Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc., will build 42 more MCI D-Series Commuter Coaches for Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), valued at approximately $24.6 million.

Denver RTD is exercising an option on an earlier contract for 54 commuter coaches delivered in 2013. The agency purchased 59 additional MCI Commuter Coaches in 2015 for its new Flatiron Flyer Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service between Denver and Boulder. The newest coaches, to be delivered later in spring, will operate on RTD regular-route express service.

“The new coaches are replacing 12- to 15-year-old models that have reached the end of their useful lifespan,” said Bruce Abel, Denver RTD’s assistant GM, bus operations. “MCI has been a great vehicle for us, and they were the successful bidder in our original RFP. We look forward to providing exceptional service to our passengers with these latest coaches.”

The MCI Commuter Coach features plush, forward facing seating and overhead parcel racks with individual reading lights and airflow controls. Engineered to provide a comfortable, safe ride on express and highway routes, Denver RTD’s new Commuter Coaches are each equipped 110V / USB outlets at each seat, bike racks, a wheelchair lift and the latest clean-diesel engine technology for near-zero emissions. The model, 2015’s best-selling coach, also offers ease of maintenance and low total cost of operation. MCI’s data shows the model to be 10 times more reliable than the closest competitor, according to MCI.

“Denver is often lauded for its excellent public transportation system, which takes riders nearly anywhere in the Mile High City by light rail, bus or on our Commuter Coach,” said Tom Wagner, MCI VP, public sector sales. “We’re honored to serve Denver as RTD continues to expand and offer an upscale passenger experience, helping to get commuters out of their cars and fight traffic congestion.”

Denver RTD is constructing the voter-approved FasTracks transit expansion that will add 122 miles of new commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, 21,000 new parking spaces at rail and bus stations, and enhanced bus service across the eight-county district. All together, Denver RTD operates more than 1,000 buses and has a fleet of 119 MCI Commuter Coaches.