Governor Cuomo Announces Start of Production of New MTA Buses in Expanded Prevost Facility in Plattsburgh

December 23, 2014

PLATTSBURGH, NY  — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Prevost, a manufacturing company specializing in touring coach and bus assembly, has opened a new production line in its expanded Plattsburgh facility. This production line is Prevost's first in the United States.

The $26 million expansion project is tied to a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) award of $164 million to build 300 Commuter Over the Road Buses. Once complete, the expansion project will create more than 50 new jobs at the Plattsburgh facility. Combined with a $195 million MTA contract for 414 Nova Bus buses for the MTA’s New York City Transit, the number of employees at the facility will grow to more than 250 people.

“Producing MTA buses in the North Country is a great way to boost New York’s in-state manufacturing industry while increasing the upstate-downstate market,” Governor Cuomo said. “This project will create and keep jobs in the State, boost economic development, and improve transportation. With the start of production, we are uniting different New York State markets to serve our growing business and transportation needs.”

Prevost has invested $26 million in its Plattsburgh facility to undergo a 10,000 square foot expansion, which will accommodate an assembly production line. The first Prevost vehicles have already been rolled off the line earlier this month.

Nova Bus, Prevost’s sister company, will deliver 414 local buses to MTA New York City Transit, with the potential of providing up to 700 additional vehicles. This is the largest single order for buses ever made by MTA New York City Transit to Nova Bus since it began manufacturing transit buses for the MTA in Plattsburgh in 2009. It follows the introduction of a 90-vehicle test fleet of similar buses in 2011. The new buses are scheduled to be delivered between mid-2015 and mid-2016.

Both Prevost and Nova Bus are owned by the Volvo Group.

Empire State Development, New York's economic development agency, provided $200,000 in grants for the new assembly line in support of the new jobs that it will create.

Gaétan Bolduc, Prevost President said, "As a global leader in the motorcoach industry, we are extremely proud that our relentless pursuit of excellence leads us in this last American market segment. This first assembly line in the United States will allow us to increase the company's competitive position."

MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast said, "The MTA is by far the largest bus operator in North America, and we're glad to bring jobs and business to the North Country at the same time we're bringing new state-of-the-art buses to more than 2.5 million bus customers every day. The MTA Capital Program has been an important driver for the North Country economy, and the hard work of everyone in these plants will benefit everyone who relies on our bus service."

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, "Today, thanks to Governor Cuomo's leadership, globally-recognized companies such as Prevost and Nova Bus have increased their workforce and overall potential for future growth. As a result of the expansion project, Prevost is better positioned to meet the needs of its major customers such as the MTA and compete in the global marketplace, and the local economy benefits."

"We are very pleased that New York City Transit has renewed its confidence in our company. As we are celebrating our 5th anniversary in Plattsburgh this year, renewing our partnership with NYC Transit is a welcome opportunity to strengthen our presence in the US," said Mr. Jean-Pierre Baracat, President of Nova Bus.

Senator Betty Little said, "The facility expansion and creation of new jobs is welcomed news for our region. The New York City region will benefit, too, with the addition of high-quality buses to the MTA fleet that will serve customers well for many years ahead. This is a great private and public, upstate and downstate partnership with much of the credit going to this company and its workers who make a wonderful transportation product here in Plattsburgh."

Assemblywoman Janet Duprey said, "As I was driving in Plattsburgh the other day, I met a Prevost bus being taken on a test drive. It is a beautiful bus that will surely serve the MTA riders well. This public-private partnership is all the more special as these buses are built in Plattsburgh by North Country workers to provide comfortable, state-of-the-art bus transportation for New York City riders."

Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said, "The successful Prevost expansion project in the Town of Plattsburgh is exciting news for the local economy. The campus is also home to Nova Bus, another leader in the industry. The success of Nova and Prevost validates the support of the Governor's Office and the relationship with upstate leaders."

Mayor of Plattsburgh James Calnon said, "We are pleased that Prevost's expansion is nearly complete and that production on hundreds of new MTA buses are in full swing. The economic activity that is resulting from this project will benefit not only the Plattsburgh community, but the entire North Country region. I thank Governor Cuomo, Empire State Development, the MTA, Prevost/Nova Bus and all of the state and local officials for coming together to make this happen."

County Legislature Chairman Samuel R. Dyer said, "With Prevost moving into the U.S. market and opening its first production line in Clinton County, the company will not only be better able to compete, but its expansion will also strengthen the North County's role as a leader in the transportation industry and create dozens of new jobs. We applaud the Governor for supporting this project and look forward to Upstate produced transit buses being delivered downstate in the new year."

Garry Douglas, Co-Chair of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council and President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, said, "The completion of the new space for Prevost's U.S. motor coach assembly operation in Plattsburgh is another milestone for the North Country. It represents another success in the development of our growing transportation equipment cluster, as well as another success in attracting and hosting U.S. operations for Canadian and international companies. Our thanks to Governor Cuomo for his support all along the way, to the MTA for their confidence in the buses now being produced in New York by both Nova and Prevost, and to Volvo and Nova for their economic partnership. Onward and upward!"

Tony Collins, Co-Chair of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council and President of Clarkson University, said "Through Governor Cuomo's regional-based approach to establishing economic development priorities, we have been well positioned to support the transit equipment manufacturers in the North Country and help them take advantage of national trends towards increased public transportation. The North Country is energizing the economic renaissance of New York State's small cities and rural communities by spurring growth in transit firms like Prevost as well as biotech, energy and manufacturing industries. Coupled with the assets the North Country has in higher education and job skills training initiatives, these types of private-public investments buoy future growth."

###

About PREVOST

Prevost is a leading manufacturer of premium intercity touring coaches and the world leader in the production of conversion coaches for high-end motorhome and specialty conversion. As part of the Volvo Group, it has access to the financial strength, research capability, and manufacturing expertise of the group. The Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of heavy-duty diesel engines. Prevost has its main manufacturing facilities in Sainte-Claire, Quebec, Canada and has ten Parts and Service Centers located in the United States and Canada. (www.prevostcar.com)

Nova Bus
Nova Bus is a leading provider of sustainable transit solutions in North America, including hybrid buses, high-capacity vehicles and integrated intelligent transportation systems. The company relies on a team driven by the challenges of public transit with regard to mobility, safety, and productivity. Nova Bus is part of the Volvo Group. For more information regarding Nova Bus products and services, please visit   www.novabus.com