New Flyer helps agencies in Nebraska and California expand their zero-emission footprint

New Flyer has announced the city of Lincoln Transportation and Utilities, operating as StarTran Bus Serivce (StarTran) has purchased 10 battery-electric, 35-foot Xcelsior CHARGE ™ heavy-duty transit buses, and Omnitrans  in San Bernardino, Calif., has ordered four battery-electric, 40-foot Xcelsior CHARGE heavy-duty transit buses.  

StarTran drives sustainability forward 

The zero-emission bus purchase furthers the city’s commitment to sustainability through greenhouse gas reduction in public transit, and is comprised of two orders, both supported with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Low or No-Emission funding. A $1.45 million federal grant in 2017 supported the city’s purchase of its first four electric buses, while a $2.6 million federal grant in 2019 supported the replacement of six older diesel buses with new electric models. 

Each bus is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100-160 tons per year, compared to a traditional clean diesel bus, according to New Flyer. 

Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird celebrated the arrival of the first bus alongside StarTran Transit Manager Mike Davis and Donna Garden, assistant director of Utilities with Lincoln Transportation and Utilities. The first Xcelsior CHARGE bus was unveiled while Mayor Baird updated media on the city’s latest sustainability accomplishments. 

“A major part of my administration’s Resilient Lincoln initiative is to ensure that our city is building a climate smart future,” said Mayor Baird. “It is now more important than ever before to take action locally to protect our environment for future generations.” 

“StarTran has been an outstanding sustainability leader in the Midwestern U.S. for the better part of a decade,” said Chris Stoddart, president, New Flyer. “Through the adoption of low-emission [compressed natural gas (CNG)] buses, followed by zero-emission, it has set the pace for building a more livable community through reduced emissions and renewable energy initiatives. Today, we celebrate another milestone achieved for the city of Lincoln.”  

New Flyer has delivered nearly 30 buses to StarTran since 2014, beginning with CNG buses and recently adding zero-emission Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses to the StarTran fleet.  

“We’re thrilled to welcome the arrival of our first zero-emission bus to StarTran,” said Mike Davis, Transit manager with StarTran. “We have counted on New Flyer buses for several years, first with low-emission CNG buses and now with the battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE. We look forward to depending on the same reliability, efficiency and fully-accessible mobility we’ve come to expect from New Flyer; but can now take even greater pride knowing our community has a better quality of life with cleaner, quieter public transit.” 

Omnitrans expands California’s zero-emission public transit footprint 

With this new order for zero-emission battery-electric buses, Omnitrans further supports its commitment to providing comprehensive public transportation services which maximize comfort, safety and customer satisfaction in an environmentally sensitive manner that further reduces air pollution in the Inland Empire. The California Air Resources Board passed its Innovative Clean Transit Regulation in December 2018, which requires transit agencies to transition their fleets to zero-emission technologies by 2040. 

Since 2000, New Flyer has delivered 300 buses to Omnitrans, which currently operates more than 175 40-foot and 60-foot CNG transit buses from New Flyer. 

“New Flyer commends Omnitrans on their forward-looking commitment to expanding public transportation services with new and innovative technology solutions,” said Chris Stoddart, president, New Flyer of America. “We are proud that our zero-emission Xcelsior CHARGE battery-electric buses will help the people of San Bernardino Valley get to work, school, family and healthcare, on buses that are safe, accessible and environmentally responsible.” 

New Flyer has delivered nearly 10,400 buses into the state of California and has more than 200 on order or pending delivery over the coming year.