CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Electric transit buses are coming to Charlottetown someday, says the chairman of the city’s environment and sustainability committee.
Coun. Terry MacLeod said he can’t put a date on it but it’s something that is definitely on their radar.
“The city is exploring the option of electrical and continues to research ways to move in that direction but we’re just not there yet,’’ MacLeod said.
The three levels of government recently announced that T3 Transit — which serves Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall — will purchase six new diesel buses and two mini-buses with a combined grant of $1.8 million from the federal government, $1.5 million from the provincial government and a combined $1.4 million from the three municipalities.
Pat and the Elephant will be able to replace its aging vehicles with five new para-transportation vans with a total of $462,000 in funding from federal, provincial and municipal coffers.
The government of Canada is investing more than $2 million for these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS). The P.E.I. government is contributing more than $1.6 million.
Pat and the Elephant and T3 will be responsible for the remainder of the projects’ costs.
Following the announcement there was some talk on social media as to why the investing was made in diesel buses and not electric.
“This was all about trying to solve our transit problem right now. Moving forward, electrical is definitely on our agenda but we need a lot more infrastructure money to be spent to run an electrical system.’’
-Coun. Terry MacLeod
MacLeod said the funding was necessary to address an immediate need for buses. The new vehicles are completely accessible and come with security cameras. They’re also 35 feet in length compared to the current buses which are 30 so they can carry more passengers.
“This was all about trying to solve our transit problem right now. Moving forward, electrical is definitely on our agenda but we need a lot more infrastructure money to be spent to run an electrical system.’’
For example, MacLeod said changes would have to be made to the transit garage and charging stations would have to be set up throughout the greater Charlottetown area.
“There are a couple of communities in Canada that have started (using) electric buses. We’re sitting back to see how the transition went, learn from that and go forward.’’
MacLeod said T3 is in a situation where it can ill afford a breakdown. He added that even if they ordered electric buses, it would take two years to arrive because they aren’t immediately available.
Plus, he noted the cost of each electric bus is in excess of $1 million.
He acknowledges the municipalities would save money in the long run from such an investment but they need federal money first to put the infrastructure in place.
“You don’t have a choice right now but to buy diesel. There isn’t an electric bus to buy.’’
