Second Conference on Clean Buses in Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to deploying zero-emission buses (ZEBs) to meet its net-zero goal by 2050.

It announced plans to deploy 5,000 zero-emission transit and school buses at an investment of CAD2.75 billion during 2021-26. It further strengthened its commitment by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at COP26 requiring all new medium- and heavy- duty buses to be zero-emission by 2040. As of September 2022, more than 860 ZEBs are already operating across the country.

This commitment of the federal government has been matched by dynamic action by transit agencies and operators. Transit agencies in Toronto, Montreal and British Columbia have drafted strategies to deploy 100 per cent zero-emission fleets by 2040. Firm plans have been announced by the city of Ottawa to add 446 ZEBs by 2027, by City of Calgary to introduce 259 ZEBs by 2027, by Halifax Transit to add 200 electric buses by 2028 and by Translink in Vancouver to deploy 500 electric buses by 2030.

The government’s objective is also to make the country a leader in zero-emission vehicle transportation. However, technological challenges continue to impact the performance of ZEBs. These relate to power consumption, energy storage capacity, range, energy efficiency, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. 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. 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.

In light of the developments and opportunities, Global Mass Transit (GMT) is organizing its second conference on “Clean Buses in Canada” on May 25, 2023 at InterContinental Toronto Centre, Canada.

The mission of the conference is to discuss the experience so far, best practices, challenges and plans of transit agencies, operators and local/provincial 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, state transport departments, local government officials, 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 international 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 clean fuel buses, especially 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, transport 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 authorities in the deployment of clean buses. This will provide an opportunity to learn how to deploy clean buses and charging/fueling infrastructure, mobilize funding, and manage stakeholder expectations.