CTA Approves Purchase of 265 New Buses
- By Kevin Zolkiewicz
The Chicago Transit Board on Monday approved the purchase of 265 new 40’ low floor buses. The purchase includes 20 hybrid buses that are powered by both diesel engines and electric motors to help reduce emissions.
The $94.9 million investment in the CTA’s bus fleet is funded with federal formula funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Illinois FIRST bonds from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).
The contract, awarded to New Flyer of America, Inc., provides options for the purchase of up to 1,050 buses at capital funds become available.
The first 265 buses, which will likely be received starting in 2006, would allow for partial replacement of the 5300 Series Flxible buses received in 1991. The contract options for 785 additional buses would be used to complete replacement of the 5300s and also completely replace the 4000 Series TMC RTS buses which were also received in 1991.