Pacific Coachways Trailways MCI J-4500

Pacific Coachways Trailways adds first new four 2013 MCI® J4500 coaches

SCHAUMBURG, IL — April 18, 2013 — It didn't take long for Pacific Coachways Trailways to decide on the 2013 J4500 for its four-coach purchase. When Tom Giddens, founder and President, toured the MCI Winnipeg plant, he could see the quality difference MCI's Reliability Driven culture has brought about.

"Tom was impressed with the factory tour," said Michael Giddens, General Manager and second generation in the family-owned Garden Grove, California, charter and school bus operator. "We're going back to where we originally started. The quality is there."

MCI's recent Quality-at-Source initiative at the MCI plants, designed to make MCI coaches even more reliable, is responsible for much of Pacific Coachways' renewed enthusiasm.

When Pacific Coachways Trailways formed  :

In 1989, it operated four pre-owned MCI models. Now, the four 2013 J4500 coaches mark the company's first purchase of new MCI models, bringing its fleet to 12 coaches and seven school buses. "We're growing by this purchase; we've been very busy over the last few years," said Giddens. "We started updating our fleet with newer models before required by California regulations, so our coaches are model year 2007 or newer."

In addition to featuring the latest clean-diesel engine technology for near-zero emissions, the 2013 J4500 also delivers improved fuel economy through powertrain optimization. The model has been redesigned with new LED headlights, a more elevated appearance, impact-resistant bumpers and some 30 other improvements. A new smooth rear cap also modernizes the back of the coach and provides more space for brand messaging. Wide-ride suspension, electronic stability control, a SmartWave® tire-pressure monitoring system, a fire-suppression system and three-point passenger seatbelts are standard. Pacific Coachways Trailways has added 110-volt power outlets and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Profiled as an "Innovative Operator" :

Pacific Coachways Trailways credits it success to great customer service and going the extra mile in driver recruitment and training. The company hires its drivers for personality and provides training, if necessary, to earn a CDL. "This way, we have a broader range of applicants," said Giddens. "We invest heavily in driver training."

All of Pacific Coachways Trailways drivers maintain the required California Highway Patrol (CHP) School Pupil Activity Bus (SPAB) certification, whether they will drive a school bus or not. The certification requires 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training, 20 hours of classroom training and a test by the CHP. Another 10 hours of training is required every year to maintain the certification. In 2010 and 2012, Pacific Coachways Trailways won CHP's STAR Award, which recognizes operators for exemplary safety records. The company also enforces driver safety through the use of DriveCam, which is installed on all coaches and records driving behaviors. "It really works to enforce good driving habits," said Giddens.

Pacific Coachways Trailways is a member of IMG and Trailways and belongs to ABA and UMA, among other travel industry associations. Tom Giddens, President of the California Bus Association, continues to play a vital role in shaping the industry as noted in Metro's article on the company. To learn more, visit www.pacificcoachways.com.

 

 

About MCI

 

 

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, with manufacturing facilities in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Pembina, North Dakota, Motor Coach Industries is the leading intercity coach manufacturer in the United States and Canada, with sales, service and repair facilities in both countries. MCI's D-Series is the best-selling line of coaches in industry history, with more than 13,000 units built. Its J4500 coach model has been the industry's best-selling intercity coach for nine consecutive years. MCI is also the distributor of the Setra S 417, Setra S 407 and Setra parts in the U.S. and Canada. The company offers 24-hour technical support and industry-leading technician training along with the market's most extensive aftermarket parts and repair service.

Press contact: Patricia Plodzeen Public Relations, 847-283-0883; or Motor Coach Industries Marketing Department, 847-285-2035.