FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New England Wheels FrontRunner® Low Floor Mini-Bus Passes the new 5year/150,000 mile Altoona Test with an impressive Score of 91
Billerica, MA- June 25, 2018
New England Wheels, Inc. announced today that The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued their official report for the company’s next generation lowered floor mini-bus-The FrontRunner®. The 22 foot, 15-passenger true low floor achieved a score of 91 on the new pass/fail test implemented in 2017. “The test validates the design goal that a front wheel drive sub 10,000 GVWR low floor can be lightweight, fuel efficient, user-friendly and durable to address the growing demand for low floor accessibility in this size class” said Paul LaRose President/CEO of New England Wheels.
While the pass/fail test at Altoona allowed for 125 hours of downtime due to mechanical failure, the FrontRunner® was charged with only 1 hour explaining its high score in the most demanding portion of the durability test. “We had no failures in our air suspension and no structural issues with our high strength lightweight steel frame during the test. The FrontRunner® really proved it is The Little Bus That Could.”
The multi-patented design and construction utilizes the Ram Promaster 3500 cutaway for the drive-train and is joined to a purpose-built lowered floor platform made from high strength lightweight steel. The entire lowered floor chassis is fully galvanized for superior corrosion resistance and longevity. The bus structure utilizes a patented composite wall structure for superior strength and durability.
“The front wheel drive platform allowed us to build a lowered floor bus that is truly flat at the entrance unlike the rear wheel drive alternatives that rely on a sloped floor to clear the rear wheel drive components” remarked Mr. LaRose. “In addition, a simple fold-out ramp and full-width transit door make the FrontRunner® the only lowered floor mini-bus in its size class built in the true likeness and utility of a larger 40’ transit bus.”
“We are looking at an electric version of the FrontRunner®” added Mr. LaRose. “Right now, the FrontRunner® offers a much greener, fuel efficient, user-friendly alternative to technologies that are still in the development phase but have been released because of what they promise to offer. Compared to a traditional cutaway powered by large inefficient v8’s, three difficult steps to enter, and a side mounted lift, the FrontRunner® is a more economical choice when looking at the total cost of ownership and the rider experience.”
The FrontRunner® meets or exceeds all applicable FMVSS standards, is Buy America compliant and is represented by a growing national network of dealers. It has also been approved by the GSA under its 23V-New Technology program for purchase by government agencies. New England Wheels has been structurally modifying vans for over three decades. “We’ve taken the feedback from our customers, the knowledge we’ve gained over the years, our experience with troublesome wheelchair lifts and built the next generation of lowered floor non-CDL commercial transportation in a smaller vehicle” remarked Mr. LaRose.
Read more in Metro Magazine.
Contact:
Paul LaRose-President/CEO info@newenglandwheels.com 33 Manning Road, Billerica, MA 01821 978-663-9724