New Flyer of America Inc. is advancing fourth-year production of 115 Xcelsior 40-foot diesel-electric hybrid, heavy-duty transit buses for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
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 the agency’s transportation energy, says New Flyer. At the conclusion of the five-year New Flyer contract, hybrids will comprise 95% 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,” says Chris Stoddart, president of 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 operates 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.
