New Britain, Conn.’s DATTCO Inc. and ABC Companies recently celebrated DATTCO’s purchase of their 100th Van Hool motorcoach. The new TX45’s delivery was honored at the August International Motorcoach Group meeting in Norfolk, Va.
Established in 1924 and now with the second and third generations of the DeVivo family now involved in management, International Motorcoach Group (IMG) member DATTCO is one of the Northeast’s largest and most respected passenger transportation companies. Serving three New England states with more than 2,200 employees out of 27 locations, they operate comprehensive nationwide motorcoach charters and tours, as well as serving the region with line run, transit, commuter and school bus service.
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The new TX45 is configured with two passenger doors, a style rarely seen in North America, and seating for only 52 passengers. This configuration, with the lavatory at the rear door, below passenger eye level, coupled with Van Hool’s unique rear window gives a panoramic view for all the riders. In addition, a second door speeds up loading and unloading the coach.
Like all of DATTCO’s luxury fleet, the new TX45 is heavy on creature comfort and safety options. The Grande Lux passenger seats have leather inserts and trim, and the coach is equipped with Wi-Fi, 110-volt and USB outlets, an REI Elite Entertainment system with cordless microphone and five video monitors, wood grain flooring and magazine nets.
The coach is also equipped with Van Hool safety features including three-point seatbelts, backup camera, lane departure warning, antilock brakes, Smartwave Tire Pressure Monitoring, Kidde Fire Suppression Systems, automatic stability control, daytime running lights, curbside lighting and adaptive static aiming lights.
Premiums remain elevated. Underwriting scrutiny is intense. And claims costs continue to rise at historic levels. Behind those numbers lies a complex mix of legal, medical, and cultural forces reshaping the commercial landscape.
The company said it has remained the most widely purchased model in the new coach market across the US and Canada, according to historical data from the Motorcoach Builders Survey conducted by the American Bus Association
A phased approach to technology, in-house capabilities, and workforce investment is helping transportation leaders break the reactive cycle and build more resilient, revenue-focused operations.
The company's flagship H3-45 is also the best-selling 45-foot motorcoach in North America, according to vehicle registration data from S&P Global Mobility (Polk).
METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman spoke with Mueller about the opening event, the company’s progress since launching in late 2022, and the road ahead.
METRO Executive Editor Alex Roman presented the award to the operation’s President/CEO Scott Parsons at the United Motorcoach Association’s EXPO in Birmingham, Alabama.