New Flyer Low Floor

{{Short description|American low-floor transit buses}} {{Self-published|date=May 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox automobile | name = New Flyer Low Floor | image = 240px 240px 240px | caption = Top: D40LF (2006) Middle: D40LFR (2006) Bottom: DE60LFA (articulated, 2010) | manufacturer = New Flyer | aka = | production = 1991–2013 (1988 pre-production) (LF) 2006–2014 (2005 pre-production) (LFR) 2005–2010 (LFA) | assembly = Canada: Winnipeg, Manitoba United States: Grand Forks, North Dakota (1991–1996) Crookston, Minnesota (1996–2014) St. Cloud, Minnesota (1999–2014) | predecessor = New Flyer High Floor | successor = New Flyer Invero New Flyer Xcelsior | class = Transit bus | body_style = Monocoque stressed skin | layout = | platform = | engine = {{ubl|Cummins ISL (diesel, DE40LF)|Detroit Diesel S40 (diesel)|Detroit Diesel S50 EGR (diesel)|Cummins C8.3+ NG (CNG)|Detroit Diesel S50G (CNG)|Caterpillar C9 (DE60LF)|Ford Triton V10 (GE40LF)(HE40LF)}} | transmission = {{ubl|Allison B300R (30-foot)<ref name=D30&C30LF-04>{{cite web |url=http://www.newflyer.com/dolo/D30_C30LF.pdf |title=D30/C30LF: 30' Low Floor Heavy Duty Transit Buses |date=September 2002 |publisher=New Flyer Industries |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040613221330/http://newflyer.com/dolo/D30_C30LF.pdf |archivedate=June 13, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 11, 2018 }}</ref>|Allison B400R (35- & 40-foot)<ref name=C35&40LF-04>{{cite web |url=http://newflyer.com/dolo/C35_40LF.pdf |title=C35/40LF Natural Gas 35' & 40' Low Floor Urban Transit Bus |date=September 2002 |publisher=New Flyer Industries |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040613131926/http://newflyer.com/dolo/C35_40LF.pdf |archivedate=June 13, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 11, 2018 }}</ref><ref name=D35&40LF-04>{{cite web |url=http://newflyer.com/dolo/D35_40LF.pdf |title=D35/40LF Diesel 35' & 40' Low Floor Urban Transit Bus |date=September 2002 |publisher=New Flyer Industries |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030701102758/http://newflyer.com/dolo/D35_40LF.pdf |archivedate=July 1, 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 11, 2018 }}</ref>|Allison B500R (60-foot)<ref name=D60LF-04>{{cite web |url=http://newflyer.com/dolo/D60LF.pdf |title=D60LF: Diesel 60' Low Floor Articulated Transit Bus |date=September 2002 |publisher=New Flyer Industries |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040613121931/http://newflyer.com/dolo/D60LF.pdf |archivedate=June 13, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 11, 2018 }}</ref>|Allison H 40/50 EP (HExx)|ISE-Siemens ThunderVolt (GExx)<ref name=xEnnLF-05>{{cite web |url=http://www.newflyer.com/pix/Brochures/hybridbrochure.pdf |title=Hybrid Transit Solutions: DE40LF, DE60LF, GE40LF, HE40LF |date=September 2005 |publisher=New Flyer Industries |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060317234857/http://www.newflyer.com/pix/Brochures/hybridbrochure.pdf |archivedate=March 17, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>|Voith|ZF}} | wheelbase = {{ubl|{{convert|169.08|in|m|2|abbr=on}} (30-foot)|{{convert|228.25|in|m|2|abbr=on}} (35-foot)|{{convert|293|in|m|2|abbr=on}} (40-foot)|F:{{convert|228.22|in|m|2|abbr=on}} / R:{{convert|302.77|in|m|2|abbr=on}} (60-foot artic.)}} | length = over bumpers: {{ubl|{{convert|30.5|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} (30-foot)|{{convert|35.5|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} (35-foot)|{{convert|40.85|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} (40-foot)|{{convert|60.7|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} (60-foot artic.)}} | width = {{convert|102|in|m|2|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|121|in|m|2|abbr=on}} (diesel, over A/C) to {{convert|132|in|m|2|abbr=on}} (CNG) | weight = {{ubl|{{convert|24500|to|26000|lb|kg|-2|abbr=on}} (30-foot)|{{convert|26200|to|28700|lb|kg|-2|abbr=on}} (35-foot)|{{convert|27200|to|29700|lb|kg|-2|abbr=on}} (40-foot)|{{convert|41500|to|43700|lb|kg|-2|abbr=on}} (60-foot artic.)}} | related = | designer = | sp = us }}

The '''New Flyer Low Floor series''' is a line of low-floor transit buses that was manufactured by New Flyer Industries for the North American market from 1991 to 2014. It was produced in a variety of variants, available in four nominal lengths (ranging from 30 to 60 feet) and three body styles, and with a variety of powertrains, including diesel and compressed natural gas engines, and hybrid electric systems.

==Variants== The Low Floor series includes 38 individual variants,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=New Flyer Industries Low Floor |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/New_Flyer_Industries_Low_Floor |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=CPTDB Wiki}}</ref> each named according to their powertrain, length, and body style.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Diesel Vehicle Specifications |url=http://www.newflyer.com/index/diesel_d30_35_40_60l |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060317234126/http://www.newflyer.com/index/diesel_d30_35_40_60l |archive-date=2006-03-17 |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=New Flyer of America}}</ref> For example, the '''D40LF''' (the most common variant) is a diesel-powered, 40-foot rigid bus with the original styling; while a '''DE60LFR''' is a diesel-electric hybrid, 60-foot articulated bus with the "Restyled" body. {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; width:45em;" |+ Model Codes |- ! width="33%" | Motive power ! width="33%" | Nominal length ! width="33%" | Body style |- |'''C''' = compressed natural gas '''D''' = conventional diesel '''DE''' = diesel-electric hybrid '''E''' = electric trolleybus '''F''' or '''H''' = hydrogen fuel cell '''GE''' = gasoline-electric hybrid '''HE''' = hydrogen-electric hybrid '''L''' = liquefied natural gas |'''30''' = {{Convert|30|ft|m}} rigid '''35''' = {{Convert|35|ft|m}} rigid '''40''' = {{Convert|40|ft|m}} rigid '''60''' = {{Convert|60|ft|m}} articulated |'''LF''' = original Low Floor '''LFR''' = Low Floor Restyled '''LFA''' (initially '''LF-BRT''') = Low Floor Advanced |}

Not all possible combinations of models, lengths, and powertrains were actually built; those which saw production are noted below:

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; font-size:85%; text-align:center;" |+New Flyer Low Floor combinations produced |- ! rowspan=2 | Power !! colspan=4 | Low Floor (LF) !! colspan=4 | Low Floor Restyled (LFR) !! colspan=3 | Low Floor Advanced (LFA) |- | 30LF || 35LF || 40LF || 60LF || 30LFR || 35LFR || 40LFR || 60LFR || 35LFA || 40LFA || 60LFA |- !C |⏺||⏺||⏺|| || ||⏺||⏺|| || || || |- !D |⏺||⏺||⏺||⏺|| ||⏺||⏺||⏺|| ||⏺||⏺ |- !DE | ||⏺||⏺||⏺||⏺||⏺||⏺||⏺||⏺||⏺||⏺ |- !E | || ||⏺|| || || ||⏺||⏺|| || || |- !F/H | || ||⏺|| || || ||⏺|| || || || |- !GE | || ||⏺|| || ||⏺||⏺|| || ||⏺|| |- !HE | || ||⏺|| || || || || || || || |- !L |⏺||⏺||⏺|| || || ||⏺|| || || || |}

== History == The original design of the New Flyer Low Floor was based on the B85/B86, a European-market bus produced from 1984 to 1988 by Den Oudsten, a Dutch bus manufacturer which owned New Flyer from 1986 to 2002. A B85 was sent to the United States for testing in 1988, and served as the basis for the development of the Low Floor series.

Production of the Low Floor Series began in 1991 at New Flyer's assembly plant in Grand Forks, North Dakota.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |author=Brophy, Jim |date=June 12, 2016 |title=Bus Stop Classics: New Flyer D40LF – North America's First Low Floor Bus |url=http://www.curbsideclassic.com/bus-stop-classic/bus-stop-classics-new-flyer-d40lf-north-americas-first-low-floor-bus/ |accessdate=December 12, 2018 |website=Curbside Classics}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Veerkamp, John |date= |title=Flyer, New Flyer and AMG transit buses |url=http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/w/western/western.htm |accessdate=December 12, 2018 |website=Coachbuilt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The New Flyer Industries D40 Series Bus |url=https://transittoronto.ca/bus/8516.shtml |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=transittoronto.ca}}</ref> The first unit, of the D40LF variant, was delivered to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 1992.<ref name="about">{{cite web |title=About New Flyer |url=https://www.newflyer.com/company/about/ |accessdate=2025-12-19 |publisher=New Flyer of America}}</ref> The first articulated Low Floor (a D60LF), an ex-demonstration unit, was sold to Strathcona County Transit in Alberta in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lo, Kevin |title=Strathcona County Transit New Flyer |url=http://www.kevinsbusrail.com/sct_nfi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041215094714/http://www.kevinsbusrail.com/sct_nfi.html |archive-date=2004-12-15 |accessdate=December 12, 2018 |website=Kevin's Bus and Rail}}</ref>

New Flyer introduced the Invero series of buses in 1999 with the intent that it would replace the Low Floor line; few were sold, and the Invero was discontinued in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Flyer Industries D40i - CPTDB Wiki (Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board) |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/New_Flyer_Industries_D40i |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=cptdb.ca}}</ref>

Two new body styles were introduced in 2005: the Low Floor Restyled (LFR),<ref>{{Cite web |year=2005 |title=Restyle Brochure |url=http://www.newflyer.com/pix/Brochures/restylebrochure.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060227230750/http://www.newflyer.com/pix/Brochures/restylebrochure.pdf |archive-date=2006-02-27 |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=New Flyer Industries}}</ref> meant to replace the original Low Floor, and the Low Floor Advanced (LFA), an alternate style specialized for bus rapid transit.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2005 |title=The New Flyer Family of BRT Vehicles |url=http://www.newflyer.com/pix/Brochures/brtbrochure.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060204192724/http://www.newflyer.com/pix/Brochures/brtbrochure.pdf |archive-date=2006-02-04 |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=New Flyer Industries}}</ref> Both were produced alongside the original Low Floor style. All three were ultimately replaced by the Xcelsior series, introduced in 2008. The LFA variants were discontinued in 2010, followed by the standard Low Floor style in 2013, and the LFR in 2014.<ref name=":0" />

=== Market achievements === The New Flyer Low Floor series, specifically the D40LF, was the first low-floor bus sold in the U.S. and Canadian markets.<ref name=":1" /> According to New Flyer, later variants of the Low Floor series also represented the first North American buses of certain configurations:<ref name="about" />{{Primary source inline|date=December 2025}}

* first low-floor articulated bus (D60LF, 1995) * first bus powered by compressed natural gas (C40LF/L40LF, 1994) * first gasoline-electric hybrid buses (GE40LF, 2002) * first hybrid articulated bus (DE60LF, 2002) * first hydrogen-electric hybrid bus (HE40LF, 2004)

== Powertrain specifications ==

===Hybrid powertrains=== The series hybrid powertrain is supplied by ISE Corporation, branded ThunderVolt. The ISE ThunderVolt system is modular, with several primary subsystems including a diesel, gasoline, or hydrogen-fueled auxiliary power unit (APU), traction motors and gearbox (supplied by Siemens under the ELFA brand), and energy storage (using either batteries or ultracapacitors).<ref name=AEM-ise>{{cite web |url=https://www.altenergymag.com/articles/04.04.01/thundervolt/contents.html |title=Information on ThunderVolt |publisher=Alternative Energy Magazine |accessdate=25 June 2019}}</ref>

====Gasoline==== Emissions regulations developed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District prevented local transit agencies in southern California from purchasing new diesel-powered transit buses after 2002. Although most agencies responded by pursuing natural gas-powered buses, Long Beach Transit (LBT) conducted a cost analysis that concluded a gasoline-electric hybrid could meet emissions requirements and also be cost-effective. LBT went on to purchase 47 model year 2004 and 2005 GE40LF buses,<ref name=NREL-TP-540-42226>{{cite report |url=https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/42226.pdf |title=Long Beach Transit: Two-Year Evaluation of Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Transit Buses |author=Lammert, M. |date=June 2008 |publisher=National Renewable Energy Laboratory |accessdate=25 June 2019}}</ref> the first major purchase of the GE40LF.<ref name=AEM-ise/>

Omnitrans, serving the city of San Bernardino, was the lead agency for the ISE ThunderVolt gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain deployed in the GE40LF.<ref>{{cite conference |author1=Duerst, G |author2=Simon, M C |date=May 2001 |title=A series hybrid-electric drive system optimized for large transit buses |url=https://trid.trb.org/view/688166 |conference=Bus and Paratransit Conference |location=Calgary, Canada |publisher=American Public Transportation System |accessdate=25 June 2019}}</ref> Omnitrans procured two of the three testing prototypes; Long Beach Transit placed the first large-volume regular production order.<ref name="AEM-ise" />

For the GE40LF delivered to LBT, the gasoline-electric hybrid APU uses a light-duty 6.8 L Ford Triton V-10 engine rated at {{convert|305|hp|kW|abbr=on}} at 4,250 RPM and {{convert|405|lbft|Nm|abbr=on}} at 3,250 RPM coupled to a {{convert|110|kW|abbr=on}} generator ({{convert|145|kW|abbr=on}} peak). The electricity generated by the APU is stored in two banks of 144 ultracapacitors each. Stored power is sent to two three-phase asynchronous traction motors, each rated at {{convert|85|kW|abbr=on}} ({{convert|150|kW|abbr=on}} peak) and {{convert|320|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}} ({{convert|450|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}} peak), which drive the rear axle through a combining gearbox with a peak output torque of {{convert|4860|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}}.<ref name=NREL-TP-540-42226/>{{rp|4}} The Siemens ELFA traction motors and combining gearbox are the same in all ThunderVolt implementations.<ref name=AEM-ise/>

[[File:KCM DE60LFR.jpg|thumb|Interior of a DE60LFR operated by King County Metro]] ====Hydrogen-electric hybrid==== ISE also built the ThunderVolt TB40-HICE, a prototype 40-foot hydrogen-electric hybrid Low Floor.<ref name=Workshop>{{cite web |url=http://hydrogenus.org/general/fleet_Module6.pdf#page=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927033820/http://www.hydrogenus.org/general/fleet_Module6.pdf#page=10 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 27, 2006 |title=Hydrogen Workshop for Fleet Operators |date= |publisher=The National Hydrogen Association |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> This prototype, designated HE40LF, was equipped with the ISE ThunderVolt series hybrid powertrain, using a Ford 6.8L V10 internal combustion engine modified to run on hydrogen, which was in turn coupled to a generator to provide energy for the traction motor and storage battery. It was tested by SunLine Transit Agency (who assigned it fleet number 550) and Winnipeg Transit in early 2005 in revenue service.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/40107.pdf |title=SunLine Tests HHICE Bus in Desert Climate |date= |publisher=National Renewable Energy Laboratory |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> The derelict HE40LF was displayed by Ken Porter Auctions in early 2020 and presumably sold for scrap.<ref>{{youTube |id=Zs25aMYtujc |title=Ex SunLine Transit Agency 2004 New Flyer HE40LF #550}}</ref>

=== Trolleybus === One prototype Low Floor trolleybus was introduced in 2005, sold to Coast Mountain Bus Company as an E40LF model; since New Flyer were introducing their Low Floor Restyled series that year, production of Low Floor trolleybuses has been designated as E40LFR and E60LFR.

Coast Mountain Bus Company designated their E40LF as TransLink 2101, which was unveiled at Stanley Park in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lo, Kevin |title=New flyer E40LFR |url=http://www.kevinsbusrail.com/translink/d40lf/tlink_e40lfpics.html |accessdate=December 12, 2018 |website=Kevin's Bus and Rail}}</ref> Although it is designated an E40LF, 2101 bears the updated front and rear fascias of the LFR "Restyled" models.<ref>{{cite web |author=Parsons, Martin |date=May 29, 2016 |title=CMBC - Translink Vancouver 2006 New Flyer E40LFR #2101 |url=http://www.barp.ca/bus/bctransit/vancouver/newflyer/e40lf/index.html |accessdate=December 12, 2018 |website=barp.ca}}</ref>

===Fuel cell=== Twenty-one examples of the fuel cell "restyled" variant designated H40LFR were operated by SunLine Transit Agency and BC Transit.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 2011 |title=SunLine Leads the Way in Demonstrating Hydrogen-Fueled Technologies |url=https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/49763.pdf |accessdate=December 11, 2018 |publisher=National Renewable Energy Laboratory}}</ref> 20 H40LFR buses were built for BC Transit in 2010 at an estimated total cost of {{CAD|89.5}} million, including operating costs through 2014. They were meant to showcase fuel cell vehicles during the 2010 Winter Olympics.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 8, 2010 |title=Hydrogen-powered buses at Olympics under scrutiny |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/hydrogen-powered-buses-at-olympics-under-scrutiny-1.900837 |accessdate=December 11, 2018 |work=CBC}}</ref> After 2014, BC Transit announced plans to sell off their H40LFR buses, stating that operating costs were double that of conventional diesel-powered buses.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 4, 2014 |title=BC Transit's $90M hydrogen bus fleet to be sold off, converted to diesel |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-transit-s-90m-hydrogen-bus-fleet-to-be-sold-off-converted-to-diesel-1.2861060 |accessdate=December 11, 2018 |work=CBC}}</ref>

== See also == Competing models: * Gillig Low Floor * NABI LFW *NABI BRT * Neoplan AN440LF and AN460LF * Nova Bus LFS * OBI Orion VI * OBI Orion VII

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Commons category-inline}}

Category:Buses of Canada Category:Buses of the United States Low Floor Category:Vehicles introduced in 1991 Category:Fuel cell buses Category:Hybrid electric buses Category:Trolleybuses Category:Articulated buses Category:Low-floor buses