New Flyer Industries Inc. announced June 25 that BC Transit has awarded New Flyer a contract for 50 Xcelsior compressed natural gas (“CNG”) 40-foot heavy-duty buses.
The contract for 50 Xcelsior buses contains a firm order of 25 buses with options for an additional 25 buses that may be exercised at a later date. These buses will be added to BC Transit’s approximately 650 heavy duty bus fleet and will operate throughout Nanaimo, B.C. Between 1992 and 2009 New Flyer has built and delivered 316 buses to BC Transit.
“Our last project with BC Transit was for hydrogen fuel cell buses in 2009. We’re really excited to once again collaborate with BC Transit on bringing another clean fuel bus fleet to British Columbia,” said Paul Soubry, president and CEO of New Flyer. “Not only is this the first time we will build our Xcelsior model for BC Transit, it’s also the first CNG bus we have ever built for them.”
“We look forward to partnering again with New Flyer as BC Transit introduces its first-ever CNG fleet,” said BC Transit President and CEO Manuel Achadinha. “Sustainability is a core value at BC Transit, and the addition of CNG fuelled buses helps further our green fleet efforts.”
"The Regional District of Nanaimo is excited to be receiving the first CNG fleet in BC Transit," said Diane Brennan, regional district of Nanaimo transit select committee chair. "CNG New Flyer buses will help play an integral role in achieving our region's environmental and economic goals."
The 25 CNG buses are anticipated to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2013 and all buses are expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2014.
