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Committee forwards contract for seven New Flyer battery-electric buses; agency outlines wider electrification plan
Summary
The Budget and Finance Committee approved sending the SFMTA agreement to purchase seven battery-electric buses from New Flyer to the full board; the agency described an 18-bus initial buy tied to charging infrastructure and a broader fleet replacement plan through 2043.
The Budget and Finance Committee on Feb. 26 voted to forward to the full Board of Supervisors a resolution authorizing the Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to execute a cooperative-purchase agreement with New Flyer of America Inc. to procure four 40-foot and three 60-foot battery-electric buses, spare parts, training and telematics licenses for an amount not to exceed $13.4 million.
Bhavin Catri, SFMTA's zero-emission program manager, said the purchase replaces older hybrid buses and is part of a phased effort to convert the fleet to zero-emission vehicles consistent with California Air Resources Board rules. Catri said SFMTA plans to procure 18 battery-electric buses in total this cycle, matching the agency's current charging infrastructure grant for 18 vehicles; other manufacturers (Gillig and Solaris) will supply additional buses later in the year as charging capacity is expanded.
Joseph Tabora, project manager for the New Flyer procurement, outlined the contract budget and said the larger FT110 project cost is about $30.4 million, funded mainly by FTA grants and RM3 funds; Tabora said that project savings will be reallocated to fill a funding gap affecting the Gillig purchase, while the New Flyer contract is fully funded.
In committee questions, supervisors asked about cooperative-state purchasing arrangements and a prior unwillingness by Gillig to work with the city; SFMTA staff said cooperative procurement yields better pricing and that Gillig has only recently agreed to the city's contracting terms after negotiating compliance on local contracting requirements and indemnification clauses.
Vice Chair Matt Dorsey, Member Joan Engadio and Chair Connie Chan voted to forward the contract to the full board with a positive recommendation; the motion passed with three ayes. SFMTA said it expects a multi-year procurement and facility upgrades to achieve a fully zero-emission fleet by 2043 (including trolley buses and battery-electric buses).
