[IMAGE]Louisiana-Coaches-TrailwaysFull.jpg[/IMAGE] Louisiana Trailways has taken delivery of two new Motor Coach Industries D4505 coaches featuring three-point seat belts.

These are the first two tour and charter coaches in the carrier’s fleet to feature seat belts. While there are no official regulations requiring seat belts in passenger coaches, Louisiana Trailways is taking voluntary action to add the new MCI option to its latest tour and charter models.

The new D4505s come equipped with SmarTire, a tire pressure monitoring system designed to improve safety, fuel efficiency and tire performance; a clean-diesel Caterpillar engine and ZF-Astronic transmission power train; and seatbelt-compatible Amaya seats. The coaches also feature a state-of-the-art entertainment system with 10- inch flat-screen video monitors. 

Altogether, Louisiana operates a fleet of 22 MCI coaches and nine seat belt-equipped mini buses. 

Meanwhile, Mayes Bus Lines in Knoxville, Tenn. purchased a new MCI E4500. It is the 33rd coach the company has purchased from MCI. 

The coach is equipped with a Cummins engine and Allison Transmission and MCI’s optional 10.2-inch LCD monitors.

Altogether, Mayes operates a fleet of 18 MCI coaches and 17 school buses. Its oldest MCI is a 1996 DL3.