City of Phoenix Public Transit Department orders 25 New Flyer hybrid-electric buses, powered by BAE Systems Gen3 propulsion

New Flyer’s advanced hybrid-electric transit bus delivers improved reliability and serviceability with the inclusion of next-generation BAE Systems components  

St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA – September 9, 2024: (TSX: NFI, OTC: NFYEF, TSX: NFI.DB) – NFI Group Inc. (NFI), a leading independent bus and motor coach manufacturer and a leader in zero-emission electric mobility solutions, today announced that NFI subsidiary, New Flyer of America Inc. (New Flyer), has been awarded a firm order of 25 Xcelsior^® hybrid-electric 40-foot transit buses from the Phoenix Public Transit Department (PTD). The order was added to New Flyer’s backlog for the second quarter of 2024.

PTD is the largest member of the Valley Metro regional public transportation agency, and provides transportation services in the city of Phoenix, the fifth-largest city in the United States. PTD delivers more than 20 million annual revenue service miles across its bus and light-rail systems, with more than 21.5 million boardings a year. Through the Transportation 2050 (T2050) plan and the Transportation Electrification Action Plan, PTD is making improvements that will enhance transit connectivity across Phoenix and accelerate the transition to an all-electric fleet. The purchase of these hybrid buses enables PTD to immediately reduce their emissions while allowing time to develop necessary infrastructure and move closer to a fully zero-emission fleet.

The buses included in this order will be the first New Flyer vehicles to include BAE Systems Gen3 modular power control system (MPCS) and traction motor. This next-generation system represents over 27 years of continuous innovation and incorporates lessons learned from applications across transit, commercial aviation, and heavy-duty military vehicles. The Gen3 system uses a simplified and compact design that delivers increased reliability and efficiency. The upgraded MPCS and traction motor from BAE Systems uses fewer components, is easier to service, and provides an improved passenger ride that is smoother and quieter.

“New Flyer has been leading innovation in hybrid-electric mobility for over 25 years, and we continue to deliver advanced hybrid-electric buses that incorporate the latest technology,” said Chris Stoddart, President, North American Bus and Coach, NFI “Our partnership with PTD has lasted 30 years because it is centered around a shared commitment to smart transit solutions that help move the people of Phoenix every day. These new hybrid-electric vehicles will replace aging CNG and diesel buses currently operating in PTD’s fleet, and this change will deliver immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for the agency and improved air quality for residents.”

Today, NFI supports growing North American cities with scalable, clean, and sustainable mobility solutions through its mobility solution ecosystem, which includes buses and coaches; infrastructure; parts and service; technology; workforce development and training; and vehicle financing. NFI also operates the Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC), the first and only innovation lab of its kind dedicated to advancing bus and coach technology and providing workforce development. Since opening in late 2017, the VIC has hosted over 400 interactive events, welcoming 9,000 industry professionals for EV and infrastructure training.

About NFI

Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI is leading the electrification of mass mobility around the world. With zero-emission buses and coaches, infrastructure, and technology, NFI meets today’s urban demands for scalable smart mobility solutions. Together, NFI is enabling more livable cities through connected, clean, and sustainable transportation.

With over 8,750 team members in ten countries, NFI is a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the brands New Flyer^® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI^® (motor coaches), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses), Plaxton (motor coaches), ARBOC^® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and NFI Parts^™. NFI currently offers the widest range of sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural gas, electric hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base of over 100,000 buses and coaches around the world. NFI’s common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol NFI and its convertible unsecured debentures are traded on the TSX under the symbol NFI.DB. News and information is available at www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, nfi.parts, www.alexander-dennis.com, www.arbocsv.com, and carfaircomposites.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 NFI Infrastructure Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe, sustainable, and reliable charging and mobility solutions. New Flyer actively supports over 35,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in service, of which 8,600 are powered by electric motors and battery propulsion and 1,900 are zero-emission. Further information is available at www.newflyer.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to expected future events and financial and operating results of NFI 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; production may be delayed or production rates may be decreased as a result of ongoing and future supply chain disruptions and shortages of parts and components, shipping and freight delays, and disruption to and shortage of labor supply; and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.  

Due to the potential impact of these factors, NFI 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. 

For investor and media inquiries, please contact: 
Stephen King 
P: 204.792.1300 
[email protected]