NJ TRANSIT approves order for 334 new MCI Commuter Coaches in year five of six-year MCI contract
DES PLAINES, Ill., June 12, 2020 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., ("NFI"), one of the world's largest independent global bus manufacturers, announced today that NJ TRANSIT issued a purchase order for 334 new MCI D4500 Commuter Coaches in year five of its six-year MCI contract.
As the nation's largest statewide public transit agency continues to replace older MCI commuter coach models that have reached their useful life, this order nearly doubles the 183 Commuter Coaches ordered in 2019. NJ TRANSIT is replacing many 40-foot models with MCI's new generation of efficient and comfortable 45-foot Commuter Coaches, which provide increased capacity with improved maintenance and operating costs.
This new 2020 MCI Commuter Coach order will be powered by the next-generation, clean-diesel Cummins X12 engine, which is quieter and offers increased fuel economy and lower emissions. The MCI Commuter Coach model also features a 57-seat configuration, is Wi-Fi ready, seatbelt-equipped and compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). MCI will begin production of this order in September.
"NJ TRANSIT continues to raise the bar in providing its ridership with a safe, comfortable and efficient commute as well an enhanced transportation experience. MCI is proud to support NJ TRANSIT and its riders," said Tom Wagner MCI Vice President of Public Sector.
In 2015, MCI was awarded a new six-year contract for a total potential order of 1,222 fully accessible, ADA-compliant commuter coaches. Over the past four years, 614 MCI vehicles have been delivered so far with 92 units still to be delivered in the next few months. As part of the agreement, MCI provides field service for the coaches from its service center located in Blackwood, NJ and parts support from NFI Parts' distribution center in East Brunswick, NJ. MCI has served NJ TRANSIT since 1983, delivering nearly 3,000 high-floor Commuter Coaches to the agency over nearly four decades.
NJ TRANSIT provides more than 925,000 weekday trips on 253 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.
The agency operates a fleet of more than 2,200 buses covering some 253 routes. With its full complement of buses, trains and light rail vehicles, NJ TRANSIT completes over 267 million passenger trips each year. In January 2019, NJ TRANSIT awarded New Flyer, also a subsidiary of the NFI Group, a contract for up to 170 clean diesel Xcelsior® 60-foot heavy-duty transit buses to be delivered through 2020.
About NFI
With 9,000 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.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, www.arbocsv.com, www.alexander-dennis.com, and nfi.parts.
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 14 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,
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 and economic conditions of and funding availability for customers to purchase buses and coaches and to purchase parts or services, customers may not exercise options to purchase additional buses and coaches, the ability of customers to suspend or terminate contracts for convenience 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, the 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 NFI Group Inc.
Patricia Plodzeen, MCI Public Relations, 847-283-0883, [email protected]; For investor inquiries, please contact: Stephen King, P: 204.224.6382, [email protected]
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