Region provides update to GRT’s electric bus pilot program

The first electric buses hit the road in Waterloo Region in February, and now about nine months later, regional staff are learning more about the feasibility of an electric fleet.

The report will be presented to the Region of Waterloo Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee on Tuesday.

Back in January, the region invested around $15.1 million into Grand River Transit’s (GRT) electric bus pilot project.

They purchased 11 buses, but still haven’t received four of the buses they paid for because of alleged ‘supply chain issues’.

The buses GRT has received are operating on Route 7, which runs from Conestoga Station to Fairway Station, they’ll eventually also run on the late-night Route 91.

Regional staff have learned the electric buses run best on service blocks of 200 km, but most GRT service blocks are 300 km.

According to the report, the seven electric buses currently in service have not experienced any mechanical failures, but it takes them four hours to recharge, meaning if they need to recharge at any point during the day, they cannot be redeployed.

Although electric buses are more expensive and require costlier labour, the report says that fuel savings of the electric bus offset those costs, and even save the region money.

The report comes at a good time, as this week is National Drive Electric week, electric vehicle drivers are gathering at 430 The Boardwalk in Waterloo on Saturday.

More than 150 vehicles are already registered to attend.