Ottawa residents are familiar with waiting for a bus, but now city officials find themselves in a similar holding pattern. They are awaiting the delivery of hundreds of promised electric buses, a delay so significant it has prompted a policy shift back towards traditional diesel vehicles.
From Pilot Program to Procurement Problems
The journey began with a successful pilot program, leading the City of Ottawa to order 350 battery-electric buses in 2023. However, years later, only a small fraction of that order—approximately 30 vehicles—has arrived and entered service with OC Transpo. The prolonged wait has led city council to scale back its zero-emission ambitions, passing a motion to consider purchasing regular diesel or hybrid-diesel buses in future procurements.
Unpacking the Causes of the Delay
The reasons for the holdup are multifaceted. While standard bus procurement involves a lead time of at least one year, the electric bus order faced additional hurdles. Initially, there were questions about how city staff drafted the procurement documents. To streamline the process, Ottawa eventually joined the Toronto Transit Commission's (TTC) larger bulk purchase, hoping to save time and money.
Councillor Wilson Lo, who championed the motion to reopen options for diesel buses, provides critical insight. A former OC Transpo driver and current Barrhaven representative, Lo points to manufacturing delays exacerbated by supply-chain issues that originated during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Some are exclusive to electric buses, mostly the batteries," Lo explains. "[Issues] have continued and have been made worse by a sharp increase in e-bus demand."
Financial Penalties and Future Fleet Strategy
The financial risk of the delays falls heavily on the manufacturer. "The penalty is the manufacturer doesn’t get paid until the vehicles get delivered," states Lo, noting the higher upfront capital costs of electric buses. His motion aims to provide flexibility, allowing the city to "purchase the best bus for our needs, regardless of propulsion in the interest of service."
Glen Gower, the Stittsville councillor who chairs the transit commission, is also closely monitoring the file. The situation underscores the challenges cities face in transitioning to green technology amid global supply constraints and soaring demand. For now, Ottawa's path to an all-electric bus fleet has hit a significant speed bump, with diesel vehicles back on the table as a practical necessity for maintaining reliable transit service.
