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MCI’s 2019 J3500 and J4500 motorcoaches
Des Plaines, Ill. — Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group (NFI), expands its 2019 model line up with a great new arrival: a compact new MCI J3500 coach. The new coach is being introduced to meet increasing demand for right sized comfort for smaller groups, niche customers, and new markets. Further, MCI will introduce important advances on the 2019 best-selling MCI J4500 with all electric coming in 2020.
“With the launch of a 35-foot J to all-electric versions of our best-selling models, MCI’s moves are based on feedback from our customers and requirements to meet their marketplace needs,” said MCI President Ian Smart. “Travel by motorcoach is more relevant than ever. Our goal is to help capture new riders by offering a versatile coach product line with innovative features and long-term reliability.”
Featuring all the styling and performance of the 45-foot MCI J4500, the new 2019 MCI J3500 comfortably seats up to 44 passengers with best-in-class interior, baggage capacity among all 35-foot vehicles, and top maneuverability for congested city streets, airport terminals and other busy transportation settings.
“The MCI J4500 built its leadership status as a luxury, high-capacity coach that remains the perfect choice for larger ridership in the tour, charter and shuttle industry,” said MCI Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning Brent Maitland. “But our operators told us they wanted the same luxury and functionality in a coach for smaller-sized groups that offered great maneuverability, a smooth ride and best-in-class payload capacity,” he added. “We think the J3500 and J4500 pairing gives operators real market flexibility. The J3500 coach delivers a ride quality you simply can’t find in a smaller, alternative vehicle. Its overall comfort and best-in-class baggage space can enable everything from ski trip excursions to private executive and employee transport.”
As for its respected sibling, the 2019 MCI J4500 builds on its striking 2018 interior redesign with mechanical and safety upgrades to match, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology delivered by the optional next-generation Bendix Fusion.
MCI continues serviceability and reliability improvements, along with further enhancements to the award winning interior and best-in-class interior space that offers industry leading legroom and comfort in a 60-seat passenger configuration launched in model year 2018. For 2019, the J4500 also features:
- A new swing-out cooling module e-Fan system improves coach reliability and fuel economy while drastically reducing the time required for service to after treatment sensors and all “hot side” engine components
- The optional next-generation BENDIX WINGMAN FUSION with radar and camera to detect and stop for stationary objects (SVB), including lane departure warning (LDW), following distance alerts (FDA), and traffic sign recognition (TRS) in addition to Adaptive Cruise Control with Braking (ACB) and Collision Mitigation (CMT)
- Several other model year 2019 improvements include enhancements to MCI’s optional 360-degree camera system; added condition air supply vents to the driver’s cockpit; a new sliding upper door for the wheelchair lift; and further adjustments to coach’s back cabin interior to increase passenger comfort.
MCI will officially launch the MCI J3500 coach to the industry during BusCon Expo at the Indianapolis Convention Center October 1-3.
Visit mcicoach.com for more information.
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Owner and CEO Kristina Bouweiri
Dulles, Va. — It’s been an exciting year at Virginia-based Reston Limousine, which has been honored locally with several awards since the beginning of 2018. Most recently, the company was named the Best Travel Experience by the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun County’s Favorite Limo Company or Car Service by LoudounNow, Loudoun Times Mirror’s Best Limo/Car Service, and the winner of the CEO Report’s 2018 Washington D.C. Velocity Growth Awards.
Last month, the company was also honored with a resolution from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and a congressional record from Honorable Rep. Barbara Comstock; both recognizing the 10th Anniversary of Sterling Women, a monthly women’s networking event, founded by Reston Limousine Owner and CEO Kristina Bouweiri.
Bouweiri says that while 2017 and 2018 were particularly hard on the transportation industry due to a severe shortage of driver applicants, she used a creative multi-pronged approach to hiring. The company has been able to hire more than 120 new drivers since the beginning of the year through their hiring drive.
“Running a transportation business continues to be challenging in this economy due to the nationwide shortage of commercial drivers,” Bouweiri said. “I am so pleased that my team has collectively come up with new and creative ideas for recruiting and retaining drivers; quality drivers remain our company’s number one asset.”
Reston Limousine has also donated over 1 million dollars in transportation to charities and reputable causes since their start including; Juvenile Diabetes, Wounded Warriors, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Children's Inn at NIH, and many more.
Visit restonlimo.com for more information.
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LANJ President Jason Sharenow (third from left) presents $5,000 to representatives of the Police Unity Tour, which benefited from the golf tournament for a second year Skillman, N.J. — Back for a second year, the Limousine Association of New Jersey’s (LANJ’s) annual golf outing—as well as more than 100 members and supporters, including CD Publisher Chris Weiss—took to Cherry Valley Country Club September 17 for a day of friendly competition and supporting some very deserving causes.
At the end of the day, the rain held off long enough for the golfers to enjoy 18 holes while raising money for Covenant House New Jersey, which is a nonprofit organizations that shelters homeless youth, as well as the Police Unity Tour, which not only memorializes fallen officers but also raises money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. While the Police Unity Tour was one of the charities benefiting from last year’s golf tournament, the Covenant House was a first-time recipient.
“The Police Unity Tour is near and dear to my heart,” said LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide, who has volunteered with the Livingston Police Department for more than two decades. “The board vetted out a couple of suggestions for a second charity. [LANJ Director] David Seelinger [of EmpireCLS] was a bigger supporter of selecting Covenant House, which we all ultimately agreed was a great cause.”
Covenant House New Jersey also received $5,000 of the day’s proceeds While last year’s debut golf classic was a success, the golf committee—led by Golf Chair Brian O’Neil of Grech Motors and greatly assisted by LANJ Executive Director Patty Nelson—wanted to ensure that the annual event stays fresh.
That included inviting Roger Caldwell of Great Golf Events, who’s also a certified gold tournament consultant, to show each team of golfers how to make a few unconventional shots—as well as facilitate some friendly betting.
“There was just so much energy that came off the first year, it was a natural fit to continue the charge by changing it up,” Sharenow said. “We wanted to bring even more excitement to the event. People really enjoyed the trick shot and different opportunities to win more prizes.”
And, of course, a few on-course contests added a competitive challenge to the day. The Closest to the Pin winners were Jim McTernan at Pin #8 and Jay Erlich of Europe Limousine at Pin #11, while the Longest Drive and Putting contests were won by the police officers participating in the day’s events.
L to R: CD Publisher Chris Weiss, LANJ First Vice President Jon Epstein of Royal Coachman Worldwide, Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service/Above All Transportation, Jay Erlich of Europe Limousine, Adam Greene of Park Avenue Limousine, Nick Meyers, Gary Weiss, and Jonathan Erlich of Europe Limousine During the luncheon that followed, live and silent auctions saw attendees bidding on a variety of items and gift packages, while the third-, second-, and first-place teams and contest winners were honored with various awards, like an array of gift cards. Fittingly, the winning team comprised police officers who were the day’s honored guests.
But the biggest winners of the day were the two charities that received a portion of the day’s proceeds, with representatives from both Covenant House New Jersey and the Police Unity Tour being on hand to receive $5,000 checks.
“Benevolence is something that’s in my blood, so it’s always good to be able to support deserving organizations,” Sharenow said. “It felt amazing to be able to support two charities that do so much.”
LANJ will hold its next meeting November 5 in Atlantic City.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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