Search: New Flyer

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has 12 New Flyer battery electric buses in service and is proceeding with further procurement, even as New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has paused orders for hundreds more vehicles from the same manufacturer. The MTA took delivery of its first 60 New Flyer electric buses in 2024 but reported battery reliability problems, with the vehicles breaking down more than three times as frequently as conventional buses, according to data presented at a June MTA board meeting. Both agencies use New Flyer because the manufacturer meets Buy America requirements for federally funded transit buses.

Why it matters: The contrasting approaches highlight procurement risk when scaling electric bus fleets with limited supplier options under Buy America rules. Reliability data from early MTA deployments may inform warranty negotiations and maintenance planning for other transit agencies buying New Flyer vehicles, including the MBTA's ongoing rollout.

NFI Group and New Flyer Industries officially opened a 150,000 square foot Customer Acceptance and Delivery facility in Winnipeg on 3 March, enabling the first complete Canadian production of heavy duty transit buses, including zero emission models, in 15 years. The facility is planned to produce 240 buses annually by 2027 and will create 250 new jobs, with the first fully Canadian built vehicle delivered to Durham Region Transit in December 2025. The project received joint investment of 38.4 million dollars from federal and provincial governments.

Why it matters: The facility expands domestic manufacturing capacity for electric transit buses across Canada, potentially shortening lead times and simplifying procurement for Canadian transit agencies seeking zero emission fleets. With production ramping to 240 units per year by 2027, the plant offers a significant local supply option for municipal operators planning fleet electrification.

NFI Group has opened a Customer Acceptance and Delivery facility in Winnipeg, enabling full domestic production of heavy-duty transit buses, including battery-electric models, in Canada for the first time in 15 years. The site will increase New Flyer's Winnipeg capacity by up to 240 equivalent units per year by 2027, with around four vehicles entering production each week. The first fully Canadian-built bus was delivered to Durham Transit in December 2025, following the start of production in September.

Why it matters: The facility expands domestic manufacturing capacity for zero-emission buses in Canada, potentially shortening lead times and simplifying procurement for Canadian transit agencies. It also allows NFI's US plants to focus on American customers, which may affect cross-border supply dynamics for public transport electrification projects.

Bristol Airport will deploy 21 new electric buses this year on its A1 and A3 Airport Flyer services, operated by First Bus, making the entire Airport Flyer fleet fully electric. The switch from diesel is projected to cut emissions by approximately 74%, saving around 1,327 tonnes of CO₂e annually, equivalent to 4.83 million miles in a petrol car. The rollout supports the airport's target to reach net zero operations by 2030.

Why it matters: The 21 bus order signals a sizable public transport electrification contract and demonstrates how airports are procuring electric fleets to meet decarbonisation deadlines. Operators and charge point suppliers can track similar transit tenders tied to 2030 net zero commitments across UK regional airports.