Michigan Flyer is putting a brand new fleet of seven luxury motorcoaches on the road this month, representing a $3.8 million investment by parent company, Indian Trails Inc.
“We invested in a new fleet with high-end safety, comfort, eco-friendly features because of our commitment to our customers and our communities,” said Indian Trails and Michigan Flyer CEO Gordon Mackay. “Since 2012, the number of passengers who’ve rewarded Michigan Flyer-AirRide with their business has doubled from 90,000 a year to more than 180,000.”
The new fleet―all state-of-the-art 2015 Prevost H3-45 coaches―is equipped with technology that reduces exhaust pollutants to near zero. In addition, motorcoaches like these achieve about 206 passenger miles per gallon on average, and have the potential to remove 50-55 automobiles from the highway, further reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.
Safety features include an electronic stability system that enables drivers to avoid danger on slippery roads; an engine fire-detection and suppression system; two GPS systems; and a tire pressure monitoring system. All the coaches are equipped with three-point retractable seatbelts for passengers; ADA-compliant wheelchair lifts, and a large under-floor luggage compartment.
As for comfort, the new coaches offer deluxe, ergonomic seating with leather headrests and ample leg room; individual climate controls, reading lamps and cup holders; tinted, panoramic side windows; 110-volt AC outlets at each seat for charging mobile devices; free WiFi; on-board lavatories; and enclosed, overhead parcel racks.
“The rapid growth of Michigan Flyer-AirRide is due mainly to two factors,” said Indian Trails VP Chad Cushman. “First, passengers love the service because it enables them to ride in comfort, avoid traffic, stay productive en route, save money, and help protect the environment. Second, we’re now delivering what they’ve wanted for many years—the convenience of near-hourly roundtrips between East Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Metro Airport every day between early morning and late evening. “
A big first step toward greater frequency was the formation of a public-private partnership with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (“TheRide”) in February 2012. This increased daily roundtrips from eight to 13 on the Ann Arbor-Detroit Metro Airport segment of Michigan Flyer’s route, which the company operates for as “AirRide” on behalf of TheRide. It’s been very popular, and no local property taxes go to support AirRide.
Then, last November, Michigan Flyer increased daily roundtrips from eight to 12 on the East Lansing-Ann Arbor segment of its route to and from Detroit Metro Airport. A one-year, one-time grant of $600,000 from the Federal Highway Administration helped cover start-up costs for the new runs, which are now self-supporting.
Currently celebrating its eighth anniversary, Michigan Flyer has carried nearly 700,000 passengers since its inaugural trips in November 2006. Besides connecting the Greater Lansing and Ann Arbor regions with one another—and with the world via Detroit Metro Airport—Michigan Flyer-AirRide brings some 50,000 out-of-state visitors a year to mid-Michigan, generating millions of dollars in local economic benefit.
