MEDIA CENTER

 

Twin Cities transit agencies add MCI® Commuter Coaches

SCHAUMBURG, IL — May 17, 2011 — Accommodating growing ridership and keeping a pace with equipment-replacement strategies in Minnesota's Twin Cities, Prior Lake and Maple Grove transit agencies have added MCI Commuter Coaches to their fleets.

The two agencies, under the funding and coordination of Metropolitan Council Transit, serve commuters to and from Minneapolis. Prior Lake took delivery of one MCI Commuter Coach. Maple Grove Transit took delivery of three MCI Commuter Coaches last year and four more in March and has plans to add more to its fleet.

Based on the all-time best-selling MCI D-Series, both agencies' coaches are equipped with Cummins '07 ISM engines and Allison B500 transmissions, along with Ricon wheelchair lifts, six-camera surveillance systems and Seimens Continental AVL voice annunciation/APC system. The Maple Grove coaches have six outlets for passenger electronics and laptops, and additionally offer provisions for Sportworks bicycle racks. These are the agency's first MCIs.

The Maple Grove MCIs replace shorter, 45-seat transit buses by another maker. The agency follows a 12-year replacement model.

"Most of our buses are full and ridership is increasing," said Mike Opatz, transit administrator for Maple Grove, which operates commuter routes that average about 20 miles. Most commutes take about half an hour. "It wasn't so much about the coaches' style, but people love the look, the ride and the extra space. People who were standing might now have a seat."

Motor Coach Industries, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, is the leading builder of intercity, over-the-road coaches for the tour, charter, line-haul, scheduled service, commuter transit and conversion markets in the U.S. and Canada. The company builds the industry's two best-selling models and also operates sales centers and eight service centers in the U.S. and Canada. MCI offers a network of aftermarket services including parts supply for most makes and models.

Press contact: Patricia Plodzeen Public Relations, 847-283-0883; or Motor Coach Industries Marketing Department, 847-285-2035.

 

Motor Coach Industries: Corporate Address 1700 East Golf Road, Suite 300, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173 | Phone: 866-MCICOACH

Copyright 2004-2012 Motor Coach Industries Int'l, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.