Grande West Transportation Group Inc.: Vicinity Completes Altoona Bus Testing

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 21, 2016) - Grande West Transportation Group Inc. (TSX VENTURE:BUS)(OTC:GWTNF) ("Grande West" or the "Company"), a manufacturer of heavy-duty mid-sized transit buses for sale in Canada and the United-States, announced the completion of testing of its Vicinity 30 ft. model buses in the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Bus Test Program at Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Vicinity was tested for the maximum allowable 12 year, durability testing. Full reports available at www.grandewest.com.

The Altoona test is an internationally recognized tough testing regime, as it essentially performs 12 years of a New York City heavy duty cycle upon completion of the testing. It allows customers to measure performance and estimate life cycle costing of the vehicle.

USA regulations require all new bus models used for mass transportation revenue service and purchased with FTA funds to complete an Altoona Test. The primary focus of the test program evaluates the structural durability and integrity, reliability, performance, maintainability, safety, noise, and fuel economy.

"We are very proud of the Vicinity achieving this important milestone and its exceptional performance in all categories of the Altoona Test. Our engineering team has designed and manufactured a great bus for the market. The Vicinity has accumulated millions of miles of safe and reliable service since its introduction with BC Transit in 2010," said William Trainer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Grande West. Trainer added, "The Vicinity performed superbly and clearly distinguished itself against other mid-sized buses in this Heavy Duty 12 year test program. The Vicinity has completed its testing as best in class in many categories. The Company, and our large distribution partner, Alliance Bus Group, has been eagerly awaiting completion of the Altoona test. The Company and Alliance Bus Group can now address the massive sales potential in the USA market place."

Also to further assist our corporate efforts, Grande West is pleased to add John LaGourgue to our Board of Directors. John has over 20 years of management, sales and investment experience in public and private companies. He has also served in senior management and directors' roles in TSX Venture listed companies. John will be a great asset to assist the Company's management team with communications and capital market strategy.

John will be granted 250,000 stock options at $0.58 per common share. The options will vest in accordance with the Company's stock option plan. The options granted are exercisable until June 16, 2021, subject to exchange approval.

About Grande West Transportation Group

Grande West is a Canadian bus manufacturer which designs, engineers and manufactures Vicinity buses for transit authorities and commercial enterprises. With little competition in the "mid-size" bus range, Grande West has set itself apart from others with the Vicinity bus - a heavy duty mid-size, true community transit bus for the North American market.

The Vicinity is designed with affordability, accessibility and global responsibility in mind. It costs significantly less than a regular 40 foot transit bus, burns less fuel and emits less harmful emissions.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Private Placement, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Grande West's expectations include uncertainties relating to the receipt of final approval from the TSX-V; and other risk and uncertainties disclosed in Grande West's reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Grande West's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. Grande West assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.