Herrera School Buses and Coaches, Albuquerque, N.M.

Herrera School Buses and Coaches Inc. has placed five new DaimlerChrysler CL 100 shuttle buses into service. The vehicles comprised most of the fleet of the Santa Fe Shuttle service, which transports travelers from Santa Fe International Airport to connecting flights at Albuquerque International Airport, about 60 miles away. The six-vehicle Santa Fe Shuttle fleet carries more than 120 passengers daily, completing a total of 17, 116-mile round trips between the two airports.
"We needed a high performance bus that was capable of accommodating our demanding shuttle schedule," said Martin Herrera, president of the company bearing his family name. "The CL's sturdy design fit our needs perfectly and its smaller frame permits it to travel the narrow streets of Santa Fe more efficiently and effectively than a larger transit vehicle."
The CL 100 is built on a Ford chassis and is Altoona tested for 7 years and 200,000 miles. It has a 42-inch wide, dual-panel entry door and features an all aluminum skin. The CL 100 buses were purchased through Coach & Transit of Phoenix.

Krapf's Coaches, Exton, Pa.

Krapf's Coaches Inc., which serves greater Philadelphia, has taken delivery of two new MCI J4500 coaches from Motor Coach Industries. Krapf's J4500s feature a six-monitor entertainment system by REI; 54 seats from American Seating; an Allison B500 transmission with Jake Brake; Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine, and a Carrier HVAC.
Bob Mason, Krapf's business manager said the company selected the J4500s for the quality and maintenance ease. Krapf's, which has been owned and operated by the Krapf family for more than 60 years, operates a fleet of 44 MCI coaches.

Lodestar Bus Lines, Johnstown, Pa.

Four new Setra S417 motorcoaches are joining the fleet of Lodestar Bus Lines, whose five different business units run 150 vehicles daily. Its tour and charter fleet is composed of 13 Setra coaches. "The new coach(es) . . . really stand out on the road," said Lodestar President Harry Oppy said of the new S417s.
The new Setras feature luxury passenger seating, an ergonomic driver cockpit, integrated multiplex electronics and on-board diagnostics. The coaches have Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines and Allison B500R transmissions.
Lodestar started its tour business with Eagle coaches but switched to Setras about six years ago. Eagles and Setras have the same Kassbohrer heritage.

Young Transportation, Asheville, N.C.

Young Transportation has taken delivery of a new ABC-branded M1035 midsize coach. The bus is configured for 29 passengers and equipped with a Cummins 205-horsepower engine, Allison 2400 transmission, parcel racks with individual reading lights and A/C vents, multiple-monitor video system and a restroom.
Young Transportation is a third-generation, family-owned business specializing in charter services, tour and convention planning, as well as receptive services. The 64-year-old company operates a fleet of 27 full-size coaches and 7 midsize buses. Plus, it has 10 activity buses.
The company prides itself on being a full-service transportation/tour supplier. Ralph Young is chairman and president.

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Burnsville, Minn.

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority has taken delivery of seven new MCI D4500 Commuter Coaches. The multiplexed, wheelchair-accessible buses are the first over-the-road commuter coaches for Minnesota Valley. The agency is based directly south of Minneapolis on I-35W. The coaches are being operated for MVTA on a contract basis by Schmitty & Sons, a diversified bus operator based in nearby Lakeville.
Schmitty & Sons has a fleet of 180 buses and operates Gray Line of Minneapolis/St. Paul and a bus dealership. Its fleet includes motorcoaches, transit and school buses, vans and midsize buses. The MVTA commuter coaches are equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines and Allison B500 transmissions.

Montgomery Area Transit System, Montgomery, Ala.

Montgomery Area Transit System is taking delivery this month of six more SFL 200 buses from DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses. MATS introduced eight SLF 200s to its fleet last year.
Since MATS beginning adding the SLFs, ridership is up 10 percent, meaning more than 2,100 passengers each day. "The new, modern, attractive buses are certainly having an impact on ridership," said Tim Omick, general manager of MATS. Additionally, Omick says MATS is saving on both maintenance and fuel. "We're saving 1,000 gallons of fuel a month and getting nearly seven miles to the gallon," Omick said. The SLFs have 42-inch-wide front and rear air-operated doors, full air-ride suspensions that kneel as low as nine inches, and a ramp for paratransit needs.

University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio

The University of Toledo has taken delivery of a 2003 Blue Bird XCEL 102 bus. The 40-foot, 102-inch wide XCEL is the first of its kind to be delivered with a Caterpillar 3126, 250-horsepower diesel engine and Allison B300R transmission. Other equipment includes Hendrickson front and rear air-ride suspension, Meritor axles and brakes, and Carrier Rm-35 deck-mounted air conditioning. The bus seats 45 with an option for two wheelchairs.
The unit also is configured with a two-step entrance stepwell, front and center air-powered entrance/exit doors, American perimeter seating and 72-inch center luggage racks.
The University of Toledo is the fourth largest university in Ohio with 21,000 students.