TALES FROM THE ROAD
Mega ERSA: Mega Jackie uses big personality to help MCI help Megabus.com

By Carolyn Newton

"Hi Carolyn, this is Mega Jackie."  When ERSA operators hear those words, and the familiar voice that goes with them, they know it's going to be a good call. Jackie Haywood, who affectionately calls herself Mega Jackie, is a dispatcher for Megabus.com/Coach USA with a mega friendly personality. She is a favorite among ERSA coordinators both for her warm attitude and her knack for conveying all information with calm.

Jackie, a Megabus.com employee since July 2006, works alongside six other operators to make sure Coach USA and Megabus.com drivers get to where they are going. She works closely with the drivers, organizing their schedules, communicating with them during trips and making sure they are on time. When they have a coach-down emergency, "I call ERSA," says Jackie.

Recently Jackie had two breakdowns at the same time. One coach had a broken coolant line on Interstate 65 in Indiana, and a coach in Ohio needed towing to MCI's Repair and Collision Center in Loudonville, Ohio.

Knowing MCI had helped her successfully many times in the past, she once again called ERSA to assist. For the first coach, ERSA called Chris Newton Mobile Service, a roadside mechanic in Indiana who went out right away to change a hose. Newton, who has several times assisted Megabus.com, is now on the most-requested list of Megabus.com drivers when traveling in the Indiana and Indianapolis area. For the second coach, ERSA called Eitels Towing in Columbus, Ohio, which dispatched a tow truck to take the other coach to MCI's Loudonville facility.

Jackie and the other dispatchers at Megabus.com have come to rely on MCI's ERSA service to help them out in times of emergency.

Coach USA/Megabus.com operates a large fleet of MCI coaches, providing intercity bus service to cities in the U.S. and Canada. Megabus.com is famous for its $1 fares and rapid growth. ERSA service provides them with additional help to ensure their coaches stay on the road.

Says Jackie, "When we have breakdown situations, [ERSA] comes through with flying colors."

Has MCI ERSA helped you in a time of need? If you have a story about how our operators got you and your company's coaches back on the road, let us know! We may use your story in a future issue of FYI. Contact us at fyi@mcicoach.com.