In photos – Charging ahead with Halifax Transit and their zero emission bus project
Zero Emission Bus Project
Investing in greener public transit infrastructure in Halifax
How We Got Here
Approved by Halifax Regional Council on May 26, 2023, the Zero Emission Bus Project is the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada. The project will result in the addition of more than 200 electric buses to the Halifax Transit fleet, an expansion of the Ragged Lake Transit Centre, and an eco-rebuild of the Burnside Transit Centre to achieve a net-zero standard.
The Zero Emission Bus Project aligns with municipal, provincial and federal climate targets and will help to achieve the goals and actions outlined in HalifACT, the municipality’s climate change initiative.
Where We Are
On July 15, 2021, the governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and the Halifax Regional Municipality announced a combined $112 million investment toward the project. This funding is being used to implement Phase 1 of the project, which includes the procurement of 60 electric buses, an expansion of the Ragged Lake Transit Centre to house the vehicles and the associated charging equipment, as well as a deep energy retrofit of the facility to achieve a net-zero standard.
Phase 1: Electric Buses and Ragged Lake Transit Centre Expansion
In May 2022, the Halifax Regional Council approved the award to the vendor, Nova Bus Limited., for purchasing up to 60 40-ft battery electric buses and chargers. The buses will be similar to the Nova Bus vehicles currently used by Halifax Transit, but will have an electric motor instead of diesel, and will also include permanent Operator safety shields.
The first pilot electric bus is arriving in December 2023, and will initially be used for training, road testing, and public engagement activities. The remaining 59 buses will be arriving over the coming year, with the full fleet anticipated to arrive by the end of 2024.
Phase 1 of the Ragged Lake Transit Centre expansion began in June 2023 and is expected to be completed in fall 2024. The new expansion will include space for electric bus storage and charging equipment.
Phase 2: Burnside Transit Centre Eco-Rebuild
Phase 2 of the Zero Emission Bus Project includes planning for the replacement of the Burnside Transit Centre with a newly-designed, energy-efficient facility to house the zero-emission fleet.
Funding is now in place for the planning and design phase of the project. The province is providing $7.1 million, the federal government is investing $6.5 million, and Halifax Regional Municipality is contributing $7.1 million.
The new transit centre is expected to be completed by 2028.
