Say goodbye to fuel and hello to batteries!
Bus riders in the Greater Victoria area will soon be commuting to and from their destinations aboard an electric bus.
There will be 10 electric buses in total, and they began rolling out in April of this year. , The entire fleet is anticipated to be on the road by the fall, according toBC Transit.
Altogether, these buses will reduce carbon emissions by nearly 95%, which is the equivalent of 12,000 tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime.
Plus, they’re said to be quieter and more energy efficient than their diesel counterparts.
“These new electric buses are a big win for people in Greater Victoria—quieter rides, cleaner air, and a more comfortable community,” said George Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary for Transit.
“These electric buses are a sign of what’s ahead: a sustainable, accessible, and future ready transit system for all of B.C. Victoria is showing what leadership on climate and transit looks like.”
This project was funded through a variety of organizations, including the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream, the Government of Canada and BC’s provincial government. The joint amount was $28.6 million.
The Greater Victoria project is one of the many underneath an overarching program, which is part of the Zero Emission Transit Fund and the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
This overarching project was announced in July 2023, where they announced further funding of $395.5 million to see the electric buses and infrastructure brought to fruition.
BC Transit has 125 heavy-duty electric buses currently on order, and their plan is to have close to 80 electric buses serving other transit systems by the end of 2026.
“Electric buses are a smart investment for the future of the region,” said Marianne Alto, Vice-Chair of the Victoria Transit Commission, Mayor of the City of Victoria and BC Transit Board Member.
“They align with Victoria’s climate goals by reducing emissions and improving air quality for everyone in our community. This is a meaningful step toward building a more sustainable, accessible and resilient transportation network.”
In the meantime, BC Transit will continue to purchase a variety of buses, which includes around 105 hybrid buses.
If you’re looking for more information, check out BC Transit’s website.
