New Flyers Xcelsior bus (Photo: New Flyer)

WINNIPEG New Flyer Industries Inc. has been awarded a contract by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority for up to 265 heavy-duty buses with compressed natural gas propulsion systems.

The value of the contract was not disclosed in Mondays announcement, but it contains a firm order for eight low-floor restyled CNG 30-foot buses and 80 Xcelsior CNG 40-foot buses.

There is also an option for an additional 177 Xcelsior CNG or hybrid 40-foot buses.

RELATED: Texas transit system orders up to 202 New Flyer buses to be delivered next year

Since 1990, New Flyer has built and delivered 926 buses for the Atlanta transit authority in various models, lengths and propulsion systems.

We value our relationship with MARTA and commend them on their environmental commitments, said New Flyer president and CEO Paul Soubry.

MARTA has become a great example of a green transit company. Not only do they work hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the city, they strive to offer an efficient and enjoyable means of travel in order to expand . . . (their) base of transit users and reduce traffic congestion.

The firm order of 88 buses is anticipated to begin production in the second quarter of 2013. All buses are expected to be delivered by the fourth quarter of 2013.

New Flyer, with more than 2,200 employees, is a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States and Canada, with manufacturing facilities in St. Cloud and Crookston, Min., and in Winnipeg.

It also has a parts fabrication facility in Elkhart, Ind., and four parts distribution centres in Erlanger, Ky, Fresno, Calif., Winnipeg and Brampton, Ont, as well as a service centre in Arnprior, Ont.