USA
New Flyer of America is advancing fourth-year production of 115 Xcelsior 40-foot diesel-electric hybrid buses for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
This is the fourth instalment 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, the transport authority has significantly reduced bus energy consumption, which accounts for approximately half of all of the agency’s transportation energy.
At the conclusion of the five-year New Flyer contract, hybrids will comprise 95% of its 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,” said Chris Stoddart, President, 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 is one of only two US transit authorities operating all five major types of terrestrial transit vehicles: regional rail trains, heavy rapid transit trains, light rail vehicles, trolleybuses, and motor buses with a total annual ridership of over 300 million.
In 2016, it earned the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.
It also earned the Energy Storage North America Innovation Award (2014), American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) ‘Gold’ Recognition Level for Sustainability (2012), APTA’s ‘Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award’ (2012), and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ‘Energy Star’ Award for the SEPTA Headquarters (2010).
