ST. CLOUD, MN, March 27, 2020 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. ("NFI"),
one of the world's leading independent global bus manufacturers,
today announced that the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
("MTS") has exercised options for 26 Xcelsior®
compressed natural gas ("CNG") sixty-foot, heavy-duty transit buses
(52 equivalent units or "EUs"), converted from New Flyer's
backlog.
The options are part of a 5-year contract with MTS, originally
announced in February 2018 for up to
50 Xcelsior® CNG sixty-foot, heavy-duty transit
buses. The order replaces older, end-of-life vehicles with
lower-emission and more efficient buses that deliver increased
sustainability. Since 1993, New Flyer has delivered nearly 800
buses to San Diego MTS, including six zero-emission,
battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses.
"New Flyer appreciates the critical need for reduced greenhouse
gas emissions and traffic congestion, while also increasing
community connectivity – and the MTS team has established itself as
a leader in the transition to low and zero-emission mobility," said
Chris Stoddart, President, New Flyer
of America. "We are proud to support MTS in improving air quality,
reducing climate change impact, and serving as part of San Diego's multi-modal solution with CNG
buses that are safe, clean, and reliable."
CNG propulsion can reduce nitrogen oxides emissions and has an
immediate impact on improving air quality. With clean, safe, and
readily available technology, CNG propulsion emits 90% less
nitrogen oxide (NOx) than diesel engines – and meets particulate
matter levels without the need of a filter. Since 1994, New Flyer
has delivered over 13,000 CNG buses across North America. Xcelsior CNG buses conform to
the Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration Comprehensive Heavy-Duty National Program
standards, reducing fuel consumption for heavy-duty highway
vehicles. To learn more about New Flyer CNG buses, visit
newflyer.com/buses/xcelsior-cng.
MTS operates bus and trolley routes in the region, delivering
over 90 million rides per year. MTS has actively supported
California climate action goals
through evolution to low and no-emission solutions, including
operation of zero-emission light rail and buses in addition to the
operation of compressed natural gas buses, purchasing 100%
renewable natural biogas, deploying eco-friendly propane-powered
buses, installing near-zero NOx engines into existing fixed-route
buses, achieving LEED Silver status for new bus operations
facilities in Chula Vista and
El Cajon, and installing solar
power at 500 new bus shelters.
New Flyer has been leading innovation in mobility for nearly 90
years, and today supports growing North American cities with
sustainable buses, technology, and infrastructure. It also operates
the Vehicle Innovation Center, the first and only innovation lab of
its kind dedicated to advancing bus technology and providing
essential workforce development through electric bus training. New
Flyer was the first bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to the
Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities, and is currently
developing automated bus technology to improve safety in public
transit.
About NFI
With 9,300 team members operating from more than 50 facilities
across ten countries, NFI is a leading independent global bus
manufacturer providing a comprehensive suite of mass transportation
solutions under brands: New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit
buses), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses),
Plaxton (motor coaches), MCI® (motor coaches),
ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and
NFI Parts™. NFI buses and motor coaches incorporate the widest
range of drive systems available including: clean diesel, natural
gas, diesel-electric hybrid, and zero-emission electric (trolley,
battery, and fuel cell). In total, NFI now supports over
105,000 buses and coaches currently in service around the world.
NFI common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under
the symbol NFI. News and information are available at
www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com,
www.arbocsv.com, www.alexander-dennis.com, and
www.nfi.parts.
About New Flyer
New Flyer is North America's
heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the most advanced product
line under the Xcelsior® and Xcelsior CHARGE™ brands. It
also offers infrastructure development through New Flyer
Infrastructure Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe,
sustainable, and reliable charging and mobility solutions. New
Flyer actively supports over 41,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New
Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in service, of which 7,300 are
powered by electric motors and battery propulsion and 1,600 are
zero-emission. Further information is available at
www.newflyer.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
relating to expected future events and financial and operating
results of NFI Group that involve risks and uncertainties. Although
the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are
based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions,
investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent
with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be
material. Actual results may differ materially from management
expectations as projected in such forward-looking statements for a
variety of reasons, including market and general economic
conditions and economic conditions of and funding availability for
customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services,
customers may not exercise options to purchase additional buses,
the ability of customers to suspend or terminate contracts for
convenience and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the
materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities
and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Due to the potential
impact of these factors, the NFI Group disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
unless required by applicable
law.
SOURCE New Flyer of America Inc.