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Biz News: National Express, First Transit contracts; New Flyer, Proterra deliver

MBTA, Valley Metro, and Miami-Dade come to agreements for paratransit, CNG buses, and battery-electric vehicles, charging.

October 10, 2019
Biz News: National Express, First Transit contracts; New Flyer, Proterra deliver

Miami-Dade is installing up to 75 plug-in chargers to support future expansion of their electric vehicle fleet.

2 min to read


MBTA taps National Express for paratransit services

Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) selected National Express Transit Corp. to continue providing paratransit services as THE RIDE in the MBTA’s South Service Area. The five-year base contract, with a two-year option, has a potential total value of more than $400 million over seven years.

The Ride’s work will be split amongst three providers, including National Express. The new contract awards National Express Transit 50% of the entire Ride program.

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Valley Metro adding 27 New Flyer CNG buses 

The Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority exercised options for 27 additional New Flyer Xcelsior® 40-foot, compressed natural gas (CNG) heavy-duty transit buses.

The original joint contract with the City of Phoenix, awarded in November 2017, included up to 396 buses over five-years. Currently, 91% of the Valley Metro fleet is powered by low-emission CNG buses, which support local clean air initiatives and Valley Metro’s 2016-2020 strategic plan to advance the value of transit throughout metro Phoenix.

Miami-Dade is installing up to 75 plug-in chargers to support future expansion of their electric vehicle fleet.

Proterra to deliver battery-electric buses, charging stations to Miami-Dade

Proterra announced that Miami-Dade has agreed to purchase 33, 40-foot Proterra Catalyst® E2 electric buses with DuoPower drivetrain technology and up to 75 plug-in Proterra chargers. With 33 electric buses and charging systems, Miami-Dade represents the largest electric bus order on the East Coast.

Miami-Dade is installing up to 75 plug-in chargers to support future expansion of their electric vehicle fleet. Proterra will provide turn-key infrastructure installation, managing the process from start to finish. Working with the county and local utility, Proterra’s team of in-house experts will design and implement the best charging infrastructure solution for Miami-Dade, simplifying the transition to an electric fleet.

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Proterra’s purpose-built high-power charging systems utilize standardized J1772-CCS plug-in technology, providing Miami-Dade the opportunity to charge other electric vehicles in addition to Proterra electric buses. The company’s chargers are also vehicle-to-grid capable and smart-grid ready.

First Transit United Airlines contract extended at IAH

United Airlines renewed its contract with First Transit to operate and provide shuttles for all employees at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

First Transit will continue to provide maintenance, operations, and staffing for 22 buses, carrying nearly two million United Airlines employees annually at IAH. The contractor is bringing the latest technology with a new bus tracking app for employees to see the location of shuttles in real-time. Also, First Transit is introducing 16 new 35-foot ElDorado EZ Rider II buses to enhance the employee rider experience.

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