BOSTON -- LimoLiner, the luxury coach service operating between Boston and New York, has hired Peter J. Pescatore as chief executive. He will work closely with LimoLiner founder, Fergus McCann, to guide the company.

Prior to joining LimoLiner, Pescatore was president and CEO of TransNet, a door-to-door shuttle service operating to and from Logan International Airport in Boston. Before that, he was vice president of finance and CFO at Primedia Business Magazines & Media.

Pescatore said his goal will be to build the LimoLiner franchise into "the preferred choice for frequent travelers between Boston and New York. ... I'm eager to put my imprint on the company and work with Fergus to provide the consistent delivery of this unique travel opportunity to Boston and New York travelers."

Pescatore caught an early break with Amtrak's shutdown last month of its Acela Express trains in the northeast corridor. Amtrak's switch to slower trains boosted LimoLiner business by double-digit figures.

LimoLiner offers first-class service in 28-passenger coaches between Boston and New York. It charges $69 each way, a price the company said eight months ago it could not sustain but has.

Passengers can reserve seats on LimoLiner via the company Web site (www.limoliner.com). Seats are selected by an "advanced seat selection" option.

The company offers three departures weekdays from Boston and New York, plus one departure from each city on Saturdays and two departures each on Sundays. The LimoLiner MCI E4500 custom coaches depart from the Hilton Boston Back Bay with a brief stop at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and terminate at the Hilton Hotel New York in midtown Manhattan. The itinerary is reversed for the New York to Boston run.

LimoLiner is also now offering charter services. It advertises the cost of a full-day use of its coaches at "less than $200 per person."

Pescatore has held a variety of executive positions, including being senior vice president and CFO at Vantage Group, a direct mail marketing firm that offered packaged tours to over-60 travelers. Earlier in his career, he was president of Fetco International, a giftware, photo frame and album manufacturer; vice president and CFO of Farberware Inc., a housewares and small electric appliances manufacturer, and general manager of MagMedia Inc., a floppy disk manufacturer.

Pescatore holds a master of business administration degree from Babson College.

"Peter's deep transportation industry experience and his broad management background make him a natural fit to lead LimoLiner in its second year of operation," said McCann, who owns the company and will continue as a director. "I ... know our passengers will benefit from his strong commitment to outstanding customer satisfaction, operational excellence and his appreciation of changing market needs."