Toronto Transit Commission Orders up to 40 Battery-Electric Buses from New Flyer
New Flyer Industries Canada ULC has announced an award from the Toronto Transit Commission for ten forty-foot, zero-emission battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE heavy-duty transit buses, with an option to purchase up to 30 additional buses over the next two years. This is TTC’s first transit bus order from New Flyer since 1999.
This award supports TTC’s electric bus program, focused on transforming its fleet into a 100 percent zero-emission fleet by 2040 and buying only emission-free buses starting in 2025. New Flyer was one of three candidates invited to collaborate with TTC in the evaluation of battery-electric buses for TTC service, offering buses with long range and overnight charge capability. The collaboration will assist TTC and the greater public transportation community with the development of bus specifications and the integration of future electric-bus procurements.
The Xcelsior CHARGE™ award is supported by funding from Infrastructure Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), which provides funding for new capital projects and planning and studies for transit growth in support of long-term transit plans. TTC’s electric bus program is also funded in part through the Government of Ontario’s GHG Challenge Fund. Depot charging for the buses will be powered by Toronto Hydro, TTC’s electricity provider.
“New Flyer is proud to provide battery-electric, zero-emission buses to the Toronto community, and is committed to leading the collaboration and advancement of Smart Mobility throughout North America,” said Jennifer McNeill, vice president, sales and marketing, New Flyer. “We look forward to working with TTC as it paves the way for zero-emission transportation in Canada, while improving mobility for the GTA and preserving its surrounding environment.”
The TTC is the third largest transit system in North America, delivering more than 536 million trips per year with subways, streetcars, buses, and a specialized service, Wheel-Trans, for persons with disabilities whose disability prevents them from using conventional transit. TTC operates more than 140 bus routes, and embeds sustainability into the core strategic objectives of its Five-Year Corporate Plan by reducing greenhouse gases, air pollution, and congestion on Toronto roadways.
NFI has over 85 years of experience manufacturing buses in Canada, and is focused on advancing vehicle innovation through development of intellectual property and removal of barriers to adopting zero-emission vehicles and autonomous driving technologies. New Flyer has been building electric-trolley buses since 1969 and battery-electric buses since 2013.
