Next Gen of Bus Design is Here. I got to test drive it!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 เม.ย. 2023
- Motor Coach industries is a company that makes the best selling tour buses in North America. Their buses are known as the work horses of the fleet. Well I got invited by MCI to visit their service facility at their head quarters in Des Plaines IL. I also got to meet the President of MCI, Chris Stoddart. As a bonus, Brent Maitland, the VP of Private Sector Sales let me drive their new MCI D45 CRT. I've always wanted to drive it and I always thought that it looks like a storm trooper helmet from Star Wars.
Special Thanks to Lynn Marzullo, and Brent Maitland for making this happen! I had so much fun!!
And last but not least, Special thanks to Albert Lua for being my camera man. Check out Alberts Channel on TH-cam.
/ @alblua
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Very nice episode, James. Even as the largest in North America, it sounds like they are wanting to stay on the cutting edge of features, new technologies and quality.
@susan nicky You have done great for yourself. I’m trying to get onto the housing ladder at 40. I wish at 55 I will be testifying to similar success!
@susan nicky Heard many good recommendations about ROCHELLE DUNGCA-SCHREIBER by some YT channels, Seminars and other platforms..
If it's combining the D with the J I guess you could call it the DJ
LOL Love it!
If mci doesn’t do that ima be disappointed would
Be such a missed opportunity 😂
You're a best for your future
How cool that MCI is in your back yard. They produce so many iconic motorcoach models.
Also nice to see so many long serving employees there...must be a great company to work for.
They seem like a great bunch of people! I really enjoyed my time with them.
That's a sign of a well managed company, employee retention is essential in an industry such as this.
@@johncford3957 Absolutely. Talented engineers and production workers do not grow on trees
Being the Gen-Z short-attention span guy I am, it's interesting that not once did I ever feel bored while watching this video. Maybe it's time I finally come to terms with the fact that I'm a bus nerd lol.
Great video. Watching these buses is like seeing an elephant on skates. Majestic, powerful, and so compelling all the same.
Haha that is probably one of the best compliments I've ever gotten. Thank you for your kind words.
Omg!!!! Thanks for including me at the beginning!!! I am off to CA from Vegas for 5 days soon!🎉🎉🎉 I appreciate you and the new MCI buses are beautiful.
Hey Tomeka! Safe travels! Have fun. Maybe one day we will meet on the road somewhere!
@@MotorcoachWorld Yes for sure I am now driving a Irizar and sometimes Temsa buses. TLC has lots of work!
@@TomekaHaywood what do you think of the Irizar?
@@MotorcoachWorld It turns really nicely. Stops on a dime but take off is slow.
Aweeeeeee…… another new video 😊. But seriously James I am so glad to see these guys reach out to you to visit their facilities. They may not know it, but there are 1,000’s of drivers out here and by them inviting you there, WE ALL benefit from your visit. We enjoy getting to see it too. Thanks so much, I hope your doing well. ✌️out
That was totally awesome for MCI to invite you inside.
Good job MCI! You create nice coaches! I love that idea of stylish taillights shown in printed form.
You are living the dream!!
I never take it for granted. I am greatful for all the opportunities I have right now. I am enjoying them to the fullest as all this may not last forever.
Hi Keywan
@@RafaRadityo7 Hi Rafa!
Excellent video as always! I had the rare opportunity to ride a MCI D45 CRT LE in NYC in summer 2018. During that time, the MTA demonstrated a single MCI D45 CRT LE for a potential future express bus order, to replace its aging yet dependable fleet of MCI D4500 commuter coaches. Unfortunately, the MTA decided against ordering the D45 CRT LE, and instead went with a batch of traditional Prevost X3-45 coaches. I guess the reduced seating capacity on the D45 CRT LE turned them away.
And speaking of accessible coaches, Europe has come up with a very interesting solution: the Interdecker. This is basically a super high floor coach with a small lower level compartment in the front for the driver and one or two wheelchair spaces. It combines the high seating capacity and comfort of a coach with the easy accessibility of a low-floor bus. They are quite common in Europe, but none have made their way to the US yet. The issue, however, is that they are significantly taller than a standard coach (up to a foot taller in some cases). This may make them unsuitable for commuter routes, but I think they will do great on longer intercity services on Interstate highways.
I drove the same bus you drove for Facebook Commuters. So far, best commuter bus I have ever drove. The lower floor for ADA riders was my sell. The ramp was way better to use than all the steps for a lift on a traditional commute bus. AC Transit bought a bunch of them to replace their aging MCI buses. Can’t wait until there in service.
James, thanks for sharing your experience of visiting MCI with your wonderful community. I've been debating on getting in touch with MCI in regards to my company I'm opening soon, but I've been hesitant, to say the least. With you showcasing your experience driving a DR45 CRT and touring their campus, it really has given me a bit more confidence in understanding what matters most when working with a manufacturer. Thanks again ❤
Awesome video back in 2018 I was invited by the MTA NYC public transit to come & sit with them & MCI to test accessibility features in the CRT I fell in love with that bus but unfortunately they haven't order any I don't know why but I was very impressed
Your videos are great
Drive for Coach Canada out of Peterborough Ontario 🇨🇦. Our fleet is MCI and Prevost, with Vanhool double deckers. Unfortunately Covid has hurt us badly with an aging fleet.
I mostly drive transit but I work on the side at a charter company. One year at a state transit convention they had a demo MCI D45 CRT LE. I didn’t get to drive it but I sat in the drivers seat for a bit. As a transit driver I’m used to the turn signals on the floor and the mirror controls. Sometimes when I switch bus types I forget where the turn signal controls are so having both is nice.
It helps when you work for a good company. I worked for a big company that lost the contract to Kinetic in Australia for 15 years. I resighned after a year of their crap. Went to a family company and just realised I've wasted 15 years getting treated like crap. My new boss is a champion and highly skilled mechanic.
Im a plane guy and I will have pilots my license in a year and a half, but seeing you talk about these busses is the same way I see pilots talk about their planes. On top of that now I want to get a 45 ft motorhome coach because I watched a few of your videos.
The way kids behave, perhaps they should build school buses with the same layout to protect the driver. Interesting video James. Keep them coming.
Lol 😅 thanks for the comment
😂😅😂😅
Great video as always. I don’t have any time on a MCI bus…much less a motorcoach, that said I have plenty of time behind the new flyers. I think it’s just really cool to see the human element of these companies and the people that are behind the vehicles we spend day in and day out in.
I really miss driving MC 7's 8's and 9's in Australia in the 80's and 90's. By far the best coaches on the road in those days. Glad to MCI is still doing well. Great video.
I wonder if MCI coaches still around in australia? I've seen some videos about trucks in australia and it's amazing to see European and American trucks roll together on the same roads
@rifkyfahrana1141 You will occasionally see an MCI coach that has been converted into a motor home. The last MCI's that were imported into Australia were MC 9's. In 1993 a 102DL3 was sent to Australia as a demonstrator, but was rejected because of its width. 96 inches being the maximum width legally allowed to operate on Australian roads.
Yay Albert! Great camera work!
This was an excellent video! I love the tour and behind the scenes look just to get an idea of the "nuts and bolts" of an operation. I wish that my company had some MCI buses in the fleet that I could drive and appreciate. James you need to touch base with me the next time you are in Orlando, Fl. so we can get together and hang out. That would be awesome.. Thanks for sharing and being a part of the motor coach world.
Hey Hank! Absolutely. I will keep that in mind. I would love to hang out with you in Florida. Know any good places to eat??
@@MotorcoachWorld I know a few for sure.
@@HankSnowgrandslamfishing Well Hank... I'm sold then lol.
Awesome video ! I'm new to your channel. Thx for your time in making the video for us in you tube land. God bless you and your family. Bye for now from New Jersey.👍👍👍
From the late 1950s up until around 2009, MCI was a wholly owned subsidiary of Greyhound, where I think maybe the MC-5 was the first bus they pushed into the U.S. market. After around 1966, Greyhound only took new orders from MCI, and the rest was history. I remember being pissed when the MC-7 was pushed to replace the Scenic PD-4501s as Greyhound's marquee coach around 1970. First rode an MC-7 in 1972. Subsequently the MC-8, 9, 12 and so on. MCIs were solid coaches. These days it looks like Prevost is Greyhound's (or what's left of it, especially after the Flix buyout) preferred coach. Maybe MCI will make a comeback. Maybe.
From what I was told, GH went with Prevost because MCI wasn't able to supply the engine/transmission combo they wanted. Don't know how true that is, but it's what I was told
@@brandonhurley9982 Very possible.
@@thegodblogger3812 I did several Videos on Greyhound and MCIs history. Lots of turns and twists in MCIs history. But lots of great legendary buses.
The buses in my city use USSC seats in the Novabus vehicles that we have here in Canada 🇨🇦 Thanks James for the seat demos in this video
Probably the coolest bus I have ever seen, I hope Greyhound and FlixBus will get them in the future
Greyhound just purchased a bunch of them yesterday.
@@MotorcoachWorld Aw hell yeah! I wonder if they will be used on the Northeast
I've been working at a body shop for a bit now and extra tips I learned was if you're painting the door, it's better to take off the mirror and belt molding (the trim at the bottom of the window) for a better paint job in the end. The mirror can get in the way, and if you're unlucky, the clear coat could stick in that gap between the door and the belt molding.
Great job James
Love every thing about this video
I’m encouraged to see a real turn signal stalk with wiper control instead of the stick they’ve put on the last few model years of the old D’s. Hopefully the quality has gone up with the new model. The 2018+ D’s had some quality control and design issues. Great video James.
I hope GO transit gets this coach, I love the layout.
These MCI buses handles very well on the road,it’s a well engineered vehicle to operate,love it,but I hope the mirrors can be redesigned.
Awesom awesome video!
Thanks for sharing. Good stuff!
just saw one of your buses last week in Lake in the Hills.....a black one no less....
Oh nice was it a MCI or VanHool?
@@MotorcoachWorld I couldn't be 100% looked like VanHool
Good evening from São Paulo in Brazil. I also like Coach Buses and I've found you because my Love for the Greyhound Company. Maybe someday I can make my dream come true and go to the US and become a Greyhound Bus Driver. Thank you very much for your content and I'll follow the channel from now on. Please continue this amazing work. We also have a very Good Bus Manufacturer here in Brazil, called Marcopolo. I don't know if you know this manufacturer but is very good. Check their new Model, the Marcopolo Paradiso G8 1800DD.
God bless you and your family. Have a nice week.
This was really cool to see! Thanks 🙏
FINALLY MCI HAVE THE ALL NEW MCI LOW ENTRY.. D45
VERY COOL DESIGNER..
Congratulations 🎊 MCI
I am really interesting to see how this will run in cities like New York
especially under MTA Bus Company testing
OUTSTANDING. ! WELL DONE. ! 🇺🇸🏆
Love MCI buses:)
Now your talking!
Love this channel!
Mci rules the school charter’s!
James see you moving up your about to be with the Big buss Guys
Another enjoyable video keep them coming
Thank you for the column turn signal switch. I hate the floor activated switches. Now come up with a air supply knob located on the right side of the steering wheel and integrate an area for a radio, Farebox and moving gps display. Would like to see the template you have for the Farebox and related equipment. Not much room there to fit that stuff.
Excellent video 👏👏👏
Thank you very much!
Really nice, thanks for sharing. That inmate 4020 looks amazing 🤣.
I love that bus! I want one now! lol. Thanks
I got to ride this Bus model yesterday, I’m impressed. Thanks for the video!
Oh awesome 👍. I really enjoyed the ride quality and how nice it drove.
Great video James Thanks ;-)
Excellent video! I too am a fan of the MCI D45 CRT LE. I love the look of it. Also I spotted a new Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) New Flyer Xcelsior XE-35 there on the lot. They are new to my city and they look great on the streets.
Yes I love the way they look. The front of the D45 CRT looks like the helment of a stormtrooper from starwars. Dosent it??
We just got a new batch of the 60ft diesels here in Nashville
Awesome
Another great video,James.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks 🙏
Cool
This is a bus enthusiasts dream!!!!
Hey you're becoming real celebrity! Great job dude!🎉 Congratulations on another great video.
Thanks Michael!
Hey James, this is Shon from California. I am a school bus driver also, I watch your videos a lot that is a awesome tour of MCI. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Shon. Appreciate the comment and the kind words.
As a fellow school bus driver in NJ I echo your comments, great channel.
I have absolutely no interest in buses but hey, TH-cam recommended me this, I’m watching it
This was a great video. The MTA here in NYC tested the D45 CRT a few years ago and I wanted to ride it but could never find it. They didn’t win the contract, Prevost did but I heard that Prevost is getting out of the Commuter Bus market so if that’s true, we might get these buses here in NYC after all. They seem very solid & fast, I just hope they have as many seats as the D4500 does. I’m excited to see if new MCI will come to NYC soon.
The company I work for had a look at the D4500CRT-LE and there was one HUGE issue: the luggage bay is only accessible from the closed side. This would mean loading while standing in traffic or in the bus loop. Not safe, especially considering passengers won’t wait curbside for their luggage. I hope they can fix this somehow, because the MCI buses are great to drive!
You’ll have to come down to Winnipeg and get a tour of our plant where we make them
If I get invited I'll definitely go.
I would love to drive one of the new d45 models one day. I currently drive a 2019 D4500CT on an assigned transit route here in Nashville as well as Prevosts H345s and Volvo 9700s when working in charter
Here brother!
Awesome video James!
Thanks Brandon!
When I started driving for Greyhound, our training bus was an MC-5. I also drove their MC-6, 7, 8, & 9. Not all of the GM Scenicruiser's had been let go when I started driving and I drove a few of those as well. However, when MCI built the "G" model for Greyhound, what a junk bucket that was! Embarrassing! I'm glad they've moved on to better coaches now.
I will never say Bus again when I see a MCI MotorCoach!
Long live Keshin Bus lines!
6:12 that blue bus there looks really nice, looks like it has less of an underbite! And that white one you're looking at after also look nicer, they are coming along in design.
That is a New Flyer Xcelsior. It most certainly has less of an underbite.
It’s a low-floor transit bus though, it’s in a different league from the one driven in this video.
@@vincentgrosshans1218 thanks for the info!
@@AlexKall you are welcome! They are very nice buses, we have a ton of them here and they are quite nice to ride on.
side note: i like your new open... its more cinematic for sure... but i do miss the original. It was simple and put and seem to fit perfectly between the music and video. I know as the channel grows so to must the open.
NFI Group, which owns MCI and New Flyer ... is actually HQ'd in Canada. Winnipeg, that is.
Yes it is! It is nice to see Winnipeg have their recognition.
I got a chance to drive it for a week ! It was pretty cool
I'm waiting for MCI to finish sending these to AC Transit - these are great buses to roll
ONTC 5600(2018) and 1900(2019) series D4505 all have those mirror controls. That's the first time I've seen a combination of foot and signal stalk signal controls. The difference between get up and go would be the axle ratios. Most highway coaches now are equipped with 4.27:1 axle ratios. ONTC has two 2014 D4505s with 4.11:1 axles. Slower off the line, but far nicer on the highway. 5th gear(0.71:1) and 4th gear(1:1) pulls going up a grade are better. The two 2014s are far more desirable compared to their 2018-19 counterparts. Im not a fan of the Cummins X12, like your comment in another video(ABC Company tour) the best powertrain is Series 60 with B500. I have yet to drive a D13 with Ishift in a bus, but my experience it in a truck. It would be hands down the best in efficiently, also a great ride with an operator that understands how to use the Ishift.
Hi James another great video. Your comment about the coach feeling quicker made me wonder if the rear end gearing is suited more towards city stop and go, rather than high speed. I would bet it might have a lower top speed than a J.
James Wang
MCI tour so much fun. ❤
Hi. Cool video and I'm the same person who replied on Facebook a day ago. I will repeat what I said here, because I really hope that I get something for my milestone birthday.
If there is one thing I would like for my 50th birthday this year and in less than 2 months, is to ride in a coach bus for free. Actually, I would also like to get a chance to start the bus too.
I want one too❤
Lamers bus lines and Kobussen Ltd in, both in Wisconsin, have big fleets of mci coach buses
LAMERS is great. I’ve taken many trips with them over the many years. They seem to go back and forth between MCI and PREVOST. They have a few TEMSA TS35’s. I don’t think they have any VAN-HOOL’s at this time.
@Crabby Milton They have a few Temsa TS45s and MCI D4505s as well. But your right. Mostly J4500, H3-45 and TS35 coaches. I don't drive bus myself but have gone on a few trips with Lamers by both motorcoach and school bus.
Never got to ride with Lamers very often though, as I never attended any school districts this company serves. Lamers school buses, just a few trips to Special Olympics athletic events, and two trips by motorcoach; 1-day tour to the Minnesota State Fair in August 2013 and a 7-day/6-night vacation tour to Toronto and Nigeria Falls, Ontario, Canada and Detroit and Frankenmuth, Michigan. These are the only trips I've gone on through Lamers. Been riding onboard with a small company called Progressive Travel these days. Progressive's motorcoach fleet is strictly Van Hool.
The vacation tour was in June 2014
@@rogerr.7228 The last time I rode on a coach was in 2020 just before the China virus hit. It was a brand new J4500.
Vlogs never fail, and my bday is coming up on 23rd of this month would love to see a driving vlog 🎉
Hey Rico. I know I haven't make a vlog in a while. I haven't been out on any trips. Happy birthday. My birthday is on the 22nd of April lol. I definitely won't have a vlog out since I'll be celebrating my birthday the day before and not editing lol. But I think one may be coming out soon 😊
@@MotorcoachWorld Lmao didn't know your Bday was that close Happy Early bday, but thanks for making one soon!!
The golden and blue unit that you were standing in front of looks like a Las Vegas RTC bus?
New subscriber
Thanks for subbing
Mci online training program is very good very well step up if ur a mechanic
Oh but let's not mention that MCI was from Winnipeg. That's right. It's a Canadian company that built it's reputation here. Building buses that stand the test of time and Canadian winters.
✌🏾
I wish there was more of a tour inside and outside of the coach. Is there a restroom on board
So, are they still being built in Pimbina, North Dakota. ? I remember going up there to pick up the new MC 12 , for Greyhound, back in the '90s.
Yes. That's still happening 😊
so here is a unique question for you.. in coaches that have that middle door entrance with the handicap access and one seat for the person traveling with the person in a wheelchair the passenger seat is facing backwards. Now me I know if i rode backwards i would get sick. So is there a way of turning the seat or ordering the coach with the seat facing forward? I like the idea of that center door for the disabled but feel like a back facing seat is kind of for lack of a better phrase not fair. also now thinking about it at one point i believe we saw a coach that had the bathroom on that lower level by the mid door... if that was done here then the person in the regular seat would be looking right at the bathroom... i never thought id be interest in the interior design aspect so much.
18:43 2020 VanHool coaches and newer have that same mirror control. Easy to use but moves too fast with a quick press.
11:58 its interesting that in a prison bus, bus driver is not protected by a cage.
Phoenix has a few of those
2024 MCI J4500
I love MCI🎉❤
MCI loves you
ditto
it's obvious Canada is the king of busses...should have gone to winnipeg
I wanna see MCI create a European style dash.
So, as usual, I comment again after watching hehe.
Im not a fan of the big bumper. The D is still king (that sounds weird LOL). I do like that it has a rear window. The vestibule is interesting, but I wonder if a full low flower in the mid section would be more efficient with seating. Ive seen this on trams (I guess old by now, but with full B0B0 bogies for those that know).
If the bumper was not so...goofy, it would be nice. But, then again, its a tough challenge to top the D series. Im not even all that nostalgic for the D series. I love the MC9. That was my bread and butter, but when we first got the D series, it blew me away. They were good coaches.
😂 I always thought these new D45's look like the new storm trooper helmets from the new star wars lol. I like they way they look though
@@MotorcoachWorld Now I can never unsee that image. Thanks LOL
@@RipRoaringGarage lol sorry
Not bus related but I love your music selection for your vids! What service do you use?
Thank you. I use Epidemic Sound. They have a huge selection across many genres.
Greyhound started the MCI bus company for there buses
I couldn’t help but notice, are the rears customizable like on a Van Hool? Some don’t have the rear window and some do….
Nice to see some new style on the new buses. The drivers position and layout seem to be overall nicely set up for real use. How common is the mid entry split level layout on city buses? I don’t recall ever seeing any of those on North American metro buses before.
Why do city bus configurations continue to have such a jarring ride? Has not bus suspension and chassis design improved any since the early 1950’s? I really noticed on the bus you were driving, every time you hit a pavement joint or any kind of broken pavement, the suspension shocked the bus and every panel in the bus either shook or rattled mightily. In my mind, that really degrades the passenger ride and travel experience. I know I don’t like riding in a vehicle that sounds and feels like your on the inside of a coffee can full of rusty nails being shaken around every time you hit a bump.
It is to minimise the fuel consumption and maximise the passenger capacity.
The real question is...can MCI overhaul my DAC!
I'm surprised that MCI is the most popular bus company. Because most of the buses I've been on are Van Hool