Grand River Transit ordering 36 new hybrid buses
The Region of Waterloo has approved a major investment into the Grand River Transit (GRT) fleet.
Regional council green lit the staff recommendation to order 36 hybrid buses, costing a total of $43.9 million.
With 21 buses scheduled for replacement in 2025 and record-high ridership numbers, more buses were needed to meet on-street demands.
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The hybrid buses will be ordered promptly, and are expected to be delivered early next year. In the meantime, 11 new electric buses will be operational this year.
The buses are purchased from the Vendor of Record, Nova Bus Inc., who recently informed the region that they are transitioning fully to electric next year, and will need hybrid orders in by the end of January. Despite these plans, Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services Rod Regier told council that Nova Bus will still have to make parts for the hybrid buses for service and maintenance reasons.
GRT does not purchase any exclusively diesel-powered buses anymore, aligning with the region’s climate-related strategic focus.
The decision has already been built in to the 2024-2033 capital plan, so there will be no surprise impact on taxpayers.
You can read more about the plans here.
