New Flyer received new firm orders for 16 battery-electric and fuel cell-electric transit buses from Winnipeg Transit, according to NFI Group's new release.

The contract also has options to be extended for up to four years to purchase up to 150 40-foot zero-emission buses. In total, NFI will add up to 166 buses (or 174 Equivalent Units EUs) to its backlog from firm and option orders.

The new five-year contract includes the following firm orders:

• Four Xcelsior CHARGE FC fuel cell-electric 40-foot, heavy-duty transit buses (4 EUs), four Xcelsior CHARGE FC fuel cell-electric 60-foot transit buses (8 EUs), and

• Four Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric 40-foot transit buses (4 EUs) and four Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric 60-foot transit buses (8 EUs).

Winnipeg Transit is the public transit agency serving Winnipeg, Manitoba, delivering more than 48 million passenger trips annually.

“We’re proud to extend our partnership with NFI to modernize our transit fleet and move toward zero emissions,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “This purchase will also support local jobs and build Winnipeg’s reputation as a center of excellence for transit manufacturing and sustainable transit technology.”

Through this purchase of ZEBs, Winnipeg Transit accelerates its transition to a 100% zero-emission fleet ahead of the 2050 target outlined in Winnipeg’s Climate Action Plan, according to the news release. 

Funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the ZEBs will be built on New Flyer’s Xcelsior platform and will deliver reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

“NFI has led innovation in North American public transit for decades, and today we stand ready with our next-generation zero-emission buses to help communities transition to no-emission mobility,” said Chris Stoddart, president, of North American Bus and Coach, NFI. “NFI's partnership with Winnipeg Transit spans 35 years, and we have delivered more than 1,560 transit buses to Winnipeg Transit since 1987. We are now proudly enabling the agency’s transition to a low-carbon future through our efficient, long-range battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-electric buses for healthier Manitoba communities.”

New Year, New Orders

The contracts keep rolling in for NFI, as it was recently announced Capital Metro Transportation Authority (CapMetro) has exercised options to purchase 30 Heliox 180 kWh depot overhead chargers, including 90 pantograph dispensers, by NFI Infrastructure Solutions.

The purchase is part of CapMetro’s five-year contract with New Flyer for up to 171 battery-electric buses and 427 chargers.

In December, New Flyer received a five-year contract from Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) for 15 zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG 60-foot heavy-duty transit buses (30 equivalent units or EUs), and 54 clean-diesel Xcelsior 60-foot buses (108 EUs), for a total of 138 EUs, with options to purchase up to 88 additional 60-foot battery-electric or clean-diesel buses.

O Canada

This order from Winnipeg Transit also follows more news coming from Canada.

Lightning eMotors announced that Transport Canada has registered Lightning eMotors in its pre-clearance program.

Transport Canada is a federal institution responsible for transportation policies and programs that promote safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation.

In August 2022, Canada’s Sault Ste. Marie Transit Services also finalized its contract with Cubic Transportation Systems (Cubic) to deliver the Umo mobility platform as its new transit fare collection system, improving convenience and access to public transit by embracing contactless fare technology.