ST. CLOUD, MN, Oct. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), the 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 the San Diego Metropolitan
Transit System ("MTS") has awarded New Flyer a new contract for six
forty-foot, zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™
heavy-duty transit buses.
The purchase, supported by competitive state grants,
California's Cap-and-Trade
Program, and the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017,
continues San Diego's commitment
to reduce carbon emissions as part of a zero-emission pilot program
that supports overarching California Climate Action goals. Buses
are expected to arrive in 2019 and will be tested along various
existing routes.
The buses are equipped with 480-kilowatt batteries, and will
also feature the latest onboard video surveillance systems,
enhanced wheelchair restraint systems with forward-facing safety
barriers for improved safety, and electric air conditioning, and
accessory systems.
"New Flyer is proud to offer zero-emission solutions for the San
Diego Metropolitan Transit System," said Wayne Joseph, President, New Flyer of America.
"We are thrilled to continue partnering with California transit agencies in pursuit of
cleaner air and environmental preservation, and we commend MTS on
its climate leadership through continued commitment to delivering
emission-free solutions to San
Diego and the surrounding community."
The SDMTS Board of Directors unanimously approved the purchase,
which includes nine depot chargers from New Flyer. Plans are in
place to install six depot chargers at the Imperial Avenue Division
as the primary operating facility for the zero-emissions buses,
with the remaining three to be installed at other fixed-route
operating facilities to expand the route-testing area and provide
service continuity.
"We're pleased to introduce New Flyer's zero-emission technology
to the San Diego region and to
compare its performance, capabilities, and charging infrastructure
with our existing low-emissions fleet," said Paul Jablonksi, Chief
Executive Officer, MTS.
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System operates bus and
trolley routes in the region, delivering over 90 million rides per
year. MTS has actively supported San
Diego and California
climate action goals through evolution to low and no-emission
solutions, including operation of zero-emission light rail,
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.
NFI has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing
zero-emission buses (ZEBs). In 2018, it joined CharIN to support
industry charging standards for all electric vehicles, became the
first licensee outside the Volvo Group to join OppCharge in
North America, became the first
bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to the Shared Mobility
Principles for Livable Cities, signed on to CALSTART's Global
Commercial Drive to Zero pledge, and signed the Transportation
Electrification Accord to further advance electric vehicle
adoption. NFI is the only provider of full suite bus solutions in
North America, offering transit,
motor coach, and low-floor cutaway buses, and has four locations in
California (Fresno, Hayward, Ontario, and Los
Alamitos).
About NFI Group
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 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 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.