@@josephschuh6373 oh actually my new lapel mic recorded in mono... So my voice only plays on the left speaker and music comes out on right.. so either your sound settings arenot balanced or one of your speakers are not working. But yeah it's still not ideal on my end. I won't be using those mics anymore
Hi James. I'm a Greyhound driver. The company just purchased 25 new Van Hool cx45 they will only be driven between the Georgia & Florida. I'm glad you made this video. I can use this as a reference guide.
This was a great clip! Thank you! I have to say that just like semi drivers, and pilots for commercial airlines, all of the buttons, and dials and switches, can and are a mind field. So, operating a motorcoach is a skill to know from the airbrakes, to the length of the bus. The seating areas, for the passengers, is a lot like being on a Boeing 737......the only difference basically is that you are driving a long transportation device on ground 😊
Very interesting and informative video. Thank you so much James for the insight on how the busses function. Once again, congratulations on your purchase of the Peoria Charter company.
Great video, and I enjoy Albert, a very smart young man. Before Eagles and MCI the primary coach in the USA was manufactured by GMC, there wasn't alot of buttons but there one important button. A new driver would be out driving with his trainer and when you returned to the yard the would tell you to back it into the yard. You would be shifting all around and no reverse. There was a button on the dash that you pushed that activated a solinoid and you shifted into first and back up to second and you were in reverse. Just a little ancient bus history for you young boys
As a subscriber of Alberts's channel, this video was a unique opportunity to see a different side of him that we never get to see. He is quite comical and a wealth of knowledge, loved seeing him this way. Another interesting video James, you never disappoint. Loved the Captain Janeway clip.👌
I think the thing with the switches being "inverted" as compared to most US switches, is that Van Hool is mimicking the light switches in their home area. The majority of Europe has switches like this, where down is on, vs. the other way around in the US and North America. One way of telling with the Van Hool switches is that they are parallel to the console surface when they're off, and if they're tilted, they're on.
Hi James Thanks for another great video, I haven't missed one since you started this channel. Safe travels to you next month. Will be looking forward for your next videos.
So glad to see that vanhool changed the style of the hazard flashers and moved it away from the door switch. I don't know how many times while driving I wanted to put on my 4 ways and hit the door switch instead. and then had to pull to the side of the road to slow down enough to get the door shut.
We drive New Flier and Gillig city transit buses. There are not near as many switches but the one that they all have is the ability to turn on all lights/flashers/blinkers for the pre-trip inspection. The newer buses have numerous interlocks that keep the bus from moving. Lots of tricks and secrets.
Another fun interesting video from Motorcoach World and the most fun interesting CEO in the country...................Thanks James Wang, you're the best.
The switch type on the Vanhool is the way how most light switches and switches on plugs are in the U.K. and a lot of Europe, where pushing it down from the bottom of the switch turns it on, and pressing the top turns it off. It also works the same on piper and Cessna aircraft
I'm defenitely eager to see your video from Macedonia. Me also had a chance to visit Skopje. There's a few quite interesting places there for sure, and transit buses also. Noticed some Chinese doubledeckers and Ukrainian made LAZ A183 in service in 2019. Greetings from Ukraine!✌️
Talk to VDL/Vanhool about discontinuing the use of Kiel seats. The other day we had a CX45 with less than 20k miles that had 12 bad recline cylinders. These kind of things from third party vendors really gives the brand a bad rap. Also speak to them about moving the heating compartment (eberspacher, hoses, valves etc.) away from the highway side of the coach. Every time a hose splits and you have to pull over to the side of the road to try and find the valves (see if you can) that cut off the coolant supply you risk your life to on coming traffic.
From my European training on a coach, the deactivation of a auxiliary brake system like telmar, retarter or intarter should be used in winterous conditions as anti lock braking system does not work with those auxiliary brakes. So to avoid your brakes from locking, you sometimes need to turn off the auxiliary brakes. However, I believe nowadays most anti lock braking systems does also include auxiliary brakes. 😊
At least the picture is on the position of on. I have seen some switches sometimes lock buttons where the lock looking symbol is on the unlock side. So yeah at least its indicated in the right way even if the direction is backwards.
You were right to say that reversed switches are a European thing, and I'm sure the switches in your Mercedes coach have been adapted for the US market. In the Mercedes trucks that I drive in the UK the switches are down for on, as they are in all other makes. They're down for in in every aspect of life here, including domestic light switches in my house.
We have some older D4505's and I get annoyed at how some 3-position switches have off in the middle (cabin lights) and some have off at the bottom (engine brake). Having off at the top would take some getting used to, but I hope they are at least consistent. (Those D's also use symbols with no words on most of the switches, that is another gripe) I like our NJ Transit D's with the industrial toggle switches.
11:12 i was like dude you got to get after that driver who had that what the heck no def and empty tanks what slop is that as a class 8 driver subtle is not better when it comes to fuel displays lol when i was in chicago i got to see one of your coaches up at the ohare rental car facility i was so excited to see one in person from watching your channel for a while
Lane departure doesn't automatically keep you in your lane like my Corolla? Does the bus have auto braking - anti collision ? And the speedometer needle looks really small. In fact, the whole cluster looks small and busy. Just my two cents!!!
ikr. they are just an assistance. not automation. i agree about the cluster panels. they are just a graphics that can be messy sometimes. pretty much like in many coaches today. before 2019, they use physical gaiges which were easier to read
Hi 👋 James and Friends Thankyou for the overview of your VanHool.I Always liked to invite my new trainees drivers to go out on their off or down time..Get on a bus they don't know😮unsure & Unfamiliar.Start tbe bus(maybe go a drive) & go though all the Switches(seeing there Funshions) As there may not be in the same place as the others..Thats Distracted driving looking for a Switch not in the same place as the other bus 😮?? James enjoy your trip overseas visiting the Bus Plant..Looking forward to seeing your Video 📹 later GodBless You..🇺🇦 Todays bus was a nice unit it's a real bus working in the Reality if it's not 100% it will be soon after you Professional maintenance teem work their Craft ✨️🚍🚿
As far as I’m aware the CX’s don’t have a fan control sadly. That’s why I prefer the TX over the CX. You have a lot more control over the ac system than the CX’s.
the seats sits on a rail instead of permanently bolted to the floor. so if you need a space for a wheelchair you can fold and slide the seats front or backwards to make a space, otherwise you can keep a standard seat layout
glad to see you back on the wheel James. CX45 is a sharp looking coach outside and inside. sadly it isn't ride as nice as it looks. some drivers even complained that several buttons are inconveniently placed. do you or other drivers experience the same thing?
Overhead blower fan speed is calculated by your temperature set point. Once the temperature reaches the setpoint you have chosen the fans will reduce their speed automatically. You always want ventilation so they never completely cut off.
Yeah since there is a lack of controls for the passenger fans, I figured it was automated. But even at that, they are much weaker compared to other makes. I would personally like to control those my self as a driver. And when passengers have asked me to turn those fans on or up, I have to tell them that I have no control of them.
@@MotorcoachWorld you actually can control it from the dash mux. A little involved but your local tech rep can walk you through it in a matter of minutes.
@@dougwoodie6675 I guess what I'm trying to convey is... It's not as simple as MCI and Prevost and Mercedes where the driver can push one dash button and control the speed. And I cannot realistically go through all of that while on the road when a passenger asks me to turn the Bowers up higher or off .. I would have to pull over. But it's nice to know that there is a function buried away in the dash somewhere. Thank you for the insight. You are obviously someone who knows their way around a Van hool
@@MotorcoachWorld understood. This isn’t a function I really want my drivers to have. If you want the cabin temp to be 68 then set it on 68. If the passenger doesn’t want are blowing on them then they can simply turn off their vent. You would never turn the blowers off with the system running. Vanhools don’t have sidewall air which is something I am thankful for. The system operating as programmed will prolong blower life. I can picture drivers tooling down the road by themselves with the blowers wide open lol
Interesting and informative as usual James. It does make a great case for fleet standardization. Sure it’s fun to have a few different coaches but non standardization is a pain. When my ‘21 NISSAN ALTIMA was rear ended on the freeway in late 2022, I bought a virtually identical 2023 ALTIMA because I like the car and didn’t want to get used to something different. So what’s your big announcement?
Hi there I’m a brand new viewer of your channel. I’m wondering are the wheelchair lifts and setups better than they were several years ago? I’ve not been on a wheelchair equipped coach for about 20 years. There were always troubles with mechanical difficulties. That’s why I’m asking I would like to take some trips soon for tours.
It's Always a treat the drive a Prevost, But I would choose MCI only because its what i am most used to. I know it the best because i started my career driving MCI's 15 years ago and its what i've spent the majority of my time behind the wheel in. But its always exciting when I get to drive something different.
Definitely prefer the 2019 over the 2020 CX45, from the bathroom (new one feels more cramped and dark) rear window (new one is smaller), dash (new digital dash is way too busy, and icons are tiny in comparison to older dash). New is sometimes not better😮
The switches are all the same. In is on, out is off. That the symbol is sometimes at the top and sometimes at the bottom of the switch, but pushing the symbol in is always on.
Hi james thanks for vlogs im doing my uk d license coach/bus driving test in November 11th Thanks for inspiring me do it James you need to visit UK and Scarborough Alexander Dennis / Plaxton Coach and bus body builders factory one UK leading factorys
I sorry been motor coach for 15 year’s VanHool is cheap made bus nothing is like mci , you will never see , any tour music performance person with Vanhool. Bus is junk .
Hey James the background music is so loud you can barely hear your audio
@@josephschuh6373 oh actually my new lapel mic recorded in mono... So my voice only plays on the left speaker and music comes out on right.. so either your sound settings arenot balanced or one of your speakers are not working. But yeah it's still not ideal on my end. I won't be using those mics anymore
@@MotorcoachWorld ah I see I'm watching on my phone
Hey James, what are all the buttons on Prévost H345?
@@MotorcoachWorld Yeah, the dialogue is only on left channel. Easy to fix in Adobe Premiere or similar (whatever you use to edit your videos).
@christophercddelrosariocoish you can actually download a operators manual from their website, and it'll tell you what all the switches do
As a born in Peoria boy ..... Glenn Oak Park area .... Luv this channel. ....Best of luck with the new ownership endeavor. Cheers,
Hi James. I'm a Greyhound driver. The company just purchased 25 new Van Hool cx45 they will only be driven between the Georgia & Florida. I'm glad you made this video. I can use this as a reference guide.
So glad to hear this! Congrats too on all the new buses! Thank you for posting a comment! Safe travels out there!
@@MotorcoachWorld Can't wait to see your video on your trip in November to VDL plant.
James and Albert - cross-channel contamination!
As a mechanic that works for VDL we will be happy to see you there in Eindhoven!
This was a great clip! Thank you! I have to say that just like semi drivers, and pilots for commercial airlines, all of the buttons, and dials and switches, can and are a mind field. So, operating a motorcoach is a skill to know from the airbrakes, to the length of the bus. The seating areas, for the passengers, is a lot like being on a Boeing 737......the only difference basically is that you are driving a long transportation device on ground 😊
Very interesting and informative video. Thank you so much James for the insight on how the busses function. Once again, congratulations on your purchase of the Peoria Charter company.
Great video, and I enjoy Albert, a very smart young man. Before Eagles and MCI the primary coach in the USA was manufactured by GMC, there wasn't alot of buttons but there one important button. A new driver would be out driving with his trainer and when you returned to the yard the would tell you to back it into the yard. You would be shifting all around and no reverse. There was a button on the dash that you pushed that activated a solinoid and you shifted into first and back up to second and you were in reverse. Just a little ancient bus history for you young boys
As a subscriber of Alberts's channel, this video was a unique opportunity to see a different side of him that we never get to see. He is quite comical and a wealth of knowledge, loved seeing him this way. Another interesting video James, you never disappoint. Loved the Captain Janeway clip.👌
19:31 Thanks for letting us know about the condition of the bus. I noticed the cleanliness of the coach and you just answered my question. Thanks!
I loved seeing your employees enthusiasm ❤🎉 Having the Jake button so low seems odd to me. Good video, I'm off to watch your other button video.
I was thinking the same thing! Especially next to that engine-override switch.
Thank you 😍
I think the thing with the switches being "inverted" as compared to most US switches, is that Van Hool is mimicking the light switches in their home area. The majority of Europe has switches like this, where down is on, vs. the other way around in the US and North America. One way of telling with the Van Hool switches is that they are parallel to the console surface when they're off, and if they're tilted, they're on.
Please make more videos with Albert
Hi James Thanks for another great video, I haven't missed one since you started this channel. Safe travels to you next month. Will be looking forward for your next videos.
I've been watching them a lot. They're amazing. Good job James
So glad to see that vanhool changed the style of the hazard flashers and moved it away from the door switch. I don't know how many times while driving I wanted to put on my 4 ways and hit the door switch instead. and then had to pull to the side of the road to slow down enough to get the door shut.
We drive New Flier and Gillig city transit buses. There are not near as many switches but the one that they all have is the ability to turn on all lights/flashers/blinkers for the pre-trip inspection. The newer buses have numerous interlocks that keep the bus from moving. Lots of tricks and secrets.
Thx James for the cool video. God bless you and your family. Keep your videos coming.
This makes driving a VanHool that much better! Thank you James!
Another fun interesting video from Motorcoach World and the most fun interesting CEO in the country...................Thanks James Wang, you're the best.
Have an awesome trip !!! Be safe!!
Yes my favorite intro
Awesome George Takei detail!
Great video and extras (guys) make it very cool!!!
"THISSS is a 2020 Van Hool CX45, and today im gonna be showing you all of its quirks and features!"
The switch type on the Vanhool is the way how most light switches and switches on plugs are in the U.K. and a lot of Europe, where pushing it down from the bottom of the switch turns it on, and pressing the top turns it off. It also works the same on piper and Cessna aircraft
What are the odds i was just looking for vids about van hool
I'm defenitely eager to see your video from Macedonia. Me also had a chance to visit Skopje. There's a few quite interesting places there for sure, and transit buses also. Noticed some Chinese doubledeckers and Ukrainian made LAZ A183 in service in 2019.
Greetings from Ukraine!✌️
I thought my bucket truck had a lot of switches, that's quite the array!
Talk to VDL/Vanhool about discontinuing the use of Kiel seats. The other day we had a CX45 with less than 20k miles that had 12 bad recline cylinders. These kind of things from third party vendors really gives the brand a bad rap.
Also speak to them about moving the heating compartment (eberspacher, hoses, valves etc.) away from the highway side of the coach. Every time a hose splits and you have to pull over to the side of the road to try and find the valves (see if you can) that cut off the coolant supply you risk your life to on coming traffic.
From my European training on a coach, the deactivation of a auxiliary brake system like telmar, retarter or intarter should be used in winterous conditions as anti lock braking system does not work with those auxiliary brakes. So to avoid your brakes from locking, you sometimes need to turn off the auxiliary brakes. However, I believe nowadays most anti lock braking systems does also include auxiliary brakes. 😊
Great Video!
At least the picture is on the position of on. I have seen some switches sometimes lock buttons where the lock looking symbol is on the unlock side. So yeah at least its indicated in the right way even if the direction is backwards.
You were right to say that reversed switches are a European thing, and I'm sure the switches in your Mercedes coach have been adapted for the US market. In the Mercedes trucks that I drive in the UK the switches are down for on, as they are in all other makes. They're down for in in every aspect of life here, including domestic light switches in my house.
Congratulations so glad you brought company now u can get out their as a owner on all your buses driving and be the owner that's Cool
We have some older D4505's and I get annoyed at how some 3-position switches have off in the middle (cabin lights) and some have off at the bottom (engine brake). Having off at the top would take some getting used to, but I hope they are at least consistent. (Those D's also use symbols with no words on most of the switches, that is another gripe) I like our NJ Transit D's with the industrial toggle switches.
It's always weird getting in our VanHool coaches because of the switches being different and they don't have words to let you know what is what. Lol
I love your videos😊
11:12 i was like dude you got to get after that driver who had that what the heck no def and empty tanks what slop is that
as a class 8 driver subtle is not better when it comes to fuel displays lol
when i was in chicago i got to see one of your coaches up at the ohare rental car facility i was so excited to see one in person from watching your channel for a while
At 11:40, never a duh moment at Peoria Charter!!
Awesome, thank you
I reckon Van hool just wired the switches the wrong way so up is off and down is on.
Wow. That's a lot of buttons. Lol thx 4 video
Well here in the UK, off is down.
Lane departure doesn't automatically keep you in your lane like my Corolla? Does the bus have auto braking - anti collision ? And the speedometer needle looks really small. In fact, the whole cluster looks small and busy. Just my two cents!!!
ikr. they are just an assistance. not automation. i agree about the cluster panels. they are just a graphics that can be messy sometimes. pretty much like in many coaches today. before 2019, they use physical gaiges which were easier to read
Hi 👋 James and Friends Thankyou for the overview of your VanHool.I
Always liked to invite my new trainees drivers to go out on their off or down time..Get on a bus they don't know😮unsure & Unfamiliar.Start tbe bus(maybe go a drive) & go though all the Switches(seeing there Funshions) As there may not be in the same place as the others..Thats Distracted driving looking for a Switch not in the same place as the other bus 😮?? James enjoy your trip overseas visiting the Bus Plant..Looking forward to seeing your Video 📹 later GodBless You..🇺🇦 Todays bus was a nice unit it's a real bus working in the Reality if it's not 100% it will be soon after you Professional maintenance teem work their Craft ✨️🚍🚿
As far as I’m aware the CX’s don’t have a fan control sadly. That’s why I prefer the TX over the CX. You have a lot more control over the ac system than the CX’s.
You mentioned a wheel chair lift.
Where is that, and where would you put a wheelchair since I didn't see any gaps in the seats?
the seats sits on a rail instead of permanently bolted to the floor. so if you need a space for a wheelchair you can fold and slide the seats front or backwards to make a space, otherwise you can keep a standard seat layout
glad to see you back on the wheel James. CX45 is a sharp looking coach outside and inside. sadly it isn't ride as nice as it looks. some drivers even complained that several buttons are inconveniently placed. do you or other drivers experience the same thing?
Overhead blower fan speed is calculated by your temperature set point. Once the temperature reaches the setpoint you have chosen the fans will reduce their speed automatically. You always want ventilation so they never completely cut off.
Yeah since there is a lack of controls for the passenger fans, I figured it was automated. But even at that, they are much weaker compared to other makes. I would personally like to control those my self as a driver. And when passengers have asked me to turn those fans on or up, I have to tell them that I have no control of them.
@@MotorcoachWorld you actually can control it from the dash mux. A little involved but your local tech rep can walk you through it in a matter of minutes.
@@dougwoodie6675 I guess what I'm trying to convey is... It's not as simple as MCI and Prevost and Mercedes where the driver can push one dash button and control the speed.
And I cannot realistically go through all of that while on the road when a passenger asks me to turn the Bowers up higher or off .. I would have to pull over. But it's nice to know that there is a function buried away in the dash somewhere. Thank you for the insight. You are obviously someone who knows their way around a Van hool
@@MotorcoachWorld understood. This isn’t a function I really want my drivers to have. If you want the cabin temp to be 68 then set it on 68. If the passenger doesn’t want are blowing on them then they can simply turn off their vent. You would never turn the blowers off with the system running. Vanhools don’t have sidewall air which is something I am thankful for. The system operating as programmed will prolong blower life. I can picture drivers tooling down the road by themselves with the blowers wide open lol
👍👍
Interesting and informative as usual James. It does make a great case for fleet standardization. Sure it’s fun to have a few different coaches but non standardization is a pain. When my ‘21 NISSAN ALTIMA was rear ended on the freeway in late 2022, I bought a virtually identical 2023 ALTIMA because I like the car and didn’t want to get used to something different. So what’s your big announcement?
That young man needs a pay raise and a three day weekend.
Where do you get the star trek scenes from? they are great match
@@daheels5280 thank you. I clip them from the video
I know somebody would abuse that lane departure warning system. i'd like to find out which one give better massage between Tourrider and CX45 lol
@@rifkyfahrana1141 lol 🤣
It’s an American thing with the switches (Reversed)
Everything here in Europe including in homes and businesses.
Hi there I’m a brand new viewer of your channel. I’m wondering are the wheelchair lifts and setups better than they were several years ago? I’ve not been on a wheelchair equipped coach for about 20 years. There were always troubles with mechanical difficulties. That’s why I’m asking I would like to take some trips soon for tours.
So James how do those van hools steer?
@@adventureoflinkmk2 they have a really nice turn radius!
So will you be checking out a Citra on your trip😉
@@SoleEpiphany I'm not sure. Maybe. Im probably going to see a lot of different buses and cars I'm sure 😊
Between the Prevost H3-45 and MCI J4500 Which is your favourite to drive when you’re behind the wheel
It's Always a treat the drive a Prevost, But I would choose MCI only because its what i am most used to. I know it the best because i started my career driving MCI's 15 years ago and its what i've spent the majority of my time behind the wheel in. But its always exciting when I get to drive something different.
James, Does the cx45. STILL LEAK, OVER DRIVER?
I think they addressed this issue for the ones in our fleet. It was an issue before though.
Hey James do you know if it is possible to raise the whole coach on an older CX 45 or just the rear ?
TTR Toilet Paper TOURRIDER. Sometimes you can run out of tissue and have a sneezing fit. What else can you use?
We have wipe all's in every bus. They are in those boxes.. thicker than tissues and can clean any situation.
@@MotorcoachWorld You think of everything. Just asking so hopefully I didn’t come across as Snotty😀
Couldn’t resist.
@@crabbymilton390 lol 🤣🤣🤣
Hey James, what does the buttons do on Prévost H345? This got me thinking
@@christophercddelrosariocoish I will make that video one day
@@MotorcoachWorld can you do the buttons on the 2016 H3-45?
Definitely prefer the 2019 over the 2020 CX45, from the bathroom (new one feels more cramped and dark) rear window (new one is smaller), dash (new digital dash is way too busy, and icons are tiny in comparison to older dash). New is sometimes not better😮
Thank you for sharing hav a great day.😂
✌🏾
3:16 seems like European buses tend to have that style of door lock, volvo has them
9:46 😂😂😂😂😂
We had all the old ones up in...... Chicagaaa
check a VDL Futura!!! :)
nice i see now in video haha
Cool! I got to be first! Great video James.
The switches are all the same. In is on, out is off. That the symbol is sometimes at the top and sometimes at the bottom of the switch, but pushing the symbol in is always on.
Van Hools don't lift the tag completely off the ground , like Prevost.
Hi james thanks for vlogs im doing my uk d license coach/bus driving test in November 11th
Thanks for inspiring me do it
James you need to visit UK and Scarborough Alexander Dennis / Plaxton Coach and bus body builders factory one UK leading factorys
@@kevinanderson5658 oh congrats! 👏 I would love to visit the UK
I emailed you sir. And the music is little loud ❤
All the Asian casino bus companies have VanHool buses cheap , 10.00 bus ride any casino 🎰 lol
I agree, I hate the toilet bowls. They are too shallow and disgusting to use and always make a mess. MCI is so much better.
Did I just see the female wiping the toilet seat with no gloves? Geeez
I sorry been motor coach for 15 year’s VanHool is cheap made bus nothing is like mci , you will never see , any tour music performance person with Vanhool. Bus is junk .
Extremely irritating to be hearing your voice in one year and too loud music in the other in headphones
when you go to Eindhoven VDL? contact Bus Travelin'Man its a Dutch Bus youtuber, maybe you can make nice bus video content with him.
❤