Philadelphia exercises options for an additional New Flyer 115 hybrid-electric buses

ST. CLOUD, MN, Feb. 13, 2019 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of America Inc. ("New Flyer"), a U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. ("NFI"), the largest bus manufacturer in North America, today announced it is advancing fourth-year production of 115 Xcelsior^® forty-foot diesel-electric hybrid, heavy-duty transit buses for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority ("SEPTA"). This is the fourth installment of a five-year contract by SEPTA for a total of 525 hybrid buses awarded to New Flyer in May 2016. 

The hybrid Xcelsior buses support SEPTA's "SEPT-AINABLE 2020" program, focused on achieving sustainability through a "triple-bottom-line" approach that includes the natural environment, healthy communities and workforce, and economic vitality.

Through its investment in hybrid bus technologies, SEPTA has significantly reduced bus energy consumption, which accounts for approximately half of all of the agency's transportation energy. At the conclusion of the five-year New Flyer contract, hybrids will comprise 95 percent of SEPTA's bus fleet.

"New Flyer is proud to continue delivering hybrid electric technology to SEPTA as it expands low-emission transit and further reduces transportation emissions," said Chris Stoddart, President, New Flyer of America. "We're committed to supporting SEPT-AINABLE 2020 and delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable mobility solutions to Philadelphia and the surrounding communities."

SEPTA is one of only two U.S. transit authorities operating all five major types of terrestrial transit vehicles: regional rail trains, heavy rapid transit trains, light rail vehicles, trolley buses, and motor buses with a total annual ridership of over 300 million. In 2016, SEPTA earned the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. It also earned the Energy Storage North America Innovation Award (2014), American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) "Gold" Recognition Level for Sustainability (2012), APTA's "Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award" (2012), and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "Energy Star" Award for the SEPTA Headquarters (2010).

New Flyer has over 50 years of experience manufacturing zero-emission buses, with more electric buses on the road in America than any other manufacturer. It is the only North American manufacturer offering all three types of zero-emission transit buses (battery-electric, fuel cell-electric, and trolley-electric). In 2018, New Flyer became the first bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities.

About NFI

With over 6,100 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 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) on proven bus platforms. It also supports infrastructure development through New Flyer Infrastructure Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe and reliable charging and mobility solutions. In total, NFI supports over 74,000 buses and coaches currently in service across North America. 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. 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 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.