NFI Parts™, the parts subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s leading independent bus manufacturers, has received an order from Barons Bus for 51 UV Light Kits to be installed on their entire fleet of MCI J4500 motor coaches. NFI Parts’ UV Lighting system works to reduce bacteria, viruses and mold […]
On Monday, August 24, 2020, The Rapid celebrated the launch of the Laker Line, Michigan’s second bus rapid transit (BRT) system, with a ceremony at Pew Station. The Laker Line (https://www.ridetherapid.org/howtoride/laker-line) began service between Grand Valley State University Allendale and downtown Grand Rapids campuses on August 24, 2020. The launch of this new BRT […]
ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, LLC (“ARBOC”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, recently announced that it will be the first to include antimicrobial sidewall paneling from Polser USA for the interiors of its buses. With downtime for sanitation as a significant concern for transit bus organizations, […]
By Larry Plachno Anyone involved in the bus industry is aware of the movement to battery-electric buses in recent years. There are several advantages to electric buses. While they are more expensive to buy, they offer substantially reduced pollution in operation and also tend to be more economical to operate and to maintain. Electric buses […]
Complete Coach Works (CCW) has announced its contract to convert two, 2004 35-foot Gillig buses into Zero Emission Propulsion System (ZEPS) buses for Twin Transit in Centralia, Washington. CCW takes previously used, internal combustion engine buses and remanufactures them into like-new vehicles containing ZEPS all-electric drivetrain systems. ZEPS is an integrated technology tested for […]
Liberty Coach and Prevost team up on a new masterpiece of space and style It is often said a picture is worth a thousand words. For this particular picture, every one of those words might well be “awesome.” Anyway you look at it, Liberty Coach’s aptly named new “Super Suite” is like nothing the […]
By Larry Plachno On Sunday, May 10, 2020, Kirwan Elmers passed away in Columbus, Ohio at the age of 91. He was perhaps best known for being the co-founder, along with his father Miles, of Custom Coach Corporation in 1955. In 2020, Custom Coach Corporation celebrates its 65th anniversary. It would take a book […]
By Larry Plachno By this time it has become obvious that the biggest challenge facing the bus industry is getting people comfortable about getting back into buses. Here are some thoughts on this subject. Those who have done historical research in transportation can tell you about early days when the railroads, electric interurban lines […]
By Larry Plachno Among the more popular questions and inquiries we have heard lately are those involving the emerging and evolving MCI product line. If you have fallen behind with keeping up with all of the improvements, developments and evolution at MCI in 2019, you are not alone. This seems to be a common, current […]
