DES PLAINES, IL, Dec. 9, 2019 /CNW/ - (TSX:
NFI) Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a U.S. subsidiary of
NFI Group Inc., ("NFI"), one of the world's leading independent
global bus manufacturers, announced that AC Transit approved the
purchase of 36 of MCI's new, more accessible D45 CRT LE
commuter coaches. The order is a result of a recent
competitive procurement for up to 137 D45 CRT LE coaches, of which
50 can be procured for AC Transit's use with the remaining 87
options being available for use by other transit authorities
throughout the United States.
The newly procured D45 CRT LE coaches will operate on AC
Transit's bustling Transbay Network. Ultimately, these
coaches will be the backbone of AC Transit's efforts to eliminate
commuter gridlock across three of the Bay Area's most congested
bridges.
ADA (American With Disabilities Act) and Buy America compliant,
the Altoona-tested next generation MCI D45 CRT LE Commuter Coach
was designed through consultation with leading advocacy groups.
These groups, including the National Council on Independent Living,
evaluated numerous concepts and the final prototype design.
In addition to the breakthrough accessibility, the D45 CRT LE
offers plenty of horsepower for hills and highways and a shorter
turning radius for improved navigation around city streets. The new
model also offers enhanced interior illumination and brighter LED
headlights to enhance visibility. A wider front door with an
ergonomic spiral entryway also features enhanced illumination on
the stairwell.
"For many riders with impairments, AC Transit is an essential
lifeline to physicians, careers, and recreation. With a passenger
focus, we are assembling an entirely new bus fleet that not only
accommodates all riders but mobility devices as well," says AC
Transit General Manager, Michael
Hursh. "MCI's new D45 CRT LE is the coach that will help
revolutionize our boarding. Its middle door's ADA ramp opens to an
ingenious vestibule; eliminating stairs; quickens boarding; and
provides ample space and greater independence for riders with
mobility devices."
AC Transit became the first public transit agency to test the
MCI D45 CRT LE in revenue service, following the transformative
model's debut at the 2017 APTA Expo in Atlanta. MCI loaned its MCI D45 CRT LE
prototype to AC Transit in December of that year as a test vehicle
on several Transbay bus lines regular routes for a three-week
demonstration, enabling AC Transit to solicit feedback from
passengers, drivers, maintenance staff, and its accessibility
committee. The pilot ran in excess of 100 trips, throughout AC
Transit's expansive service area, free of charge for all passengers
in exchange for participation in an on-board survey of the MCI D45
CRT LE's overall ridership experience. The results: 93% of riders
surveyed wanted AC Transit to add the model to its fleet,
giving its ride quality, comfort of seats and overhead reading
lights the highest rating.
"MCI's relationship with AC Transit spans two decades," said
Tom Wagner, MCI Vice President,
Public Sector. "We were extremely honored to have AC Transit among
the first to embrace the MCI D45 CRT LE's ground-breaking new
design, providing riders with a more comfortable, accessible
experience."
AC Transit is California's
third-largest bus-only transit district and the transportation of
choice for nearly 170,000 riders each weekday. With two service
areas traversing 364-square service mile, the district operates 151
bus lines, aboard 637 active coaches. Currently, 79 MCI Commuter
Coaches serve as the backbone of AC Transit's immensely popular
Transbay service.
About NFI
With 9,000 team members operating from more than 50 facilities
across ten countries, NFI is a leading independent global bus
manufacturer providing a comprehensive suite of mass transportation
solutions under brands: New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit
buses), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses),
Plaxton (motor coaches), MCI® (motor coaches),
ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and
NFI Parts™. NFI buses and motor coaches 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). In total, NFI now supports over
105,000 buses and coaches currently in service around the world.
NFI common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under
the symbol NFI. News and information are available at
www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com,
www.arbocsv.com, www.alexander-dennis.com, and www.nfi.parts.
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 and economic conditions of and funding availability for
customers to purchase buses and coaches and to purchase parts or
services, customers may not exercise options to purchase additional
buses and coaches, 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.
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SOURCE NFI Group Inc.