- Ground-breaking patent pending low-entry and vestibule
seating design ideal for all passengers, MCI's next-generation
coach delivers a new, modern design and improves dwell time with
unprecedented passenger accessibility
- Deliveries to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018 with an
all electric version to be delivered in early 2020
ATLANTA, Oct. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) Motor Coach
Industries (MCI), the U.S. subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc.
("NFI Group"), the largest transit bus and motor coach manufacturer
and parts distributor in North
America, today explained that as commuters cover greater
distances without the need – or desire – for automobiles, and
communities look to build cost effective transportation
systems, it is unveiling a new Commuter Coach model to equip the
future with comfort, environmental-efficiency and maximum
accessibility for an increasingly diverse commuting population. MCI
created the new MCI D45 CRT LE to enhance the experience of
Commuter Rapid Transit (CRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems
for a range of commuters with the goal of improving
accessibility.
![MCI President Ian Smart unveils all-new 54-passenger D45 CRT LE with a low entry mid-door and adjoining vestibule seating for five, or two passengers using mobility devices - a breakthrough design in ADA accessibility - at APTA EXPO 2017 Oct. 9-11 in Atlanta, GA. (CNW Group/New Flyer Industries Inc.) MCI President Ian Smart unveils all-new 54-passenger D45 CRT LE with a low entry mid-door and adjoining vestibule seating for five, or two passengers using mobility devices - a breakthrough design in ADA accessibility - at APTA EXPO 2017 Oct. 9-11 in Atlanta, GA. (CNW Group/New Flyer Industries Inc.)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/570165/New_Flyer_Industries_Inc__A_Breakthrough_in_Rider_Accessibility.jpg)
MCI, whose Commuter Coach model is already North America's most popular and a prominent
staple in fleets serving commuter routes, chose APTA EXPO 2017
taking place in Atlanta to unveil
the all new, next generation model, as communities nationwide
consider CRT an effective way to respond to commuter tastes and
investment objectives in expanding transportation systems.
Deliveries of the Buy-America compliant, Altoona-tested
clean-diesel coach are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of
2018. An all-electric version is also in development and will be
released in 2020.
"We consider the MCI D45 CRT LE a landmark vehicle on three
fronts," explains MCI President Ian
Smart. "First, the model launches a boldly progressive
modern design along with the amenities and comfort necessary to
getting commuters to switch from commuting by car. It's important
that this is a coach where people want to try commuter travel.
Second, we are looking ahead to a more diverse society where
different groups of citizens will face a range of mobility issues,
and we believe the MCI D45 CRT LE is part of the solution. We
listened to what our customers wanted and created a coach like no
other with a low entry vestibule that vastly improves dwell times,
and the overall passenger experience."
"Finally, we're very proud to be rolling out a 100% electric
version because it becomes the most accessible and
environmentally-friendly vehicle we've ever created," Smart
said.
While MCI's current commuter coach model will continue to
feature wheelchair lifts, the new D45 CRT LE is designed with a
curb-level ramp and second door that opens directly into a
same-level patent pending low floor entry (LE) vestibule with
passenger seating. Additionally, the forward-door entry opens to an
ergonomically-designed spiral entryway that's well lit and features
supportive grab rails. This combined ease-of-entry technology is
expected to cut the considerable dwell time of traditional
lifts.
The design process for D45 CRT LE involved rigorous analysis and
review. MCI engaged a wide range of engineering, design,
accessibility experts, including Designworks, a BMW group company,
MCI's long-time consultants on model design, and volunteer members
from the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and the
American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD). After
evaluating 32 alternative concepts, MCI created a functional model
and engaged user groups to validate its design.
According to Brent Maitland,
MCI's Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning, "We
immersed ourselves in the user experience when designing this
coach, seeking the input of a broad range of passengers including
users of mobility devices. Their participation guided our low floor
entry and vestibule design, and our engineers worked closely with
Designworks on the overall styling for it to be an alluring
progressive vehicle in the fleets that operate rapid commuter
transit. Designed for the highway, it is a versatile, comfortable,
transportation solution for regional communities looking to provide
the best solution for all their transit users, now and in the
future."
The CRT LE low level entry vestibule accessible by a second door
at the midpoint of the coach includes seating for five passengers,
allowing for up to two secured mobility devices and an attendant.
The model offers a high-capacity 54-passenger seating configuration
overall, with seating for 52 when there are two passengers using a
mobility device.
"We focused on accessibility, riding and exit experience
from the passenger perspective, mapping the journey from waiting to
board, entering the coach, securing and exiting," said Maitland.
"It's some of the most comprehensive user testing we've ever done.
We are grateful to our participants for their time, feedback,
evaluation and design acceptance."
More about the electric CRT LE
MCI will offer an all all-electric D45 CRT LE with an efficient
energy storage and battery thermal management systems driving its
motor and control systems, air compressor, HVAC, and all driver
controls. Orders will be taken starting next year.
The all-electric model will utilize a high-torque Siemens 2130
LB FT electric drive system for operation at highway speeds with a
planned range to meet long-distance commuter applications,
currently up to 480 KAs for charging, the vehicle allows for high
power plug-in battery EV charging to 100 percent in under three
hours.
"Battery technology and performance improves seemingly every
day. Each agency has its own range requirement and charging
strategy," said Tom Wagner, MCI Vice
President of Public Sector. "As New Flyer, our sibling under
the NFI Group, is already an experienced manufacturer in electric
vehicle technology, MCI can rapidly become the leader in 100%
electric coach technology."
New Flyer manufactures all three current types of zero-emission
buses (ZEBs) including battery-electric, trolley-electric, and
hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. New Flyer's unprecedented design
and manufacturing capability allows transit authorities the ability
to optimize charging method, infrastructure and range for their
specific needs.
About MCI's public transit history
While MCI has its roots in the tour and charter business, MCI
lore suggests that the first transit use of its coaches goes back
to 1965 and Gray Coach in
Canada, which was eventually
absorbed by Ontario's GO Transit
agency. At about the same time in the U.S., Chautauqua Transit
purchased an MC-5A, and 10 MC-7s were delivered to Vermont Transit
in 1969. Other transit systems soon followed.
By 1991, many more U.S. regional transit authorities were
created, and many of those were expanding to connect suburban
communities, office parks and park-and-ride operations, and the
energy crisis forced commuters to rethink their automobile usage,
the MCI Commuter Coach business grew.
Accessibility has also been a factor in MCI's transit history –
as early as 1984 MCI became the first manufacturer to introduce a
wheelchair-lift model, at least six years before the Americans With
Disabilities Act went into effect.
Here's how MCI leads in public transportation today:
- Ten of the 25 largest North American transit agencies already
feature the MCI Commuter Coach model on Commuter Rapid Transit
routes.
- MCI's sister company New Flyer under the NFI Group developed
and tested the very first low-floor transit bus to the North
American marketplace in 1988 marking over 8,000 deliveries to
agencies to date. Today, 85% of all buses in North America use this technology.
- Only MCI builds North
America's Buy-America-compliant, Altoona-tested, fully
accessible Commuter Coach in clean-diesel, CNG and electric
options.
Patrick Scully, MCI Executive
Vice President of Sales and Marketing, added: "We've made history
in this business while becoming an important partner to public
transportation agencies large and small throughout North America. We are very proud of the CRT LE
and expect it to be one of our most evolutionary vehicles as we
serve a changing commuter public."
About NFI Group
NFI Group is the largest transit bus and motor coach
manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, with 31 fabrication,
manufacturing, distribution, and service centers across
Canada and the U.S. employing over
5,800 team members.
It is North America's
heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the largest transit bus
product line under the brand Xcelsior®, incorporating the broadest
range of drive systems available, including: clean diesel, natural
gas, diesel-electric hybrid, trolley-electric, and
battery-electric. NFI Group actively supports over 44,000
heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in
service, of which 6,400 are powered by electric and battery
propulsion.
NFI Group is also North
America's motor coach market leader offering the Motor Coach
Industries Inc. (MCI) J-Series, the industry's best-selling
intercity coach for 11 consecutive years, and the MCI D-Series, the
industry's best-selling motor coach line in North American history.
MCI is also the exclusive distributor of Daimler's Setra S 417 and
S 407 motor coaches in the United
States and Canada. MCI
actively supports over 28,000 coaches currently in service.
NFI Group also operates North
America's most comprehensive parts organization, NFI Parts™,
providing parts, technical publications, training, and support for
its OEM product lines (transit buses and motor coaches). All buses
and coaches are also supported by an industry-leading comprehensive
warranty, service, and support network.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
relating to expected future events and financial and operating
results of the 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 those 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, 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.
Further information is available on NFI Group websites at
www.newflyer.com and www.mcicoach.com. The common shares of the NFI
Group are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
NFI.
SOURCE New Flyer Industries Inc.