CTA Begins Taking Delivery of New Flyer Buses
- By Kevin Zolkiewicz
At a news conference today at Archer Garage, Mayor Richard M. Daley joined CTA officials to welcome the first of 265 New Flyer D40LF buses to the CTA fleet.
The 40-foot, low-floor, accessible and air-conditioned buses will further improve service and provide increased environmental benefits as a result of an engine that produces 60 percent fewer emissions than the 1991 5300-series Flxible buses they replace.
“The CTA?like every department of City government and all our sister agencies?is committed to preserving our environment,” Daley said at the news conference. “By protecting the environment we improve public health; we save money on energy costs; we beautify the city; and we enhance the quality of life, which helps attract new residents and employers.”
“I urge residents of the Chicago area to get out of their cars and use the CTA, whenever possible,” the Mayor continued. “It’s easier on your pocketbook and your nerves-and better for the environment, as well.”
The new buses, which are nearly identical on the exterior to the 1995 5800-series D40LFs, will feature strap hangers and an easy-touch rear door. A new contour seat will be standard equipment on later deliveries, and will be retrofitted onto the first new buses to arrive.
The new buses have all the amenities of the CTA’s current fleet, including air conditioning, security cameras, bike racks, automated announcement systems and wheelchair ramps.
The buses will be phased into the system five to six at a time. Delivery is expected to be completed this fall.
The order includes 20 diesel electric hybrids powered by both diesel engines and electric motors to further reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The hybrid buses are scheduled to begin arriving later this year.
Photos of the prototype model delivered to CTA last November can be viewed in our photos section.
UPDATE: The first 100 New Flyer buses are being assigned to Archer Garage. Additional buses will be assigned to Chicago Garage and Kedzie Garage as they are received.