Indian Trails is investing $3 million to expand its fleet. The Michigan company announced the purchase of five new Prevost 56-passenger motorcoaches at $600,000 per bus.
“We invest in new coaches with the latest safety, comfort and eco-friendly features because of our commitment to customers, communities and the environment,” says Indian Trails President Chad Cushman. “One of our guiding principles for 113 years has been to pour profits into new equipment so our fleet remains the newest in Michigan.”
Three of the new coaches are designated for the Michigan Flyer fleet, which currently provides nine daily round trips between East Lansing, Brighton, Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro Airport for both intercity and airline passengers.
The other two new buses are being deployed in the Indian Trails charter service, which transports groups of all kinds from anywhere in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana to whatever destinations they choose in the continental United States or Canada.
“These are groups from major colleges and universities, K-12 school districts, sports teams (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, as well as those of MSU, U-M and WMU), corporations, associations, churches and many others,” notes Cushman.
Safety and comfort on new buses
In addition, Indian Trails operates daily scheduled routes serving passengers in 80 towns throughout Michigan and into Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, connecting them with one another as well as with airports, Amtrak and the rest of the national transportation network.
The new 2023 Prevost H3-45 coach has several safety features. The list includes an electronic stability system that enables drivers to avoid danger on slippery roads, an engine fire-detection and -suppression system, a backup camera with color monitor, a GPS and electronic logging device (ELD) system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. All the coaches are equipped with three-point retractable seat belts for passengers, ADA-compliant wheelchair lifts, a large under-floor luggage compartment and electronic destination signs.
Comfort features include ergonomic seating with gray, leather-like upholstery; ample leg room; individual climate controls, reading lamps and cup holders; tinted, thermopane side windows; USB outlets at each seat for charging mobile devices; free Wi-Fi; on-board lavatories; and enclosed, overhead parcel racks. Also, the coaches offer several high-definition color monitors connected to a DVD player and a premium audio system. These enable charter groups to display movies or presentations while on the road.
Eco-friendly aspects of the coaches include engine technology that exceeds EPA standards by reducing exhaust pollutants to near zero while achieving a high fuel economy of about 240 passenger miles per gallon on average. Also, each coach has the potential to remove up to 56 automobiles from the highway, further reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.
Among the nation’s safest
Altogether, the Indian Trails fleet includes 56 vehicles, of which 44 are over-the-road coaches, plus shuttle buses used to provide contract shuttle services. Each year, the company’s vehicles travel over 3.5 million miles and transport more than 1 million passengers.
Indian Trails has served as Michigan’s premier, family-owned, intercity and charter bus company for 113 years, and is based in Owosso, Michigan. It operates one of the state’s largest and newest fleets of deluxe motorcoaches out of three locations, including Owosso, Romulus and Kalamazoo. Its services also include tours, contract shuttles and airport transfers.
Ranked by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation in the top 5% of transportation companies nationwide for safe driving, Indian Trails is the parent company of Michigan Flyer.
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