The vehicles, which will be deployed in five different rural transit systems primarily in the North Central Texas (Dallas Fort Worth) area, are funded via an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Transit Capital Assistance program grant.
Azure partnered with StarTrans Bus and Lasseter Bus and Mobility to submit the response to the NCTCOG RFP.
Azure said that its Balance Hybrid Electric drivetrain provides fuel economy, low maintenance costs and reduced greenhouse emissions with features like engine-off at idle and regenerative braking. The Azure technology is integrated on Ford E450 chassis with a 5.4 liter Triton gasoline engine and a five-speed automatic TorqShift transmission.
In addition, the StarTrans shuttle bus bodies specified on the agreement are ADA accessible and lift-equipped for 10 ambulatory passengers plus two wheelchair passengers or 14 ambulatory passengers. Lasseter Bus and Mobility in Lewisville, Texas managed the transaction.
Jay Sandler, vice president of sales at Azure Dynamics, said: “The 18 unit NCTCOG pilot program puts our product in the hands of five new end users which have all demonstrated their interest in cleaner transportation solutions.
”Our Balance hybrid electric drivetrain will deliver the environmental benefits that the customers want and that the communities deserve, and our up to 40% fuel economy improvement and reduced maintenance costs are extremely attractive ancillary benefits.”
