BC Transit orders 66 zero-emission buses

British Columbia's public transport provider, BC Transit, says 66 electric buses are on order from Nova Bus and New Flyer. The buses are part of a funded electrification drive that will eventually see BC Transit run an entirely electric fleet.

The public transport operator announced in 2019 that it would convert its bus fleet of more than 1,000 vehicles to electric drive. Starting in 2023, only electric buses would be procured, creating an all-electric provincial fleet in all vehicle classes by 2040.

Funding was granted in the summer of last year for CAD 395 million (€272 mn), with the federal and provincial governments covering over 300 mn. BC Transit will cover the remaining 67 million dollars (46.2 million euros) and expects to order 115 e-buses under this funding.

Now, it ordered 66 electric buses from New Flyer and Nova Bus but has yet to disclose specifications. BC Transit anticipates that these vehicles will arrive in early 2025 and be completed in mid-2026.

In addition, the company plans to install approximately 134 new electric bus charging points over the next two years in Chilliwack, Kamloops, Kelowna, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, Sunshine Coast, Victoria and Whistler. Bus allocations to each community will be confirmed as the projects progress.

bctransit.com