Jan den Oudsten Inducted into APTA Hall of Fame

Winnipeg, Manitoba (August 25, 2004) - Jan den Oudsten, previous CEO, Chairman of the Board and owner of New Flyer will be inducted into the American Public Transportation Association’s Hall of Fame for significant achievements over his career in the transit industry.  The ceremony is to take place October 12th, at this year APTA Annual Awards luncheon in Atlanta, GA.

“New Flyer is extremely fortunate to have had Jan den Oudsten at its helm during much of the last two decades,” said John Marinucci, CEO and President of New Flyer.  “Without his vision and drive, New Flyer would not hold the market leadership position it enjoys today.”

Mr. Den Oudsten, who retired this year from his position as Chairman of the board, is credited with significant contributions to worldwide transit.  Upon purchasing Flyer Industries in 1986, he transferred European low-floor technology to 40’ and 60’ articulated urban transit buses, which provides easier entrance and exit for all passengers, a more spacious interior and larger windows. 

In addition to low-floor technology, he introduced programmable logic control for bus electrical systems in 1993, integrated hydrogen fuel cell technology in the mid-1990’s and, in 2002, introduced the first 60’ Articulated Diesel Electric Hybrid bus.  In 1999, Mr. den Oudsten unveiled the Invero, New Flyer’s state-of-the-art transit bus, which featured enhanced driver ergonomics, greater passenger comfort, ease of maintenance and the first two stage wheelchair ramp that allows wheelchair passengers to board from the street without assistance.

Mr. den Oudsten also led the successful expansion of New Flyer.  He consolidated and expanded the Winnipeg facility, and then managed the growth of the Minnesota production facilities, St. Cloud and Crookston.  He opened Parts, Research and Development and service center facilities and, under his leadership, New Flyer expanded from 334 employees and 300 buses per year in 1986 to 2026 employees and 1304 buses per year in 2002.

Mr. den Oudsten began his career in the 1960’s by joining the family business, Den Oudsten Bussen in the Netherlands, which was started by his father in 1926.  In 1986, Mr. den Oudsten purchased New Flyer from the Province of Manitoba, Canada.

Today, as a result of Mr. den Oudsten’s vision, over 85% of buses purchased by transit properties are low floor design and include the many innovations described earlier. His contributions have led to significant changes to the urban transit market that has allowed all passengers with the ability to ride transit today.