City to spend $8.4M on new hybrid buses
Fredericton to finance purchase of six greener buses as part of emissions-reduction goals
Fredericton city hall reiterated its focus on climate-change action goals this week with the announcement of millions in spending on six new hybrid diesel-electric buses for its transit fleet.
City counsel approved the major purchase of the six new hybrid buses for Fredericton Transit at its regular meeting Tuesday.
Each bus, to be bought from New Flyer Bus, will cost $1.4 million apiece, the city said in a news release Wednesday, for a total of $8.4 million
“The buses will be financed over a period of 10 years and borrowing has been approved by the Municipal Capital Borrowing Board,” the release said.
The actual final cost of the purchase can’t be specified due to variables that are outside of the municipality’s control, city spokesperson Marley McLellan told the Fredericton Independent.
“The cost over the 10-year period can vary as it depends on how the lease is structured and on interest rates,” she wrote in an email this week.
“For example with a five per cent interest rate the cost would be $1,789,688 per bus, but we anticipate that final amount will be lower.”
This isn’t Fredericton Transit’s first kick at the can with hybrid vehicles, it said, as four diesel-electric vehicles are among its current fleet of 31 buses.
“The new buses will replace aging vehicles over the next two years, helping to modernize the fleet and reduce emissions,” the release said.
“Fredericton Transit buses are on the road for long periods of time every day, and replacing older models with hybrid buses will reduce emissions and help the city meet its climate targets.”
McLellan noted that while it’s a significant investment, the hybrid buses also afford the city the opportunity to save money in other ways while also prioritizing a greener approach to public transit.
“Regarding savings, it is estimated that the city will save $1.74 million in fuel with the hybrid buses over a 17-year period,” she wrote.
“The buses being replaced are past their usable life and are typically sold at for scrap metal at auction.”
Deputy mayor Jocelyn Pike said the investment also offers transit users a better-quality transportation experience.
“These six new buses will modernize our transit fleet and provide riders with a reliable, comfortable and affordable means of transportation throughout our growing community,” she said in the release.
The city’s stated climate-change action goals are to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions of its operations and infrastructure to achieve a level of 50 per cent lower than 2024 levels by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2050.
The municipality also adopted green-fleet guidelines for all city-owned vehicles and equipment in September 2024, the release said, that spotlight the intent to choose low-carbon alternatives when financially feasible.
Don MacPherson can be reached at ftonindependent@gmail.com.
The city councillors are insane. Supporting this plan is ridiculous when there are many more important issues that need attention. 👎👎👎