Blue Bird Joint Venture Micro Bird to Establish Bus Manufacturing Facility in New York State

Blue Bird Corporation, the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, lauds the U.S. expansion of Micro Bird’s manufacturing operations to build small and midsize buses in New York State.

Micro Bird, a 50/50 joint venture of Blue Bird Corporation and Girardin, has confirmed the purchase of the Nova Bus facility in Plattsburgh, NY, and plans to begin production in mid-2025. The investment will enable Micro Bird to double its production capacity to meet the sustained and growing demand for its full line of school buses, school activity buses, multi-purpose vehicles and commercial buses.

This project is supported by the Empire State Development with nearly $10 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and a $2.5-million capital grant from the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.

Micro Bird will progressively be hiring employees currently working at Nova Bus Plattsburgh. A close collaboration with Nova Bus has been established to ensure a seamless transition. Site preparation will begin in January 2025, including hiring of employees, with start of productionscheduled for the summer of 2025.

Blue Bird is the leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 20,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses in operation today. Girardin is a third-generation Canadaian family business specializing in school bus transportation. Girardin, a reputable partner and authorized distributor of Blue Bird school buses, also produces Micro Bird minibuses at its Drummondville facility through its 50/50 joint venture with Blue Bird Corporation.

Canadaa-based Nova Bus is a member of the Volvo Group and is a provider of sustainable transportation solutions in North America. Nova Bus will continue to support all of its US customersfor their service and parts needs, as well as selling its buses in the US.