UPDATE
MCI and Coach Atlantic
Maritime Bus bring MCI’s all-
electric coach to Canada
Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a U.S. subsidiary of NFI
Group Inc., one of the world’s largest independent global bus
manufacturers, is making history in Canada. Coach Atlantic
Maritime Bus is bringing environmental sustainability to long-
distance travel in Canada with the test of MCI’s first all-electric
coach — the groundbreaking MCI D45 CRTe LE CHARGE,
designed for long-range express routes and setting a new
standard in accessibility.
MCI and Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus paired for a March
9-11 demonstration tour on Maritime Bus regular routes, inviting
passengers to ride along and comment on the performance
and comfort of MCI’s first-ever, battery-electric Commuter
Coach. Government officials, transportation stakeholders and
sustainability experts will also take part in the tour.
“Over the next three days, we’re creating opportunities for
government officials, electric utility companies, interest groups,
environmentalists and passengers curious about the future of
zero-emissions transit to ride along with us on the new MCI
D45 CRTe LE CHARGE,” said Mike Cassidy, principal of the
Cassidy Group, at the start of the trial. “Bus travel is already
the most-sustainable form of long-distance travel. Now, with
MCI’s commitment to battery-electric, we can transform our
communities and improve our carbon footprint even further.”
Cassidy Group’s T3 Transit was the first to test a battery-
electric, low floor transit bus made by MCI sister company New
Flyer on municipal transit routes serving greater Charlottetown
on Prince Edward Island in 2018. Coach Atlantic Maritime
Bus has committed to green strategies throughout its offices,
maintenance hubs and service routes, and anticipates
introducing battery electric to its operation by 2022.
“MCI’s electric era has arrived,” said Ian Smart, MCI president.
“Backed by extensive testing and technical expertise, to robust
NFI Parts support, and electric training available to operators’
technicians, our CHARGE model lineup is ready to serve
innovators like Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus with long-term
reliability. MCI is honored to team with Coach Atlantic Maritime
Bus in this milestone moment in Canada, where our Winnipeg
production facilities, Montreal-based MCI Service Center and
heritage are rooted.”
Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus paired with MCI (Motor Coach Industries) for the first
ever battery-electric coach demonstration in Canada debuting MCI D45 CRTe LE.
Engineering students from Holland College in Prince Edward Island meet Premier
of Prince Edward Island Dennis King (in blue suit), plus first ever battery-electric
coach - the 45-foot D45 CRTe LE - in Canada
8 | BUSRIDE.COM | MAY / JUNE 2020
Dennis King, premier of Prince Edward Island, left, inspects MCI D45 CRTe LE with
Mike Cassidy, of Cassidy Group (right) and MCI team members.