Metrobus fleet (Washington, D.C.)

The New Flyer Xcelsior is the predominant bus model in the Metrobus fleet.

This is a roster of the bus fleet of Metrobus, the fixed-route bus service run by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in Washington, D.C.

The Metrobus fleet is the sixth-largest bus fleet in the United States. It provides more than 130 million passenger trips per year in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. As of 2020, the current Metrobus fleet consists of 1,571 buses of varying fuel types including diesel, compressed natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, and battery-electric.[1] The buses in the fleet are assigned to one of eight bus divisions located throughout the area, with a ninth division currently under construction.[2] WMATA has a plan to move to a fully electric bus fleet by 2045.[3]

Current fleet

Image Builder and
model
Model year Length Numbers
(Total)
Vehicles
in service
Engine Transmission Notes

New Flyer
DE40LFA

Low Floor Advanced

2010–2011 42 ft (13 m) 6462–6609[4]
(148 buses)
130 Cummins ISL EPA 2007 Allison EP40 Hybrid System
  • Replaced the remaining Flexible Metro B, D and E Units.
  • Some are painted in the MetroExtra livery.
  • Six units were sold to Fairfax Connector in 2021, and retired in 2024.
  • Rehabilitated and repainted.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XDE40
2011–2012 40 ft (12 m) 7001–7152
(152 buses)[5]
149 Cummins ISL9 EPA 2010 (7001–7100)

Cummins ISB6.7 EPA 2010 (7101–7152)

Allison H 40EP Hybrid System (7001–7100)

BAE Systems HybriDrive HDS200 (7101–7152)

  • Replaced some of the 1997 Orion Vs.
  • Rehabbed and repainted
  • Some units relegated to operator training.
  • 7051, 7095 and 7100 retired due to accident damage.
  • 7086-7100 wore the MetroExtra Livery until 2020.
  • Scheduled to be replaced by incoming 2026 XDE40s.
2012–2013 7153–7272[4]
(120 buses)
118 Cummins ISL9 EPA 2010,2013 Allison H 40EP Hybrid System
  • Originally intended to replace the remaining 1997 Orion Vs, however ended up replacing the Orion VIs after a series of fires forced their early retirement.
  • 7215 retired due to accident damage.
  • 7219 out of service after crashing into a restaurant on Q Street in April 2026.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XDE60
articulated
2015 60 ft (18 m) 5460–5480[4]
(21 buses)
19 Cummins ISL9 330HP EPA 2013 Allison H 50EP Hybrid System
  • Replaced the Neoplan AN460s.
  • 5465 retired after being destroyed in a fire whilst deadheading in the 9th Street Tunnel in April 2026.[6]
  • 5478 out of service after being involved in a collision with two other XDE60s at Minnesota Avenue in November 2024.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XN40
2015–2016 40 ft (12 m) 2830–2993[4]
(164 buses)
162 Cummins-Westport ISL-G EPA 2013 Allison World B400R6
  • Replaced the New Flyer C40LFs.
  • 2915 and 2975 retired due to accident damage.
  • 2981-2993 painted in the MetroWay scheme from 2016-2025.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XDE40
7300–7409[4]
(110 buses)
109 Cummins ISL9 EPA 2013 Allison H 40EP Hybrid System
  • Replaced the remaining 1997 Orion Vs and some of the 2000 Orion Vs.
  • Originally ordered under NABI for additional 42-BRTs, order changed to NFI XDE40s due to NFI acquiring NABI in 2014.
  • 7361 out of service due to accident damage.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XN40
2018 3100–3199
(100 buses)[7]
100 Cummins-Westport ISL-G NZ EPA 2017 Allison World B400R6
  • Replaced some of the Orion VII CNGs
New Flyer
Xcelsior XDE60
articulated
60 ft (18 m) 5481–5492
(12 buses)[8]
11 Cummins L9 330HP EPA 2017 Allison H 50EP Hybrid System
  • Ordered as supplementary units, using options from the 2015/2016 order.
  • 5483 out of service after being involved in a collision with two other XDE60s at Minnesota Avenue in November 2024.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XN40
2019 40 ft (12 m) 3200–3274
(75 buses)
75 Cummins-Westport L9N EPA 2017 Allison World B400R6
  • Replaced some Orion VII CNGs.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40
4450–4474
(25 buses)
25 Cummins L9 280HP EPA 2017 Allison B3400xFE
  • Replaced some of the 2000 Orion Vs.
2020 4475–4499
(25 buses)[9][10]
24 Cummins L9 280HP EPA 2020 Allison B3400xFE
  • Replaced WMATA's Last-Remaining Orion Vs, resulting in an all Low-Floor Fleet.
  • 4499 out of service after crashing into a utility pole on Bunker Hill Road in February 2025.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XN40
3275–3349
(75 buses)[9][10]
75 Cummins-Westport L9N EPA 2020 Allison World B400R6
  • Replaced the remaining Orion VII CNGs and replaced some New Flyer C40LFRs.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD60
articulated
2020–2021 60 ft (18 m) 5500–5541
(42 buses)[9][10]
42 Cummins L9 330HP (5500–5509) 380HP (5511–5541) EPA 2020/2021 Allison World B500R6
  • Replaced the NABI 60-BRTs and the New Flyer DE60LFAs.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40
2021 40 ft (12 m) 4500–4598
(99 buses)
98 Cummins L9 280HP EPA 2021 Allison B3400xFE
  • Replaced the New Flyer DE40LFs, DE40LFRs and some D40LFRs.
  • 4506 out of service after colliding head on with a Ride-On Gillig Hybrid (5329) at the Silver Spring TC in November 2024.
2022 4600–4700
(101 buses)
101 Cummins L9 280HP EPA 2021 Allison B3400xFE
  • Originally intended to replace the remaining New Flyer D40LFRs, but ended up replacing some 2008/2009 DE40LFAs.
2023 4701–4795
(95 buses)
95
Cummins L9 330HP EPA 2021 Allison B3400xFE
  • Replaced the New Flyer D40LFRs and the 2008/2009 DE40LFAs.
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE NG XE60
60 ft (18 m) 1060–1061
(2 buses)
0

(inactive)

Siemens ELFA-3 Direct Drive
  • WMATA's first articulated electric buses.
  • 1060-1061 are currently removed from active service since 2025 due to battery safety recall issued by New Flyer.
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE NG XE40
2024 40 ft (12 m) 1045–1049
(5 buses)
5 Accelera by Cummins ELFA-3 Direct Drive
  • 10 buses to be housed at the Shepherd Parkway division.[11][12]
Nova Bus
LFSe+
2025 1040–1044
(5 buses)
5 BAE Systems GPM-12 Direct-Drive
  • 10 buses to be housed at the Shepherd Parkway division.[11][12]
  • WMATA's only NovaBus order, and amongst some of the last LFSs built for the US Market.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XDE40
2026 26400-26475
(76 buses)
19

(delivered)

Cummins B6.7 EPA 2024 Allison eGen Flex H 40 Max
  • First WMATA buses using the New Allison HybridDrive eGen
  • Currently being delivered as of April 2026.
  • To replace the remaining LFAs and 2011 XDE40s.

Future fleet

Builder and model name Length Year Fleet number Fuel type Notes
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE NG XE35
35 ft (11 m) 2026–27 TBA
(25 buses)
Battery electric
  • To begin in FY24.[13]
  • New Flyer announced the big order for WMATA.[14]
  • Scheduled to be delivered from 2026 Q2.
New Flyer
Xcelsior XDE40
40 ft (12 m) 2027-28 TBD
(75 buses)
Diesel-electric hybrid
  • WMATA did an extra order with 75 more 40-foot diesel-electric-hybrid buses & 25 40foot battery-electric buses.[15]
New Flyer
Xcelsior XE40
40 ft (12 m) TBD
(25 buses)
Battery Electric

Retired fleet

These buses were served by WMATA at one point but were replaced by newer and more efficient buses after serving at least 8 years. Some buses were preserved and some were acquired by museums, while the rest of the fleets were scrapped.[16]

Year Builder and model name Numbers
(preserved numbers)
Year Retired Picture Engine Transmission Notes
1959 General Motors
New Look
4920–4944, 5700–5774 1990s–2000
1960 2525–2539, 4700–4799
1961 2540–2554, 3324–3325
1962 1301–1324, 2555–2569, 3301–3313, 5800–5874, 5900–5974
1963 1401–1420, 3314–3318, 6300–6381
(1400)
1963–1964 3526–3527
1964 1431–1440, 2570–2577, 3319–3323, 3401–3405, 6400–6499
  • One is preserved by the Seashore Trolley Museum.
1965 2578–2607, 3250–3251, 3501–3525, 6500–6579
1966 2608–2624, 3601–3635, 6600–6699
1967 1451–1473, 2625–2640, 6700–6724
(1461)
1968–1969 3801–3840
1970–1971 1001–1030
1972 1101–1130
1973–1974 1151–1180
1974–1975 AM General
Metropolitan
7000–7619 1990s Detroit Diesel 8V71N Allison VS1-8 and VS2-8
  • One is preserved by the Virginia Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum.[17]
1976–1978 Flxible Corporation
New Looks
(53096 Models)
8000–8661 1999–2001 Detroit Diesel 6V71N and 8V71N Allison V730
1979 General Motors Corporation
RTS II
9001–9115
(9112)
2000–2001
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Allison V730
MAN
SG 220
5001–5043 1995 MAN D2566 MLUM Renk-Doromat 874A
  • First articulated buses for WMATA.
1983–1984 Neoplan USA
AN440A
9500–9576 1994 Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Allison HT-747
1983 MAN
SG 310
5101–5133 2002 MAN D2566 MLUM Renk-Doromat 874B
1986–1987 Flxible
Metro A
8700–8922, 8950–8975 2005–2006 Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Allison V731
1988 Flxible
Metro B
9201–9239, 9251–9289 Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Allison V731
Gillig
Phantom 30ft
5080–5099 2001 Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Allison HTB-748
  • One is preserved by the Seashore Trolley Museum.
  • Only Gillig order for WMATA
1989 Flxible
Metro B
5151–5185 2006 Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Allison V731
  • One is preserved by the Virginia Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum.[18]
1990 9301–9413 2010 Cummins L10 Voith DIWA D863.2
9421–9463 2006–2007 Cummins L10 Voith DIWA D863.2
1991 9481–9498 2009 Cummins L10 Voith DIWA D863.2 .
1992 Bus Industries
of America

Orion V (05.501)
9601–9660 2008 Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR Voith DIWA D864.3E
1993 Flxible
Metro D
9701–9785 2010 Cummins M11E Voith DIWA D863.3
  • Replaced by the 2010/2011 DE42LFAs.
1994 9801–9835 Detroit Diesel Series 50 Voith DIWA D863.3
  • Replaced by the 2010/2011 DE42LFAs.
1995 Flxible
Metro E
4001–4104 Detroit Diesel Series 50 Allison VR731RH Replaced by the 2010/2011 DE42LFAs.
North American Bus Industries
(American Ikarus)

436.06
5201–5245 2009–2011 Cummins M11E EPA 1995 Voith DIWA D864.3
1997–1998 Orion Bus Industries
Orion V (05.501)
4200–4412
(4271)
2014–2016 Detroit Diesel Series 50 Allison World B400R5
  • Replaced by the 2014/2015 NABI 42-BRTs and the 2011 and 2015/2016 XDE40s.
1999 Orion Bus Industries
Orion V (05.505)
3900–3950 2012 Detroit Diesel Series 50 Allison World B400R5
1999–2000 Orion Bus Industries
Orion II (02.501)
3701–3742 2008–2009 Cummins ISB Allison AT-545
2000 Orion Bus Industries
Orion VI (06.501)
2000–2099 2012 Detroit Diesel Series 50 Allison World B400R5
  • First low floor buses for WMATA.
  • Suddenly retired after engine fires took place on two buses in a span of five days.[19][20]
  • Replaced by the 2012/2013 XDE40s.
Orion Bus Industries
Orion V (05.501)
2100–2231 2018–2020 Detroit Diesel Series 50 Allison World B400R5
  • Last order of 40-ft high-floor buses for WMATA.
  • Replaced by the 2019-2020 XD40s, and the 2015/2016 XDE40s.
2001–2002 New Flyer Industries
C40LF Low Floor
2300–2399, 2401–2464 2015–2016 Cummins-Westport C-Gas Plus EPA 2004 (2300–2462),

Doosan GK-12 (2463), John Deere 6081H (2464)

Allison World B400R5
  • First CNG buses for WMATA and the New Flyer buses in the fleet.
  • Replaced by the 2015/2016 XN40s.
2002 Thomas Dennis
SLF230
3951–3954 2009 Cummins ISB EPA 2000 Allison World B300R5
  • Transferred to Arlington Transit on July 6, 2009, and were renumbered to 5296–5299,[21] later repainted to the ART scheme in 2010, when the GEORGE bus system was suspended, and retired between 2012 and 2013.
2002–2003 Neoplan USA
AN460
(articulated)
5301–5321 2015–2016 Detroit Diesel Series 60 330HP Allison World B500R5
  • Last high-floor buses for WMATA.
  • Replaced by the 2015/2016 XDE60s.
2005–2006 DaimlerChrysler
Commercial Buses

Orion VII (07.501) CNG
2501–2685, 2701–2730 2018–2020

Cummins-Westport C-Gas Plus EPA 2004 Voith DIWA D864.3E
  • Replaced by the 2018-2020 XN40s.
DaimlerChrysler
Commercial Buses

Orion VII (07.503) CNG
3001–3035 2020–2021 Cummins-Westport C-Gas Plus EPA 2004 Voith DIWA D864.3E
  • Mainly replaced by the 2019/2020 XN40s, with all units being retired by 2021.
  • Several units used for training at the CET until around 2022-2023.
New Flyer Industries
DE40LF Low Floor
6001–6039 2021 Cummins ISL EPA 2004 Allison EP40 Hybrid System
  • First diesel-electric hybrid buses for WMATA.
  • Replaced by the 2021 XD40s.
2006 New Flyer Industries
DE40LFR Low Floor Restyled
6040–6050

Cummins ISL EPA 2004 Allison EP40 Hybrid System
  • One was repainted into the MetroExtra livery following an accident in 2009.[22]
  • Replaced by the 2021 XD40s.
New Flyer Industries
D40LFR Low Floor Restyled
6101–6217 2021–2024

Cummins ISM EPA 2004 Voith DIWA D864.3E
  • Replaced by the 2021-2023 XD40s.
  • 6181 preserved by the Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum.
  • Last WMATA Buses to use Voith DIWA Transmission.
2007 New Flyer Industries
C40LFR Low Floor Restyled
2801–2825 2020–2023

Cummins-Westport C-Gas Plus EPA 2004 Voith DIWA D864.3E
  • WMATA's Longest-Serving CNG buses, running for 16 Years.
  • 2801-2810 replaced by XN40s in 2020.
  • Remaining units withdrawn in 2023 due to CNG Tank Expiration.
2008 North American Bus Industries
60-BRT
articulated
5401–5422 2021 Cummins-Westport ISL-G 320HP EPA 2007 Allison World B500R6
  • First buses to be delivered in the Local livery.
  • Only 60ft CNG Buses operated by WMATA.
  • Replaced by the 2020/2021 XD60s.
2008-2009 New Flyer Industries
DE40LFA Low Floor Advanced
6301–6461[4] 2021–2025

Cummins ISL EPA 2007 Allison EP40 Hybrid System
  • Replaced by the 2022/2023 XD40s.
  • Last Units retired in Spring 2025.
  • Several units sold to Prince George's County Transit (TheBus) in 2025.
2009 New Flyer Industries
DE35LFA Low Floor Advanced
3751–3770 2025 Cummins ISL EPA 2007 Allison EP40 Hybrid System Retired in June 2025 due to the Better Bus Network Redesign making 30 and 35 foot buses obsolete.
New Flyer Industries
DE60LFA
articulated Low Floor Advanced
5431–5452 2021 Cummins ISL 330HP EPA 2007 Allison EP50 Hybrid System
  • Replaced by the 2020/2021 XD60s.
  • 2 units were used for training after retirement.
2012 Daimler Commercial Buses
Orion VII
EPA10 BRT 30ft
3036–3062 2025 Cummins ISL9 EPA 2010 Allison World B400R6
  • Diesel Units.
  • Retired in June 2025 due to the Better Bus Network Redesign making 30 and 35 foot buses obsolete.
3063–3087 Cummins ISB6.7 EPA 2010 BAE Systems HybriDrive HDS200 Hybrid System
  • Diesel-Hybrid Units.
  • Retired in June 2025 due to the Better Bus Network Redesign making 30 and 35 foot buses obsolete.
  • Several Units sold to Fairfax Connector.
2014-2015 North American Bus Industries
42-BRT
8001–8105[4] 2026 Cummins ISL9 EPA 2013 Allison H40EP Hybrid System
  • Largest NABI Hybrid Order.
  • Withdrawn from Normal service in 2025 and used as a reserve fleet until full retirement in Spring 2026.
  • 2 units retired early due to accident damage.
2016 New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE XE40
1001 2024 Siemens ELFA-2 XALT Energy 200 Lithium-Ion Batteries
  • First all-electric transit bus for WMATA.[23]
  • Returned to New Flyer in 2024, then sold for scrap in 2026.

Divisions

Division Areas served Notes
Andrews Federal Center[24] Southwest DC, Prince George's County Opened on June 23, 2019.[25]
Bladensburg Northeast, Southeast DC and Northwest DC Currently rebuilding.[26]
Cinder Bed Road[27] City of Alexandria, Fairfax County Opened in 2018, formerly operated by the private contractor Transdev between August 2018 and December 2021.[28][29]
Four Mile Run Arlington County, Fairfax County, City of Alexandria
Landover Prince George's County
Montgomery Montgomery County
Shepherd Parkway Southeast and Southwest DC, Prince George's County Opened in 2012
  • CNG fueling was installed.
Western Northwest DC Planned to be replaced.[30]

Closed divisions

Division Areas served Notes
Arlington Arlington County, Fairfax County Closed in 2009, replaced by West Ox Division.
Northern Northwest DC Former trolley barn for the Capital Traction Company; closed on June 23, 2019, due to structural issues, planned to be rebuilt.[31]
Southeastern Southeast and Southwest DC Closed in 2008; operations moved to Southern Avenue until the Shepherd Parkway Division opened in 2012.
Southern Avenue Annex Southeast DC, Prince George's County Closed in 2024; operated on weekdays only, formerly known as "Prince George's" Division up until 1989.
Royal Street Fairfax County, City of Alexandria Closed in 2014, Replaced by the Cinder Bed Division. Demolished in January 2020.[32]
West Ox Arlington County, Fairfax County Operated on weekdays only and was shared with Fairfax Connector. Temporarily closed on March 14, 2021; all the operations were moved to the Four Mile Run Division.[33]

References

  1. ↑ "A Vision for Climate Leadership in Washington, D.C. - Seizing the Economic, Climate, and Public Health Benefits of Electrifying WMATA's Public Bus Fleet" (PDF). Sierra Club. 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  2. ↑ Wanek-Libman, Mischa (January 26, 2023). "WMATA holds groundbreaking ceremony for Northern Bus Garage". Mass Transit. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Metro Approves Plans For Fully Electric Bus Fleet By 2045". June 10, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Fleet Equipment Log" (PDF). WMATA. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. February 1, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  5. ↑ Hedgpeth, Dana (May 11, 2011). "Metro is putting its mind to saving energy". The Washington Post. p. B1. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Metrobus catches fire inside DC's 9th Street Tunnel, closure remains for cleanup". April 23, 2026.
  7. ↑ admin_nf (September 26, 2016). "Washington, DC Exercises Options for an Additional 100 New Flyer Buses". New Flyer. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  8. ↑ "WMATA to add 12 more emission-reducing hybrid-electric buses from New Flyer". New Flyer. July 5, 2018. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 "WMATA 2020 NFI Order". New Flyer Industries. September 18, 2019. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 "WMATA upgrades fleet with 132 new buses". December 23, 2019. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Metro to purchase electric buses for transition to zero-emission fleet". WMATA. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  12. 1 2 "Metro breaks ground on next zero-emission bus facility at the Bladensburg Bus Garage". WMATA. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  13. ↑ Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Fy2024 Proposed Budget
  14. ↑ "New Flyer awarded Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority contract to supply up to 500 low- and zero-emission Xcelsior® buses". February 6, 2025.
  15. ↑ "New Flyer receives order from WMATA for 100 additional transit buses". May 27, 2021.
  16. ↑ "WMATA Plans To Rename Metrobus Routes. It Wants Your Ideas". DCist. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  17. ↑ "WMATA Metrobus 1974–1975 AM General Series Buses VA Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum". Virginia Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum Inc. January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  18. ↑ "1989 Flxible Metro 30096: Metropolitan Washington Area Transit Authority No. 5172". Virginia Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum Inc. January 1, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Metro sidelines 94 buses during investigation into fire incidents". WMATA. April 17, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Metro Takes 94 Buses Out of Service After Fire". WRC-TV. April 17, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Metrobus service, fare changes begin June 28" (Press release). WMATA. June 26, 2009.
  22. ↑ McGill, Natalie (March 27, 2009). "MARC train crashes into Metrobus at Riverdale station Thursday afternoon". The Gazette. Maryland. Archived from the original on March 30, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  23. ↑ "WMATA to Add New Flyer Xcelsior XE40 Battery-Electric Bus". New Flyer. October 8, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Hensel Phelps Awarded WMATA Andrews Federal Bus Garage". Hensel Phelps. June 19, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Metro opens new Andrews Bus Garage, ends cash-free pilot effective with bus service changes June 23". Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Proposed Reconstruction of the Bladensburg Bus Garage". Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  27. ↑ "WMATA Cinder Bed Road Division". Wendel Companies. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Metro awards contract for new bus facility in Virginia". WMATA. August 2, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Metrobus to implement service changes, improve reliability effective Sunday, December 26 | WMATA". wmata.com. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Western Bus Garage Replacement Project". WMATA. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  31. ↑ Dodds, Alex. "WMATA plans to rebuild its 14th Street bus garage with retail, and keep its diesel fleet for now". Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  32. ↑ Guerguerian, Rosemary (December 11, 2019). "Bye, Bye Bus Barn". The Zebra. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Metrobus to expand service on weekdays, restore additional routes on weekends effective March 14". WMATA. Retrieved March 14, 2021.