By Rick Mullen,
Busline Magazine Associate Editor

The following import/export categories include motor buses, coaches, trolley buses and gyrobuses.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Census Bureau trade figures for January 2019 indicated vehicle imports were up in four categories outlined, compared to January 2018.

The United States imported 157 vehicles in January 2019, down 9 percent from 173 vehicles imported in January 2018.

Canada sent 58 vehicles to the United States during January 2019, while Mexico exported 47 and Macedonia shipped 43.

The average price per vehicle for January 2019 was $379,197.70, down 6 percent from the average price for January 2018 of $405,115.76.

Public-Transport Passenger Vehicles For Transport Of 10 Or More Persons With Only Comp-Ign Internal Combustion Piston Engine (Diesel Or Semi-Diesel), Other

The United States received 158 vehicles from Germany in January 2019. There were no vehicles imported during January 2018.

The average price of the vehicles for January 2019 was $41,596.70.

Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles With Comp-Ign Internal Combustion Piston Engine (Diesel Or Semi-Diesel), And Electric Motor Designed For Transport Of 16 Or More Persons

No vehicles in this category were imported during January 2019 or January 2018.

Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles For Transport Of 10 Or More Persons With Comp-Ign Internal Combustion Piston Engine (Diesel Or Semi-Diesel), And Electric

No vehicles in this category were imported during January 2019 or January 2018.

Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles With Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Piston Engine And Electric Motor For 16 Or More Persons

The United States imported two vehicles from Canada during January 2019 at an average price of $15,299. There were no vehicles imported during January 2018.

Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles With Both Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Piston Engine and Electric Motor for 10 to 15 Persons

There were no vehicles imported during January 2019 and January 2018.

Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles With Electric Motor Only, For Transport Of 16 Or More Persons Including Driver

The United States imported seven vehicles during January 2019 at an average price of $178,000. There were no vehicles imported during January 2018.

Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles, With Electric Motor Only For Propulsion, NESOI

The United States imported seven vehicles from China during January 2019, at an average price of $7,489.71. There were no vehicles imported during January 2018.

Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles For 16 Or More Persons Including Driver, NESOI

The United States imported 60 vehicles during January 2019, the same as for January 2018.

Canada sent 57 vehicles to the United States during January 2019.

The average price per vehicle for January 2019 was $67,161.52, up less than 1 percent from $66,953.30 for January 2018.

Motor Vehicles For The Transport Of 10 To 15 Persons Including Driver, NESOI

The United States imported 55 vehicles during January 2019, down 78 percent from 249 during January 2018.

Canada sent 32 vehicles to the United States during January 2019, while Germany exported 21 vehicles.

The average price per vehicle for January 2019 was $43,531.42, down 11 percent from $49,124.95 for January 2018.

IMPORTS

Export totals for January 2019 were up in three categories, compared to January 2018.

Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles With A Compression-Ignition Internal Combustion Piston Engine (Diesel Or Semi-Diesel) Only

The United States exported 363 vehicles during January 2019, down 37 percent from 579 vehicles exported in January 2018.

Canada received 196 vehicles during January 2019, while Mexico imported 104.

The average price per vehicle for January 2019 was $58,760.63, down 30 percent from the average price for January 2018 of $83,876.86.

Public-Transport Vehicles With Both Compression-Ignition Internal Combustion Piston Engine (Diesel Or Semi-Diesel) & Electric Motor

The United States shipped 282 vehicles in January 2019, compared to four vehicles for January 2018.

Canada received 264 vehicles during January 2019.

The average price per vehicle for January 2019 was $28,422.24, up 542 percent from the average price for January 2018 of $4,424.50.

Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles With Both Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Piston Engine & Electric Motor

The United States exported 19 vehicles in January 2019, up 111 percent from nine vehicles for January 2018.

Mexico received nine vehicles during January 2019.

The average price per vehicle for January 2019 was $24,205.95, up 9 percent from the average price for January 2018 of $22,290.

Public-Transport Type Passenger Motor Vehicles With Only Electric Motor For Propulsion

The United States shipped two vehicles in January 2019, up 100 percent from one vehicle for January 2018.

Canada and Ecuador received one vehicle each during January 2019.

The average price of the vehicles for January 2019 was $30,203.50, down 45 percent from the price for January 2018 of $55,000.

Click on statistics to open .pdf file

Complete Coach Works Develops Its Largest Electric Bus Battery Capacity

Complete Coach Works now offers an optional 466 kWh onboard energy storage system.

“CCW increased its Zero Emission Propulsion System (ZEPS) battery pack in order to increase power and range. Currently, there are more than 50 ZEPS buses deployed in service across the nation with over 3 million revenue miles. These deployments have been proven to perform successfully in all types of weather conditions,” according to a press release.

IndyGo and Indy Airport operate 30 ZEPS buses for its day-to-day operations. The city of McAllen Transit Department utilizes two ZEPS buses to operate out of the city’s International Transit Terminal, where passengers can connect for several international, national, regional and intercity destinations.

Brad Carson, CCW’s director of sales and marketing, said, “The increase in energy capacity is exciting for this technology. We were able to keep the battery pack light which improves vehicle reliability and efficiency. Our company is committed to providing the transit industry with the most advanced technology, and this upgrade will give agencies the extended range they need on a single charge.

“Using advanced lithium ion batteries and liquid cooled all-electric drive systems, the performance of ZEPS delivers a significantly longer operating range while maintaining battery life. Other features include a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor that provides maximum torque at the start and a smooth acceleration profile.”

According to the release, the ZEPS saga started as an option to provide customers a clean, cost-effective, and viable alternative to fossil fuel. Working with its sister company Transit Sales International, CCW developed its own system by taking an existing low floor transit bus and rebuilt it as a battery electric bus. The resulting ZEPS bus offers economical options to bus operators looking to start an electric bus operation. Operators can opt to purchase newly refurbished buses from CCW’s inventory or have their existing fleet converted to all-electric.

Complete Coach Awarded Contract By OCTA To Furnish And Install Up To 484 Bike Racks And 73 Spare Units

Complete Coach Works (CCW) has been awarded a contract with Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to furnish and install up to 484 three-position bike racks and 73 spare units.

According to a press release, “Alternative modes of transportation have become popular in order to decrease automobile use and reduce emissions. To keep up with this growing trend, municipalities are changing infrastructure to better accommodate cyclists. By upgrading to a three-position bike rack, OCTA will be able to offer more rack space to cyclists interested in using public transportation to supplement its commute.

“Upgrading to a three-position bike rack allows agencies to enhance existing mounting systems without complete replacement. The new racks are fabricated from stainless steel to prevent corrosion and reduce overall maintenance costs. The bike rack will also allow cyclists to load and unload their bikes with ease which increases safety and reduces interference with bus route schedules.”

Kevin O’Brien, general sales manager at CCW, said, “Prioritizing the needs of our clients is a core part of our company philosophy. We are proud to partner with an agency that values its customers as much as we do. We are excited and thankful for the opportunity OCTA has provided us, and look forward to the completion of the project.”

For more information, visit www.completecoach.com.

Great Canadian Holidays And Coaches Celebrates 35th Anniversary, Adds 5 New MCI J4500 Coaches

Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., (NFI) said that Great Canadian Holiday and Coaches has added five MCI J4500 coaches to its growing fleet.

The Kitchener, Ontario-based tour provider, part of the Trailways charter bus network, added two 2018 MCI J4500s last September, and is taking delivery of three all-new 2019 models this month.

“With a major redesign in model year 2018, Great Canadian’s newest 56-seat coaches now feature MCI’s legroom, three-point passenger seatbelts, a new driver dash with a high definition instrument panel and enhanced lighting throughout. A new-for-2019 swing-out electric e-fan cooling package simplifies roadside engine access, improves fuel-efficiency and speeds maintenance on Great Canadian’s upcoming delivery,” according to MCI.

Great Canadian has added power outlets at each seat, Wi-Fi connectivity, and MCI’s variable color interior lighting package to welcome groups with their chosen branding.

“Drivers can change the lighting theme based on our guest preferences, and that’s a favorite feature we can offer now. It’s very welcoming,” said Caroline Ravazzolo, Great Canadian’s Coach operations manager. “It’s especially fun to have the interior match a sport’s team color. Our customers go for extra-special amenities. Electric outlets were once considered a luxury, but now they are expected, and we’ve offered Wi-Fi for several years.”

The new coaches fulfill Great Canadian’s goal to bring the average age of its 50-coach fleet to 4.5 years.

“MCI assigns a team to each customer, coordinating its sale, field service and parts needs throughout the life of each coach. It’s a seamless model aimed at ensuring customer satisfaction and a long relationship with MCI,” said the company.

Celebrating 35 Years

Founded in 1984 by owners Larry and Lorna Hundt, the company began as Travel Ventures, and changed its name to Great Canadian Holidays and Coaches in 1998. After the 1995 Quebec referendum, the company dedicated each of its coaches with decals and air brushed images depicting a variety of Canadian themes.

The company’s tour business offers a range of services from short day trips to an annual 23-day spring trip to California, that includes overnight stays and stops at notable destinations along the way.

For more information, visit www.greatcanadianholidays.com and www.mcicoach.com.

BYD Produces 300th Bus In Lancaster, CA, AVTA Nears 1 Million Emission-Free Miles

BYD (Build Your Dreams) has produced its 300th bus in its Lancaster, CA, manufacturing plant.

BYD is celebrating the milestone with its customer and neighbor, Antelope Valley Transit Authority. AVTA is closing in on a landmark of its own — 1 million miles of zero-emission bus operations. AVTA expects to make that breakthrough in early May.

The 300th bus is a 35-foot BYD K9S model transit bus. The vehicle is one of three built for Baton Rouge’s Capital Area Transit System (CATS). The agency will field test the use of electric buses in Baton Rouge, and study how the battery electric buses can be used on routes in Louisiana’s capital.

“We are very proud of this 300th American bus milestone. We are passionate about our mission to create a cleaner environment here in North America and across the globe,” said Stella Li, BYD president.

Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said of the 300th bus, “The tip of the iceberg.”

“BYD has created hundreds of well-paying American jobs, with more on the horizon, as the company expands its product lines of battery electric buses, trucks and forklifts. BYD has continuously shown its dedication to our community and region at-large, since establishing its North American manufacturing facilities here in Lancaster.”

AVTA was one of BYD’s first customers. In 2016, the AVTA board set a goal of becoming the nation’s first all-electric fleet, and vowed to convert all of its aging diesel buses. AVTA will achieve that conversion milestone later this year.

When BYD opened its Lancaster manufacturing plant in 2013, it had a handful of employees working on 10 buses in a 106,000-square-foot building that once housed a motor home manufacturing facility.

“In six years, BYD has grown to become the largest battery electric bus manufacturer in North America, with more than 750 employees. Since acquiring the facility, BYD has increased its manufacturing plant to over one-half million square feet, with the capacity to produce as many as 1,500 buses a year.

“In all, BYD has invested more than $250 million in North America, and in 2018 alone spent $70 million on components and services from American vendors – many from southern California.”

Since delivery of its first U.S. battery-electric bus in 2014, BYD has provided buses to customers in 13 states and four Canadian provinces.

From one bus model under production in 2013, BYD’s product line has expanded to include 12 models. The transit bus line ranges from 30-foot K7 to the 60-foot K11, and the coach line ranges from 23-foot C6 to the double-deck, 45-foot C10MS.

At any given time, more than 80 buses on the factory floor are in various stages of assembly.

For more information, visit www.BYD.com.

ABC And Van Hool Offer Cleaner Air Quality On New Van Hool TDX Prototype

Silicon Valley workers will soon have a new custom-built HEPA filtration system that will be installed on a special-order Van Hool TDX high-capacity, double-deck coach.

“The new feature is the culmination of years of collaboration between ABC and Van Hool to create a custom solution that improves interior cabin air quality on the 45-foot double-deck coach,” according to a press release.

“Our advanced Van Hool TDX model meets and exceeds EPA 16, GHG 17 emission standards for commercial vehicles, so integrating new technology that can further enhance the passenger environment is exciting for our team,” said Roman Cornell, president/CCO at ABC Companies. “Involving customers in the process from inception, including the design phase, is critical to developing successful and innovative offerings that meet their needs and strengthen our relationships.

“While indoor air quality is important for the operation of any business, bringing HEPA filtration technology to a mobile environment is the next step for passenger comfort,” said Cornell. “On both sides of the Atlantic, ABC and Van Hool pooled their expertise and resources to source and build a customized system that utilizes cutting-edge HEPA filtration technology. Together with the Van Hool engineering team, the ABC technical department worked closely to specify and fabricate a working prototype to be utilized within its NorCal-based customers’ employee-shuttle fleet operation.

“Confined space and weight limitations were key challenges to product development, mandating a compact design that located the new HEPA system under-floor in a small portion of the baggage bay area, without compromising existing passenger cabin dimensions,” said Brian Nelson, engineering manager at ABC’s Winter Garden, FL, facility.

According to ABC, the HEPA filtration unit is equipped with a HEPA filter, two pre-filters and two evaporator blowers that draw outside air through the filters, which is then transferred to the TDX lower deck A/C unit where it is circulated throughout the interior of the coach. The new system is designed to offer a significant reduction in particle counts down to the smallest concentration with results being achieved within 20 minutes of operation. Conclusive testing revealed decreased dust in the interior cabin. Supporting data indicated a substantial drop in measurements in the following test ranges: Particles up to 0.3 um dropped from 2,500 to 500 in 20 minutes; Particles up to 0.5 um dropped from 1,000 to 180 in 20 minutes; and, particles up to 1 um dropped from 350 to 70 in 20 minutes.

“The new HEPA filtration system is designed to provide numerous benefits in terms of both air quality and equipment performance,” said Nelson, “specifically in static or heavily congested road conditions where traffic emissions from older vehicles are prevalent and can permeate the passenger cabin.”

In maintenance and equipment performance, Tom Van Lokeren, engineering bus and coach HVAC specialist at Van Hool, said that HEPA filtration technology can contribute to optimal equipment performance by helping to maintain a cleaner coil, so that other components like fans, and filters can operate at nominal conditions as designed, and potentially extend the service life of HVAC components.

According to the press release, ABC also offers the patented UV-C Disinfectant system for coaches. The Fresh-Aire UV® System offers heavy-duty germicidal UV technology inside a coach’s HVAC system, which inhibits the growth of mold and destroys up to 99 percent of microbial contaminants within one hour. The chemical-free purification technology is the same that is used in hospitals, laboratories and the food industry to prevent the spread of airborne infectious bacteria. The Fresh-Aire UV® System is available from ABC, and is easily installed.

“ABC and Van Hool are focused on transforming great ideas into innovative solutions,” said Dane Cornell, CEO of ABC Companies. “We are excited to be at the forefront of shaping commercial applications that can lead to substantive change for our customers and our industry.”

For more information, visit www.abc-companies.com.