“A great story of a Michigan business investing in infrastructure and technology to better the environment, while helping to move Michigan forward.”
― Gov. Rick Snyder on Facebook, Feb. 2, 2010.
Thank you, Governor, for highlighting our investment in eco-friendly motorcoaches.
Jan. 25, 2012
EAST LANSING, MI―Michigan Flyer is putting an all-new fleet of four luxury motorcoaches on the road this month, representing a $2,124,000 million investment in the inter-city and airport shuttle service by parent company Indian Trails, Inc., of Owosso, MI.
“The decision to invest in this infrastructure upgrade is based on our commitment to our customers, to Michigan Flyer, and to the people of mid-Michigan,” said Indian Trails President Gordon Mackay.
Michigan Flyer makes eight roundtrips each day between East Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Metropolitan Airport, carrying more than 90,000 passengers a year.
The new fleet―all state-of-the-art 2012 Prevost H3-45 coaches―is one of the first in Michigan to be equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, which combines Exhaust Gas Recirculation and Diesel Particulate Filters to produce near zero emissions.
“We’re proud that our Michigan Flyer fleet exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 standards on air pollutants and also achieves high fuel economy,” said Mackay. “Each of these motorcoaches has the potential to remove 50 automobiles from the highway, further reducing air pollution, traffic congestion, and our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.”
The new coaches―all equipped with ADA-compliant wheelchair lifts―also feature a collection of amenities designed to enhance passenger safety and comfort.
One innovative safety feature is an electronic stability system that enables drivers to avoid danger in adverse conditions, such as ice and snow. It monitors vehicle movement, wheel speed, steering angle, and lateral acceleration, then automatically applies brakes or reduces throttle if necessary to prevent skid or rollover.
Other advanced safety features include GPS; three-point retractable passenger seatbelts; an engine fire-detection and suppression system; and a tire pressure monitoring system.
“The safety of our passengers is always top priority,” said Mackay. “But we also realize that many are fatigued by long hours of air travel, or are commuting to and from stressful jobs, so we also aim to provide the most comfortable motorcoach experience possible, including high-end interior amenities.”
The new Michigan Flyer coaches feature deluxe, ergonomic seating and ample leg room; individual aircraft-style climate controls and reading lamps; tinted Thermopane side windows offering panoramic views plus privacy; 110-volt AC outlets at each seat for charging mobile devices; free WiFi Internet connectivity; flat-screen video monitors; on-board lavatories; enclosed, overhead parcel racks; convenient cup holders; and the largest luggage capacity of any motorcoach available.
Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, Michigan Flyer continues to grow. Since its inaugural trips in November 2006, Michigan Flyer has carried more than 400,000 passengers.
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The Michigan Flyer—whose motto is “Why Drive?”—offers affordable, seamless, luxury motorcoach connections between Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Metro Airport. Jointly owned by Indian Trails and Okemos Travel, Michigan Flyer has achieved an extraordinary 99 percent rate of on-time arrivals and departures.
On the web at http://www.michiganflyer.com/.
Indian Trails, Inc.—which has served as Michigan’s premiere, family-owned, inter-city motorcoach carrier for more than 100 years, and is based in Owosso, MI—operates one of the largest and newest fleets of deluxe motorcoaches in Michigan. Its services include charters, tours, shuttles, airport transfers, casino runs and daily scheduled routes throughout Michigan and into Chicago and Milwaukee.
On the web at http://www.indiantrails.com/
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Mark Holoweiko or Anne Harcus
Stony Point Communications
517-339-0123 or 800-672-0123
EAST LANSING, Mich.--On Oct. 3, 2011, Michigan Flyer―the airport and inter-city motor coach service of Indian Trails, Inc.―will begin making eight daily trips between East Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor and Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
On a summer schedule that began last May, the luxury motor coaches of Michigan Flyer have been making seven runs to and from Detroit Metro every day of the week.
“With more frequent trips, and shorter waiting times between them, we can provide more seamless connections for mid-Michigan air travelers and commuters,” said Ody Norkin, vice president of Michigan Flyer. “After a thorough study of airline arrival and departure times, we’ve tailored our schedule to best serve the great majority of airline passengers whose flights leave or return between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.”
“The extra daily trip also means that our last daily East Lansing departure will be at 4:05 p.m. instead of 3:20 p.m.,” Norkin said. “That’s important to air travelers, as well as to people who commute between East Lansing and Ann Arbor, such as students and faculty of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.”
Fares Stay Low & “Kids Ride Free” Extended
Round-trip fares for Detroit Metro will remain the same―$50 from East Lansing, $45 from Jackson, $30 from Ann Arbor―for one passenger purchasing a ticket in advance online. Discounts are available for two or more passengers traveling together. One-way tickets from East Lansing or Jackson to Ann Arbor will also be unchanged at $15, if purchased in advance online. Parking is available for $2 a day at all three locations.
“To encourage families to experience the comfort and convenience of Michigan Flyer, we’re extending our ‘Kids Ride Free’ promotion through the holiday season for the first time ever,” Norkin noted. It applies to as many as three children under 17 when accompanied by a parent, subject to some restrictions.
Reservations can be made online 24/7 at www.michiganflyer.com, or by calling 517-333-0400 until 8:00pm.
New Schedule Details
As of Oct. 3, Michigan Flyer’s eastbound departures from the University Place Marriott in East Lansing will be at 3:30 a.m., 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m., and 4:05 p.m. Eastbound departures from Jackson’s Baymont Inn and Suites will be at 4:10 a.m., 5:40 a.m., 7:10 a.m., 8:55 a.m., 10:55 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 2:40 p.m., and 4:45 p.m. Eastbound departures from the Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel will be at 4:55 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:35 p.m.
Drop-offs at Detroit Metro’s McNamara Terminal will be at 5:35 a.m., 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6:05 p.m.
Drop-offs at DTW’s North Terminal will be at 5:25 a.m., 7:10 a.m., 8:40 a.m., 10:25 a.m., 12:25 p.m., 2:10 p.m., 4:10 p.m., and 6:15 p.m.
The earliest of Michigan Flyer’s eight westbound trips from the Detroit airport is at 7:00 a.m. from the McNamara terminal. The last westbound run of the day is from the same terminal at 9:45 p.m.
Visit the Michigan Flyer website at www.michiganflyer.com for more details.
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Michigan Flyer—whose motto is “Why Drive?”—offers affordable, luxury motor coach connections between Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Metro Airport. Jointly owned by Indian Trails and Okemos Travel, Michigan Flyer has carried nearly 400,000 passengers since its launch in 2006—and has achieved an extraordinary 99 percent rate of on-time arrivals and departures.
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News media contact:
Mark Holoweiko or Anne Harcus
Stony Point Communications
517-339-0123 or 800-672-0123
FAST FACTS:
- Intercity bus routes in Michigan have experienced significant ridership growth in the last fiscal year, and collected $1.8 million in ticket revenue.
- Indian Trails provides service for all five intercity bus routes.
- Passenger revenues accounted for 50 percent of the operating expenses in FY 2011, making intercity bus service the most efficient form of public transportation in Michigan.
November 17, 2011 -- Intercity bus routes in Michigan have experienced significant ridership growth for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, and collected $1.8 million in ticket revenue.
In figures for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the Straits service between East Lansing and St. Ignace saw an impressive 27 percent increase with 17,166 passengers using the intercity bus service in FY 2011. Ticket revenue was up by 35.7 percent to $415,263.
The Huron service between Bay City and St. Ignace experienced an increase of 7,691 passengers, an increase of 17.1 percent from the same period a year ago. Ticket revenue was up by 22.8 percent to $202,868.
Due to a route change, ridership along the Sleeping Bear route between Grand Rapids and Boyne Falls experienced a loss of 9.9 percent with 16,283 passengers, while ticket revenue remained constant with FY 2010 levels at $343,269.
Upper Peninsula bus routes also experienced ridership growth at a similar rate.
The Superior route between Hancock and Milwaukee, Wis., saw an impressive 20.6 percent increase in ridership along with a 20.6 increase in ticket revenue of $622,475.
The Hiawatha route between St. Ignace and Ironwood saw a 2.6 percent increase in ridership, while ticket revenue was up 16 percent to $220,863.
Indian Trails provides service for all five intercity bus routes under a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation. Passenger revenues accounted for 50 percent of the operating expenses in FY 2011, making intercity bus service the most efficient form of public transportation in Michigan.
CONTACT: Janet Foran, MDOT Office of Communications, 517-335-7176
