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MCI honors La.'s Calco Travel, L.A. DOT for raising service standards

Callen Hotard, president, and his wife Coleen, vice president, have worked hard to raise industry standards in the Gulf Coast region. LADOT's 84 new, 40-foot, CNG-powered Commuter Coaches are ideal for serving the agency’s upscale Commuter Express routes.

October 4, 2011
MCI honors La.'s Calco Travel, L.A. DOT for raising service standards

Callen Hotard, president of Calco Travel, and his wife Coleen, vice president, were honored by MCI for their dedication to green transportation and raising service standards in the Gulf Region.

1 min to read


 

Callen Hotard, president of Calco Travel, and his wife Coleen, vice president, were honored by MCI for their dedication to green transportation and raising service standards in the Gulf Region.

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) honored the owners of New Orleans tour provider Calco Travel and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) for their dedication to green transportation and raising service standards at a special EXPO presentation on Monday.

A long-time MCI customer, Calco Travel is one of New Orleans' oldest and most renowned tour companies. Led by Callen and Coleen Hotard, the family company has operated since 1935.

Callen Hotard, president, and his wife Coleen, vice president, have worked hard to raise industry standards in the Gulf Coast region, Patricia Ziska, V.P. marketing & chief customer officer, said. “The Hotards are distinct for raising the bar, especially in the tourism arena,” she added.

Calco Travel and Hotard Coaches, which is owned by Calco, operate more than 70 vehicles, primarily MCIs.

LADOT spokesperson Kari Derderian said that its 84 new, 40-foot, CNG-powered Commuter Coaches are ideal for serving the agency’s upscale Commuter Express routes. The coaches offer super-low emissions that meet strict California Air Resources Board standards.

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