ST. CLOUD, MN, June 28, 2018 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), the U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group Inc.,
the largest transit bus and motor coach manufacturer and parts
distributor in North America,
today announced that the Metropolitan Council of Minneapolis has awarded a new contract for
eight heavy-duty, sixty-foot Xcelsior CHARGE™ battery-electric
transit buses (or 16 equivalent units).
The purchase of the charging technology and Minnesota-built buses is supported by a
$1.75 million grant from the Federal
Transit Administration ("FTA").
"As the Minneapolis-Saint
Paul community continues to expand, supporting its growth
with zero-emission BRT improves transit mobility while eliminating
emissions and creating sustainable solutions," said Wayne Joseph, President, New Flyer of America.
"We are proud to have delivered over 300 buses to Metro Transit to
date, and are thrilled to continue our relationship with the
introduction of our efficient, next-generation, battery-electric
bus: the Xcelsior CHARGE."
The buses will bring zero-emission public transit to Metro's new
C-line, a dedicated bus rapid transit ("BRT") route operated by
Metro Transit ("Metro") and scheduled to open in 2019. The
battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses support Metro's focus on
updated amenities, faster boarding, and a more streamlined service
to the community.
"Metro Transit is always striving to improve the quality of life
in the Twin City region with a commitment to excellence in
cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and innovation," said Metro
Transit General Manager Brian Lamb.
"As electric, articulated buses join other buses along the C Line
Bus Rapid Transit Line, they will cut fuel costs and decrease
emissions along corridor, paving the way for other long-term
zero-emission possibilities."
Metro is one of the country's largest transit systems, with 130
bus routes covering seven Minnesota counties. Metro plans to connect
200,000 people a day to almost half a million jobs across the
region with a new rapid bus network. Ridership along Route C alone
is expected to grow to 9,000 rides a day by 2030.
The NFI Group has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing
zero-emission buses (ZEBs).
About NFI Group
With nearly 6,000 team members, operating from 32 facilities
across Canada and the United States, NFI Group Inc. is
North America's largest bus
manufacturer providing 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™
(parts, support, and service). NFI Group's buses 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). For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2017, NFI Group posted
revenues of US $2.4 billion.
NFI Group Inc. common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol NFI. News and information are available
at www.nfigroup.com.
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.
New Flyer actively supports over 44,000 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.