Infrastructure Canada and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will provide joint funding of up to C$700 million (US$515 million) towards the electrification of TTC’s bus fleet.
The funding will enable the TTC to purchase 340 zero emission buses and 248 bus chargers. It will also support upgrades to related infrastructure in eight bus garages, including site upgrades, equipment procurement and charger installations. The investment will help the TTC work towards electrifying its entire operations by 2040 and help Canada achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Cities, including Toronto, have had no greater partner than our federal government. That’s why last July, our government provided C$750 million (US$551 million) to provinces and territories to support municipalities facing pandemic-related transit shortfalls. Today’s investment in electric busses delivers new, more comfortable options for Torontonians and will help the city reduce both its emissions and fuel costs. This investment is yet another example our work to build affordable and sustainable transit for Canadians in communities from coast to coast to coast. To reach our emissions reduction target of net-zero by 2050, we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector and ensure riding transit is a quick and comfortable option. Today’s investment in electric busses delivers new, more comfortable options for riders and helps the TTC reduce both its emissions and fuel costs. Our government’s investments in zero-emission busses for the city of Toronto is another example of our work with partners across the country to build sustainable transit in communities from coast to coast to coast,” Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland said.
The government of Canada is contributing C$349 million (US$256 million) to the project through the Zero Emission Transit Fund. The city of Toronto is contributing C$351 million (US$258 million).
“The city of Toronto is proud to work with the government of Canada to invest in cleaner and greener transit infrastructure. This major investment by our two governments will add 340 zero emission buses to our TTC fleet, along with the infrastructure to support those vehicles. This is good news for our transit system and the environment. Thank you to the federal government for working with our municipal government to invest in public transit infrastructure for the future,” said Jennifer McKelvie, deputy mayor of the city of Toronto.
In February 2021, the government of Canada invested C$14.9 billion (US$11.73 billion) for public transit projects over eight years. The funding includes C$3 billion (US$2.36 billion) per year, beginning in 2026-27, of permanent and stable in long-term, predictable federal public transit funding, which will be available to support transit solutions beginning in 2026-27.
Since 2015, the government of Canada has invested over C$24.8 billion (US$18.2 billion) in transit projects across the country.
