CTDOT Awards MCI a 5-Year Contract for up to 112 Commuter Coaches
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) has announced that Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has awarded MCI a five-year contract for up to 112 MCI Commuter Coaches.
The contract for these 45-foot clean diesel-powered motor coaches has an approximate value of $56 million with the first 40 vehicles set for delivery in the third and fourth quarter of 2017.
According to CTDOT, the ADA-compliant, Wi-Fi ready Commuter Coaches will replace older models and expand capacity on its express route service.
The coaches to be delivered will go to private operators in urban areas statewide that provide commuter express services to CT Transit, Connecticut’s state-owned bus service.
“This newest order is our biggest order of commuter coaches with the goal of replacing our private operators’ aging equipment,” said Philip Scarrozzo, transit manager CTDOT. “We have great partners, and because we value our public/private working relationships, we want to assure these operators and the passengers they serve have coaches with the best technology available today.”
The new coaches, decaled with CT Transit branding, deliver style, comfort and the latest communications technology for a demanding new generation of passengers. The coaches have Wi-Fi connectivity, a standard 57-seat configuration and a Cummins ISM 10.8L, 410-horsepower engine with an Allison B500 Gen IV automatic transmission. Each bus will also feature a security camera system.
CTDOT is the state’s agency principally responsible for transportation service delivery and infrastructure initiatives. CTDOT is the direct recipient of funding for projects to improve the state’s highway system, enhance safety on state roads and facilities in addition to other mass transit service and capital modernization initiatives. The department also plays a key role in coordinating transportation funding opportunities for municipalities and regional organizations.
CTDOT placed an order in 2015 for three MCI Commuter Coaches and five coaches in 2014, along with a previous order of 33 Commuter Coaches in 2010.
Scarrozzo said: “Our MCI coaches run reliably. We like the turnaround time in the contract.
