Hamilton launches first carbon-negative bus in Ontario

In an effort to make transportation more efficient and sustainable in the fight against climate change, the City of Hamilton has partnered with Enbridge Gas to launch Ontario’s first-ever renewable natural gas (RNG) bus.

This makes the city’s public transit agency, the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), the first in the province to use a carbon negative bus in its transportation of riders.

This RNG bus is expected to use and divert around 450 tonnes of organic waste from landfill within one year; the equivalent of 38 garbage trucks. Additionally, the bus will displace CO2 emissions from 36,000 litres of diesel consumed in one year.

Enbridge Gas partners with City of Hamilton to fuel Ontario’s first Carbon-Negative Bus! In one year, this renewable natural gas bus will use and divert 450 tonnes of organic waste from the landfill.

Release>>https://t.co/SKHdCIxFTM @enbridgegas @HSR #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/xTDDZDwNpF

— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) March 4, 2021

So how does an RNG vehicle operate, exactly? Essential, the fuel is upgraded biogas, which is the gaseous product of decomposing organic waste from homes and businesses that has now been processed and repurposed as green fuel.

The HSR bus using RNG is even carbon negative, going beyond net zero emissions and helping to divert waste from landfills and reduce CO2 emissions while also supporting the city’s economic development.

“Renewable natural gas provides an excellent opportunity for the HSR and City of Hamilton to continue our efforts to lower corporate GHG emissions and move toward targets outlined in our Climate Change Emergency declaration and Corporate Energy and Sustainability Policy,” says Hamilton’s Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

“We are proud to partner with Enbridge Gas on this innovative initiative that will pave the way to ensure the future of transit in our community is energy efficient and sustainable.”

Transit vehicles using RNG are also cost efficient, costing half of electric buses with a similar fuel price to diesel, while operating with just as much performance quality and reliability.

“HSR is proud to have led the transit industry as an early adopter of natural gas to fuel a significant portion of our buses,” adds Debbie Dalle Vedove, HSR Director of Transit. “By leveraging RNG, we’re continuing our legacy of being one of the greenest transit fleets in Ontario and Canada.”

Read the full release on the city website.

Lead image courtesy of @cityofhamilton

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