Nova Bus LFS

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Nova Bus LFS
Nova Bus LFS
Years of manufacture 1995 to present
Length 40 feet, 62 feet
Width 102 inches
Power/Fuel Diesel, diesel-electric hybrid, or CNG
Nova Bus LFS

The Nova Bus LFS is a North American, low floor transit bus. Introduced in 1994, the design provides a level entry without steps for passengers with limited mobility. The LFS has evolved over four generations and includes articulated, hybrid, natural gas, and electric model derivatives.

Design history

First generation (1995-1999)

As accessibility to the disabled became a priority in the early 1990s, the Association du transport urbain du Québec (ATUQ) formed a committee concerning the design of a low floor bus. A Den Oudsten Bussen Alliance bus was imported to Quebec for evaluation. Nova Bus used the Alliance as a basis for the LFS's design and built two prototypes in 1994. Production began in 1996, with the first buses going to the Société de transport de la communauté urbaine de Montréal.

The LFS stood out in North America with its sloping front and large single-piece windshield, two features that are more commonly found on European buses. Another defining characteristic were the bus's large round headlights. Early LFS buses built up to Laval's unit 9605 (late 1996) had a curved elliptical recess that could function as a fresh air vent. The original Nova Bus logo (simply a "Nova BUS" wordmark in the Memphis typeface that was used until 2002) appeared under the windshield.

To ease maintenance, the LFS used easily replaceable thermoplastic skirt panels along the lower sides of the bus, an area prone to wear. They were almost always grey so they do not have to be painted and Nova only need produce panels in one colour. Disney Transport was the first to request these panels be painted, and other agencies followed as production entered the 2010s.

The LFS was initially available in a full low floor or partial low floor configuration. The first option had a low floor toward the middle of the bus where the aisle would slope up slightly. The seating in the rear half was on elevated platforms. The latter option had a step before the rear wheels up to a high floor section. Because of the intrusion of the rear wheel housings, there usually is a pair of seats facing forward and a pair facing backwards on top of them, a rarity in the North American bus market.

To achieve the full low floor to the rear, the LFS used ZF portal axles and a T-drive powertrain offset to the left of the rear. The engine's cooling system was mounted above the engine. This is a similar configuration to the Orion VI.

The radiator access door on the rear and adjacent window were flush with the body. The rear destination sign was incorporated into the window. The windows along the sides of the bus had squared-off corners and could be specified with either sliding sashes or tip-in transoms. The front and rear doors could be specified in two widths, both of which were wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. A telescopic or flip-out ramp was available at either door.

Second generation (1999-2009)

In 1999 at the UITP Congress, Nova unveiled the second generation LFS. Improvements included a stainless steel frame, a multiplex electric system, and an electronically controlled engine.[1]

Between 1999 and 2000 there was a gradual shift in the exterior look of the LFS. Starting mid-1999 with the Chicago Transit Authority prototypes, gasket sealed windows with rounded corners replaced the earlier square passenger windows. By 2000, round tail lights (either small or large) became the norm, replacing the square tail lights inherited from the Classic model. Finally, by mid-2000 with the production CTA buses, the rear panel of the bus was simplified with a gasket sealed window and a separate, obtrusive rear destination sign. These changes, intended to reduce the costs of construction of the CTA order, were soon adopted for all production buses.

The fully low floor option was dropped in 2005. All LFS buses since have a high floor section just after the rear doors.

In 2008, the headlight clusters of the LFS were redesigned, moving the lights further to the edges of the bus. The standard halogen headlight or dual projector headlights could be specified. This was likely a response to BC Transit's modifications which had the headlights stacked vertically to address visibility concerns with bike racks. A horizontal decorative slot was also added to the front panel between the headlights. It must however be noted that until April 2009, most Quebec buses were delivered with the old headlight configuration.

Beginning with Coast Mountain Bus Company's first LFS order, an option for a "1/3 2/3" front door configuration was made available. This option is as wide as the wide door option, but the forward leaf would be the size of the narrow door option. The front leaf can be controlled independently.

Third generation (2009-2013)

A new rear design debuted in 2007. The engine is mounted longitudinally at the centre of the rear, as opposed to the offside, with the cooling system mounted high (above the rear window). This rear engine placement became standard in early 2009.

The taillights were stacked vertically in a red bezel stretching from the top to the bottom of the bus. The rear design was slightly altered for production buses with the tail light bezel ending above the reversing light with replaceable corner panels. Customers could also choose alternate colours to red for the area around the tail lights. They could further specify smaller tail lights as seen with Greater Sudbury Transit and Thunder Bay Transit's 2009 orders.

Nova introduced flush mounted windows as an option in early 2009. BC Transit's unit 9370 was shown at the CUTA Trans Expo 2009 in Montreal, Quebec as the first production unit to feature these windows. Two years later, flush-mounted window retrofit kits became available through Prevost Car.

An L-shaped exhaust pipe with Venturi tip was introduced on later EPA 2007-compliant buses. The tip, which had a bulge before it flared out at the end, was designed to mix and cool the hot exhaust gas from the engine with air. EPA 2010-compliant buses received an updated exhaust tip which flares out to the end as well as more gradually in the opposite direction.

The horizontal slot in the front panel of the bus was dropped mid-2010 from Plattsburgh-built buses starting with the first batch of buses for Calgary Transit. Late in 2010 the plain front panel also became standard for buses built in St-Eustache.

Changes were made to the interior as well. Stanchion design became less rigid and curved towards the ceiling instead of being stopped by the horizontal grab rail. New finishes were introduced which included matte grey coated stanchions, black textured walls, and transparent or frosted modesty panels. The seating above the engine (and over the middle wheels and fuel tank on the Artic) is proprietary to Nova. The sitting area is molded thermoplastic, initially in the style of American Seating's 6468, now in the style of their InSight model.

A new interior, designed by Montreal-based firm Alto Design, was introduced at the 2011 APTA EXPO. It features an asymmetrically laid out ceiling with the subtraction of the standard base lights on the driver's side and introduction of a low profile channel that hugs the ceiling and wall above the windows to provide air flow. In addition to the LED cabin lights above the seats, there is an option for LED crossbar lighting above the aisle which can be dimmed. The anchors for the stanchions and grab rails uses a modular molded assembly. The partition behind the driver was made lighter and thinner, yielding more room for the driver and the passenger behind. The front wheel housings now have a stainless steel protective panel on the area most prone to wear. In an effort to ease cleaning, the area where the wall meets the floor is smooth and the anchor points for the seating are covered. A frosted, patterned modesty panel may be specified after the rear door and illuminates when the door opens. At the request of customers, Nova added an option to not have a rear window. To offset for the loss of light, there is an option for transparent emergency hatches. Some of the first customers of the new interior included Saskatoon Transit and Grand River Transit.

Fourth generation (2013 onwards)

At the end of 2012, Nova introduced a new rear design for the LFS. The launch of the new rear is coincident with the introduction of EPA 2013-compliant engines. The LFS Natural Gas was introduced with the new rear design. Niagara Falls Transit and Guelph Transit Commission were among the first to take delivery of standard, diesel-powered LFS buses with the new rear.

The engine door was made larger and more resilient. The radiator compartment was made flush with the body with the access door separated from the grill. Polyolefin is used for the corners and rear light assemblies to make these areas more resilient. The rear of the prototype had individually recessed tail lights in a slightly angled alignment. Production buses have a more vertical alignment and a recessed area that encompasses all of either small or large tail lights.

By late 2014, a new optional LFX-style front fairing was used on buses. With a taller sweep and more developed surface, it better complimented the design of the upper rear. It, along with the revised raised roof line option, better integrated with the rear as well.

Specifications

Dimensions
Length: 40'
Width: 102"
Height: 124 in. (new rear), 123 in. (old rear)
Wheelbase: 244"
Engine Emissions Availability
Cummins C8.3 8.3L, 250 hp 1995-1998
Cummins ISC 8.3L, 250 hp EPA 1998, EPA 2004 1998-2004
Cummins ISL 8.9L, 250 or 280 hp EPA 2004, EPA 2007 2004-2010
Cummins ISL9 8.9L, 250 or 280 hp EPA 2010, EPA 2013 2010-present
Detroit Diesel Series 40E 1996-2004
Transmission Availability
Allison B400R 1995-present
Voith D864.5 2005-present
ZF 4/5HP500 1995-2001
ZF 5/6HP552C 2001-2006
ZF 6HP554C 2006-2010
ZF 6AP1400B 2010-present
Axles Availability
Front: Meritor FH-946, Rear: Meritor RC-26-720 Up to 2005
Front:ZF RL 85, Rear: ZF AV 132 1995-present
Brakes
Disk brakes w/ ABS & traction control
Electric system
Volvo Bus Electronic Architecture
HVAC Availability
Carrier RF-353
Mobile Climate Control (heater) 1995-present
Thermo King Athenia 2010-present
Thermo King LRT Up to 2010
Floor Availability
Plywood subfloor 1995-2008
Composite subfloor 2008-present

Operators

Canada Flag of Canada.png

United States Flag of the United States.png

Demonstrator and engineering units

Below is a list of known demonstrator and engineering buses.

Fleet number Thumbnail Year VIN Engine Transmission Notes
1 1994 R3000001
  • Launch vehicle at the APTA Conference (Boston MA) in Sep. 1994
  • Demoed in Calgary AB in Feb. 1995
  • Demoed with the STCUQ in Apr. 1995[2]
2 1994 R3000002 Cummins C8.3 ZF HP500 Demoed with the STCUQ in Oct. 1995[2]
3 1995 S3000001 Possibly demoed with SEPTA as 9901 in Apr. 1996
4 1995 S3000002 Cummins C8.3 Allison B400R Demoed with the STCUQ in Jan. 1996[2]
1996 2NVYL82K9T3000021 Cummins C8.3 Allison B400R
  • Altoona test bus from Sep. 1996 to July 1997
  • Later received OC Transpo livery
  • Modified with rounded corner windows and front vent by Oct. 2001.[3]
1996 2NVYL82P1T3000039 Sold to Knoxville Area Transit 651 in Dec. 1998
999? 1997 2NVYL82KXV3000001 NYC MTA demo
1001 Toronto Transit Commission 1001.jpg 1998 2NVYL82P3W3000001 Detroit Diesel Series 40 Allison B400R
995 1998 2NVYL82P5W3000002 Detroit Diesel Series 40E
1998 2NVYL82P1W3000031 Detroit Diesel Series 40 Allison B400R Sold to Ohio State University CABS, became 98542
1998 W3000170 Ortech Corp shaker test bus
1998 W3000171 Volvo Bus test bus
B7298 Coast Mountain Bus Company 7298-a.jpg 1998 2NVYL82S2W3000172 Cummins C8.3 Allison B400R
  • Delivered in BC Transit livery
  • CMBC demo from Apr. 1999 to July 2000
  • Loaned to Edmonton Transit from July to Sep. 2000
  • Returned to CMBC and stored
  • Sold to WVMT in Nov. 2002, became 981
1999 X3000064 Cummins Allison Sold to Ohio State University CABS 99541
1999 X3000190 Cummins ISC ZF 5HP552C
6400 (first) 1999 2NVYL82S4X3000191 Cummins ISC ZF 5HP552C
2000 Y3000087
  • Demoed with STCUQ in Aug. 2000
  • Demoed with OTC
  • Displayed at APTA Conference (Calgary AB) in May 2001
  • Sold to Transport Verreault in Oct. 2003, became 459
  • Currently active as Granby 00070
21-201 Société de transport de la communauté urbaine de Montréal 21-201-a.jpg 2000 Y3000300 Cummins ISC ZF 5HP552C
no# 2001 13000234/13000235 none none
  • 2 unpowered shells (with CTA specs) that were to be made magnetic induction battery buses by H. R. Ross Industries for MBTA
  • Both stored, one painted MBTA yellow
  • Current plans to power one shell and convert to Command Post bus
2003 2NVYL82S633000199 Cummins ISC ZF 5HP552C Sold to Belleville Transit in Oct. 2004, became 0458
2003 2NVYL82S933000200 Cummins ISC ZF 5HP552C
14401 Edmonton Transit System demo 14401-a.jpg 2004 43000048 Cummins ISL ZF 5HP552C
2004 2NVYL82U643000173 Cummins ISL ZF 5HP552C Sold to Brantford Transit 9051 in 2005
2004 2NVYL82U843000174 Cummins ISL ZF 5HP552C Sold to Brantford Transit 9052 in 2005
179-1 2005 2NVYL82UX53000033 Cummins ISL ZF 5HP552C
  • Displayed at OTE in Apr. 2005
  • Displayed at the Montreal F1 Grand Prix in June 2005
  • Sold to Belleville Transit in July 2005, became 0559
184-1 2005 53000081
180-1 2005 2NVYL82U753000118 Cummins ISL ZF 5HP552C
  • Displayed at APTA Conference (Dallas TX) in Sep. 2005
  • Displayed at APTA Conference (Anaheim CA) in May 2006
  • Sold to Belleville Transit in June 2006, became 0660
P1002 2005 53000128 Cummins ISL ZF 5HP552C
  • Part of rejected OTC oder
  • Demoed with CMBC as P1002 from Nov. 2005 to May 2006
  • Sold to DRT in Aug. 2006, became 8172
182-1 2005 53000157 Cummins ISL ZF 5HP552C
  • Demoed with CMBC as P1001 from Nov. 2005 to May 2006
  • Sold to DRT in Aug. 2006, became 8173
L176 2006 2NVYL82U563000233 Cummins ISL Sold to Belleville Transit in May 2007, became 0761
L280 2006 73000027 Cummins ISL ZF 6HP552C
  • 2007 model
  • Demoed with CMBC from Nov. 2006 to 2007
  • Demoed with Metro Transit (Halifax) from July to Sep. 2007
  • Sold to Galland Tremblant in 2008, became 770
254-1 2007 73000035 Cummins ISL
H1 (L271-1) 2007 Cummins ISL
  • Prototype 3rd generation rear
  • Received a roof battery rack by April 2008
  • Received production 3rd generation rear cap by May 2013
255-1 2008 2NVYL82U983000089 Cummins ISL
  • Displayed at OTE in Apr. 2008
  • Possibly displayed at the Nova Bus Plattsburgh plant site in Apr. 2008 [7]
  • Sold to Belleville Transit 0863 in July 2008
2008 2NVYL82U783000091 Cummins ISL Intended to become a demo, but immediately sold to Belleville Transit in 2008, became 0862
356-1 2008 2NVYL82U883000150 Cummins ISL
  • Prototype 3rd generation rear
  • Demoed with King County Metro (Seattle WA) in May 2008
  • Demoed with CMBC in May-June 2008
  • Displayed at APTA Conference (San Diego CA) in Oct. 2008
  • Sold in 2010? to Regina Transit, became 629.
H3 (L373) 2008 2NVYL82UX83000151 Cummins ISL Voith D864.5
  • Prototype 3rd generation rear
  • Displayed at the Nova Bus Plattsburgh plant site in Apr. 2008 [7]
  • Altoona test bus from June to Oct. 2008 (with added HEV battery pack cover)
  • Received production 3rd generation rear cap and converted to CNG by March 2013
356-2 2008 Cummins ISL9
  • Prototype 3rd generation rear
  • EPA 2010 demo with TARC from June to July 2009.[8]
2008 2NVYL82U283000290 Cummins ISL9
  • Prototype 3rd generation rear
  • Displayed at 2009 NYSERDA Albany
  • Sold to Regina Transit, became 630
358-1 2008 2NVYL82U093000001 Cummins ISL ZF 6HP554C
2008 93000002 Cummins ISL Voith D864.5
456-1 2008 2NVYL82U893000019 Cummins ISL ZF 6HP554C
  • 2009 model
  • Prototype 3rd generation rear
  • PF2010 ATUQ demo, demoed with STM in Mar. 2009
  • Demoed with Calgary Transit in Sep. 2009
  • Displayed at STTR in Oct. 2009
  • Loaned to CITSV as 0919 from Sep. to Nov. 2010
  • Moved to the Sunwin Bus plant (Shanghai, China) in 2011 and refit with Sunwin electric propulsion as an LFSe prototype
432-1 2009 93000061 Cummins ISL ZF 6HP554C
  • Production 3rd generation rear
  • Flush glazing
  • Displayed at OTE in Apr. 2009
  • Displayed at the Nova Bus Plattsburgh plant opening in June 2009.[9]
  • Sold to GTAA 85-0926.
June 2009 4RKYL82U194000001 Cummins ISL ZF 6HP554C
  • First unit assembled at the Nova Bus Plattsburgh plant.[10]
  • Sold in 2010 to GTAA, became 85-0927
2009 4RKYL82U394000002 Cummins ISL ZF 6HP554C Sold to CrimsonRide, became 7018 or 7019
2009 4RKYL82U594000003 Cummins ISL ZF 6HP554C Sold to CrimsonRide, became 7018 or 7019
2009 2NVYL82U693000309 Cummins ISL9 ZF 6HP554C Sold to Woodstock Transit 10-12 in late 2010
0055 2009 93000397 Cummins ISL Allison B400R
  • Production 3rd generation rear
  • Demoed with the MTA from Jan. to Mar. 2010
30-256U File:Société de transport de Montréal 30-256U.jpg 2009 93000610 Cummins ISL9 ZF 6AP1400B
  • Production 3rd generation rear
  • Nova Bus/STM EPA 2010 demo
2010 4RKYL82U4B4000001 Cummins ISL9 Allison B400R
  • 2011 model
  • Built in Plattsburgh NY
  • In blue swooping livery with LFX accessories
  • Has early 3rd generation radiator grill (4 slits instead of 3)
  • To Codiac Transit 720.
June 2010 4RKYL82U6B4000002 Cummins ISL9 Allison B400R
  • 2011 model
  • Built in Plattsburgh NY
  • In blue swooping livery with LFX roofline
  • Has normal 3rd generation radiator grill (3 slits)
  • Displayed at NYPTA Trade Show (Albany NY) in Nov. 2010
  • Displayed at OTE Apr. 2011
  • To Codiac Transit 721.
2011 4RKYL82U4C4500001
  • LFS Smart Bus demo, 2012 model
  • Full-length roof trim
  • Sold in 2012 to GTAA
4691-4692 Houston METRO 4691-a.jpg 2011 4RKYL82U8C4500003
4RKYL82UXC4500004
  • On trial with Houston Metro from Sept. 2011 to March 2012, given METRO livery and interior
  • Returned to Nova Bus
2012 2NVYL82U4D3000706 Cummins ISL9 ZF 6AP1400B

Sold to Belleville Transit Nov. 2012, became 1370

Nova Bus LFS demo-2013-a.jpg

Nova Bus LFS Demo 2013-a.jpg

2013 2NVYL82U1D3000906
  • EPA 2013/4th gen rear
  • In blue and green "squares and skyline" scheme
  • Leased to Guelph Transit as bus 274
  • Sold to Desjardins and customized into a mobile bank

Preserved units

Year Thumbnail VIN Original owner Fleet number Current owner
1998 2NVYL82K2V3000297 STCUM/STM 17-178 Fondation de l’Héritage du transport du Québec

References

  1. Nova BUS Unveils 2nd Generation of LFS Buses at UITP Congress (Press release). Nova Bus. 26 May 1999. Retrieved on 13 January 2009.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 RTC Quebec List. busfanplace.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2009.
  3. Older NovaBus LFS Demo Spotted. cptdb.ca. Retrieved on 05 July 2010.
  4. Maintenance Training RTS. chicagobus.org. Retrieved on 05 July 2010.
  5. Edmonton Transit System NovaBus LFS Trial. kevinsbusrail.com. Retrieved on 05 July 2010.
  6. Brampton new bus order, Not NFI this time..... cptdb.ca. Retrieved on 05 July 2010.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Heath, Dan (17 August 2008). Governor announces Nova Bus plant for Plattsburgh. Press Republican. Retrieved on 05 July 2010.
  8. A Nova among Gilligs. bustalk.info. Retrieved on 05 July 2010.
  9. Nova Bus' Plattsburgh Plant Officially Open (Press release). Nova Bus 15 June 2009. Retrieved on 05 July 2010.
  10. Heath, Dan (13 June 2009). Nova Bus plant in operation. Press Republican. Retrieved on 05 July 2010.
Nova Bus
v·d·e
NovaBusLogo.jpg
Low
Floor
Series
LFS Transit · LFS Suburban · LFS Shuttle · LFS HEV · LFS Natural Gas · LFSe · LFSe+ · LFS Artic · LFX
Rapid
Transit
Series
RTS-06 · RTS-06 WFD
Classic TC40-102N · TC60-102N