Victoria acquiring renewable natural gas-fueled buses to replace diesel-fueled buses

About 15 medium-duty buses – to be fueled by compressed natural gas or renewable natural gas – will be acquired by Victoria, B.C.’s public transit system to replace diesel-fueled buses once they reach the end of their useful life.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $4.9 million, and the Government of British Columbia more than $4.5 million in two projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. The recipients are contributing a combined total of more than $1.9 million.

The new buses will help maintain current transit levels and avoid gaps in service when existing buses are retired as well as improve the capacity of the transit system for Greater Victoria residents.

The Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia are each investing more than $3.1 million for this project. For its part, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission is contributing approximately $1.5 million.

“Investing in B.C.’s public transit is an essential part of growing the economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting communities where people can get around in faster and cleaner ways,” Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country, said, speaking on behalf of Catherine McKenna, minister of infrastructure and communities.

The other project will see to the rehabilitation of the north side of the existing University of Victoria Exchange and bus stops along Ring Road, including refurbishment and enhancement of approximately nine bus bays, six bus shelters, and two layover bays as well as the redevelopment of surrounding pedestrian and bicycle storage infrastructure.