Coach Canada, Peterbrough, Ont.

Coach Canada has upgraded its operation with the purchase of 16 new Prevost H3-45 motorcoaches, bringing the total number of Prevosts in its fleet to 55.
The Canadian affiliate of Coach USA, which bills itself as a one-stop shop for ground transportation, offers scheduled service and chartered tours, as well as specialized bus services.
James Devlin, president of Coach Canada, said the new Prevost coaches are appealing to both the company and potential customers. "I find the Prevost motorcoaches are good performing vehicles that are easy to maintain. In addition, they have great curb-side appeal and that's important. Potential customers notice them on the road."
Coach Canada's new Prevosts are equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 60 cooled-EGR engines, Allison B500 transmissions, Jake Brakes, Prevost seating, Carrier A/C systems, REI five-monitor A/V systems, Isringhausen driver seats, and Goodyear tires.
While Coach Canada's head office is in Peterborough, the company has a presence in major cities of Ontario and Quebec.

25 coaches from ABC go to Belize

BELIZE CITY - The premier tour operator in the Central American country of Belize is expanding its motorcoach fleet with the acquisition of more than two dozen used coaches from ABC Companies of Faribault, Minn.
Cruise Solutions Belize Ltd., which was formed five years ago to develop and promote cruise-ship tourism in Belize, is upgrading its fleet with the addition of 25 40-foot MCI 102A3s.
The 47-passenger coaches will allow thousands of cruise-line passengers to travel in clean, air-conditioned comfort when they come ashore for excursions ranging from exploring ancient Mayan ruins, to biking, to horseback riding, to birding, to city tours.
Tourism is flourishing in Belize, which is the northern-most country in Central America, sitting along the western edge of the Caribbean Sea on a small chunk of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Cruise Solutions was formed by long-time Belizean tourism leader David Gegg, who set up one of the first tour companies in Belize more than 20 years ago. In addition to its many land-based excursions, Cruise Solutions also offers expeditions involving snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and canoeing, and airplane sightseeing.
"Our destination offers a wealth of cultural, historical and recreational activities," says Gegg, who is managing director of Cruise Solutions. "As our operation continues to evolve we want to reflect that vitality in the service we provide. Our mission is to offer cruise-line executives and their travelers the best possible customer experience through tour and charter services that meet the highest expectations for safety, convenience and reliability."
Ron Cornell, president and CEO of ABC, said the Cruise Solutions expansion represents and important partnership for both companies. "We can make equipment readily accessible anywhere around the globe, but more importantly we can support operations with advanced maintenance and fleet service."
ABC's deal with Cruise Solutions includes a service agreement that assures the Belize company of greater performance and minimal downtime for its newly acquired equipment.
New graphics are being developed for the exterior of the coaches.

David Thomas Tours, Philadelphia

David Benedict, president of David Thomas Tours and Travel, said he wanted the top of line when he purchased his latest coach, so he bought another MCI E4500. "That's what we like."
The company, which has been around for 27 years, has a fleet of 14 MCI coaches, including three other E4500s.
"Our focus is on delivering the latest, well-maintained fleet and professional service to consistently make our customer's experience the best," said Benedict. "Our most important service is not low-price; it is service and quality."
David Thomas Tours' newest E4500 is equipped with a Ricon wheelchair lift and Caterpillar C-13 engine. It features a REI A/V system with premium stereo sound and six flat-screen monitors for viewing DVDs and VCR tapes, National seating, Alcoa wheels, Carrier A/C, Isringhausen driver seat, Allison B500 transmission, and Jake Brake.
Tours promoted by David Thomas Tours run the Mid Atlantic gamut, including such favorites as its Baltimore-area seafood buffets and the '70s Disco Crab Feast, plus gospel, comedy and cruise variations on the all-you-can-eat seafood theme.
Even with the industry-wide setbacks of the past three years, Benedict has seen his business grow, posting a 10 percent increase last year. He expects to carry as many as 30,000 passengers by the end of this year.
Four years ago, the company opened a 10,000-square-foot office and maintenance facility, allowing Benedict to keep tight control over both his tour and coach business and the service garage, which includes a heated wash bay. A fuel tank on the property also helps Benedict control operating costs.
Benedict is proud that upwards of 90 percent of his drivers have joined the company through referral, and he's happy to reward them for their good work. And, in a move Benedict considers good both for business and for drivers, he prices trips and pays according to actual miles -- no deadheading. It's fair, he maintains.
More information on David Thomas Tours and Travel can be found at www.davidtours.net.