New Flyer of America Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI Group), announced that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) awarded New Flyer a contract for up to 100 Xcelsior® battery-electric, zero-emission, 60-foot heavy-duty transit buses. The contract includes 35 firm orders, with options to purchase an additional 65 buses.

The decision was spurred by Metro’s commitment to all-electric transit buses by 2030, and was supported by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Local Labor Hiring Pilot Program. That program enables FTA grantees, including states and local agencies, to utilize social or economic contracting requirements in competitive bidding. In addition, the Transportation Diversity Council (TDC) will assist with local employment, hiring a diverse workforce, and the addition of life-skills training by the New Flyer Institute, the company’s proprietary learning center.

“We are honored to partner with LA Metro to pursue new frontiers for sustainable and zero-emission transit and proud to have been selected from this competitive procurement,” said Wayne Joseph, president of New Flyer of America. “New Flyer has five decades of experience manufacturing electric transit buses, starting with trolleys in 1969. With the new Xcelsior CHARGE™ we can now deliver enhanced battery-electric transit technology on a proven bus platform that meets the demands of America’s communities.”

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New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses will be deployed on Metro’s technologically-advanced Orange Line. These 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. When charged on-route, the Xcelsior CHARGE™ remains continuously operational to meet daily service requirements.

“Metro is fully committed to improving the health of people across the region — and these new electric buses will help improve air quality and reduce noise pollution,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, chair of the Metro Board. “As the largest transit agency in the country to commit to a fully-electric fleet by 2030, Metro continues to serve as a global leader for sustainable policies; all while creating good-paying local jobs.

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The NFI Group has been advancing innovation in battery-electric transit technology since 2008, and in October 2017, introduced the Xcelsior CHARGE™ — its next-generation battery-electric bus with improved design, performance, and technological advancement. It is the quietest, most accessible transit bus available, with the highest gross axle rating due to battery distribution, according to the company.

This new award, which includes the Xcelsior battery-electric buses and charging hardware, will add a total of 200 equivalent units to New Flyer’s backlog. The NFI Group has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing zero-emission buses and employs more American workers than any other bus manufacturer in North America.