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Edmonton Transit Service #7237, a 2024 New Flyer XD40, running SB on 109 Street at 105 Avenue as a route 8 University on its second or third day in revenue service. It appears the trend of small bus orders is continuing for now, with just 11 new buses (#7237-47) delivered. All have entered service except for #7247. They feature the same hard shell seating and silver bike racks as the previous order.
Toronto Transit Commission #9442, a 2024 New Flyer XDE60, running SB approaching Dufferin Station as a route 29. Along with the XDE40's delivered in 2023, and the XE40 battery electrics currently on delivery, these are the first TTC orders for New Flyer buses since 1998 (not counting the prototype battery electrics delivered in 2018-19).
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After prior testing with diesel hybrids, CNG
buses, and battery electric buses, ETS has added a hydrogen fuel cell bus to
their fleet for testing, in partnership with the Alberta Government through
the
Alberta Zero Emission Hydrogen Transit (AZEHT) project. Strathcona
County Transit is also involved in the project, with ETS purchasing both
buses and then being reimbursed by Strathcona for their share of their bus,
as well as Emissions Reduction Alberta for the balance of the Strathcona
bus, and about half the cost of ETS's bus, which is about $1.6 million each.
Both buses were delivered to ETS's Ferrier Garage in July 2022. ETS's
unit is #6016, continuing on from the 2 Proterra's that ran around prior to
delivery of the regular ETS units.
Strathcona's unit arrived as #7001 following on from #7000 used on the test
double decker. However, once the uses received their hydrogen graphics, the
sides of the Strathcona bus were changed to #5001 and the rear remained
#7001.
Without adequate hydrogen leakage detectors (presumably) the buses have
remained outside at Ferrier. They received their decal work in late
September, and were shown off at the Electric & Hydrogen Vehicle Expo at the
Edmonton EXPO Centre during the weekend of Septemember 24 & 25, 2022.
In the mean time, no other details about operations have been revealed. It
is to be a 23 month test. Calgary Transit and the Bow Valley Regional
Transit Services Commission are also involved in the project, so expect to
see one or both buses go on road trips.
#7001 / 5001 is Strathcona County's first New Flyer bus in 21 years.
The buses are to be fueled at the
Alberta Zero Emission Truck Electrification Collaboration (AZETEC) site
which is being developed to refuel Class 8 fuel cell trucks.
Photos courtesy of Nico Sander. |
