Officer of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2020-10-21
Invested on: 2022-10-20
Jan den Oudsten, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Jan den Oudsten has shaped the future of public transit in Canada. A mechanical engineer and founder of the vehicle manufacturer New Flyer Industries, he responded to the need for accessible urban transit and is recognized for designing the first low-floor kneeling bus. He also pioneered hydrogen fuel cell technology and pushed the boundaries of clean energy research to produce hybrid-electric buses. His innovations have cemented Canada’s reputation as a leader in transit design and has forever transformed bus technology around the globe.