The New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has begun its 2020-2024 Capital Plan with the deployment of its first all-electric articulated bus. The MTA intends to spend $1.1 billion US over the next four years for a fleet of 500 zero-emission electric buses to serve the city’s five boroughs.
“We are committed to a state-of-the-art bus fleet across the entire city that is green and sustainable, and that means moving toward all-electric technology,” said NYC transit president, Andy Byford. “Our Fast Forward plan provides a blueprint on how we can work with vendors and other stakeholders to achieve that goal in all five boroughs. We’re also thrilled about the popularity of the M14 and the bus way that’s helping to enable its success.”
The MTA currently operates a fleet of ten electric standard buses which are leased in a three-year pilot program to test the all-electric technology for capability and durability throughout the year. In January of 2020, the MTA approved the purchase of 15 low floor, sixty-foot Xcelsior CHARGE battery-electric, zero-emission, heavy-duty, transit buses; 16 in-depot chargers; and one mobile charging unit from New Flyer of America Inc. The 60-foot New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE buses feature long-range, heavy-duty lithium-ion batteries which are are estimated to operate for 50 to 90 miles, or half a day, on a three-hour charge.
“Our first all-electric articulated fleet represents the future of MTA bus service, and I’m excited for our customers to see and experience the difference,” said Craig Cipriano, acting president of MTA Bus Company and senior vice president of NYC Transit’s Department of Buses. “This is a historic day for MTA buses and the start of our journey to a zero-emissions fleet that will set the standard for the rest of the nation as its largest public bus system.”
