MIDDLEBURY, IN, Sept. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) ARBOC Specialty
Vehicles, LLC ("ARBOC"), a U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group Inc.
("NFI"), the largest transit bus and motor coach manufacturer and
parts distributor in North
America, today announced that Ozark Regional Transit ("ORT")
in Arkansas has awarded ARBOC with
an order for up to 40 Spirit of Equess ® ("Equess")
low-floor, medium-duty transit buses. This award includes eight
29-foot buses and four 34-foot buses, plus options for an
additional 28 buses. The buses will be procured through ARBOC's US
dealer, Creative Bus Sales ("CBS").
"ARBOC is proud to provide fully accessible, low-floor buses to
Northwest Arkansas and, we look
forward to working with CBS and ORT as they improve mobility in
this region," said Don Roberts,
President, ARBOC. "We are proudly dedicated to leading the
progression of equal access for everyone throughout North America. This award is our first order
for the new Equess medium-duty bus model."
The low-floor Equess vehicles have "kneeling" capabilities,
making the boarding process more efficient, while enhancing Ozark
Regional Transit's 100 percent ADA (Americans with Disabilities
Act) compliant fleet. The order will replace buses destroyed in a
fire on January 9, 2017, and will
supplement existing ARBOC low-floor cutaway buses in the ORT
fleet.
Roberts went on to say "ARBOC has been innovating accessible
transit for North Americans since 2008. Nearly 70% of North
American's low-floor body-on-chassis buses ("cutaways") are
manufactured by ARBOC and with the launch of the Equess the future
looks bright. Designed in America, sourced in America, and built in
America."
"The Equess fits the characteristics of streets in the
communities we serve," said Joel
Gardner, Executive Director of Ozark Regional Transit. "Keys
to providing fixed route services in some areas are based on the
overall length, width and turning radius of the vehicles. The
Equess meets those needs very well. ARBOC has proven itself to be
an excellent provider of transit vehicles and, in this case, can
provide us with the delivery timeline we needed."
"Creative Bus Sales is proud to support Ozark Regional Transit
in upgrading its fleet," said Brent
Roy, Regional Sales Manager, Creative Bus Sales. "We are
thrilled to again provide ARBOC low-floor buses that meet ORT's
objective to provide accessible transit to all, while navigating
safely and efficiently in the Ozark region."
Ozark Regional Transit serves the two county area of northwest
Arkansas, including the cities of
Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, and Rogers. ORT supports over 300,000 trips
annually with 12 fixed routes throughout the region, and intends to
increase the number of fixed routes in future.
About NFI
With nearly 6,000 team members, operating from 31 facilities
across Canada and the United States, NFI 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 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 posted revenues of US
$2.4 billion. NFI common shares are
traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NFI. News and
information are available at www.nfigroup.com.
About ARBOC
ARBOC is North America's
low-floor, body-on-chassis ("cutaway") bus leader serving transit,
paratransit, and shuttle applications. With more than 3,000 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. Further information is
available at www.arbocsv.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.