Ottawa seeks advisors to help cities plan for zero emission buses
The federal government is launching a $15 million call for advisors to help municipalities transition their transit fleets.
OTTAWA · The federal government is looking for not-for-profit groups or academic institutions to guide municipalities on switching to electric buses. Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson announced the search for advisors under the Zero Emission Transit Fund. The chosen organization or organizations will provide planning and advisory support to transit agencies across the country. Up to $15 million in federal funding is available for these services.
Robertson said the initiative is a key step in cutting Canada's transportation emissions. "Investing in green and sustainable transit systems is a key step in reducing emissions in Canada," he said. "Through this call to application, we are helping communities create a roadmap to greener transit." The advisors will help municipalities understand what is needed to buy and operate zero emission buses. They will also assist with planning for the required charging or fueling infrastructure.
The support will include technical analysis, financial modelling and strategies for deploying new buses. Advisors will also help with measuring performance and sharing knowledge between transit systems. The government says this planning work will prepare communities for future investments in their bus fleets. The transportation sector is responsible for a quarter of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions.
The Zero Emission Transit Fund is part of the larger Canada Public Transit Fund, which budgets $25 billion over a decade. This funding supports public transit and active transportation projects nationwide. The government states that advancing innovation in transit supports manufacturers and creates economic growth. Applications for the advisory role will be accepted from late October 2026 until mid-January 2027. Robertson made the announcement at the annual forum of the Canadian Urban Transit Association in Ottawa. More information about how to apply is available on the website for Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada.
With files from The Environment Journal