Massachusetts TA Contracts with New Flyer for 325 Alt Fuel Buses

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board of Directors approved a contract for the manufacture and delivery of 325 new replacement buses for the MBTA fleet. The $222.2 million contract with New Flyer calls for delivery of new 40-foot Low Floor Hybrid and CNG buses to begin in July 2016, with all buses in service by June 2017. The 325 buses will replace a current fleet of CNG buses nearing the end of their expected 12-year service life.

“This is a wise investment that meets an urgent need to retire an aging portion of our bus fleet that has presented significant maintenance challenges and deliver new, top quality replacements,” said MBTA Interim GM Frank DePaola.

The contract is expected to be funded with 80 percent Federal Formula funds and 20 percent MBTA Revenue Bond funds. The MBTA will engage in a detailed design review process with New Flyer. A pilot bus will be manufactured and delivered for review and inspection, followed by manufacture and delivery of the 325 new buses. The MBTA total service fleet includes more than 1,000 buses.