New Flyer of America Inc. (New Flyer) announced that the City of Madison (Metro Transit) ordered 46 battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG 60-foot heavy-duty transit buses.

The purchase was supported by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds, according to NFI's news release.

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.

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

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.

“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 of North American Bus and Coach at 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.”

Flying Higher

NFI and New Flyer are off to a hot start in 2023, as this announcement follows CapMetro signing a five-year contract with New Flyer for up to 171 battery-electric buses and 427 chargers.

It was announced on Jan. 3 that CapMetro exercised options to purchase 30 Heliox 180 kWh depot overhead chargers, including 90 pantograph dispensers, by NFI Infrastructure Solutions.

On Jan. 4, New Flyer announced it received new firm orders for 16 battery-electric and fuel cell-electric transit buses from Winnipeg Transit.

The contract also has options to be extended for up to four years to purchase up to 150 40-foot zero-emission buses. In total, NFI will add up to 166 buses (or 174 Equivalent Units EUs) to its backlog from firm and option orders.