Orlando, Fla.’s Express Transportation added three new 2015 MCI J4500s, adding to four 2014 MCI J4500 coaches it purchased last year, making the majority of its 16-coach fleet the very latest.
The MCI J4500, designed with the assistance of BMW Design Works USA, is the top-selling coach in the industry, according to the company. It features a spiral entryway for easy boarding, tiered seating for exceptional views, and seating for 56 passengers with three-point seatbelts.
Ad Loading...
An independent front suspension offers a tight turning radius and smooth ride. A Bendix braking system gives the driver car-like control. The model also comes equipped with new clean-diesel engine technology for lower emissions and fuel economy gains, and a Smartire and fire-suppression system.
Express Transportation also has added on-board cameras and GPS.
Additionally, Dover, N.J.’s Lakeland Bus Lines purchased its first ever J4500, which includes the Wingman Advanced active collision mitigation system, along with the new Bendix braking system and ZF independent front suspension that are standard on all new J4500s.
Additional features, include Amaya seats with three-point seatbelts, seat-back cup holders and self-retracting footrests; two reversible seats and card tables to give passengers extra comfort and added social options; 110-volt outlets at every passenger seat, plus self-installed Wi-Fi; extra blue ceiling LED lighting; an upgraded driver’s seat and passenger-side window blinds; elegant wood-grain Tarabus flooring and other wood-grain touches; an REI entertainment system with 15-inch monitors; back-up camera; wheelchair lift and more.
Premiums remain elevated. Underwriting scrutiny is intense. And claims costs continue to rise at historic levels. Behind those numbers lies a complex mix of legal, medical, and cultural forces reshaping the commercial landscape.
The company said it has remained the most widely purchased model in the new coach market across the US and Canada, according to historical data from the Motorcoach Builders Survey conducted by the American Bus Association
A phased approach to technology, in-house capabilities, and workforce investment is helping transportation leaders break the reactive cycle and build more resilient, revenue-focused operations.
The company's flagship H3-45 is also the best-selling 45-foot motorcoach in North America, according to vehicle registration data from S&P Global Mobility (Polk).
METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman spoke with Mueller about the opening event, the company’s progress since launching in late 2022, and the road ahead.
METRO Executive Editor Alex Roman presented the award to the operation’s President/CEO Scott Parsons at the United Motorcoach Association’s EXPO in Birmingham, Alabama.