New Flyer unveils SmartRider™ advanced bus kneel and smart leveling

New technology offers optimized boarding and features New Flyer's first all-electric ramp

WINNIPEG, Nov. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer Industries Canada ULC ("New Flyer"), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. ("NFI"), the largest transit bus and motor coach manufacturer in North America, today announced the unveiling of SmartRider™ technology – an industry first in fully-accessible level boarding from curb to aisle – on the Xcelsior^® heavy-duty transit bus platform.

SmartRider™ is an advanced smart leveling system developed by New Flyer, providing unmatched accessibility using intelligent kneeling with variable height capability to minimize slope difference between a low-floor ramp and the bus floor. SmartRider™ uses intelligent technology to kneel and automatically adjust to environmental surroundings, and to offer optimized boarding from the curb to the aisle. It also features New Flyer's first all-electric wheelchair ramp with a two-degree slope, higher load carrying capability, and an optimized undercarriage for better control and accessibility.

Buses equipped with SmartRider™ can monitor pressure at each wheel enabling faster diagnosis, while also offering advanced chassis control with optimized air consumption. Overall, the system enhances stability, ride, and handling of low-floor transit buses on uneven road surfaces.

The unveiling and exclusive demonstrations will occur at the Canadian Urban Transit Association ("CUTA") Annual Conference and Canadian Transit Show November 18-21 in Toronto.

"New Flyer's SmartRider system is a breakthrough in public transit accessibility," said Chris Stoddart, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Customer Service. "New Flyer has led the innovation of low-floor accessibility for decades, and with the introduction of SmartRider, we continue advancing technology in public transit and are proud to offer North America's most accessible transit bus."

New Flyer anticipates SmartRider™ to be available for production on Xcelsior heavy-duty transit buses mid-2019.

The unveiling of SmartRider™ follows on MCI's 2017 introduction of the new D45 CRT LE, a fully-accessible commuter coach featuring a low-entry vestibule and a low-floor technology designed by MCI and BMW subsidiary, Designworks, which removes the need for a lift and delivers unmatched accessibility for passengers with mobility needs. Since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), transit operators have worked to provide accessible vehicles. New Flyer was the first North American manufacturer to offer low-floor buses in 1988, preceding the ADA.

NFI is the only provider of full suite bus solutions in North America, offering transit, motor coach, and low-floor cutaway buses, and in 2018, became the first bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities.

About NFI Group

With nearly 6,000 team members, operating from 31 facilities across Canada and the United States, NFI is North America's largest bus manufacturer providing a comprehensive suite of mass transportation solutions under several brands: New Flyer^® (heavy-duty transit buses), ARBOC^® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), MCI^® (motor coaches), and NFI Parts™ (parts, support, and service). NFI buses 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). For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, NFI posted revenues of US $2.4 billion. NFI common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NFI. News and information are available at www.nfigroup.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. New Flyer actively supports over 44,000 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.newflyer.com.

About MCI

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is North America's public and private market motor coach leader, building the J4500 (the industry best-seller for 13 consecutive years), the all-new 35-foot J3500 model, and the workhorse D-Series including the breakthrough ADA-accessible MCI D45 CRT LE Commuter Coach offering lower dwell times. MCI will add battery-electric propulsion in 2020. With nearly 30,000 MCI coaches on the road, MCI also provides maintenance, repair, 24-hour roadside assistance, parts supply through NFI Parts, and technician training through the industry's only Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) accredited MCI Academy. Further information is available at www.mcicoach.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to expected future events and financial and operating results of NFI Group 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, there may be no material demand to purchase buses using SmartRider™ technology, the expected benefits for customers from the use of this technology may not be realized, the economic conditions of and funding availability for customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  Due to the potential impact of these factors, NFI Group 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.

SOURCE New Flyer Industries Inc.

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