The coaches are options from a contract initially awarded to MCI in 2014 and have an approximate total value of $6 million. Consistent with the contract, MCI delivered 95 coaches in 2014.
Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc., the largest bus and motorcoach manufacturer in North America, announced that Houston METRO (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County) expands its high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) regional service, accepting delivery of 10 new MCI Commuter Coaches.
The 10 coaches are options from a contract initially awarded to MCI in 2014 and have an approximate total value of $6 million. Consistent with the contract, MCI delivered 95 coaches in 2014.
“With each passing year, the MCI Commuter Coach is becoming the public transit industry’s top solution for commuter service in the most cost effective, environmentally friendly way possible,” said Patrick Scully, MCI executive VP, sales and marketing. “Coach transit is extremely flexible and provides communities with immediate transportation options to fit their commuter operations.”
METRO’s new coaches are equipped with wheelchair lifts, Kiel seats with three-point passenger seatbelts and slide-out baggage bay bike racks. Equipped with a Cummins ISX engine and Allison B500 transmission, they are powered by the newest EPA-mandated clean-diesel engine technology.
Operating from Park & Ride locations throughout the greater Houston area and leveraging HOV lanes, METRO's new coaches allow for the expansion of its commuter express services.
The MCI Commuter Coach, which is Buy America-compliant and Altoona-tested, is specifically designed for express service and highway speeds. It offers a rugged, semi-monocoque structure which elevates passengers and drivers above traffic. In addition to seat belts, safety systems include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), tire pressure monitoring and a fire suppression system.
Since 2001, METRO has purchased 381 MCI Commuter Coaches, including 122 diesel-electric hybrid MCI Commuter Coaches. MCI is the first intercity coach manufacturer to offer an over-the-road intercity coach in diesel-electric hybrid as well as CNG to public transit agencies.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.
