Summary - Clean Buses in Canada 2024

There is significant momentum in deployment of zero emission buses (ZEBs) in Canada.

The Government of Canada announced plans to invest CAD14.9 billion until 2029 for deployment of reliable, fast, affordable and clean public transit. It also announced plans to invest CAD2.75 billion through the Zero Emission Transit Fund to deploy 5,000 zero-emission transit and school buses by 2025. The government further strengthened its commitment by signing an MOU at COP26 requiring all new medium- and heavy- duty buses to be zero-emission by 2040. This commitment of the federal government has been matched by swift action by transit agencies and operators. Transit agencies in Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, and many more have announced firm plans to transition to a full zero emission bus fleet.

Despite the guidance and funding available and the progress made over the years, transit agencies and operators continue to face multiple challenges while transitioning towards clean-fuel buses, especially ZEBs. There are questions about the most appropriate fuel mix for a city, drafting a strategy for the deployment of clean buses, procuring ZEBs, setting up infrastructure, total cost of ownership (TCO) in a rapidly changing technology environment, and specific risks and challenges for transit agencies and operators. Moreover, navigating provincial and federal policies as well as funding programmes, while also adopting new bus technologies has proven to be a challenge for even large transit operators. Further, technological challenges continue to impact the performance of ZEBs. These relate to power consumption, energy storage capacity, range, energy efficiency, high grid emissions, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. And finally, more effort and resources need to be allocated to help smaller fleets overcome barriers to scaling.

That said, the industry is also making concerted efforts to improve technology and that coupled with the government’s clear vision to transition to a cleaner fleet, ZEB deployments are expected to grow significantly in this decade. These deployments with a sustained focus on achieving a modal shift towards a zero emission public transport system will ensure accomplishment of climate and net-zero goals.

In light of the developments and opportunities, Global Mass Transit (GMT) is organising its third conference on “Clean Buses in Canada” on May 16, 2024 at Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel in Toronto.

The mission of the conference is to discuss the experience so far, best practices, challenges and plans of transit agencies, operators and provincial/regional/municipal governments in deployment of a zero emission bus (ZEB) fleet. It will also provide information on procuring, financing, operating, and maintaining clean buses and infrastructure. The conference will also highlight opportunities and technological innovations.

The conference will bring together policymakers, transit agencies, provinces and territories, municipal/regional governments officials, public bodies (including school boards), private-sector school bus operators, private accessible transit transportation providers (including paratransit services), OEMs, suppliers of bus components, technology providers, energy providers, charging solution suppliers and battery manufacturers, hydrogen-fueling infrastructure providers, funding agencies, consultants, researchers, and academicians.

The one-day conference will have eight sessions, panel discussions and case studies, with a wide array of experts providing valuable insights and actionable advice. It will cover a range of clean buses and solutions. Examples will be provided for large, medium and small transit agencies. The agenda will cover the plans of cities to deploy zero emission buses in Canada. It will also highlight the latest technological developments and solutions to improve the customer experience.

The conference will also help understand the role governments, transit agencies, operators, manufacturers, and consultants can play in deploying zero emission buses in a city. Besides, it will provide insights into the offerings of leading manufacturers and suppliers.

There will be a dedicated session on the experiences of leading transit agencies in the deployment of clean buses. This will provide an opportunity to learn how to deploy clean buses and charging/fueling infrastructure, mobilise funding, and manage stakeholder expectations.

Role of public transit in the journey to net zero in Canada
Transitioning to zero emission buses (ZEBs): Strategies, policies, case studies and best practices
Current policies and standards for clean buses, electric buses, hydrogen buses
Progress in the deployment of ZEBs
Plans of transit agencies, operators, provincial/municipal governments in Canada towards deployment of ZEBs
Opportunities available for suppliers of zero emission buses
Key legal, organisational, technical, operational and financial issues in the adoption of clean buses
Total cost of ownership (TCO) of zero emission buses
Drafting tender documents, selecting suppliers and developing contracts
Operations and maintenance of electric buses and hydrogen-fuelled buses
Electric bus charging infrastructure: Innovations, new technologies and infrastructure for large-scale fleets
OEM perspective on hydrogen: Launching new technologies, reducing costs, improving efficiency and commercialising hydrogen
Economics and business models
Financing zero-emission buses
Planning for, and scheduling and monitoring of clean buses
Using data and AI for fleet management
Integration of zero emission fleet with new mobility (MaaS and AVs)