Cline Tours, Ridgeland, Miss.

Cline Tours of suburban Jackson, Miss., has taken delivery of 10 new J4500 coaches.

"We liked the coach," said company owner John McCommon. "When you buy 10 coaches you want the royal treatment, and that type of attitude and sincerity came through with MCI and their people."

Cline Tours was established 22 years ago and acquired 11 years ago by McCommon, a businessman who eventually sold four other businesses to devote more time to the motorcoach company.

"It's a wonderful, exciting business," said McCommon, who designed and built a brand-new facility to house and service the company fleet of 14 coaches, 7 midsize buses and 65 contract vehicles.

The company is based in Ridgeland, Miss., and operates one of the largest bus fleets in the state. More information about the company can be found at www.clinetours.com.

Cline's new J models are equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines; Allison B500 transmissions; Jake Brakes; REI entertainment systems with five monitors, DVD, CD and VCR players; Amaya passenger seats; Isringhausen driver seats; Carrier A/C; Alcoa wheels; Michelin tires, and back-up cameras.

Great Canadian Trailways, Kitchener, Ont.

Great Canadian Trailways, one of the first operators in Ontario to buy a Prevost H-Series coach 15 years ago, has taken delivery of three new Prevost H3-45 coaches. The company now counts 28 Prevosts in its fleet of 32 coaches.

"The ZF transmission was a huge factor for us when we decided to purchase Prevost motorcoaches," says Larry Hundt, company president. "The durability and fuel economy were particularly appealing, especially with today's rising fuel prices."

Hundt said the panoramic windows and European design of the H3 has attracted a great deal of business to the company over the years. That, and the dependability of the Prevosts, keeps him coming back.

In addition, says Hundt, the Prevost service team deserves special recognition. "They have always been very attentive to our needs - that is one of their greatest strengths."

Hundt and his wife, Lorna, are co-owners of Great Canadian Trailways, which also employs the couple's two daughters. A tour operator first and foremost, the 21-year-old company has built a loyal following with its many sightseeing, shopping and specialty tours. It has also become a significant coach operator in its market, covering a wide geographic area. Its clientele ranges from international business people to casino-goers.

One of the most unique aspects of the Great Canadian Trailways' operation is the livery the Hundts have developed for their coaches. They not only exhibit Canadian pride but they have given the company an extraordinary brand image.

The Hundts hire artists that airbrush scenes promoting aspects of Canadian life on the coaches.

The Nation Builders coach, for example, features 80 paintings that pay tribute to the 20 major ethnic groups that make up Canada.

Other theme coaches include Great Canadian Music, Great Canadian Moments, Great Canadian Achievements, Great Canadian Sports, Great Canadian Veterans and, of course, just Great Canadians. The company isn't even afraid to be political, as with the Great Canadian Unity paint scheme, developed during the Quebec referendum.

A theme that has been identified for one of the new coaches is Great Canadian Women.

For his latest Prevosts, Hundt specified Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines, ZF-AS Tronic transmissions, Jake Brakes, Amaya Brasil passenger seats, Recaro driver seats, Alcoa wheels, REI A/V systems with five monitors, plus DVD, MP3 and VCR players, and Michelin tires.

Peoria Charter, Peoria, Ill.

Peoria Charter Coach has taken delivery of a 2005 Van Hool C2045.

Three generations of the Winkler family have owned and operated the company in the Peoria area for nearly 65 years. Peoria Charter specializes in tour and charter service, with the majority of its business coming from large tour companies. Other service includes daily schedules from Chicago's Midway and O'Hare airports.

The company's new C2045 is equipped with a Caterpillar C13 engine and ZF-AS Tronic transmission with intarder. Other specifications include flush-type Monogram toilet with supplemental restroom tank, enclosed parcel racks, Alcoa wheels, REI A/V system with wireless microphone and four LCD monitors, Amaya Brasil seats, and Goodyear tires.

Peter Dozark, ABC account executive, said "the Caterpillar engine was one of the major selling features for the coach, not only for the performance and reputation of the engine itself but also because of their close proximity to Caterpillar world headquarters in Peoria. Cat is an important customer of Peoria Charter."

Peoria Charter is a charter member of the Illinois Motorcoach Association and a member of International Motorcoach Group, National Motorcoach Network, American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association.