MCI delivers J4500, consolidates facilities

Houston-based charter company Continental Bus Lines added four new MCI J4500 coaches to bring its fleet to 12 coaches.

The new J4500s feature a new, elevated look with the latest EPA-mandated clean-diesel engine technology, passenger seatbelts, Electronic Stability Control, tire pressure monitoring and a fire suppression system.

Continental updated the interior of its older coaches and added premium options on its new coaches, such as Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Additionally, MCI announced it is moving its Schaumburg, Ill. corporate headquarters and Des Plaines Sales and Service Center to a single, new facility in Des Plaines, Ill. The move will bring MCI’s corporate offices and Des Plaines Sales and Service operations under the same roof, fostering greater collaboration as part of MCI’s Reliability Driven commitment.

The new 80,000-square-foot facility will include indoor space to showcase MCI and Setra models and ample parking for new and pre-owned coaches. About 60,000 of those interior square feet will house the air-conditioned MCI Sales and Service Center.

“This will be an industry-leading facility for service,” said Patrick McGuire, director of MCI Service Centers, who is leading a team coordinating the move. “We can accommodate up to 36 coaches for maintenance and repair, and we have the absolute latest equipment and diagnostics. We’ve added a number of state-of-art features, including portable tablets for technicians, all loaded with schematics, parts catalogs and diagnostics. There’s also space and comfort enough for our technicians to do all work indoors.”

The new service center will include two full-service pits for oil changes and related services; a state-of-the-art paint booth; two indoor bus wash stations; a well-appointed drivers’ area with comfortable lounge chairs, television, Wi-Fi and refreshments; and a customer parts pick-up window.

The facility is 10 minutes from O’Hare airport and two miles from the current MCI Sales and Service Center on Golf Road. MCI will move its corporate headquarters to the new location later in October.