Calgary,
12
March
2019
|
10:00
America/Denver

New Calgary Transit Facility largest in North America – focused on environmentally beneficial Natural Gas buses

Investing in a new massive bus storage and maintenance facility will allow Calgary Transit to provide citizens with a more effective and environmentally friendly transit system.

Today the new 44,300 square metre Stoney Transit Facility was officially opened in north-central Calgary – the largest indoor Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus fueling complex in North America and one of the largest in the world.

“I’m so pleased that our fleet of CNG buses are now part of our Calgary Transit fleet,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. "Investments in transit are among the best investments any city can make — they are investments in the environment, reducing congestion and improving mobility.”

The new Stoney Transit Facility is capable of housing more than 470 40-foot buses, with 36 maintenance bays—including two detailed cleaning bays – on-site compressed natural gas fuelling infrastructure and associated staff facilities. It will also provide diesel bus fuelling and operations, recognizing the transition period needed to introduce CNG buses into Transit’s fleet. When fully operational, the facility will save tax payers more than $4 million per year on fuel costs.

A public-private partnership approach gave Calgary an affordable, high value/low risk investment and would not have been possible without funding from the Federal Government and Province of Alberta and our partner Plenary Infrastructure Calgary LP’s (Project Co) expertise and resources. Capital cost is $174 million, with up to $46.9 million from the Federal Government.

“Investing in public transit infrastructure is essential to ensuring people can spend less time in traffic commuting home from work and more precious time with their families,” said the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “The new Stoney Transit Facility will help meet growing demand, support better daily transit services and protect the environment by supporting cleaner energy systems.”

“Our government has a strong record of investing in a sustainable transportation network for Calgary, supporting both vehicle and public infrastructure,” said the Honourable Brian Mason, Minister of Alberta Transportation. “This facility means more Calgarians will benefit from efficient, safe and environmentally friendly public transit, spending less time in traffic and easily getting to where they need to go.”

Benefits of using cleaner burning natural gas include a reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions, reduction in fuel costs, lower maintenance costs compared to other fossil fuel powered vehicles and quieter running engines.

To learn more about the project, visit calgary.ca/stoneybusgarage.

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