CIB invests $22.4 million in Langs Bus Lines’ new electric school fleet
- Langs Bus Lines is the first in the region to begin a large-scale upgrade of their fleet.
- 200 battery electric school buses will enter service within two years and are estimated to save thousands of tonnes ofcarbon emissions per year.
- Zero emission buses (ZEBs) are a proven, low-carbon transit solution, produce near-zero tailpipe emissions and require less maintenance than traditional diesel vehicles.
LONDON – The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has reached financial close on a $22.4 million investment with Langs Bus Lines Limited to help finance the purchase of up to 200 ZEBs by 2026. The electric school buses will replace aging diesel vehicles in Langs’ bus fleet, providing a much quieter and more sustainable transportation option for students.
A family run business for over 50 years, Langs Bus Lines operates buses, vans and mobility accessible vehicles for home to school transportation in London, Sarnia, Chatham-Kent, Woodstock and surrounding areas throughout Southwestern Ontario. Transitioning to an electric fleet is in line with their vision to drive clean and reduce students' exposure to bus emissions.
The CIB’s loan will help cover the higher upfront capital costs of ZEBs, helping to accelerate the electrification of the bus fleet. Repayment of the investment is based on the expected reduced maintenance and fuel costs over the life of the vehicles compared to the diesel alternative.
The CIB’s financing will work in conjunction with Infrastructure Canada’s funding for zero-emission transit. Langs Bus Lines will be responsible for the procurement of buses and related charging infrastructure.
The CIB’s Zero-emission Bus Initiative assists transit agencies and school bus operators to transition their fleets to modern, environmentally friendly vehicles. The CIB has committed more than $1.5 billion towards up to 5,000 ZEBs and will continue partnering with school bus operators across Canada, advancing our transition to low-carbon transit infrastructure.
Diesel buses significantly contribute to carbon emissions across the country and there is an important opportunity to transform the school bus market to electric. Our investment in Langs Bus Lines will help students get to and from school in sustainable zero-emission vehicles.
Electric school buses will help 9,000 students in Southwestern Ontario get to school safely. At the same time, they will play a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping Canada meet its emissions reduction target of net-zero by 2050.
School buses fulfil a critical need in our communities by providing a safe and reliable way for children to arrive at school. These vehicles drive thousands of kilometres every year, contributing to pollution and noise. The federal government’s investment in 200 electric, zero-emission school buses for Langs Bus Lines will benefit students and our communities for years to come.
The investment from Canada Infrastructure Bank is instrumental in our plan to transition a significant portion of our fleet to electric for a more sustainable future. We are thrilled to be able to provide thousands of students in our communities with a safe, quiet, emissions-free ride to and from school.
