During their monthly meeting on May 10, 2006, the Chicago Transit Board approved the purchase of an additional 185 low-emission New Flyer buses. The $63.4 million purchase is the first of four options under the existing contract with New Flyer of America, Inc.
The CTA has been steadily receiving delivery of model D40LF buses from New Flyer since last February. Presently, approximately 50 of the 245 diesel models originally ordered have been delivered and assigned to Archer Garage. Simultaneously, many of Archer Garage’s 1991 Flixible Metro buses are being transfered to 103rd Garage.
Delivery of the base order of New Flyer buses will continue through the end of this year. The first 100 buses will be assigned to Archer Garage, with Chicago and Kedzie garages receiving the remainder.
Once the delivery of the base order is complete, New Flyer will begin delivery of the 185 additional buses ordered this week. Assignment information for the additional buses is not known at this time.
This fall, New Flyer will also deliver 20 DE40LF diesel-electric hybrid buses to the CTA. The buses will be tested for a period of one year to evaluate their performance in Chicago’s extreme weather conditions.