Meridian to unveil mid-sized luxury coach at UMA, LCT

Meridian Specialty Vehicles Inc., a Las Vegas-based Mercedes Benz-approved bus manufacturer will be unveiling its new Sprinter-based “Tourismo” mid-sized luxury motorcoach bus product line next week simultaneously at both the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Expo in Los Angeles and the International Limousine, Charter and Tour (LCT) Show in Las Vegas.  

The high-end Tourismo is Meridian’s newest in a growing number of product offerings on the popular and eco-friendly Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform, designed specifically for tour, charter and limousine operators.  

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The Tourismo boasts a standard 6-foot interior ceiling height, 24-foot overall length, multiple high-end European-style reclining seating configurations including bench, booth or forward-facing arrangements.

Other features include, individual overhead air controls and reading lights, PA system, LED mood and cabin lighting, wood grain commercial flooring, video system, over-sized ducted air conditioning and heating, integrated backup camera and skylights.

Available options include mobile Wi-Fi, fire suppression system, infotainment solutions, 110-Volt/USB passenger power outlets, privacy curtains, tire pressure monitoring, even fully-equipped lavatories. In all, over 100 options are available to customize every bus for each operator’s individual tastes and requirements for comfort and safety, according to company officials.

“With best-in-class 11,030-pound GVWR, incredibly smooth, quiet and comfortable ride quality and ultra-efficient and notoriously long-lasting diesel engines, the Mercedes Benz Sprinter was our immediate platform choice for the Tourismo mid-size tour bus to answer to our charter clients’ ongoing demand for a sub-20 passenger luxury touring coach”, said David Ronsen, President/CEO of Meridian Specialty Vehicles Inc. “Tour guests have become accustomed to high-end accommodations and tour operators are expected to provide luxurious buses, regardless of group size."

According to Ronsen, "Operators have had few options other than to operate 40-, 50- or even 60-passenger coaches for a fifteen passenger group.  When calculating associated fuel and maintenance costs, that practice simply doesn’t add up. The Tourismo solves the problem with a very cost-effective, fully-equipped mini tour bus that achieves an astounding 300+ passenger miles per gallon."

The Tourismo will be on display at Meridian’s booth at UMA (booth # 1425) and at the Creative Bus Sales’ booth at LCT (both #94).

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