ATU Local 1512

CBS-TV (Springfield) features New Peter Pan coach

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:50:14 -0500

See VP Bob Schwarz and VP Tom Picknally interviewed about the 2010 MCI coach order, new features, environmentally friendly, fuel economy, etc. Click here: Peter Pan Going Green for the video report.

2010 will see 30 new MCI motorcoaches

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:24:01 -0500

According to the Dec. 2009 issue of Metro-Magazine, Peter Pan has committed to the purchase of 30 New Motorcoaches! to be delivered by May, 2010!!! There will be a mix of J4500's and D4505's! My wish to Santa Claus is coming true! Click here: MCI to deliver new coaches to Peter Pan

Jack (John) Perreault funeral Feb.3

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:03:18 -0500

Retired coach operator Brother Jack Perreault - whose funny sense of humor many of us remember so well - passed Jan. 30, 2010. Obituary: Jack Perreault obituary Jack worked at Peter Pan 1977-1994. Will be missed!

New 2010 Wrap for Peter Pan fleet

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:26:24 -0500

All newly ordered D-4505 and J-4500 models will be wrapped with this opalized 3D wrap...click on "1 attachment" below to see photo...
...also vote on poll to left of article...

Baltimore Sun editorial on lack of motorcoach safety features

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:39:34 -0500

This well written editorial summarizes the state of intercity and charter bus safety and awaiting legislation in Congress not yet acted upon. Time for safety improvements

Here is the rebuttal from C.E.O. Peter Pantuso of American Bus Association. Click: Rebuttal letter to Baltimore Sun Times

Boston Globe article on Intercity bus

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:33:05 -0500

Some reactions from players in intercity bus battle in this Boston Globe article All's fare in travel by bus

Bob Tourigny (1942-2009) 14 Yrs. Peter Pan Operator

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:17:41 -0500

We remember Bob Tourigny, a funny, thoughtful, conscientious Peter Pan driver from 1986 to 2000 - loved his job. He had been ill with heart problems.

Funeral for Bob Tourigny, a Marine Corps Veteran will be on Veterans Day, Wed. Nov. 11, 2009. Burial at later date Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, Ma.

Obiturary Bob Tourigny

Utah Ski-bus accident spurs lawsuit on lacking Motorcoach Safety

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:32:57 -0400

A lawsuit that names MCI as one of the defendants in a horrific motorcoach accident from Jan.6, 2008 near the Four Corners section of Utah is bringing attention to the motorcoach industry. 49 of 50 bus occupants were ejected from the crash, resulting in 9 mortalities, 40 injuries.

Attorneys for the victims and family members will cite the lack of reinforced roof, laminated windows, and safety belts on the motorcoach as primary reasons why the toll was so high. NTSB report cites the lack of seat belts/use of seat belts as a primary reason for the numerous ejections.

NTSB report click: NTSB press release
Newer NTSB report on Texas bus accident, click: Texas bus tire blowout on bridge

Web article click: MCI in the hot seat (without a seat belt)

William Fontanella (1948-2009) In Memoriam

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:56:32 -0400

Photo of Bill Fontanella

Your wit & wisdom will live on
Your jokes and kindness too
The utmost service you'd provide
To customers, old and new.

You were a true "captain of your coach"
On every mile you drove
Your dedication - beyond reproach
To the company you loved.

Too soon you had to leave this world
For a better one, we pray
But we're certain you're still driving
On that "Heavenly Highway"

We Miss You, Bill
Rest in Peace
from us all!

2 new Peter Pan wraps - 2010 new look and Hoop Hall coach 744

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:47 -0400

The "New Look" Peter Pan wrap was unveiled Sept. 11, 2009. It is reminiscient of styles from the 1960's, with 3D logo over black background. The front and back of the coach are green. Click here: New 2010 Peter Pan look Marketing and management are taking a new critical look at this design, and may be planning a lighter color, more similar to the current wrap for the next generation of D's and J's.

A new wrap of Peter Pan coach #744 (formerly Hoop Hall) features the 50th Anniversary of the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. unveiled during this enshrinement weekend inducting Michael Jordan, David Robinson, Jerry Sloan, John Stockton and C. Vivian Stringer. Today's article: Article/ and photo (3rd photo in slide show) of new bus wrap

Washington Post reporter reviews bus travel today

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:36:27 -0400

Andrea Sachs spends 30 days reviewing the different choices of motorcoach travel between Washington, D.C. and New York City. Here is her experiences and (video) interviews: Click: Today's bus travel

First Group bringing "Greyhound" name to U.K.

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:49:25 -0400

Apparently, First Group PLC, which bought all of Laidlaw assets in 2007 likes the "Greyhound" label! While speculation of the 2007 acquisition had First Group not interested in Greyhound, quite the opposite is true! First Group introducing British, Scotish, coach passengers to the Greyhound logo (adding it to USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand). Details here in this Guardian article. Click here First Group bringing Greyhound to UK

Brother Mario Hornsby Sr. to dedicate Community Garden in Springfield

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:39:45 -0400

Brother Mario Hornsby Sr., Springfield Division operator, was interviewed by local NPR Radio Station WFCR-FM, about his community organization "Families United" and their efforts to change the nature of gang violence, and building a garden memorializing lost youths from Springfield. A plot of land was purchased that will have a community garden bordered by bricks -each one bearing a name of a murdered child. Mario Hornsby Jr.'s garden plot will have raised organic beds of zuchini, tomatoes and squash and a memorial bench with engraved scripture. Click here for link to this broadcast: Mario Hornsby interview

New Peter Pan stop in Mystic, CT

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:06:58 -0400

New service for Mystic, CT area residents on the I.95 corridor served by the Providence-New York line run. Click here: New Mystic bus stop

Peter Picknelly speaks at Congressional committee on Highway Trust Fund

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:57:41 -0400

Peter Picknelly spoke in Washington at the Congressional Ways And Means Sub-Committee on the importance of the intercity bus segment of the nation's transportation infrastructure. His testimony illustrated the superiority of the motorcoach as an energy-efficient mode of public transportation, environmentally friendly, importance to rural America, affordability to the public as a transportation alternative, importance in reducing highway congestion in densely populated areas such as the Northeast corridor,...and discussed government subsidies given to air, rail and city transit busses, compared to the negligible partial federal fuel tax subsidy existing since the 1970's. Congress is writing a new six-year plan for the U.S. Highway Trust Fund - which is experiencing financial strain - and may run out of money as early as Sept. 2009.

Read the article describing Picknelly's visit. Click here: Picknelly testifies before Congress on importance of Diesel fuel tax rebate

READ FULL TESTIMONY of Peter Picknelly (minor changes were made at actual hearing).
Click "1 Attachment" below: