Neoplan USA Company Overview and History

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Credit: pexels.com, Street scene in Ljubljana featuring public transportation bus and pedestrians.

Neoplan USA was founded in 1974, making it a well-established company in the industry.

The company's early success can be attributed to its innovative approach to bus manufacturing, which has continued to evolve over the years.

Neoplan USA's parent company, Kiepe Electric, has been a major player in the global bus market for decades.

As a result, Neoplan USA has been able to tap into a wealth of knowledge and expertise, allowing it to stay ahead of the curve in terms of technology and design.

Neoplan USA's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned it a reputation as a trusted and reliable supplier in the industry.

Company History Timeline

The success story of the NEOPLAN Skyliner began in 1967. The company's success was a long time coming.

Neoplan USA opened in 1981, with officials announcing it would employ up to 500 people and manufacture as many as 500 vehicles a year on two assembly lines. That's a lot of jobs and buses!

On a similar theme: Unconventional Success

Credit: youtube.com, Neoplan USA

The first buses, nicknamed "Pennliners", were delivered to Pennsylvania in October 1982, and were assembled in Colorado. Not exactly what you'd expect from a company called Neoplan USA!

Neoplan USA received the largest order in history of buses, not just for Septa but for Neoplan back in 1982. That's a big deal!

In February 1985, cracks were found in all of the remaining 75 Neoplan USA buses in service in D.C. This was a major issue that needed to be addressed.

By the early 1990s, there were 1092 Neoplan AN435 and AN440 coaches that were in active service. That's a lot of buses on the road!

Neoplan USA was acquired by Willis Stein & Partners in 1998 and became an independent licensee of designs from the German company Neoplan. This marked a significant change for the company.

PA Transit bought 159 low-floor buses from Neoplan USA in 1999, which entered service at a total cost of $47.7 million, or up to $300,000 apiece. That's a lot of money for buses!

By the end of 2001, the Neoplan USA buses for Muni were breaking down, with one driver declaring that "every one of those buses is a piece of garbage" and up to two per day required towing back to the bus yards. Not exactly what you want to hear about your buses!

Credit: youtube.com, Ex-City of Commerce Transit 1997 Neoplan USA AN440 CNG #327

Neoplan USA sold a small equity share to its lenders in 2003 to reduce its outstanding loans by 75 percent. This was a smart move.

The company announced its corporate headquarters would move from Lamar to Denver in 2004, saving customers and suppliers a three-hour drive. That's a significant change!

Neoplan USA has been a major player in the bus market in the US since its headquarters moved to Denver in 2004. The company has been doing well.

On November 15, 2005, Neoplan USA announced it would close its Lamar plant on January 13 after failing to raise $10 million in new capital. This was a big decision.

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Models and Deployment

The Neoplan USA Transliner was available in a wide range of body styles, including 26', 30', 35', 40', and 60' lengths.

Standard (high), completely low, or semi-low floors were available, with the low-floor variants introduced in 1999. The low-floor variants were made for the Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT) and were the lead agency for mass-produced examples.

A different take: Floor Decor Synchrony Bank

Credit: youtube.com, Neoplan AN460 USA 3103

The Transliner was marketed in the US and Europe, with the European market model being an over-the-road coach. The model numbers for the US Transliner are listed below:

The 40-foot buses were deployed to over 50 transportation networks across the US, including MBTA in Boston, SEPTA in Philadelphia, and WMATA in Washington, D.C.

USA Corp Jobs

If you're interested in exploring job opportunities at Neoplan USA Corp, there are a few key things to keep in mind. The company is based in Denver, CO, and has its headquarters in Colorado.

Neoplan USA Corp's job listings can be found on various websites, including Zippia, which provides an in-depth look at the company's employee data, salaries, and more. This information is based on self-reported data from current and former employees.

One of the things that's worth noting about Neoplan USA Corp's job listings is that the company's data is sourced from various places, including the BLS, company filings, and H1B filings.

If you're interested in learning more about Neoplan USA Corp's job listings, you can check out their page on Zippia, which includes a list of companies associated with the company, including Neoplan USA Corp itself.

Models

Outdoor fashion shoot featuring stylish models posing confidently in an urban setting.
Credit: pexels.com, Outdoor fashion shoot featuring stylish models posing confidently in an urban setting.

The Neoplan USA Transliner was available in a wide range of body styles, with lengths varying from 26 to 60 feet.

Standard, low, and semi-low floor options were available, giving operators flexibility in designing their bus fleets.

The Transliner was initially only available with a standard (high) floor, but low-floor variants were introduced in 1999.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT) was a lead agency in mass-producing low-floor Transliners.

Here are some model numbers for the Neoplan USA Transliner, categorized by floor type and length:

The AN440TLF and AN445TLF variants, also known as Intraliners, were used by airports and featured a "true low floor" design.

Deployment

The 40-foot buses were made for over 50 transportation networks all over the United States.

These buses have been or are currently in service with several major networks, including the MBTA in Boston and SEPTA in Philadelphia.

The WMATA in Washington, D.C. is another notable network that has used these buses.

ABQ RIDE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and LACMTA in Los Angeles are also among the networks that have had these buses in service.

Challenges and Issues

Credit: youtube.com, MBTA 2004 Neoplan USA AN440LF #0494

Neoplan USA faced numerous challenges and issues throughout its history. One of the major problems was the quality control issues, as an MCTS official described Neoplan USA as "totally disorganized".

Cracks were discovered in the frames of WMATA and SCRTD buses in 1984, leading to a suspension of service with those buses in 1985. This was just ahead of a nationwide voluntary recall in March 1985.

The PennDOT buses, known as "Pennliners", were prone to premature corrosion. This was a major issue for the Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT), which led to a $1.7 million settlement between Neoplan USA and PAT in 1990.

A prototype AN440LF bus experienced extensive frame and suspension cracking during federally mandated STURAA testing in 1994-95. This led to an agreement where Neoplan USA would pay for all frame repairs to the low-floor models.

Multiple AN440LF buses delivered to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in 2005 were damaged by the same pothole, causing steering issues that led to two crashes.

Tommie Larkin

Senior Assigning Editor

Tommie Larkin is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a passion for curating high-quality content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for spotting emerging trends, Tommie has built a reputation for commissioning insightful articles that captivate readers. Tommie's expertise spans a range of topics, from the cutting-edge world of cryptocurrency to the latest innovations in technology.

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