King County Metro, Westchester County order New Flyer buses
New Flyer of America Inc., a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., has secured two orders from King County Metro in Washington State and Westchester County in New York State for a total of 148 buses.
King County has ordered 20 additional 60-foot zero-emission battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ heavy-duty transit buses, which will support the agency’s commitment to achieve a 100-percent zero-emissions fleet powered by renewable energy no later than 2040.
The addition of 20 battery-electric buses marks another key milestone in reaching King County Metro’s goal to improve air quality, reduce carbon and provide equitable access to sustainable transportation. This order follows the completion of an 18-month electric bus evaluation of two, 60-foot New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses program initiated in 2018. The buses were purchased as option orders off of the commonwealth of Virginia state contract.
"Metro has long been an early adopter of advanced innovation, and the transition to zero-emission mobility is no exception. New Flyer battery-electric buses offer significant noise reduction, cost savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions – all while consistently performing through rigorous operating environments to keep the community moving,” said Chris Stoddart, president, New Flyer and MCI. "Having delivered over 1,830 buses to King County since 1979 – with over half comprised of zero-emission or hybrid electric propulsions on common and proven Xcelsior bus platforms – New Flyer technology has assisted Metro’s transition to clean, quiet, reliable and sustainable transit.”
In Westchester County, the Department of Public Works and Transportation, which operates the Bee-Line, has awarded New Flyer a new order for 66 Xcelsior® 40-foot hybrid electric buses. The order is part of a two-year contract, with options for up to 52 additional 40-foot and 10, 35-foot Xcelsior hybrid electric buses.
The Bee-Line is Westchester County's bus system, serving more than 27 million passengers annually in the White Plains region of New York State, has been a longtime leader in sustainable mobility and continues to rely on New Flyer’s low-emission expertise. The purchase is supported by a combination of state and Federal Transit Administration funds and replaces end of life vehicles, continuing the county’s move toward more sustainable transit.
“Hybrid-electric buses immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are a safe and reliable way to move people through the community while contributing to cleaner air,” said Stoddart. “New Flyer's hybrid-electric technology is currently in motion across 5,500 buses, providing reductions in transmission and brake maintenance, requiring fewer parts and fluids, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through decreases of up to 50 percent in NOx and 90-100 percent in particulate matter levels. We are proud to have delivered more than 170 hybrid buses into Westchester County since 2009.”
