BUSRide February / March 2025 | Page 10

UPDATE

equipped motorcoaches for 45 years operating from bases at Boston and New York City areas , to various destinations throughout USA and Canada .

Unique driving experience Dr . Thomas Rohde is also pleased with the cooperation that began with the premiere of the Mercedes-Benz Tourrider in February 2022 in Long Beach , California . “ We are delighted to be able to support Yankee Line ’ s mission to provide a unique experience for every passenger with our innovative products ,” says the CEO and President of Daimler Coaches North America .

Kitchenette and panoramic roof The vehicles for “ Yankee Line ” with chrome-plated central star in the radiator grille , supplied in the variants with 46 , 50 and 56 fullleather travel seats , are each equipped with a TopSky panoramic roof , a kitchenette in the rear area , a 360-degree camera and an automatic lift system for wheelchairs .

All modern safety systems on board Passenger safety in the motorcoaches is ensured by the Active Brake Assist 5 ( ABA 5 ) emergency braking system with pedestrian detection . As the world ’ s first system for motorcoaches , the system can brake automatically to a full standstill if stationary or moving obstacles and pedestrians are detected . Sideguard Assist ( SGA ) with pedestrian detection is also on board . This system alerts the driver if , for example , pedestrians or cyclists appear in the monitoring zone on the door side of the bus . The vehicles are also equipped with Attention Assist ( ATAS ). It gives a visual and audible warning to the driver if it detects typical signs of fatigue or inattentiveness .

Dynamic drive The Mercedes-Benz OM 471 in-line six-cylinder diesel engine provides dynamic drive power . The drivetrain delivers 450 hp ( 336 kW ) from a displacement of 12.8 l and achieves a maximum torque of 1,550 lb-ft ( 2,300 Nm ). It impresses with a powerful technology package consisting of common-rail direct injection with flexible X-Pulse high-pressure injection , charge air cooling , exhaust gas recirculation and SCR technology . Power transmission is performed by the Allison WTB 500R 6-speed automatic transmission with torque converter , which has proven itself in operation in North America . Mercedes-Benz Tourrider present at two bus trade fairs Daimler Coaches North America will once again be showcasing the Mercedes-Benz Tourrider at two US trade fairs this year . The company will present the motorcoach at the American Bus Association ( ABA ), which will take place from February 1 to 4 , 2025 in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , and at the United Motorcoach Association ( UMA ) in Oklahoma City , Oklahoma , which will open its doors from February 20 to 23 , 2025 .

Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma Awarded a

Federal Grant

In partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation ( ODOT ), the Regional Transportation Authority ( RTA ) of Central Oklahoma has been awarded $ 400,000 through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program ( RCE ) by the U . S . Department of Transportation . The proposal will evaluate 52 at-grade crossings from Edmond to Norman ahead of the RTA ’ s Commuter Rail Project . The RCE project will analyze various suitable strategies , balancing the community ' s needs and safety against improved mobility and surface traffic flow at rail crossings . The goal of the project will be to enhance safety by reducing crossing incidents along a busy corridor . The Project aims to enhance the mobility of various transportation modes , improving accessibility to community services , local businesses , healthcare , schools , and various other amenities . “ This grant will allow us to evaluate and determine which crossings will need upgrades so we can improve traffic patterns across the metro and continue to advance planning for Commuter Rail ,” RTA Executive Director Jason Ferbrache said . “ Reducing rail congestion will help us create better pedestrian and automobile traffic flow for our residents .” ODOT will be contributing 20 % matching funds on the project . “ ODOT is excited to work with the RTA on finding safe traffic for trains and vehicles along the RTA route through the Oklahoma City metro ,” said Jared Schwennesen , multi-modal division manager for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation . The outcome of this rail crossing study will allow the RTA to prioritize crossings that need improvement and serve as the foundation for future grant submissions as the commuter rail project develops . “ One of the benefits to being the last metro of our size to develop a regional transit system is that we get to look at what other cities have done and emulate their success , as well as learn from their mistakes ,” said RTA Vice-Chair Marion Hutchison to the Norman Transcript . “ Commuter Rail service between Norman and Oklahoma City and Edmond would be transformational for those cities , from both a quality of life and economic development perspective .

International Motors Honors 2024 Dealers of the Year

International Motors , LLC * (“ International ”) announced the International and IC Bus Dealer of the Year award winners at its annual dealer meeting this week in Phoenix , Arizona . The dealers , which are evaluated and awarded on a variety of criteria , gathered to celebrate the past year and look ahead at the year to come . “ The annual dealer meeting is such an exciting time for all of us at International ,” said Dan Kayser , executive vice president , Commercial Operations , International . “ Our industry moves so quickly , so it ’ s important to reflect on and celebrate the success of the previous year . Our truck and bus dealers are true partners who are dedicated to delivering the highest level of service to International customers .” The 2024 Dealer of the Year award winners were selected based on their performance in several criteria , such as parts sales , truck sales , S13 ® Integrated Powertrain sales and service dwell time .

Other criteria such as growth in key areas like market share , customer

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