MCI aims for distance commuter market with new-look coaches

With one small step, Motor Coach Industries will set up its display at the American Public Transportation Association’s EXPO 2005 in Dallas. It could represent a giant leap forward for the long-distance commuter market. MCI’s space-themed display will showcase the company’s newest commuter coach model, echoing its “Extreme Commute” advertising campaign. MCI will display two versions of the D4500 Commuter Coach. The D4500 Traditional is the model with which many transit agencies are already familiar. For the APTA event, MCI will bring one of 300 units destined for New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The other, newer model, the D4500 Contemporary, provides a curvier option. Both models feature 57 forward-facing seats, overhead airflow controls and individual reading lights. They also offer toggle switches similar to those on traditional transit buses for easy driver orientation, and the models are among a select few to feature dashes configured to accommodate electronic fare boxes. The coaches will feature IO multiplexing and the SmarTire™ onboard tire-pressure monitoring system. “MCI commuter coaches have proven very popular with riders and profitable on routes they serve,” said Michael Melaniphy, vice president of MCI’s Public Sector Division. “The D4500 should do even more for agencies looking to attract those passengers who want to travel to work in comfort and no small amount of style.” Studies estimate that more than 3 million Americans commute 90 minutes or more each way every day. MCI offers that market segment a level of comfort and versatility. MCI estimates 4,000 of the company’s coaches currently serve transit and other government agencies, and the company has representatives solely dedicated to serving the transit market with MCI and other OEM parts. MCI will be at Booth #3653 at the APTA EXPO in September. It will also co-sponsor a hospitality suite with Caterpillar.