Canada Infrastructure Bank, Edmonton reach agreement to fund zero-emission bus purchases

June 4, 2021

The agreement will fund the purchase of an additional 20 zero-emission buses for use on Edmonton Transit Services’ network.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

ETS currently has a fleet of 40 zero-emission buses and an agreement with the CIB will help fund 20 additional ZEB buses.

Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) will add 20 new zero-emission buses to its fleet in the near future thanks to an agreement between the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The agreement in principle calls for CIB to invest C$14.4 million (US$11.89 million) to purchase the new vehicles. CIB explains the buses contribute to the city’s shift toward more sustainable transportation, a lower carbon footprint and a higher-quality transit service.

ETS has 40 Proterra-manufactured electric buses that entered service in early August 2020. The buses use in-depot overhead infrastructure to charge.

“We are excited to be on the forefront of transit electrification in Canada and to offer Edmontonians a clean, quiet and comfortable ride. Electric buses not only contribute to a more sustainable transportation option for our riders, but also cost savings for taxpayers through lower operating and maintenance expenses,” said ETS Branch Manager Carrie Hotton-MacDonald.

The CIB’s zero-emission bus initiative includes C$1.5 billion (US$1.24 billion) to assist public transit agencies and school bus operators transition their fleets to modern, environmentally friendly vehicles. In March, the government of Canada committed an additional C$2.75 billion (US$2.17 billion) over and above the CIB funds to help transportation providers transition to electric power. The federal government has a goal to help purchase 5,000 zero-emission buses over the next five years.

The agreement between the city and CIB is subject to final due diligence and approval by the CIB Board.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.