The City of Wrenford is taking a major step toward cleaner public transit. On December 5, 2023, officials unveiled the city’s zero-emission fleet plan and welcomed the first fully electric bus into regular service.
You will see the new bus assigned to Route 5, which serves the Kingfisher and Larch Heights neighbourhoods. It is the first of 12 buses the city will add over the next three years as part of the Bus electrification strategy. The fleet plan aims to transition the entire route to electric and hybrid models over the next decade.
“This electric bus is a big step forward for Wrenford,” says Daniel Osei, transit manager. “It runs quietly, produces zero tailpipe emissions, and cuts fuel costs for the city. We are saving money while keeping our air clean.”
The 40-foot bus can carry 41 passengers and travels up to 310 kilometres on a single charge. It takes about five hours to fully charge at the downtown terminal. The low-floor design makes it fully accessible for Wrenford Access riders and anyone using a mobility device.
The city is covering a large share of the bus and charging infrastructure costs through a federal grant. The remaining cost is covered by the transit operating budget. The city also purchased two new charging depots at key transit yards to support the expanding fleet.
When compared to a traditional diesel bus, this electric model will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 50 tonnes annually and save at least $20,000 each year in fuel costs.
The electric bus is part of a broader strategy to improve the transit network. The city is also upgrading bus stops on Route 5 and Route 12 to make boarding safer and faster.
You can watch the new bus in action on Route 5 throughout the day. For more information on the fleet plan, visit the Bus electrification strategy page.