Toronto’s Transit Commission (TTC) is set to receive a major overhaul in the form of CAD 700 million (€465 million) investment for the procurement of 340 electric buses and infrastructure. The plan also involves upgrading eight bus depots before the e-buses enter service in 2025. The funding for this project is shared by the Canadian government and the City of Toronto. The federal Zero Emission Transit Fund is also contributing $349 million to the initiative.
TTC’s aim is to have an emission-free fleet by 2040, and with the latest investment, it is set to pave the way for the electrification of public transport across North America. However, the manufacturer of the new electric buses remains unknown, despite TTC announcing its plans to purchase new electric buses two years ago. Currently, the 60 electric buses in TTC’s fleet come from BYD, New Flyer, and Proterra.
See also: Canada announces CAD 45 million in funding to build 6,000 electric vehicle charging stations
The government of Canada’s Zero Emission Transit Fund is accepting applications to help cover planning and capital costs related to the electrification of the school and transit fleet. The fund’s total budget of CAD 2.75 billion (€1.8 billion) covers the period from 2021 to 2026 and is part of a more comprehensive eight-year, CAD 14.9 billion investment plan unveiled by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February 2021 to promote public transit.
The electrification of public transport has been gathering steam worldwide, with governments investing in sustainable alternatives to reduce carbon emissions. Several Canadian electric bus manufacturers, such as Nova Bus, Lion Electrique, GreenPower, and New Flyer, are at the forefront of this shift towards sustainable public transport.
See also: Aston Martin Set to Unveil Fully Electric Vehicle as Part of Major Model Overhaul
When completed, this ambitious project will provide Toronto residents with better public transit options and access to new, clean, and convenient transit choices. TTC’s investment in the electrification of public transport will set a precedent and encourage other Canadian cities to follow suit. Ultimately, the move towards zero-emission vehicles will result in a greener and more sustainable future.
