The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) partnered with The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) for a successful award under the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Program (Low-No). CTE is working with The COMET to deploy two New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE (XE35) battery electric buses and two New Flyer 40’ Xcelsior (XHE40) fuel cell buses, along with the necessary charging equipment and hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
These buses will replace four 2016 Starcraft Allstar cutaway buses that are reaching the end of their useful life in 2023. The COMET is investing in both battery electric and fuel cell electric technologies and will deploy them on routes that fully utilize the advantages of each technology. By deploying these buses, not only will The COMET reduce local emissions, but it will also be able to establish the skills and familiarity necessary to expand its zero-emission fleet and continue to work toward Columbia’s goal of improved air quality.
CTE is currently providing project management oversight during the design and development of the hydrogen refueling infrastructure and the deployment of New Flyer buses. CTE facilitates weekly meetings with the project team (The COMET, New Flyer, Linde, Fluitron, and MSI construction) and manages the project planning activities including subcontractor agreement executions. The infrastructure and buses will be deployed in the fall of 2024.
