TriMet to add 5 battery-electric, Md. to add 140 clean-diesel New Flyer buses

Portland, Ore.’s TriMet awarded New Flyer a contract for five Xcelsior® battery-electric, 40-foot heavy-duty transit buses, and the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) entered into an $81.3 million agreement with New Flyer for the purchase of 140 clean-diesel buses to further improve service on the BaltimoreLink transit system.

This is TriMet's first move in deploying a long-term test of battery-electric buses within their network, in consideration of transition to an all-electric fleet, and also delivers on goals of advancing bus technology and planning for the future of transit. TriMet has partnered with Portland General Electric (PGE) to purchase, own, and maintain the charging infrastructure.

The contract, which includes the Xcelsior battery-electric buses and charging hardware, is supported by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Low or No (Low-No) Emission Vehicle Deployment Program. Xcelsior battery-electric buses offer up to $400,000 in energy savings and up to $125,000 in maintenance savings over a 12-year life span, and can travel up to 230 miles on a single charge.

"We are thrilled to be part of TriMet's first investment in 100% electric, zero-emission transportation," stated Wayne Joseph, President of New Flyer of America. "With this Low-No contract, we take another step in the evolution of America's transit bus fleets to electric propulsion. We commend TriMet on leading change toward lower emissions and greater environmental sustainability."

Meanwhile, Maryland's 140 Xcelsior® clean-diesel buses are 40-foot-long, heavy duty transit coaches that will roll out on Baltimore-area streets starting in 2018 to support CityLink and LocalLink bus routes, which form the core of MDOT MTA’s BaltimoreLink system.

“We’re excited to add the new vehicles, which will further modernize our fleet of buses and enhance service reliability for the thousands of people who ride our CityLink and LocalLink bus routes each day,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn. “As BaltimoreLink connects people to where they live, work and play, expanding our fleet with clean-diesel buses will improve the environment and go a long way to providing public transportation that will strengthen our communities.”