STV’s vehicles team recently joined Westchester County and Liberty Lines Transit to commemorate the introduction of the latest New Flyer XDE35 and XDE40 hybrid-electric buses, a significant step in the county’s continued effort to modernize its transit fleet and improve service for riders throughout the region.

This milestone reflects years of collaboration – STV has been supporting Westchester County’s fleet modernization efforts since 2022 through an ongoing program management contract, helping guide bus procurements from early planning and technical specifications through manufacturing oversight, inspections and warranty support. In 2022 and 2023, the team helped the county procure 106 hybrid-electric buses, and this latest order builds on those earlier investments.

“Behind every new bus entering service are years of planning, technical coordination and teamwork. Our engineers, inspectors and technical specialists have been involved every step of the way, from developing specifications and supporting the bid process to overseeing manufacturing and delivery,” said Joe Kruczynski, engineering manager. “The arrival of these first hybrid buses is visible proof of a shared commitment to modernizing transit, reducing emissions and delivering a better experience for the communities that depend on this service every day.”

The new buses will replace aging vehicles, improving reliability, accessibility and passenger comfort while reducing emissions. Combined with Westchester County’s growing battery-electric bus fleet, the program is moving the system closer to a fleet that is almost entirely comprised of hybrid-electric and battery-electric vehicles.

The fleet modernization effort recently received additional recognition when Westchester County was honored by the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) at its annual gathering highlighting progress on environmental initiatives across the region. Elected officials, business leaders, labor representatives and community stakeholders celebrated the County’s investments in cleaner transit technologies to support broader sustainability goals while improving everyday mobility for residents. 

For this effort, STV’s team developed technical specifications, supported contract documentation and provided oversight throughout the request-for-bid process. Their work now continues through vehicle production, factory inspections, acceptance testing and warranty support.

“The introduction of the first vehicles also marks an important transition for the program as it moves from procurement into manufacturing and delivery,” Kruczynski said. “Production of additional buses is expected to ramp up in the coming months, bringing the county closer to replacing a third of its existing fleet with cleaner, more efficient vehicles.”

Projects like this highlight the long-term relationships, technical expertise and collaborative approach that help transit agencies make major fleet investments with confidence.

“Every successful vehicle program is built on strong partnerships and attention to detail,” Kruczynski said. “Seeing the first buses arrive is rewarding because it represents years of planning and coordination by the county, Liberty Lines Transit, New Flyer and our team. Most importantly, it positions Westchester County to provide more reliable and sustainable transit service for the communities it serves.”