City to study viability, timing for clean energy buses

By Collin Gallant on September 13, 2024.

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Medicine Hat Transit is studying if and when it should switch to electric or hydrogen fuelled buses, according to an announcement that states Ottawa will pay most of the review’s $200,000 cost.

That comes about 10 years after the city introduced compressed natural gas buses as well as garbage trucks to save on fuel costs compared to gasoline and diesel operation.

That was dialled back four years ago to ensure continuous service in case of a breakdown at the only CNG fuelling station in the region, which was built and operated by the city.

There is no timetable for further changes, but the study is already underway, say officials with the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium.

That group’s president, Josipa Petrunic, told the News that the move to CNG on high-milage vehicles – estimated to save the city $500,000 per year – was likely the right decision at the time.

But CNG hasn’t been widely accepted by fleet operators, and now the city’s fleet of buses faces escalating carbon levies, changing technology, larger trade and procurement challenges.

Another switch could make economic and environmental sense, depending on timing, costs involved and operational performance specific to Medicine Hat’s transit operational needs.

“Our consideration is figuring out how we get – considering Medicine Hat’s typography and weather – down to a 1-to-1 replacement,” of diesel or CNG buses to electric or hydrogen fuel-cell units, said Petrunic.

Electric buses perform well in cold climates, but with different ranges and fuelling or recharging logistics, and on a variable basis depending on temperature.

Individual buses may be in service for shorter periods in a day, but the main consideration for transit authorities is maintaining a stable level of service.

That could be resolved with mid-route charging, though at substantial cost, or switching out buses for charged units at shorter intervals.

That could require a larger fleet – having more vehicles on hand – which would affect maintenance and capital expense.

Medicine Hat Transit’s routes, passenger boardings and all operational data will be evaluated before a recommendation is developed, said Petrunic.

The city released a short statement regarding the grant.

“We’re charging forward in finding solutions to lower carbon emissions from our public transit fleet,” according Aaron Nelson, acting director of community development, which oversees the transit department.

“This collaboration … is critical in assisting the City of Medicine Hat to further pursue our efforts toward a more resilient and sustainable future.”

Ottawa will contribute $158,500 toward the study from the Zero Emissions Transit Fund. The city will cover the remainder of cost, about $39,600.

“We are proud to collaborate with Medicine Hat and CUTRIC to build greener and more efficient public transit systems that Canadians can rely on,” federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser said in the release.

Petrunic said procurement issues could delay any changeover as tariffs on electric vehicles and equipment are discussed by national governments in North America, which only has two major bus manufacturers – New Flyer and Nova.

Nova has announced it will stop producing diesel models after 2025.

Supply change disruptions have also added to the cost and delivery timetables.

Beginning in 2015, the city began purchasing CNG-fuelled bus and garbage trucks to replace diesel units when those models came for replacement at the end of their operational lifespan.

Over the same period, work began on the natural gas fuelling station located next to the Medicine Hat Regional Airport on 10th Avenue.

Related, non-vehicle costs rose to $6.5 million including the station and ventilation upgrades at the fleet garage, plus training for city mechanics.

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