New technology offers optimized boarding
and features New Flyer's first all-electric ramp
WINNIPEG, Nov. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer
Industries Canada ULC ("New Flyer"), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc.
("NFI"), the largest transit bus and motor coach manufacturer in
North America, today announced the
unveiling of SmartRider™ technology – an industry first in
fully-accessible level boarding from curb to aisle – on the
Xcelsior® heavy-duty transit bus platform.
SmartRider™ is an advanced smart leveling system developed by
New Flyer, providing unmatched accessibility using intelligent
kneeling with variable height capability to minimize slope
difference between a low-floor ramp and the bus floor. SmartRider™
uses intelligent technology to kneel and automatically adjust to
environmental surroundings, and to offer optimized boarding
from the curb to the aisle. It also features New Flyer's first
all-electric wheelchair ramp with a two-degree slope, higher load
carrying capability, and an optimized undercarriage for better
control and accessibility.
Buses equipped with SmartRider™ can monitor pressure at each
wheel enabling faster diagnosis, while also offering advanced
chassis control with optimized air consumption. Overall, the system
enhances stability, ride, and handling of low-floor transit buses
on uneven road surfaces.
The unveiling and exclusive demonstrations will occur at the
Canadian Urban Transit Association ("CUTA") Annual Conference and
Canadian Transit Show November 18-21
in Toronto.
"New Flyer's SmartRider system is a breakthrough in public
transit accessibility," said Chris
Stoddart, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Customer
Service. "New Flyer has led the innovation of low-floor
accessibility for decades, and with the introduction of SmartRider,
we continue advancing technology in public transit and are proud to
offer North America's most
accessible transit bus."
New Flyer anticipates SmartRider™ to be available for production
on Xcelsior heavy-duty transit buses mid-2019.
The unveiling of SmartRider™ follows on MCI's 2017 introduction
of the new D45 CRT LE, a fully-accessible commuter coach featuring
a low-entry vestibule and a low-floor technology designed by MCI
and BMW subsidiary, Designworks, which removes the need for a lift
and delivers unmatched accessibility for passengers with mobility
needs. Since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 ("ADA"), transit operators have worked to provide accessible
vehicles. New Flyer was the first North American manufacturer to
offer low-floor buses in 1988, preceding the ADA.
NFI is the only provider of full suite bus solutions in
North America, offering transit,
motor coach, and low-floor cutaway buses, and in 2018, became the
first bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to the Shared
Mobility Principles for Livable Cities.
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 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.
About MCI
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is North
America's public and private market motor coach leader,
building the J4500 (the industry best-seller for 13 consecutive
years), the all-new 35-foot J3500 model, and the workhorse D-Series
including the breakthrough ADA-accessible MCI D45 CRT LE Commuter
Coach offering lower dwell times. MCI will add battery-electric
propulsion in 2020. With nearly 30,000 MCI coaches on the road, MCI
also provides maintenance, repair, 24-hour roadside assistance,
parts supply through NFI Parts, and technician training through the
industry's only Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) accredited MCI
Academy. Further information is available at www.mcicoach.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, there may be no material
demand to purchase buses using SmartRider™ technology, the expected
benefits for customers from the use of this technology may not be
realized, the economic conditions of and funding availability for
customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services 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, 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 Industries Inc.