METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Nova Bus Lands Largest North American Bus Order

The five-year contract, covering the period from 2020 to 2024, calls for the delivery of 497 40-foot hybrid buses LFS HEV and up to 1,028 vehicles on option.

June 11, 2018
Nova Bus Lands Largest North American Bus Order

The contract helps consolidate jobs at the Saint-Eustache and Saint-François-du-Lac plants, which handle the final assembly and manufacturing of the vehicle chassis and other components, respectively.

Photo: Nova Bus

2 min to read


Nova Bus was awarded the collective contract for Quebec's transit authorities, coordinated by Association du transport urbain du Québec (ATUQ). The five-year contract, covering the period from 2020 to 2024, calls for the delivery of 497 40-foot hybrid buses LFS HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicles) and up to 1,028 vehicles on option to the transit authorities serving Quebec's nine largest cities.

The order represents the largest order in Nova Bus history to date.

Ad Loading...

Nova Bus will further strengthen its ties to ATUQ and Quebec's transit authorities. The transit authorities will thus continue to rely on the training and support that help them reduce maintenance costs and provide a great rider experience to the populations they serve.

The contract helps consolidate jobs at the Saint-Eustache and Saint-François-du-Lac plants, which handle the final assembly and manufacturing of the vehicle chassis and other components, respectively. These activities help meet Canadian content requirements as called for by the Quebec government.

"This contract is great news, both for Nova Bus and for the regions of Saint-Eustache and Saint-François-du-Lac," added Nova Bus President Ralph Acs. "We are happy to be able to, among other things, contribute to improving Montreal's public transit, as promised by the municipal administration."

To ensure full compliance, Nova Bus met every requirement in the call for tenders. "We remain convinced that our experience, expertise, and manufacturing ecosystem make Nova Bus highly competitive in Quebec and more broadly across North America," said Martin Larose, VP/GM for Nova Bus. "The contract awarded by STM on behalf of Quebec's nine transit authorities is now subject to government approval to confirm the financing of the buses. We look forward to this final step."

More Bus

A photo of an Amtrak train with a logo
Managementby Alex RomanJuly 24, 2026

Biz Briefs: STV teams with Amtrak, Motorcoach Operators Boost Fleet and Land Contracts, and More

From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.

Read More →
LA Metro at State of the Agency event.
Managementby Alex RomanJuly 23, 2026

LA Metro Marks Banner Year, Sets Ambitious Goals for New Fiscal Year

Incoming LA Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined outgoing Board Chair Fernando Dutra and LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins to review accomplishments from fiscal year 2026, which included the opening of new rail extensions, advancement of major transit projects, expanded safety programs, and new rider amenities.

Read More →
Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., named President/CEO at DART
Managementby Alex RomanJuly 22, 2026

DART Taps Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. as Next President/CEO

Since 2012, Ford has served as the CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Maintenance Leadership for a Changing Industry
Managementby Alex RomanJuly 22, 2026

AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon on Building the Next Generation of Transit Maintenance Leaders

The agency’s maintenance chief discusses leadership, workforce development, zero-emission technology, and preparing technicians for the future of public transportation.

Read More →
TechnologyJuly 20, 2026

Building the Next Generation of Transit Technology

In this edition of METROspectives, Luminator CEO Magnus Friberg discusses the company's transformation, the growing role of AI and software, and what's next for transit technology.

Read More →
Crowd waiting for LA Metro bus
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJuly 15, 2026

June LA Metro Ridership Surges 2 Million Year Over Year

Total June ridership increased for both weekdays and weekends. Weekday ridership was 953,820, which grew 8.4% from June 2025; Saturdays increased nearly 13% year-over-year to 708,826; and Sundays increased 7.7% to 611,534 from June 2025, according to LA Metro. 

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Pierce Transit Measure Heads to November Ballot
Managementby StaffJuly 14, 2026

Washington's Pierce Transit Board Sends Transit Funding Measure to November Ballot

With the adoption of Resolution 2026-006, the measure moves to the Pierce County Auditor, giving voters in the Pierce Transit service area the decision on whether to fund an expansion of local transit service within the agency’s service area.

Read More →
MTA, State and City Leadership Unveil Plan to Build the Fastest, Best Bus System in NYC History
Busby Staff and News ReportsJuly 9, 2026

New York Unveils Sweeping Plan to Modernize City Bus Service

Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service identifies 50 priority bus corridors for improvements across the five boroughs and launches the City’s next generation of rapid bus service along five key routes.

Read More →
STV Advances CTDOT Fleet Electrification
Busby Staff and News ReportsJuly 8, 2026

CTDOT Taps STV for Electric Bus Facility Design

The firm will work with CTDOT and RVT to define the facility layout, operational requirements, and long-term flexibility for RVT’s growing electric fleet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Blue and white graphic with a professional portrait of Nathaniel P. Ford Sr.

Ford to Leave JTA After More Than 10 Years as CEO

He plans to continue his work advancing innovative mobility solutions to improve the quality of life in communities across the nation. He did not announce specific plans.

Read More →