ST. CLOUD, MN, Jan. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), 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 announced that the New
York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), acting
through the New York City Transit Authority (NYCT), will launch its
electric bus test and evaluation program of five
Xcelsior CHARGE™ battery-electric, forty-foot heavy-duty
transit buses. The program will begin January 2018.
The program introduces leased zero-emission buses and rapid
chargers to the NYCT network and supports New York's commitment to protect the
environment, reduce emissions, and fight climate change. The MTA
will use program results to refine and develop requirements for
future electric bus procurements, and to also ensure buses are
fully able to meet the rigors of operating in New York City.
For the program, New Flyer integrated leading battery technology
from XALT Energy with high-efficiency electric motors and rapid
overhead charging systems from Siemens. The electrical
infrastructure is being assembled at Siemens' Tualatin, Oregon rail electrification
facility, and the integration of the technologies produced the most
technically advanced transit bus in the industry. New Flyer also
partnered with Black & Veatch, a leader in engineering and
construction of complex charging networks for fleets nationwide, to
deploy the high-power charging infrastructure both on-route and in
the depot.
"Our entire organization is focused on bus innovation and
advancement," stated Wayne Joseph,
President of New Flyer of America. "Through the NYCT pilot program,
we are introducing battery-electric buses to America's largest
transportation network by leveraging proven Xcelsior performance
with the best Xcelsior CHARGE™ battery-electric technology and
the most efficient charging equipment to create an integrated,
reliable zero-emission bus system. We are proud to bring New
Yorkers a solution that is not only environmentally-friendly, but
also provides the quietest and most accessible bus ride available
for the urban community and surrounding boroughs."
The program will operate across the NYCT system, with the option
to rapidly recharge buses at either end of the route. The on-route
rapid charging system used by New Flyer and Siemens allows
battery-electric buses to operate continuously without returning to
a depot for recharging. Similar New Flyer buses and charging
systems are anticipated to follow in Los
Angeles, Portland,
Salt Lake City, and Boston in 2018.
The MTA is North America's
largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3
million people in the 5,000-square-mile area from New York City through Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut.
NFI Group has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing
zero-emission buses (ZEBs) and employs more American workers than
any other bus manufacturer in North America.
About NFI Group
NFI Group and its subsidiaries comprise the largest bus and
motor coach manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, with 32 fabrication,
manufacturing, distribution, and service centers located across
Canada and the United States and employing nearly 6,000
team members.
NFI Group provides a comprehensive suite of mass transportation
solutions under several brands: New Flyer® (heavy-duty
transit buses), ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and
medium-duty buses), MCI® (motor coaches), and NFI Parts™
(bus and coach parts, support, and service). NFI Group's
vehicles incorporate the widest range of drive systems available
ranging from clean diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid,
trolley-electric, battery-electric and fuel cell.
- 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.
New Flyer 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.
- ARBOC is North America's
low-floor, body-on-chassis ("cutaway") bus leader serving transit,
paratransit, and shuttle applications. With more than 2,500 buses
in service, ARBOC leads the low-floor cutaway bus market providing
unsurpassed passenger accessibility and comfort over traditional
high-floor cutaway vehicles. ARBOC also offers a medium-duty bus
for transit and shuttle applications.
- Motor Coach Industries is North
America's motor coach leader offering the J-Series, the
industry's best-selling intercity coach for 11 consecutive years,
and the D-Series, the industry's best-selling motor coach line in
North American history. MCI actively supports over 28,000 coaches
currently in service.
- NFI Parts is North America's
most comprehensive parts organization, providing replacement parts,
technical publications, training, service, and support for NFI
Group's bus and motor coach product lines.
Further information is available at www.newflyer.com,
www.arbocsv.com, and www.mcicoach.com. The common shares of NFI
Group are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
NFI.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
relating to expected future events and financial and operating
results of the Company 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 Company 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.