Originally designed for commercial long-haul travel, Motor Coach Industries (MCI) worked with public transit agencies to redesign its coaches for long-haul commuter service.
Sound Transit purchased 13 new long-haul coaches from MCI. The buses are part of a pilot project to evaluate the operation of high-capacity single-door buses in long-haul transit service. The buses are in Regional Express bus service originating from Pierce County.
Pierce Transit operates and maintains the Regional Express bus service in Pierce County, including factory inspections and service preparations.
Quick information about the ST Express MCI 45-foot Long-Haul Bus
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Length |
45 feet |
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Height |
11.5 feet |
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Weight |
35,100 pounds |
|
Width |
8.5 feet |
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Passenger capacity |
Seating for 57 passengers |
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Fuel type |
Clean diesel |
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Fuel capacity |
192 US gallons |
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Power |
Low emission Detroit Diesel EGR Series 60 NOx 2.5 |
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Year of manufacture |
2005 |
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Number of vehicles in fleet |
13 |
|
Cost per vehicle, inclusive |
$493,257.47 |
Additional information:
Manufacture and assembly of the bus
Motor Coach Industries manufactured the bus bodies in Winnipeg, Manitoba and assembled the buses in Pembina, N.D.
First bus delivered to Sound Transit
2005
No modifications.
In 2003, an MCI 45-foot long-haul bus was tested on Seattle Express routes between DuPont, Lakewood, Tacoma and Seattle. During the month-long test, customer surveys showed overwhelming support for the smooth, quiet and comfortable bus.
All Sound Transit diesel buses use a combination of clean diesel and biodiesel.
A diesel engine works differently from a gasoline engine. With a diesel engine, air is compressed into a very small space, raising the air’s temperature so high that anything introduced into it will ignite. No spark plug is used. As a result, a mini-explosion inside the engine cylinder pushes the piston connected to a shaft that, in turn, moves the wheels on the bus.
To make biodiesel, vegetable oil and lye are mixed and heated to separate glycerin from the oil (glycerin makes oil heavy and slippery). A lighter liquid results, which can then be used in any diesel fuel tank and burned in any diesel engine.
There is no “engine conversion” when using biodiesel.
The long-haul coaches are considered low-maintenance, fuel efficient and extremely comfortable to ride. The MCI buses take full advantage of the bus interior by providing 57 seats in a 45-foot bus, as compared to 60 seats in a 60-foot articulated bus.
How the bus fits in Sound Transit’s fleet
The April 2004 fleet procurement plan approved by the Sound Transit Board included purchasing long-haul buses for long-distance service between Dupont, Lakewood, Tacoma and Seattle. The Sound Transit Board approved the purchase of thirteen 45-foot long haul transit buses through a competitive process, with an option to purchase 50 additional buses.
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Quiet and smooth-riding
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Air conditioning
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All-forward-facing fabric seats
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Parcel racks with integrated individual reading lamps
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Individual air controls
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Single front door
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Separate wheelchair lift
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Recliner seats
Pierce Transit operates the Regional Express bus service in Pierce County and stores and maintains the buses at its base.
