Will replace retirement-age equipment on its OmniRide routes, which play a critical role in transporting public- and private-sector employees to Washington, D.C., the Pentagon, and the surrounding employment core.
Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc., will deliver five 2016 Commuter Coaches to Woodbridge, Va.’s Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) to serve its OmniRide express routes. The coaches are set to arrive at the end of the year.
PRTC will mark its milestone 30th year in operation with a free community celebration from 11:30-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at the PRTC Transit Center featuring family friendly entertainment, bus excursions, food trucks and ice cream with opportunities to support local charities.
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”We’re always looking for ways to attract more non-drivers who want the frequency, dependability, safety and comfort our service provides,” said PRTC Interim Executive Director Eric Marx, noting that expansion of the region’s high occupancy lanes is driving transit expansion. Marx said PRTC is focused on “improving service while creating a modern-day system that makes transit attractive to everyone. We want to remain a cut above all other alternative modes of transportation.”
MCI’s latest Commuter Coaches will replace retirement-age equipment on its OmniRide routes, which play a critical role in transporting public- and private-sector employees to Washington, D.C., the Pentagon, and the surrounding employment core.
PRTC first took delivery of 38 MCI Commuter Coaches in 2002. With delivery of the five new coaches later this year, PRTC will have 99 MCI Commuter Coaches in its 152 vehicle fleet. All PRTC vehicles feature the latest technology to improve safety, operations, route planning, and customer satisfaction. PRTC pioneered transit GPS tracking in the U.S. and today applies TransTrack System’s data analytics package to monitor on-time performance and ridership by trip, bus stop and route to capture trends.
Features on the new 45-foot MCI Commuter Coaches include electronic stability control, 57 comfortable forward-facing seats with three-point passenger seatbelts, Trapeze TransitMaster mobile data terminals, automated stop announcements, and automatic passenger counters.
Passenger amenities include overhead parcel racks, personal reading lights, airflow controls, and a kneeling feature to lower the bus for boarding and alighting. With a reliability record that’s unmatched, the model is powered by Cummins ISX clean-diesel engine for low emissions, and is engineered with an air-ride suspension for a smooth, confident ride at highway speeds.
The company partners with manufacturers such as Kiel Seating, Camira Fabric, and TSI Video, focusing on areas that directly impact both passenger experience and operational performance.
Erin Hockman will officially assume the role on May 7, as current CEO Amanda Wanke departs to take a leadership position with Metro Transit in the Twin Cities.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
The plan outlines strategies to protect transit infrastructure from extreme weather, prioritize critical investments, and improve system reliability as climate risks intensify.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at MCTS, Voith, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
Today’s riders—and the communities you serve—expect more from public transit. While ADA compliance is required, leading transit agencies know that true accessibility also means delivering dignity, efficiency, and a better rider experience. This whitepaper reveals why forward thinking agencies nationwide choose the Low Floor Frontrunner as their first choice for ADA compliant vehicles—setting a new standard with passenger first design, faster boarding, improved safety, and unmatched operational performance.
