Nova Bus announced it has been awarded a contract for 20 LFSe+ in addition to 20 options, for a total of 40 electric buses, by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO).

The METRO Board authorized the immediate purchase of 20 of those electric buses and this order will be its first electric bus purchase on a total fleet of 1,300.

The buses are expected to be in operation by the fourth quarter of 2022. 

The buses will initially have routes that serve communities more affected by carbon emissions and ones that have been chosen by Houston Complete Communities.

"This is great news for New York and a big step forward for sustainable transportation," said Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. senator. "The purchase of forty of Nova Bus' LFSe+ zero-emission, long-range, electric buses, destined for Texas, and built in Plattsburgh, NY is a culmination of years of innovative design and great planning. Nova Bus' electric bus production is a critical pillar of the North Country's economy and is creating a greener future for transportation."

With an electric drive motor coupled with BAE Systems' next-generation power electronics focused on efficiency, these electric buses provide reduced maintenance costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

"Nova Bus creates good-paying manufacturing jobs in the North Country and is an integral part of our regional economy," said Elise Stefanik, congresswoman. "This newly awarded transit contract is a testament to the skilled employees and hardworking operation at Nova Bus. I will continue to strongly advocate for job creation and North Country manufacturing in Congress." 

Nova Bus said it continues to invest in new technologies to provide the value and flexibility its customers and transit operators demand.

"Extraordinary news for Nova Bus to start the new year. We are thrilled to be working with METRO in their mission to have 100% zero-emission only bus procurement by 2030 in Houston. This LFSe+ contract is our most important so far in the U.S., and we are proud to continue our significant contribution in electrification of transportation in North Americaby introducing these zero-emission buses in Houston," said Martin Larose, president of Nova Bus.

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