COTA Orders Up to 45 New Flyer CNG Buses for BRT Expansion
Event summary
- NFI Group's New Flyer subsidiary secured a contract for up to 45 60-foot Xcelsior CNG articulated buses from COTA, with a firm order of 12 buses.
- The deal includes options for 33 additional buses, with the firm order added to Q3 2026 backlog and options to the option backlog.
- Buses will replace end-of-life vehicles and support COTA's new bus rapid transit (BRT) service in Columbus.
- Funding comes from the Low-No Grant Program, following a successful 2025 collaboration between New Flyer and COTA.
- This marks COTA's first purchase of 60-foot New Flyer articulated buses, expanding high-capacity transit service in Central Ohio.
The big picture
This contract solidifies New Flyer's long-standing partnership with COTA and underscores the growing trend of transit agencies investing in high-capacity, low-emission vehicles to support urban growth. The deal reflects broader industry shifts toward bus rapid transit solutions and sustainable mobility infrastructure, particularly in fast-growing metropolitan areas like Columbus. With over 230 buses delivered to COTA since 2000, this order further cements New Flyer's position as a key player in North America's transit bus market.
What we're watching
- BRT Expansion
- How COTA's BRT service launch will impact ridership and regional growth in Central Ohio.
- Funding Dependence
- Whether COTA can sustain its transit expansion plans based on grant funding availability.
- Market Positioning
- The pace at which New Flyer can capitalize on growing demand for articulated CNG buses in the U.S. transit market.