Infrastructure Canada granting $718,967 to GERTIE Community Bus

Sounder News

The Federal Government, through Infrastructure Canada, is investing up to $1.7 million in rural communities across British Columbia for transit studies, planning projects, vehicle purchases, and supporting infrastructure.

The GERTIE Community Bus is one of the projects receiving monies from this investment, having been approved for $718,967.

This funding will support the purchase of two electric passenger buses to replace the two passenger diesel buses currently in service.

GERTIE will also be able to buy two electric vehicle chargers to support the transition to greener transit.

The Indigenous communities of Squamish Nation, Stellat’en First Nation, Xaay Daga Dlaang Society, and the Xatsull First Nation (Soda Creek Indian Band) will also buy new vehicles.  Meanwhile, the Cranbrook, Malahat First Nation, Musqueam Capital Corp, and the qathet Regional District will undertake transit studies and planning projects to establish transit options for their communities.

A balance of $100,000 will be coming from the BC Government and local funds to put towards the Electric Bus and chargers conversion project.

Steve Earle spoke on behalf of the Gabriola Community Bus Foundation saying, “I am delighted to announce our award from the federal government’s Rural Transit Solutions Fund for the purchase of two electric buses for GERTIE.

“From the very start of our operation in 2013 we have gone out of our way to keep our carbon footprint as low as possible.

“That started with the use of filtered waste vegetable oil, and then later, biodiesel made right here on Gabriola.

“With electric buses we will go two steps further towards carbon-free and sustainable transportation because a significant proportion of our electricity is supplied by our own solar panels.

“We are also pleased because, for the first time ever, GERTIE will have new vehicles, rather than older ones that have done their best years of service for other operators.

“We are looking forward to inviting the first passengers aboard our shiny new pollution-free vehicles sometime in 2025.”