MCI packages resources to keep motorcoach
travel moving ahead
As operators resume their schedules and rebuild business, MCI is dedicating
itself to helping customers get back on the road with new processes and
procedures—and a strong emphasis on passenger care.
“Our main goal is to support our customers’ efforts to inspire passengers to ride again and
regain their business with advice and products to help ensure safe, comfortable travel for
passengers,” said Brent Maitland, MCI vice president of product planning, marketing and preowned
coaches.
While commuter and scheduled services are already reactivating after nearly three
months of COVID-19 shutdown orders, many tour and charter companies are in the midst
of fine-tuning their cleaning procedures and onboard experience to encourage a return
to travel. To help guide operators in their efforts, MCI and sister company NFI Parts have
thoroughly reviewed CDC guidance, as well as input from the American Public Transportation
Association, Canadian Urban Transit Association, American Bus Association, and United
Motorcoach Association.
MCI has also ramped up its communications, publishing a weekly e-newsletter and using
its website to offer fast access to technical knowledge to help operators create a cleaner,
safer cabin environment. The company has also published a detailed Disinfecting Protocol
checklist that covers procedures for short movements on lots, pre-trip preparations and
end-of-day maintenance. The checklist also provides Clean-In/Clean-Out touchpoints as
COVID-19 precautions continue, following the same steps after maintenance and repair work
on customer coaches at MCI Service Centers. MCI offers next-step advice on how to properly
restart coaches parked for long periods on its website, through MCI Technical Field Solutions
Managers and via its 24/7 technical support number at 800-241-2947.
Preparing for a higher level of cleaning,
disinfecting, protecting – and
welcoming passengers
MCI sees passenger confidence as that
critical first step in bringing business
back. It has emphasized practices and
products to do just that, including
designing new distancing practices
for passengers and drivers, optimizing
air-flow systems and evaluating new
standards for cleaning and disinfecting
throughout vehicles.
“We took an informal customer survey,
considered all customer requests, and
listened to our Technical Solutions
Managers in the field to identify three key
industry restart activities – stepped-up
cleaning, distancing practices to protect
passengers and drivers, and optimizing air
quality,” Maitland said. “Some owners are
requiring that the first three rows remain
empty or are opting for driver shields and
partitions to better protect the driver
and passengers. Many require passengers
and drivers to wear masks onboard with
a continued view toward CDC guidance.
Also fogging procedures and handwiping
critical touch points are going
mainstream. And operators are thoroughly
communicating their efforts to get clients
back on board.”
Part of helping coach companies resume
operations is giving them easy access to
the parts and supplies they need. NFI
Parts has created the Clean and Protect
product line with items focused in the
following areas:
Driver Barriers
As the industry’s leading OE and parts
supplier, NFI Parts offers the latest in
driver protection for motor coaches
and low floor transit buses including
AROWguard, a premium fixed door slide
system available for nearly every make
and model. NFI Parts also offers SVP
driver shields in its value line. All barrier
offerings from NFI Parts are compliant
with American National Standard ANSI/
SAE Z26.1. which governs the type of glass
or polycarbonate that can be used in these
barriers. If such a clear material is in a
driver’s line of sight during operation, it
must be AS2 or better. For MCI J-Series
and D- Series coach customers, NFI Parts
offers both ANSI-compliant OE barriers
and retractable SVP barriers that are less
expensive but require that drivers secure
the barriers when the coach is moving.
Decision makers should be aware that
“do-it-yourself” barriers made with offthe-shelf
polycarbonate do not meet this
standard and should remain out of the
driver’s line of sight during bus operation.
28 | BUSRIDE.COM | JULY 2020