MELROSE PARK, Ill. – IC Bus unveiled its first fully integrated small shuttle bus on Tuesday at an event at Navistar’s engine plant here.

The AC Series bus is being offered for such applications as tour and charter operations, hotel and rental car shuttles, paratransit operations, day care and public transportation.

The fully integrated AC Series features a proprietary design that allows for bumper-to-bumper coverage and a single point of contact with only one network. IC Bus officials said that this “one-stop-shop” approach provides everything bus operators need throughout the lifecycle of the bus, including financing, parts, service and warranties.

“Bus operators shouldn’t have to settle for less, and that’s why we’re introducing our first fully integrated small shuttle bus,” IC Bus President John McKinney said. “We launched the AC Series because we believe our customers deserve better.”

The manufacturer touted the AC Series’ durability, saying that it has a lifecycle about twice as long as similar small shuttles in the industry.

The shuttle bus shares a platform with the commercial-grade International TerraStar truck, which was introduced in the spring. The bus features frame rails rated to 80,000 PSI and a full-tilt hood that allows for unobstructed access to the engine compartment.

The AC Series is powered by the 220 horsepower, 6.4-liter MaxxForce 7, which is built with Advanced EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) emissions technology.

For more information, go to www.icbus.com.