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USA, 25 June 2023: Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) has awarded NFI Group Inc (NFI) a contract for 100 zero-emission, high-capacity New Flyer buses and the necessary charging infrastructure. This marks the former’s first purchase of battery-electric buses from NFI as part of its transition towards fully zero-emission mobility.
MDT, operated by Miami-Dade County Transportation and Public Works, is one of the largest transit systems in the United States, serving Miami-Dade County, which has a population of over 5.5 million people. The transit system delivers more than 36 million annual passenger trips.
Flyer buses
The contract includes 100 Xcelsior CHARGE NG 60-foot, heavy-duty transit buses with long-range 763 kWh batteries. These articulated buses will provide increased efficiency and reliability to the MDT fleet. Additionally, the order includes two on-route Heliox 450 kW chargers and 50 Heliox Flex 180 kW depot power cabinets provided by NFI Infrastructure Solutions™ to support the deployment of zero-emission buses in Miami County. The buses and infrastructure were added to NFI’s backlog in the first quarter of 2023.
Sixty of these high-performance buses will operate on the South Dade TransitWay BRT corridor, a 20-mile route that connects various municipalities from Dadeland South Metrorail Station to Florida City. The Xcelsior CHARGE NG buses for the transitway will be designed with four doors to ensure easy access for passengers on station platforms, enabling level boarding from both sides of the bus. The remaining 40 buses will serve passengers on other bus routes across Miami-Dade County.
MDT’s Resilient305 Strategy
This procurement aligns with MDT’s Resilient305 Strategy, which aims to reduce emissions, shorten travel times, and minimize traffic congestion. It was developed through a partnership involving Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, and the City of Miami Beach. Additionally, the purchase of zero-emission buses supports the Miami-Dade County Climate Action Strategy, which targets a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and aims to become a net-zero carbon community by 2050.
Chris Stoddart, President of North American Bus and Coach at NFI, expressed their commitment to supporting MDT’s transition to zero-emission mobility and creating a more resilient future. He highlighted the advantages of the Xcelsior CHARGE NG bus, including its streamlined design, reduced maintenance, high-performance capabilities, and significant clean air benefits.
NFI Infrastructure Solutions is a service dedicated to providing reliable and safe infrastructure for smart and sustainable mobility projects. To date, the service has installed over 390 chargers.
NFI supports the growth of North American cities by offering scalable, clean, and sustainable mobility solutions. Their approach includes buses and coaches, technology, infrastructure, and workforce development.
NFI also operates the Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC), which is the first innovation lab dedicated to advancing bus and coach technology and providing workforce development. Since its opening in 2017, the VIC has hosted over 350 interactive events, providing training on electric vehicles and infrastructure for approximately 7,000 industry professionals.
