Updated May 7 at 4:15pm
Sunshine Coast Transit (SCT) is on BC Transit’s (BCT) fleet electrification list. In a May 6 press release, BCT said the lower Coast is slated to be upgraded with electric vehicles and charging infrastructure by mid-2026.
The work being done locally is part of a larger program that also includes making similar upgrades in Chilliwack, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, Victoria and Whistler.
The press release outlined that 66 electric buses are on order from two pre-qualified suppliers, Nova Bus and New Flyer. It stated that “BC Transit expects to install approximately 134 new electric bus charging points over the next two years."
“On the Sunshine Coast, BC Transit has moved into the design phase with engineering firms, which includes creating drawings for construction. Once the design is complete, the construction work can be tendered, and the infrastructure construction projects can start, at which time BC Transit will have more clarity around specific construction start dates. BC Transit expects construction to progress in each community ahead of delivery windows for the electric buses themselves,” BCT’s media and public affairs advisor Jamie Weiss told Coast Reporter by email.
SCT is operated by the Sunshine Coast Regional District. On May 7, that local government's board chair, Leonard Lee stated "An important aspect of our Board’s Strategic Plan is to lower the carbon footprint of our services, so we appreciate being part of this exciting project. I’m confident that many in our community will be eager to use these buses, and we can't wait to see them running in the Region."
Paying for the changes
Costs for the electrification initiative are being shared by federal, provincial and local governments.
BCT detailed that federal funding is being provided through the Zero Emission Transit Fund and the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
“This investment not only expands essential public transportation services in our communities, it also underscores our commitment to transitioning public transit to electric power, lowering emissions, improving localized air quality, making our communities quieter, and ultimately more liveable" Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country stated in the release.
That announcement also detailed that “these projects advance BC Transit’s objectives to lower greenhouse gas emissions and are part of the organization’s commitment to meet goals outlined in the Province of British Columbia’s CleanBC roadmap." That strategy includes a focus on transitioning medium and heavy-duty vehicles to zero-emission.
