Halifax to get 60 electric buses as part of $112M deal

Source: Michael Gorman · CBC NEWS · | July 15, 2021

3 levels of government to kick in funds for new fleet, equipment and upgrades

Source: Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin is shown Thursday speaking at an announcement about money for electric buses for Halifax Transit. (Robert Short/CBC)

Halifax Regional Municipality will get 60 battery-powered electric buses as part of a $112-million agreement with the provincial and federal governments.

"Our plan is to have a totally electric fleet by 2028 and we think we might be able to do it faster with continued support from government," Halifax Mayor Mike Savage told reporters following the announcement at the Ragged Lake transit centre.

The current fleet has 340 diesel buses, along with some specialty vehicles. A tender for the electric buses will be issued this summer, with the first buses hitting the road by 2023. Full delivery is expected to be complete by 2024.

Along with the buses, the money announced Thursday will also be used to buy the necessary charging equipment and expand the transit centre to accommodate the new fleet. Although there is mounting speculation that a provincial election call is imminent, Premier Iain Rankin told reporters that the money announced is budgeted, is not contingent on any election outcome and has been in discussion for some time.