The New York Metropolitan Transit Authority will add another 265 battery-electric buses to its fleet through an ongoing supply deal with mass mobility manufacturer NFI Group and its subsidiary New Flyer of America.
The option order is part of a contract between New Flyer and the MTA signed in the first quarter of 2024 and allows the purchase of 193 Xcelsior CHARGE NG 40-foot buses and 72 Xcelsior CHARGE NG 60-foot buses (144 equivalent units).
The MTA operates North America’s largest transportation network and oversees the largest bus fleet in the United States. The MTA’s services span 5,000 square miles, covering New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut, serving a population of 15.3 million people.
“Our 25-year partnership with the MTA has been built on trust, innovation, and delivering reliable transportation solutions,” said Chris Stoddart, President, North American Bus and Coach, NFI. “This builds upon MTA’s original firm order of 205 Xcelsior CHARGE NG buses.”
Last year, the MTA and state of New York initiated the original order with delivery of 60 new electric buses. To support this new electric fleet, the New York Power Authority completed installation of 17 new bus charging points in Queens. Known as autonomous pantograph dispensers, the fast charging systems "dispense" energy through roof-mounted arms that automatically connect with the buses, which are parked underneath the arms.
In 2023, crews started construction of 53 overhead electric chargers at MTA depots in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and Brooklyn as part of the NYPA’s $54 million multi-year electrification project.
The Xcelsior CHARGE NG buses include three technology advancements: high-energy batteries, advanced protective battery packaging for easy installation and simpler serviceability, and a lightweight electric traction drive system with up to 90 percent energy recovery.
MTA plans to transition its 5,800-bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2040. The initiative supports MTA’s target to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2040, using 2015 as the baseline.
