Philadelphia, PA It’s the end of an era as the last SEPTA 2009 New Flyer DE40LF, 8312, has retired from revenue service.
Why is this significant?
This particular fleet of buses was the last of SEPTA’s legacy New Flyer fleet from 2000-2009 of New Flyer XX40LF buses, sporting the original “flat face” design from New Flyer. This particular fleet also was the beginning of SEPTA’s “going green” campaign where the goal would be a 100% hybrid fleet over the next 15 years.
They succeeded by the way.
So what does this mean?
As of now, every New Flyer bus operating for SEPTA is either a Restyle, or an Xcelsior (with the exception of the contract buses). In the coming years, that is also to change.
RIP 2008-2025
These buses will be missed.
DE40LF Break Down
Because there was differences in the DE40LF fleet, some noticible and some not, this chart shows the differences visibly, as well as
| Year | Image | Difference between previous fleet | Fleet Numbers | Year Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 |  | first batch of hybrid buses | 5601H, 5602H | 2018 |
| 2003 |  | USSC/4ONE Aries Seating | 5603H-5612H | 2019 |
| 2004 |  | USSC Ster 4MA Seating | 5831H-5850H | 2020 |
| 2008 |  | lower profile battery rooftop HVAC units 40 feet 8 inches long | 8124-8219 | 2025 |
| 2009 |  | LED interior lighting | 8220-8339 | 2025 |
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