The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is initiating the production of 115 Xcelsior® 40-foot, heavy duty diesel-electric hybrid transit buses, according to an annoucement from New Flyer.
This is the fifth installment of a five-year contract by SEPTA for a total of 525 hybrid buses awarded to New Flyer in May 2016.
The order of low-emission hybrid buses will continue to replace older vehicles in SEPTA's current fleet with more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly buses. The hybrid buses also fulfill its SEPTAINABLE 2020 program, focused on achieving sustainability through a "triple-bottom-line" approach pursuing an environmentally responsible, socially equitable and economically prosperous Greater Philadelphia.
The order also builds on a recent celebration of SEPTA's receipt of its 1,500th transit bus from New Flyer – another low-emission bus propelled by hybrid technology. The recently delivered hybrid Xcelsior buses reduce air pollution while also supporting SEPTA's transit bus fleet evolution in pursuit of lower emissions – all part of its SEPTAINABLE 2020 plan. By 2020, hybrids will represent 95 percent of SEPTA's bus fleet, according to New Flyer.
New Flyer delivered its first bus to SEPTA in 2002, and since then has continued supporting SEPTA's mobility needs with hybrid electric buses as public transportation grew alongside the expanding community.
"SEPTA's vision to evolve its fleet to low-emission is near complete, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support this transition. Since 2002, we have proudly served SEPTA and the greater Philadelphia community with mobility featuring hybrid technology," said Chris Stoddart, president, New Flyer. "Together, we have driven the evolution to reduced emissions, and as we turn the corner on a new mobility paradigm, we will remain steadfast in supporting SEPTA through its continued evolution toward sustainable transit and fulfillment of its SEPTAINABLE 2020 plan. We look forward to innovating the future of mobility together, and providing communities with safe, clean, sustainable transportation."
