New, more compact MCI J3500 fits business expansion at arrow stage lines

Arrow Stage Lines was among the first to place an order for the 35-foot model, paired with the bestselling J4500 as the new MCI J-Series family. The new 2019 MCI J3500 features best-in-class legroom and baggage capacity among all 35-foot coach models, including a 33-foot turning radius for top maneuverability.

Arrow has stationed the new models at its Omaha, Denver and Kansas City, MO locations. “A smaller-size luxury coach works best in these markets,” explains Alex Busskohl, Arrow’s Corporate Operations and Marketing Specialist and fourth-generation leadership of this family run business. “We consider the needs of our customers, and we’ve found some smaller groups see more compact coaches as more space-efficient and environmentally friendly.”

Arrow already has sent its new MCI J3500s out on tour as part of its 250-coach fleet that already includes 102 MCI J4500s and a total of 15 35-foot coach models including those from other manufacturers.

“Our customers enjoy these new 35-foot MCI models,” added Busskohl. “They make the same luxury, top-of-the line coach statement as our J4500s. And we’re very glad MCI now offers a smaller size coach.”

Arrow ordered its new J3500 coaches with 40-seat passenger capacity for additional legroom – the model also comes in a standard 42- or maximum 44-seat configuration – with leatherette seating by Amaya and MCI’s optional variable lighting package that allows operators to customize the interior look of its coaches to suit clients’ brands and preferences.

Arrow tracks and analyzes its data to improve its overall operations and marketing – Busskohl, notes that Arrow uses its on-time performance statistics to win new business and that fuel efficiency is an important metric as fuel is the largest operational expense in a fleet Arrow’s size. The J3500 is making important strides in fuel efficiency, he notes. “It’s performing well – even a half-point gain in fuel economy is important to us operationally,” he adds.

Arrow is positioned for future growth. It operates 12 facilities, including locations in Des Moines, IA, Las Vegas and Phoenix, AZ where it just won a shuttle contract with Arizona State University requiring 25 coaches, and launched Arrow Nationwide Ground Logistics to deliver a nationwide transportation solution in any needed area throughout the U.S. Learn more at ArrowStageLines.com

About NFI Group

With over 8,900 team members operating from more than 50 facilities across ten countries, NFI is a leading independent global bus manufacturer providing a comprehensive suite of mass transportation solutions under brands: New Flyer®(heavy-duty transit buses), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses), Plaxton (motor coaches), MCI® (motor coaches), ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and NFI Parts™ . NFI buses and motor coaches incorporate the widest range of drive systems available including: clean diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, and zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell). It also supports infrastructure development through New Flyer Infrastructure Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe and reliable charging and mobility solutions. In total, NFI now supports over 105,000 buses and coaches currently in service around the world. For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, NFI posted revenues of US$2.5 billion. NFI common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NFI. News and information are available at www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, www.arbocsv.com, www.alexander-dennis.com, and nfi.parts.

About MCI

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is North America’s public and private market motor coach leader, building the J4500 the industry best-seller for 13 consecutive years), the all-new 35-foot J3500 model, and the workhorse D-Series including the breakthrough ADA-accessible MCI D45 CRT LE Commuter Coach offering lower dwell times. MCI will add battery-electric propulsion in 2020. With nearly 30,000 MCI coaches on the road, MCI also provides maintenance, repair, 24-hour roadside assistance, parts supply through NFI Parts, and technician training through the industry’s only Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) accredited MCI Academy. Further information is available at www.mcicoach.com.

For further information, please contact:		For investor inquiries, please contact:
Patricia Plodzeen, MCI Public Relations Tel: 847-283-0883 E-mail: [email protected]		Stephen King Tel: 204.224.6382 E-mail: [email protected]