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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.