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TRANSIT PROPOSES ELECTRIC BUS PURCHASES

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2026/09/03/city-hall-in-brief-3

WINNIPEG Transit hopes to buy more battery electric buses, despite city council directing it to stick with diesel models from 2027 onward.

A report requests a “one-time exception” from council’s 2025 vote to buy solely diesel buses from that point on, over concerns the city couldn’t afford more zero-emission models.

The new proposal calls for Transit to buy up to seven 20-foot-long electric buses for a pilot project to support on-request trips, pending city council approval.

On-request serves up to 4,000 riders a week, at times, and could use 35 buses that are under 30 feet long, the report states.

Winnipeg Transit currently uses 30-foot and 40-foot buses for the service, which can struggle with tight turns, forcing riders to walk farther to get picked up.

“A smaller bus would serve communities better. It would bring buses closer to people and reduce road damage, noise, vibration, and complaints from residents,” the report states.

Each smaller battery-electric bus costs less than each 40-foot diesel bus, and the purchase may be eligible for federal funding, it notes.

Transit declined to state the estimated price per bus, noting the final cost will be determined through a request for proposals.

The report says the bus purchases can be covered within Transit’s existing capital budget.