In The News
Toronto’s TTC Awards Contracts for Up to 565 Buses to NFI
Published by National Bus Trader
NFI Group Inc. (NFI), a leading independent bus and coach manufacturer and a leader in electric mass mobility solutions, on April 18 announced that its subsidiary New Flyer Industries Canada ULC (New Flyer) has received new firm orders from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) for 134 Xcelsior® 40-foot, hybrid-electric, heavy-duty transit buses, and 68 Xcelsior 60-foot hybrid-electric buses (136 equivalent units or EUs) for a total of 270 EUs. The two four-year contracts include options for up to an additional 263 40-foot, hybrid-electric buses and 100 60-foot buses, respectively. In total, NFI will add 733 EUs to its backlog from firm and option orders.
TTC is the third largest transit system in North America, delivering more than 526 million annual passenger trips through its bus, subway, streetcar and paratransit services in Toronto, Ontario. TTC currently operates the largest fleet of battery-electric buses in North America.
The buses modernize TTC’s fleet and propel the agency’s five-year service plan and 10-year outlook, designed to meet the growing demand for transportation in
Toronto. All 202 of the buses will be equipped with BAE Systems’ next generation Modular Accessory Power System, offering lightweight modular design that ensures best-in-class performance through innovative power electronics. The buses are also configured with intelligent geo-fencing technology, that through GPS navigation, will turn off the diesel engine and operate in zero-emission electric mode when entering designated areas.
In addition to the awards received and added to backlog, the 40-foot, hybrid-electric, heavy-duty transit bus contract also includes 600 options made available to other Ontario-based transit agencies. Agencies can use these additional options to make their own electric bus purchases, often in a more expedited manner than traditional procurements. As there are no defined quantities allocated to NFI, or any other original equipment manufacturer, from these additional options they are not included in backlog, and will be once a customer purchases a bus under the agreement.