TTC staff to provide update on Green Bus Program at next Board meeting
Tomorrow, Thurs., Dec. 7, the TTC Board will receive an update on the organization’s progress on transitioning its fleet to be completely zero emissions by 2040, or sooner.
The report will outline when TTC employees and the public will see more hybrid-electric and all-electric buses across the city and on the road, and how the organization is meeting and exceeding all zero emissions targets.
The TTC is a leader in zero emissions fleet management in North America and is now procuring only hybrid-electric and all-electric buses. As of today, the TTC has 469 of the latest generation hybrid-electric buses, and by the end of 2024, 591 low-emissions hybrids will be deployed to serve customers across the City of Toronto.
The next shipment of zero-emissions eBuses is expected to start arriving in Q2 2024 with all new vehicles delivered by the end of 2025. As with the hybrid-electric buses, these all-electric buses are being manufactured by Nova Bus and New Flyer Industries. The 340 new eBuses will add to the TTC’s existing fleet of 60 and include fixes to issues learned through the head-to-head eBus pilot program.
The TTC has aligned its zero emissions targets with the City of Toronto’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy. To achieve this, the TTC will need to increase its service, including bus service, by as much as 70 per cent. The TTC will require 1130 additional buses as well as new facilities to house and maintain the vehicles. This portion of the TTC’s transition to net zero emissions remains unfunded as does the capital required to maintain the existing fleet beyond 2025. This shortfall requires a funding commitment by the end of Q1 2024 to ensure the continuity of the TTC’s Green Bus Program.
The TTC will also be presenting an update on its Bus Design Innovation Program to the Board. This innovative and forward-thinking project is just one of the ways the organization is working closely with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 and the ATU International to improve the customer experience and provide a more secure and healthy working environment for bus Operators. The project is also in collaboration with Centennial College.
Building on best practices from transit agencies globally, one of the innovations being pursued is the redesign of the barrier that shields a bus Operator’s workspace, greatly reducing the risk of assault and illness, while maintaining a clear view to ensure safe operation of the vehicle.
The TTC was the first in North America to roll out these new full-height shields as a pilot project.
The TTC, ATU Local 113, ATU International, and Centennial College have also begun to investigate a new bus ventilation system. These new designs, along with several others, were recently presented to the U.S. Federal Transit Administration and other North American transit agencies, and have received broad interest and support across the industry.
For more information on the TTC’s upcoming Board agenda, please visit http://www.https//www.ttc.ca/Public-meetings/Board