Nova LFS
The majority of the bus order is comprised of one of Nova’s more environmentally friendly options, the Nova LFS Natural Gas. The 40-foot (12.2 m) vehicle is powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), which the company claims offers substantial fuel savings. The bus also comes with a host of helpful technological systems such as GPS, cameras, a passenger counter and public information video screens.
The 80 Nova LFS buses for Houston are the non-CNG version of the same bus, using either ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) or hybrid propulsion options. The 20 Nova LFS Artic models are 62 feet (18.9 m) and meant for higher-traffic routes. The buses will be used for a replacement and expansion project, and delivery of the vehicles has already begun.
All 525 buses will be manufactured in Plattsburgh, New York, although Nova Bus is headquartered in Saint-Eustache, Quebec. To further add to the international tangle, Nova Bus is owned by Volvo, which operates in Sweden, although Volvo is owned by the Chinese-based Geely Auto Group. So by the time these buses hit the streets of Texas, they’ll have been around the globe (metaphorically, at least).
Green Transit
The CNG buses are important to VIA Metropolitan Transit because of VIA’s ongoing all-CNG fleet conversion. In fact, this year VIA was certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for sustainability efforts through its Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS). It’s worth noting that Nova Bus does offer an all-electric model called the Nova LFSe, but it seems plausible that VIA chose the CNG model due to budget considerations (continuous operation of the LFSe requires dedicated infrastructure).
Nonetheless, Nova Bus is happy about the new contract and pleased to offer environmentally friendly transit options.
"This is another milestone in our history of partnership for excellence in public transportation in Texas using vehicles that will help these progressive cities meet their sustainability objectives,” said Nova Bus president Raymond Leduc. “Nova Bus is proud of its leadership position in green transportation solutions."