York Region 1st to get electric transit buses: Newmarket announcement
14 buses in York Region and Brampton will reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Yorkregion.com
April 16, 2018
Lisa Queen

York Region will be among the first communities in Ontario to use electric battery-powered public transit buses, Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca announced in Newmarket April 16.

The province is launching a pilot project in York Region and Brampton, which will see 14 electric buses and four charging stations go into service in 2019, he said.

As many as six of the buses will be in York Region.

The electric buses will benefit the environment, Del Duca, minister of economic development and growth, said.

“Our investment in York Region and Brampton demonstrates how we are helping our municipalities reduce their carbon footprint,” he said.

“Reducing greenhouse gas pollution from vehicles is one of the most important actions we can take to fight climate change.”

The government is funding the pilot project, which will be co-ordinated by the Canadian Urban Transit  Research and Innovation Consortium, with $13 million available through cap and trade funds.

In 2015, the transportation sector produced about a third of Ontario’s greenhouse emissions, more than any other sector, Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard, the environment minister, said.

“Buses are an energy efficient way to move a large number of people,” he said.
“Making them an even cleaner option is a great example of how our carbon market and Climate Change Action Plan are investing in innovative actions to move us toward a healthier, low-carbon future.”

The action plan aims to cut greenhouse gas pollution to 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, 37 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050.

Regional chair Wayne Emmerson is “excited” York is among the first to test drive the electric buses.

“This funding commitment from the government of Ontario gives York Region the green light to move ahead with our plans to explore alternative fuel options and contribute to our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2051,” he said.

The buses are made by Nova Bus, part of the Volvo Group.

A leading provider of sustainable transit solutions in North America, the company produces hybrid electric buses, high-capacity vehicles and integrated intelligent transportation systems, according to its website.