary, concentrating on production facilities. In June of 2008 an article ran titled “ T h e C o a c h M a n u f a c t u re r t h a t H a r r y B u i l t , ” re f e r r i n g t o H a r r y Z o l t o k t h e founder of MCI. A PD F version of this artic l e i s a v a i l a b l e f o r f re e o n l i n e i n t h e P D F Archives section of our www.busmag.com Web site. Most recent was an article in the June 2013 issue covering MCI’s 80th

M C I ’s e a r l y c o n n e c tions with Greyhound led to the development and production of coaches that were reliable and durable in Canadian winters and on Canadian roads. As a result, MCI developed an enviable reputation for reliability and durability over the years.

This MC-7 operated for Wisconsin Illinois Stages of Delavan, Wisconsin, a company owned by your editor.

NBT.

22 • National Bus Trader / August, 2019

40

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

Today, the MCI product line includes the D45 CRT LE that is bringing coaches into a new era of accessibility. Because of the lower level center door, mobility devices can use a ramp to enter and exit. MCI.

Anniversary. This article is also available online as a PDF at www.busmag.com.

ARBOC Specialty Vehicles Most small, cutaway, and shuttle buses are built on conventional chassis typically o ff e r i n g t w o r a i l s a b o v e t w o a x l e s a n d a power train. The most popular chassis b u i l d e r s i n c l u d e F o rd , G M / C h e v ro l e t , Freightliner and the newer Sprinter, Ford Transit and Dodge Ram chassis. Because of their height off the ground, they typically offer a wheelchair lift to meet ADA requirem e n t s . A R B O C M o b il i t y o r i g i n a l l y b e g a n p ro d u c i n g t h e s e b u s e s i n 2 0 0 8 w i t h t h e express intention of building them with low floors in order to use ramps instead of lifts for mobility devices.

Their first bus model was the Spirit of M o b i l i t y. L a t e r, t h e p r o d u c t l i n e w a s expanded with the Spirit of Liberty, the Spirit of Legacy, the Spirit of Independence, the Spirit of Freedom and the Spirit of Equess.

While most have cutaway styling, ARBOC does offer a flat front bus that has more of a transit appearance. ARBOC Mobility merged with All American Specialty Vehicles in 2011 resulting in a name change to ARBOC Specialty Vehicles. New Flyer purchased ARBOC in late 2017.

MCI is the leader in its coach market segment. Their J4500 model has been the most popular coach on the market for more than a decade and will soon be available with battery-electric power. MCI.

Wh i l e o t h e r n a m e s h a v e b e e n i n v o l v e d in the history of Alexander Dennis, we will g e n e ra l l y l i m i t o u r s e l v e s t o f o l l o w i n g t h e three largest and the best known component companies. This includes Dennis Specialist Vehicles, Walter Alexander Coachbuilders and Plaxton Limited. Dennis was a chassis a n d v e h i c l e b u i l d e r w h i l e b o t h A l e xa n d e r and Plaxton have been known for their bodies. Each has a long and interesting history, but we will try to condense some of the material to save space.

B ro t h e r s J o h n a n d R a y m o n d D e n n i s founded the company in Guildford, England in 1895 by building Speed King bicycles.

They built their first motor vehicle in 1898 and their first motor car in 1899. This success p ro m p t e d t h e i n c o r p o r a t i o n a s D e n n i s Brothers Limited and their start in motor car production around 1901. John Dennis built a 30,000-square-foot, three-story-plus basement building on Onslow Street in Guildford that is considered the first purpose-built motor vehicle factory in Britain.

Dennis D e n n i s i s t h e o l d e s t o f t h e t h re e m a j o r components of Alexander Dennis. They h a v e h a d a v e r y d i v e r s i f i e d p ro d u c t l i n e , developed an early reputation as a quality chassis builder, and shifted emphasis on different product lines as the market dictated.

T h e y o u n g c o m p a n y o ff e re d a w i d e range of cars including town cars and limo u s i n e s , i m p ro v e d e a r l y t e c h n o l o g y b y re p l a c i n g c h a i n d r i v e w i t h a w o r m d r i v e b a c k a x l e , e x p a n d e d i n t o t ru c k s a s w e l l a s other commercial vehicles and built its first bus in 1903. Eventually, dustcarts (garbage

ARBOC specializes in cutaway and shuttle buses. They are the leader in low-floor models that use r a m p s i n s t e a d o f l i f t s f o r m o b i l i t y d e v ic e s . S h o w n h e r e i s o n e o f t w o A R B O C S p i r i t o f F r e e d o m models operating in Grapevine, Texas. ARBOC.

Alexander Dennis Being located in the United Kingdom, much of the Alexander Dennis heritage revolves around body-on-chassis buses. This makes them different than New Flyer and MCI where their products are integral. However, I hasten to add that European bodyon-chassis buses are usually high quality. I am not sure why the UK went in this direction, but it may be that distances are considerably less than in the United States and Canada. You typically cannot drive many hours east or west in the UK without getting y o u r f e e t w e t w h e n y o u ru n o u t o f l a n d . I might also note that the Dennis heritage also includes trucks, dust carts (garbage trucks) and fire engines.

National Bus Trader / August, 2019 • 23

41

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T. trucks) and fire engines would be added to the product line. Expansion was rapid with the company openin g a new f acil ity at Woodbridge Hill just outside of Guildford and expanding it in 1907, 1910, 1912 and 1913. By then the original Onslow Street site was used only for repairs.

Dennis went public in March of 1913 with s h a re s o v e r s u b s c r i b e d . A f t e r t h e A u g u s t 1914 start of hostilities, Dennis production was effectively limited to three-ton trucks

and the Dennis turbine fire engine during World War I. The Ministry of Munitions then a d d e d b u i l d i n g s f o r t h e m a n u f a c t u re o f m u n i t i o n s . F o l l o w i n g t h e Wa r, D e n n i s expanded into municipal vehicles and developed chassis for both trucks and buses. They also exchanged shares with engine builder White and Poppe in Coventry, giving them a source of gasoline engines for their chassis.

Dennis began exporting at this time and developed a following in Asia, particularly Hong Kong.

In addition to the cutaway design, ARBOC also offers a flat front model that looks more like a small transit bus. Pictured is ARBOC’s Spirit of Equess model on display at a recent trade show.

In keeping with ARBOC’s policy, it has a ramp for entry and exit rather than a lift. NBT.

Bus 71304 in the fleet of Grayline NY Tour Inc. was built in 2001 and combines a Dennis Trident II chassis with an Alexander body. It is an obvious example of the advantage of combining Alexander with Dennis. The photo was taken in July of 2001 at Pier 78 near 12th Avenue and West 39th Street in New York City. J.C. REBIS JR.

D u r i n g t h e D e p re s s i o n y e a r s o f t h e 1930s, Dennis expanded their line of chassis and buses while starting to become a leader with double-deck buses. During World War I I , b u s p ro d u c t i o n w a s re p l a c e d b y t r u c k p ro d u c t i o n a n d D e n n i s a l s o a s s e m b l e d Churchill tanks, built engines for landing craft and produced various municipal vehic l e s f o r m i l i t a r y b a s e s . T h e D e n n i s s t a ff doubled to 4,000 and they worked around the clock.

Bus production resumed after the War a n d i n 1 9 5 0 D e n n i s i n t ro d u c e d t h e i r n e w chassis called Dominant that offered a semiautomatic transmission and a horizontally mounted engine. While the 1940s and 1950s were good years for Dennis, their markets started changing. Unable to compete in trucks with larger builders, Dennis concent r a t e d m o re o n c h a s s i s , b u s e s a n d f i re engines. Good times continued until the Suez Crisis of 1957 when sales declined in both the domestic and export markets. Denn i s t r i e d t o i n c re a s e s a l e s b y p u rc h a s i n g smaller companies with compatible markets but did not have a great deal of success.

The movement to one-man city bus operation shifted needs to rear engine, singledoor buses. Rather than come out with a new model, Dennis decided to quit making buses in 1965. Dissatisfied stockholders demanded liquidation, but the company found new capital for expansion as well as modernization and was reorganized as Dennis Motor Holdings in early 1970. Hestair, w h o a l re a d y h a d t h e Yo r k s h i re Ve h i c l e s street sweepers and the Eagle Engineering garbage truck production, was successful with a takeover bid for Dennis Motor Holdi n g s i n M a rc h o f 1 9 7 2 . W h a t f o l l o w e d included several years of ownership and name changes.

Bus production returned in August of 1 9 7 7 , a f t e r a b re a k o f 11 y e a r s , w i t h n e w s i n g l e - d e c k a n d d o u b l e - d e c k re a r e n g i n e buses. At the end of 1977, the company name was changed to Hestair Dennis Limited.

H e s t a i r D e n n i s p u rc h a s e d D u p l e C o a c h builders in early 1983, thus allowing the company to produce complete buses using Dennis chassis and Duple bodies. Following company name changes included Dennis Specialist Vehicles Limited in December of 1985 and then Hestair Specialist Vehicles Limited in February of 1986.

The name changes matched major production changes with a new Dennis plant in Wa r w i c k f o r b u i l d i n g t h e E a g l e g a r b a g e trucks. Guildford continued to build chassis for buses and coaches as well as fire trucks.

The Carmichael Fire facility in Worcester built fire truck bodies and cabs were made at Duple in Blackpool. In spite of these changes, parts of the business were running at a loss. Trinity Holdings bought Dennis from Hestair and in March of 1989, the company name was changed to Specialist Vehi-

24 • National Bus Trader / August, 2019

42

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

Alexander Dennis buses have been sold on the international market for decades. Shown here is an Alexander Dennis double-deck bus in service in Hong Kong. ALEXANDER DENNIS.

cles Limited. This story continues later under “Mayflower and Mergers.”

Walter Alexander Coachbuilders This is the youngest of the three major components making up Alexander Dennis.

Early operations can be traced back to 1913 when Walter Alexander founded Alexander ’s Motor Service to run a bus route into Grangemouth, located just east of Falkirk in Scotland. Several years later, in 1924, he set up W. Alexander & Sons Limited to both run and to build buses.

In 1928, several British companies got i n v o l v e d i n t h e S c o t t i s h M o t o r Tr a c t i o n Company and Walter Alexander sold his business to them in 1929. This helped the

Here is a photo of a demonstrator for the Alexander Dennis double-deck Enviro500 mod el that is being built at the Alexan der Dennis facility in Nappanee, Indiana. ALEXANDER DENNIS.

young company by providing resources and services. They built bus bodies that could be put on various chassis available at that time.

Anticipating the nationalization of the SMT bus service, a new company was formed in 1947 named Walter Alexander & Company Limited to keep the bus building operation as a private company.

Subsequent years saw the company expand and flourish. Potters, a bodybuilder in Northern Ireland was acquired in 1969 and then became Alexander ’s subsidiary in Belfast. Export business began to grow with emphasis in the Far East. In 1981, the company was given a Queen’s Award for Export and by 1983, Alexander was the world’s largest supplier of double-deck bus bodies.

N e w F l y e r a n d A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s o r i g i n a l l y b e g a n w o rk i n g t o g e t h e r i n 2 0 1 2 o n a j o i n t p r o j e c t .

New Flyer began building a medium-duty, low-floor bus designed by Alexander Dennis that was named the MiDi. After Alexander Dennis established its own manufacturing facility in Nappanee, Indiana, MiDi production was moved there in 2017. NEW FLYER.

An interesting note is that Alexander was awarded British Rail contracts for rail cars i n t h e m i d - 1 9 8 0 s . T h e s e w e re B r i t i s h R a i l Class 143 and 144 second generation Diesel Multiple Units known as the Pacer class.

T h e y w e re d e s i g n e d f o r l o c a l s e r v i c e o n shorter, non-electrified lines and the Alexander bodies were mounted on under frames supplied by Andrew Barclay and British Rail Engineering.

Ownership changed three times in less than 10 years. In 1987 the company ceased to be a private firm owned by the Alexander Family and was publically listed. In 1990, ownership passed to Spotlaunch plc and then less than two years later ownership changed because of a management buyout.

Over the years, Alexander built a wide range of bodies for mounting on numerous chassis.

Included were both regular and low-floor, double-deck buses as well as special types for China Motor Bus and Kowloon Motor Bus. Single-deck bus bodies included the popular Sprint and Dash (for the Dennis Dart chassis), the low-floor ALX series and even coaches for the Scottish Bus Group.

The Alexander story continues under “Mayflower and Mergers.”

Plaxton Although the Plaxton name was not included in the Alexander Dennis corporate title, it was the third major component of the company. It was a well-known major body b u i l d e r b a s e d i n S c a r b o ro u g h , E n g l a n d .

Originally founded by Frederick William Plaxton in 1907 as a woodworking shop, the company branched out into being a contractor for buildings in the Scarborough area.

After World War I, Plaxton expanded into building bodywork for Crossley, Rolls-Royce and Daimler car chassis as well as charabanc bodies for the Ford Model T chassis.

The economic slowdown in the early 1930s pushed the company more into bus National Bus Trader / August, 2019 • 25

43

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T. bodies and a new manufacturing facility was built in 1936. Sales were typically through independent dealers rather than directly from the factory. While Alexander was a leader in transit and double-deck bus bodies, Plaxton concentrated more on coach designs. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, coach production ceased as the facility became a munitions factory. A new facility on Seamer Road in Scarborough was hit by a firebomb in 1943 that caused substantial damage.

Bus production resumed in 1945 and new models were introduced in 1950. Frederick William Plaxton, the company founder, died in 1957 and was replaced by his son, Frederick Junior, who had joined the company i n 1 9 3 7 a t t h e a g e o f 18 . T h e s o n h a d b e e n called Eric to avoid confusion with his father.

W h i l e t h e c o m p a n y o ff e re d d i ff e re n t d e s i g n s , P l a x t o n d e ve l o p e d s e v e r a l v e r y popular models in a row. The first of these was the Panorama that was prompted by an order from Sheffield United Tours. Regular production started in 1958 as a 41-passenger m o d e l a n d n u m e ro u s v a r i a t i o n s k e p t t h e Panorama in production until 1970. It was eventually available on all chassis types and was particularly striking on the Bedford VAL chassis that had twin steering axles in front.

T h e n e w P a n o r a m a E l i t e w a s i n t ro duced in 1968. Like the Panorama, it was immediately popular and is said to have set the design of British coaches for the next 1 4 y e a r s . I t w e n t t h ro u g h a s e c o n d a n d third version with more than 6,000 bodies built. The popular replacement model was first developed in 1974 and came to be called the Supreme and featured nearly all s t e e l c o n s t ru c t i o n . B y t h e e n d o f t h e 1 9 7 0 s ,

Plaxton introduced their new model in 2018 under the Panorama name they have used in the past.

It has a length of about 471⁄2 feet and seats up to 87 passengers, with 65 on the upper deck. This model has two staircases, one in the front and one in the center of the coach. ALEXANDER DENNIS.

the British coach industry was dominated by the Plaxton Supreme and the competing Duple Dominant.

Long distance bus services were deregu l a t e d b y t h e Tr a n s p o r t A c t o f 1 9 8 0 t h a t prompted increased competition. Plaxton came out with their new Paramount model in 1982. It soon became available in different option s and lengths including high-floor and double-deck versions. Orders declined in the mid-1980s because of the poor econ o m i c c l i m a t e . P l a x t o n ’ s l a rg e s t d e a l e r,

While the Plaxton name was not included in the name of Alexander Dennis, they are a major compo nent . O v e r t he y ea r s t he c o m pan y ha s pr o duc ed num er o us bo dy m o del s t h at w er e po pul ar i n the UK and elsewhere. Shown here is a Leyland Tiger coach with Plaxton’s Paramount 3500 bodywork. DAVE ROOT.

Kirkby Bus & Coach took over the company, modernized the Scarborough factory, and also began selling Ikarus buses from Hung a r y i n t h e U n i t e d Ki n g d o m. P l a x t o n t h e n bought Henlys in 1989. This involved more than 30 motor dealers plus a company named Coleman Milne that made hearses and limousines. The new name of the company was Plaxton Group plc.

Expansion continued in July of 1989 when Plaxton bough t rights for coaches from Duple, a comp etitor, including jigs for some models. In 1991, Plaxton announced their Poin ter midibus body for the popular Dennis Dart chassis. Following management changes, the company became known as Henley’s Group in May of 1992. Expansion during the 1990s included the 1995 acquisition of bodyb uilder Nort hern Cou nties. Kirk b y cont inu e d t o b e a m a j o r p ro v i d e r o f s e r v i c e s t o bus operators. From here the story continues under “Mayflower and Mergers.”

Mayflower and Mergers By now everyone is waiting to hear how Dennis, Alexander and Plaxton merged. The i n t e re s t i n g t h i n g i s t h a t t h i s m e rg e r h a p pened not once but twice.

After Trinity Holdings took over Dennis in 1989, Dennis developed their Dart midibus with a Duple body that became popular in London. It became the best selling bus in Britain and was in production for 19 years with more than 11,000 built including low-floor versions using various bodies.

Tr i n i t y w a s s u c c e s s f u l l y f l o a t e d i n 1 9 9 2 , bringing in money for improvements and expansion. The company rebranded itself as the Dennis Group in 1997, bringing back the Dennis name.

26 • National Bus Trader / August, 2019

44

I N C A S E YO U M I S S E D I T.

Alexander Dennis continues to be a leader in double-deck buses. Shown h e r e i s a n A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s E n v i r o 5 0 0 o p e r a t i n g f o r G O Tr a n s i t i n Toronto. ALEXANDER DENNIS.

By the end of the decade it became o b v i o u s t h a t t h e s e t h re e c o m p a n i e s h a d a g re a t d e a l i n c o m m o n . B o t h P l a x t o n a n d Walter Alexander were looking to acquire Dennis to put both chassis and bodies u n d e r o n e o w n e r s h i p . M a y f l o w e r, t h e group behind Walter Alexander, won the t a k e o v e r b i d f o r D e n n i s G ro u p .

H e n l y s / P l a x t o n t h e n m e rg e d i n t o a j o i n t v e n t u re o w n e d 7 0 p e rc e n t b y M a y f l o w e r and 30 percent by Henlys that was known as TransBus International.

It was at this point that Henlys, with the help of Volvo, took over Blue Bird Corporation in Fort Valley, Georgia. However, that did not work out well and the various segments of the Blue Bird operation went in different directions. The commercial bus segment ended up

Alexander Dennis offers a wide range of different models from the large d o u b l e - d e c k co a c h e s t o t h i s s h o r t E n v i r o 2 0 0 s u it e d f o r s m a l l e r r o u t e s .

ALEXANDER DENNIS.

with NABI that was acquired by New Flyer as mentioned earlier.

Problems developed at Mayflower Corp o r a ti o n a n d t h e Tr a n s B u s I n t e r n a ti o n a l operation fell apart. With the support of private fu nds, Plaxton went to its managers and became independent again. At the same t i m e t h e n e w A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s o p er a t i o n was incorporated in May of 2004 by a group including David Murray as well as Souter and Gloag. This new company acquired both TransBus Alexander and TransBus Dennis.

Plaxton expanded its product line in 2005 and returned to the service bus market offering a low-floor bus on a Volvo chassis. In 2007, Alexander Dennis acquired Plaxton Holdings, thus bringing the three companies together a second time. The resulting com-

pany became the largest bus builder in the UK, continues to exp and with exports and became known as the biggest builder of double-deck buses in the world. In May of 2012, Alexander Dennis and New Flyer announced a joint venture for medium-duty, low-floor buses for the North American market. Alexander Dennis later began building a few models at Nappanee, Indiana for sale on this side of the Atlantic.

What makes all of this interesting is that each of these companies has a different heritage and different areas of expertise. When joined together, they make up a compatible global bus and coach manufacturing group.

Among their claims to fame are a range of different buses, a leadership in double-deck buses and some of th e most durable buses and coaches in the world. â?‘

Alexander Dennis buses have become increasingly popular in North America.

Here is an Alexander Dennis Enviro500 operating for Sound Transit. The technical name for the agency is the Central Puget Sound Regional Trans i t A u t h o r i t y. We would know it as the transit operator in the metropolitan Seattle area.

ALEXANDER DENNIS.

Reprinted with permission from National Bus Trader.

National Bus Trader / August, 2019 • 27

45

Find the perfect MCI pre-owned coach

Behind every great, pre-owned MCI coach, there’s a great team of experts.

Nobody knows pre-owned coaches like us. MCI has the longest history of working closely with operators who require the best in pre-owned coaches. To simplify shopping, we also categorize coaches in service-ready Select+ and lowest cost Deal classifications. And because it’s an MCI, you have the unrivaled support of our entire service network.

Whatever you’re looking for in a pre-owned coach, you’ll find it at MCI.

Call your MCI pre-owned coach pro today.

Brian Lichter DIRECTOR (224) 688-6351

Marshall Deems

Brian Hill

Bob Dethloff

Walter Sturdivant

Randy Wilcox

Janet Cathey

WEST COAST (818) 519-7193

SOUTH CENTRAL (214) 725-0490

MID WEST (847) 867-5191

MID ATLANTIC (609) 876-3713

NORTH EAST (609) 876-3711

SOUTH EAST (678) 472-1743

See our complete available inventory at mcicoach.com/preowned

Chad Sadowy

JP Nadeau

CANADA WEST (204) 227-1616

CANADA EAST (431) 335-1013