
The purchase represents a return to the J4500 model for the company, which has been an MCI customer for three decades.
Roberts Hawaii’s newest J4500 coaches feature a redesign, which includes stylish LED headlights and a heightened presence for more curb appeal on the outside, while on the inside, passengers still enjoy the easy-to-board spiral entryway and tiered theater seating.

Roberts Hawaii founder Robert Iwamoto (center) and his wife, Arlene, mark the delivery of 25 new MCI J4500 coaches with his sons Scott (second from left) and Chad (far right), along with company president and COO Percy Higashi.

The purchase represents a return to the J4500 model for the company, which has been an MCI customer for three decades.
Roberts Hawaii’s newest J4500 coaches feature a redesign, which includes stylish LED headlights and a heightened presence for more curb appeal on the outside, while on the inside, passengers still enjoy the easy-to-board spiral entryway and tiered theater seating for exceptional views from every seat.
The model comes equipped with new clean-diesel engine technology for lower emissions and better fuel economy, along with MCI’s MDSS suspension system for greater maneuverability and a smoother ride. Standard safety features include three-point passenger seatbelts, electronic stability control, and tire pressure and fire-suppression systems.
MCI also announced it is promoting four people to VP positions and adding new roles to marketing, following a solid year of “sales and marketing triumphs.”
The new VPs are Mitch Guralnick, VP, pre-owned coach sales; Tom Wagner, VP, public sector sales; Louis Quaglia, VP, regional public sector sales; and Darill King, VP, Setra sales specialist.
Meanwhile, Brent Danielson, based at MCI’s Winnipeg plant, moves into director, sales engineering and product planning, where he will work with sales, engineering, and production to improve information flow and customer satisfaction, while Brad Noeske has been promoted to manager, product planning and analysis.
Last year, MCI won several large orders from Public Sector accounts including a 31-coach order from MASS DOT for its Bus Plus+ program and a NJ Transit order for 84 CNG Commuter Coaches.
The company also rolled out its highly popular Re-energized pre-owned coach program that allows operators to outfit their existing or purchased MCI pre-owned coaches with features to achieve like-new condition.

METRO’s People Movement highlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.
Read More →
BART began offering select parking lots to non-BART riders to generate new revenue to help address its FY27 $376M operating budget deficit brought on by remote work.
Read More →
Agencies across the U.S. honored transit workers on March 18, recognizing the essential roles they play in keeping communities moving daily.
Read More →Drawing on decades of industry experience, Evans-Benson offered insights into the differences between the two, along with tips for better customer engagement and more.
Read More →
The renewals include continued operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida; the PRTC in Virginia; and RTC Washoe in Nevada.
Read More →
The new system introduces tap-to-pay, touchscreen kiosks, and updated Breeze cards, with both old and new systems running through May.
Read More →
The governor’s proposed auto insurance reforms could save the agency $48 million annually by limiting payouts in crashes where buses are not primarily at fault.
Read More →
What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.
Read More →In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.
Read More →
Amanda Wanke, who has worked at DART for 10 years, including the past 2½ years as CEO, will join Metro Transit as deputy chief operating officer, operations administration.
Read More →