California’s San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) issued a new order for 55 clean diesel, 60-foot Xcelsior® heavy-duty transit buses from New Flyer.
The buses, funded by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants, will replace buses from 2002 that have exceeded their useful life and will also help increase service along El Camino Real on SamTrans’ ECR Route, where 35% of all system boardings occur.
In December 2014, SamTrans approved a five-year strategic plan focused on five goals for 2015 to 2019: increasing bus ridership by 15%, growing passenger fare revenue by 20%, reducing annual debt service by $1.5 million, improving organizational performance, and managing workforce change.
The San Mateo County Transit District provides public transit and transportation programs in San Mateo County, supporting over 13 million passengers per year with bus, paratransit, and commuter rail service.
A 5% rise in deliveries and a surge in zero-emission buses signaled progress in 2025, but high costs, long lead times, and shifting funding priorities continue to cloud the outlook.
The agencies, San Diego MTS and NCTD - San Diego Railroad, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.
The project was awarded under the Washington State Contract, enabling FAX to streamline its procurement processes while ensuring value and quality from an experienced transit solutions provider, said officials.
The historic initiative represents the first time since MARTA began bus operations in the early 1970s that the entire system has been redrawn from scratch.
In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry.
Funded through the 2025 Investment Plan, the new R2 Marine–Willingdon RapidBus is expected to begin service in September, more than three months ahead of schedule.
Complete Parts features new branding with a new logo, a new contact telephone number, a dedicated order desk, enhanced processes and inventory, all designed to provide the parts bus operations need.