Allison Transmission Holdings Inc. announced Aug. 22 that the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has selected the Allison B400 for 265 new buses with compressed natural gas (CNG) engines.
“Allison Transmission’s solid reputation for quality and reliability were a key deciding factor for us,” said Rich Krisak, chief operations officer for MARTA. “Additionally, Allison’s expertise in pairing with natural gas engines is the best option for our sustainability initiatives.”
Allison’s fully-automatic transmissions generate continuous, full-power shifts which put more power to the wheels during vehicle acceleration, and are not impacted by the longer torque response time of natural gas engines. This allows for faster route times and a smoother ride for passengers. The Allison B400 will be in New Flyer buses measuring 30- and 40-feet in length.
“MARTA is one of the most respected fleets in the country, and we’re pleased they continue to experience the performance and value of choosing Allison for their fleet,” said Heidi Schutte, executive director of regional sales for Allison Transmission.
The contract for 265 buses includes a firm order of 88 natural gas units, along with an option for an additional 177 natural gas units to be exercised at a later date. Delivery of the initial 88 buses is expected by the end of this year.
