"Metrolinx is pleased to help support municipalities through our Transit Procurement Initiative program to improve and expand public transit across Ontario," said Metrolinx President and CEO, Bruce McCuaig. "By helping these municipalities get more value for their money, we continue to make progress on improving public transit services."
The 12-metre buses are being acquired over three years, from 2011 to 2013, for a total order value of approximately $114 million. Municipalities and their transit service providers who participated in the joint bus order are saving approximately $10.9 million.
"Our government is committed to improving public transit," said Ontario Minister of Transportation, Kathleen Wynne. "This partnership increases buying power and in turn decreases costs to municipalities and transit riders. New, accessible buses make taking public transit even more attractive."
The 12 participating municipalities are Barrie, Burlington, Durham Region, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Milton, North Bay, St. Catharines, Welland, Windsor and York Region.
The 2011 order is worth approximately $30 million and includes 66 clean diesel and seven diesel electric hybrid buses that will arrive in March 2012. The joint procurement also includes an option for future orders in 2012 and 2013 for the remaining 214 buses.