Metropolitan Council Opts for 30 More New Flyer Buses

New Flyer of America Inc. announced Dec. 8, that the Metropolitan Council of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota, exercised options for 30 heavy-duty 60-foot Xcelsior XD60 clean diesel buses.

Metropolitan Council is the regional policy-making body, planning agency, and provider of essential services forthe Twin Cities metropolitan area, with a mission to foster efficient and economic growth for a prosperous region.

The buses will be operated by Metro Transit which provides an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities. Metro is one of the country's largest transit systems, providing roughly 90 percent of the 78 million bus trips taken annually in the Twin Cities. Metro Transit has a service area spanning 123 bus routes, with an additional six bus routes operated under contract with Maple Grove Transit. The additional 30 XD60 buses will be used to support the A-Line expansion of bus rapid transit set to open in 2016.

The contract, originally signed in March of 2014 was a firm order for 83 XD60 60 foot articulated buses (166 EUs), with options for up to 88 additional XD60 buses (176 EUs).

"We appreciate our long term relationship with Metro and are excited to be contracted to build additional Xcelsior XD60 buses for them," said Paul Soubry, president and chief executive officer of New Flyer. "Metro is a first class transit organization and we are very proud to be able to build buses in the same community where they will be operated. We are excited to see the growth in Metro`s bus rapid transit service and appreciate the confidence expressed in New Flyer. Built for Minnesotans by Minnesotans."