Robinson Coach, Evanston, Ill.

Robinson Coach, which has added 14 buses to its fleet in the past three years, has purchased its first MCI J4500 coach. The Evanston-based company provides charter services throughout greater Chicago and attributes its growth to customer service and attentiveness.
The company was founded 40 years as a school bus operator by Leon Robinson, who also set up Robinson Coach Company in 1980. Today, the company is a diversified ground transportation carrier with a fleet of 20 over-the-road MCI coaches, two midsize buses and five refurbished transit buses.
The staff of 50 employees is headed by Chief Operating Officer Stephen Philips and General Manager Richard Hausman.
Robinson's new J4500 features Amaya seating for 56 passengers and is equipped with a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine, an Allison B500 transmission with retarder, a REI A/V system with six monitors, Carrier A/C and Ricon wheelchair lift.
Twice in the past two years, Robinson has been awarded federal grants to finance the addition of wheelchair lifts to its coaches.

Thrasher Brothers Trailways, Birmingham, Ala.

Thrasher Brothers Trailways of Birmingham has added six Setra S417 luxury motorcoaches to its 18-coach fleet. The company offers tour, charter and shuttle services throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"In order to be the market leader we have to have a superior product," said company Vice President Alan Thrasher. "We have a reputation for giving customers what they want and we believe the S417 has the technology and features that will exceed their high expectations."
Thrasher Brothers is located near the only Mercedes-Benz manufacturing plant in the U.S. The DaimlerChrysler plant produces Mercedes-Benz M Series sport utility vehicles. Setra also is owned by DaimlerChrysler.
"We're proud to represent DaimlerChrysler in our area, and look forward to providing the high level of quality transportation the plant's international visitors demand," said Thrasher.
The Thrasher Brothers' S417s feature upscale passenger seating, integrated multiplex electronic and on-board diagnostic systems. "What really sold us (on the S417s) were the technological advances, degree of quality and the build of the coach," Thrasher said.
Thrasher Brothers, which has been in business for more than 30 years, is owned by Jim and Barbara Thrasher.

Trailways operators take delivery of J4500 coaches

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - Members of the Trailways system are taking delivery this spring of 26 J4500 coaches manufactured by Motor Coach Industries.
The Trailways' operators adding J coaches include:
* Fullington Autobus of Clearfield, Pa., which took delivery of two coaches with ZF Astronic transmissions, bringing its MCI fleet total to 45.
* Burlington Trailways of West Burlington, Iowa, which took delivery of two new J4500s.
* Concord Trailways of Concord, N.H., which offers service from Maine and New Hamphshire to Boston, is taking delivery of four J coaches.
* Peter Pan Trailways of Springfield, Mass., took delivery of 12 J4500s, the same number it purchased last year, bringing its fleet to 150 MCI coaches.
Martz Trailways of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., is adding six J4500s to its fleet later this spring.
The pace of orders has boosted confidence at MCI that it will deliver more J4500 coaches to Trailways operators this year than it did last, when Trailways companies purchased more than 50 J models.
"MCI's investment in the design of this model has proven to be a solid decision based on its successful introduction and repeat purchases by many of today's leading carriers, many of which belong to the Trailways-member network," said Pat Ziska, MCI vice president of corporate marketing.
Aerial Fullington Weisman, president and chief executive of Fullinton Trailways, says her customers like the new coaches. "They're calling and asking if they can get a J4500," she reported.
MCI believes the J4500 coach eventually will become as popular as its MC 9 and D4500 models.