2021 hybrid-electric articulated buses

MiWay added five new, second-generation 60-foot hybrid-electric buses to its fleet in 2021 that are convertible to full battery power.

This increased the total number of hybrid electric buses in MiWay’s bus fleet to 41, or eight per cent of the total bus fleet.

These new buses help advance the City of Mississauga’s commitment to zero-emission buses in the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP).

In order to meet the targets set out in the CCAP of reducing overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 per cent by 2030, MiWay is moving towards a greener fleet and only purchasing hybrid-electric and zero-emission vehicles instead of conventional diesel buses.

Features of the new, 60-foot hybrid-electric articulated buses:

• New theatre-style seats in the accessible seating area that flip up when not in use to offer more space and flexibility.
• USB outlets, located underneath the seats, which can be used to charge a cell phone or other mobile device.
• All-electric “Smart Rider” accessible wheelchair ramp – capable of lateral kneeling and self-levelling to adjustable heights, assisting with customer safety.
• More passenger carrying capacity than a 40-foot bus to provide service on the busiest routes.
• Start-stop engine technology that shuts down the engine while stopped at bus stops and automatically restarts when the brake is released – achieving up to 25 per cent fuel savings compared to a conventional diesel-powered bus.
• All electrically powered sub-systems such as power steering, HVAC, passenger door operation and air brake compressor.
• “Plug and play” components that simplify the maintenance process

MiWay is also participating in a unique hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus pilot.