Brampton, Canada Infrastructure Bank close on C$400 million in funding

April 5, 2022

The investment will help the city acquire 450 zero-emission buses through 2027.

An agreement finalized between the Canada Infrastructure Bank and city of Brampton will help the city acquire up to 450 electric buses through 2027.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and city of Brampton, Ontario, have reached financial close on a C$400 million (US$320.3 million) agreement that will help the city procure up to 450 zero-emission buses through 2027.

The deal, which was agreed to in principle in July 2021, is the largest zero-emission bus financing commitment CIB has with a municipality. The investment will contribute toward the upfront capital cost of the zero-emission buses and related infrastructure. Brampton has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 and electrifying transit vehicles will help the city achieve this.

“I am delighted our investment to support the city of Brampton's transition to a fleet of zero-emission buses has achieved financial close,” said CIB President and CEO Ehren Cory. “The impact of our partnership will not only help Brampton become a green city, but also provide cleaner public transportation for future generations. This is a unique opportunity to make a difference in modernizing municipal infrastructure and build healthier communities.”

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. Additionally, the federal government of Canada established a zero-emission bus fund that will invest C$2.75-billion (US$2.19 billion) over five years to help transportation providers make the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

CIB also has financing commitments with OC Transpo in Ottawa, Ontario and the city of Edmonton, Alberta.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the deal between the city and CIB and the entity’s partnership “will lead to the next level of sustainable transit in Canada.”

Brampton Transit currently has 133 diesel-electric hybrid Züm buses and introduced the first eight battery-electric zero-emission buses in May 2021. Brampton is part of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) led Pan-Canadian Battery Electric Bus Demonstration and Integration Trial, which aims to demonstrate interoperable charging and operation of battery-electric buses.

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.