Provincially-funded CUTRIC projects are using RoutΣ.i™ toolset to analyse unique variables affecting planning and implementation of transit electrification

February 25, 2022, TORONTO — As part of the Government of Ontario’s five-year Climate Change Action Plan, the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) is proud to be conducting empirical data analytics for Brampton Transit, Burlington Transit, Cornwall Transit, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and York Region Transit.

All five of the full-fleet, block-based studies are using CUTRIC’s customizable RoutΣ.i™ toolset to analyse and assess the many unique variables affecting each agency’s planning and implementation of transit electrification. To date, the RoutΣ.i™ toolset has been used in zero-emission bus (ZEB) feasibility studies with a combined value of more than $1 million, making CUTRIC Canada’s leading non-profit ZEB consultant. Through a Joint Procurement Initiative, CUTRIC is working to add four more Ontario-based projects in 2022.

With Canada signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the COP26 conference requiring all new medium- and heavy-duty buses to be zero-emission by 2040, the need for neutral and science-based guidance on how electrified buses will work in Canadian communities is more pressing than ever before.

“Transitioning to ZEB technology is extremely complicated, and requires an energy system overhaul at the municipal level,” explained CUTRIC President & CEO Josipa Petrunić. “That’s why we support transit agencies in providing precise information that empowers them to do the right things at the right times as they embrace electrification and decarbonization.”

“Brampton is a Green City and a leader in environmental sustainability. Brampton Transit is part of the CUTRIC Pan-Canadian Battery Electric Bus Demonstration and Integration Trial, a global-first integration project, which supports further enhancement of our city’s transit network and sustainability goals. Eight electric buses have been on Brampton’s roads since May 2021, and we aim to further electrify our transit fleet. Electric buses support our mission for a greener city, and CUTRIC’s study is important as we take the next steps in transforming Brampton’s transit network. We thank our partners and look forward to Brampton’s electric future.”

• Alex Milojevic, General Manager, Brampton Transit

“Burlington Transit is looking into what needs to be done to convert our fleet from fossil fuels to electric buses. We are grateful for the expertise and partnership of CUTRIC to help us work through the costs and logistics of what is required to set up the infrastructure that is necessary to take Burlington Transit into the future. This work is important to the City in our quest to become carbon-neutral, mitigate climate change and protect the environment while we strive to improve our transit services for Burlington.”

• Sue Connor, Director of Transit, City of Burlington

“For decades, Cornwall Transit has provided reliable public transportation for the City of Cornwall. On Monday, December 13, 2021 the City of Cornwall Council declared a climate emergency. The City of Cornwall has joined more than 500 Canadian municipalities who have already publicly recognized the global climate crisis. Cornwall Transit believes that a feasibility analysis is important to its ZEB goals/climate action plan, we are excited to take this next step in decreasing the City’s carbon footprint through transit electrification, making our city greener and cleaner. CUTRIC is helping us with analyzing how we can attain our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals by completing a complex study on how best to electrify our fleet.” 

• Maurice Rozon, Maintenance Supervisor, Cornwall Transit

“Home to one of the largest public transit systems in Canada, York Region remains committed to continuous improvement with efficient and convenient transit to support our growing communities and protect our environment. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), we are also gaining valuable experience learning from this new technology and moving towards our goal of becoming a net-zero (GHG) Region by 2050.”

• Wayne Emmerson, Chairman and CEO, the Regional Municipality of York