North American Bus Industries - The Compobus

The Compobus

In 2001, NABI launched a new line called the Compobus, a revolutionary line which used a body built from composite fiberglass as opposed to the traditional steel. This model was also notable for being the first transit bus in North America to be available in a 45-foot length (model 45C-LFW) in addition to the standard 40-foot (model 40C-LFW). Though, on paper, the Compobus looked to be an eventual success and a standard setter for transit buses, the model instead floundered for a multitude of reasons including a lack of customers, financial losses stemming from shell production, the expiration of Buy America Act waivers, and an uneasiness from transit authorities to buy a non-steel bus. While these factors led to the discontinuance of the Compobus line in early 2005, the Compobus was revived when Los Angeles County Metro approved the purchase of up to 260 from NABI, now called the Metro 45C. One was tested in Honolulu, Hawaii in early 2009.