Canadian Legislative Updates
Sault Ste. Marie Idling Policy is Economical and Good for the Environment
Since the launch of an idling policy in March 2010, Sault Ste. Marie Transit has curbed the use of thousands of litres of fuel. In addition to other fuel-saving measures, the policy's implementation instigated a 3.7 percent cut in the average 1.1 million litres of diesel fuel used by city buses annually. This means 41,000 fewer litres of diesel were used in 2010. In addition, taxpayers saved approximately $36,500.
Through the policy, city buses were required to be turned off if stationary for more than two minutes. In December, the length of time was amended slightly, to five minutes, due to a number of buses having trouble staring up again in severely cold weather.
Upon the return of warmer weather, it will return to two minutes. It is anticipated that this will take effect at the end of March.
The municipality is continuing to explore other options to help reduce fuel consumption in other departments. This will involve studying what other cities in Northern Ontario, such as Thunder Bay and Sudbury, are doing.
It is said that due to the reduced fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions from buses were reduced by 113 tonnes.