[IMAGE]Maryland-ICC-MCI-Commuter-Coach-2.jpg[/IMAGE]To better serve commuters on its new ICC (Intercounty Connnector), The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) took delivery of 18 new MCI Commuter Coaches. Maryland's ICC is an 18.8-mile toll road linking I-270/I-370 in Montgomery County to 1-95 and US 1 in Prince George's County.

MTA planned for bus transit to be implemented with the construction of ICC early on.

"With the opening of the ICC, we saw substantial opportunities for developing high-quality express and local bus transit that links regional counties more efficiently and improves access to BWI airport district, the area's business technology corridor and the Maryland BRAC facilities at Fort Meade and Bethesda," said Timothy Norris, commuter bus superintendent.

Presented in two phases, the bus service plan for ICC includes two phase-one routes that are opening with the toll road's first-seven mile stretch. Phase two includes the addition of three more express bus routes and modifications to the first two routes upon the completion of the ICC expected by early 2012.

All 18 of the new commuter coaches will be assigned to the routes, which MTA manages through contracts with local independent operators.

MTA's new coaches are equipped with wheelchair lifts and are powered by a Cummins engine and Allison Transmission, featuring clean-diesel engine. MTA will also wrap the exterior of its new commuter coaches with an ICC logo decal.