Madison Metro Transit orders 46 battery-electric 60-foot buses from New Flyer

Jan. 11, 2023
The high-capacity, zero-emission articulated buses will be configured with five doors to operate on Metro Transit’s new East-West Bus Rapid Transit system, which is expected to begin its service in 2024.

New Flyer of America Inc. (New Flyer), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI), received an order from the city of Madison, Wisc., (Metro Transit) for 46 battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ 60-foot heavy-duty transit buses. The purchase was supported by Federal Transit Administration funds.

The high-capacity, zero-emission articulated buses will be configured with five doors to operate on Metro Transit’s new East-West Bus Rapid Transit system, which is expected to begin its service in 2024. In addition, the new battery-electric buses for Metro Transit will be equipped with high-power batteries, providing 410 kWh of power to deliver more energy-efficient and longer-range zero-emission buses. Metro Transit provides public transportation service throughout the city of Madison, Wis., delivering more than 4.6 million annual fixed route bus and paratransit rides.

“Metro Transit is excited to partner with New Flyer to help make our ambitious BRT plans a reality,” said Justin Stuehrenberg, general manager, Metro Transit. “New Flyer's track record of innovation, quality products and on-time delivery give us complete confidence they will be a trustworthy partner for the largest infrastructure project the city of Madison has ever undertaken."

“With more than 16,000 Xcelsior buses on North America’s roads, NFI is a proven mass mobility leader that provides reliable and safe mobility solutions,” said Chris Stoddart, president, NFI. “These 60-foot Charge NG buses will immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions, delivering cleaner, more sustainable mobility all while providing faster, high-capacity transportation to the city of Madison community.”