NFI Parts™, the parts subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s leading independent bus manufacturers, has received an order from Barons Bus for 51 UV Light Kits to be installed on their entire fleet of MCI J4500 motor coaches. NFI Parts’ UV Lighting system works to reduce bacteria, viruses and mold […]
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The Rapid Celebrates the Launch of the Laker Line in Grand Rapids
On Monday, August 24, 2020, The Rapid celebrated the launch of the Laker Line, Michigan’s second bus rapid transit (BRT) system, with a ceremony at Pew Station. The Laker Line (https://www.ridetherapid.org/howtoride/laker-line) began service between Grand Valley State University Allendale and downtown Grand Rapids campuses on August 24, 2020. The launch of this new BRT […]
ARBOC Offers Polser USA’s Antimicrobial Interior Sidewalls
ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, LLC (“ARBOC”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, recently announced that it will be the first to include antimicrobial sidewall paneling from Polser USA for the interiors of its buses. With downtime for sanitation as a significant concern for transit bus organizations, […]
How Temsa Developed Their Programmable Electric Bus
By Larry Plachno Anyone involved in the bus industry is aware of the movement to battery-electric buses in recent years. There are several advantages to electric buses. While they are more expensive to buy, they offer substantially reduced pollution in operation and also tend to be more economical to operate and to maintain. Electric buses […]
CCW Gets ZEPS Electric Bus Contract from Twin Transit
Complete Coach Works (CCW) has announced its contract to convert two, 2004 35-foot Gillig buses into Zero Emission Propulsion System (ZEPS) buses for Twin Transit in Centralia, Washington. CCW takes previously used, internal combustion engine buses and remanufactures them into like-new vehicles containing ZEPS all-electric drivetrain systems. ZEPS is an integrated technology tested for […]
How “Suite: It Is
Liberty Coach and Prevost team up on a new masterpiece of space and style It is often said a picture is worth a thousand words. For this particular picture, every one of those words might well be “awesome.” Anyway you look at it, Liberty Coach’s aptly named new “Super Suite” is like nothing the […]
A Tribute to Kirwan Elmers
By Larry Plachno On Sunday, May 10, 2020, Kirwan Elmers passed away in Columbus, Ohio at the age of 91. He was perhaps best known for being the co-founder, along with his father Miles, of Custom Coach Corporation in 1955. In 2020, Custom Coach Corporation celebrates its 65th anniversary. It would take a book […]
Getting People Back on the Buses
By Larry Plachno By this time it has become obvious that the biggest challenge facing the bus industry is getting people comfortable about getting back into buses. Here are some thoughts on this subject. Those who have done historical research in transportation can tell you about early days when the railroads, electric interurban lines […]
The Evolving MCI Product Line
By Larry Plachno Among the more popular questions and inquiries we have heard lately are those involving the emerging and evolving MCI product line. If you have fallen behind with keeping up with all of the improvements, developments and evolution at MCI in 2019, you are not alone. This seems to be a common, current […]
Westchester County retrofitting buses with two-position bicycle racks
Owosso, Mich. – Cyclists will now have an easier time of using public transit buses while getting around Westchester County, New York. Byk-Rak, based in Owosso, Mich. is retrofitting 247 Westchester County buses with its two-position bike racks so riders can easily stow their bikes while riding the bus to the next destination where they […]
Proterra to Bring First Electric Buses to Idaho with Valley Regional Transit
Valley Regional Transit agrees to purchase eight Proterra Catalyst® vehicles and charging systems BURLINGAME, Calif. – October 24, 2019 – Today Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation, announced that Valley Regional Transit (VRT) agreed to purchase eight Proterra Catalyst® 35-foot E2 buses and eight 125 kW plug-in charging systems. VRT is Proterra’s first […]
Proterra Launches Multi-Dispenser Charging Solution for Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle Fleets
Multiple dispensers paired with a single Power Control System offers cost-effective, flexible charging solution for transit agencies and electric school bus fleet operators BURLINGAME, Calif. – October 14, 2019 – Today Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation, launched a multi-dispenser charging solution which enables Proterra® charging systems to have multiple low-profile charging dispensers […]
Byk-Rak – Seattle-area transit group changing to wide-tire racks on some buses
Seattle-area transit group changing to wide-tire racks on some buses Owosso, Mich. – Kitsap County Transit in Bremerton, Wash. is retrofitting 16 of its 76 public transit buses with Byk-Rak’s wide-tire racks, and they have committed to buy more. This means cyclists with wide-tire bicycles will now have an easier time of using public transit […]
Miami-Dade Purchases 33 Proterra Catalyst® E2 Electric Buses and Proterra Charging Systems Miami’s order of 33, 40-foot electric buses represents the largest EV bus order on the East Coast
NEWS PROVIDED BY Proterra Oct 07, 2019, 08:00 ET BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Today Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation, announced that Miami-Dade has agreed to purchase 33, 40-foot Proterra Catalyst® E2 electric buses with DuoPower drivetrain technology and up to 75 plug-in Proterra chargers. With 33 electric buses and charging systems, Miami-Dade represents the largest […]
Alexander Dennis awarded 180 Enviro500 double deck bus order from Hong Kong operator KMB
Larbert, Scotland, UK – October 4th, 2019: (TSX: NFI) Alexander Dennis Limited (“ADL”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s largest independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that Hong Kong’s largest bus operator The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (“KMB”) has placed a firm order for 180 Enviro500 three-axle double […]
New Flyer’s Jennifer McNeill named to Canada’s Clean50 sustainability leaders for 2020
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada – October 3, 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 announced that Jennifer McNeill, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, has been named an Honouree of Canada’s prestigious Clean50 list for 2020. […]
SMART, DDOT Become Proterra’s 100th Customer with Purchase of Proterra® Battery-Electric Buses and Charging Systems
Proterra brings electric vehicle technology to the Motor City and marks more than 800 vehicles sold in North America NEWS PROVIDED BY Proterra Oct 03, 2019, 08:00 ET SHARE THIS ARTICLE BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Today Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation, announced that the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) […]
ALEXANDER DENNIS DEAL TAKES BLACKPOOL TRANSPORT FLEET RENEWAL INTO FIFTH YEAR
Alexander Dennis today announced a further deal with Blackpool Transport, taking the cooperation between the companies into a fifth year. Since 2016, Blackpool Transport has bought over 100 single and double deck buses from Alexander Dennis. The latest order, signed at the Coach & Bus UK exhibition, is for 15 Enviro200 single deckers and four […]
ALEXANDER DENNIS ENVIRO200 STARTS SIX-MONTH REVENUE TRIAL WITH MARTA IN ATLANTA
Published: 30 Sep 2019 Alexander Dennis Limited (“ADL”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s largest independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it has supplied an Enviro200 to the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) for a six-month revenue trial. The 30ft midibus will run on MARTA’s circulator and connector […]
Congestion Pricing May Affect Bus Operators
By: Melissa Stanek Photos: NBT Archives On March 31, 2019, New York City approved its $175,000 2020 budget including a plan to implement congestion pricing below 60th Street in Manhattan. While details continue to be finalized, congestion pricing is expected to begin as early as 2021. This future rulemaking has sent private buses, truck […]