Canada funds 180 electric buses in Ontario

The Canadian government has allocated 76 million Canadian dollars (51.5 million euros) for the York Region in Ontario to buy 180 electric buses. The money will also be invested in infrastructure at the depot and on route.

The latter includes 91 chargers for electric buses in the region’s three existing transit facilities and 14 on-route chargers. The press release does not state how much will be invested in infrastructure and how much in the buses. Nor is there a timetable other than the fact that the York Region wants its entire bus fleet to be zero-emission by 2050.

The money is provided through the country’s Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF), which was set up to help Canadian communities transition to zero-emission public transport and school buses. The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) will provide further funding in the form of a loan of 136 million Canadian dollars (about €92 million) and a $177 million (about €120 million) investment from the Regional Municipality of York.

“Canadians need to get to work with less traffic, more comfort, and clean air – that’s what public transit is all about,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “With today’s announcement, York Region will soon have 180 new zero-emission buses and the chargers to go with it. Our government is making our transit system fairer, with innovative, climate-friendly, and affordable options to get you where you need to be.”

pm.gc.ca