Austin’s Capital Metro Transportation Authority has ordered 26 of New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE NG forty-foot electric transit buses, and four Xcelsior CHARGE NG sixty-foot buses. The five-year contract includes options to purchase up to 126 forty-foot and up to 15 sixty-foot battery-electric buses, and up to 427 chargers (197 depot plug-in chargers, 197 depot overhead chargers, and 33 en-route chargers).
CapMetro, Austin’s public transportation provider, delivers over 20 million annual trips through bus, paratransit and commuter rail services. The agency plans to electrify its entire fleet of more than 400 transit vehicles, through an initiative called Project Connect.
New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric buses sport battery packs with up to 525 kWh of power, and offer up to 250 miles of range. The company estimates that over a typical 12-year lifespan, each bus will deliver up to $125,000 in maintenance savings and up to $400,000 in fuel savings compared to a legacy vehicle.
New Flyer’s NFI Infrastructure Solutions provides fleet infrastructure services—it has installed over 200 chargers to date.
“This announcement is a major milestone for CapMetro as we strive to provide safe, clean and equitable transportation for our community,” said CapMetro CEO Randy Clarke. “Public transportation has a bright future in Central Texas as we continue to bring Project Connect to life in the coming years.”
“For over 20 years, NFI has propelled CapMetro’s expansion of safe, reliable, and accessible mobility in Austin, with 344 buses delivered since 1997,” said Chris Stoddart, President, North American Bus and Coach. “With our advanced electric buses—which offer lighter weight, up to 13% longer range, and up to 90% better energy recovery—Project Connect is evolving CapMetro’s fleet toward cleaner, quieter, more sustainable mobility.”
Source: New Flyer