Sun Travel Trailways takes shine to new MCI® J4500, celebrates 20th year
SCHAUMBURG, IL — May 13, 2013 —
Harnessing its own star power, Sun Travel Trailways, Beaumont, Texas,
has taken delivery of its very first MCI J4500, selecting the model for
its eye appeal and dependability. "So far, so, good," said Michael
LaBrie, founder and president of Sun Travel. "We've run a lot of MCI D
coaches because of the reliability — they're bulletproof and proven.
We're expecting the same from our J4500 model."
The new J4500 brings Sun Travel's mixed-model
fleet, including four MCI D-Series models, to 13 coaches. "Honestly,
we're right where we need to be in terms of fleet size," said LaBrie.
"Our goal is to continue to upgrade our fleet with newer models. Newer
means fewer problems."
LaBrie started his company 20 years ago with a
$12,000 loan from his brother to buy a pre-owned Eagle. He rented it out
to church groups, earning enough income to buy an MC-9 within eight
months. Even at the very start of his business, LaBrie made drivers wear
a matching shirt and tie uniform. He knew that professional, courteous
drivers committed to strict safety practices and well-maintained, clean
coaches could get him to where he is today.
LaBrie, a Beaumont native, got his start in the
bus business early. His mother was the local Greyhound General Manager,
and he unloaded luggage as one of his first jobs. Eventually, his
mother started working for him, arranging Sun Travel senior tours,
working as a step-on-guide and establishing some of the company's
superior customer service practices. "We're all about service and that's
what this business is," said LaBrie. "Treat your customers the way you
wanted to be treated. It works."
LaBrie joined Trailways five years ago to tap
its expertise and member network. "I wanted to be a bigger part of this
industry, and Trailways was the right fit for me. Most other members are
family businesses and we share the same high standards."
All together, Sun Travel has 30 employees, a full three-bus bay maintenance shop.
LaBrie is active in his community and
industry-related organizations, including the Better Business Bureau,
United Motorcoach Association, the National Limousine Association, and
the South Central MCA. He also serves as a board member for many local
Beaumont organizations including Salvation Army and Some Other Place.
Learn more at www.Suntravel.org.
The MCI J4500 is the number on selling coach in
the U.S. and Canada, featuring stand-out curb appeal, and superior
reliability. Its optimized powertrain consistently returns over 9 MPG
cruising at 55 on-highway.
About MCI
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, Motor
Coach Industries (MCI) 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.
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