San Diego furthers California Climate Action with an order of zero-emission buses from New Flyer

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 CHARGEtm 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 Partstm (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 CHARGEtm 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.