Lethbridge City Council has approved the purchase of five low-emission diesel transit buses, which will be replacing aging buses coming up for retirement from service.

The decision to move forward with low-emission diesel-powered buses as opposed to additional hybrid diesel models came following a recommendation from administration. Five hybrid buses were added to the regular bus fleet in February 2012; however, there have been concerns about the reliability of the units and the new technology.

The total cost of the purchase is $2-million and will be funded by provincial and federal grants. Two-thirds of the cost will be funded by the provincial GreenTRIP program and the remaining will be covered by the Federal Gas Tax Fund. Delivery of the new buses is projected for late 2013.


Beginning March 2013, drivers of electric vehicles will be able to charge their cars at the Kamloops Visitor Centre. The facility will be a full Level II charging station and will be able to fully recharge an electric car battery within three to six hours. Funding for the installation of the station was provided by the provincial government.  

The location was chosen by the City due to the visitor centre’s close proximity to hotels, shopping centres, and the highway. City representatives have highlighted that this step will play a major role in supporting the Sustainable Kamloops Plan and its goals, which include:

• Helping to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels for transportation locally by 25 percent by 2020
• Reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions to 2.4 tonnes per capita by 2020
• Encouraging the use of alternate fueled motor vehicles in the community

A total of 570 charging stations are expected to be created across British Columbia by March 31, 2013.