The manufacturer Nova Bus has just won a historic contract worth US $ 132 million to renew the fleet of 165 hybrid buses in New York State.
“It is an immense pride for us, because Nova Bus is well anchored in Quebec”, rejoiced in interview with the Journal Martin Larose, CEO of Nova Bus.
Founded 27 years ago, Nova Bus has been wholly owned by the Swedish Volvo Group since 2004. In recent years, the manufacturer has established itself with its low-floor bus.
Today, Nova Bus has been manufacturing diesel, hybrid and electric buses at its two plants in Quebec and at its US plant in Plattsburgh since 2009. Nova Bus also introduced a natural gas-powered bus to the market seven years ago.
Historical contract
Yesterday, Nova Bus announced the conclusion of a major contract with the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for 165 hybrid buses valued at US $ 132 million, and an option of 126 hybrids and 209 diesel of US $ 227 million.
Thanks to this contract, Nova Bus plans to hire around ten office workers at its Saint-Eustache business center, which also serves as an assembly plant. More than 20 jobs will be created at its plant in Saint-François-du-Lac, and 50 at that in Plattsburgh.
Establishing itself in the electric
Even if Nova Bus is playing elbow with its hybrid and diesel buses, the company also wants to establish itself in the electric market alongside Quebec players, such as La Compagnie Électrique Lion, in Saint-Jérôme.
“Within five years, it is estimated that at least 50% of our sales will be in electric,” said Martin Larose, the boss of Nova Bus, which launched its LFSe + electric bus last year.
Nova Bus already has seven 100% electric buses on Montreal’s roads, but the company has not said its last word and hopes to do well with cities that are testing the Chinese manufacturer’s electric buses. BYD.
“Electric buses cost more to buy, but they end up costing less because they don’t need fuel and require much less maintenance,” concluded Martin Larose, CEO of Nova Bus.
A new bus
- 1979 : start of activities in Saint-Eustache
- 1993 : takes the name of Nova Bus
- 1996 : introduction of low-floor buses
- 2004 : Volvo becomes the sole owner
- 2006 : hybrid bus model
- 2013 : natural gas powered bus model
- 2019 : electric model LFSe +
(Source : Nova Bus)
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