TTC awards Nova Bus contract for up to 541 electric buses

May 31, 2023

The order includes an adoption process for other agencies in Ontario to enter into their own agreements with Nova Bus for up to 550 buses over four years.

Related To: Nova Bus Corporation

A promotional image of Nova Bus's LFSe+ electric bus.

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) awarded Nova Bus a contract that could bring up to 541 electric buses to its network. This is the first bus order TTC has placed with Nova Bus. It includes a base order of 124 40-foot LFSe+ long-range battery-electric buses, with a potential order of 12 buses and an option for up to 405 units.

The buses from the base order will be delivered over a two-year period starting in 2024. In addition, the order also includes an adoption process for other agencies in Ontario to enter into their own agreements with Nova Bus for up to 550 buses over four years.

During the past 10 years, Nova Bus has delivered more than 1,300 buses to the TTC, including hybrid-electric buses. With this new order, the all-electric LFSe+ will support the bus fleet electrification efforts of the TTC, which are part of its commitment to be 50 percent zero emissions by 2030 and 100 percent zero emissions by 2040 or sooner.

The TTC operates more than 156 bus routes with a fleet of more than 2,000 buses serving more than 111 million passengers on an annual basis (2021 data), making it one of the largest transit agencies in North America. With this order of battery-electric buses, the TTC will continue to be a North American leader in the adoption of zero–emissions technology bus fleets.

This order is made possible by a joint investment of C$700 million (US$514 million) from the government of Canada's Zero Emission Transit Fund and the city of Toronto towards the electrification of the TTC's bus fleet. The funding will cover the purchase of battery-electric buses and chargers and support upgrades related to sites and infrastructure.

"We are delighted to build on our strong relationship with the TTC for this award of LFSe+ electric buses," stated Ralph Acs, president of Nova Bus. "The TTC has a long history of leading in battery-electric transit solutions and this announcement is in line with the agency's long-term sustainability goals. We couldn't be happier to be part of that journey to support the TTC with its zero-emissions commitment and the city of Toronto's goal of reducing 80 percent of its vehicle emissions by 2050."