Streets will be a little quieter with the arrival of electric buses

The City of Saskatoon has announced its newest addition to the public transit system. Two new NOVA LFSe+ battery-electric buses will be hitting city roads by the end of the month.

In December 2021, the city council approved an initial investment in battery-electric buses as a part of a $115.4 million fleet renewal strategy.

Saskatoon Transit director, Mike Moellenbeck, shared that these buses are a testament to Saskatoon’s commitment to sustainable public transportation.

I was invited on behalf of @CKOMNews to check out @cityofsaskatoon’s two new electric buses! It was a smoooooth ride 🚌🚏 pic.twitter.com/Ra6SpdGvUG

— Payton (@paytonnnz) July 25, 2024

“The transition to battery-electric buses is a positive step toward the city’s target outline and low-emissions community plan and climate action plan which includes reducing emissions by 55,000 carbon dioxide equivalence by 2050.”

Moellenbeck, explained that the buses were tested during a 12-month pilot project, ensuring that the buses can stand all of Saskatchewan’s hot and cold temperatures.

The new electric buses are quieter, have a lower maintenance cost and will help improve air quality at transit terminals.

Phasing in more electric buses is the city’s goal, but it comes with a higher price tag.

“The purchase price on this (bus) was approximately 1.3 million dollars, versus the equivalent diesel bus at nine hundred-thousand…Our full fleet right now is 124 buses — so it would be a roughly one-to-one change over to have a full electrical (fleet),” said Moellenbeck.

Good news for rides, bus pass prices will not be rising to cover the extra cost of the new electric buses.