Ontario public transport agency, Metrolinx, has announced it is working with ten different transit agencies to advance the company’s commitment to electrify bus fleets across the province.
A joint purchasing contract for 12-metre battery electric buses was recently awarded to New Flyer as part of Metrolinx’s Transit Procurement Initiative, which allows transit agencies to purchase the vehicles in bulk.
The agencies involved in the initiative (Barrie, Belleville, Brantford, Kingston, Leamington, Milton, Sault Ste Marie, Stratford, Sudbury and Thunder Bay) expect to receive 40 12-metre electric buses over the next 24 months.
The joint procurement enables the agencies to purchase the vehicles economically.
Brendan Adair, City of Greater Sudbury director of transit services, says:Our ability to participate in joint procurement programs such as the 12-metre battery electric bus procurement, ensures the city is able to purchase high quality products while maximising savings for taxpayers.
In addition to the electric buses, Metrolinx is also committing to the joint procurement of charging systems for the new fleets.
Brent Fowler, City of Kingston, director of corporate asset management and fleet, says:We will leverage the TPI program for both our 12-metre electric bus purchases and the associated charging infrastructure, enabling us to focus on the planning, delivering, training and implementation of the City’s zero-emission fleet strategies and corresponding Climate Leadership plans.
Ultimately, Metrolinx aims to launch an active electric bus contract for every standard size of transit bus.
