Philadelphia exercises options for an additional New Flyer 115 hybrid-electric buses

New Flyer of America Inc. has announced it is advancing fourth-year production of 115 Xcelsior forty-foot diesel-electric hybrid, heavy-duty transit buses for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. This is the fourth installment of a five-year contract by SEPTA for a total of 525 hybrid buses awarded to New Flyer in May 2016. 

The hybrid Xcelsior buses support SEPTA’s “SEPT-AINABLE 2020” program, focused on achieving sustainability through a “triple-bottom-line” approach that includes the natural environment, healthy communities and workforce, and economic vitality.

Through its investment in hybrid bus technologies, SEPTA has significantly reduced bus energy consumption, which accounts for approximately half of all of the agency’s transportation energy. At the conclusion of the five-year New Flyer contract, hybrids will comprise 95 percent of SEPTA’s bus fleet.

“New Flyer is proud to continue delivering hybrid electric technology to SEPTA as it expands low-emission transit and further reduces transportation emissions,” said Chris Stoddart, president, New Flyer of America. “We’re committed to supporting SEPT-AINABLE 2020 and delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable mobility solutions to Philadelphia and the surrounding communities.”

SEPTA is one of only two U.S. transit authorities operating all five major types of terrestrial transit vehicles: regional rail trains, heavy rapid transit trains, light rail vehicles, trolley buses, and motor buses with a total annual ridership of over 300 million. In 2016, SEPTA earned the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. It also earned the Energy Storage North America Innovation Award (2014), American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) "Gold" Recognition Level for Sustainability (2012), APTA’s "Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award" (2012), and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) "Energy Star" Award for the SEPTA Headquarters (2010).

New Flyer has over 50 years of experience manufacturing zero-emission buses, with more electric buses on the road in America than any other manufacturer. It is the only North American manufacturer offering all three types of zero-emission transit buses (battery-electric, fuel cell-electric, and trolley-electric). In 2018, New Flyer became the first bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities.