That’s a lot of bus fares: London Transit facility for electric fleet pegged at $333 million
The city’s plan to build a new London Transit facility to charge and maintain electric buses has a staggering new price tag: one-third of a billion dollars.
Almost three years after then-mayor Ed Holder charted a course to electrify London’s bus fleet, details about the largest component of that plan are coming into focus in a new report.
A new headquarters and electric bus charging/maintenance facility on London Transit’s Highbury Avenue property will require multiple phases of demolition and construction to ensure bus service is not interrupted.
The report to city council’s Strategic Priorities and Policy (SP&P) Committee estimates it will cost $332.5 million.
“To demolish and rebuild is about $292 million, the remainder of that cost getting us to $332 million deals with the design, the consulting that’s associated, and operational requirements,” explained Kelly Paleczny, general manager of London Transit.
Construction will be divided into two separate projects, the first starting in 2025 and lasting two-and-a-half to three years.
Paleczny explained that London Transit’s current facility is in poor condition and an electric bus fleet will require space and specialized equipment for maintenance and charging.
“Right now this facility maxes out at about 185 buses,” she said. “The new facility on the same site will be 250, so it gives us room to expand.”
In March 2019, city council settled the rapid transit debate by advancing only three of the five routes for senior government funding.
About $119 million originally sought for the north and west routes remains unallocated.
Earlier this year, the federal government shortened the timeline for cities to choose projects for funding through its Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
The ICIP transit fund is a cost sharing agreement between three levels of government:
- 40 per cent federal government
- 33 per cent provincial government
- 27 per cent municipal government
City staff recommend redirecting the remaining ICIP funding to cover much of the $199.5 million cost of the first project (moving London Transit HQ and building a partial electric bus barn).
Funding sources for the second project ($133 million), to complete the remainder of the specialized electric bus barn, will be determined through future municipal budgets and federal funding programs.
The SP&P Committee will consider directing London’s remaining ICIP funding to the new London Transit facility on Dec. 6.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.