NABI Unveils Bus with Composite Body
TORONTO - North American Bus Industries Inc. today rolled out what many are calling the transit bus of the new Millennium: the light-weight, fuel-efficient and long-life CompoBus, sporting a one-piece composite glass-fibre and polyvinyl resin body.
The futuristic, low floor vehicle generated admiring stares and lots of hope from several thousand industry officials attending the City Transport Exhibit 99, sponsored by the International Union of Public Transport (UITP) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The exhibit runs through Thursday, May 27.
"The CompoBus is the answer to the prayers of public transportation officials in North America and Europe," said Peter Rona, founding chairman of North American Bus Industries, RT (NABI). "They have asked for a bus that consumes less fuel, is kind to the environment, lasts a long time and is simple and easy to repair. CompoBus does it all."
The bus bodies are built for NABI by TPI Composites, Inc. of Warren, RI, USA with materials commonly used in the construction of speedboats and yachts. TPI employs a patented, glass-fiber-reinforced resin molding process known as SCRIMP. The result, said Rona, is an exceptional strength to weight relationship. At 22,000 lbs.--about 7,000 lbs. lighter than a conventional bus -- CompoBus operates comfortably with reduced-power engines. Consequently, it consumes less fuel and emits less exhaust into the environment, Rona said.
The 40-foot prototype on display in Toronto is powered by a clean-diesel fueled engine and other standard systems, but CompoBus can also be paired with alternate-fueled power sources such as compressed natural gas (CNG) or the new hybrid technologies. "The bus is environmentally friendly with or without alternate fuels," Rona said.
"CompoBus is the spiritual successor to the ATTB," said Andy Racz, NABI's President, referring to the federally funded Advanced Technology Transit Bus Project. "We have achieved in the private marketplace ATTB's goals of significantly less weight, lower operating and maintenance costs, reduced emissions and a longer life." Racz adds, "...and we have achieved these important objectives with a simple, single-piece structure that reduces overall complexity rather than adding to it."
NABI also expects the CompoBus to cut expenses for fuel, tires and brakes by as much as 25 percent and to yield significant repair and corrosion savings. In small quantities CompoBus is expected to cost about 15 - 20% more than a conventional bus; however, under-full scale production, the price of a CompoBus should approach that of its conventional counterparts.
When can passengers expect to ride the new bus? "We're in serious discussions with some transit agencies as we speak," Racz said. "We are prepared to take orders now for delivery of buses in 2000. Right on schedule for the bus of the new Millennium.
NABI produces a complete line of standard and low-floor, heavy-duty 31-, 35-, 40- and 60-foot (articulated) transit buses at its facilities in Anniston, Alabama. For further information or interviews, please contact: Bill Coryell, Vice President of Sales North American Bus Industries Inc., 530 New Los Angeles Ave., Suite 205 Moorpark, CA 93021; Tel: 805-529-5080 Fax: 805-529-3858; E-mail: bussales@nabiusa.com; Website: http://www.nabiusa.com
