Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc., announced that NJ TRANSIT issued a notice-to-proceed for the second year of its six-year contract to manufacture and deliver 185 commuter coaches for an approximate total value of $92 million.

“We are pleased to continue providing highly reliable coaches to NJ TRANSIT with industry-leading lowest total cost of ownership,” said Patrick Scully, executive VP, sales and marketing.

MCI’s three-decade relationship with NJ TRANSIT continued in November 2015 with the company winning a competitive procurement to manufacture and deliver up to 1,222 commuter coaches. After successful delivery of three pilot coaches and completion of NJ TRANSIT in-service testing and evaluation passing, production for the first-year order began mid-year 2016. 

While the contract was suspended for nearly three months awaiting the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund to be resolved, MCI was able to adjust production schedules and successfully deliver 96 commuter coaches to NJ TRANSIT in 2016. MCI delivered all year one deliveries of 187 commuter coaches by the end of the first quarter 2017 and will commence delivery of year two coaches starting in the third quarter 2017.

“MCI has a long history of working collaboratively with NJ TRANSIT,” Scully explained. “MCI is proud to support their strategic initiative of replacing older buses with modern clean-diesel 45-foot commuter coaches that provide greater capacity, reliability, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs, while providing passengers superior riding comfort.”

The MCI Commuter Coaches are powered by clean diesel which has exhaust emissions reduced as required by the latest Clean Air Act amendments and features a 57-seat configuration that is Wi-Fi ready, seatbelt-equipped, and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.