New buses are on the way for Railway City Transit, however they will not help in the greening of St. Thomas.
The six buses will not be electric vehicles due to the lack of availability.
Two years ago St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston assured a better ride is on the way for transit users. The evolution began last year with the roll out of Railway City Transit, including longer hours, Sunday service and increased Talbot Street service.
The missing ingredient: zero-emission buses.
City council approved the purchase of six new buses last Monday and Justin Lawrence, director of environmental services, advised council they will be gas-powered.
In Aug. of 2020, the city was in receipt of $4 million in federal and provincial funding for the purchase of 14 zero-emission buses. Lawrence explains the reason behind gas-powered buses.
Cost of the buses is $1.1 million of which the city will pay approximately 27 per cent.
Written by: Ian McCallum
