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ABC delivers Van Hool CX45s to Mich., Wis.

METRO's 2015 Innovative Operator BLue Lakes Charter and Tours takes delivery of four, while incoming ABA Chairman John Meier of Badger Coach and Badger Tour & Travel took delivery of his new vehicle at ABA's Marketplace in January.

February 10, 2015
ABC delivers Van Hool CX45s to Mich., Wis.

Pictured left to right: ABC's Dane Cornell, Blue Lakes' Dave Cupp and Debbie Cupp, and ABC's Roman Cornell.

1 min to read


Pictured left to right: ABC's Dane Cornell, Blue Lakes' Dave Cupp and Debbie Cupp, and ABC's Roman Cornell.

Clio, Mich.’s Blue Lakes Charter and Tours recently acquired four Van Hool CX45s from ABC Companies to provide luxury transportation for their clients in Michigan and Northern Ohio.

Blue Lakes’ new coaches are powered by Detroit DD13 engines coupled to Allison transmissions and offer Van Hool's innovative contoured parcel rack with 23-inch video monitors, an REI Elite entertainment system and 110-volt outlets.

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The coaches are also equipped with Amaya Torino seats, passenger sunshades and Alcoa Dura Bright aluminum wheels.

RELATED:2015 Innovative Operators: Blue Lakes Charters and Tours

Pictured left to right: ABC's Dane Cornell, Badger's John Meier and ABC's Roman Cornell.

Additionally, John Meier, president of Madison, Wis.-based Badger Coach and Badger Tour & Travel and chairman of the American Bus Association’s (ABA) board, took delivery of a new Van Hool CX 45 coach during ABA marketplace 2015 in January.

A preferred provider to the University of Wisconsin, as well as the school district of Madison and Edgewood College, Badger Coach has enjoyed an enduring relationship with ABC and Van Hool, which includes the Van Hool TD925 double-deck models and the new CX45 coaches in their 60-coach fleet.

For 95 years the company has remained in the Meier family and is now operated by third generation cousins John, David and Jim Meier.  

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