WINNIPEG — The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority has approved the purchase of 45 heavy-duty 40-foot Xcelsior diesel-electric hybrid buses from Winnipeg bus manufacturer New Flyer Industries Inc.

New Flyer buses represent about 8% of San Francisco’s fleet of 800 buses and trollies.

The lighter-weight Xcelsior hybrids, which feature improved fuel economy, disc brakes and LED headlights, will replac 13-year-old buses currently in service.

Production is to begin early next year at New Flyer’s plant in St. Cloud, Minn. for delivery by the end of the summer.

Financial details were not available.

New Flyer employs 2,000 people at plants in St. Cloud, Crookston, Minn.; and Winnipeg.