Huntsville Convention and Visitors Bureau President/CEO Judy Ryals and Spirit Coach Managing Partner Clip Coates hold the ribbon for Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer at the debut and ribbon cutting of The Spirit of Huntsville. The motorcoach is covered with images of Huntsville attractions and will travel across the state and country.

“We’re always excited to spread the word on the diversity of attractions and activities in our area,” according to Judy Ryals, President/CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “In essence, this motor coach will be a travelling billboard which will be seen by thousands of people around the southeast and country.”

The motorcoach features an entertainment center that includes 94 channels of satellite TV reception, DVD player, VHS player, CD player, XM Radio connection and WIFI capability for all 56 passengers.

The coach is also fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and features a wheelchair lift and securement positions for two wheelchairs inside the coach. The compliance with ADA is the feature that Clip Coates, Managing Partner of Spirit Coach, is most proud.

“This bus sure does have a lot of bells and whistles. Hopefully our drives will learn how to work them all one day. This is our second wheelchair-equipped coach and it will allow many kids who couldn’t go on a church trips or vacations with their buddies to travel. Knowing this really makes it special to me,” Coates said.

The 45 foot-long motor coach is one of the newest in Spirit Coach’s fleet of 14. The Spirit of Huntsville, as it has been named, is a 2009 Prevost H3-45 luxury motorcoach. This model is the first in the state. The motorcoach uses the new Volvo D13 engine, which will reduce diesel emissions significantly and contribute to a cleaner environment.

The Volvo D13 engine that powers the Spirit of Huntsville produces 1,200 pounds less Nitrogen Oxide and 900 pounds less soot. “If you took 60 of our type busses they would produce the same amount soot as one bus from 1988,” said Coates.

“We’re thrilled that the coach is a low-emissions vehicle. It reinforces the fact that we are a ‘green’ destination,” Ryals said.

Major safety features on the coach include the Prevost Electronic Stability Program, which reduces the risk of rollover and under or over-steering, automatic fire detection and suppression systems, and automatic tire temperature and pressure monitoring. The Prevost H3-45 is among the safest motorcoaches on the road today.