Metrolinx facilitates major bus purchase on behalf of municipalities; significant order will save $4 million and bring modern, accessible buses to more riders

TORONTO, Oct. 15 2014 /CNW/ - Metrolinx has partnered with 13 municipalities to purchase 188 12-metre transit buses and 15 18-metre articulated transit buses. All vehicles will be fully accessible.

"Metrolinx is once again pleased to support municipalities through our Transit Procurement Initiative program to improve and expand public transit across Ontario," said Bruce McCuaig, Metrolinx President and CEO. "By helping these municipalities get more value for their money, we continue to make progress on improving and expanding public transit services."

"This partnership increases buying power and in turn decreases costs to municipalities. New, accessible buses make taking public transit even more attractive," said Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation. "This is proof of our government's commitment to making the daily commute and quality of life better for Ontario families."

The 13 participating municipalities are Barrie, Burlington, Durham Region, Hamilton, Kingston, Milton, North Bay, Oakville, Sarnia, St. Catharines, Welland, Windsor and York Region. These municipalities are expected to realize estimated savings of 4.5 per cent, or a total of $4 million, based on the average savings from past bus procurements facilitated by Metrolinx.

The 12-metre buses are being acquired between 2014 to 2017 for a total order value of $80 million. The 2014 order is worth over $11.4 million and includes 27 buses that will arrive in 2015. The joint procurement includes an option to place future orders until March 31, 2017, for any remaining buses. Participating municipalities will have the opportunity to select clean diesel, diesel-electric hybrid or compressed natural gas propulsion systems.

All of the 18-metre buses are expected to be ordered in 2015 and represent a value of $10 million. This is the first time that a Metrolinx joint bus procurement has been conducted for 18-metre articulated buses with a choice of either a clean diesel or a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system.

One of the municipalities purchasing new buses as part of this program is Transit Windsor — a growing transit agency that will benefit from the cost savings provided by the Metrolinx initiative.

"Transit Windsor looks forward to receiving delivery of our new buses and could not be happier with the joint procurement process that Metrolinx provides," said Tony Houad, Director of Corporate Services for Transit Windsor. "By conducting these joint bus procurements, Metrolinx has helped Transit Windsor save money, eliminate duplicated efforts and acquire buses that meet the most current technical specifications."

The Transit Procurement Initiative (TPI) is a Metrolinx program that helps small- and medium-sized Ontario municipalities save money by reducing unit costs through higher volume purchases and performance-based specifications, avoiding duplicate procurement costs while improving product quality.

Metrolinx is working to provide residents and businesses in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with a transportation system that is modern, efficient and integrated. Find out more about The Big Move, Metrolinx's Regional Transportation Plan for the GTHA. Find out more about GO Transit, PRESTO, and Union Pearson Express, divisions of Metrolinx.