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BUSLINE March/April 2012

MArch/AprIl 2012

Published byRankin Publishing, Inc.

www.buslinemag.comM A G A Z I N E

EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICES

Rankin Publishing Co., Inc.Don Rankin and Linda Rankin, Publishers

204 E. Main Street • P.O. Box 130Arcola, IL 61910-0130, USA

Email: [email protected]: www.rankinpublishing.com

(800) 598-8083 (U.S.) • (217) 268-4959Fax: (217) 268-4815

Editorial: Harrell Kerkhoff, EditorRick Mullen, Associate Editor

Design: David Opdyke, Missy Larson

AdvertisingContact Kevin Kennedy @ 623-434-8959

Email: [email protected]

Don Rankin @ 800-598-8083Fax: 217-268-4815


C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T SMAY 2012May 6-9

APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Long Beach, CAInfo: 202-496-4845

May 9-11WTS InternationalAdvancing Women In Transportation Annual Conference

Denver, COInfo: 202-955-5085

May 20-25Community

Transportation Association EXPO 2012

Baltimore, MDInfo: 800-891-0590

May 26-30Canadian Urban Transit

AssociationAnnual ConferenceAnnual Conference

Victoria, BC Info: 416-365-9800

AUGUST 2012August 7-9

IMG StrategicAlliance MeetingMinneapolis, MNInfo: 888-447-3466

SEPTEMBER 2012September 11-12

BusCon 2012

Chicago, ILInfo: 800-576-8788

September 30 - October 3APTA

Annual Meeting Seattle, WA

Info: 202-496-4800

JANUARY 2013January 5-9

American Bus Association Marketplace

Charlotte, NCInfo: 800-283-2877

January 19-23United Motorcoach

Association / NationalTour Association

Co-located ConventionsOrlando, FL

Info: 800-424-8262

Busline Magazine is published 6 times a year by Rankin Publishing, Inc., 204 E. Main, P.O. Box 130, Arcola, IL 61910-0130. Publisherassumes no liability whatsoever for content of any advertisement or editorial material contained herein. Copyright 2012 RankinPublishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written consentof Rankin Publishing, Inc. Subscription Rates in United States: 6 issues $25. Single Copy rate: $10 including postage/handling;Buyer’s Guide $15 including postage/handling. International rates: 6 issue annual Air Mail Subscription $60 U.S. dollars net

RAPID RESPONSE.....................................Page 6INDUSTRY NEWS ...................................Page 52

ON THE COVER:Pictured are Long Beach Transit Marketing Manager Kevin Lee and Chief

Administrative Officer & Senior Vice President Marcelle Epley. See page 8.

IN THIS ISSUELong Beach Transit Wins High Marks From Ridership Despite California Budget Cuts ..8

UMA Expo Emphasizes Importance Of Motorcoach Industry, Offers Agenda On Overcoming Industry Problems.............18

Expo Highlight: Operators Panel Discussion.............................24

Busline’s Buyers Guide To Insurance & Financing..........................28

Busline’s Buyers Guide To HVAC Systems......................................42

UMA Motorcoah Expo 2012 Booth Photo Gallery .............................58

CONTENTS

Busline Vehicle Showcase:

PARATRANSIT/SHUTTLE BUSES & VANS48-50

0312Busline.FINAL_Layout 1 3/23/12 9:24 AM Page 4

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MArch/AprIl 2012

Published byRankin Publishing, Inc.

www.buslinemag.comM A G A Z I N E

Company Website Page # Company Website Page #

5 Star Specialty Programs www.5starsp.com 37

Advantage Funding www.advantagefund.com 41

Alexander Dennis Inc. www.alexander-dennis.com 11

American Cooling Technology, Inc.www.actusa.us.com 46

Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison www.atlanticdda.com 14

Bauer Compressors www.bauercng.com 25

Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation www.coachsales.com 23

Bitzer www.bitzerus.com 44

Budget Truck & Autobody www.budgettruckandauto.com 56

BusCon Expo www.busconexpo.com 27

Charabanc Financial www.charabancfinancial.com 40

Chestnut Ridge Foam www.chestnutridgefoam.com 22

Clean Energy www.cleanenergyfuels.com 13

Diamond Manufacturing www.diamondmfg.com 55

Espar Heater Systems www.espar.com 42

Freightliner www.freightlinerchassis.com 3

Handi-Hut, Inc. www.handi-hut.com 54

Imeco, Inc. www.groupeimeco.com 17

Lancer Insurance www.lancerinsurance.com 33

MAHA Lifts www.maha-usa.com 51

MCI (Motor Coach Industries) www.mcicoach.com 7

Midwest Bus Corporation www.midwestbus.com 19

Mile-X www.mile-x.com 53

Mobile Climate Control www.mcc-hvac.com 43

National Interstate Insurance www.natl.com 29

Nissan Commercial Vehicles www.nissancommercialvehicles.com 9

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Penntex Industries www.penntexusa.com 16

Prevost Car www.prevostcar.com 68

ProAir, LLC www.proairllc.com 46

Protective Insurance Company www.protective insurance.com 35

Relational Bus Systems www.rbs2000.com 21

Resorts Casino Hotel www.ResortsAC.com 66

Safety Step www.safetystep.net 53

SEFAC www.sefac.com 55

Service Insurance www.serviceins.com 31

Shriver Insurance www.shriverinsurance.com 39

Stertil-Koni www.stertil-koni.com 52

Sutrak www.sutrakusa.com 45

TEMSA www.temsa.com 15

TIB www.tibinsurance.com 36

Trans/Air Mfg. www.transairmfg.com 45

Transit Sales International www.transitsales.com 47

Turtle Top www.turtletop.com 2

Vanner Power www.vanner.com 10, 12

Volvo www.prevostcar.com 5

WEH Technologies Inc. www.weh.us 54

Willingham Inc. www.willinghaminc.com 20

Read or Download Complete Issues Of Busline Magazine Online At: www.buslinemag.com

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1 3 5:48 PM

Busline Vehicle Showcase:

PARATRANSIT/SHUTTLE BUSES & VANS

Turtle Top.......48 Starcraft Bus.......50

HVAC Systems Page 42

National Interstate..........................28

Service Insurance Agency..............30

Lancer Insurance .............................32

Protective Insurance Company......34

Transportation Insurance Brokers ..36

P.A. Post ...........................................38

Charabanc Financial........................40

Advantage Funding...........................41


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By Harrell KerkhoffBusline Magazine Editor

The late English literary critic JohnChurton Collins once famously said, “Inprosperity, our friends know us; in

adversity, we know our friends.” A classic case-in-point to this quote is the relationship foundbetween many public transportation riders andLong Beach (CA) Transit (LBT). Despite cutbacks in funding due to ongoing

struggles with the California economy, LongBeach Transit has found a way to not only sur-vive, but increase its approval ratings amongthe transit system’s ridership base. A recent customer satisfaction survey, con-

ducted every year to monitor Long BeachTransit’s level of service pertaining to 15 keycategories, revealed all-time high scores amongeight of these categories: driver courtesy, driv-er safety, on-board safety, information madeavailable, bus stop safety, schedule reliability,bus cleanliness and bus stop cleanliness. The other seven categories for 2011 also

received high marks from Long Beach Transitriders. These categories were: LBT overall,LBT compared to other (systems), driverappearance, fares, route convenience, tele-

phone information, and bus stop convenience.Overall, the customer satisfaction index for2011 — which combines all 15 categories —was also at an all-time high mark for LongBeach Transit.

Any transit system would be elated with sucha favorable yearly rating from its ridership. AtLong Beach Transit, however, this survey iseven more reassuring as it comes in the wake of

service cutbacks and fare increases. “A number of sacrifices have had to be made

in response to everything that has happenedsince 2008 regarding the economy,” LongBeach Transit Chief Administrative Officer& Senior Vice President Marcelle Epley said.“This includes cutting service back by 3.5 per-cent and implementing two 20 percent fareincreases.”She noted that LBT officials have had to deal

with higher fuel costs and a $7 million statebudget reduction due to fewer state fundsbecoming available. “We went from a regular fare of 90 cents to

$1.25, which is still one of the lower faresfound in the region,” Epley said. “Despite this,most of our riders have provided positive feed-back. They understand the economic strugglesmost people and transit agencies are goingthrough right now.” Long Beach Transit officials work hard to run

as transparent of a company as possible, sheadded, and made sure customers were informedof both fare increases. This included publichearings.

“We expected to receive a lot of negativecomplaints as these increases were coming ata time when rents and food prices were going


Marketing Manager Kevin Lee and Chief

Administrative Officer/Senior Vice President

Marcelle Epley spoke with Busline Magazine Editor

Harrell Kerkhoff regarding Long Beach Transit’s

increasing approval ratings amidst California’s

struggling economy.

Long Beach Transit

President/CEO

Laurence (Larry) Jackson

Long Beach Transit Wins High Marks From Ridership Despite California Budget Cuts


Long Beach Transit Wins High Marks From Ridership Despite California Budget Cuts


up for everyone as well,” Epley said. “Therewas a percentage of negative feedback, butmost of our customers remained very grate-ful for the quality of our transit service.

“We also had to go to our employees andask them to contribute more to their healthcare and pension plans. Despite this, one ofthe things we heard from the staff was,‘Thank you for keeping us employed.’”She added that today’s overall outlook for

Long Beach Transit remains optimistic. “There was a series of meetings that took

place with our staff where we explained the cur-rent financial situation,” Epley said. “It wasvery heart warming at these meetings to seehow much people care about Long BeachTransit. We have employees who have beenhere as long as 40 years. They love what theydo, and show respect for our customers andcompany. We are very fortunate. This includesour bus operators, mechanics ... everybody gen-uinely cares.”“People tend to stay here a long time,” Long

Beach Transit Marketing Manager KevinLee added. “One of the main reasons for this isthat officials at Long Beach Transit workhard to hire the right people, and theseemployees feel respected. In return, ouremployees show a lot of respect toward cus-tomers.

“It comes down to providing public trans-portation that enhances and improves the

quality of life for our customers. It’s alsoimportant to make sure there is a standardi-zation process in place when working withthese customers. For example, everyone hereanswers the telephone the same way and pro-vides the same type of answers. This helps usgive a consistent message to our customers,making them feel more secure in what we, asa transit provider, are doing. According toour surveys, all of this is working. We arereaching people and they are happy.”Both Epley and Lee credit Long Beach

Transit President and CEO Laurence(Larry) Jackson as setting the wheels inmotion for LBT’s continued favorability ratingsamong riders. Jackson, who has been with thetransit system since the mid-1970s, has playedan instrumental role in shaping the organiza-tion’s philosophy where customer servicealways comes first. “Larry Jackson is the man behind our compa-

ny. We have a great executive team as well, withmany members having learned under his leader-ship,” Epley said. Originally hired as a consultant from the City

of Long Beach, within two years Jacksonmoved up the ranks, serving as general manag-er and, eventually, president and CEO.“He has helped form a family atmosphere at

Long Beach Transit. Visitors have noticed thatwhen they walk around our facility, everybodywaves to one another and says, ‘hello,’” Epley

said. “When (Larry Jackson) started working atLong Beach Transit, it had approximately 8 mil-lion boarding customers per year. It was consid-ered a ‘mom and pop’ operation. He helpedraise the standards for the benefit of ouremployees and customers. “Today, we have nearly 28 million boarding

customers per year (over 85,000 on an averageweekday). The employee base has also grown,from 350 to over 800 employees during(Jackson’s) tenure thus far.”

Serving The Greater Long Beach Area

Long Beach Transit currently provides aservice area of 98 square miles. Thisincludes the cities of Long Beach,

Lakewood and Signal Hill along with portionsof Artesia, Bellflower, Carson, Cerritos,Compton, Hawaiian Gardens, Norwalk,Paramount and Seal Beach. Long Beach itself isthe second largest city within the Greater LosAngeles Area with an estimated population ofover 462,000.The city is home to one of the world’s largest

container and shipping seaports, and featuressuch attractions as the Long Beach Grand Prix,the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the RMSQueen Mary — the famous ocean liner perma-nently docked in Long Beach which now servesas a hotel, maritime museum and has severalrestaurants. The city also features a modern




beach front and downtown area, along with theLong Beach Convention Center. Because of itsproximity to area studios and its variety of loca-tions, Long Beach is regularly used as well formovies, television shows and advertisements.The origins of Long

Beach Transit date to 1963.Prior to that, several pri-vately owned transit opera-tors provided transportationto area residents. “LBT was one of the first

agencies to bring low-floorbus technology to theregion. Over the years therehas been a large populationof senior citizens and dis-abled customers in our area.These people have benefit-ed from this technology,”Epley said. “Not only areour buses low floor, theyalso feature hydraulic sys-tems that allow these vehi-cles to kneel virtually to thesame level as the street.

“All of our buses are fully ADA accessible.We also have a patented state-of-the-artsecurement system in place for wheelchairswhile on our vehicles. There are a number ofways that we make sure people in wheel-chairs are secured and comfortable.”

Among the trans-portation services pro-vided by Long BeachTransit are fixed-routebuses; Passport shut-

tles; AquaLink and AquaBus water taxis; Dial-A-Lift paratransit; and a seasonal Museum Expressservice. Long Beach Transit operates seven days a

week from approximately 4:30 to 1:30 a.m. Itsfleet consists of 228 buses including 185 40-foot

coaches; 30 mid-sizedPassport shuttles; and13 60-foot articulatedbuses. The transit sys-tem also has 16 Dial-A-Lift vans and 4water taxi vessels.LBT fixed-route busescan accommodate upto 3 bicycles andPassport shuttles canaccommodate up to 2bicycles using pull-down racks. The transit sys-

tem’s Passport serv-ice — featuring dis-tinctive red mid-sized shuttles —travels to such stopsas The Queen Mary,Long Beach Conv -ention Center, vari-ous hotels, andCalifornia State Uni -versity, Long Beach

(also known as Long Beach State.)“This service has grown in popularity during

the past few years and it still remains fare-freedowntown,” Epley said. “The Passport servicemakes traveling in and around the downtownarea easy, especially for visitors.”

Now fueling

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The First Street Transit

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Gallery photos: Billy Hustace


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Lee added the free Passport service can pro-vide a stepping stone for many riders to LongBeach Transit’s fixed-route services.

“If a person can get on a shuttle downtownand ride for free, he/she can better under-stand how our system works and branch outto our other public transportation options,”Lee said. Although most U.S. public transit systems

provide fixed-route and shuttle service of sometype, there aren’t many that also offer a watertaxi service. However, given Long Beach’sproximity to the Pacific Ocean, and the city’shistory as an import seaport, providing such aservice is a natural fit. Long Beach Transitowns and maintains four water taxis, two ofwhich are called the AquaLink and two calledthe AquaBus. They are all operated by CatalinaExpress, a private company. The red, yellow and purple AquaLink ves-

sels are 68-foot-long catamarans that can ferryup to 75 passengers, while the smaller redAquaBus vessels are 40-feet in length and cancarry up to 49 passengers. Both travel to pop-ular attractions on the Long Beach Harborwaterfront.Meanwhile, Long Beach Transit’s Dial-A-

Lift is a curb-to-curb, shared ride transit serv-ice. It’s exclusively for the mobility impairedresiding in, and travelling throughout, the citiesof Long Beach, Lakewood and Signal Hill.

“This is a private/public partnership withLong Beach Yellow Cab. The cab companyprovides the transportation from vans whichwe own,” Epley said. “It’s been a very success-ful program for us and saves a lot of money bybeing a public/private partnership.”Along with working with the city of Long

Beach in providing various public transporta-tion services, the transit system also works hardwith other city leaders and governments locatedwithin its service region. This, of course,involves a lot of coordination between all parties. “There is a balance that must take place

between what the needs and demands are andwhat services we can actually provide,” Epleysaid. “Right now, Long Beach Transit is in abit of a holding pattern as to what additionalservices our system can offer. We are cautious-ly optimistic that the economy will get a littlebetter. As consumers increase their level ofspending, there will be increased sales tax rev-enue, and increased funding should follow.“Although Long Beach Transit has not

greatly increased its level of service during thepast few years, our service planning depart-ment is phenomenal. Our buses carry an aver-age of 41 people, which makes us a very effi-cient transit system. There is no room forwaste. We can’t allocate any more servicehours but that team does make our routes veryefficient.”

She added that Long Beach Transit also hasa service quality committee in place whichhelps LBT plan for the future. “It’s important not to become stagnate as a

transit provider. We have to figure out how toexpand at a slow, modest, conservative rateover the next 10 to 20 years, and to have keyideas in place,” Epley said. “One goal is toprovide more frequent service in the future. Ifthere is one thing our customers and potentialcustomers tell us, it’s that they want our busesto run more often. It can become a balancingact as we also want to run as efficiently as pos-sible while also managing to maintain a bal-anced budget.”

LBT Adds To Ridership With U-PASS

Reaching new riders helps Long BeachTransit add to its efficiency as a publictransportation provider, along with

building up its future potential. The U-PASStransit partnership program, in association withCalifornia State University, Long Beach, pro-motes these goals. Current students, faculty and staff of the

school may board any Long Beach Transit busfor free with a valid university ID card during theschool year as the university and LBT work froma negotiated contract for the U-PASS service.“This is something we started in 2008 as


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there is very little available parking at the uni-versity,” Lee said. Epley added that today’s U-PASS transit pro-

gram provides an important alternative to driv-ing automobiles in and around the busy campus. “A trial U-PASS program was started in

September 2008 and daily ridership quicklyincreased from 1,200 to 5,000. This was at thesame time that gas prices were going up. Ourbuses soon were packed,” Epley said. From a marketing standpoint, the U-PASS pro-

gram has helped Long Beach Transit reach ayounger rider which may bode well for the future.

“It’s always good to get new riders accli-mated to our system,” Lee said. “These areyoung adults and some of them are new toLong Beach. One of the barriers for new res-idents is the unknown associated with ridingpublic transit. What U-PASS does is put apass in the hands of potential new riders tohelp them get started. “The results have been great. These are peo-

ple in our community who, when they leave col-lege and go to work, might eventually ride a businstead of driving a car for their daily commutes.They could become lifelong riders of transit.”LBT is extending a similar trial program for

a neighborhood in Long Beach called BelmontShore. This is an area that is home to manyshops, restaurants and business offices whereparking is also an issue. The new trial programis designed to provide employees of these estab-

lishments with a free public transportationoption when heading to and from work. “Many of these people are also young

adults,” Lee said. Long Beach is also a noted stopping point for

tourists, such as those wanting to visit TheQueen Mary and/or the Aquarium of thePacific. In response, LBT officials work withlocal governments and organizations includingthe Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau.“We are constantly sharing information and

providing route updates. LBT enjoys a strongpresence as a transit provider in associationwith many events that take place, includingthose in the downtown area,” Epley said. Long Beach Transit has greatly benefited as

well from the recently renovated First StreetTransit Gallery, also located in the downtownarea of the city. Of the transit system’s 38routes, 32 serve the Transit Gallery. All LBTroutes serve Los Angeles County MetropolitanTransportation Authority’s (Metro) Blue Linerail stations and two serve the Norwalk (CA)Green Line rail station. Connecting service at the Transit Gallery is

provided by Metro, the Los AngelesDepartment of Transportation and Torrance(CA) Transit. Approximately 25,000 individu-als connect to their destinations through theTransit Gallery every day. What makes the Transit Gallery unique is its

design and public art displays, including mosa-

ic sidewalk tiles as well as photography andpoetry exhibits. Included at the First Street Transit Gallery is

the Guy B. Heston Transit & Visitor Info -rmation Center where people can not only pur-chase bus passes, but get ID cards processedand receive information on what to do and seein the area. There are also public restrooms atthe Transit Gallery that Epley said are “kept inlike new” condition. The restrooms are main-tained in partnership with the Downtown LongBeach Association. There is also a bus driver’sbreak room at the facility.Three of the four windows at the Transit &

Visitor Information Center are staffed by transitemployees, while the other window is main-tained by the Long Beach Convention &Visitors Bureau.“In reality, a person can go to any window and

receive a lot of help when it comes to transit trav-el and visitor information,” Epley said. “The artfound at the Transit Gallery is very good. Thefacility is also completely lighted at night witheco-friendly LED lighting.”

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The true value of the motorcoach industryon life in the United States and Canadatook center stage during the United

Motorcoach Association’s 2012 Expo, heldFebruary 8-12 at the Long Beach (CA)Convention Center. With the theme, “The Year of the Motorcoach

Professional” serving as a backdrop, this year’sconvention featured a variety of educational pro-grams, speakers and networking events. It alsoincluded an exposition floor filled with 150industry-related manufacturer/supplier booths —all directed toward the motorcoach professional. As UMA President & CEO Victor Parra

stated in his annual Expo show guide message,this year’s theme, “Is intended to remind us of theextraordinary service we (the motorcoach indus-try and its operators) provide the traveling public;and to help us focus on how we can build on thispowerful legacy — not the least of which is thatmotorcoaches are still the safest way to travel.”Parra officially opened the 2012 Expo in Long

Beach with the annual UMA Active MemberMeeting on February 9, where he spoke of themany different challenges that motorcoach oper-ators have faced since the start of the current cen-tury. “We have seen some tough issues as an indus-

try. There were the events surrounding 9/11

which forced a downturn in business. We havealso seen sharp increases in fuel prices over thisperiod, charter rates dropping, the country’sfinancial system virtually collapsing, unprece-dented government bailouts and high unemploy-ment,” Parra said. “We are here (at the UMAExpo) to address these issues head on over thenext couple of days, looking for ways to help putyour business on a growth path.” Parra added that the issues facing both the

country, and the motorcoach industry, didn’tdevelop overnight. “Therefore, there are no quick fixes. It’s going

to take some good hard work, which is what weare going to be addressing at this convention,” hesaid.

Safety Policy Makers Provide Input

UMA Expo attendees received a double-dose of information pertaining to thesafety aspect of their industry as two

high-ranking officials from the federal govern-ment spoke during the Active Member Meeting.They were National Transportation SafetyBoard (NTSB) Chairman Deborah Hersmanand Federal Motor Carrier SafetyAdministration (FMCSA) AdministratorAnne Ferro. “These are two special guests, both of whom

help drive safety policy in Washington, D.C.,”Parra said.

In introducing Hersman, Parra noted thatNTSB is an independent federal agency given therole of conducting accident investigations. It alsopromotes transportation safety by issuing safetyrecommendations based on its investigations.“Chairman Hersman is the 12th chairman of

the NTSB, holds a CDL license and is no strangerto us. Those of you who were here in 2005 willremember (UMA) presented her with an awardfor her safety initiatives,” Parra said. The day prior to speaking at the Active

Member Meeting, Hersman held a press confer-ence near the convention center soon after step-ping off an MCI motorcoach operated by BeeLine Transportation, of Tucson, AZ. The NTSBChairman was transported via the coach from theLos Angeles International Airport (LAX) and wasaccompanied by Parra and other industry offi-cials. “As a member of NTSB, I’m thrilled to be here

at UMA. Vic Parra and the UMA team havealways been helpful in working with us while weprovide hearings and forums,” Hersman said. “Ihave a great deal of respect for all the profession-als in this industry — from those designing thevehicles to the people providing everyday main-tenance, driving and who run the companies. “The goal of (NTSB) is to see everybody move

safely — whether it’s by air, rail, bus or in theircars. We know that motorcoaches provide one ofthe safest forms of transportation. If we can getmore people to ride in a motorcoach, instead of in

UMA Expo Emphasizes

Importance OfMotorcoach Industry,

Offers Agenda On Overcoming

Industry ProblemsDeborah Hersman Vic Parra

Bill Allen Tom Ready Anne Ferro


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their cars, we all would be better off.” Hersman added that NTSB officials work to

help motorcoach companies in good standingcontinue to improve in the area of safety, whilemaking sure bad operators who are not comply-ing with federal safety rules are taken out of serv-ice. Hersman also fielded several questions at the

press conference. She was asked about her posi-tion on retrofitting three-point seat belts in oldercoaches. “We have made recommendations about seat

belts and improving the seating compartmentarea for a long time. The important thing aboutretrofitting is making sure that the seat belt isproperly supported by the structure on the vehi-cle,” she said. “We would like to see all busessafer, whether they are new or have been on theroad for some time. It’s important to make sure(retrofitting) is done the right way with properengineering and design.” Hersman was also asked about the importance

of event data recorder technology for bus travel.She responded that the NTSB believes such tech-nology provides valuable information for acci-dent investigators.“(NTSB) has made a recommendation for (the

placement ) of video event recorders on buses.This is not just for accident investigation purpos-es, but also for training and monitoring purposesas well,” she said. “A lot of people are already vol-

untarily embracing this technology. I plan tospend some time on the (Expo) show floor withmanufacturers of this technology. This is some-thing (those involved in public transportation) cando to raise the bar on safety.”

A Goal Of Zero Fatalities

During her address at the UMA ActiveMember Meeting, Hersman compliment-ed motorcoach operators for their ability

to transport a large number of people safely, evenduring today’s challenging economic times. Shealso noted that many motorcoach companies arefamily businesses that have a long and rich histo-ry in public transportation. “This year, one of your members, the

Buckingham Bus Company in Groton, MA, cele-brates its 100th anniversary, while Amador StageLines in Sacramento, CA, is marking its 160thanniversary,” Hersman said. “What is even moreamazing is how (Amador) evolved from a stageline that carried (gold rush) prospectors to itswide range of services today. It goes to show justhow nimble and adaptable this industry hasbecome.”She added that bus travel positively contributes

to the U.S. economy and improves the quality oflife for residents in many ways. Buses havebecome an iconic symbol of American life. “Everywhere in our country, people are on the

road again and they are taking buses. These vehi-cles are carrying presidential candidates and theirentourages, carrying school groups on varioustrips and carrying fans to the Super Bowl,”Hersman said. “I have been in Washington, D.C.,for about 20 years, and I don’t know what we willsee more of during the coming weeks lining theNational Mall — cherry blossoms or motor-coaches. You transport more passengers eachyear than all of the airlines in the United States.That is amazing.”Like these airlines, Hersman said the country’s

motorcoach industry enjoys a good safety record.However, there is always room for improvement.

“And like the airlines, when something badhappens such as a serious accident, yourindustry gets intense scrutiny, major news cov-erage and negative attention. With accidents,it makes no difference if a company has beenin business for one day or for 100 years. All thepublic sees is a motorcoach, and that accidentreflects on all of you. Safety is not a part ofyour business, safety has to be your business,”she said. “At the NTSB, safety is our only busi-ness as well. As an independent agency, we inves-tigate accidents across all modes of transporta-tion. Our charge is to find out what happened, andmake recommendations to prevent accidentsfrom happening again.”Hersman noted that transportation officials

have now seen something take place that many


thought was impossible — entire years in therecent decade where there have been zero U.S.commercial aviation fatalities. Unfortunately, she noted, the same has not

been true for the U.S. bus/motorcoach industry. “But when we look at safety overall, and the

fact that there were over 30,000 fatalities on ournation’s highways last year (from automobiles),we know that thousands of lives can be saved ifmore people ride buses rather than ride in theirown cars,” Hersman said. “We also know it’ssafer for students to ride in a school bus than in anautomobile to and from school.“Today, I want to talk to you about improving

on an already outstanding safety record. I want tochallenge you all as individuals and companies,

as well as the entire industry, to achieve zerofatalities in the coming years.”Hersman recounted several past fatal accidents

involving bus travel in the United States and whatwas learned from these events. She said therewere several common themes — fatigued drivers,poor occupant protection and marginal operators. “These three (themes) lead directly to the three

issues that are essential for safe operation —good oversight, good equipment and good opera-tors,” Hersman said. “Regarding good oversight, our investigations

have identified businesses that should have neverbeen operating buses. In 2008, an accident inSherman, TX, killed 17 people. The bus operatorhad previously failed a compliance review and

applied as a carrier under a new name, obtaininga new DOT operating number,” Hersman said.“Another accident in Victoria, TX, showed thatthe operator was unable to attain insurance due toprevious accidents, but used another operator’sauthority to run trips.“There continues an effort to detect unscrupu-

lous operators and prevent reincarnated carriersfrom entering the marketplace. But frankly, thebarriers of entry in this industry are extremelylow and the penalties are not a deterrent. Also, theFMCSA is overburdened with the work it has todo, having about 1 inspector for every 1,000 car-riers.”Recognizing the challenges FMCSA is facing

in oversight, Hersman applauded AdministratorFerro’s continued commitment to removing high-risk operators. “(Problem) carriers diminish the standards

which all of you (at the UMA Expo) have set foryourselves and have worked so hard to maintain,”Hersman said. She also spoke of advancements in equipment

that is now available for the motorcoach industry,noting that the 2012 MCI motorcoach that tookher from LAX to the UMA Expo was equippedwith 3-point passenger seat belts, a fire detectionand suppression system, electronic stability con-trol, automatic traction control and a tire pressuremonitoring system. “For decades, NTSB has been working for bet-

ter standards that protect passengers in accidents,particularly in rollover accidents. The good newsis many of you are asking for, and manufacturersare producing, new technology even in theabsence of federal mandates. MCI, Prevost, VanHool and Setra have all stepped up,” Hersmansaid. “Some vehicles are even equipped withadaptive cruise control that will slow or stop thevehicle in advance of a collision. This helps in sit-uations where drivers are fatigued or distracted.“While manufacturers are taking steps to put

these features in their vehicles, it’s up to you (themotorcoach operator) to take full advantage (ofthis technology).”She added that the third and final element

essential to operating safely — and the mostimportant — is maintaining good operators.According to Hersman, people are absolutely themost important piece to the safety equation. “Vic (Parra) mentioned that I have a CDL with

school bus and passenger endorsements. I havebeen behind the wheel and know how muchattention it requires. I am appreciative of the peo-ple who do this type of work for a living,”Hersman said. Manufacturers, she continued, must ensure that

a driver’s workload is not increased with newtechnology, but fits in seamlessly with a driver’stask. “Technology can be a great tool to improve

safety, but no matter how sophisticated that tech-nology is, it’s only as good as the performance ofthe operator. It’s the operator’s commitment tosafety, the operator’s understanding of safetytools, the operator’s safety culture — these are



the things that make for a safe operator,” she said. Hersman noted that a good safety culture starts

at the top of a company’s operation. “How many hours do you want your drivers to

be behind the wheel? How long of a day is toolong? Are your mechanics trained on all of thenew equipment found on your buses? Do youhave a robust policy concerning distractions(while driving) at your company? Do you acceptovernight charters? What can you do to reducerisks?” she asked.Hersman spoke of the Museum of Bus

Transportation in Hershey, PA, which she said notonly maintains a large collection of buses, butcelebrates the important role the bus industryplays in the country. “My question for all of you, ‘What will the

museum display about your generation yearsfrom now? What is your legacy going to be? Willyou be the leaders that get us to zero fatalities?”Hersman asked. “I challenge you to bring morepeople into your association and make sure theyare held to the same high standards. I want thepublic to better understand your industry, thevalue of your safety investments and your limita-tions. “I encourage you to raise your standards even

higher. That is the hallmark of a strong, safe andprofessional industry.”

Ferro Outlines FMCSA Programs

Picking up on Hersman’s challenge ques-tions directed toward the motorcoachindustry, FMCSA Administrator Anne

Ferro stated in her opening remarks during theUMA Active Member Meeting that these are thesame challenges her agency, and the entire U.S.Department of Transportation, are working on. “Safety is the U.S. DOT’s No. 1 priority. It

drives (U.S. Transportation) Secretary RayLaHood’s focus and leadership, and it providesthe platform on which everything is done atFMCSA,” Ferro said. “(FMCSA) is an agencythat was created 12 years ago with the sole pur-pose of saving lives by reducing crashes involv-ing trucks and buses. This is what drives ouremployees across the country everyday — savinglives.”She added that FMCSA concentrates on rais-

ing the bar on safety and, “Removing the badactors from the roadways, whether it’s a driver, avehicle or a company.”Ferro noted 2011 experienced its share of U.S.

motorcoach fatalities, which served as an effec-tive “wake up call” pertaining to motorcoachsafety enforcement. “(The U.S.) Congress held hearings and we (at

FMCSA) held a motorcoach safety summit. I wasgrateful that we had representation from UMA.There was a robust group of people at that sum-mit to help us identify areas or gaps in plans thatwe (at FMCSA) thought were fairly strong,”Ferro said. According to Ferro, due to the summit and

request from Congress, FMCSA will soon be

introducing a refined and strengthened motor-coach safety action plan. “At the end of the day, however, that plan does-

n’t mean anything if it’s not combined withactions. And the actions you saw us take last yearreally formed the basis of what you can expectfrom us, as a federal agency, this year when itcomes to oversight on motorcoach safety,” Ferrosaid. She added that FMCSAs National Passenger

Carrier Inspection Strike Force has been busy asof late.

“We have implemented more strike forcesthan ever before, with these strike forces instrategic, as well as non-traditional, destina-tions,” Ferro said. “This will continue (in

2012). It’s never my strategy to let you knowwhere (the strike forces) are going to be next,but just expect them. And expect that local,state and federal partners will be workingvery closely together to ensure that our strikeforces are targeting carriers that most needour attention.“Those strike forces, as well as our compliance

reviews and investigative work, provide evermore robust data to populate the safety measure-ment system within FMCSA, further sharpeningour focus. Underscoring this strike force activityis a very strong enforcement followup (process),utilizing every enforcement tool that our agencyhas to shut those companies down that shouldn’tbe on the roads. Last year alone we issued 110



out-of-service orders or unsatisfactory ratings justfor passenger carriers.”Ferro also discussed the Compliance Safety

Accountability (CSA) program from FMCSAwhich is designed to improve both commercialtruck and bus safety. The centerpiece of CSA isthe Safety Measurement System (SMS), whichanalyzes all safety-based violations from inspec-tions and crash data to determine a commercialmotor carrier’s on-road performance. The newsafety program allows FMCSA to reach morecarriers earlier and deploy a range of correctiveinterventions to address a carrier’s specific safetyissues.“The great news about CSA is it’s living up to

its name — Compliance Safety Accountability.I’m committed to making it become a continu-ously stronger tool to help identify what (a motor-coach operator) is doing well and what areas needimprovement,” Ferro said. She also touted FMCSAs Pre-employment

Screening Program (PSP), which is designed tohelp motor carriers make informed hiring deci-sions. This is done by providing electronic accessto a driver’s crash and inspection history from theMotor Carrier Management Information System(MCMIS). “PSP provides you (as a motorcoach company)

a tool by which a driver’s violation history can bescreened. If you are not already using PSP, then Istrongly urge you to get enrolled. It’s very afford-able. Companies with best practices use it toscreen drivers before they make a final hiring

decision,” Ferro said. She also discussed other “hot” topics that

FMCSA is involved with pertaining to safety.They include:

nDistractive driving — “Just don’t do it. Wehave a slogan, ‘One text or call could wreck itall.’ It’s important to make sure your driversnever text and/or talk on the phone while oper-

ating a motorcoach,” Ferro said. She said there are now fines in place for such

actions. A driver can be fined as much as $2,750and companies $11,000.

n Hours of service — Ferro said a robust lis-tening session was recently held on the hours ofservice topic and that more sessions will follow.“Our Motorcoach Safety Advisory Committee

has formed a subcommittee to continue workingon this issue,” she said. “I urge everyone to be onthe lookout for more listening sessions. We havealready heard from people (within the motor-coach industry) who have spoken in favor ofkeeping the current hours of service rules inplace, but to increase enforcement. Many havealso said that their electronic on-board recordershave been beneficial in tracking compliance with-in their own companies.”

Young Guns Continue To Gain Traction

One of the newer groups that has formedunder the UMA umbrella is known asthe “Young Guns,” consisting of

younger professionals involved in the industry.

During the past year this group has formed,named committee members and held events, suchas the “UMA Young Guns Roundtable & DreamsFor The Future” program that took place duringthis year’s UMA Expo.

Ray Land, of Fabulous Coach Lines inBranford, FL, who helped organize “YoungGuns” explained the mission of this group.

“UMA Young Guns is a group of young pro-fessionals driving innovation, imagination andexcitement within the motorcoach industry.We are committed to building relationships,developing leaders and striving for continuedexcellence in the motorcoach industry — whilehaving fun doing so,” Land said. “A YoungGun is a UMA member in good standing. Ifyou feel that mission defines you, and if youfeel young at heart, then you are certainly aYoung Gun.

“We try to brainstorm and create ideas thatcan advance our industry and do things thathave never been done before.”The Young Guns leadership team consists of

Land as president; Michael Giddens, of PacificCoachways, Garden Grove, CA, secretary/trea-surer; Mike Costa, of A Yankee Line, Boston,MA, activities/events; Ryan Cupp, of BlueLakes Charters & Tours, Clio, MI,innovations/excitement; Gene Wright III, of B& W Charters, Kalamazoo, MI, education; andSharad Agarwal, of BCI America, Pasadena,CA, recruitment.“What we have done this year is build a foun-

dation and continue to welcome any sugges-tions. If you are interested in getting involved,please let us know,” Land said. “This is a forumfor ideas and talking about the future of theindustry, especially over the long term.”Those interested in Young Guns can visit

www.facebook.com/umayoungguns or send anemail to [email protected]. A goal ofthe group is to add at least 50 new members in2012.Along with introductions and explaining the

focus of the organization, members of the YoungGuns leadership team also had those in atten-dance during the UMA Expo event form intoroundtable groups. These groups then discussedinnovations they would like to see take place onfuture buses/motorcoaches. Feedback from thisbrainstorming session was then given to industrymanufacturers and is also available on the YoungGuns’ Facebook page.

UMA Honors Ready, Looks Forward To Co-locating Shows With NTA

Outgoing UMA Chairman Tom Ready,of Ready Bus Lines in La Crescent,MN, was recognized during the Active

Member Meeting for this dedication andachievements while serving as chairman. Theterms of Ready and other UMA Board membersexpired during this year’s Expo. “As chairman, Tom had to manage a board of

21 motorcoach executives. He was very skillful BUSLINE March/April 2012

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with the board’s time, making sure everyone wasable to get (his/her) views on the table,” Parrasaid. The new chairman of UMA is Bill Allen, of

Amador Stage Lines, Sacramento, CA.Toward the conclusion of the 2012 UMA

Expo, many people attending the Long Beachevent began thinking about 2013, and the newpartnership that has been formed between UMAand the National Tour Association (NTA). Thetwo organizations will be co-locating their

annual businessevents — the NTAConvention and theUMA Expo —beginning in 2013(January 19-23) inOrlando, FL. “What we are

doing with theNational Tour Asso -ciation is creatingsomething very pow-erful and exciting,”Parra said whileopening the 9thAnnual UMA VisionAwards Banquet. Ready expressed

similar thoughtsduring the VisionAwards ceremony.

“A joint show is coming for the travel side ofour industry. It’s something our membershave wanted for a long time. We will now beable to bring the bus people and the travel peo-ple together under one roof,” Ready said.“(NTA members) can now see a bus, touch abus, ride a bus and even kick a tire. In return,bus owners can meet more destination man-agement people, hotel groups and talk to theowners of attractions. This will be a one-stopconvention known as Travel Exchange.

“Our board of directors and the NTA haveworked very hard and want everyone to payattention to upcoming Travel Exchange promo-tions.”UMA and NTA officials also held a press event

on the exposition floor where they spoke andgave a toast to next year’s events. “It’s an honor to be here. I really have to say

from NTA that we are proud to be part of theUMA family, and we look forward to a wonder-ful experience in bringing these two culturestogether for 2013,” NTA/UMA 2013 Task ForceChairman Michael Neustadt, of Coach ToursLtd., in Brookfield, CT, said during the pressevent. Neustadt’s company is a member of both NTA

and UMA. NTA is a business-building association for

travel professionals interested in the NorthAmerican market — inbound, outbound andwithin the continent. Its buyer members are touroperators who buy and package travel productsfrom around the world. Meanwhile, seller mem-bers are destination marketing organizations andtour suppliers from the United States, Canada andover 40 countries. “We assure you that everything (attendees) get

from the NTA (Convention) and the UMA Expowill continue, but hopefully (the co-locating ofshows) will present even more opportunities forconducting business and making new contacts,”Neustadt said.


The Young Guns leadership team asked attendees to divide into groups

and discuss bus innovations.




Receiving solid business advice fromexperienced professionals is importantin any industry. Those involved with

running buses/motorcoaches are provided thisluxury every year during the UnitedMotorcoach Association’s operators’ panel ses-sion, traditionally held on the first full day ofactivities at the UMA Expo. Five panelists, representing motorcoach com-

panies located in various parts of the UnitedStates as well as one Canadian operator, sharedtheir thoughts on several subjects for this year’sExpo event. The panelists were: Mike Costa, of A

Yankee Line, Boston, MA; Larry Hundt, ofGreat Canadian Trailways, Kitchener, ON;Brian Annett, of Annett Bus Lines, Sebring,FL; Sarah Walker, of Star Shuttle & Charter,San Antonio, TX; and, Bill Allen, of AmadorStage Lines, Sacramento, CA.Serving as moderator for the event was UMA

President & CEO Victor Parra, who askedthe panelists various questions related to themotorcoach industry and public transportationin general.

Tell us about the past year. How did 2011 turn out?

Hundt — Great Canadian Trailways“I think we have all (in the motorcoach

industry) been challenged with the lowering ofcharter rates and increasing costs, especially onthe fuel side. It really challenges your marginsand makes it difficult to drive profits. “As a company, we were fortunate that our

tour business, which is operated by my wife(Lorna Hundt), did extremely well (in 2011).This is a good sign.”

Costa — A Yankee Line“Among the challenges in 2011 was the high

price of fuel and tires, as well as increasedinspections throughout the Northeast corridor.We combated (challenges) with a solid salesplan, knowing we were going to hold ourrates and win business where we could.”

Walker — Star Shuttle & Charter“As a company, we were on track during the

first and second quarters (to have a good year),then we had the hottest summer and wildfires(in Texas) and other unpredictable things whichset us back. However, we were able to finishstrong in the fourth quarter.”

Allen — Amador Stage Lines“Our sales were a little bit down, but not sub-

stantially down. “We really concentrated on cutting expens-

es. This included cutting staff and unneces-sary miles. Insurance costs did go down for us.Because of cost control, we actually came outa little better in 2011 than 2010.”

How have you dealt with the lowaverage rates many motorcoach

companies are charging today?Walker — Star Shuttle & Charter“We try to stick with our rates and I think this

has paid off. Once we realized (in 2011) that wewere going to get the numbers (in business) wewere looking for, I think our confidence grew.”

Allen — Amador Stage Lines“We didn’t drop our prices at all for our

mileage runs (in 2011). Where we felt weshould be more competitive against some ofthese low-ballers was when booking hourlytrips. That is where we did attack. “I told my people that if we were going to

lose a bid on price to call me, and they did call.Some of the prices we were up against wereridiculously low. We don’t look to match suchlow prices, but we sometimes can get within$75 to $100. In that case a lot of customers willgo with us. However, we won’t do this for everytrip. There is a line that you can’t cross if the

price is too low.”Costa — A Yankee Line“There will always be operators who are

cheaper and operators who are higher. That isjust the nature of every industry. One thing Iwould encourage every company to do is differ-entiate itself. Being competitive doesn’t neces-sarily mean having to lower your prices to getthat business. We try to differentiate ourselvesby offering (high-end) motorcoaches and thehighest quality of customer service throughproper training of our motorcoach chauffeurs.”

Hundt — Great Canadian Trailways“We try to reduce costs by slowing our

coaches down a little while having our salesstaff generate business from new clients. Wealso try to do some things with our facility.We are very fortunate in this economic timeto have a large facility. Therefore, ourmechanics are now also repairing trucks aswe have opened a truck center. We haveenough room to park trucks and also sell fuelto generate additional revenue.“We are trying to find related areas of busi-

ness and use our resources to drive more rev-enue.”

Annett — Annett Bus Lines“One of the great things about being a busi-

ness owner is that there are so many things youcan control. In our operation, we work on thethings we can control and let the other stuff goby the wayside. “Pricing from a competitor is something we

can’t control. Therefore, we don’t get tied upwith that a lot, but it can be frustrating at times.In a competitive market, you do see things thatwill make you scratch your head, but I continueto come back to the view that we can’t controleverything. Therefore, we have to maximizewhat we can control, such as improving ourefficiency. In turbulent times, we focus on ourcompany practices and make sure we are asefficient as possible.”

Expo Highlight:

Operators Panel Discussion

Bill Allen Vic Parra

Brian Annett Sarah Walker

Mike Costa Larry Hundt

Q

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Were there any new things your company tried during 2011?Allen — Amador Stage Lines

“We had an opportunity to successfully bidon some 1997 (transit type) buses (for certaintypes of work). They come with reclining seatsand also have air conditioning, microphones,and wheelchair lifts. We purchased 10 of thesebuses at a total cost of $31,000. These busesgenerated around $56,000 in sales during thefourth quarter (of 2011) alone, and we havearound $100,000 booked for them for the firstsix months of this year.

“It was a no brainer to purchase these vehi-cles despite being out of our realm as we neverused transit buses before.”Walker — Star Shuttle & Charter“We really didn’t change too much in 2011.

We wanted to tighten our screws and make sureour procedures were improving. One thing ourcompany did really focus on was customer serv-ice and the training we provide for our drivers.These are areas where we could control thingsourselves.”

Annett — Annett Bus Lines“I feel really lucky because I work in an

organization where we have great people and Ialso get to work with my brother (David Annett).He keeps his eyes on all the ‘nuts and bolts’ ofthe company, and I get to spend 100 percent ofmy time looking for new segments of business.

“I think it’s important for us, as an indus-try, to realize that we can’t continue to workjust within the same type of segments andwith the same type of customers year afteryear. I focused a lot of my time in 2011 iden-tifying possible new ridership (segments) forour coaches. We were successful with some ofthis new business and not successful othertimes, but I think it’s important to cultivatenew leads and interests in motorcoach travel.

“We did have some success in 2011 with apark-and-ride service. We were able to open theeyes of some clients who, in the past, really did-n’t see a bus as an option for them; and now it’son the top of their minds.”Hundt — Great Canadian Trailways“Several years ago, when we realized that the

economy was going to be challenged, we imme-diately had a meeting and looked very hard atour costs and our staff. We made staff reduc-tions, which we never had done before in thehistory of our company. I hope that everyonehas taken that opportunity to have a hard look atcosts and be as efficient as possible.

“I would like to get back to what Brian(Annett) was saying about looking for newclients. Having been a tour operator for most ofmy life, I have seen many changes in this mar-ket. People are not grouping (together) like theyused to, and if people are not grouping, thenthey are not riding on motorcoaches (together).

“What challenges us, as an industry, is tolook for, and develop, new sources of business.I’m so thrilled that we (at UMA) are goingdown the path with NTA (the National TourAssociation) next year concerning a joint show.A lot of UMA members will have a greateropportunity to look at the tour side of the indus-try and the opportunities this presents. This istrue even if you are not a tour-related operator.” Costa — A Yankee Line“We have been trying to improve our utiliza-

tion year-around. We have been looking formore opportunities, and in some cases, trying tocreate opportunities. This was our focus in 2011and will also be our focus in 2012.”

Do you see business improving in 2012?

Costa — A Yankee Line“We expect 2012 to be amazing for us.

First of all, we are adding new clients. Inaddition, we are seeing that business fromour existing customers is going up. Forexample, a middle school trip to Washington,D.C. that may have taken two or three of ourbuses in 2011 now may take three or four ofour buses in 2012.

“We are trying to fill in those valleys ofbusiness (with more trips and customers). Ialso work with the Motorcoach MarketingCouncil which is looking at opportunities for

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the future, finding niches and new applicationsfor motorcoach travel.”

Hundt — Great Canadian Trailways“We are cautiously optimistic (for 2012).

There is a sense that the marketplace will have alittle bit more stability to it despite what’s goingon in Europe. That is one area that concerns mea bit — inbound business that we usually getfrom Europeans. “I feel it’s important to also be cautious about

fuel prices. As the economy starts to grow, wecould hear more excuses from those trying todrive up fuel rates again.”

Annett — Annett Bus Lines“We go into every new year excited. We are

looking to grow a lot of the work that wereceived toward the end of (2011). This year(2012) looks real promising for us with newopportunities.”

Walker — Star Shuttle & Charter“We are excited, too, and see things improv-

ing. Having successfully gone through some ofthe tough times has given us more confidence.”

Allen — Amador Stage Lines“Not to put a damper on things, but we

(Amador Stage Lines) are from California andNevada, states that have the two highest unem-ployment rates in the country. “That being said, I do think 2012 will be good

because it’s an election year. I’m sure everythingthat can be done to stimulate the economy andkeep fuel prices down will take place to improve(incumbents’) chances of being re-elected.”

How are you maximizing your capital assets?

Walker — Star Shuttle & Charter“One thing we did this past year was to

reconfigure our sales office. This was done tobetter maximize our staff and make our salesteam more effective.”

Annett — Annett Bus Lines“We are more interested in making a profit

than how many miles a coach runs down theroad. From an operational side, we try to controlcosts as much as we can and have our sales sideunderstand this focus.

“Our industry must also realize that atcertain times of the year, it should be harderfor people to get a motorcoach, and we (as anindustry) need to be properly compensatedduring these times. Other industries, such asthe airlines and hotels, get properly compen-sated for similar busy times.”

Hundt — Great Canadian Trailways“I touched on earlier about the resources we

have in place with our building and how this hasadded new business.

“We also really took a hard look at oursales direction and refocused some of our corebusinesses, particularly on the consumer andgroup sides. We are going to target (on

improving upon) some of the lighter times oftravel.”

Costa — A Yankee Line“There is a constant wrestling match that

takes place within our industry to make peoplerealize that utilization is driven by demand, andthat certain times of the year a company canyield a higher rate than at other times. By find-ing this balance in utilization, I believe compa-nies can help maximize their capital assets moreefficiently.”

Allen — Amador Stage Lines“If you are finding yourself sold out all of

the time, then you are probably not chargingenough.

“Another thing a company can capitalizeon is with its shop facility. You can open theeyes of a lot of customers when it comes towhat a quality shop means, especially from asafety standpoint.”

How does your business work with controllable and

uncontrollable costs?Hundt — Great Canadian Trailways“Certainly, the controllable costs should be

reviewed by your staff. We have really workedhard at keeping our costs in line. “Uncontrollable costs include fuel. We were

remiss (as a company) in not getting our fuel-surcharge in place soon enough (in the recentpast). That is very important.”

Costa — A Yankee Line“An uncontrollable cost is fuel, and the

way we are trying to control that uncontrol-lable cost is by eliminating bus idling times.This makes a big difference.”

Allen — Amador Stage Lines“Regarding fuel, the cost is uncontrollable

as far as what you pay for that fuel, but you canreduce your usage. That is what we try to dothrough technology. All of our buses haveGPS, where we monitor, in real-time, our trips.We can see when a particular bus is idling. Weactually will call a driver up and say, ‘Hey,your bus is idling.’ It’s taken a few years to geteverybody on the same mindset (about idlereduction).

I have seen a statistic that showed 30 per-cent of our fuel (as an industry) is used foridling. That’s a big number.

“Another way to get costs down isthrough accident control. Every timeyour bus gets nicked up, that is moneypouring out of your pocket. If you canminimize that expense, such as hiring asafety director, it will pay for itself manytimes over.”

Walker — Star Shuttle & Charter“Our (uncontrollable costs) come from

fuel, insurance and some regulations. But,there are things you can do to offset some of

these costs. This includes idle reduction,keeping speeds down, changing tires at theproper time, etc.”

Annett — Annett Bus Lines“Technology and communication — these

are two key things in our industry right now.We monitor buses and have staff meetingswere we talk about idle reduction.

“I wish every company had the resourcesto employ a full-time safety and trainingdirector. The training of motorcoach driversshould take a back seat to nothing. That iswhere you can control costs, with propertraining.

“Everybody on your staff should alsounderstand the importance of a dollar.”

How do you not over extend your company in good times while

maintaining your customer base in toughtimes?

Costa — A Yankee Line“Everybody has seen operators (who expand

too fast) and lower their rates to seek all of theavailable business around. Eventually, theycan’t pay for their new buses.

“Maintaining a managed and steadygrowth is key. It’s not healthy to have anexplosive growth pattern.”

Hundt — Great Canadian Trailways“I think any move that you make needs to

be well thought out and calculated.“We have put a lot of thought into our recent

expansion. I know of situations where peoplesuddenly jumped into the tour business, didn’thire the right people and thought it would allbe easy. It ended up costing them a lot ofmoney.”

Annett — Annett Bus Lines“We make slow decisions. There is no

knee-jerk reaction.”Walker — Star Shuttle & Charter“It’s natural in wanting to capitalize on

things during good times. However, it cancome back to bite a business if that companybecomes over-extended, especially in tumul-tuous times when there is no longer a cushionto fall back on.”

Allen — Amador Stage Lines“Slow and steady is a good way to go, but I

also feel it’s important to be ready whenopportunities come around. With the (transitstyle) buses that we bought, if we had waitedsix months to decide whether or not to pur-chase these vehicles, then the opportunitywould have passed. In that case, there was apretty small risk involved. We took the oppor-tunity and it worked out for us. “Overall, anybody who looks at our compa-

ny will know we don’t jump to any fast conclu-sions. We study things and then try to make thebest decision and move forward.”

For More Information Visit www.BusConExpo.com or Call (800)576-8788

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

Welcome Reception 5:30pm - 7:00pm Hyatt Regency Chicago’s Bistro 151

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Seminars 8:30am - 12:00pm

Exhibit Hall Hours 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Networking Reception 5:00pm - 6:30pm

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2012

Keynote Presentation 8:30am - 10:00am

Exhibit Hall Hours 10:00am - 2:00pm

PRELIMINARY 2012 SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE

(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

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For More Information Visit www.BusConExpo.com or Call (800)576-8788

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

Welcome Reception 5:30pm - 7:00pm Hyatt Regency Chicago’s Bistro 151

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Seminars 8:30am - 12:00pm

Exhibit Hall Hours 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Networking Reception 5:00pm - 6:30pm

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2012

Keynote Presentation 8:30am - 10:00am

Exhibit Hall Hours 10:00am - 2:00pm

PRELIMINARY 2012 SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE

(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

BCS01-47.12

17 th

Annual

NAVY PIER, CHICAGO, SEPTEMBER 11-12, 2012

SAVE

NETWORKING

EXHIBIT HALL

EDUCATION

Media SponsorsLead Media Sponsor


In an era where customer service has come to mean cookie-cut-ter insurance policies, remote call centers and long waits on“hold,” you’ll be surprised to know there is an insurance compa-

ny that still treats its valued customers like valued customers. Thatcompany is National Interstate. Based in Richfield, OH, National Interstate was founded in 1989

to serve the specific needs of the transportation industry. “We understand the complicated nature of the transportation

business,” National Interstate President and CEO DaveMichelson said. “It’s in our blood. And, everything we do isaimed at meeting the growing andchanging needs of our customers.”What their customers needed most,

they found, was improved customer serv-ice and policies tailored to their specificlines of business. National Interstate hasdelivered both for over 23 years. Recognizing the importance of one-

on-one service, National Interstate cre-ated a business model aimed at fosteringbetter communication and helpingdevelop meaningful relationships withthe companies it serves.

“Our mission is to build an insur-ance experience around the individ-ual and their company,” explainsMichelson. “We believe it’s important to really know our cus-tomers. And that means listening, understanding and actuallypicking up the phone when they call with a question.”

Products As Individual As Their CustomersNational Interstate developed a line of products that are among

the most comprehensive in the industry. The company currentlyhas more than 30 different insurance programs for a wide varietyof transportation businesses. These include traditional insurance,innovative alternative risk transfer (ART) insurance for commer-cial companies and insurance for specialty vehicle owners.

“Unlike companies which offer more one-size-fits-alloptions, our portfolio is designed for specific industries,” saysMichelson. “We offer unique products for the charter and tourbusinesses, student transportation, public transit and para-transit, too.” In addition, National Interstate provides a variety of coverage

options. These include first-dollar, gross receipts/mileage, liabili-ty and deductible options, and ART.“Alternative Risk Transfer is quickly becoming a preferred

option for companies looking for better ways to manage their riskand stabilize their insurance costs,” Michelson notes. ART premiums are not influenced by the cyclical insurance

market, but rather by the policyholder’s safety record. Our ARTcustomers pay insurance premiums similar to traditional insur-ance, but can receive a portion of that premium back along withinvestment income if their claims are lower than expected.With these added financial incentives, more and more best-in-

class passenger transportation companies are finding ART pro-grams an attractive solution to managing insurance costs. In fact,since National Interstate began offering the option in 1995, hun-dreds of companies have turned to Alternative Risk Transfer. Andthose numbers continue to grow steadily each year.

A Customized Approach To Risk Management In an effort to reduce customer claims and keep insurance costs

low, National Interstate provides a wide range of risk managementprograms tailored to the specific needs of each client. The company’sproactive services include risk assessments, consultation and train-ing, accident kits, newsletters, a safety hotline, a video library, dis-counted compliance materials and a robust online program, which isscheduled to be launched this year. Accident event recorders (AERs) were also introduced by

National Interstate’s affiliate, SCLS, as an effective loss control tool.With more than 14,000 of the devicesinstalled in vehicles since 2006, AERshave proven to enhance driver behavior,reduce claims and protect drivers in acci-dent cases where they are not at fault.

“Our award-winning accident eventrecorder program is a great exampleof how National Interstate responds toits customers’ needs,” says Michelson.“The transportation industry isalways looking for ways to promotesafety and reduce unnecessary costs.This technology helps them do both.”National Interstate is focused on being

helpful in every aspect of its business. Andnowhere is that more apparent then in the

customer service department. Unlike many insurance companies whotransfer their customers to remote call centers, National Interstateanswers every customer query personally. Representatives, who aretrained specifically in the transportation business, are on site and ableto answer questions promptly and thoroughly. They’re also there to help clients process claims in a timely and

efficient manner. Proactive and tenacious, National Interstate’sclaims professionals are aggressive advocates for their customers. “Our customers really value our expertise and our commitment to

keeping their costs down,” Michelson adds.

A History Of Stability And GrowthBy building its business on exceptional service and products,

National Interstate has become one of the leading transportationinsurance companies in the country. Rated “A” (Excellent) IX byA.M. Best Company, National Interstate has a long history of finan-cial stability and growth. In fact, over the past 23 years, it hasbecome what is believed to be the largest writer of passenger trans-portation insurance in the United States. Today, National Interstate has more than 500 employees based in

Ohio, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Missouri — each of whom is com-mitted to providing the highest level of personal service, efficientclaims processing and the best products. National Interstate’s unique combination of superior service, cus-

tomized policies and knowledge of the transportation industry sig-nals a positive future for the company. As Michelson points out, “AtNational Interstate, we have the financial strength, longevity, prod-uct expertise and flexibility that are not only needed in the market-place, but essential for protecting today’s businesses.”

Contact National Interstate at800-929-1500 • www.natl.com


National InterstateBuilding An Insurance Experience Around Its Customers

FAST FACTS¸ A leading provider of passenger

transportation insurance

¸ Rated “A” (Excellent) IX by A.M. Best Company

¸ Offices in Ohio, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Missouri

¸ More than 30 programs, customized to specificlines of business

¸ Long-standing commitment to customer service



Words of wisdom are sometimes hard to come by,especially during tough times. Those who providepassenger transportation, however, are seeking

advice on insurance and other industry-related matters at a rapidpace.With three locations and 58 years of experience providing

transportation insurance Service Insurance Agency repre-sentatives have the knowledge and dedication to help motor-coach operators survive and thrive in today's business cli-mate.With a dedicated team of customer service representatives

(CSRs) and producers, Service Insurance Agency provides thevalue-added benefits that are critical today.The agency, with its headquarters in Richmond, VA, and

offices in Knoxville, TN, and Naples, FL, can provide a vari-ety of insurance products for the transportation industry suchas Auto Liability, Physical Damage, General Liability,Worker's Comp ensation, Garage and Garage Keeper's LegalLiability. The agency also provides additional help in suchareas as driver selection, drug and alcohol testing, DOTcompliance, and safety seminars.“We are one of the largest insurance agencies in the

Southeast, providing transportation insurance solutions to our650 motorcoach clients,” said Service Insurance AgencyPresident Tim O'Bryan.“We have a dedicated staff of insurance professionals

who are committed to the motorcoach industry. With over150-plus years of collective transportation insurance expe-rience we are able to provide our clients, as well as ourpotential clients, with valuable insight.”The producers include Service Insurance Agency President

Tim O'Bryan, located in Richmond, VA.; Roger Gum, ofKnoxville, TN.; and Gray Poehler of Naples, FL.

“From an agency standpoint, we help our clients with var-ious situations that come up in the operation of their busi-ness, whether it's insurance related or not. Our clients knowthey can call us with questions that most non-transportationagents may not be aware of,” Mr. O'Bryan said. He added that a non-transportation agent or agency may not

understand the unique challenges facing the motorcoach opera-tor today.

“The insurance companies provide the insurance cover-ages required by our clients, but we as an agency provide thecustomer service that our clients need in order to operate inthe current business environment. Whether we issue certifi-cates of insurance to groups who wish to travel with ourclients, help our clients with driver selection and retention,provide lienholders with proof that their interests are pro-tected, or just act as a sounding board for general businessquestions, we strive to be a complete business partner withour clients.”According to Mr. O'Bryan, “The number of insurance carriers

that specialize in our industry is relatively small. Therefore, it'seven more important than ever to deal with an agency that has along standing relationship with all of these carriers.“One thing about the insurance industry is that it never

stays the same. Pricing models change, natural disasters inthis country and abroad affect the availability of the highlimits that our clients must carry, the ever changing legal cli-mate has a direct impact on this industry. Plus, when youconsider the state and federal mandates imposed on ourclients, now is the time to strengthen your relationship withyour state officials and those in Washington, D.C.“As an agency that specializes in the motorcoach industry,

we welcome the opportunity to work with our clients in all ofthese areas. Service Insurance Agency lives and breathesthis industry. We serve on various state association boardsto provide insight and help each member, whether or notthe company is a client, stay informed. We are committedto strengthening our relationship with our clients, and thevarious state motorcoach associations to guarantee the sta-bility and future of this industry that supports us,” statesMr. O'Bryan.“These are difficult times. It's important that we all work

together. Comm unication is an essential part of the equation soplease do not hesitate to call us and discuss your situation.Service Insurance Agency has been in this business since1952, and we have guided our clients through a variety of busi-ness climates over the years. I am available to my clients 24hours a day, 7 days a week. We need to be available because ourclients work those same hours,” states Mr. O'Bryan.

Contact: Service Insurance AgencyTim O'Bryan, President

6850 Catawba LaneRichmond, VA 23226

1-800-444-0205 ext. 303FAX 804-288-7925CELL 804-914-6993

[email protected]

Roger Gum, ProducerKnoxville, TN865-546-9697

[email protected]

Gray Poehler, Producer3770 Sawgrass Way, # 3431Naples, FL 34112-1304

[email protected]

Service Insurance AgencyWorking Together Through Good & Tough Times


By Tim Delaney

Tim Delaney is the co-founder and senior executive vice president of LancerInsurance Company, based in Long Beach, NY (www.lancerinsurance.com). Delaneyhas served as a director of the Lancer Financial Group since 1982. His backgroundincludes 38 years of insurance and reinsurance experience with Frank B. Hall &

Company, American Risk Management, Inc. (Reiss Group), Delaney Intermediaries,Inc., and Lancer Financial Group. He also is a frequent speaker at bus and motor-

coach conventions and seminars.

At Lancer Insurance Company, we believe there are someominous storm clouds beginning to appear on the horizonfor the bus and motorcoach insurance market. Thankfully,

there are positive steps bus operators can take to soften the effectsof a potential market contraction in which insurers either voluntar-ily withdraw or are forced to leave due to past inadequate pricing oftheir products.

“We believe many newer bus insurers will need to adjusttheir pricing in the near future because the claim paymentsthey are making are likely to outstrip the premiums they werecollecting. And, in the absence of strong investment returns tooffset their underwriting losses, they will either have to raisetheir prices significantly or withdraw from the market.”In fact, the A.M. Best Company has just released the 2011

Property/Casualty Industry’s results which reveal an average com-bined ratio of 107.5 percent. That means that, as an industry, com-panies were losing 7.5 cents on every $1 of premium collected.Those types of results cannot be sustained The year 2011 was the worst year ever for catastrophe claims-

related losses in the property casualty insurance industry. From theearthquakes in New Zealand and the earthquake and tsunami inJapan, to Hurricane Irene on our East Coast, and a record-breakingstring of tornadoes and floods in our Midwest and South, the glob-al insurance industry suffered a record-shattering $105 billion inclaims payouts in 2011; $44.1 billion of those claim payouts werein the United States alone. And, if the early season tornado outbreakwhich recently devastated parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky andAlabama are any indication, 2012 is on a similarly costly pace.You may say: “That’s all very tragic and unfortunate for the

insurance industry, but why should I be concerned? I own a 12-coach bus fleet in Michigan, have a good claims record, and a bot-tom line finally recovering from 2008’s financial meltdown.”

Everything’s ConnectedThe problem is that, like most of today’s financial sectors, the

property casualty industry is an international enterprise, meaningthat what happens in New Zealand, Japan or Alabama eventuallyaffects the premiums you’re paying in Michigan.And the red flags are already beginning to fly as some large

insurance players in the commercial auto sector have withdrawneither fully or partially from the business in the United States. Onething is for sure: More will follow.

I understand that the prospect of any kind of insurance rateincrease is not a popular message to deliver, and I take no sat-isfaction in seeing my predictions come true. But as a leadinginsurer of motorcoach companies in the United States since1985, we live by the old sailor’s axiom: “A good navigator ques-tions where he is even after he’s tied up at the dock.”Questioning what lies ahead is what separates the living from

the dead in both our businesses.The fact is that the financials of many insurance companies are

showing operating losses, and, those insurers that were under-pric-ing their products have no other option than to raise their premiumsdramatically if they expect to stay in the bus (or any) insurance busi-ness. It starts with companies not offering renewals to their mostunder-priced and high loss ratio accounts. You will start to hear sto-ries of marginal operators having insurance problems. Your firstreaction is a small grin because you think it won’t happen to you. The next step is when insurers realize that getting rid of the bad

risks might stem future losses, but does not help pay claims alreadyin the pipeline. The only option is to sharply raise the premiums oftheir better accounts to outrun the claims tsunami looming in theirrearview mirror. The lag on claims development in our business isthree to five years, and we just concluded our sixth year of insur-ance premium cuts. The math doesn’t work.And to further complicate the problem, that $105 billion in loss-

es suffered by the industry last year will rear its ugly head in theform of significant increases in the premiums all insurers are pay-ing to their reinsurance companies; companies they desperatelyneed to offer the minimum $5 million limit needed to operate in theinterstate motorcoach insurance sector.

Relationships Are KeyIs there any good news for bus operators in all this? The answer

is clearly, yes. The motorcoach companies best positioned to sur-vive any kind of contraction or market hardening in the bus insur-ance environment are those that view their insurance relationshipno differently than they do their banking, accounting and other piv-otal financial relationships.

The goal is to establish a long-term relationship with yourbus insurer. Specifically, you must find an insurance companycommitted to the long-term financial health of its loyal policy-holders and their industry, and one not inclined to put them atrisk by demanding crippling premium increases.The bus specialty insurer accomplishes this in at least two ways:• FIRST, it does not follow the prices down to such a point that

a crisis develops, but tries to maintain a competitive advantagethrough great claims service and expense management. In fact,many nervous bus insurers are now offering huge commissions toagents and brokers in an effort to move business to them. Another“too little, too late” approach because the costly claims on under-priced business is already roaring through the pipeline;

• SECOND, using deductibles to handle small- and medium-sizeliability claims with the help of your insurer makes the systemmuch more efficient and less prone to volatility because funding forthese claims comes with no other expenses (e.g. commissions,taxes, overhead and reinsurance). At Lancer, we like to say thatour long-term customers have never experienced a “hard mar-ket” because they have been protected from it by prudentlyaccepting risk and insuring primarily to cover the large cata-strophic claim which they could never handle on their own.If properly managed, there is no reason to experience the pricing

cycles “the herd” has to endure. Find an insurance partner withgreat claims service and take some risk on your account usingdeductibles. The risk you take can be limited by the use of aggre-


Lancer Insurance Company2011 Global Disasters Could Spur Higher

Insurance Rates For U.S. Bus Operators In 2012



Protective Insurance Company has providedcomprehensive insurance packages to thetransportation industry for more than 50

years. In 2008, Protectiveleveraged its expertise toexpand into the publictransportation market.

Since that time, ithas developed products andservices that cater specifically to the unique needs ofpublic transportation fleets.Protective does its best to partner with cus-

tomers in meeting their individual needs.

Whether a fleet includes motorcoaches, tourbuses, school bus contractors or limousines,Protective is dedicated to providing unparalleled

loss prevention, cus-tomer and claims man-agement services. The company offers

auto liability, general lia-bility, garage liability,

physical damage and workers’ compensationoptions. Protective’s policies are issued on anauditable basis for fleets with more than 10 powerunits.


DRIVEN BY SAFETYPROTECTING YOU ON THE ROAD

Protective Insurance Company’s loss prevention team members are specialists in the transportation industry. Understanding that not all companies are the same, we follow a collaborative and customized approach to partner with our insureds, addressing

CONTACT STACY RENZ: (800) 644-5501 protectiveinsurance.com

Protective Insurance Company

Providing Comprehensive Insurance Packages To TheTransportation Industry For More Than 50 Years

Driven By SafetyProtective’s loss prevention team members are

specialists in the transportation industry.Understanding that not all companies are thesame, Protective follows a collaborative approachto partner with insureds in addressing their specif-ic safety and risk management needs. Protectivesupports its customers’ driver education effortsthrough on-site visits and online training lessons,and keeps customers up-to-date on the latestindustry news through a quarterly newsletter.

Driven By TrustWhen passengers take their seats, they trust that

they will safely reach their destination. Whenpartnering with Protective, a transportationprovider can trust that Protective is equally invest-ed in the safety of a company’s drivers. Backed byits financial strength, which is proven by a consis-tent rating of A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best,Protective is a strong and stable option for insur-ance needs. Protective currently insures manyfleets across the country that seek specializedattention and financial stability.

What Drives You?We want to know how Protective can help meet

specific insurance needs.

Contact Stacy Renz at 800-644-5501 or send an email to

[email protected] today.

Driven By ServiceThe specialized claims staff at Protective is

committed to providing customers with superiorservice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With anaverage of 18 years of insurance experience,Protective’s expert team handles claims in a pro-fessional, fair and timely manner. It takes theworry out of claims management with a paperlesssystem and countrywide network of actively man-aged independent adjusters and rental companies.


DRIVEN BY SAFETYPROTECTING YOU ON THE ROAD


CONTACT STACY RENZ: (800) 644-5501 protectiveinsurance.com



Keeping You in Motion

Transportation Insurance Brokers

LOS ANGELES • NEW YORK • BALTIMORE • MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL • ORLANDO

CA LIC. #0705008

800-248-2877 818-246-2800www.tibinsurance.com

Public Auto Risks – We’ve Got You Covered.

Experience matters. Especially where your risks are concerned. Regulations can make the industry complicated. And the services you provide can determine your levels of risk. You need someone to look out for you – while you run the business. Knowing that your company is insured properly can make the difference between running a smooth business to being sidelined.

Count on 5Star to be there for you – as we have been for 25 years. Have your insurance agent contact us when you need insurance for charters, school buses, shuttle buses, entertainer coaches, limos, paratransits and more.

5Star Service. 5Star Solutions. 5Star Specialty Programs.

Trucking Public AutoWorkers CompensationParatransitWaste

Professional LiabilityTowing & RecoveryMisc Business AutoDEALERsurePARKsure

Specialty Underwriting for:

5StarBusline_We've Got you Covered_2012.indd 1 3/1/12 4:13 PM


TIB Transportation InsuranceBrokers is the largest agency in thecountry dedicated solely to the

transportation industry. Headquartered inGlendale, CA, with offices in Minn -eapolis/St. Paul, Orlando, Baltimore, andNew York, TIB serves more than 5,000 busand limousine clients nationally. It’s com-mitted to the transportation industry, andonly that industry. All of its clients havecommercial auto exposures with the vastmajority being certificated carriers. At TIB, tough transportation insurance

problems are handled every day. The com-pany is staffed to provide clients with thefinest service of any broker in the industry.TIB’s goal is to work together as a team totake care of clients. It offers high qualityservices, trouble-free relationships andrapid response to a customer’s needsthrough the strength of TIB’s national net-work.

TIB’s specialization and commitmentto the transportation industry ensuresthat by focusing only on this market-

place, it can devote the energy andresources necessary to be at the leadingedge of the transportation insurancefield. All clients have their own personalaccount executive. In addition, they areprovided with an assistant account exec-utive to handle their standard requestssuch as certificates, endorsements, fil-ings, etc., and an accounting representa-tive who knows their exact premium sta-tus. Clients always have total access toTIB’s corporate management team, whocan provide assistance for a client’s riskmanagement needs.The transportation industry has tradi-

tionally experienced problems securingprograms which provide adequate cover-age and competitive pricing. As brokers,TIB works for the clients, explaining thevarious plans and programs and helpingthem determine the insurance policieswhich best suit their needs. TIB is not cap-tive to a single insurance company; there-fore, it can offer options and alternatives,rather than providing a client with one —

and only one — insurance program.TIB is keenly aware of changes in the

marketplace because the company isthere, immersed in it everyday. Obviously,change is a part of the environment, andindeed, a dynamic force affecting all ofus. TIB’s goal is to always be on the cut-ting edge — to discern the good from thepotentially damaging; to keep the con-cerns and goals of its clients foremost inits actions and reactions to the times. All of TIB’s accounts are important to

the company, no matter what their size,starting with the largest customers rightdown to individual owner/operators. Thesuccess of each and every one of thesecustomers is an integral part of TIB’s suc-cess — this fact is always on the minds ofTIB professionals as they serve the com-pany’s client base.

“KEEPING YOU IN MOTION IS OUR COMMITMENT —

HAVING YOU AS ONE OF OUR CLIENTS IS OUR PLEASURE”

TIB: Tough Transportation Problems Handled Every Day



Public Auto Risks – We’ve Got You Covered.

Experience matters. Especially where your risks are concerned. Regulations can make the industry complicated. And the services you provide can determine your levels of risk. You need someone to look out for you – while you run the business. Knowing that your company is insured properly can make the difference between running a smooth business to being sidelined.

Count on 5Star to be there for you – as we have been for 25 years. Have your insurance agent contact us when you need insurance for charters, school buses, shuttle buses, entertainer coaches, limos, paratransits and more.

5Star Service. 5Star Solutions. 5Star Specialty Programs.

Trucking Public AutoWorkers CompensationParatransitWaste

Professional LiabilityTowing & RecoveryMisc Business AutoDEALERsurePARKsure

Specialty Underwriting for:

Public Auto Risks – Public Auto Risks – We’ve Got You Covered.We’ve Got You Covered.

Experience matters. Especially where your risks are concerned. Regulations can make the industry complicated. And the services you provide can determine your levels of risk.

5StarBusline_We've Got you Covered_2012.indd 1 3/1/12 4:13 PM


INSURANCE GENTSAGENTSA

ND AOKERSBR

Since its founding in 1915, P.A. Post Agency,L.L.C., has remained a premier family-ownedinsurance agency.

Having entered its fourth generation, P.A. Post Agency con-tinues to provide clients with a blanket of financial securitythrough both traditional and alternative insurance products andservices. Whatever the needs may be, P.A. Post Agency has a specialist

on board with the ability to meet your specific requirements. P.A. Post Agency invites you to put over 90 years of insurance

experience and relationships to work for you! The companytakes pride in managing risk well.

Service highlights for P.A. Post Agency include: client spe-cific account manager; claims management and assistance;in-house safety and loss prevention services; top rated insur-ance companies; and innovative insurance products. The P.A. Post Agency is one of the country’s largest broker-

age firms dedicated to the public transportation industry.

It provides protection for:

n CHARTER BUSES;n SCHOOL BUSES;n TRANSIT BUSES;n COMMUTER BUSES;n AIRPORT BUSES;n SIGHTSEEING BUSES;n LIMOUSINES; n PARA-TRANSITS;n TAXIS.

Contact: P.A. Post Agency, L.L.C., One International Blvd., Suite 405Mahwah, NJ 07495-0025 Phone: 201-252-3010; Fax: 201-252-3011. Web site: www.papost.com.

P.A. Post: Since 1915, Serving The Industry That Moves America



Since its founding in 1915, P.A. Post Agency,L.L.C., has remained a premier family-ownedinsurance agency.

Having entered its fourth generation, P.A. Post Agency con-tinues to provide clients with a blanket of financial securitythrough both traditional and alternative insurance products andservices. Whatever the needs may be, P.A. Post Agency has a specialist

on board with the ability to meet your specific requirements. P.A. Post Agency invites you to put over 90 years of insurance

experience and relationships to work for you! The companytakes pride in managing risk well.

Service highlights for P.A. Post Agency include: client spe-cific account manager; claims management and assistance;in-house safety and loss prevention services; top rated insur-ance companies; and innovative insurance products. The P.A. Post Agency is one of the country’s largest broker-

age firms dedicated to the public transportation industry.

It provides protection for:

n CHARTER BUSES;n SCHOOL BUSES;n TRANSIT BUSES;n COMMUTER BUSES;n AIRPORT BUSES;n SIGHTSEEING BUSES;n LIMOUSINES; n PARA-TRANSITS;n TAXIS.

Contact: P.A. Post Agency, L.L.C., One International Blvd., Suite 405Mahwah, NJ 07495-0025 Phone: 201-252-3010; Fax: 201-252-3011. Web site: www.papost.com.

PRICEIs what you pay.

VALUEIs what you get.

SHRIVER = VALUE

800-841-1217Shriver Insurance

800-841-1217Going on 50 Years


Charabanc Financial offers a wide variety of services for thepassenger transportation industry. These services include:

n Seller & Buyer Representation — Charabanc Financial repre-sents companies during their acquisition of other businesses as wellas company sales and liquidations. The management team atCharabanc Financial is a seasoned group of professionals in negoti-ating, advising and mentoring in all facets of the sale or acquisitionprocess. Charabanc Financial’s value is well-documented by buyersand sellers, as indicated below;

n Free Company Value Assessment —As a true advisor to com-panies in the transportation industry, Charabanc Financial providesfree company evaluations. Charabanc will assist in answering keyquestions while helping to determine what a company is worth;

n Loans & Leases — Charabanc Financial has been establishedas a creditable industry source in attracting new money to the pas-senger transportation market. While it works with many finance andbank leasing companies that are traditional bus industry lenders,relationships have also been established with numerous independentfinance and bank leasing companies that are not known to the pas-senger transportation industry. Charabanc offers highly competitiveinterest rates on all loans and trac leases for new and used buses andcoaches. It also offers tax leases and sale lease back products thatmay be more helpful to a business;

n Refinance/Debt Consolidation — Charabanc Financial ishighly creative at refinancing a company’s entire fleet whether it becash flow improvement or interest expense savings. Call for a freeconsultation to find out if your fleet is a candidate to be refinanced;

n Real Estate/SBA — Charabanc Financial provides a compre-hensive approach in seeking ways to improve, expand and/or providefor a company’s financial products to benefit that company’s long-term sustainability and growth. By offering real estate or SBA loansnationwide, Charabanc has enabled many transactions that could notbe completed conventionally;

n Sales of Buses & Coaches Nationwide — Charabanc Financial

Charabanc FinancialFull Service Provider For Passenger Transportation Industry


[email protected]

ACADEMY EXPRESS LLC (Hoboken, NJ)has acquired

ENTERTAINMENT TOURS, INC.COACH NEW ENGLAND LLC (Braintree, MA)

The undersigned initiated this transaction assisted in the negotiations, and served as financial advisor to

ENTERTAINMENT TOURS, INC.COACH NEW ENGLAND LLCAnd ACADEMY EXPRESS LLC

CHARABANC FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Debt Placement(770) 888-9981 • www.charabancfinancial.com

This announcement appears as a matter of record only.



Advantage Funding is the leader in commercial transporta-tion equipment leasing and financing and has a “GET ITDONE ATTITUDE.”

Being an independent company enables us to offer you a high levelof flexibility in structuring your financing needs. We have the knowl-edge and expertise to design a program that is right for you, savingyou both time and money. We are the best value for your money and work hard at maintain-

ing long-lasting relationships. Financing your commercial equipmentis our specialty. With over 15 years of industry experience, Advantage Funding

provides special finance programs for the ground transportationindustry. Whether you want to expand your business with a newmotorcoach, minibus, school bus, paratransit van, sedan, SUV ortruck Advantage will make the process extremely easy.Advantage Funding provides fast and simple financing and leasing

solutions you need to improve profits and productivity. At AdvantageFunding, we are committed to being the best at what we do — devel-oping and funding our clients' vehicle and fleet acquisition strategies.

Experience A Competitive AdvantagePutting vehicles on the road is what drives your business. Whether

your focus is on sedan, limousine, SUV, van, tow truck, mini ormotorcoach operations — or all of the above, Advantage Fundinghas more than 15 years of success putting our clients’ vehicles on theroad; and our practical advice and innovative financing solutions

ensure they stay ahead of the curve. Call or email us directly so that we can have a short conversation

to discuss your individual needs. We’ll be more than happy to showyou how our financial products and services, designed specificallyfor the commercial transportation professional, can help you, too.Advantage Funding offers: n 15 years experience supporting commercial transportation

operators;n Largest independent livery lender;n A direct lender: No brokers or extra fees;n New and used equipment;n Fleet expansion and financing plan development;n Competitive rates; n Same day approvals; n Structured programs for C and D credit;n 100 percent financing available on every unit with approved

credit;n Programs available for all credit types;n Deferred payment programs (60/90 days without payment);

and,n Skip payment programs available on coach and school bus

units.For more information about Advantage Funding,

call 866-392-1300 ext. 375; email: [email protected] or visit www.advantagefunding.com.

Advantage FundingOffering High Level Of Flexibility In Structuring Finances


The Complete Source for Bus Financing.

In the competitive world of commercial equipment �nancing, it can be dif�cult to �nd a quali�ed �nance partner who is also experienced in the intricacies of the bus industry.

For over 15 years, Advantage Funding has been helping businesses connect with the equipment they need by providing exceptional �nancing solutions.

Flexible Finance and Lease TermsAvailable for New and Used EquipmentMini Bus, MFSAB and All Other Commercial BusesUp to 7 Year Trac Lease & Balloon Financing on New EquipmentCash Out Re�nancingSkip Payment OptionDeferred Payment Programs

866-392-1300www.AdvantageFund.com

[email protected] Marcus Ave., Suite M-27, Lake Success, NY 11402

WE HAVE MONEY TO LEND! CONTACT US TODAY.


ACC Climate Control22428 Elkhart East Blvd.Elkhart, IN 46514 USA574-264-2190 FAX: 574-266-6744E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.accclimatecontrol.comCompany Officers: Kevin Searer, OEM Sales; Forrest Fields,Regional Sales; Rick Stephens, Director of Sales; Scott Hamilton,Operations Manager; Casey Cummings, PresidentProducts: Manufacturer and distributor of automotive heating and air

conditioning systems for buses, emergency vehicles, and other spe-cialty vehicles. 12

American Cooling Technology, Inc.(See Ad On Page 46)715 Willow Springs LaneYork, PA 17406 USA877-228-4247 FAX: 717-767-3658E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.actusa.us.com



Company Officers: James Schreiber, President; J.R. Lucas, VicePresident; Dave Oberdorff, General ManagerProducts: A.C.T. is a manufacturer of bus air conditioning systemsfor all bus types and sizes. A.C.T. air conditioning products include“split” type air conditioning systems, roof mount condensers, andcomplete roof mount air conditioning systems. A.C.T. offers replacement air conditioning parts for most brands. It

specializes in air conditioning specification review and preparation;and technical support and training. 12

BITZER U.S., Inc.(See Ad On Page 44)4031 Chamblee RoadOakwood, GA 30566 USA770-503-9226 FAX: 770-503-9440E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.bitzerus.comCompany Officers: Matt Lish, Director of Transport Sales - NorthAmericaProducts: BITZER is a transit-style air conditioning compressormanufacturer for buses and coaches. BITZER has operations aroundthe world, including two new factories and four facilities in NorthAmerica. BITZER A/C compressors are high-end, technologicallyadvanced for bus builders and operators. It offers the lightest weight(by over 60 pounds), smallest size (by 40 percent), yet largest capac-ity compressors for all styles of buses, according to the company.

Standard features include blocked suction style unloaders andadvanced clutches using any belt profile. Additionally, BITZERoffers a large range of hermetic horizontal scroll compressors forelectric applications such as hybrid buses and rail air conditioningapplications. Visit one of the company’s new factories in Atlanta, GA,or Syracuse, NY. 12

Espar Heater Systems(See Ad On Page 42)6099A Vipond Dr.Mississauga, ON L5T 2B2 CANADA905-670-0960 FAX: 905-670-0728E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.espar.comProducts: Espar is committed to the environment and helping cus-tomers achieve a higher quality of life. Espar’s air and coolant heaterswill significantly reduce idle time, which means extra savings for cus-tomers while traveling in comfort. 10

Mobile Climate Control(See Ad On )3189 Farmtrail RoadYork, PA 17406 USA800-673-2431 FAX: 717-764-0401E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.mcc-hvac.com

March/April 2012 BUSLINE Page 43

Welcome on board.

Visit us at www.mcc-hvac.com

Carrier North American Bus Air

Conditioning Division joins MCC!

Whatever you’re looking for in customized

HVAC systems you can find it in our

extensive range. We now supply an

unrivalled choice for transit, intercity,

school and shuttle buses in North

America. And with our wide reaching

network you are always close to an MCC

dealer and service provider.

Step on board for a better climate!


Some of the Many Features:

- Highest Reliability - Lightest and most Compact Design in the World - Highest Speed Range of any Transit Compressor in the World - German Designed, American Built


Company Officers: Curt Kiser, Director of Sales- Bus / Commercial,School, and Service Parts; Steve Preisler, Director of Customer Care;Karl Nicholson, Senior Sales Manager / Transit Bus; Doug Barton,Sales Manager / Service PartsProducts: Mobile Climate Control designs, manufactures, installsand services a complete system solution for buses: by providing max-imum heating, ventilating, air conditioning and windshield defrost-ing/defogging for both conventional and hybrid vehicles. 12

ProAir, LLC(See Ad On Page 46)28731 County Road 6Elkhart, IN 46514 USA574-264-5494FAX: 574-264-2194E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.proairllc.comProducts: Manufacturer of air conditioning, heating and defrost sys-tems for all types of buses and shuttle vehicles. Specializes in climatecontrol systems for driver and passenger areas and also stocks a com-plete line of related parts. 11

Rifled Air Conditioning, Inc.2810 Earlham PlaceHigh Point, NC 27263 USA336-434-1000

FAX: 336-861-4646E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.rifledair.comCompany Officers: Brad Matthews, President; Cheyne Rauber,General Manager Products: Manufacturer and installer of climate control systemsspecifically designed to meet the demands of the medium duty busmarket. Specializing in school bus and shuttle bus markets. 12

SMI-Pretoria1975 Joe B. Jackson Pkwy.Murfreesboro, TN 37127 USA615-867-8515 FAX: 615-867-8790E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.smiglobal.netCompany Officers: Mike Hagan, Director of Sales & MarketingProducts: Pretoria ducting systems are designed for all of themajor air conditioning manufacturers’ units. Pretoria’s duct sys-tems are engineered for optimum air delivery with the manufac-turers’ various options including side mount, rear mount and roofmount units.

The insulatory aluminium composite panels used as ducting addsin reducing condensation, and eliminates vibration/drumming and airnoise in the ductwork. 12


Sutrak Corporation(See Ad On )6899 East 49th AvenueCommerce City, CO 80022 USA303-287-2700 FAX: 303-286-1005Web Site: www.sutrakusa.comProducts: ISO 9001 Certified. Heating, ventilating and air condition-ing systems for light rail vehicles, people movers and buses, includ-ing school buses. 10

Teleflex Canada Limited Partnership3831 No. 6 Rd.Richmond, BC V6V 1P6 CANADA604-270-6899 FAX: 604-270-7172E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.proheat.comProducts: A bus heater manufacturer, Teleflex produces the M and Xseries auxiliary heaters for the transit and motorcoach industries.Supplies idle reduction, cost and energy saving solutions. 10

Thermo King Corporation314 W. 90th St.Minneapolis, MN 55420 USA952-887-2200 Web Site: www.thermoking.comCompany Offiers: Ray Pittard, President of Thermo King North

March/April 2012 BUSLINE Page 45


America; Martin Duffy, Vice President, sales and market developmentNorth America for Thermo King; and Neil Tamppari, Director, bus heating,ventilation and air coditioning, (HVAC), for Thermo King North America Products: Thermo King offers a complete line of HVAC solutions fortransit, coach, shuttle and school bus. Among Thermo King’s recent prod-uct offerings are an all-electric heating, ventilation and air conditioning(HVAC) system powered by a state-of-the-art engine-driven alternatorand inverter package, a new brushless motor package that not onlyimproves operational efficiency but reduces system weight by 115pounds, and the exclusive fuel saving screw compressor. Thermo Kinghas also released the IntelligAIRE III, a control-area-network-(CAN)based control system used for coach and transit bus climate control. Theupgraded system features more communication capability, is more con-figurable and offers additional diagnostic and monitoring capabilities. 12

Trans/Air Manufacturing(See Ad On Page 45)480 East Locust St. Dallastown, PA 17342 USA800-673-2446 ext. 233 FAX: 717-244-7088E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.transairmfg.comCompany Officers: Rick Lehnert, President; Mark Slobodian,Vice PresidentProducts: Trans/Air Manufacturing is an ISO 9001 registered firm,manufacturing a full line of climate control systems for the school,commercial, and electric/hybrid vehicle markets. Units, parts, service,training, warranty, and new or aftermarket installations are availablethrough factory-owned operations or a network of distributorsthroughout North America. 12


“Regardless Of Your Climate, We Have You

Covered”

AMERICAN COOLING TECHNOLOGY, INC.715 Willow Springs Lane, York, PA 17406 Tel: 717.767.2775 - Fax: 717.767.3658

Toll Free: 877-228-4247

BUS CLIMATE CONTROL

“Success Through Simplicity”

ACT 4.5x7.5 AD.indd 1 1/29/2012 10:07:26 PM


Rotary Lift Adds NewOperator-Friendly Mobile

Column Lift To Line

Rotary Lift introduces theRCH4 mobile column liftingsystem. According to the compa-ny, the RCH4 has an easy-to-use,operator-friendly design forgreater bay productivity andreduced vehicle downtime.

The RCH4 is sold in sets offour, six or eight battery-operat-ed columns. Each column isidentical and has a rated capacityof 18,000 lbs., for total liftingcapacity of up to 144,000 lbs.The speedy RCH4 can lift a vehi-cle 70 inches in 78 seconds. TheRCH4 also features Rotary Lift’sautomatic steering system. Fixedforks fit most large tires without time-consum-ing adjustment.

“The new RCH4 is an excellent choice formaintenance managers who are looking for amobile column lift that’s affordable and has thefeatures and benefits they need to improve shopproductivity,” says Dave Spiller, product manager.

Every column is equipped with Rotary Lift’spatented control panel. These controls include a

graphic layout of the column set-up, real-timeheight reading and error display, battery indica-tor, programmable height limit settings andone-touch controls. Lifting and lowering of allcolumns is automatically synchronized, and

there is a slow-lowering func-tion for precision vehicle posi-tioning. Technicians can operatethe entire lift from whichevercolumn is most convenient.The RCH4 needs just three

cables connected in a horseshoeshape. One end of the lift isalways open, making it easy toquickly position vehicles on thelift. The lightweight cables featurea quick-connect design and are 33feet long for added flexibility.The RCH4 is battery operated

with an internal charger. Itshydraulic cylinder is inverted sothe chrome piston rod is protect-

ed from debris and damage at all times.Optional accessories include: high-efficien-

cy LED lighting system provides hands-freelighting under the vehicle; steel reducer sleevesslide onto the forks to allow proper contact withsmaller radius tires; large wheel riser kit raisestires on ramps to allow for proper fork place-ment; and, the weight gauge shows techniciansthe load weight of the vehicle being lifted.

The RCH4 mobile column lifting system hasbeen third-party tested by ETL and ALI certi-fied to meet industry safety and performancestandards.Visit


Brown Coach Purchases 2 ABC, M1235s

“The two M1235’s we just purchased have coach

style interiors with full height windshields, air

ride suspension, and offer the efficiencies that a

front engine chassis provides. ABC was able to

offer us Amaya A2-Ten model seats with 3 point

belts and added leg room,” Stephen Brown, vice

president of Brown Coach said.

The organization has more than 250 vehicles,

operates 46 coaches and 225 school buses

serving the Capital District of New York and

parts of New England.

For more information, contact ABC Companies at

800-222-2875 or visit www.abc-companies.com.



Turtle Top

Odyssey XLT

The Odyssey XLT shuttle bus and motorcoach series of busesthat provide up to 47 passenger capacity are available on theFreightliner FM2 chassis. Bus road stability, passenger comfort,dependability, quality and safety are important features for own-ers of an Odyssey XLT.

More passenger capacity for church buses, college buses, cityand county transportation authorities, assisted living buses,cross-country touring companies, excursion companies and manymore transportation customers can be found selecting theOdyssey XLT.

Turtle Top67819 State Road 15New Paris, IN 46553

800-296-2105Fax: 574-831-4349


ODYSSEY XLT FEATURES• Aerodynamic automotive styling

• Clear view windows, contoured, curved, tinted• Up to 47 passenger capacity - CDL required• Wide interior with double row luxury seating

• Flexible floor plans including wheel chair capability• Meets and exceeds FMVSS regulations

• Qualifies for Buy America• Steel roll cage with full perimeter steel floor

• Body and air conditioning warranty second to none

Turtle Top

Odyssey XL

The Odyssey XL shuttle bus provides up to 30 passenger capac-ity and is available on the Ford F550 and Freightliner FM2 26K.Road stability, passenger comfort, dependability, quality and safe-ty are main features standard in the Odyssey XL. This series fitsthe needs for church buses, college buses, transportation author-ities, assisted living facilities, plus many more bus applications,and is available with wheelchair lifts.


800-296-2105Fax: 574-831-4349


ODYSSEY XL FEATURES• Aerodynamic automotive styling

• Clear view windows• Up to 31 passenger capacity on the Ford F550 - CDL required

• Up to 41 passenger capacity on the Freightliner FM2 26K - CDL required

• Wide interior with double row luxury seating• Flexible floor plans including wheel chair capability

• Meets and exceeds FMVSS regulations• Qualifies for buy America and is Altoona tested• Steel roll cage with full perimeter steel floor




Turtle Top

Van Terra & Terra Transport

The Van Terra and Terra Transport shuttle buses were devel-oped to replace the standard 15-passenger van. All types of pas-sengers, including senior living agencies, find it easy to enter andexit with ample headroom and aisle passage.

The Van Terra and Terra Transport maneuver like a van buthave the stability of a dual rear wheel bus. Extended rear wheelstance (with a full roll cage, styling and quality construction)makes this the most affordable and practical choice for safedependable transportation, according to the company.


800-296-2105Fax: 574-831-4349


VAN TERRA & TERRA TRANSPORT FEATURES• 15 - 18 passenger alternative *• Low, wide enclosed entrance

• Wide aisle with interior headroom• Wide wheelbase stance for road stability

• Flexible floor plans, including wheelchair capability• Meets and exceeds FMVSS regulations

• Altoona tested• Steel roll cage with school bus roll-over crush test

• CDL license not require in most states **• The most storage in its class

* Some floorplans include wheelchair/luggage areas that reduce the number of seats. 18 seats is the maximum possible occupancy in this class.

** 15 and under do not require CDL in most states. 16 passengerand above do require CDL

Turtle Top

Odyssey

The Odyssey shuttle bus family of buses provides passengercapacities up to 23 on Chevrolet and Ford chassis. The Odysseyshuttle bus with Innovation, Styling and Quality is the bus ofchoice for church buses, day care buses, airport shuttle buses,assisted living buses, college buses including sport team trans-portation buses.


800-296-2105Fax: 574-831-4349


ODYSSEY FEATURES• Aerodynamic automotive styling

• Clear view windows• Up to 23 passenger capacity - CDL required

• Low wide enclosed entrance• Flexible floor plans including wheelchair capability

• Meets and exceeds FMVSS regulations• Qualifies for buy America and is Altoona tested• Steel roll cage with full perimeter steel floor



operating a public transit system in the state. Nearly half of LongBeach Transit’s fixed-route vehicles are hybrid gas-electric.Remaining buses operate using ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and areequipped with particulate traps to further reduce emissions close tothose of a CNG/LNG vehicle. Long Beach Transit was the first transit agency in the nation to

utilize production model gas-electric hybrid technology, accordingto LBT officials. There are also plans to use CNG vehicles in thenear future. “Our board of directors approved a fuel diversification strategy

a couple of years ago. This has led the push toward using CNGbuses. We just received our first CNG bus which is absolutelybeautiful, and we will modify our North Long Beach facility toaccommodate CNG vehicles,” Epley said. “Long Beach Transitplans to have 64 new CNG buses available by the end of this year.“We also received a grant to purchase electric vehicles which

hopefully will be put into service in a couple of years. When thistakes place, our fleet will consist of electric, CNG and hybrid gas-electric buses.

“The objective is to have electric vehicles for our downtownarea that come with a ‘wow’ factor,” Epley said. “It’s importantthese buses are aesthetically pleasing and fun to travel in for thosein our downtown area.”Along with meeting clean air requirements, alternative-fuel

vehicles help offset problems associated with rising fuel prices thatcontinue to make headlines. Epley said rising fuel prices can pres-ent both opportunities and challenges for a transit agency. Higherprices can mean more people wanting to take public transportation,but at the same time, the public transportation entity must oftenpay higher fuel prices itself to run equipment.

“We have found that $5 for a gallon of gas is the breakingpoint where many people decide to stop driving their cars anduse public transportation instead,” Epley said. “We saw thishappen during the summer of 2009 when Long Beach Transitexperienced an 8 to 10 percent increase in ridership.Unfortunately, this came at a time when we couldn’t add anymore to our service level due to budgetary constraints.“Our call centers, which normally receive about 400 to 500 calls

per day, were surpassing 1,000 per day during that summer. Manyof these calls were from people simply asking the best way to rideour buses. It was a positive experience in that Long Beach Transitwas able to reach new riders. On the negative side, our buses wereovercrowded.” It remains to be seen whether this summer’s fuel prices will sim-

ulate 2009 and translate into higher demand for Long BeachTransit’s services. Lee added, however, that the transit systemdoesn’t just rely on higher fuel prices to reach new riders. In fact,LBT uses an advertising agency that caters to local markets,including those people in the Hispanic community. “Not only do we provide traditional advertising, such as print ads

found in magazines and newspapers, but we are also on Facebook,which is another way to reach customers,” Lee said. Epley added that in terms of marketing Long Beach Transit, pro-

tecting and building up the transit system’s brand remains vital. “For example, you won’t find graffiti on our buses. We will pull

a bus off the line and clean it up before we operate the vehicle withgraffiti,” Epley said. Another important step to building the brand is providing strong

customer service, which includes hiring and maintaining a solidwork force. “A strong focus on employee recruitment can be found through-

out our organization,” Epley said. “We look for people who areable to work well with the public. A lot of people who we arerecruiting right now have recently been laid off. They used to be

Long Beach Transit: Continued From Page 16


Starcraft Bus

Starlite, Starquest, Allstar, Ultra Star, XLT, Xpress

Due to strong product engineering, styling and purchasing power,Starcraft Bus has been the nation’s largest Ford Shuttle Bus poolaccount manufacturer for the past five years, according to Starcraft.These vehicles are produced in an ultra-modern facility and arebacked by the financial resources of Berkshire Hathaway.

Starcraft Bus features include a strong steel jig welded frame toprovide a solid foundation; a wide variety of exterior materialsincluding aluminum, fiberglass or composite; and many standarditems such as LED stop/tail/turn lights, 36-inch electric entry door,street side exhaust, custom manufactured electronic circuit boardsand computer tested wire harnesses.

Starcraft exterior widths range from 84-inches to 102-inches, andlengths from just over 20-feet to 40-feet. The chassis range is from11,500 through 26,000 GVWR.

Starcraft Bus • 2367 Century Dr., Goshen, IN 46528574-642-3112 • Fax: 574-642-3301

Email: [email protected] • www.starcraftbus.com

Model .........................Starlite, Starquest, Allstar, Ultra Star, XLT, XpressSeating Capacity .......................................................................................8 - 24Length.......................................................................................................21’ - 27’Width ....................................................................................84”, 88”, 96”, 102”Height...................................................................................................114” - 122”Wheelbase.........................................................................................138” - 233”Overhang (front/rear) .................Varies by WB & Model Consult DealerInside Height (min./max.) ...................71” through 83” Varies by ModelTurning Radius ...........................Varies by WB & Chassis Consult DealerTire Size ................................................................................Varies by ChassisEngine....................................................................................Varies by ChassisTransmission.................................................................................Chassis OEMBrakes .............................................................................................Chassis OEMFuel Tank Capacity.............................................................Varies by ChassisChassis..................................Ford E350-E450, GM 3500-4500, Ford F650Air Conditioning .............................................................Trans/Air or CarrierBaggage Capacity .................................................................Consult FactoryWheelchair Lift Option ..........................................................Braun or RiconSteering.............................................................................................Power OEMSuspension...........................................................................OEM or Mor/Ryde



managers and supervisors and are now tryingto find another stable job.“When it comes to customer service, it’s

important to make sure every customer feelshe/she is being listened to, respected and takenseriously.”Employee training is also taken very seri-

ously at Long Beach Transit. This is especiallycritical when hiring bus drivers. The transitsystem has a vigorous eight-week training pro-gram in place, according to Epley. “We make sure that by the time those eight

weeks are over, our new drivers are ready andqualified. This is true from both a safety andcustomer service perspective,” Epley said.“The position of bus operator ranks in the topas being the most challenging jobs. We certain-ly have a tremendous respect and appreciationfor our operators and what they are dealingwith on a daily basis. We teach our operatorsthat they are in charge of their buses.”All LBT buses have a state-of-the-art com-

munications system that features two-way text,data and voice communication capabilities. Itincludes as well automatic stop announce-ments and a global-positioning vehicle loca-tion system, which enables the dispatch centerto track the exact location of all buses,improving performance and security. This communications system can also pro-

vide real-time schedule information to cus-

tomers’ mobile phones, to the LBT websiteand to electronic displays found in the TransitGallery and at over 60 major bus stops. “It’s amazing how many people have a

mobile phone these days. With these phones,people want to know in ‘real-time’ when a buswill arrive. They now have this ability,” Epleysaid. “Our buses also run very close to theactual posted schedule. Our rating right now is97 to 98 percent when it comes to on-time per-formance, which is very good.”

Looking Ahead At Challenges,Opportunities

Despite budgetary constraints and aslow economy, both Epley and Leeare optimistic about Long Beach

Transit's role in the future as a key provider oftransportation to area citizens and visitorsalike. Epley said local commitment remains very

strong for public transportation in the LosAngeles area, including Long Beach. “We work extensively with cities, business-

es, builders and planners to make sure publictransportation is involved with anything newcoming up. We enjoy tremendous support atthe local level,” Epley said. Lee added there is a large area focus in

place for the use of alternative forms of trav-

el. This includes different bus options, bikingand walking. In fact, Long Beach officialshave a vision to make the city the most bicy-cle-friendly urban city in the nation. “There has been a lot of infrastructure and

development taking place downtown to makethis vision a reality. This includes bike rackson our buses, bike-only dedicated lanes and anew bike center on First Street. The center isvery modern looking and beautiful,” Epleysaid. “(California State University, LongBeach) is also working on bike programs andbike sharing. For Long Beach, there is defi-nitely a strong message resonating that beinggreen and multimodal are important.”Moving forward, Epley said Long Beach

Transit will continue to work hard at maintain-ing its high quality standards while also look-ing at the possibility of future expansion if theeconomy gets better.“Public transportation is becoming a more

attractive travel option. Transit agencies fromaround the country would agree that publictransportation is at peak popularity right now.We need to keep that momentum going.”

Contact: Long Beach Transit, 1963 E. Anaheim St.,

Long Beach, CA 90813. Phone: 562-591-8753.

Website: www.lbtransit.com.



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MCI Honors Ambassatours Gray Line AtUMA Expo For Efforts To Cut Emissions Supporting industry

initiatives to reduce em -issions, MCI honoredAmbassatours Gray Lineof Halifax, Nova Scotia,at UMA Expo. MCIpresented Ambassatourswith a poster-sized photoof its MCI J4500 used tolaunch the operator’semission-cutting policiesin cooperation withIDLE-FREE Guy RonZima, founder of TheChildren’s Clean AirNetwork.The presentation, co-

sponsored by AllisonTransmission, took placeat the MCI booth duringthe recent UMA Expo. Since joining theChildren’s Clean Air Network two years ago,Ambassatours has experienced substantial fuelsavings and reduced its carbon dioxide emis-sions by an amount equivalent to the weight ofsix motorcoaches, according to Brian Gillis,Ambassatours vice president of charters.

The Children’s Clean Air Network began asa grassroots campaign in 2006 at KingswoodElementary School, near Halifax. Zimaattended UMA EXPO on behalf of MCI andAllison Transmission to encourage more com-panies to follow Ambassatours’ example.Visit www.idlefree.org.

Kingsmen Coach DriversReceive Lancer’s Driver Safety Awards

Lancer Insurance Company hasannounced that Kingsmen Coach Lines’drivers Stephanie Blanchard, HenriettaChatman, Melvin Collier, MelvinJefferson, Sylvester Clark, James Harrisand Bernard Barnes received DriverRecognition Safety awards for 2011.

Walter Hubbard, owner, and BernardBarnes, safety director, presented theawards to the drivers at a luncheon. Lancer, a provider of liability and phys-

ical damage insurance coverages to pas-senger transportation companies, institut-ed its Driver Recognition Safety Awardsprogram over 20 years ago to single outfor recognition professional drivers whodemonstrate the highest commitment tosafety to their passengers.

Shown from left are Brian Gillis, vice president of Ambassatours GrayLine; Chato Patterson, OEM account manager, Allison Transmission;and Pat Ziska, vice president of sales and marketing for MCI joiningRon Zima, “The IDLE-FREE Guy,” founder/chair, The Children's CleanAir Network in support of cutting emissions and saving fuel.



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MCI Launches CoachCritical Parts Guarantee

Motor Coach Industries is launching a CoachCritical Parts guarantee. According to MCI, theCoach Critical program guarantees that partsdeemed most essential to coach uptime will bein stock and available to customers experienc-ing a coach-down situation. MCI guarantees that it will ship the Coach

Critical part or a suitable substitute by the nextbusiness day, or it will credit 50 percent of thepart price, up to $150, to the customer’saccount. MCI’s Coach Critical list starts with 1,000

parts and will include 1,500 by June 2012. Thelist, compiled with the input of operators ofMCI coaches and in-house technical experts,includes both high- and low-volume parts,including those that are sometimes hard tocome by. MCI says it has made an investmentof $7 million in parts inventory for the new pro-gram.MCI has also formed a Coach Down

Committee, comprised of parts engineers andtechnical experts who meet by phone eachmorning to review any open coach-down cus-tomer situations.

MCI says it has enhanced its parts procure-ment process to make dealing with coach-down

parts orders simpler, quicker and more system-atic. MCI says that fulfillment rates have risen37 percent over the past year alone.The Coach Critical parts list can be obtained

through an MCI customer service representa-tive. The program is available to private-sectoroperators who order over the phone and agreeto pay for expedited shipping for their emer-gency order; web orders do not qualify.Additional terms and conditions apply, visitwww.mcicoach.com/parts. For parts in theUnited States, call 800-323-1290. In Canada,call 800-665-0155.

Clean Energy Celebrates15th Anniversary AsNatural Gas Provider

Clean Energy recently celebrated its 15thyear as a provider of natural gas for transporta-tion. The company has grown from one CNGfueling station in Southern California 15 yearsago to 287 CNG and LNG fueling stations opentoday and 150 LNG truck fueling stationsplanned for America’s Natural Gas HighwayTM

in 33 states.The company also has operations in 25 coun-

tries around the world.“We are pleased with our progress over 15

years and excited to see our activities ramping

up dramatically in 2012,” said Andrew J.Littlefair, Clean Energy president and CEO.“At the beginning there were three employeesand now we have over 1,000 employees in theUnited States and worldwide.“We delivered our first gallon of CNG in

March 1997 and now we are closing in on 1 bil-lion gallons of CNG and LNG delivered to ourcustomers. We started as a CNG provider andnow we provide both CNG and LNG — and arethe largest provider of natural gas fuel for trans-portation in the United States.“We began by operating fueling stations and

now we design, construct, operate and maintainfueling stations; build and install the compres-sion equipment to outfit them; build and installcryogenic equipment for LNG stations; convertlight- and medium-duty vehicles to use CNG;and produce RNG (renewable natural gas orbiomethane) for power generation and toreduce the already low greenhouse gas emis-sion profile of natural gas.”Littlefair added: “We took the company pub-

lic in 2007, raising $100 million for growth, andraised $450 million in the latter half of 2011alone to support our expanding infrastructuredevelopment program. We have been a champi-on of natural gas fuel for transportation and in2012 are seeing our claims come true as vehiclefleets in increasing numbers are converting tonatural gas.”



WEH Technologies Inc. Call us: 832 331 00 21

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Long-time ABC partner, Van Hool, hasannounced the site selection for an addition-al manufacturing plant to support its NorthAmerican customers. After an in-depth feasibility study, the

company’s management says it has selected alocation in Macedonia, near Skopje as a

prime location for the new facility. “We are excited about this decision to

expand production capacity, which was sole-ly driven by our shared vision to invest in theNorth American market,” said Dane Cornell,president and CEO, ABC Companies. “Thecommitment to increasing their manufactur-

ing capabilities directly correlates withgrowing U.S. demand for European technol-ogy that enables American operators to con-tinuously evolve and innovate fleet opera-tions.”For more information, contact ABC at

800-222-2875 or www.abccompanies.com.

American Cooling Technology (ACT) hasrecently released its new high performance CR-4roof mount condenser unit. The CR-4 furtherexpands ACT’s existing North American productline that includes a full range of split system airconditioning units including roof mounted unitsfor school and shuttle buses. The CR-4 unit is smaller and lighter. At less

than 10 inches tall, the company says the lowheight of the CR-4 unit increases roof clearanceand provides a cleaner, sleeker look to the air con-ditioning installation. The low profile and taperedleading edge of the unit eliminates the need toinstall a branch guard typically required on a stan-dard rooftop condenser. The CR-4 is available in both 12 volt and 24

volt and can be supplied as a dual loop unit to beconnected to two automotive style compressors oras a single loop to connect to a single high capac-

ity transit compressor. This flexibility makes theCR-4 a good fit for both conventional- andhybrid-drive buses. By relocating the air conditioning condenser

from the typical position under the bus floor to theroof of the bus, the capacity and operating effi-ciency of the air conditioning system improvesbecause the system uses cleaner air from the topof the bus through the unit’s heat exchanger.

All ACT Split Systems use non-ozone-deplet-ing HFC-134a refrigerant and the CR-4 delivers ahigh cooling capacity (165,000 Btu/hr. IMACA).It also is easier to install than its predecessors.The design specifications of the CR-4 unitinclude a one-piece “drop in” construction to dra-matically simplify and reduce the time it takes tocomplete the installation. In addition, the unit’smodular construction allows for improvedaccess to internal components, making it easierto service. This translates to less downtime,which is critical for bus fleets operating on tightbudgets.ACT’s CR-4 rooftop condenser can be matched

with other ACT components to provide a com-plete HVAC system that meets various vehiclesizes, duty cycles and geographic locations. Call 877-228-4247 or visit www.actusa.us.com

for more information.

Van Hool Finalizes Site Selection For New Manufacturing Plant

ACT Introduces New Low Profile Roof Top CR-4 Bus AC Condenser



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National Interstate’s Affiliate RecognizedBy Best’s Review For Innovation

National Interstate Insurance Company announced that its affiliate,Safety, Claims and Litigation Services, LLC (SCLS) has been recog-nized for its accident event recorder program in the InnovatorsShowcase, published in the January 2012 edition of Best’s Reviewmagazine.The program provides commercial transportation insurance to cus-

tomers with access to Accident Event Recorder (AER) technology.Company spokespeople say that AERs, which record video and

audio when a driving incident occurs, can help to improve driver per-formance, reduce accidents and save lives while controlling lossesand reducing insurance premiums. Since launch of the program in2006, SCLS has helped install more than 14,000 of the recorders incustomers’ vehicles.Reviewer William Panning, executive vice president, Willis Re,

wrote, "This project achieves its objective by gathering or assemblingand making available to clients, in a convenient format, relevant datato which clients would not normally have access. The focus is onproactive preventive actions rather than on post-loss attempts to min-imize loss costs."Innovators Showcase is a forum for recognizing forward thinking

among insurance organizations. A panel of insurance industry expertsassessed the relative merits of nearly 70 submissions.National Interstate and its insurance subsidiaries, which include

Vanliner Insurance Company and Triumphe Casualty Company, arerated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

Temsa TS30 Unveiled During UMA Expo

CH Bus Sales and Temsa Global unveiled the new Temsa TS30 dur-

ing the United Motorcoach Association’s Expo 2012. This new coach

has been constructed and designed specifically for the U.S market.

The Temsa TS30 is a 30 foot coach with an integral stainless steel

structure, for added durability and safety. The TS30 has a Cummins

engine, Allison transmission, independent front suspension, and is

delivered standard with 34 reclining seats, a restroom and overhead

parcel racks. This fuel efficient coach offers a luxurious and spacious

interior, and includes an ergonomic cockpit.

Speaking at the event were, left to right, Duane Geiger, executive

vice president, sales and service, CH Bus Sales, Inc.; Wim Van Hool,

executive board member, Temsa Global; and Bob Foley, president

and CEO, CH Bus Sales, Inc. Visit www.chbussales.com or

www.temsaglobal.com for more information.



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Eberspaecher Buys Global DivisionOf Sutrak

Eberspaecher, based in Esslingen, Germany, and the parent company ofEspar Heater Systems, the manufacturer of auxiliary fuel operated heatingsystems, has recently acquired the global division of Sutrak, manufactur-er of motorcoach, transit and school bus air conditioning systems. This new Air Conditioning Business Unit will be called E-Climate

Systems in North America. "With this new acquisition, Espar will now refocus its sales and mar-

keting efforts into the North American bus segments,” John Dennehy, vicepresident of marketing & communications said. “Forming strategicalliances and partnerships for sales & service will be one of the top prior-ities as we move forward and establish sold footing back into the marketplace. With this new acquisition, Espar can now bring the total comfortpackage into the bus sector. This includes engine pre-heat and compart-ment heat comfort as well as air conditioning capabilities.”Espar heaters are designed for mobile applications such as truck, bus and

automotive. The systems utilize 12- or 24-volt battery systems and gaso-line or diesel as an on-board fuel. They operate as diesel or gasoline fur-naces with sealed combustion chambers. Espar air heaters use forced air asa heating medium while the Espar coolant heaters circulate the enginecoolant to transfer heat. Visit www.espar.com for more information.

New Leadership At DesignLineThe Board of Directors of DesignLine Corporation announces the

appointment of Joseph J. Smith as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Smith currently serves as a consultant to Cyan Partners, LP, the sole

arranger of DesignLine’s November 2011 debt and equity capital raises.In his capacity as a consultant to Cyan, Smith also serves on the compa-ny’s board of directors. Prior to his retirement in December 2010, Smithheld three executive leadership positions at the MetropolitanTransportation Authority, a component unit of the state of New York,including president, MTA Bus Company; president, MTA Long IslandBus and senior vice president, Department of Buses, MTA New York CityTransit.Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, DesignLine is a designer and manufac-

turer of Commercial All-Electric, Range-Extended Electric and CNGBuses. Visit www.designlinecorporation.com for more information.

Frederick Dunikoski, who served onABC Companies’ Board of Directors forthe past 24 years,recently died. Mr.Duni koski workedfor Greyhound BusLines for 45 yearsstarting his careeras a clerk/typist inthe New York Citydispatch office andretiring as presidentand CEO in 1987.

Dunikoski wasactive in numerous travel-related organiza-tions including the Phoenix Visitors andConvention Bureau, as well as civic organ-izations including the Devereux Center andASU's Sun Dome Performing ArtsAssociation.

Prevost recently presented its Sales Team Leader awards for 2011.Prevost Regional Sales Managers Tony Febbo (left) and Ward Hicken(right) were recipients of this award. Febbo and Hicken appear with

Prevost Vice President of Seated Coach Sales Robert Goodnight (center).

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman DeborahHersman visited the Prevost booth during the 2012 United MotorcoachAssociation’s Expo. She is pictured with Prevost CEO Gaetan Bolduc.Chairman Hersman was shown various safety features available onPrevost vehicles including Prevost AWARE adaptive cruise braking,Prevost electronic stability program, tire pressure monitoring system,fire suppression system, three-point seat belts, front underrun protec-

tion system, and front impact protection system.

O B I T U A R Y


Prevost introduced the latest version of itsLiaison telematics system during the UnitedMotorcoach Association’s (UMA) Expo 2012.Prevost says Liaison 2.0 offers more reliablecommunications, more efficient data transfer,more advanced features, and an easier to useinterface. The telematics now utilizes a cellularnetwork to improve signal reliability and pro-vide wider coverage.More efficient data transfer results in more

data sent more often. Reporting is possible every5 minutes and “Fault Alerts” are provided in realtime. Fault Alerts also display current hardwareand software installed in the vehicle, for fasterand easier troubleshooting. Fault Alerts can becustomized by vehicle type.Liaison 2.0 also adds new Locate Features

such as “Engine status On/Off,” Direction,Speed and Odometer readings, Vehicle Coverageinside buildings, and faster response times ofabout four seconds. Other new features includeVehicle Performance Reports which can bescheduled up to three times a day, and a smallerantenna, minimizing the likelihood of damage.According to Prevost, the upgraded system

also introduces a feature which makes driver/dis-patcher communication more efficient. ADriver/Dispatcher Messaging system allows pre-set or customized messages to be sent from thedispatcher to the driver or from the driver to dis-patcher. These messages are visible on theDriver Information Display (DID) on the dash-board. An example of dispatcher to driver pre-setmessages include: “Please Call,” “Vehicle Duefor Maintenance,” and “Received Your Request,Sending Mechanic.” Driver to Dispatcher mes-sages are also built in to the system, such as

“Pre-Trip Check OK,” “Trip Leg: Completed,”and “Stopped: Off Duty.”Prevost developed its own telematics system,

developed specifically for their motorcoaches.Prevost Liaison keeps operators connected totheir Liaison and continuously monitors manyelectronic systems on the motorcoach, including

engine, transmission, ABS, Tire PressureMonitoring System, Diesel Particulate Filter, andPrevost Electronic Stability Program.The system reads fault codes from the motor-

coach’s electronic systems and builds a report ofall faults, together with the ECU hardware andsoftware part number. This report is easily acces-sible and is extremely useful info to keep track ofthe vehicle’s health.The mission critical codes are filtered and sent

more frequently (on occurrence). These show upas a separate report. Mission critical code occur-rences can be configured to send an e-mail toyour office or mobile device. The mission criti-cal faults come with a snap shot of severalparameters indicative of the vehicle state whenthe fault occurred (i.e. engine running or not,vehicle speed, engine temperature and more).This extra information greatly helps trou-bleshooting.Liaison lets users monitor the vital statistics of

each motorcoach at any time, or on a set sched-ule. Data reports from vehicles include informa-

tion on: Fuel use, distance traveled, and resultingMPGs; How often vehicles are in the “RPMsweet spot,” Adherence to preset speed ranges;Use of cruise control; Idle time and fuel used;Weekly fuel use, summarized by coach (to reducethe possibility of fuel theft); and, Factors con-nected to safe driving practices (Prevost ESP).Prevost says Liaison improves an operator’s

bottom line by providing both a Mileage Guidefor figuring the most economical routes and anOnline Fuel Tax Tool. The Liaison hardwareand software systems were developed byPrevost and Volvo, global suppliers of trans-portation systems and partners who know themotorcoaches they manufacture better than anythird party provider. Prevost Liaison is standardon all Prevost and Volvo coaches. Visitwww.prevostcar.com.


Prevost Announces Spring2012 Webinar SchedulePrevost has announced the Spring 2012

schedule for Prevost Connection, its series ofwebinars focused on customer education. The2012 line-up will include in-depth education onthe Volvo 9700 and Prevost motorcoaches.Sessions will also include presentations on thePrevost Parts eCommerce site and PrevostLiaison telematics system.Prevost Connection is a continuing series of

on-line presentations and discussions formotorcoach operators, drivers and maintenancepersonnel. The program educates, reviews andreminds customers about important topicsregarding new and existing Prevost vehicles,vehicle maintenance and customer service pro-grams. Each session also allows for discussionbetween Prevost product and service expertsand webinar attendees.During webinar registration, attendees can

submit questions for the presenter to addressduring the session and can offer suggestions forspecific areas of concentration. During thewebinar, attendees view and listen to the pres-entation by connecting to the webinar through asimple internet link and calling in to a toll freenumber. Attendees can ask questions through-out the presentation and discuss points of inter-est with the subject expert. After the webinar,attendees are invited to offer suggestions andtopics of interest for future webinars.The Prevost Connection schedule of webina-

rs for Spring 2012 can be accessed directly atprevostevents.webex.com, where attendees canregister for upcoming sessions or view record-ings of past webinars.Upcoming Webinars: n Prevost H3 HVAC controls Trouble -

shooting 1997 to 2004 — 4/19/2012 at 2:30p.m.;

n Volvo 9700 Function Group 2 — 5/3/2012at 2:30 p.m.;

n Volvo 9700 Function Group 3 —5/17/2012 at 2:30 p.m.

Prevost Introduces Liaison 2.0 At UMA Expo

Prevost Offers Operators Marketing ToolsPrevost has developed a set of marketing

tools for operators to use and customize topromote companies and operations as wellas the coach industry over-all. The tools are available at

www.prevostoperatormar-keting.com and available fordownload. Whether it's print,web, on-coach promotion ortradeshows, Prevost has cre-ated these materials so theymight become an integralpart of any operator’s mar-keting plan.Choose from a series of

print ads to promote the funand convenience of coach travel. Or formore of an educational tone, use the slideshows, videos and press releases to empha-size the importance of safety and the envi-ronmental benefits of coach travel.

Prevost says it is easy to download theassets and customize them by inserting yourlogo for a unique message from your compa-

ny. For further customiza-tion, Prevost encouragescollaboration with itsagency to make sure yourmaterials carry a messagespecific to your needs.“Prevost is committed to

being the best business part-ner to our customers. Wedeveloped these tools tomake our operator partners’marketing plans easier tofulfill. Any way that we canhelp to promote motorcoach

travel is good for the entire industry,” saidMike Power, director of marketing and com-munications.Visit www.prevostcar.com for more infor-

mation.


PrevostMotorcoach manufacturer Prevost features a prod-

uct lineup that includes motorcoaches, conversionshells, parts and repair service. Shown is the PrevostH3-45 motorcoach.

Lancer InsuranceLancer Insurance Company is a provider of various

insurance products and services to the bus andmotorcoach industry including bus and limo, generaland property damage. Shown, left to right, are JohnAnnunziato, Jr., film & video division - director/editor;Randy O’Neill, senior vice president; Steven O’Shea,marketing representative; and Robert Crescenzo, vicepresident.

BitzerBitzer supplies the bus industry with air condition-

ing and compressor parts and systems. Shown isNorman Gillespie, application engineer.

Bauer’s Intelligent TransportationAmong the products and services from Bauer’s

Intelligent Transportation are contract management,fuel reduction technology, fuel systems and conver-sions, intelligent transportation systems, used bussales and solar electric systems.

BUSLINE January/February 2007


SEFACProducts provided by SEFAC include lift and mainte-

nance equipment along with parts. Shown, left toright, are Gary Mason, vice president of sales; AllisterCollings, president; Richard Baxendale, regional salesmanager; and La Joy Ray, marketing.

Willingham Inc.Serving as a bus and motorcoach interior special-

ists, Willingham Inc., supplies such products as driv-er seats, seat cover replacements, seating parts andaccessories, upholstery and embroidery. Shown, leftto right, are company representatives Jason Willing -ham and Gene Willingham.

Budget Truck and AutoCollision repair and coach conversion, along with

graphics/decals and design work, are among theservices provided by Budget Truck and auto. Shown,left to right, are Mark Polzin, vice president; and JoelSalter, sales and service coordinator.

Alexander DennisAlexander Dennis Inc., produces a wide range of

innovative and fuel efficient low-floor single- and dou-ble-deck buses, plus a full portfolio of coaches andmini-vehicles.

January/February 2007 BUSLINE


Motor Coach IndustriesServing as a motorcoach manufacturer, Motor

Coach Industries (MCI) also produces conversionshells and sells used buses. The company has aparts network in place along with service facilities.Shown is an MCI J4500 motorcoach. Stertil-Koni

Stertil-Koni provides a wide variety of lift equipmentand parts for the bus, motorcoach and other indus-tries. Shown is Donald Kennedy, western regionalmanager.

Protective Insurance CompanyAmong the different types of insurance provided by

Protective Insurance Company for the bus and motor-coach industry are general, bus and limo. Shown, leftto right, are company representatives Scott St. Clair,Stacy Renz, Trevor Eisele and Jeff Morgan.

Vanner Among the products provided by Vanner Inc., for the

bus and motorcoach industry are batteries and acces-sories, electrical systems and components, and con-verters.



Trans/Air Manufacturing CorporationTrans/Air Manufacturing Corporation specializes in

air conditioning parts, systems, refrigerant and serv-ice. Shown, left to right, are Chris Clark, regional salesmanager; and Mike Bratton, national sales manager.

National Interstate Insurance CompanyA provider of different insurance services for the

bus and motorcoach industry is National InterstateInsurance Company. Programs include traditionalinsurance and captive options for transportation com-panies. Shown, left to right, are Kristyn Lebovitz, mar-keting representative; Amy Bensen, commercial linesmarketing manager; and James Parks, vice president.

Transit Sales InternationalAmong the product offerings from Transit Sales

International are transit, paratransit and used bussales; bus rentals and bus repair and service. Shown,left to right, are company representatives BrianRippie, Richard Sullivan and Peter Mobley. Turtle Top

Turtle Top is a manufacturer of mid-size, paratran-sit and electric/hybrid buses as well as limousinecoaches. The company also sells specialty vehicles.



5Star Specialty ProgramsAmong the types of insurance provided to the bus

and motorcoach industry by 5Star Specialty Programsare bus, limo and physical damage. Shown areDennis Weckerly, commercial underwriter/public auto;and Valerie Kline, executive senior underwriter.

TemsaBus and motorcoach manufacturer Temsa produces

vehicles for the North American and European trans-portation industries. Since 2001, Temsa has extend-ed its bus and coach product range.

Espar ProductsEspar Products, Inc., provides air conditioning and

heating parts and systems to the bus and motor-coach industry. Charabanc Financial Services

Charabanc Financial Services offers a wide varietyof programs for the passenger transportation indus-try. This includes seller and buyer representation,loans and leases, and sales of buses and coaches.Shown, left to right, are company representativesJason Cash and Brian Mumaw.



Relational Bus Systems (RBS)Among the products and services offered to the bus

and motorcoach industry by Relational Bus Systems(RBS) are computer software, consulting and training.

Transportation Insurance Brokers (TIB)Providing various types of insurance for the bus and

motorcoach industry including bus and limo as well asworkers compensation is Transportation InsuranceBrokers (TIB). Shown is Benjamin Cook, regionalsales producer.


Enghouse Transportation (formerly Tran -Sched Systems and Ontira Communications),a division of Enghouse Systems Limited(TSX:ESL) has announced a strategic partner-ship with Paradigm Technology Consulting,LLC to provide a complete software offeringto the Motorcoach and Tour verticals. As part of this partnership, Paradigm will

package the CoachWorks and TourManagerapplications together with the completeParadigm Transportation Suite of applicationsto provide a comprehensive software solution. This integrated suite of products includes:

CoachWorks, TourManager, Operations,Fleet Maintenance, Financial, GPS/WiFi,Customer Relationship Mana gement, Driverand Labor Management as well as HumanResources."As our new partner and with over 10 years

of experience, Paradigm Technologies willcertainly help Enghouse Transportation builda deeper footprint in the world of transporta-tion software. Our existing clients will see agreat deal of benefit from this new relation-ship as we will be able to better manage theirexpectations," says Brad Cameron, generalmanager, Enghouse Transportation.Bridgette Hobart-Janeczko, president of

PTC stated, "After undertaking our due-dili-gence for the past year, it was apparent thatthey had invested significant resources in thedevelopment of their product. It was veryimportant for us to partner with a large, finan-cially stable organization such as EnghouseTransportation for the operational piece ofthe suite to help ensure the future enhance-ments as needed by our customers."Enghouse Transportation (formerly Tran -

Sched Systems & Ontira Communications)has been developing and deploying softwaresolutions to the transportation industry for

over 25 years. The company says its productsprovide their customers with the latest tech-nologies available to support their opera-tions. The company also says its solutionshave been developed to handle the opera-tional challenges of agencies of all sizes. Inaddition to its Motorcoach and Tour soft-ware, its solutions also support Fixed RouteScheduling, Integrated Driver Timekeepingand Dispatching, Demand ResponseScheduling & Dispatching and CompleteTraveler Information.Visit www.enghouse.com.

Enghouse Transportation Announces Strategic Partnership With Paradigm Technologies

Holdsworth Parent Company Camira Group ReceivesHealth & Safety OHSAS 18001 Accreditation

According to Holdsworth parent company,Camira group has received certification to theOHSAS 18001 accreditation, recognized as asymbol of commitment to a world class health& safety management system.The Occupational Health and Safety

Management System provides a framework forthe company to identify and control its healthand safety risks, reduce the potential for acci-dents, comply with legislation and improveoperational performance.

The framework is compatible with the ISO9001 and ISO 14001 standards that the com-pany have been accredited to for nearly 20years. Holdsworth representatives say the trio of

standards demonstrates the company’s commit-ment to producing the highest quality products,using environmentally sound processes, backedby robust health and safety systems.For more information, call 317-484-0305 or

fax 317-484-0706.


Freightliner’s S2C Cutaway Provides Options For Coach Designers

Introduced in 2010, the S2C Cutawaycommercial bus chassis built byFreightliner Custom Chassis Corporation(FCCC) — featuring a near-completeshuttle bus cab — continues to providecoach designers with many options asthey craft their vehicles to fit customers’specific business needs. The S2CCutaway also satisfies specific productionrequirements of OEMs for simplicity andease-of-build. According to the company, the S2C

Cutaway is designed for commercial busmanufacturers desiring an alternative to thetraditional truck chassis. A variation of thewell-established FCCC S2 chassis, the S2CCutaway was FCCC’s first foray into thecommercial bus cab cutaway market. “The goal of the S2C Cutaway was to

take a proven FCCC product and developupon added customer and market specificneeds such as a different air ride suspen-sion, a different steering system, a differentcooling package, Sachs shocks, etc.Basically, (FCCC) is using a proven com-mercial truck cab and placing it on a chassistruly developed for commercial bus appli-cations,” FCCC Product Manager ofCommercial Bus Chassis Business TonySippel said.Changes have also been made inside the

cab for commercial bus applications, addedFCCC Manager of Product MarketingBryan Henke. This includes the electricalarchitecture underneath the dashboard, dualair conditioning, larger alternators and in-step lifts.“We (FCCC) understand the commercial

bus market with a significant amount ofexperience under our belts. Customers canfeel confident that our S2C Cutaway is fac-tory supported and factory warrantied,”Henke said. “FCCC also provides 24/7 sup-port, staffed with people who have an aver-age of 16 to 20 years experience. The sup-port we provide is key.”Bus manufacturers working with the S2C

Cutaway can benefit from the product’s all-inclusive chassis design as they only needto address the vehicle’s body, seating andwheelchair capabilities. All other integralparts of the vehicle have been taken care ofby FCCC. The S2C Cutaway also enablesbody builders to meet specifications of theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Company officials noted that understand-

ing maneuverability is a primary challengefor shuttle bus operators, the FCCC S2CCutaway features a 55-degree wheel cut.The chassis ensures best-in-class ride andhandling for maneuvering in and out oftight spaces, and, according to the compa-ny, is an effective solution for airport shut-tle, park and ride, assisted living, charter,rental, church and university transporta-tion needs. Freightliner says the S2C Cutaway is

designed to provide a smoother ride duringpassenger transport.“When your cargo is human beings, obvi-

ously there is an expectation for a soft ride,whether it’s from parabolic springs on thefront axle or an air ride system on the rearaxle,” Sippel said. “You can get an air rideexperience from a truck chassis, but it’s stilltuned for a commercial application, whereas the S2C Cutaway is tuned for a bus appli-cation with the help of Sachs shocks. “Passengers on the S2C Cutaway won’t

feel all of that stiffness when the bus theyare traveling in goes over potholes, railroadtracks and bridges. This is true for both thedriver and passengers.”Henke added that the noise level while

traveling in a bus using the FCCC S2CCutaway is noticeably quieter compared toa truck chassis. “A commercial bus shell is like a big

drum. If a bus is using a driveline designedfor a truck and that driveline starts to whine

— all of that vibration and noise gets trans-lated into the body of the vehicle for all thepassengers to hear,” Henke said. “We tookthis into consideration with the S2CCutaway, using a driveline that keeps vibra-tions and noise to a minimum.”According to Sippel, the S2C Cutaway is

a premium product with a life cycle of 10 to15 years. “It’s ideal for such end-users as hotel

shuttle service providers who travel indowntown metropolitan areas, or for largechurch organizations and smaller universi-ties that don’t require a 55-passenger/45-foot motorcoach,” Sippel said. “The S2C Cutaway is also ideal for rural

transit providers who need a 10-year-plusbus that comes with Altoona testing to meettheir various transportation needs,” Henkeadded. FCCC manufactures premium chassis for

the motor home, delivery, walk-in van,school bus and shuttle bus markets.

Visit www.freightlinerchassis.comfor more information.

BUSLINE January/February 2007

Freightliner’s S2C Cutaway commercial bus chassis.


Home of the Best Full-ServiceTravel Plaza in Northern Illinois

Featuring…

(815) 562-5840

Seating for 175, Homestyle Cooking, Daily Specials, Buffet, Soup & Salad Bar, Full Menu, Carry-Out

Designated Bus Parking and Pull-Thru Fueling Island

Bus Drivers & TourGuides Eat free!Mini-Mall — 2 Stores

with over 5,000 sq. ft. of shopping!

ATM, Major Credit Cards accepted.

I-39 & Hwy 38, Exit 99Rochelle, IL

OPEN 24 HOURSPlease call ahead!

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Seating for 40, Specialty Sandwiches,Homemade Soup, Fresh Salads & Sides,

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Drivers and Tour Guides

EAT FREE!Bus drivers and tour guides eat at no charge

when they bring their tour groups to IHOP for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

For faster service call ahead.

I-5 & Lyons AvenueValencia (Santa Clarita) CA

661-254-1537

gate stop-loss protection. The result will be a low overall cost with novolatile pricing swings. It’s that simple. The only variable left in the equation is reinsurance cost, so make sure

your insurance company retains a significant amount of risk so it isn’tsubject to huge jumps in its reinsurance premiums.For those who might not now view their insurer as a key business part-

ner and are only interested in finding a company that will give them thecheapest price, beware of the gathering storm. Those who understand theimportance of “building a bank” and working closely with their businsurer to help guide them through tough times, whether it is a seriousclaim or an insurance market contraction, will be well served in themonths and years ahead.

Lancer Insurance: Continued From Page 32

is an active reseller of all types of buses and coaches nationwide, includingmotorcoaches, small “cutaway” buses, school and transit buses and conver-sion buses. Charabanc has a variety of vehicles in stock to choose from, andthrough its vast network, can easily locate a specific vehicle as well;

n Sales of Trucks & Trailers Nationwide — Charabanc maintainsaffiliations with banks and leasing companies providing liquidationservices of off-lease and repossessed vehicles. From tow trucks anddump trucks, dry van or refrigerated trailers, over-the-road and vocation-al trucks — it has all types of vehicles available for sale; and,

n Asset Management — Charabanc Financial provides asset man-agement services to banks/leasing companies. Charabanc can handle allthe logistics of repossession, storage, appraisals, condition reports, duediligence, repair and remarketing. Additionally, ASA-certified equip-ment and MAI real estate appraisal/valuations are offered.

Call 866-888-9942 for more information.

Charabanc Financial: Continued From Page 40


SEFAC, Inc., which has been in the heavy-duty mobile lift industry for over 30 years, hasadded OMER lifts to its product line. SEFAC has been a major player in the

mobile lift industry for nearly 40 years. OMERhas carved a path for its products based on thesimilar core values.

SEFAC Vice President of Sales Gary Masonexplained, "The relationship works on a num-ber of levels. While SEFAC will always be rec-ognized for its mobile lifts, we have always hadcustomers who need a fast, easy to use drive-onlift for quick turn around jobs. OMER was theright choice for us based on the excellent repu-tation that this product enjoys. Both the SEFAC and OMER lifts will be

marketed under the SLEC brand as SEFAC bySLEC and OMER by SLEC. For some 30 yearsand prior to 2002, SEFAC had traded as SEFACLift and Equipment Corp. and this minor namechange allows us to bring two products togeth-er under one banner.”

For field service, the SEFAC team is com-prised of directly employed, factory trainedservice technicians with more than 70 yearexperience in the mobile lift industry. SEFAC offers a number of service packages

and provides free telephone technical support tocustomers. Allister Collings, president, explained, "I

am extremely proud of our achievements inthe area of after-sales support. With nearly 40years in this market, it is evident that weintend to be there to support our product in thelong term and our ability to provide a highlevel of after-sales support is fundamental tothis obligation.”SEFAC guarantees parts availability for 25

years after a lift is retired from production. With one-man portability, a SEFAC lift can

be raised in any working bay and even outside.

A SEFAC lift takes up no more room than thevehicle being lifted and provides unobstructedaccess to the vehicle underbody. If the lifts arenot required for vehicle maintenance duties,they can be stored in a compact area. The S3 model is rated at 18,000 lbs, and with

a touch screen pad, the operator selects theoperational mode (all lifts, pairs or single), thepreferred lift speed (3 settings) and in the eventof an error, on-screen instructions walk theoperator step by step through the fault findingprocess.

Without the application of power it cannotmove, and it does not rely on a locking mecha-nism to grab the load in the event of a failure. SEFAC® lifts comply with OSHA, UL-201

standards and are built to the ANSI standards.They are also independently tested and certifiedby the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) to ANSI,ALI/ETL ALCTV–2008 standard.

Using engineering principals dating back tothe 1600’s, the Omer “K Series” Pantograph liftraises the vehicle vertically. There are no mechanical crossbeams linking

the runways, making it easy for the operatorsto wheel tools, oil drainer or transmissionjacks under the vehicle. These lifts are avail-able in capacities of 55,000 lbs (KAR 250) and77,000 lbs (KAR 350) and in runway lengthsup to 36 feet. Visit www.sefac.com for more information.

March/April 2012 BUSLINE March/April 2012 BUSLINE Page 66

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BOWMANSDALE

2112 Bumble Bee Hollow Rd.Off Rt. 15 Mechanicsburg, PA

717-697-5383CAMP HILL

4230 Trindle Road 717-737-3896CARLISLE

60 Noble Blvd. in Super Walmart717-960-9400

608 E. High St. 717-249-77211176 Harrisburg Pike 717-243-7774

905 Walnut Bottom Rd. 717-249-0694CEDAR CLIFF

Exit 19 off I-83 Camp Hill, PA717-737-6404

CHAMBERSBURG

1075 Lincoln Way East 717-263-4601NORTH CHAMBERSBURG

2891 Philadelphia Avenue (US 11 N.)717-263-2970

CLEONA

493 W. Penn Avenue 717-272-5677COLUMBIA

1788 Columbia Ave., off Rt. 30717-684-7048DILLSBURG

898 North US Rt. 15 717-432-9500EAST MANCHESTER

4245 North George St. 717-266-3170ELIZABETHTOWN

1284 S. Market St. 717-367-6471ENOLA

Enola Rd., Exit Rt. 1115 S. off Rt. 81 717-732-4228

EPHRATA

140 N. Reading Rd. 717-733-1660GETTYSBURG

517 S. Steinwehr Ave., Bus. Rt. 15717-334-5920

1090 York Rd. 717-337-1030GREENCASTLE

Rt. 16 and I-81 717-597-2589HALIFAX

3761 Peter’s Moutain Rd. 717-896-2535

HANOVER

991 Carlisle St., Rt. 94 717-632-7531350 Eisenhower Dr. 717-632-00051448 Baltimore St. 717-630-0337

HARRISBURG

2929 Paxton St. 717-561-80504605 Jonestown Rd. 717-652-70357845 Linglestown Rd. 717-545-8580

Rt. 83 and Union Deposit Rd.717-564-9320

4403 N. Front St. 717-238-1048Harrisburg East Mall/Rt. 83 and Paxton St.

717-561-0703Eisenhower Blvd. I-283, Exit 1

717-939-69725590 Allentown Blvd., Rt. 22

Exit 26 off I-81 717-652-9123Kline Plaza, 101 S. 25th St.

717-232-0008Uptown Shopping Center

720 Division St. 717-236-6226Harrisburg Airport 717-948-3900

6535 Grayson Rd. in Wal-Mart717-561-0445

HERSHEY

Rts. 39 and 322 611 E. Main St.,Hummelstown 717-566-6041

JONESTOWN

Rt 72 & I-81 610-562-8462LANCASTER

1880 Hempstead Rd. 717-509-6988Willow Valley Square 717-464-5119

1829 Oregon Pike 717-569-78981434 Manheim Pike 717-394-3417

Rt. 30 and Centerville Rd.Lancaster, PA 717-393-952368 East Town Mall, Rt. 30E

Lancaster, PA 717-394-89571755 Columbia Ave.

Millersville Exit off Rt. 30, Rt. 462717-397-5112

575 N. Franklin St., next to McCuskeyHigh School 717-394-7938

2034 Lincoln Hwy East in Wal-Mart717-390-1099

King & Water Streets 717-299-6699Manor Shopping Center

1296 Millersville Pk. 717-293-5706LEMOYNE

Rts. 11 and 15 North across from Radisson Hotel 717-761-7992

LEBANON

1202 W. Maple St. 717-273-8691757 E. Cumberland St. 717-273-9023

1725 Quentin Rd., Lebanon, PA717-306-6565

LITITZ

990 Lititz Pike, Rt. 501 N.717-627-4666

LITTLESTOWN

430 North Queen St. 717-359-8946LYKENS VALLEY

4660 Rt. 209 717-362-8416MANHEIM

711 Lancaster Rd., Rt. 72 717-664-4944MECHANICSBURG

Wesley Dr. Exit, Rt. 15717-761-7525

KMart Plaza, 5600 Carlisle Pike717-766-9675

6250 Carlisle Pike in Wal-Mart717-591-9864

MERCERSBURG

11924 Buchanan Trial West717-328-0111

MIDDLETOWN

2270 W. Harrisburg Pike 717-944-9535MIFFLINTOWN

Rt. 322 and Rt. 35, Mifflintown Exit717-436-9779MYERSTOWN

295 West Lincoln Avenue (Rt. 422)717-866-2278

NEW CUMBERLAND

101 Limekiln Rd. 717-774-1027NEW HOLLAND

828 W. Main St. 717-354-9300NEW OXFORD

6040 York Rd., Rts. 30 and 94717-624-4266

NEWPORT

Rt. 322 and Rt. 34, Newport Exit717-567-9344

PALMYRA

901 E. Main St. 717-838-6815PINE GROVE

I-81, Exit 31 717-345-6400RED LION

897 West Broadway 717-246-1802655 Lombard St., Cape Horn Plaza

717-246-7801SCOTLAND

3347 Black Gap Rd. 717-263-7507SHIPPENSBURG

333 East King St. 717-532-7945SHREWSBURY

Exit 1 off I-83 717-235-4663SILVER SPRING

Rt. 114 and Shadow Oak Dr.Mechanicsburg, PA 717-697-3460

SPRINGETTSBURY

Hallam Exit off Rt. 30, Rt. 462717-757-9655

WAYNESBORO

302 East Main St. 717-762-9201YOCUMTOWN

Exit 14A off I-83 717-938-5705YORK

2125 York Crossing Dr & Rt 74 717-767-1381

Exit 4, I-83, 133 Leader Heights Road 717-747-9191

York Galleria Mall 717-757-302660 Arsenal Rd. 717-699-4600

Exit 6W off I-83 717-845-93603141 Carlisle Road, Dover

717-767-2594144-158 S. George St. 717-846-1021

Rts. 30 & 74 in Wal-Mart 717-764-8923380 Memory Lane 717-757-2912

Tell us you saw this ad in Busline Magazine, and 1 driver and 1 tour guide will receive a

FREE MEAL!Please call ahead to the phone number listed by

the McDonald’s of your choice.

SEFAC, Inc., Announces Addition Of OMER Product Line


BOWMANSDALE

2112 Bumble Bee Hollow Rd.Off Rt. 15 Mechanicsburg, PA

717-697-5383CAMP HILL

4230 Trindle Road 717-737-3896CARLISLE

60 Noble Blvd. in Super Walmart717-960-9400

608 E. High St. 717-249-77211176 Harrisburg Pike 717-243-7774

905 Walnut Bottom Rd. 717-249-0694CEDAR CLIFF

Exit 19 off I-83 Camp Hill, PA717-737-6404

CHAMBERSBURG

1075 Lincoln Way East 717-263-4601NORTH CHAMBERSBURG

2891 Philadelphia Avenue (US 11 N.)717-263-2970

CLEONA

493 W. Penn Avenue 717-272-5677COLUMBIA

1788 Columbia Ave., off Rt. 30717-684-7048DILLSBURG

898 North US Rt. 15 717-432-9500EAST MANCHESTER

4245 North George St. 717-266-3170ELIZABETHTOWN

1284 S. Market St. 717-367-6471ENOLA

Enola Rd., Exit Rt. 1115 S. off Rt. 81 717-732-4228

EPHRATA

140 N. Reading Rd. 717-733-1660GETTYSBURG

517 S. Steinwehr Ave., Bus. Rt. 15717-334-5920

1090 York Rd. 717-337-1030GREENCASTLE

Rt. 16 and I-81 717-597-2589HALIFAX

3761 Peter’s Moutain Rd. 717-896-2535

HANOVER

991 Carlisle St., Rt. 94 717-632-7531350 Eisenhower Dr. 717-632-00051448 Baltimore St. 717-630-0337

HARRISBURG

2929 Paxton St. 717-561-80504605 Jonestown Rd. 717-652-70357845 Linglestown Rd. 717-545-8580

Rt. 83 and Union Deposit Rd.717-564-9320

4403 N. Front St. 717-238-1048Harrisburg East Mall/Rt. 83 and Paxton St.

717-561-0703Eisenhower Blvd. I-283, Exit 1

717-939-69725590 Allentown Blvd., Rt. 22

Exit 26 off I-81 717-652-9123Kline Plaza, 101 S. 25th St.

717-232-0008Uptown Shopping Center

720 Division St. 717-236-6226Harrisburg Airport 717-948-3900

6535 Grayson Rd. in Wal-Mart717-561-0445

HERSHEY

Rts. 39 and 322 611 E. Main St.,Hummelstown 717-566-6041

JONESTOWN

Rt 72 & I-81 610-562-8462LANCASTER

1880 Hempstead Rd. 717-509-6988Willow Valley Square 717-464-5119

1829 Oregon Pike 717-569-78981434 Manheim Pike 717-394-3417

Rt. 30 and Centerville Rd.Lancaster, PA 717-393-952368 East Town Mall, Rt. 30E

Lancaster, PA 717-394-89571755 Columbia Ave.

Millersville Exit off Rt. 30, Rt. 462717-397-5112

575 N. Franklin St., next to McCuskeyHigh School 717-394-7938

2034 Lincoln Hwy East in Wal-Mart717-390-1099

King & Water Streets 717-299-6699Manor Shopping Center

1296 Millersville Pk. 717-293-5706LEMOYNE

Rts. 11 and 15 North across from Radisson Hotel 717-761-7992

LEBANON

1202 W. Maple St. 717-273-8691757 E. Cumberland St. 717-273-9023

1725 Quentin Rd., Lebanon, PA717-306-6565

LITITZ

990 Lititz Pike, Rt. 501 N.717-627-4666

LITTLESTOWN

430 North Queen St. 717-359-8946LYKENS VALLEY

4660 Rt. 209 717-362-8416MANHEIM

711 Lancaster Rd., Rt. 72 717-664-4944MECHANICSBURG

Wesley Dr. Exit, Rt. 15717-761-7525

KMart Plaza, 5600 Carlisle Pike717-766-9675

6250 Carlisle Pike in Wal-Mart717-591-9864

MERCERSBURG

11924 Buchanan Trial West717-328-0111

MIDDLETOWN

2270 W. Harrisburg Pike 717-944-9535MIFFLINTOWN

Rt. 322 and Rt. 35, Mifflintown Exit717-436-9779MYERSTOWN

295 West Lincoln Avenue (Rt. 422)717-866-2278

NEW CUMBERLAND

101 Limekiln Rd. 717-774-1027NEW HOLLAND

828 W. Main St. 717-354-9300NEW OXFORD

6040 York Rd., Rts. 30 and 94717-624-4266

NEWPORT

Rt. 322 and Rt. 34, Newport Exit717-567-9344

PALMYRA

901 E. Main St. 717-838-6815PINE GROVE

I-81, Exit 31 717-345-6400RED LION

897 West Broadway 717-246-1802655 Lombard St., Cape Horn Plaza

717-246-7801SCOTLAND

3347 Black Gap Rd. 717-263-7507SHIPPENSBURG

333 East King St. 717-532-7945SHREWSBURY

Exit 1 off I-83 717-235-4663SILVER SPRING

Rt. 114 and Shadow Oak Dr.Mechanicsburg, PA 717-697-3460

SPRINGETTSBURY

Hallam Exit off Rt. 30, Rt. 462717-757-9655

WAYNESBORO

302 East Main St. 717-762-9201YOCUMTOWN

Exit 14A off I-83 717-938-5705YORK

2125 York Crossing Dr & Rt 74 717-767-1381

Exit 4, I-83, 133 Leader Heights Road 717-747-9191

York Galleria Mall 717-757-302660 Arsenal Rd. 717-699-4600

Exit 6W off I-83 717-845-93603141 Carlisle Road, Dover

717-767-2594144-158 S. George St. 717-846-1021

Rts. 30 & 74 in Wal-Mart 717-764-8923380 Memory Lane 717-757-2912

Tell us you saw this ad in Busline Magazine, and 1 driver and 1 tour guide will receive a

FREE MEAL!Please call ahead to the phone number listed by

the McDonald’s of your choice.


WE STARTED OUR COACH COMPANY IN 1924 AND THE REST IS HISTORY. LITERALLY.

As a company that began during the Great Depression, we’ve been an important part of motorcoach history. We’ve

helped technology evolve over the years, and we’ve seen competitors come and go. Through it all, Prevost has

maintained a reputation for integrity and product excellence. The stability we created in 1924 remains the foundation

of our company and our coaches today. Our customer relationships set an example for the entire motorcoach

community. And we support those relationships with the largest service network in the industry,

including over 130 Prevost Service Providers across North America. In a demanding industry, you need

all the assurance you can get. Prevost will be there for you. So you can be there for your passengers.

The u l t imate c lass.

Please contact your Prevost Regional Sales Manager for more information.

USA 1-877-773-8678 CANADA 418-883-3391 www.prevostcar.com

PRE017-11_FoundationAd-120911_Busline.indd 1 12/9/11 12:50 PM


0312 busline magazine

Documents

don rankin

linda rankin

service support

published byrankin publishing

busline marchapril

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