(Sainte-Claire) The coach manufacturer Prevost in Bellechasse has just obtained its largest contract in 100 years: the New York City transport company is ordering 381 coaches worth $447 million.
All the political elite of the South Shore of Quebec gathered Tuesday afternoon in the factory which overlooks the village of Sainte-Claire. It is in this same village that the founder Eugène Prévost founded this company in 1924, now owned by the Volvo Group.
“This historic contract from the largest public transportation agency in North America is excellent news for the company,” said Prevost President François Tremblay.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has placed a firm order for 250 coaches to be delivered between 2025 and 2026. It has an option to purchase an additional 131 coaches. The contract estimated at 447 million includes parts and services.
These coaches, different from urban buses, will be mainly used for commuting users in the New York suburbs. The MTA is responsible for the famous New York subway, buses but also several coach lines to the suburbs.
Prevost currently employs 1,704 people, including 1,087 in Sainte-Claire. The contract announced Tuesday will add 150 employees according to the company.
This historic contract for the company “will create around a hundred new jobs and will enrich all of Quebec,” rejoiced Prime Minister François Legault in a press release.
This news comes as the company prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Events are planned for January.