October 31, 2003 - The Board of Directors for the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (Translink) voted unanimously on October 29, 2003 to award the contract for 228 trolley buses to New Flyer.  New Flyer will be building 40 60-foot articulated trolley buses and 188 40-foot trolley buses with delivery beginning in 2005 and 2006.  The buses will incorporate an electric propulsion system supplied by Kiepe Elektrik in Germany. 

Vancouver's current trolley fleet is approaching the end of its useful life, although the electrical infrastructure used to propel the buses throughout Greater Vancouver is sustainable for another fleet of buses.  Electric trolleys perform well in hilly areas and use electricity derived from a renewable resource, which make them a clean source of transportation.

Paul Smith, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for New Flyer, said "New Flyer supplied the original fleet of trolley buses which preformed well for TransLink over the past 20 years.  We were pleased to hear the news today and will focus our efforts on ensuring this fleet will last another 20 plus years."

The New Flyer trolleys will sport an upgraded look, featuring New Flyer's flagship low floor for easy accessibility, a stylish front and rear look, and upgraded amenities for the riding public to enjoy.  New Flyer has been supplying buses to the GVTA over the past two decades. The commonality of parts between their New Flyer diesel powered fleet and the trolley fleet will further contribute to operational efficiency at TransLink.