British Columbia has announced a joint investment of over $395.5 million to bolster clean and sustainable transit options in the province with the purchase of up to 115 Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) by BC Transit, accompanied by the installation of 134 charging points throughout various communities in British Columbia.
The Government of Canada is contributing $82,019,527 through the Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF) and $87,860,437 through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). The Government of British Columbia is also making a significant contribution of $158,669,826, and recipients will contribute $67,355,727 towards the joint initiative.
This move is not only aligned with British Columbia’s CleanBC emission-reduction goals but also supports the ambitious target set by the Government of Canada to introduce 5,000 zero-emission public transit and school buses on Canadian roads by 2026.
The transition to a greener fleet of buses is a crucial step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution. By expanding the Battery Electric Bus fleet and establishing the necessary charging infrastructure, communities can expect to witness a substantial decrease in their carbon footprint while providing a more pleasant and efficient service experience to commuters.
“With a combined federal and provincial investment of over $395 million, we are making a game-changing investment in public transit across British Columbia,” Patrick Weiler, the Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country said in a press release.
The Honourable Rob Fleming, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, added, “This is an important investment to support electric bus expansion in British Columbia. By investing in modern electric buses and infrastructure for communities across the province, we provide people with more access to clean and convenient transit services which helps build a sustainable future for generations to come, prioritizing the well-being of both people and the environment.”
