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 August 2019 indicated vehicle imports were up in five categories outlined, compared to August 2018. For the first eight months of 2019, vehicles imports were up in seven categories, compared to the first eight months of 2018.

The United States imported 237 vehicles in August 2019, up 172 percent from 87 vehicles imported in August 2018. For the first eight months of 2019, the United States imported 1,778 vehicles, up 21 percent from 1,464 for the first eight months of 2018.

Canada sent 974 vehicles to the United States during the first eight months of 2019, while Mexico exported 398 and North Macedonia shipped 265.

The average price per vehicle for August 2019 was $302,354.26, down 16 percent from the average price for August 2018 of $359,686.40. The average price per vehicle for the first eight months of 2019 was $319,136.74, down 20 percent from $400,618.61 for the first eight months of 2018.

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 20 vehicles in August 2019, down 86 percent from 144 vehicles for August 2018. For the first eight months of 2019, the United States imported 1,176 vehicles, up 21 percent from 974 vehicles for the first eight months of 2018.

The United States imported 1,161 vehicles from Germany during the first eight months of 2019.

The average price of the vehicles for August 2019 was $41,416.80, down 11 percent from $46,634.07 for August 2018. The average price per vehicle for the first eight months of 2019 was $41,758.61, down 6 percent from $44,255.40 for the first eight months of 2018.

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

The United States imported 14 vehicles during August 2019. There were no vehicles imported during August 2018. During the first eight months of 2019, 184 vehicles were imported, up significantly from five vehicles for the first eight months of 2018.

All the vehicles imported came from Canada.

The average price for August 2019 was $240,184. The average price for the first eight months of 2019 was $229,324.53, down 55 percent from $509,146.80 for the first eight months of 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 2018 and thus far in 2019.

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

No vehicles in this category were received by the United States in August 2019 or August 2018. The United States imported two vehicles from Canada during the first eight months of 2019, at an average price of $15,200. No vehicles were imported during the first eight months of 2018.

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

The United States imported no vehicles in this category during August 2019 or August 2018. During the first eight months 2019, no vehicles in this category have been received, compared to one vehicle imported from Canada during the first eight months of 2018, at a price of $10,325.

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

The United States imported 65 vehicles during August 2019, compared to two vehicles for August 2018. During the first eight months of 2019, 372 vehicles were received, compared to 15 for the first eight months of 2018.

Canada shipped 297 vehicles during the first eight months of 2019.

The average price per vehicle for August 2019 was $81,611.98, up 120 percent from $37,150 for August 2018. The average price for the first eight months of 2019 was $115,409.58, down 38 percent from $186,212.47 for the first eight months of 2018.

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

The United States imported 17 vehicles during August 2019, up 183 percent from six vehicles for August 2018. During the first eight months of 2019, 94 vehicles were imported, up 59 percent from 59 vehicles for the first eight months of 2018.

China sent all of the vehicles during the first eight months of 2019.

The average price per vehicle for August 2019 was $10,178.71, up 17 percent from $8,713.33 for August 2018. The average price per vehicle for the first eight months of 2019 was $8,342.16, up 2 percent from $8,169.54 for the first eight months of 2018.

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

The United States imported 262 vehicles during August 2019, up 113 percent from 123 for August 2018. During the first eight months of 2019, 1,096 vehicles were received, up 36 percent from 804 for the first eight months of 2018.

Canada sent 1,072 vehicles to the United States during the first eight months of 2019.

The average price per vehicle for August 2019 was $81,758.25, up 47 percent from $55,554.44 for August 2018. The average price for the first eight months of 2019 was $76,496.02, up 2 percent from $74,653.27 for the first eight months of 2018.

The United States imported 61 vehicles during August 2019, down 59 percent from 150 during August 2018. During the first eight months of 2019, 973 vehicles were received, down 14 percent from 1,129 for the first eight months of 2018.

Canada sent 862 vehicles to the United States during the first eight months of 2019.

The average price per vehicle for August 2019 was $45,215.11, down 7 percent from $48,386.31 for August 2018. The average price for the first eight months of 2019 was $42,112.26, down 8 percent from $45,797.04 for the first eight months of 2018.

EXPORTS

Export totals for August 2019 were down in three categories, compared to August 2018. For the first eight months of 2019, three categories reported increases.

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

The United States exported 1,092 vehicles during August 2019, down 12 percent from 1,241 vehicles exported in August 2018. During the first eight months of 2019, 5,320 were sent, down 14 percent from 6,210 for the first eight months of 2018.

Canada received 3,453 vehicles during the first eight months of 2019.

The average price per vehicle for August 2019 was $73,420.10, down 19 percent from the average price for August 2018 of $91,039.31. The average price for the first eight months of 2019 was $69,256.71, down 13 percent from $79,723.14 for the first eight months of 2018.

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

The United States shipped 23 vehicles in August 2019, down 12 percent from 26 vehicles for August 2018. During the first eight months of 2019, 2,154 vehicles were exported, compared to 316 for the first eight months of 2018.

Canada received 1,968 vehicles during the first eight months of 2019.

The average price per vehicle for August 2019 was $10,623.35, down 1 percent from the average price for August 2018 of $10,757.58. The average price for the first eight months of 2019 was $27,790.87, up 17 percent from $23,782.58 for the first eight months of 2018.

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

The United States exported 32 vehicles in August 2019, down 24 percent from 42 vehicles for August 2018. During the first eight months of 2019, 223 vehicles were shipped, up 6 percent from 210 vehicles for the first eight months of 2018.

Mexico received 81 vehicles during the first eight months of 2019, while Venezuela imported 48 vehicles.

The average price per vehicle for August 2019 was $24,505.06, down 23 percent from the average price for August 2018 of $32,027.67. The average price for the first eight months of 2019 was $31,314.65, down 9 percent from $34,442.05 for the first eight months of 2018.

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

The United States shipped 264 vehicles in August 2019, compared to six vehicles for August 2018. During the first eight months of 2019, 668 vehicles were exported, compared to 45 vehicles for the first eight months of 2018.

Canada received 652 vehicles during the first eight months of 2019.

The average price for August 2019 was $30,503.23, down 15 percent from $35,734 for August 2018. The average price for the first eight months of 2019 was $30,042.60, down 80 percent from $148,695.40 for the first eight months of 2018.

Click on statistics to open .pdf file

Glasgow Airport Goes Electric With BYD ADL Enviro200EV Buses

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BYD Europe announced that the Glasgow, Scotland, airport has switched its long-stay car-park shuttle to zero-emission electric mobility with the introduction of three BYD ADL Enviro200EV battery buses.

The investment makes Glasgow Airport the first in the UK to switch its official car-park shuttles to all-electric operation. The buses are operated by NCP on behalf of the airport and replace three existing diesel buses.

The 100 percent emissions-free, pure-electric buses, and the charging infrastructure have been supplied by Alexander Dennis and its partner BYD. The project has been supported by Transport Scotland with a £450,000 Green Bus Fund grant.

BYD said, “The BYD ADL Enviro200EV for Glasgow Airport combine BYD’s reliable electric driveline and battery technology with Alexander Dennis bodies adapted to the requirements of airport operation. The buses are 10.8m long and are fitted with two doors. The buses have three-tier luggage racking in addition to 23 seats. A wheelchair space is provided opposite the rear doors.”

Charging infrastructure for the buses has been installed at the operating base in the airport’s long-stay car park.

Mark Johnston, Glasgow Airport’s managing director, said, “We are proud to be the first airport in the UK to incorporate a full-electric bus fleet into our car park operation. These state-of-the-art vehicles will play an important role in supporting our continued efforts to create a more sustainable business, and will contribute significantly to help further reduce carbon emissions at Glasgow Airport.”

Frank Thorpe, managing director BYD UK, said, “Electric mobility is proven to be both safe and reliable, with BYD pioneering the technology in markets in the UK and across Europe. Electric mobility provides the ideal solution to a wide range of passenger transport requirements with benefits for local authorities, operators, passengers and, of course, the environment.”

For more information, visit www.byd.com.

New Prevost H3-45s Expand Air Bear Travel’s Service

Prevost said that Air Bear Travel (Cheboygan, MI) has been the “People’s Choice” for business and domestic coach transportation throughout the greater Cheboygan, MI, area since 1984.

“In 1995, Paul and Shelli France acquired the company, where Shelli had worked for the previous 10 years. The couple has since grown the company from a fledgling one-room office into a full-service travel agency with its own motorcoach tour charter service.

“Keeping with the traditions of the trade, Air Bear Travel handles ticketing for airlines as well as reservations for cruise ships, all-inclusive hotels and resorts and ground, air and rail excursions. In addition, the company operates its own proprietary motorcoach tours with its motorcoach fleet, which now includes five new, late-model Prevost H3-45s, ranging from 2017 to 2019.”

The company recently took delivery of its two newest 2019 H3-45s models, which feature the trademark frameless scenic windows to enhance passenger visibility, as well as back-up cameras for the driver and wireless microphones for tour hosts.

According to the Frances, customers of Air Bear Travel are impressed with the quality, ride and curb appeal of the Prevost H3-45. They especially appreciate the expansive views and comfort from the high deck, as well as ample space for luggage.

Air Bear Travel acquired its first Prevost coach in 2016.

“We were wanting to make a change, and had been eying Prevost for some time, and felt ready to see if the brand would make a noticeable difference in our operations,” Paul France said. “We are pleased to say our first Prevost H3-45 made an immediate impression. We knew immediately that clearly had been the right decision.”

Since January 2016, the Frances have added 12 more Prevost H3-45s to the Air Bear fleet including the two most recent deliveries.

For more information, visit www.prevostcar.com.

Northeast Charter And Tour Named To 2019 Best Places To Work In Maine

Northeast Charter and Tour (NECT) has been named one of the 2019 Best Places to Work in Maine.

“Here at NECT, a great company culture, extraordinary training and top-notch benefits for our employees are just what we do. One of our most important endeavors is to provide our employees with a great place to work, and we’re so excited and grateful to be recognized for our efforts,” said the company.

“This award comes from a statewide survey and awards program that was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Maine, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. We feel privileged to have been nominated and selected as one of the best.”

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Places to Work in Maine. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics, which made up approximately 25 percent of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. That part of the process was worth approximately 75 percent of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings.

“Our employees can expect a workplace where they feel at home when they walk through the doors. From the events we throw for our employees, like our annual BBQ and lobster bake, Christmas party to the leadership and on-the-job driver training we provide, we strive to make it easy to thrive here. On top of a comfortable work environment and fantastic training, we also offer vacation and sick pay, paid holidays, company-paid life insurance, bereavement compensation, 401(k) with company match, and uniforms. We do this because we truly want our employees to be able to succeed in all aspects of their lives."

ABC And Proterra Join Van Hool For CX45E Global Debut At Busworld

Attendees at Busworld Europe 2019 received a first look at the brand new “All Electric Van Hool CX45E.”

Along with a lineup of fuel cell, low-floor trambus and diesel-powered vehicles designed for the European market, the first-ever ALL Electric Van Hool CX45E was introduced, with the distinction as the only model exclusively designed and built for the North American market, according to ABC Companies.

“The zero-emission vehicle utilizes Proterra’s battery system which features a compact, robust design enabling energy density, by volume and mass,” an ABC Companies’ press release stated. “Efficient energy storage enables improved range capabilities, and thermally controlled batteries keep the temperature consistent to maximize lifetime in operating climates.

“‘Designed for the future, coming to America - January 2020’ was the theme used to literally unveil the new bus, and ABC Companies is eager to present this innovative zero-emission model during the UMA Expo 2020 in Nashville, TN, at ABC Booth #200. The CX45E Electric bus will integrate a multitude of onboard technologies and passenger and driver amenities, including a fully redesigned driver’s area.”

“The new CX45E represents an important milestone in our over 30-year partnership with Van Hool, and demonstrates our commitment to delivering advanced technology and innovation to our North American customers,” ABC Companies President and CCO Roman Cornell said.

ABC, together with Van Hool and Proterra, will offer proprietary route modeling, which will take into consideration route planning, the environment and how each coach is routinely operated. Modeling and charging infrastructure analysis utilizes data gleaned from route simulation — factoring in variables such as: charging speed and consumption, hours of operation, charging points, power suppliers and more, to determine the right fit for each operation. Through the Proterra Energy™ fleet solutions offering, Proterra’s team of experts can evaluate a fleet’s daily power needs to determine the most fitting chargers to meet route requirements.

Visit www.abc-companies.com, www.vanhool.com and www.proterra.com.

Valley Metro Awards MCI 5-Year Contract For Next-Generation MCI D45 CRT LE And D45 CRT Commuter Rapid Transit Coaches

Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., (NFI), has announced a five-year contract for up to 50 MCI D45 CRT LE and D45 CRT Commuter Rapid Transit coaches from Valley Metro (Phoenix, AZ).

The contract begins with an initial order for four MCI D45 CRT LE coaches, scheduled for delivery in the summer of 2020. The procurement is part of Valley Metro’s strategic plan to improve the level of service and passenger comfort on its commuter express highway routes connecting Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and surrounding communities.

ADA and Buy America compliant and Altoona tested, MCI’s next-generation Commuter Coach has a patented low-entry vestibule featuring an automated retractable ramp that delivers significantly shorter dwell times and a more efficient boarding process for all passengers

In addition to plenty of horsepower for hills and highways, transit agencies appreciate the shorter turning radius of MCI D45 CRT LE, providing improved navigation around city streets. The new model, which went into production in 2019, also offers enhanced interior illumination and brighter LED headlights to enhance visibility. A wider front door with an ergonomic spiral entryway also features enhanced illumination on the stairwell.

While Valley Metro has operated heavy-duty transit buses by MCI’s sister company (New Flyer) on its regional routes, this order represents Valley Metro’s first purchase of MCI commuter coaches.

“We are extremely honored to have an opportunity to support Valley Metro,” MCI Vice President Public Sector Tom Wagner said. “When designing this coach, MCI consulted with leading advocacy groups, including the National Council on Independent Living, that evaluated numerous concepts and the final prototype design. Their participation guided the coach design, creating a versatile, comfortable and more accessible Commuter Coach for systems like Valley Transit.”

MCI also plans other variants of the new model to succeed the industry’s historically all-time bestseller known for its workhorse reliability.

“We are excited to introduce a style of commuter bus that will enhance the overall experience for our express riders,” Valley Metro Bus Services Delivery Manager Scott Wisner said. “In addition to enhanced comfort and safety amenities, the area designated for mobility devices will help riders more easily board and exit the bus.”

Visit www.mcicoach.com.

Tucson’s Sun Tran Passengers Share Their Stories

“In a new video series, Sun Tran (Tucson, AZ) shares stories of riders from different backgrounds and experiences about how transit impacts their lives, and why they choose Sun Tran. By highlighting the many faces of transit, Sun Tran aspires to show that public transportation can be for everyone,” according to the agency.

Each weekday, there are nearly 50,000 passengers who depend on Sun Tran to get to and from work or school.

Mindy Blake is the outreach coordinator at the Pima Association of Governments, and former KOLD News anchor. She took part in Sun Tran’s series to talk about why she rides the bus.

Mindy said, “I ride for many different reasons. I can meet new people, avoid dealing with traffic, read a book, or catch up on email. To me, it’s also important to get to work on time, and Sun Tran drivers are reliable for that.”

Sun Tran’s video series also features a UA student and an employee who commute to campus, a teacher at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind who rides for independence, a young mother who is cost-conscious, a local business owner who supports sustainability and a woman who depended on Sun Tran during a time of unemployment.

The videos are available on Sun Tran’s YouTube channel and the SunTran stories will also be shared on social media.

Sun Tran plans to continue making additional videos and sharing stories of other riders. Transit riders who want to share their stories have been invited to send a message and their contact information to Sun Tran.