A southwestern Ontario school bus provider is modernizing its fleet.
Langs Bus Lines is using federal funding to replace nearly half its diesel school buses with 200 electric vehicles.
Infrastructure Canada is providing the company with more than $22.2 million in federal funding through the Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF.) The Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has also reached financial close on a $22.4 million investment with Langs.
Over $600,000 of the total ZETF funding will support a feasibility study to support Langs in strengthening its knowledge and preparing for the transition, while CIB’s loan will help cover the higher upfront capital costs of the buses.
“With this funding, we will replace diesel engine buses that are retiring from service with zero-emission battery electric school buses,” said Kevin Langs, Langs Bus Lines Ltd Vice President, in a news release. “Thousands of students in our service area throughout southwestern Ontario will benefit from a safe, emissions-free ride every school day.”
Government figures show replacing 200 diesel buses with electric ones will reduce yearly greenhouse gas emissions by over 4,200 tonnes, equivalent to offsetting the yearly energy consumption of 550 homes.
Langs Bus Lines operates buses, vans and mobility accessible vehicles for home to school transportation in London, Sarnia, Chatham-Kent, Woodstock, and surrounding areas throughout Southwestern Ontario. Officials say transitioning to an electric fleet is in line with their vision to drive clean and reduce students’ exposure to bus emissions.
