ST. CLOUD, MN, Dec. 4, 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 in
North America, today announced
that the Victor Valley Transit Authority ("VVTA") has awarded New
Flyer a new contract for seven forty-foot, zero-emission,
battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ heavy-duty transit buses.
The buses commence the evolution of VVTA's current fleet to
zero-emission as the agency works toward a goal of 100 percent
electric public transit by 2040. VVTA has partnered with local
energy provider Southern California Edison (SCE) on its
Charge-Ready Transit Bus Program, which assists in deployment of
make-ready electric vehicle charging infrastructure solutions for
qualified agencies. The move also provides access to early adoption
incentives like the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher
Incentive Project (HVIP) provided by the California Air Resources
Board (CARB).
"Factoring in all unique variables, including steep hills, long
distances, extreme weather, and traffic patterns, we are confident
that our New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE buses will lead sustainable
transit forward in San Bernardino
County," said Ron Zirges,
Director of Maintenance and Facilities, VVTA. "With over 50 years'
experience manufacturing zero-emission buses, New Flyer is an ideal
partner to help us achieve 100 percent zero-emission public transit
by 2040 – bringing cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable transit
solutions to our community."
New Flyer has delivered over 10,000 buses to the state of
California, beginning with
zero-emission trolley-electric buses in 1972. To date, New Flyer
has sold 77 Xcelsior CHARGE™ electric buses across California with battery-electric bus programs
in Coachella Valley, Los Angeles,
Oakland, Orange County, and San Diego – proving that zero-emission
transportation is today's reality, with California as an established climate
leader.
"We are proud to continue building the zero-emission footprint
in California, and to support
Victor Valley Transit Authority in achieving the 2040 goal while
exceeding upcoming federal and state clean air mandates," said
Wayne Joseph, President, New Flyer
of America. "The evolution to battery-electric transit and
supporting infrastructure takes advanced planning and dedication,
and we commend VVTA on its commitment to eliminate emissions in
pursuit of sustainable transit, a healthier community, and thriving
environment in California."
The Victor Valley Transit Authority provides public transit
agency in San Bernardino County,
delivering over 2.5 million passenger trips per year.
NFI has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing
zero-emission buses (ZEBs), with more electric buses on the road in
America than any other manufacturer. It is the only provider of
full suite bus solutions in North
America, offering transit, motor coach, and low-floor
cutaway buses, and is the only manufacturer of all three
zero-emission propulsions.
New Flyer offers four locations in California to support customers with bus
service, parts, and manufacturing support, located in Ontario, Los
Alamitos, Fresno, and the
Bay Area (Hayward).
In 2018, New Flyer became the first bus manufacturer in the
world to sign on to the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable
Cities, 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, signed CALSTART's Global Commercial Drive to Zero
to support fast-tracking adoption of clean trucks and buses, and
also signed the Transportation Electrification Accord focused on
driving an equitable and prosperous future for electrified
transportation.
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.
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.