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Dean Trailways’ new Van Hool CX45 motorcoach Lansing, Mich. — ABC Companies has announced that Dean Trailways recently took delivery of two new 2018 Van Hool CX45 motorcoaches. Both are equipped with Cummins engines, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, outlets with USB ports, and more.
A full ground transportation provider, Dean Trailways and its sister company Dean Black Car operates 34 vehicles ranging from black car service to 56-passenger motorcoaches. Its services include line runs, charters, casino trips as well as travel for educational institutions, sporting event, church groups, and tour groups. It is a family-owned and -operated company led by Kellie Dean and his two sons Patrick and Christopher.
Dean Trailways has worked with ABC Companies since the introduction of the Van Hool CX model in 2014. Today, the company operates eight CX45s as well as one CX35 and adds Van Hools to its fleet as replacement coaches, maintaining its late-model fleet.
When asked what he liked most about the CX models, Patrick Dean, vice president for Dean Trailways explained, “the CX models have come to offer some standard amenities that are a premium option on others. We take great pride in offering our riders the most amenities and best riding experience possible and these coaches offer exactly what we need."
Dean further explained his experience working with ABC Companies, the exclusive distributor of Van Hool coaches, as another reason for their fleet change. “We have been very happy with the reliability and support provided from everyone at ABC. They excel beyond the product purchase in follow-up and support and truly understand the value of building solid relationships.”
Pete Bachrach, senior account manager with ABC Companies, described the Dean family as a true class act. “The family is always flexible and willing to look at options, which provide a better end-product for their riders. They are such a pleasure to work with and we are honored that they have chosen to work with ABC over the past few years.”
The company is an active member of Trailways, United Motorcoach Association, American Bus Association, National School Transportation Association, Lansing Economic Area Partnership, and Michigan Small Business Association.
Visit deantrailways.com for more information.
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Driving Results Managing Partner Arthur Messina Charlotte, N.C. — Driving Results, peer group provider for the luxury ground transportation industry is now offering a new educational group strictly for bus education.
With the continued rise in the demand for bus and coach services, many luxury ground transportation companies are increasingly expanding their fleets into this market. As such, Driving Results recognizes the need to help guide and educate these operators. After many requests for direction and advice in this fast-growing market, Driving Results is introducing its new educational group, BIG Wheels.
BIG Wheels Educational Partner Tom Holden BIG Wheels will offer educational opportunities to help operators expand their bus business. Members of this educational group will consist of owners, general managers, operations managers, and fleet managers. In order to be accepted into the group, each company must have a minimum of 10 buses (seating 14+ passengers) in their fleet, a current DOT number, and be in satisfactory status.
The group will be co-facilitated by Driving Results Managing Partner Arthur Messina and Educational Partner Tom Holden of Rose Charters. Major motorcoach manufacturers, such as ABC Companies, VanHool, MCI, and Prevost, have overwhelmingly received of the BIG Wheels group. During the first year of meetings, each meeting will be located at one of the above motorcoach facilities.
“It will be my pleasure to help educate and facilitate the BIG Wheels group, as there is so much to learn within the Bus industry,” said Holden. “By having the support of VanHool, MCI, and Prevost, I will be able to tap into their expertise and resources and help many companies learn so much more about the bus and motor coach industry,” added Holden.
Messina believes that many companies who have ventured into this bus market will join and see the benefits of this specialized group.
The BIG Wheels group will launch in 2019 and will require companies to pass an application process in order to join the group.
Visit drivingresults.org for more information.
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L to R: IATR President Matt Daus, 2017 Regulator of the Year Ernest Chrappah, 2018 Regulator of the Year Sylvain Tousignant, and IATR Chairman Jim Ney
Philadelphia — The International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) is pleased to announce that it has selected Sylvain Tousignant from Bureau du taxi de Montréal as its 2018 Transportation Regulator of the Year at the organization's 31st Annual Conference held in Philadelphia, Pa this past September 14-17. The Regulator of the Year Award is recognition by government transportation professional peers for exceptional public service, leadership, reforms, and innovation in regulating for-hire ground transportation.
With more than 20 years of experience in change management, sales and public service, Tousignant helped the Montréal taxi industry's revitalization and development strategies. He worked closely with prominent industry partners, different levels of government along with regional tourism associations to establish and strengthen Montréal taxi industry attractiveness.
His accomplishments surrounding his taxi revitalization plan include:
- The rebrand of Montréal taxis with a fresh, two-tone bright color scheme that says "Bonjour" to all Montréal clients;
- The creation of the Taxi Register—an open-data platform that shows where all taxis are located in real-time—making data available to taxi companies and developers of mobile technology solutions;
- Implementing the requirement of background checks for all applicants seeking service intermediary permits, and for all taxi drivers and owners, beginning January 1, 2016; and
- The percentage of green taxis in the city has risen from 4 percent in 2013 to 38 percent today, with help from subsidies from the Quebec government for the purchase of hybrid and electric vehicles, and to cooperative efforts with the Aéroports de Montréal.
The City of Montreal, as a founding member of IATR, and its Bureau du taxi de Montréal, are highly active in the organization. The Bureau hosted the 2015 conference in Montreal, and Sylvain is both Chair of IATR Canadian Regulators Committee and a member of the IATR's Technology and Innovation Committee.
"Sylvain is not only a very active volunteer who has been highly involved in organizing and building the Canadian IATR membership and sharing its best practices," said IATR President Matt Daus, "but he also has taken a private sector results-driven approach to solving industry problems and innovating, to enhance service for the future."
"I am both honoured and humbled to receive this recognition,” said Tousignant. “However, this is not just about my accomplishment as much as all the work done by the entire team at the Montreal Taxi Bureau led by André Poisson, and the indication of the support of Mayor Plante and Montreal council."
Daus and IATR Chairman Jim Ney joined 2017 Regulator of the Year Ernest Chrappah in the presentation of the award to Tousignant.
Visit iatr.global for more information.
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