NABI CompoBus

The NABI CompoBus line uses a model number using the nominal length with a "C" suffix, denoting the composite body, along with the LFW low-floor designator. Each bus has a stamped nameplate with the model number in the format 4xC.nn, denoting the length (40C or 45C) and sequential order number, starting from nn=01.

The first CompoBus to debut was the 40-foot (nominal length) 40C-LFW, unveiled at the City Transport Exhibit 99 in Toronto, Ontario, on May 25, 1999. A prototype of the 45-foot 45C-LFW, later also known as the Metro 45C,{{cite web |url=http://www.nabiusa.com/nabi/Metro%2045C%20Brochure.pdf |title=Metro 45C |publisher=North American Bus Industries, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220224844/http://www.nabiusa.com/nabi/Metro%2045C%20Brochure.pdf |archivedate=February 20, 2011 |url-status=dead}} was shown at the International Public Transportation Expo on September 25, 2002{{cite press release |url=https://bse.hu/newkibdata/101934/NAB020925OR01E.pdf |title=NABI unveils three new production buses for USA public transport |date=September 25, 2002 |publisher=NABI Rt |accessdate=1 October 2020}} and at NABI's final assembly plant in Anniston, Alabama, on December 1, 2003.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.metro-magazine.com/10008935/nabi-unveils-compobus-at-alabama-plant |title=NABI unveils CompoBus at Alabama plant |date=January 1, 2004 |magazine=Metro Magazine |accessdate=30 September 2020}} The 30-foot 30C-LF was only developed to a prototype stage featuring series hybrid propulsion,{{cite web |url=http://www.nabiusa.com/midibus/model30clf.html |title=Introducing ... Model 30C-LF CNG Hybrid-Electric Composite Concept Bus |publisher=North American Bus Industries, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000511163000/http://www.nabiusa.com/midibus/model30clf.html |archivedate=May 11, 2000 |url-status=dead}} but never produced.

While the 40C-LFW CompoBus resembles the contemporary first-generation NABI 40-LFW, the Metro 45C had a more distinctive design which the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) called "very appealing to the riding public." The initial order of 45C buses was intended to serve on bus rapid transit lines in Phoenix, Arizona.

A composite-bodied transit bus was designed and prototyped in the 1990s under the Advanced Technology Transit Bus (ATTB) project by Northrop Grumman, jointly sponsored by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration's Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation and the LACMTA.{{cite report |url=https://trid.trb.org/view/648410 |title=Advanced Technology Transit Bus: Final Report for the ATTB Prototypes |author=Reutter Jr., H.L. |date=September 1999 |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |accessdate=30 September 2020}}{{cite report |url=http://apps.altoonabustest.psu.edu/buses/284 |title=ATTB: Northrop Grumman |publisher=LTI Bus Research and Testing Center |accessdate=30 September 2020}} The 40-foot ATTB prototypes provided up to {{convert|7000|lb|abbr=on}} savings in curb weight compared to conventional transit buses, and also included a series hybrid powertrain, powered by a Detroit Diesel Series 30 CNG engine; each rear wheel was powered by an in-wheel motor.

When the CompoBus was announced in 1998, NABI hailed it as "the commercial heir to the ATTB" and announced plans to develop three composite-bodied transit bus products: 30-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot.{{cite press release |url=http://www.nabiusa.com/New/pr060498.htm |title=NABI announces new composite bus family project |date=June 4, 1998 |publisher=North American Bus Industries, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203021621/http://www.nabiusa.com/New/pr060498.htm |archivedate=February 3, 1999 |url-status=dead}} The Metro 45C weighed less than a conventional 40-foot metal-framed transit bus, but offered greater passenger capacity. Because of the CompoBus's corrosion resistance, the estimated service life was increased to 18 years (vice 12).{{cite web |url=http://media.metro.net/board/Items/2009/09_september/20090902OtherSectorSFVItem6.pdf |title=2009 Compo Bus Update |author=Hunt, Richard |date=September 2009 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}

Unlike traditional metal-bodied transit buses, which use a steel frame clad with metal skin panels, the structural members, skin, roof, and floor of the CompoBus are built from fiberglass composite laid over a balsa wood core. In total, the structure of the CompoBus uses 80–90 separate components, with just two (the upper and lower main tub sections) responsible for 80% of the entire bus.{{rp|1–2}} Metal plates are molded into the structure during assembly to provide mounting points for the engine, transmission, and suspension. The CompoBus is designed to be more resistant to corrosion and low-speed impacts, but are typically not repairable in typical transit operator maintenance facilities if the composite structure is damaged.{{rp|2–3}} NABI proposed that repairs would be performed by cutting away the damaged section and discarding it; NABI would then fabricate a replacement section, which could then be integrated into the structure through hand-layup processes.{{cite web |url=http://www.nabiusa.com/composite/bodyrepair.htm |title=Simplified Body Repairs |publisher=North American Bus Industries, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000824040550/http://www.nabiusa.com/composite/bodyrepair.htm |archivedate=August 24, 2000 }}

NABI licensed the composite molding process from TPI Composites in Warren, Rhode Island.{{cite press release |url=http://www.nabiusa.com/new/pr990525.htm |title=Composite fiberglass bus makes its debut in Toronto |date=May 25, 1999 |publisher=North American Bus Industries, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021021080847/http://www.nabiusa.com/new/pr990525.htm |archivedate=October 21, 2002 |url-status=dead}} The license agreement included access to the patented process,{{efn|This process is known as the Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Molding Process (SCRIMP®), named for its inventor, who received ten patents for the process between 1990 and 2000.{{cite web |url=https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mechanical-engineering/2-996-sailing-yacht-design-13-734-fall-2003/study-materials/scrimp_overview.pdf |title=An Overview of the SCRIMP™ Technology |date=2001 |publisher=TPI Technology, Inc. |accessdate=30 September 2020}}}} shell prototypes, and development of tooling to produce transit buses. The same process had been used to fabricate the bodies for ATTB, and TPI would go on to produce similar composite bus bodies for the 42-foot battery-electric bus sold by Proterra, Inc.{{rp|12}}

CompoBus body shells were assembled in Hungary and shipped to Alabama for finishing.{{cite web |url=http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/n/nabi/nabi.htm |title=NABI - North American Bus Industries |website=Coachbuilt |accessdate=29 September 2020}}{{cite report |url=https://bet.hu/newkibdata/100966/AR01E.pdf |title=Global Bus Innovation: NABI Annual Report and Accounts |date=2001 |publisher=North American Bus Industries, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929161915/https://bet.hu/newkibdata/100966/AR01E.pdf |archivedate=September 29, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{rp|7–9}} Although TPI had been announced as the supplier for the composite bodies in 1998, NABI built a factory in Kaposvár, Hungary expressly to fabricate composite buses;{{cite magazine |url=https://www.metro-magazine.com/10008304/compobus-reviving-a-radical-idea |title=CompoBus: Reviving a Radical Idea |author=Henke, Cliff |date=September 23, 2008 |magazine=Metro Magazine |accessdate=30 September 2020}} a lawsuit between TPI and NABI was settled amicably in 2001.{{rp|4}} The Kaposvár factory had two sets of molds (one for the 45C and the other switchable between the 40C or 45C), limiting output to four buses per week, as each of the tub sections occupied a mold for three days at a time.{{rp|12}}

Because the main structures were assembled in Hungary, NABI applied for a 10-year waiver for Buy America requirements in 2002, stating the goals of the ATTB project could be met, including improved ridership. A two-year waiver was issued instead, and an extension request was denied in 2004.{{cite letter |url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/buy-america/north-american-bus-industries-december-15-2004 |author=McBride, Gregory B. |title=Request for an extension of the two-year Buy America component waiver for North American Bus Industries' (NABI) CompoBus |recipient=Mr. J. Daniel Garrett, North American Bus Industries |date=December 15, 2004 |publisher=Federal Transit Administration |accessdate=30 September 2020}} However, the realized weight savings for a 40-foot CompoBus were only {{convert|2000|lb|abbr=on}} because of customer requirements and commonality with existing parts; the more intensive labor process coupled with the rising value of the Euro meant that NABI was forced to raise the price, which became non-competitive with conventional metal-framed buses.

The limited throughput and near-complete assembly at Kaposvár{{efn|Compared to conventional NABI buses, which had more than 60% of the components (by cost) added in Anniston, the only components to be fitted to a CompoBus in America were the powertrain and seats. For example, the wiring harness was assembled in America, shipped to Kaposvár for integration into the chassis, then the bus was shipped back to Anniston for final assembly.}} also meant the cost of a CompoBus was up to 30% more than the original quote. With the loss of the Buy America waiver, transit agencies could not take advantage of federal subsidies for CompoBus purchases.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.metro-magazine.com/10008698/the-death-of-a-radical-idea-part-2 |title=The Death of a Radical Idea, Part 2 |author=Henke, Cliff |date=May 1, 2005 |magazine=Metro Magazine}} The first set of CompoBuses were delivered from 2004 to 2006, and the Kaposvár factory was idled for lack of demand after that.{{rp|12}} The factory was restarted in 2008 after LACMTA placed a significant order, but it proved to be the last and production was stopped again in 2013;{{rp|12}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.metro-magazine.com/10039898/nabi-production-now-entirely-in-u-s |title=NABI production now entirely in U.S. |date=May 14, 2013 |magazine=Metro Magazine |accessdate=30 September 2020}} the factory and its workforce was acquired by METYX Composites in November 2013.{{cite news |url=https://netcomposites.com/news/metyx-composites-acquires-north-american-bus-industries-nabi-facility-in-kaposvar-hungary/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514082016/https://netcomposites.com/news/metyx-composites-acquires-north-american-bus-industries-nabi-facility-in-kaposvar-hungary/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |title=METYX Composites Acquires North American Bus Industries (NABI) Facility in Kaposvar, Hungary |date=19 November 2013 |work=Net Composites |accessdate=1 October 2020}}

In 2003, NABI announced it would deliver three 45C CompoBuses to two southern California agencies for conversion to alternative power. One bus would be sent to the SunLine Transit Agency, who had contracted ISE Research to install a hydrogen fuel cell. Two buses would be sent to the South Coast Air Quality Management District to be fitted with a CNG-powered hybrid electric powertrain.{{cite press release |url=http://www.nabiusa.com/new.cfm?y=2003&n=599 |title=NABI announces start of advanced propulsion projects involving 45-foot CompoBuses |date=January 21, 2003 |publisher=North American Bus Industries, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030809155405/http://www.nabiusa.com/new.cfm?y=2003&n=599 |archivedate=August 9, 2003 |url-status=dead}} However, the bus that was eventually used by SunLine to demonstrate fuel cell power was a New Flyer HE40LF instead.{{cite report |url=https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/41001.pdf |title=SunLine Transit Agency Hydrogen-Powered Transit Buses: Preliminary Evaluation Results |author1=Chandler, K. |author2=Eudy, L. |date=February 2007 |publisher=National Renewable Energy Laboratory |accessdate=30 September 2020}}

The first CompoBus orders were placed in November 1999 by Big Blue Bus (40C-LFW) and Valley Metro (45C-LFW), the transit agencies serving Santa Monica, California, and Phoenix, Arizona, respectively.{{cite press release |url=http://www.nabiusa.com/new/pr991117.htm |title=Santa Monica & Phoenix order NABI composite buses |date=November 17, 1999 |publisher=North American Bus Industries, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021205083227/http://www.nabiusa.com/new/pr991117.htm |archivedate=December 5, 2002 |url-status=dead}} 100 CompoBus models had been delivered five years later, by November 2004.{{cite press release |url=http://www.nabiusa.com/new.cfm?y=2004&n=749 |title=NABI's 100th CompoBus |date=November 1, 2004 |publisher=North American Bus Industries, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060512081358/http://www.nabiusa.com/new.cfm?y=2004&n=749 |archivedate=May 12, 2006 |url-status=dead}} Nearly the entire production of 900 CompoBuses were sold to just two agencies: LACMTA (662) and Valley Metro (approximately 200).{{cite report |url=http://media.metro.net/board/Items/2015/07_july/20150715atvcitem5.pdf#page=9 |title=Composite Structure Buses: Current Experience & Recommendations For Future Bus Purchases |author1=Lowell, Dana |author2=Seamonds, David |author3=Park, David |author4=Turner, Garrison |date=May 2015 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |accessdate=30 September 2020}}{{rp|1}}

File:Harbor Gateway Transit Center 08.JPG Metro 45C #8384 in J (Silver) Line service (2013)]]

The majority of CompoBuses produced were the 45-foot 45C models;{{cite web |url=https://utahrails.net/ajkristopans/IKARUS-NABI-MODELS-ORDERS.php |title=IKARUS / NABI Models and Order Numbers |author=Kristopans, Andre |date=October 27, 2014 |website=Utah Rails |accessdate=29 September 2020}} the primary advantage of the 45C was to offer the maximum capacity in a low-floor, two-axle transit bus while maintaining approximately the same weight (and drivetrain) as a conventional 40-foot bus.

The first 40C-LFWs to be delivered to LACMTA were a conversion of twenty units from an existing order of NABI 40-LFWs.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.metro-magazine.com/10008720/the-death-of-a-radical-idea |title=The Death of a Radical Idea |author=Henke, Cliff |date=April 1, 2005 |magazine=Metro Magazine}} The 40C buses, which each cost {{USD|310000|2003|round=-3}}, entered revenue service in February 2003.{{cite press release |url=https://www.metro.net/news/simple_pr/bus-future-latest-addition-mta-bus-fleet/ |title=Bus of the Future is Latest Addition to MTA Bus Fleet |date=February 26, 2003 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |accessdate=1 October 2020}}

After the procurement of the 40-foot CompoBus pilot fleet, LACMTA began procurement of 100 additional 45-foot Metro 45C buses to expand service at a cost of {{USD|373156|2003|round=-3}} each;{{cite press release |url=http://libraryarchives.metro.net/Press/Press%20Releases%201994%20-%202002/Press%20Releases%202002/Pages%20from%20Press%20Releases%2020020001-110.pdf |title=High capacity 'CompoBus' MTA's next stop on high tech road |date=January 24, 2002 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |accessdate=1 October 2020}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.metro.net/news/simple_pr/mta-buying-high-capacity-buses-pursuing-other-opti/ |title=MTA Buying High Capacity Buses, Pursuing Other Options to Further Reduce Bus Overcrowding |date=July 18, 2002 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |accessdate=1 October 2020}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.metro.net/news/simple_pr/mta-board-approves-purchase-70-additional-high-cap/ |title=MTA Board Approves Purchase of 70 Additional High-capacity 45-Foot High-tech Buses |date=January 23, 2003 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |accessdate=1 October 2020}} the Metro 45C offered 20% greater passenger capacity compared to a 40-foot conventional transit bus.

LACMTA worked with NABI to design the 45C and 60-BRT; Roger Snoble, the CEO of LACMTA, pointed to the existing bus fleet and declared "See those boxes down there [in the bus yard]? Don't bring me another bus that looks like that. No more shoeboxes!"{{rp|20}} The seat fabric for LACMTA's fleet of 45C and 60-BRT buses was designed by Beep'Inc., a collaboration of artist Pae White and architect Tom Marble.{{cite web |url=http://media.metro.net/about_us/metroart/ma_rapidpwtm.htm |title=Metro Bus Seat Fabric |date=2009 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |accessdate=1 October 2020}}

By 2005, with the 20 40C CompoBuses having driven an aggregate {{convert|1300000|mi}}, 8 of the 40C buses had to be taken out of service to repair cracks in the front suspension; the 86 45C CompoBuses then in service had driven {{convert|2100000|mi}} without any similar cracks, and the first accident involving a composite bus was repaired at a significantly lower cost than a conventional metal-framed bus.{{cite report |url=http://media.metro.net/board/Items/2005/08_August/20050824OtherATVCItem5.pdf |title=Bus Procurement Status Update |date=August 2005 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |accessdate=1 October 2020}}

Given the successful experience with the CompoBuses in service, LACMTA placed an order for 260 more Metro 45C buses in 2008 to replace conventional metal-framed 40-foot buses and added 41 to the 45C order in 2009. By 2011, the price of a 45C CompoBus had risen to {{USD|610409|2011|round=-3}}, when LACMTA exercised an option to purchase 100 more,{{cite web |url=http://media.metro.net/board/Items/2011/06_june/20110615RBMItem18.pdf |title=Purchase Replacement Buses |date=June 16, 2011 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |accessdate=1 October 2020}} although an additional 50 were purchased later at a significant discount.{{cite web |url=http://media.metro.net/board/Items/2011/12_december/20111215RBMItem54.pdf |title=Purchase Replacement Buses |date=December 15, 2011 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |accessdate=1 October 2020}}{{cite web |url=http://media.metro.net/board/Items/2012/05_may/20120516OPItem48.pdf |title=Bus Inspection Services |date=May 17, 2012 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |accessdate=1 October 2020}}

The Valley Metro 45C CompoBuses were used exclusively on that service's RAPID BRT routes.{{cite news |url=https://www.metro-magazine.com/10008852/brt-and-compobus-the-right-combination-for-phoenix |title=BRT and CompoBus the right combination for Phoenix |date=June 1, 2004 |work=Metro Magazine |accessdate=1 October 2020}} Reportedly, when NABI 40-LFW buses were substituted on that service, riders would file written complaints with the city. Ridership, as measured by cars parked in park-and-ride lots, rose from an average of 60 vehicles per day between July 2003 and January 2004, to 468 in February 2005, shortly after the 45C CompoBus was implemented on all RAPID routes.{{cite report |url=https://nbrti.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WestStart_BRT_Ridership_Analysis_Final.pdf |title=Bus Rapid Transit Ridership Analysis |author1=Peak, Matt |author2=Henke, Cliff |author3=Wnuk, Lawrence |date=June 2005 |publisher=Federal Transportation Administration |accessdate=1 October 2020}}{{rp|22}}

{{notelist}}

• Gillig Low Floor
• Neoplan AN440L
• New Flyer Low Floor
• Nova Bus LF Series
• Orion VI

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|NABI CompoBus}}

• {{cite web |url=http://www.nabiusa.com/buses/products.cfm?bus_type=2 |title=Composite Buses |publisher=North American Bus Industries, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040402123355/http://www.nabiusa.com/buses/products.cfm?bus_type=2 |archivedate=April 2, 2004 |url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/North_American_Bus_Industries_40C-LFW |title=North American Bus Industries 40C-LFW |publisher=Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board wiki |date= |accessdate=28 September 2020}}
• {{cite web |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/North_American_Bus_Industries_Metro_45C |title=North American Bus Industries Metro 45C |publisher=Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board wiki |date= |accessdate=28 September 2020}}

Category:Buses of the United States

Category:Vehicles introduced in 1999