Starting today (May 15), customers will have a chance to travel on a zero-emission battery electric GO Bus for the first time.

As Metrolinx continues to test electric vehicle technology, customers on GO Bus routes 19, 27, 92 and 96B may have the opportunity to ride on one of the two EV buses in this next phase of the trial project.

These routes were selected based on distances buses can travel and time needed for recharging. Testing has shown that these buses can travel about 225km in colder temperatures and about 300km in warmer temperatures without needing a charge. This data has contributed to determining which routes the buses would serve.

The electric vehicle bus pilot supports Metrolinx’s commitment to sustainability by exploring how this technology can contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions while also reducing operating costs.

^{How will you know it’s an EV GO Bus?}

Customers will know they are boarding an extra green GO Bus by the unique appearance of the bus letting people know it’s one of two battery-electric GO Buses.

These buses are also equipped with USB chargers for passengers to charge their personal devices for convenient power on-the-go.

The placement of the batteries will change how luggage is stored. Customers will load and offload their luggage toward the back of the bus from both the inside and the outside, unlike the rest of the fleet.

Customers onboard will also experience a quieter ride, but to ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles, sounds and messages will play outside the bus to provide a warning when the bus is turning and reversing.

More features of EV GO Bus

Each bus is powered by nine batteries and can be fully charged in approximately three to four hours.

Since they are new additions to the fleet, these buses are also equipped with passenger seatbelts. Customers are required to buckled up when seatbelts are available.

Metrolinx continues to monitor the performance of the EV GO Buses and will use that information to determine potential future expansion of the program.