Motor Coach Industries (MCI), the U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) exercised its second year option of a five-year contract with a purchase order for 11 more MCI Commuter Coaches.

The original 2017 five-year agreement covers up to 112 MCI 45-foot, clean diesel-powered Commuter Coaches. Nineteen Commuter Coaches were delivered last year.

These new 11 ADA-compliant, Wi-Fi ready Commuter Coaches continue replace older models and are set to be delivered in the first quarter of 2019 to a private operator that provides commuter express services to CTtransit, Connecticut’s state-owned bus service.

The new coaches, decaled with CTtransit branding, offer style, comfort, and the latest communications technology. The coaches come with standard forward-facing 57-seat configuration featuring a new electric cooling e-Fan system and a Cummins ISM 10.8L, 410-horsepower engine with an Allison B500 Gen IV automatic transmission. Optional additions include a bike rack, slim profile Kiel seating, and a security camera system.

“MCI is honored to be part of CTtransit’s fleet since 2010,” said Tom Wagner, MCI public sector VP. “We’re committed to providing CTtransit with coaches of the highest reliability and service to match.”

CTDOT is the state’s agency responsible for transportation service delivery and infrastructure initiatives, and also plays a key role in coordinating transportation funding opportunities for municipalities and regional organizations.

CTtransit Express system provides direct service to and from Waterbury, Cheshire, Southington, Bristol, Plainville, New Britain, Newington, West Hartford, Hartford, East Hartford, and Manchester with routes that take advantage of the bus-only CTfastrak roadway. The CTfastrak system offers a one-seat, no-transfer ride to many major regional employment, education, shopping, and healthcare destinations, as well as connections to the New Haven Line-Waterbury branch rail in Waterbury and Amtrak service in Hartford.