Wanna see your company name in lights?

On TV? In the newspaper? Featured on the radio?

Just buy a new motorcoach (or two or three), and tell the world how "green" it (or they) are.

Thats what an increasing number of coach operators are doing and it seems to be working.

Take Peoria Charters of Peoria and Urbana, Ill., for example.

All three Peoria television stations, the local newspaper and radio stations sent reporters to Peoria Charters unveiling of three new MCI D4505 coaches powered by reduced-emissions Caterpillar engines.

"We saw our delivery as a great opportunity to show that were green," said Peoria Charter President Bill Winkler.

Winkler credits the PR savvy of his wife, Cindy, who is company vice president, and marketing support provided by MCIs "Go Coach, Go Green, Go MCI" initiative for its successful media coverage.

"If it wasnt for MCI taking the lead with its green campaign and marketing support, I dont know if we would have thought to hold a press conference."

Winkler used facts from MCIs materials and then demonstrated the smokeless exhaust with a white-glove show-and-tell for the TV cameras.

In an interview with the Peoria Star Journal, Winkler pointed out that a coach loaded with 56 people, traveling 100 miles, uses 14 gallons of fuel, while taking the same number of people the same distance by auto would use 70 gallons of fuel.

"I was able to give the press real numbers. Thats what they want," said Winkler, who said the news coverage increased awareness of his company and of the industry.

"People in the community have said 'I see youre going green. Our industry is doing all this work and investing money toward improving the environment. People need to know what this industry is doing for the future."

Peoria Charters new coaches, which also have ZF AS Tronic transmissions, replace older MCI models in its 59-bus fleet.

At its media event, Peoria Charter also noted that it uses an 11-percent biodiesel blend fuel, and recycles oil and tires.

Peoria Charter keeps its coaches on the road, providing charters and transportation to colleges and businesses around the state, plus operating a daily airport shuttle between Peoria and Chicago.

"Our wheels are rolling," said Winkler. "As soon as the press conference ended, we sent the new coaches out."