The Southeast Area Transit District (SEAT), through the State of Connecticut, exercised an option with New Flyer for five Xcelsior® clean diesel, 40-foot heavy-duty transit buses, and six Xcelsior® clean diesel, 35-foot heavy-duty transit buses, which will be converted from New Flyer’s backlog to a firm order. There are 206 40-foot heavy-duty transit buses remaining in the backlog in the State of Connecticut contract.
The order, which was supported with federal, state, and local funding, is part a fleet revitalization effort initiated by SEAT in 2017.
“We are proud to have supported Southeast Area Transit District in its revitalization initiative,” said Wayne Joseph, president, New Flyer of America. “As the district plans for future growth, New Flyer will continue providing safe, effective, and outstanding public transportation to help enhance the quality of life in Southeastern Connecticut.”
The Southeast Area Transit District is a multi-municipal public agency, serving ten member towns in Connecticut that include East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Ledyard, Lisbon, Montville, New London, Norwich, Stonington, and Waterford.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.
