Resolving the Bus Manufacturing Crisis: Challenges, Changes, and the Path Ahead

Transit Unplugged

The bus manufacturing crisis has been looming for years as more and more OEMs dropped out. But the final straw was when Proterra filed for bankruptcy protection and REV Group said it was closing its ENC facility to focus on the Canadian market. In the blink of an eye the U.S. was down to two major bus manufacturers: GILLIG and New Flyer. This put the entire public transit industry into crisis mode. Delivery times for new buses went from 12-18 months to 18-24 months--and longer.

How did we get this point?

It's not an easy answer, but a combination of contract terms, the pandemic, supply chain issues, and the transition to zero-emissions buses all factored in. But this week Paul dives into it with former FTA Administrator and Managing Partner at Cardinal Infrastructure Sherry Little, along with Jennifer McNeill (Vice President of Public Sector Sales and Marketing) and Stephanie Laubenstein (Director of Sales and Business Development) from New Flyer.

They talk about all the causes and how the industry came together to find real, tangible solutions that will help the OEM bus industry get back on its feet and come back stronger for the future.

Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged we have Philip Gerhardt head of Transport for London's Head Bus Performance to talk with Paul about optimizing the over 650 bus routes across London that serve millions of riders each day.

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com

• Host: Paul Comfort
• Producer: Paul Comfort
• Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey
• Executive Producer: Julie Gates

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• Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey

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00:00 Resolving the Bus Manufacturing Crisis: Challenges, Changes, and the Path Ahead

00:05 Paul buying his first bus and an intro to the episode

03:09 Introduction and Guest Welcome

03:41 Current State of the Bus Manufacturing Industry

04:41 Challenges and Advocacy Efforts

06:59 Legislative and Policy Changes

11:09 Impact of the Pandemic on Bus Manufacturing

14:13 Recovery and Future Outlook

15:34 Customization and Standardization in Bus Manufacturing

25:45 Transition to Zero Emission Buses

31:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

34:48 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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