The City of Madison, WI has ordered 46 electric buses from New Flyer of America – a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. The purchase was made possible by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds.
The battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ 60-foot (~ 18 meter) heavy-duty transit buses are high-capacity, zero-emission, and articulated. They will be configured with five doors to operate on Madison’s Metro Transit’s new East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, beginning in 2024. Metro Transit provides public transportation service throughout the city of Madison, delivering more than 4.6 million annual fixed route bus and paratransit rides.
“Metro Transit is excited to partner with New Flyer to help make our ambitious BRT plans a reality,” said Justin Stuehrenberg, general manager, Metro Transit. “New Flyer’s track record of innovation, quality products, and on-time delivery give us complete confidence that they will be a trustworthy partner for the largest infrastructure project the City of Madison has ever undertaken.”
The buses will be equipped with: high-power batteries which are capable of providing 410 kWh of power; an advanced protective battery packaging designed for easy install and simpler serviceability; and a new lightweight electric traction drive system with up to 90% energy recovery.
“With more than 16,000 Xcelsior buses on North America’s roads, NFI is a proven mass mobility leader that provides reliable and safe mobility solutions,” said Chris Stoddart, president, North American Bus and Coach, NFI. “These 60-foot Charge NG buses will immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions, delivering cleaner, more sustainable mobility all while providing faster, high-capacity transportation to the City of Madison community.”