Compared to the previous batch of LFSe+ buses, the most notable change in this batch is the incorporation of the updated BAE SystemsGPM-12 drive motor. Another difference is the updated Sportworks Apex 2 bike racks, introduced on the LFS Natural Gas buses delivered in 2024.
This is the second CMBC order of the Nova BusLFSe+ model after the initial 2023 order. These units were ordered as replacements for six ageing buses reaching the end of their service life in the fleet. Funding for this order was allocated in 2023 as part of TransLink's 2024 New Capital Program[1] and as part of Coast Mountain Bus Company's Low Carbon Fleet Strategy and electrification of the bus fleet.
Production of this series was expected to start in January 2025, with the first units expected to arrive in mid-April 2025. Delivery of all seven units was expected to be complete by May 2025 but was later pushed to July 2025. Production of this series was pushed to begin in March 2025.
Unit 25202 was the first to arrive and began to undergo pre-delivery testing around the Lower Mainland in late July 2025. It was followed shortly by unit 25204 in early August 2025. These buses began to enter service in October 2025.
In late October 2025, these buses, along with the 23200s, began to make appearances on routes other than the 100. Limited to peak hour trippers in the afternoon, they made appearances on the 104, 388, 410, and 418. They also made occasional appearances on the 144 and school trippers on the 110 and 128.
At the beginning of November 2025, four weekday tripper blocks were internally designated for battery bus use. They were 9/410 (which did 116) and 11/410 (which did 104) in the morning and 14/106 (which did 116 and 119) and 46/410 (which did a 128 school tripper followed by 418) in the afternoon. In addition to these blocks, other low-mileage trippers also ran battery-electric buses at the garage's discretion. Two weekend blocks were also designated battery-electric bus blocks, with 13/410 (which did 410) on Saturdays and 13/106 (which did 119) on Sundays. Just like on weekdays, other low-mileage blocks could also be assigned battery-electric buses at the garage's discretion.
Deployment
This entire series is based out of Hamilton, as it is the only depot with sufficient charging stations. These buses tend to only run on route 100 Marpole/22nd Street Station route. These buses may also occasionally appear on the following routes: