The order, which was announced on February 27, 2020, is for up to 166 buses powered by New Flyer’s Xcelsior® battery-electric drive system. The buses are scheduled to enter service in early 2022.

With a total length of 40 feet, the buses will seat up to 54 passengers and feature three double doors for rapid boarding and alighting. The buses will also be equipped with air-conditioning, accessible ramps, and bike racks.

“New Flyer is honoured to have Winnipeg Transit select our Xcelsior battery-electric bus for their switch to zero-emission bus operations,” said Paul Soubry, President and CEO of New Flyer. “Our team has been working tirelessly to bring this new, clean technology to market, and we are thrilled to see it entering into commercial service. We believe battery-electric buses are the future of public transit, and we are proud to be a part of that future.”

The Xcelsior battery-electric buses are manufactured at New Flyer’s production facilities in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Crookston, Minnesota.

“We are thrilled to add these battery-electric buses to our growing fleet,” said Paul Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Winnipeg Transit. “This is a significant milestone for our organization, and we are proud to be leading the way in the transition to zero-emission bus operations. These buses will help us to improve the quality of life for our citizens and to protect our environment.”