Continental Bus Lines' Jose Morales with his sons Jose Orlando (far left) and Jacob Joseph

Continental Bus Lines takes delivery of the first brand-new coaches in their company's history with the purchase of a new MCI® J4500

SCHAUMBURG, IL — July 27, 2010 — Continental Bus Lines owner Jose Morales was a computer programmer with a dream of starting his own transportation business. The year was 2001.

"I don't think we would have made it through that first year without MCI," says Morales, who now has eight coaches in his fleet with the purchase of a new 2010 MCI J4500. "September 11 slowed down business for everyone, and MCI took a chance on me" with his purchase of a pre-owned coach from MCI Sales and Service.

The Houston-based, family owned company has continued to grow its charter and school business ever since that first tough year, weathering the worst economic downturn in 70 years along the way. Morales got the transportation bug after watching a friend of his buy and start operating a coach as a profitable local business. "I studied the business for about a year and a half, and I had money in savings. I did my own homework and I went to MCI to talk to them about buying a used model," said Morales. "They gave me an opportunity."

The new J4500 features a Cummins ISM 410 horsepower engine with an Allison transmission, wide-ride suspension, electronic stability control, a reverse sensing system, an upgraded SmarTire® pressure monitoring system and an Amerex fire suppression system. Upgrades include onboard Wi-Fi, a Blaupunkt Pro-Line entertainment system, enhanced lighting, and plush seating including three-point seatbelts.

"We love the Cummins engine — it's worked really well, and my customers love the new coach," said Morales. The company's charter business covers locations throughout the United States and Canada.

Motor Coach Industries, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, is the largest manufacturer of intercity highway coaches for the tour, charter, line-haul, scheduled service, commuter transit and conversion markets in the U.S. and Canada. The company also operates seven sales centers and eight service centers in the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, MCI is the industry's leading supplier of aftermarket parts for most makes and models.

Press contact: Patricia Plodzeen Public Relations, 847-283-0883; or Motor Coach Industries Marketing Department, 847-285-2035.