Vancouver on the path to a zero emission public transport. TransLink asks for funding
Vancouver public transport is moving towards a zero emission future. It’s yet to be decided how much time this conversion will take. TransLink is in fact asking the Mayors’ Council to support the transition to a less polluting bus fleet. According to the Low Carbon Fleet Strategy, the whole bus fleet must be zero emission […]
Vancouver public transport is moving towards a zero emission future. It’s yet to be decided how much time this conversion will take. TransLink is in fact asking the Mayors’ Council to support the transition to a less polluting bus fleet. According to the Low Carbon Fleet Strategy, the whole bus fleet must be zero emission by 2050. Now the operator is planning to convert half of its buses to battery-electric technology (coming from diesel, CNG and hybrid) by 2030, therefore buying no less than 635 electric buses.
Low Carbon Fleet Strategy is unfunded, TransLink says
TransLink operates in the Greater Vancouver area. The main issue in the realization of such project relies on the funding topic. Financing schemes haven’t been put in place yet. The Low Carbon Fleet Strategy calls for investments in several key areas, TransLink points out in a press release. First, there is the procurement of up to 635 battery-electric buses. Secondly, the installation of charging infrastructures both on-route and in the depots. Finally, the plan includes the construction of the first fully electric capable bus depot in British Columbia region.
To this extent, TransLink will require $95 million to $447 million in new funding over the next ten years. The amount of funding required is dependent on which approach the Mayors’ Council chooses; cautious, progressive or aggressive. This ambitious plan is unfunded and requires significant support from senior governments, is TransLink position to date.
Three scenarios for the transition
As reported on Electrive, «In the cautious scenario, 35 electric buses and a fast charger will be purchased, which should enable 30 per cent of all routes to be served. In the progressive scenario there are 314 electric buses and four fast chargers, in the aggressive approach the 635 electric buses and 17 fast-charging stations. In terms of operating costs, the last scenario could result in operating costs of up to 124 million dollars per year».
“Transitioning the bus fleet to zero-emissions technology is an essential step toward breaking the region’s dependence on fossil fuels,” according to TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. “This strategy sets out a bold course that will eventually allow us to provide 100% green public transportation.”
