By Michael Ranger
Skedline.com
The Toronto Transit Commission is now in possession of the first of its new hybrid electric buses.
The sleek new vehicles look pretty much the same as the old, but are branded with a green logo.
The TTC says these new buses will run off power that is fuelled by a diesel engine and will consume up to 30 percent less fuel than a regular bus. According to its news release the hybrid is as close to being fully electric as possible. The difference between a hybrid and an all-electric vehicle is that the hybrid has a generator that produces electricity whenever necessary.
“With the introduction of these new hybrid buses, the TTC will provide its customers with a cleaner and greener ride while saving money on fuel costs,” according to Mayor John Tory, in a release.
In a release, Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York, Adam Vaughan said that the new vehicles “will benefit transit users across Toronto by providing modern new buses, while helping improve air quality and protecting the environment.”
TTC received the first of their new hybrid buses. They plan to have 55 of these buses on the road in the next 2 weeks. Instagram: transit_central
The first bus is expected to go into service within the next two weeks and the TTC will receive 54 more hybrid buses by the end of the year. They plan to own 255 hybrids and 60 all-electric buses by the end of 2019.
The TTC is working its way towards operating a completely zero emissions fleet by 2040. This is in accordance with the City of Toronto’s mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent before 2050.
“Our new hybrid buses are part of the TTC’s large commitment to greening our fleet and we look forward to the introduction of our first zero emissions eBus early next year,” said TTC Chair Josh Colle.
The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) is providing $1.8 billion to expand and modernize the city’s transit. $370 million of that amount is being invested in the new buses. PTIF is a partnership between the federal government and the City of Toronto. The fund was setup to help improve commutes, cut air pollution, strengthen communities and grow the economy.
“These new buses are another example of the importance of governments working together to make investments in our transit system,” said Tory.
