Bus News & Bus Related Press Releases

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A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. and BusWest LLC announced today the completion of the acquisition of the cutaway Bus Assets from Carson, California based BusWest LLC. Under this agreement A-Z Bus Sales Inc. has purchased from BusWest LLC all of the cutaway bus, commercial and transit assets.

“BusWest LLC as a Division of Velocity Vehicle Group will continue to market and sell the Thomas Built School Buses in California and Hawaii, along with the Caio Coach Products. BusWest LLC will also continue to offer complete warranty services, parts and technical support for school buses, tour coaches and other specialty vehicles.” said Jim Bernacchi President of BusWest LLC.

Director of Sales and Marketing Ed King stated that this asset acquisition from BusWest LLC of their commercial and transit bus business which represents a major provider of cutaway buses to the state of California, Arizona and Hawaii. “Under this agreement we will pick up the additional territories outside of California.”

President and CEO of A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. Jim Reynolds stated, “A-Z Bus Sales Inc. is extremely proud to announce this asset acquisition. We welcome the new products along with the Commercial and Transit Sales organization of BusWest, LLC into the A-Z Bus Sales Family”.

About A-Z Bus Sales, Inc.:
A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. is an employee owned company specializing in transportation solutions for the government, public sector, and education market, commercial and private fleets. A-Z Bus Sales offers products from 8 of the largest school bus and commercial bus manufactures. A-Z Bus Sales provides sales and service for new and used buses, financing of all buses through a large nationwide network and offer parts and services including emissions testing, diesel engine retrofits and warranty repairs. A-Z Bus Sales has two locations in California, in Colton and Sacramento.

About BusWest LLC:
BusWest, LLC (www.buswest.com) is a full spectrum passenger transportation equipment solution provider headquartered in Carson, California. BusWest has five bus service facilities in California, Nevada and Hawaii offering complete warranty services, parts and technical support for school buses, tour coaches and other specialty vehicles. BusWest carries the following bus brands: Thomas Built Buses and Caio North America.

The Napa Valley Unified School District has been awarded seven new hybrid school buses, thanks to a grant from local air quality agencies.

The school buses will join the district’s fleet in November or December.

The buses range in price from about $147,000 to $190,000, said Ralph Knight, supervisor of transportation for the school district. A standard diesel bus is about $100,000.

The hybrid buses were paid for by the Air Resource Board — which provided a $20,000 voucher for each bus — and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which provided the rest of the funding, using money from Assembly Bill 118, Knight said. The legislation provides grants for the development and use of alternative fuel and vehicle technologies.

Five of the seven buses will be 71-passenger Thomas C2e Hybrids, which run on a combination of low-sulfur diesel and an electric motor, Knight said.

The two other buses, made by Collins Bus Corporation in partnership with Azure Dynamics, will have a 15-passenger capacity, including one wheelchair space, he said. These smaller buses run on a combination of gasoline and an electric motor.

The larger hybrid buses are expected to get at least 10 miles per gallon — that’s about 4 extra miles, or 40 percent more efficient, compared to standard diesel buses, Knight said.

The new hybrid buses will be replacing seven older diesel buses, which will all be dismantled.

Napa Valley Unified has about 65 buses in its fleet, at least 40 of which are larger buses that run on natural gas, Knight said. The remaining buses are smaller and most run on biofuel. One of those smaller buses is a plug-in hybrid that gets 14 miles per gallon and is starting its fourth school year with the district.

With the new acquisitions, “I have no big diesel buses on the road today,” Knight said.



Read more at Napa Valley Online >

We are happy to announce the addition of Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing to Velocity Vehicle Groups family. Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing is the newest expansion of Velocity Vehicle Group, aiming to bring our expertise of the trucking industry to the commercial truck rental and leasing markets of CA.

  • Full Service Truck Leasing
  • Commercial Truck RentalS
  • Emergency Road Service
  • Contract Maintenance
  • BUSINESS TO BUSINESS

We are committed to providing the best service in the full service leasing industry. This occurs by consistently making our management team accessible to our customers and responding with a sense of urgency.

Headquartered in Southern California, we are your regional expert with national coverage, thanks to our special relationship with VVG & being a partner in the NationaLease program!

Visit www.velocitytruckrentalandleasing.com to learn more >

"The Transportation Team of Del Norte County Unified School District loves our four new Thomas HDX 2010 buses with the Cummins engines that we received in October 2010 with grant monies from ARB.

We were so impressed with them that when we were awarded money for four more buses I immediately ordered Thomas HDX buses with the Cummins engines. If we have any problems (which are few) the service department is excellent and very helpful, they aim to please! Our salesman, Tom Scheidt, is the greatest!! He is so helpful and always returns my phone calls and or e-mails immediately. THANKS TOM!

Here are the three happy mechanics from Del Norte county Unified School District knowing they have eight new buses in the fleet.
Pat Jensen (Director of Transportation) and Rodney Jahn (Deputy Superintendent) are pictured with the latest delivery."

Pat Jensen
Director of Transportation
Del Norte County Unified School district
Crescent City, Ca.
 

RE:  Safety Standard Non-Compliance Recall Notification 09E-060

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Ricon has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in the Ricon wheelchair lift installed in your vehicles.

!  I M P O R T A N T !

- Ricon Wheelchair Lift are being recalled
- Contact Ricon Corporation immediately

WHAT IS BEING RECALLED:

This recall applies to all Public Use lift manufactured from December 1, 2007 to Dec 18, 2009 equipped with a restraint belt. This includes:

1). All DOT Public Use S and K Series wheelchair lifts

2). All DOT Public Use F9TF wheelchair lifts

WHY IS IT BEING RECALLED:

The restraint belt on these lifts was designed to prevent the lift from moving, unless the tongue of the belt is fully engaged and latched in the buckle.  We have discovered, however, that it is possible for the operator to insert the belt tongue into the buckle without fully engaging the latching mechanism.  In this case, the restraint belt would appear to be latched, and the operator could run the lift.

If the restraint belt tongue is not fully engaged into the restraint belt buckle, and latched, the lift may operate with an occupant on the platform. Though it is incumbent on the operator to ensure that the belt is fully engaged and latched, failure to check this is within the realm of foreseeable misuse. This situation could cause personal injury.

WHAT VEHICLE MANUFACTURES MUST DO:

According to our records, affected units were purchased by your company.  If those units were installed as original equipment on vehicles manufactured at your facility, and you agree that they contain a safety defect, your company must notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and conduct a safety recall. This notification to NHTSA must be made within 5 business days of when you decide your vehicles contain a safety defect or noncompliance. It is critical that the NHTSA guidelines are followed in a timely manner and that your customers are notified of the safety defect in the Ricon DOT Public Use Lifts, manufactured between December 1, 2007 and December 18, 2009 so they may inform and train operators on the proper use of the equipment.  You may contact the NHTSA with questions by sending an email to rmd.odi@dot.gov.  

To help you comply with your obligation to issue a safety recall of the vehicles that contain an affected Ricon DOT Public Use Lifts, manufactured between December 1, 2007 and December 18, 2009, we have attached samples of a dealer service bulletin and a sample letter to owners of potentially affected vehicles, along with a corresponding owner reply form, which should facilitate your notification to dealers and owners of the recall and the required repairs and service procedures.  Although we have provided these samples to you for your convenience, you must submit drafts of your version of these notices to NHTSA for approval at least 5 days prior to mailing such notification to dealers and owners of potentially affected Ricon DOT Public Use Lifts, manufactured between December 1, 2007 and December 18, 2009.

Notification to dealers and distributors must be made by verifiable means such as certified mail, verifiable electronic means such as receipts or logs from electronic mail or satellite distribution system, or other more expeditious and verifiable means. Notifications to owners of potentially affected vehicles are by first class mail.  Please be advised that the outside of each envelope containing an owner notification letter must be marked “SAFETY RECALL NOTICE” all in capital letters, either in boldface or underlined, and in type that is larger than that used in the address section.  A sample of the envelope must be submitted to NHTSA for approval at least 5 business days before mailing to owners.

IMPORTANT: Some of the vehicles affected may still be in your inventory.  Federal law requires you to complete the recall service on these vehicles before delivery. Ricon will provide replacement or repair for these units prior to delivery to your customers.

Ricon is prepared to assist you with all the materials, the mailings and reporting requirements of this recall.  Billy McCoy, Ricon’s Customer Service Manager will assist you with anything you may require. He can be reached through Ricon Customer Service at (800)322-2884, Ext 3038, or by email, at bmccoy@wabtec.com

WHAT RICON CORPORATION WILL DO:

Ricon will provide your customers with a warning a decal and a DVD-based training aid to promote the “Click and Tug” campaign. Ricon may provide other point of use materials to raise the awareness of the “Click and Tug”campaign.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.  If you have any questions concerning these procedures please contact Ricon Customer Service at (800)322-2884, extension 3038 to speak to our Customer Service Manager, Billy McCoy or by email at bmccoy@wabtec.com.

We apologize for any inconvenience this safety recall may cause, but your safety is our first concern. 

Visit http://www.riconcorp.com/recall_restraint.asp for more information >

We're happy to announce that our San Diego store, San Diego Freightliner - Western Star, is relocating to a new, larger facility. Offering more parts, larger and more service bays & bodyshop, to make it even more convenient for our customers, truck, bus or RV in the San Diego area.

We will officially have moved in starting business January 1st, 2011 at our new address:

6006 Miramar Road, San Diego, CA 92121

All our phone numbers, email addresses & contact information shall stay the same. If you've got any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us, Toll Free 877-454-5456. We'll be happy to help you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALIFORNIA FLEET SOLUTIONS ANNOUNCES THE “2010 FLEET SOLUTIONS WORKSHOP SERIES”
“Created to help truck operators and owners successfully navigate the complicated worlds of regulatory compliance, grant funding, and vehicle financing.”

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA—June 29, 2010—California Fleet Solutions (CFS), a division of Whittier, California-based Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG), today announced a “Summer Roadshow” event series with six educational workshops taking place between July and September in locations throughout California. This series consists of half-day events in key locations along goods movement corridors, each providing regulatory updates, information on funding programs, financing resources, and equipment updates.  In addition to short presentations and guest speakers, workshop attendees will also be able to ask questions in both group and one-on-one settings, enjoy a Ride & Drive opportunity, and will receive lunch and all conference materials, including a take-away funding application kit.  There is no fee to attend the workshop, but pre-registration is required.

CFS is a true “one-stop” resource and information center for California’s truck and bus fleet operators.  “CFS is backed by the exceptional brands and expertise behind Velocity Vehicle Group,” said Jeff Macartney, President of Crossroads Lease & Finance and one of the key organizers behind the CFS endeavor.  “We are a local, California-based business here to serve the needs of California truck operators in need of solid information and solutions to run their businesses.  The workshop series is our way of bringing expertise directly to the fleets and making the compliance choices clear and the funding application process as simple as possible,” Macartney added.

The workshop series was created as a means to educate fleet operators about the more than $500 million in funding that is available to purchase new clean trucks.  On June 24, 2010, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) announced the release of an additional $200 million in Proposition 1B funds to cut harmful emissions from heavy-duty trucks and other sources in the state’s four busiest trade corridors.  Well over half of this funding will be made available to truck and fleet operators for the purchase of new clean trucks and retrofits.  ARB also has available a $28 million Voucher Incentive Program to assist small fleet operators to purchase new trucks and after-treatment devices. 

“With more than $500 million in ARB grant funds available over the next two years, and millions more in other local, state and federal incentives, California truck and buses owners have never had such an opportunity to secure new clean vehicles in order to comply with California’s Truck & Bus Rule,” noted Macartney. “We are excited to assist our customers to make the most of this opportunity via our planned California Fleet Solutions Summer Roadshow event series.” 

The first CFS workshop will be held in the Avalon Room at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 from 8:30am to 12 Noon.  The program agenda to designed to provide a concise look at ARB fleet rules, compliance deadlines and enforcement, the Prop 1B and Voucher Incentive Program application processes, and financing programs.  The workshop will create opportunities for question and answer exchanges, both in group and one-on-one formats, and will showcase the latest in equipment options from partners under the Velocity Vehicle Group umbrella.

Additional workshops are scheduled for August and September in Stockton, Hayward, Fresno, Riverside, and San Diego/Imperial Counties with dates and specific locations to be announced shortly.  For more information or to register, please visit www.cafleetsolutions.com or contact the event hotline at 888.993.0302.

About Velocity Vehicle Group
Velocity Vehicle Group, through its subsidiaries, operates as a commercial vehicle and bus dealer providing new or used trucks, motor homes, alternative fuel trucks, engines, and buses. It also provides accessories, air conditioning equipment, air lines, bearings and seals, brakes, bus parts, electrical parts, engines, fan drives, hoses and fittings, lighting products, mirrors, radio products, safety, seating, snow chain systems, starters and alternators, steering and suspension products, tools, trailer parts, trailers, and wheels and drums. In addition, the company offers truck rental and leasing, maintenance and repair, roadside assistance services, transportation consulting, and financing. Velocity Vehicle Group is based in Whittier, California with locations in Long Beach, Fontana, Ontario, Carson, Hesperia, San Diego, Caruthers, Woodland, and Rancho Cucamonga, California; and Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as warehouses in Sacramento and San Diego, California; and Las Vegas, Nevada.  www.velocityvehiclegroup.com.

About California Fleet Solutions
As part of Velocity Vehicle Group, California Fleet Solutions (CFS) is backed by the resources of California’s strongest network of manufacturers, dealers, and parts suppliers.  Representing the best brands and the most competitive products in all classes, CFS’ goal is to provide California fleets with equipment and financing options that work within budget and to maximum advantage.  CFS supports vehicle leases or purchases with competitive service and maintenance options and provides a comprehensive suite of strategic consulting services, with most of these at no cost to the client.  www.cafleetsolutions.com.
 

THOMAS BUILT BUSES PRESS RELEASE.
Alternative fuel vehicles will feature seating with three-point restraints for enhanced safety

High Point, N.C. – The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has purchased 130 Saf-T-Liner® HDX compressed natural gas (CNG) school buses from market-leader Thomas Built Buses.  Introduced more than 10 years ago, Thomas Built CNG buses exceed California emission standards, among the toughest in the country.

The state of California was the first in the nation to require lap-shoulder belt seating.  To meet that requirement, all 130 of the environmentally-friendly buses will be equipped with SafeGuard® seats, a product of IMMI.

“We applaud the LAUSD’s commitment to sound environmental strategies with its selection of school buses that incorporate clean-fuel technology,” said Ken Hedgecock, vice president, sales, marketing and service, Thomas Built Buses, “and we welcome this opportunity to demonstrate our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and enhanced passenger safety.”

The buses were purchased through Carson, CA-based BUSWEST, a Thomas dealer.  BUSWEST president Jim Bernacchi noted, “helping LAUSD replace their older school buses with clean burning CNG powered school buses is good for the students, the environment and the economy.  Buswest is honored to have the opportunity to supply Thomas Built CNG buses to support LAUSD’s ongoing fleet replacement program.”

The LAUSD transportation services division only accepts bids for buses operating on alternative fuels.  The district currently operates the largest CNG school bus fleet in the state, with more than 300 alternative fuel school buses. Thomas Built CNG’s emissions are near zero and have been 2010 compliant since 2007.

About Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
Los Angeles Unified School District is comprised of 8 local districts, consisting of approximately 1,044 K‐12 schools in Los Angeles County.  With over 678,000 K‐12 students, LAUSD is the largest unified district in the state of California.  More than 141 schools use one of two different year‐round calendars – either three‐track or four‐track – to accommodate heavy enrollment at those sites. LAUSD also includes approximately 208 other schools including adult schools, pre‐schools, early education and regional occupational centers; the added attendance bringing total student population to over 1 million pupils.  More information can be found at www.lausd.net.

About BUSWEST
BUSWEST is a division of Velocity Vehicle Group, with sales and service locations throughout California and Hawaii.

Thomas Built Buses
Thomas Built Buses is the leading manufacturer of school buses in North America, with more than one-third of the market.  Since the first Thomas Built bus rolled off the assembly line in 1936, the company has been committed to delivering the smartest and most innovative buses in North America.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc. is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 4-8 vehicles.  Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates.  Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company.

Contact:    
Amy Sills, Daimler Trucks North America LLC
503-745-8535 
amy.sills@daimler.com

Maria McCullough, Daimler Trucks North America LLC
803-578-3161
maria.mccullough@daimler.com

Today, BusWest announced a $1,000 per Bus Parts and Service credit for all customers purchasing new Elkhart Coach buses from the company. The credit will be issued toward the buyer’s account and can be used for anything that the customer may need including: inspections, repairs, bus parts or any other products and services.

“Operating budgets are hit especially hard right now and BusWest sees this promotion as an opportunity to help our customers through this time. It’s our way of rewarding our loyal customers and those stepping up to BusWest for the first time, too” said Brent Phillips, VP of Sales and Marketing.

BusWest provides service and parts for all major brand buses in production today, so the credit can be used by customers for fleet vehicles that BusWest didn’t necessarily sell. “The credit is non-discriminating,” mentioned Jim Bernacchi, President of BusWest, “our customers can buy proprietary or all-makes commercial vehicle parts without question.”

As part of the largest commercial parts distribution company in the west, BusWest offers competitive pricing, free local delivery and 24/7 staffed parts call centers. “Through all of our supply connections and our huge volume, BusWest is able to provide transit agencies and other bus operators access to our large inventory and enhanced parts service” added Randy Baker, Director of Parts for BusWest.

The credit can also be used for non-warranty repairs for buses sold by other dealers or for units not covered under the manufacturers warranty. “With the downturn in the economy we’ve seen an increase in some manufacturers warranty failures and a reduction in coverage. The customer ends up in the crosshairs; we hope that this program offers some real relief, “stated Bernacchi. “Our three commercial body shops are prepared to extend this credit to cover body issues and other problems that customers have experienced.”

The parts and service credit will be issued to the customers’ accounts upon delivery and full payment of each new bus ordered. The credit must be used partially or completely within twelve months of issue. Customers will automatically receive a statement each month indicating any non-zero balance as a reminder. At the company’s option, credit balances may be applied to future bus purchases.

Download Official Press Release Document (PDF) >