The federal government and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced a $98,500 investment to the St. Catharines Transit Commission (SCTC) to support the electrification of its transit fleet.

The SCTC provides bus service to St. Catharines and the neighbouring city of Thorold.

The government says the SCTC will conduct a technical and financial assessment to create an efficient and impactful plan for converting conventional diesel-dependent fleet to battery-powered electric buses.

“Electrifying SCTC’s fixed-route conventional fleet will improve air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95 percent and lower operating and energy costs with projected annual savings of up to $900,000 ion diesel fuel and up to $50,000 on maintenance for each bus,” said the government, in a statement. “Going electric will also reduce noise pollution compared to combustion-engine buses.”

The investment is being made through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund.

“[These] investments will provide St. Catharines and Thorold with the support needed to undertake a crucial step toward an electrified public transit network,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, in a statement. “The Government of Canada is pleased to be supporting these innovative and important assessments to ensure that the increased deployment of zero-emission vehicles and buses is completed in the most impactful manner – to lower emissions and build cleaner, more affordable neighbourhoods.”