$248M Investment to Boost BC Transit Vehicle Fleet, Improve Access

Communities across British Columbia, Canada will receive new buses and see important upgrades to public transit infrastructure, thanks to an investment of more than $248.5 million from the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and BC Transit.

Announced by MP Wilson Miao, Minister Rob Fleming, and Erinn Pinkerton of BC Transit, these projects will increase public transit ridership and improve the commuter experience.

Funding Vehicle Acquisitions

The investment will help BC Transit complete four separate vehicle acquisitions, purchasing approximately 210 Light Duty (LD) buses, 29 High Capacity (HC) diesel buses, 10 HC Battery-Electric Buses (BEB), and 6 LD BEBs. The new vehicles will support both handyDART and conventional transit services and replace aging models that currently serve regional transit systems.

Funding will further support additional transit improvements across British Columbia. A component replacement initiative will extend the life, reliability, and safety of up to 377 high-capacity double-decker heavy- and medium-duty buses in BC Transit’s fleet through transmission, engine, differential, and driver seat (TED) replacements.

Approximately 286 new and refitted bus shelters throughout B.C. will also provide transit users with comfort and safety in inclement weather.

“Replacing our aging fleet, maintaining existing fleets and making sure our customers have transit shelters that make their experience a more comfortable one are all great projects being funded with this announcement,” said Erinn Pinkerton, president and CEO of BC Transit. “As we have now returned to our pre-pandemic ridership levels, the addition of more buses will continue to help us ensure transit remains the most convenient transportation solution for communities across the province. All these projects are made possible by all levels of government working together and I thank everyone involved in funding public transit.”

Funding Brings Facility Upgrades

In Kelowna, funding will also support a design plan for a new operations and maintenance facility and complete upgrades to the existing Kelowna Transit Center to support service expansion and a future battery-electric bus fleet for the regional transit system.

The facility upgrades in Kelowna and the vehicles acquired in service areas throughout the province align with BC Transit’s plan to electrify its fleet by 2040 and the Province’s CleanBC emissions reduction goals.

The Government of Canada’s funding comes from the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.