Discovery Coach, Sheboygan, Wis.

Discovery Coach, a fourth-generation, family-owned charter and tour operator, has taken delivery of two Prevost 2005 H3-41 motorcoaches.

This is the first purchase of Prevost coaches by the 56-year-old company. The Discovery fleet includes eight other motorcoaches, plus school buses.

David Prigge, marketing director at Discovery, said that one of the factors leading to the purchase decision was Prevost's reputation for building dependable and consistently reliable coaches. Other factors that influenced the company decision to go with Prevost included customer appeal and satisfaction.

"We were looking for a 47- or 48-passenger vehicle to replace some older vehicles and were impressed by Prevost's curb appeal," said Prigge. Initial reaction from customers to the new vehicles has been extremely positive, he added.

Discovery Coach spec'd its Prevosts with Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines, ZF AS-tronic transmissions, Jake Brakes, American passenger seats, Isringhausen driver seats, REI A/V systems with three monitors, Alcoa wheels, Michelin tires and Carrier A/C systems.

For more information go to www.discoverycoach.com.

Haymarket Transportation, Sterling, Va.

Haymarket Transportation Inc. has taken delivery of two of Van Hool's flagship T2145 coaches. The two new coaches are in addition to two T2145s that were delivered to Haymarket in late December.

With its principal business focused along the busy mid-Atlantic seaboard, Haymarket Transportation provides airport transfers, shuttle and charter services, and custom tour packages.

Its fleet ranges from luxury, late-model sedans and limousines, to 13-passenger conversion vans, mini and midsize buses, and 49- and 57-passenger coaches.

"With a customer base that consists primarily of high-ranking government officials and diplomats, we have a demand for high-end vehicles. The T2145 with its European styling and very attractive look fits that profile," said George Mouratidis, owner of Haymarket Transportation.

The company has been in business for 11 years and has done business with ABC/Van Hool for 10 of those years. "The No. 1 reason for staying is ABC's service support. We have never been down and unable to transfer people. We've tried others but have found that the best support comes from Van Hool and ABC," added Mouratidis.

All four of the T2145s are equipped with Cummins ISM engines, Allison B500 transmissions and Jake Brakes. Other equipment includes 57-passenger American Seating, Isringhausen driver seats, enclosed parcel racks, Alcoa wheels, Goodyear tires, fog lights, REI A/V systems with five monitors, in-dash CD, and DVD Player with VCP. Additionally, all coaches are equipped with Intec back-up cameras with five-inch monitors.

The coaches have a strikingly simple exterior paint scheme that features large block letters in a deep forest green on a rich tan body color.

For more information go to www.haymarkettrans.com.

Kewl Tours, Walkersville, Md.

Kewl Tours and Charters has taken delivery of a new Prevost H3-45 coach. Three of the company's five full-size motorcoaches are Prevosts, and the family-owned and -operated company is moving to an all-Prevost fleet.
"Prevost is without a doubt the best touring coach on the market. Nothing compares to it," says David Burke, general manager of Kewl Tours and Charters. "We've looked at other coaches but the quality at Prevost is far superior. It has curb appeal, comfort and visibility for the customer, and a very high level of proven technology. The H3-45 fits the bill."
The entire Burke family is involved in their motorcoach tour-and-charter company and airport transportation service. They add their own special touches to their tours, like scheduling stops in places off the beaten path.
Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, Kewl offers day trips to New York City and Atlantic City, as well as two- to five-day trips to New England, the East Coast, and the Midwest, and longer cross-country excursions. The company also organizes student transportation to popular destinations.
"We have a pretty loyal following," says Burke. "There are some people who have not missed a single one of our western trips."
Besides its motorcoaches, the company also operates a midsize bus, vans and sedans.
Kewl Tours' newest Prevost is equipped with a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine, ZF AS-tronic transmission, Jake Brake, Alcoa wheels, Michelin tires, REI A/V system with four monitors, National Model 4210 passenger seats, Isringhausen driver seat, Taraflex flooring, and Ricon wheelchair lift.
For more information go to www.kewlinc.com.

Scenic America sees growth, Bristow, Va

When Scott and Sandy Merriman started Scenic America six years ago, they had "zero buses, no money and a lot of faith."

Since then, the company has grown to a multi-million-dollar business with 42 employees and a fleet of 17 motorcoaches.

Scott Merriman began his industry career as a part-time school bus driver 26 years ago. Between 1979 and 1994, he held positions with several bus companies. In 1994, he was named vice president/general manager of Franklin Motorcoach, a unit of Martz Bus Lines. Sandy Merriman had also worked at Martz in the accounting and human resources departments.

After several attempts to acquire a bus company, the Merrimans decided to start their own operation.

The recent delivery of nine 2005 Van Hool C2045 coaches is part of the couple's strategic growth plan, and program to update their fleet. The company offers local and national charter services and tour planning, as well as receptive, convention and event planning services, and is in the process of expanding its tour division. Three more Van Hool C2045's are scheduled for delivery this month.

"Choosing ABC Companies for our motorcoach fleet needs was based upon three major areas: The quality and efficiency of their product - the Van Hool C2045; their willingness to take the time to help us analyze our motorcoach needs, and the customer and product support they have provided both pre- and post-delivery," said Scott Merriman.

"No major equipment purchase is an easy accomplishment. However, the ownership and staff of ABC Companies, as well as their vendors, have made this a very pleasant and amicable experience and we are very pleased with our new business partnerships," he added.

All 12 of Scenic America's new Van Hool's feature Caterpillar C13 engines, ZF AS-tronic transmissions with intarders, Amaya Brasil passenger seats, Isringhausen driver seats, enclosed parcel racks, Firestone tires, fog lights, restrooms equipped with Monogram flush-type recirculating toilets, REI A/V systems with DVD players, VCPs, radios and four monitors.

Two of the coaches scheduled for delivery this month will be equipped with Ricon wheelchair lifts.

For more information go to www.scenic-usa.com.

Tri-State gets new MCI Ds

Tri-State Travel has taken delivery of six new-look 40-foot MCI D4005 coaches. Tri-State's order was first announced when MCI unveiled the updated D model at Motorcoach Expo earlier this year.

Tri-State Travel prefers to use 40-foot coaches for many of its tour groups. "The D-series coaches have been the workhorse of our fleet," said Rick Hillard, company vice president. Tri-State is partial to D models because they stay on the road and not in the shop, said Hillard.

"We're very pleased with the way the (updated D-model) coaches turned out. We particularly like the D4005. It serves our needs very well."

Hillard said the most-requested coaches in the company fleet are its 35-foot, 36-passenger models, followed by its 40-foot D models. Tri-State, which has been buying MCI coaches for 35 years, operates 16 40-foot D-series coaches as part of a fleet that includes 41 MCIs.

MCI restyled its D-series models with input from operators and the assistance of BMW DesignworksUSA. The new-look D4005 and D4505 coaches have a curvier front end, flared headlights, LED directionals, a new exterior upper cap, frameless thermopane laminated side-sash windows, and a one-piece front bumper that curves toward the entrance door for a more stylish look.

New standard features on the D models include disc brakes, LED exterior lighting and a solid-state, plug-and-play multiplex system. The D4505 seats as many as 55 passengers; the D4005 can be specified for as few as 39 or as many as 47 passengers.

Tri-State's D4005s are equipped with Caterpillar C13 engines and ZF AS-tronic transmissions. They also feature Amaya seating for 47; an REI A/V system with DVD-VHS and six flat-screen monitors; Alcoa wheels; Goodyear tires; R.C.A. flooring; National 93B driver seats; enclosed overhead parcel racks, retractable passenger window shades and two card-table positions.

Rick Hillard, his cousin and company president, Mike Hillard, and Mike's brother, Mark, who heads maintenance, represent a second generation running the family business that was founded in 1940 by their fathers. A third generation has joined the company.

Celebrating its 65th anniversary in business this year, Tri-State is offering three special group tours led by family members. Rick's parents are leading a Cheyenne Frontier Days tour later this month. Daughter Angela Decker and her husband will take a group to New York City in August. And Mike Hillard is planning a Mackinaw Island bash.

Learn more about the company at www.tristatetravel.com.