Electric transit buses that will be tested on Brampton streets are expected to begin picking up fares next year.
This pilot project was first announced two years ago.
Ontario Economic Development and Growth Minister Steven Del Duca announced on Monday, April 16, that the province is providing up to $13 million from available cap-and-trade funds, to Brampton and York Region to buy 14 electric buses and four charging systems over the next two years.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, the province’s first electric buses are expected to begin service in 2019.
“Brampton Transit continues to promote new and innovative solutions to providing a high quality service that reduces the city’s overall carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions,” Mayor Linda Jeffrey said in a released statement Monday.
According to a spokesperson in the transportation minister’s office, up to eight buses and four charging stations could be operating in Brampton next year. An exact number and a start date are still to be determined and will also depend on the amount of funds available from cap and trade proceeds.
In April 2016, the ministry was in Brampton to announce financial backing of a large-scale, zero-emission bus trial.
At that time, the government had promised $10 million over four years for the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) to help develop next-generation transportation technologies focused on reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
That money was to come through the government’s $400-million Business Growth Initiative.
