[IMAGE]Fullington.jpg[/IMAGE]In early June, Harrisburg, Pa.-based Fullington Trailways launched the area's first publicly-privately funded intercity coach — one equipped with Wi-Fi, three-point seatbelts, wheelchair accessibility and other conveniences — into service.

Manufactured by Motor Coach Industries, the new D4505 intercity coach additionally features overhead parcel racks, individual air-flow controls, reading lights and power outlets to charge digital devices. The coach is powered by clean-diesel engine technology.

Fullington said the new coach will serve a growing need for intercity connections from smaller towns to bigger cities, with service to Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College, Lock Haven, Williamsport, Wilkes-Barre, Clearfield, DuBois, Bradford, Punxsutawney, Indiana, Monroeville and Pittsburgh.

The new coach, purchased with 80 percent funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation through a FTA grant and 20 percent funding from Fullington, was bought with Section 5311 (f) assistance to benefit underserved rural areas, especially those without rail or smaller airlines.