Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Delivery of the 40-foot vehicles is expected to begin in early 2014. As part of Chicago Transit Authority's bus modernization plan, the new LFS Smart Bus will replace older models of Nova LFS the agency has had in service for 14 years.

Sudbury Transit’s new LFS Smart Buses include many improvements, from the driver partition to the rear of the vehicle. Inspired by aerospace and rail transportation, their design was optimized based on customer and focus group feedback.

The 11-mile line will provide station-to-station service from the Apple Valley Transit Station to the Mall of America, where it will connect with Blue Line (formerly Hiawatha Line) trains for easy travel to the airport, Metrodome, downtown Minneapolis and Target Field.

CAT dubbed its LFS Artic the “bendy bus” because of its center articulation that allows the bus to corner tightly and handle city streets as easily as a regular bus. Similar LFS Artic buses are currently in operation in large urban centers including New York City and Montreal.

The customer, ATUQ, is a consortium consisting of the province’s nine transit authorities.

Chicago Transit Authority board approved the purchase of at least 300 buses up to as many as 450 buses, which will include light-weight, durable seating from the local supplier.

Jean-Pierre Baracat joined Nova Bus in 1994, taking on increasingly challenging management roles, the latest as VP, business development, since 2004. He succeeds Gilles Dion.

The board approved a contract with Nova Bus that allows for the purchase of at least 300 buses and as many as 450 clean diesel buses that will provide customers with a more comfortable and reliable ride.

The order will be assembled at Nova Bus’ plant in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Nova Bus is part of the Volvo Group, which employs approximately 12,000 workers in the U.S. in seven production facilities.

The LFS Artic HEV model ordered combines the ability to handle the highest-volume routes with the quiet, ultra-low emissions hybrid drive. The fuel consumption and carbon footprint of this vehicle is significantly lower than a conventional diesel bus.