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J4500 and Setra products as well as in the line-haul segment with big market customers, including Greyhound, Peter Pan and Coach USA. "We haven't seen these levels since mid-2006," he said. "It's all good news." Also on hand was Brent Maitland, MCI's VP, marketing and product plan- ning, to discuss recent changes to its J4500 model — including the MCI Dynamic Suspension System, newly designed par- cel racks and cleaner-burning 2013 EPA- compliant engines — as well as the Setra S 417 — optional second door and club cor- ner lounge seating. Temsa and CH Bus Sales featured their new TS 45 model and honored the first customer set to take delivery, Caseyville, Ill.-based Vandalia Bus Lines Inc. T e 45-foot coach seats 57 passengers and is constructed from stainless steel with an integral monocoque design, en- suring strength and stability. Like Temsa's smaller models, the TS 45 couples a Cummins engine with an Alli- son transmission. Standard features in- clude an engine f re suppression system, lane departure warning system, tire pres- sure monitor system, ABS brakes and three-point seat belts. Full production of the TS 45 is set to begin by mid-2014. Marking its 90 th anniversary, Prevost featured the newest versions of its H3-45 and Volvo 9700 models on the show f oor. The company also announced two new partnerships. T e f rst is with the UMA to update and expand the Bus and Motor- coach Academy, by creating a new pro- gram called Prevost Preparatory School for Professional Motorcoach Drivers, or "Prevost Prep." Presented by Prevost, the UMA and the College of Southern Maryland, Prevost Prep is designed specif cally for drivers to meet the driver training needs of the mo- torcoach industry. "Drivers are one of the industry's cor- nerstone resources and we must do what we can to encourage skilled drivers to en- ter the industry. Training is an important part of that attraction and retention," said Gaetan Bolduc, Prevost's CEO. Prevost also announced it partnered with Hire Heroes USA to assist motor- coach operators in recruiting qualified drivers and maintenance personnel. INDUSTRY AWARDS METRO Magazine's Motorcoach Oper- ator of the Year Award went to Larry and Lorna Hundt of Kitchener, Ontario, Can- ada's Great Canadian Holidays Inc. (See story on p. 36) The UMA Safety Leader Award went to Godfrey LeBron of Paradise Travel in Franklin Square, N.Y., with Lewiston, Maine's NorthEast Trailways winning the Green Highway Award. T is year's UMA Vision Award winner, small operator, was American Heritage Trails of Fort Wayne, Ind., with Minn.- based Northf eld Lines Inc. winning the large operator category. T is year's Main- tenance Competition Winner was Greg Lammers of Cavalier Coaches Inc. in Owatonna, Minn. Next year's Travel Exchange will be held in New Orleans Jan. 18 to 22. UMA EXPO 2014 Bus Climate Control Solutions ACT and Espar Climate Systems offer air conditioning and heating products for any size or type of bus. ACT CR-4 Roof Mounted Condenser • Lightweight, Rugged, Low Profile • Attractive Durable TPO Cover • Available in 12- and 24-volt Models • Easier to Service, Less Downtime ACT EV-2 In Wall Evaporator • Enhanced Airflow • Easy Installation • Light Weight • 2 Colors www.espar.com www.actusa.us.com Toll Free: 877.228.4247 SYSTEMS • PARTS • SERVICE • TRAINING Eberspacher AC353 Rooftop A/C • Proven Superiority • Advanced passenger Comfort Solution • Synonymous w/ Performance & Reliability • Setting New Standards in Bus A/C 34 < m ETRO m AGAZINE APRIL 2014 metro-magazine.com M E T R O 0 4 1 4 _ U M A . i n d d 3 4 METRO0414_UMA.indd 34 3 / 1 8 / 1 4 1 : 1 8 P M 3/18/14 1:18 PM