Westchester Adds Hybrid-Electric Buses To Bee-Line Fleet

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County has completed the delivery of 106 hybrid-electric buses.

The delivery marks an important milestone for the Bee-Line system, with the fleet now 88 percent hybrid or electric, according to a county spokesperson.

The new 40-foot buses seat 40 riders and includes amenities such as a bike rack, USB charging ports at every seat and a driver protective shield.

They are Xcelsior hybrid-electric heavy-duty transit buses built by New Flyer of America Inc. The buses, according to the manufacturer, will provide passengers with a quieter and more comfortable ride while improving air quality for the county’s more than 1 million residents.

Each bus cost $715,721 and was approximately 70 percent federally funded.

In addition to lowering emissions, the new buses will provide the county with significant savings in fuel.

County Executive George Latimer said his administration was committed to reducing pollution and providing a greener future for all residents.

“The completion of this delivery represents the latest step our county is taking to meet its sustainability goals,” he said. “Many people rely on the Bee-Line to get them where they need to go, and these buses are a safe, clean and comfortable ride.”

In 2021, the county added its first all-electric bus to the system. There are currently two 40-foot and four 35-foot all-electric buses that operate out of the Valhalla depot. There are six electric vehicle charges in the Valhalla facility and there are plans to expand charging infrastructure in the coming years, according to officials.

As buses have aged out of the fleet, it’s been a priority to buy more energy-efficient ones. Of the total 325 buses in the fleet, only 40 diesel buses remain. Either hybrid or electric buses will replace them within the next two years, the county said.

The Bee-Line serves more than 27 million passengers annually and is the second-largest bus fleet in the state. There are more than 3,300 bus stops and almost 60 routes.