Motor Coach Industries’ Winnipeg plant management team greeted Joyce Bateman, member of Parliament, Winnipeg South Centre, at MCI’s Coach Delivery Center to mark the announcement of a Canadian government contract to purchase four MCI J4500 coaches with an option for six more.
Bateman, who spoke on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, minister of public works and government services and minister for the status of women, and the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, QC, associate minister of national defence and member of Parliament for Delta–Richmond East, said the new coaches will be used to transport Canadian Armed Forces personnel.
“The contract supports our talented Canadian workforce and spotlights the quality of our J4500,” said Bryan Couch, MCI vice president of operations. “We’re proud to have our J4500 used in the transportation of our Canadian troops. The J4500 has been the number-one selling coach in North America for nine years running, earning a reputation for reliability, safety and comfort on our nation’s roads and in the U.S. as well. This contract helps us to sustain employment opportunities here in Winnipeg and boosts MCI’s position as the leading builder of inter-city coaches in North America.”
MCI CEO and President Rick Heller added, “This contract comes as MCI marks its 80th anniversary and ushers in a new design era for the 2013 J4500 model. With its cleaner, more fuel efficient engine technology and other engineering advances, the J4500 is confirmation of Winnipeg’s status as a hub of innovation in intercity coach manufacturing.”
The new coaches are headed for Canadian Forces based in Kingston and Meaford, Ontario; Shilo, Manitoba; and Wainwright, Alberta.
