New Flyer celebrates TransLink’s launch of renewable zero-emission mobility; begins operation of CUTRIC’s Pan-Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration in Vancouver

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada – September 11, 2019: (TSX: NFI) New Flyer Industries Canada ULC (“New Flyer”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today celebrated alongside the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (“TransLink”) on the launch of its electric bus pilot operation, featuring two forty-foot, zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ heavy-duty transit buses.

The two-and-a-half-year pilot is a part of the TransLink Tomorrow Program to help improve mobility in Metro Vancouver and furthers TransLink’s goal of operating a fleet with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050. The launch was celebrated today in Vancouver, with representatives from TransLink, CUTRIC, New Flyer, and all levels of government in attendance.

“This pilot is a major milestone toward achieving our sustainability targets,” said Kevin Desmond, Chief Executive Officer of TransLink. “Our iconic trolleybuses have been running on electricity since 1948, and we’re proud to integrate the first battery-electric buses to our fleet. These buses are a testament to a strong partnership and the common goal of creating a cleaner and greener future.”

The pilot, operated in partnership with the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), is part of the world’s first multi-manufacturer interoperability demonstration for fast-charge electric buses and involves on-route high-powered charging stations integrating with local utility systems. It spans three communities across Canada (Vancouver, Brampton, and York Region) and will test interoperability of electric transit vehicles using a new standardized high-powered overhead charging system.

“New Flyer is pleased to support TransLink in the launch of zero-emission, battery-electric transit, and commends the TransLink team on its continued pursuit of innovative mobility and enhanced livability in the Vancouver metro area,” said Jennifer McNeill, Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “Not only will this pilot improve community air quality, it will also shine a global light on Canadian innovation with interoperable, electric mobility brought to life.”

New Flyer first delivered buses to TransLink in 1991, and today, New Flyer together with NFI subsidiaries MCI, ARBOC, Alexander Dennis, and NFI Parts, support TransLink with multiple bus propulsions and models, including transit buses, low-floor cutaway buses, and double deck buses.

Today’s launch follows New Flyer’s September 2018 announcement of TransLink’s purchase of two forty-foot, zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ heavy-duty transit buses as part of the CUTRIC Trial. In July 2019, New Flyer also announced it would supply six Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses to Brampton Transit, as a direct result of CUTRIC and Brampton Transit jointly securing $11.15 million in federal funding from Natural Resources Canada to support the adoption of zero-emission transit buses. The purchase followed an April 2018 commitment to partnering with CUTRIC on the trial by Brampton Transit and York Region Transit.

“Everyone in the industry is watching Canada now. This launch solidifies Canada’s position as a global leader in the electrification of transportation, with the first ever interoperable charging system,” said Josipa Petrunic, Chief Executive Officer, CUTRIC. “The investments made to see this project come to life are helping TransLink and Canada achieve their ambitious goals for greenhouse gas reduction through technology innovation.”

The pilot, which includes chargers from ABB and Siemens Canada, will evaluate bus performance, maintenance, and customer experience, will begin operation on Route 100 between 22^nd Street Bus Exchange and Marpole Loop. The pilot and future acquisition of six more battery-electric buses were supported by funding from the Government of Canada and BC Hydro.

TransLink is Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation authority, connecting the region to enhance livability by providing a sustainable transit and transportation network for over 247 million trips per year. Currently, more than half of TransLink’s fleet operates with clean technology. In July 2019, TransLink was awarded the American Public Transportation Association’s Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award.

CUTRIC was founded in 2014 with a vision to make Canada a global leader in zero- and low-emissions transportation technologies, including advanced and integrated mobility technologies. It supports research and development through industry-academic collaborations that bring innovation, design, and manufacturing to Canada’s transportation supply chain, ultimately reducing fuel consumption and building a blueprint for Canadian Smart Mobility development. New Flyer has been a member of CUTRIC since inception.

To learn more about CUTRIC’s Pan Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration Project, visit cutric-crituc.org. To learn more about the TransLink Tomorrow plan, visit translink.ca/Plans-and-Projects/TransLink-Tomorrow. To learn more about New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE™ battery-electric bus, visit www.newflyer.com/charge.

NFI has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing zero-emission buses (ZEBs), with more electric buses on the road in North America than any other manufacturer. In 2018, New Flyer became the first bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities, joined the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN) to support industry charging standards for all electric vehicles, became the first licensee outside the Volvo Group to join OppCharge in North America, and celebrated CUTRIC’s launch of the Pan-Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration and Integration Trial – of which New Flyer was a contributing member.

About NFI

With over 8,900 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.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 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.www.newflyer.com.

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