New Flyer of America Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc. announced it is advancing third-year production of 100 Xcelsior® diesel-electric hybrid, 40-foot heavy-duty transit buses for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). It is the third installment of a five-year contract for a total of 525 hybrid buses approved by SEPTA in May 2016.

The buses will be deployed in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs of Delaware, Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester, supporting four million people living in and around southeastern Pennsylvania. The hybrid diesel-electric Xcelsior buses support SEPTA’s “SEPT-AINABLE 2020” program, focused on achieving sustainability through a “triple bottom line” approach that includes the natural environment, healthy communities and workforce, and economic vitality.

At the conclusion of the five-year contract, hybrids will comprise 95% of SEPTA’s bus fleet.

"SEPTA is proud to be an industry leader in providing cleaner, more fuel efficient travel by increasing the number of hybrid buses in its fleet," SEPTA GM Jeffrey D. Knueppel said. “We look forward to getting these new 100 Xcelsior diesel-electric hybrids into service for our customers.”

“We are proud to again deliver hybrid electric buses to SEPTA,” stated Wayne Joseph, president of New Flyer of America. “Through integrating more fuel efficient transportation and driving meaningful change through SEPT-AINABILE 2020, SEPTA has demonstrated industry leadership. New Flyer will continue supporting its goals of more sustainable and accessible public transportation, to foster better health and economic vitality in the surrounding communities.”

SEPTA is one of only two U.S. transit authorities operating all five major types of terrestrial transit vehicles: regional rail trains, heavy rapid transit trains, light rail vehicles, trolley buses, and motor buses. It has an annual ridership of over 300 million.