This week, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and I went on a behind-the-scenes tour of OC Transpo’s electric bus garage.
It was a great opportunity to see up close how Ottawa’s transit system is evolving. OC Transpo is in the middle of the biggest transformation in its history, with nearly $1 billion being invested (including federal funding) to electrify the bus fleet and build the charging and maintenance infrastructure to support it. Walking through the St. Laurent garage, you can really see this transformation taking shape.
The new buses are quieter and smoother for riders, equipped with improved onboard information screens, and capable of travelling more than 300 km on a single charge. There are environmental benefits too: since 2022, OC Transpo’s electric buses have saved roughly 930,000 litres of diesel and reduced emissions by more than 2,000 tonnes of CO2.
More than 100 electric buses are now in service and the number is growing week-by-week. That’s having a very positive impact on service delivery. For the period of April 26 to May 2:
- An average of 560 buses were available on weekdays;
- Service delivery hit 99.5% – the first time that target has been reached this year;
- More buses on the road means fewer cancellations and better reliability for riders.
By the end of 2027, Ottawa is expected to have more than 350 electric buses in service, giving us the highest proportion of electric buses in any fleet in Canada. Cleaner air, quieter neighbourhoods, and a more reliable transit system for residents.
A huge thank you to the OC Transpo team for the tour, and for the work they’re doing every day to keep Ottawa moving.
