New Flyer Awarded BC Transit Fuel Cell Bus Order

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: August 3, 2007

New Flyer Industries, the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit vehicles in Canada and the United States, has been awarded a contract by BC Transit to build the world’s first fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses.  These buses will be 40-foot, low-floor vehicles.

New Flyer, in conjunction with Ballard Power Systems and ISE Corporation, will manufacture and deliver 20 hydrogen fuel cell buses for delivery by the end of 2009.  The new fleet will initially be based in Whistler, BC and will be a visible part of public transportation during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

“We are pleased to have been selected by BC Transit as the prime contractor for the fuel cell mass transit initiative.  This project allows us to continue the work we began with Ballard over a decade ago while leveraging our demonstrated leadership in the manufacture of fuel-efficient, greener transit solutions,” said John Marinucci, President and CEO of New Flyer.  “As an accomplished integrator of innovative transportation technologies, New Flyer looks forward to working with the most advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology and electric drive and energy storage systems, provided by Ballard and ISE, respectively.  These transit vehicles will be more durable and efficient with a greater range of operation when compared to previous generations.  We believe these highly-innovative, zero-emission vehicles will play a critical role in the future of transit.  We applaud BC Transit on its vision to commercially deploy this environmental initiative which preserves non-renewable energy sources, substantially reduces our environmental footprint, and improves our quality of life.”

New Flyer has been working on hydrogen technology since the early 1990’s. In 1994, New Flyer, along with Ballard Power Systems, developed the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell bus. New Flyer has also collaborated with various partners on other hydrogen projects, namely the world's first hybrid fuel cell prototype buses and the world's first hydrogen hybrid internal combustion engine bus.  As prime contractor and integrator, New Flyer has also developed and delivered the next generation of electric trolley and diesel-electric and gasoline-electric hybrid buses.  New Flyer has also been named by the U.S. Federal Transit Administration as a research partner in two fuel cell bus projects, which will explore new ways to make commercially viable hydrogen fuel cell buses.