MCI Celebrates Hawkeye Stages’ 70th Anniversary With Delivery Of New Coaches

Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI), has announced the delivery of two coaches to Hawkeye Stages. This delivery, which included an MCI J4500 and an MCI J3500, completed an eight-coach order and coincided with Hawkeye’s 70^th anniversary.

“Over the past two years, the Iowa operator purchased six 45-foot J4500 and two 35-foot J3500 coaches with custom interiors and luxurious passenger amenities. The MCI clean-diesel vehicles featured plush seating from Amaya, an enhanced REI^® sound system, a rear window for more natural light, and Bendix^® Wingman^® Fusion^™ – a leading Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) safety suite,” according to a press release.

“Designed for curb appeal and with best-in-class legroom, the MCI J-Series coaches were purchased to help fulfill Hawkeye’s strategy to keep a young, pristine fleet that is equipped with the latest safety options.”

“The new models have brought the age of our 19-coach fleet to the youngest we’ve ever had, allowing us to maintain a quality brand standard,” Steve Tjossem, the third-generation co-owner of Hawkeye Stages along with his wife Kari, said. “We are still a bit amazed to walk through the garage, seeing the stunning new MCI coaches and the competitive advantage — fire power — they provide us.”

Founded in 1954 by Tjossem’s father, grandfather, and uncle, Hawkeye Stages started with line-run service, moved into charters, added tours, and grew through strategic diversification and proactive customer service. In 2006, Hawkeye Stages started a new business called Legacy Tour & Travel, and later formed Legacy Student Travel. Now combined into Legacy Travel Group, the company has successfully provided a total travel experience under one umbrella for the past 10 years.

With garages located in Decorah, Newton, and Waterloo, IA, the company has served customers from all over the state as well as parts of Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. They’ve offered these customers travel options throughout the U.S. and elsewhere.

Hawkeye purchased its first MCI coach in 1982 and continued until 2000. After a pause, Hawkeye returned to MCI with its most recent order.

“It feels right to resume and strengthen our partnership with MCI,” Tjossem said. “MCI’s post-sales support has been excellent and provides reassurance we made the right decision. Good relationships hold more value than ever.”

Brent Maitland, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, MCI, added: “We are happy that Hawkeye chose MCI for their new coach purchase. We will continue to earn their confidence by providing a consistently high-level of service and support to keep their fleet on the road.”

Visit www.mcicoach.com.