Відео

It definitely rattled more than I expected, but the lack of wind noise makes a huge difference compared to other manufacturers

Haha it's the best feeling!

Nice! Hope you enjoy!

@@alblua Rode with Lamers. There's a bunch of Lamers motorcoaches and school buses here at the stadium today. Coach #1225 is the one my tour group came on.

Hopefully it was a good bus ride!

@@alblua It was and had an Allison transmission

@alblua By the way, just had a DOT physical this afternoon. Unfortunately, tough luck. I can't get a CDL because of my kidney condition. 😞 Chances are not very likely not possible until after I'm fully recovered from transplant surgery.

Thanks for watching! 😁

Good to know! It's quite scary standing in the side of the highway and having vehicles pass by

Yes, it is! This bus has an electronic braking system

No way! This was a fun deadhead trip, a lot of quiet meditation time 😅 I always move over regardless of the state, but I know some states still don't have that law and I probably confuse some of the local drivers. I'll switch with you for a day! I've never drive any MCI D series coaches, it's on my bucket list The Tourrider maxes out at 72 from the factory, but you bet I was pinning it on the hills! Can't afford to lose the momentum 😅

@@alblua long trip I imagine, what time did you manage to get back to base? At least another 8- 10hrs from CLE I bet🤗 I absolutely love dead heading lol furthest we go is Pittsburgh ::yawn:: that's gvt transit for you tho lol our older D's (2004) were optioned without fuel gauges, so 1 tank trips only 😐

I don't remember exactly since this was several months ago, but it was very late! I actually started all the way from New York. I had a relief driver takeover before I reached Indiana, otherwise I would've run out of hours. I had a deadhead both ways with relief drivers (or me being the relief driver), it was actually quite a pleasant solo trip! No fuel gauges is a little scary! That's gotta give some range anxiety 😅

Not really, it was a particularly windy day that day! Usually the Tourrider is quieter

The maximum speed from the factory for the Tourrider is 72 MPH

Sorry 🥲 this was a last minute bus rescue run so he didn't make it into the driving bag. Now I know he's expected to make an appearance, so I'll try to do better! 🐧

@@alblua I am just joking. Hit submit before entering proper emoji

Haha the penguin is one of my trademarks after all 🐧

It's like a line run! We run a daily schedule service 365 days a year between Chicago and Champaign-Urbana as well as Chicago and Peoria via Bloomington-Normal. Thanks!

The Tourrider has an electronic brake-by-wire system, so it has an electric button and lever for the parking brake. For traditional air brake systems, there probably is some sort of requirement to have a button, but I'm not too sure.

Yes, it is! 😁

It's quite different from driving a car! Mirrors are must to see where you pivot point is, otherwise you'll hit every curb. You need to be mindful about tail swing as well. The driving position also sits in front of the steer, so it's a slightly different perspective from a conventional car.

Yes, the Tourrider has a smooth ride quality compared to most other buses, although I personally think the Prevost is a slightly better. I've only been a passenger on body-on-frame buses in Asia, never driven one, but I am curious in the difference of how they handle. A loud bus ride is definitely an unpleasant experience!

@@alblua Ive never driven a bus but the Mercedes ones defenitely ride better than Hinos or Scanias

Only the DIA contract was impacted with the university

Yes, they really are that skinny! 😅

His reason is probably different, but I know some drivers wear them to have a better grip of the wheel for when they’re making a turn

@@Pa_school_bus_enthusiast I see 👍

Great video! Your bus needs an alignment

Yes, this bus is definitely due for an alignment!

Thank you! 😁

Sure! I can try to get around recording all the horns. Yes, the Tourrider has both an air and city horn

It sure does! Once the boost kicks in it can catch you off guard too

I'm sure you can option any sort of seat (or other modifications) you want, as long as you pay for it!

I don't usually venture to 39, but 74, 90, and 80 are still undergoing construction to this day 🤣

@@alblua they will be doing road construction til the end of time.

Illinois River doesn't cross paths with I-57 since it runs westward. The bridges in this video (if I recall) are through Kankakee and either run over the Kankakee River or are highway overpasses

Thanks for watching and the kind words!

Keeping the local chiropractors in business 😅

I don't do driving livestreams. Sometimes there'll be passengers, but I will either remove clips or blur out sections that show them. My POV camera is a small Insta GO 3 pod that clips on my hat.

@@alblua oh ok 👌

Buses come with a lot of wind noise

@@alblua Understood brother 👍✅💯

Thanks! 😄

@@alblua yep.

Both Urbana and Chicago are home for me

It's just something I do, not company policy

Welcome to Illinois! 😅

This was recorded on I-57

I work out of both! My office and desk is officially in Urbana, but I consider both cities home.

Oops sorry did not see this reply earlier

Our buses are governed to 70 MPH, cruise control maxes at 68 MPH

Illinois is really good at creating inconveniences 😅

Motorcoaches are definitely considered a special privilege for schools to use in America. They're mostly only booked by schools for special events like prom or long distance field trips

@@alblua Sorry I didn't mean school lol I meann't vanhool lol, wth is wrong with my autocorrect? Some coaches in NZ are speced for multi-purpose school runs and coach charters.

That makes a little more sense! Roads and weather in the US (especially Midwest weather swings) are quite rough on a vehicle, so the suspension on a VanHool has a hard time keeping up and wear and tear is much more noticeable. I will give VanHools credit that they have a good cabin product and good AC system. MCIs and Prevosts, however, are built like a tank in comparison and hold their value, so they are much more preferred!

Thanks for watching! It's usually random assignment for charters, while schedule drivers are typically assigned a specific bus.

@@alblua Mr. Wang did an entire video on just that subject... it's on here somewhere.

Yes, James made a video on it with a more detailed answer

MCI makes a really good and solid product :)

Yes, it is unfortunate UIDIA has elected to terminate our contract early

No, 218 was ~261k at the time of this video recording

That's when you know it's too hot to be out and about!