[IMAGE]Cummins-Honolulu-bus-full.jpg[/IMAGE]Two Cummins-powered transit buses with M11 engines, operated by TheBus located in Honolulu, Hawaii, became the first of their kind to earn recognition in the Cummins Million Mile Club.

Cummins Million Mile Club awards customers who have amassed at least one million miles on their Cummins engine, and it's predominantly comprised of trucking customers. The two Cummins-powered buses, #767 and #771, which are owned by the City and County of Honolulu and operated by Oahu Transit Services Inc. (OTS), are the first transit bus applications to be inducted into the club.

The milestone was celebrated with a ceremony at TheBus' Pearl City maintenance facility in Honolulu. Cummins Inc. and local distributor Cummins West Inc. personnel as well as representatives from other suppliers and local community leaders were present to recognize the history-making customer.

"Cummins is proud of the historic milestone that TheBus has reached. We design and manufacture our engines to be the most reliable and durable on the road, and this event serves as a testament to the benefits of a strong engine and proper maintenance," said Tom Hodek, Cummins General Manager - Worldwide Bus Business.

The City bought its first 10 Cummins engines in 1995 as a trial to see how they would perform. OTS Vice President of Maintenance Herb Barboza said, "not only did the engines' performance speak for itself; the service we've continued to receive from Cummins West has been second-to-none." Ninety percent of the 531-bus fleet is now powered by Cummins engines.

Coincidentally, bus #767 is powered by one of the first 10 Cummins engines purchased by the City and was the first to turn one million miles. Only regular maintenance items have been replaced on the engine; no internal work has been needed. Regular preventative maintenance played a key role in its longevity and performance. TheBus has utilized the same maintenance practices throughout its fleet and expects other Cummins-powered units will soon reach the million-mile mark.

Oahu Transit Services Inc. is subcontracted by the City and County of Honolulu to operate mass transit for the island of Oahu and transports over 226,000 passengers a day. The fleet tallies a total of 85,000 miles a day, equaling more than three trips around the globe.