Sault purchasing two electric buses as part of transit upgrades
The City of Sault Ste. Marie will be making some transit upgrades – including the purchase of two battery-powered buses.
City officials said it marks the beginning of the electrification of the transit fleet.
Municipal politicians and city staff in Sault Ste. Marie were joined by representatives of both the federal and provincial governments to announce a combined investment of $7.8 million in local transit on March 8, 2024. (X/Matthew Shoemaker)The transit upgrades will be paid for through a combined investment of $7.8 million – with a federal contribution of roughly $3.1 million, provincial funds to the tune of $2.5 million and the city kicking in just over $2 million.
Brent Lamming, the city’s director of community services said some preparation will be needed before the first electric bus is put into service.
“We’ll have staff trained on how to service the electric bus versus a conventional diesel bus,” he said.
“Then we’ll deploy that in a safe fashion, likely on a day shift and see how it performs in the conditions here in Sault Ste. Marie.”
Lamming told CTV News that charging stations will need to be installed at the transit garage especially as the city moves toward full electrification.
“We’ll be working together with the PUC to have a much larger power source for the facility here to convert our fleet as we move forward,” he said.
“We’ll ramp up procurement as the years come toward electrification once we have it in service here and proven to be successful.”
Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said the city will ensure the electric buses are able to run in all weather conditions and he suggests there will still be a place for gas-powered buses.
“This is the beginning of a transition to electric buses,” he said.
“But – we’ll be sure that the transit system can operate in all conditions moving forward.”
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
Representatives of both the federal and provincial governments were on hand to tout the economic and environmental benefits of electrification.
“The more we can electrify a lot of the equipment that we use, the better it is for the environment, and the better it is for our economy,” said Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano.
“Sault Ste. Marie is leading Canada in so many ways, whether it’s the electrification of Algoma Steel, the beginning of electrification of our transit fleet,” said Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan.
Other upgrades include the purchasing of eight accessible passenger vans and two ‘parabuses,’ which are primarily used by people with mobility challenges.
City staff said when the new vehicles will be deployed will depend on the length of the procurement process.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse
Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.
BREAKING London Drugs stores remain closed for 4th straight day after 'cybersecurity incident'
Dozens of London Drugs stores in Western Canada remained closed for the fourth straight day following a "cybersecurity incident."
No criminal charges after 4 newborn bodies found in Boston freezer
A prosecutor in Massachusetts won't seek criminal charges against anyone, two years after four newborns were found in a freezer in a South Boston apartment.
Anger can harm your blood vessel function, study shows
Stress and anger can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, studies have shown. New research points to just how the mechanism may work.