The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has exercised options for 26 Xcelsior® compressed natural gas (CNG) 60-foot, heavy-duty transit buses, converted from New Flyer's backlog.
The options are part of a five-year contract between New Flyer and San Diego MTS, originally announced in February 2018 for up to 50 Xcelsior® CNG 60-foot, heavy-duty transit buses. The order replaces older, end-of-life vehicles with lower-emission and more efficient buses that deliver increased sustainability. Since 1993, New Flyer has delivered nearly 800 buses to San Diego MTS, including six zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses.
"New Flyer appreciates the critical need for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion, while also increasing community connectivity – and the MTS team has established itself as a leader in the transition to low and zero-emission mobility," said Chris Stoddart, president, New Flyer of America. "We are proud to support MTS in improving air quality, reducing climate change impact and serving as part of San Diego's multi-modal solution with CNG buses that are safe, clean and reliable."
CNG propulsion can reduce nitrogen oxides emissions and has an immediate impact on improving air quality, says New Flyer. CNG propulsion emits 90 percent less nitrogen oxide (NOx) than diesel engines – and meets particulate matter levels without the need of a filter. Xcelsior CNG buses conform to the Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Comprehensive Heavy-Duty National Program standards, reducing fuel consumption for heavy-duty highway vehicles.
