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United States : SEPTA Board nods for New Hybrid Bus Purchase Deal worth $411.8m
Publish Date : 31-May-2016
The Board of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has offered its clearance to a proposal to procure 525 diesel-electric hybrid buses.
The move reflects another significant one from the Authority, which forms a part of its current strategy to create one of the countrys most eco-friendly bus fleets.
At its monthly meeting for May, the Board has offered its approval for a five-year contract with New Flyer of America Inc. worth $411.8 million to buy 40-foot, low-floor hybrid buses.
As part of this deal, SEPTA enjoys an option to procure another 25 buses as well.
With the procurement of the new bus fleet, SEPTA will be able to retire and replace the oldest vehicles in its fleet with new, energy-efficient hybrid ones persistently.
The company will deliver these new vehicles to SEPTA during the contracted period of five years.
The Chairman of the SEPTA Board - Pasquale T. Deon revealed, These bus fleet upgrades are critical to the Authoritys ongoing efforts to provide efficient, dependable service for our customers.
He added, Thanks to dedicated state funding from Act 89, we can continue to plan for these types of purchases in the short- and long-term.
In November 2013, the Pennsylvania Act 89 was cleared in order to facilitate a steady source of financial support for statewide transportation upgrading ventures, like infrastructure repairs and substitution of old vehicles.
Recently SEPTA, with the implementation of the Act 89, has embarked on quite a few dozen crucial capital enhancement projects across the transit system covering every means of travel.
Diesel-electric hybrid buses comprise over 50% of the existing fleet of SEPTA.
Hybrid buses will account for around 95% of the fleet upon the completion of the latest contract with New Flyer.
The General Manager of SEPTA Jeffrey D. Knueppel disclosed, "Public transportation has long been the most environmentally friendly way to get around, and it's only getting greener with more hybrid buses on the road."
He added, "SEPTA is proud to be an industry leader in providing cleaner, more fuel efficient modes of travel by bringing more hybrids into its fleet."
