ST. CLOUD, Minn., Sept. 29, 2020 /CNW/ - September 29, 2020: (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. ("NFI"),
one of the world's leading independent global bus manufacturers,
has delivered two pilot buses to Metro Transit as part of a
contract awarded to New Flyer for 14 Xcelsior CHARGE™
battery-electric, sixty-foot heavy-duty transit buses (28
equivalent units or "EUs"). To support the deployment, New Flyer
Infrastructure Solutions™ was awarded an $8.72 million contract from Bi-State Development,
the operator of Metro Transit, for the construction of
battery-electric bus charging infrastructure.
The procurement, led by Metro Transit and supported by Federal
Transit Administration ("FTA") funds, will integrate zero-emission
vehicles to supplement the existing MetroBus fleet – becoming the
first deployed into regular permanent service in the Metro Transit
system.
"This is a landmark investment in American infrastructure and
zero-emission technology, and we're pleased to provide sustainable
mobility solutions through buses, technology, and infrastructure,"
said Chris Stoddart, President, New
Flyer. "Metro is leading sustainable mobility and shaping the
community's quality of life for the better. Together, we're making
the evolution to electric a reality for greater St. Louis."
New Flyer's Infrastructure Solutions team is partnering with
Burns & McDonnell, a Kansas
City-based national engineering firm, as well as local teams
and experts to complete the planning, engineering, procurement,
construction, and commissioning of both long-range depot charging
and on-route rapid charging infrastructure.
"Battery electric buses represent our commitment to creating a
more environmentally and economically efficient transit system. We
will begin the shift to a leaner and greener operation, not just
with the battery electric buses but with infrastructure and our
operating facilities," said Jessica
Mefford-Miller, Metro Transit Executive Director. "We want
the best for our region and are looking toward building long-term
sustainable mobility options. With New Flyer, we know we can count
on quality buses and leading zero-emission technology to provide
clean, quiet transportation."
Metro Transit provides public transportation in the greater
St. Louis region with more than 30
million boardings per year. Metro is committed to moving the
St. Louis region into the future
with efficient, clean, and affordable transportation solutions that
help connect its passengers with the important destinations in
their lives.
Bi-State Development operates the Metro Transit public
transportation system for the greater St.
Louis region, providing MetroBus, MetroLink light rail,
Metro Call-A-Ride paratransit services in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois. Bi-State Development also owns and
operates St. Louis Downtown Airport, the Gateway Arch Riverboats,
the trams at the Gateway Arch, and the region's freight district –
the St. Louis Regional Freightway.
New Flyer Infrastructure Solutions™ is dedicated to providing
safe, reliable services for smart, sustainable mobility projects.
Its full-suite infrastructure services include support, master
planning, project management, engineering, construction, energy
optimization, and commissioning to help ensure a successful
transition to battery-electric mobility. To date, New Flyer
Infrastructure Solutions has installed over 150 smart chargers
across North America. For more
information, visit newflyer.com/infrastructuresolutions.
New Flyer has been leading innovation in mobility for nearly 90
years, and today supports growing North American cities with
sustainable buses, technology, and infrastructure. It also operates
the Vehicle Innovation Center, the first and only innovation lab of
its kind dedicated to advancing bus technology and providing
essential workforce development through electric bus training, now
available online. New Flyer is now testing automated vehicle
technology, and remains committed to the development of technology
standards that deliver safe, clean, sustainable, connected mobility
options to transit agencies, operators, passengers and communities
across North America.
About NFI
With 9,000 team members in ten countries, NFI is a leading
global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the brands
New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI®
(motor coaches), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck
buses), Plaxton (motor coaches), ARBOC® (low-floor
cutaway and medium-duty buses), and NFI Parts™. NFI currently
offers the widest range of sustainable drive systems available,
including zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell),
natural gas, electric hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI
supports its installed base of over 105,000 buses and coaches
around the world. NFI common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol NFI. News and information is available at
www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com,
www.arbocsv.com, www.alexander-dennis.com, and www.nfi.parts.
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. It
also offers infrastructure development through New Flyer
Infrastructure Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe,
sustainable, and reliable charging and mobility solutions. New
Flyer actively supports over 35,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New
Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in service, of which 8,600 are
powered by electric motors and battery propulsion and 1,900 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.