Enbridge Gas partners with city of Hamilton to fuel Ontario’s first RNG bus
Hamilton Street Railway is the first public transit authority in the province to use RNG for passenger service.
Enbridge Gas and the city of Hamilton, Ontario, are launching the province’s first renewable natural gas (RNG) fueled bus to transport customers. Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) is the first public transit authority in Ontario to use RNG for passenger service.
In one year, the HSR RNG bus will use and divert 450 tons of organic waste from the landfill. That’s equivalent to 138 garbage trucks, while also displacing CO2 emissions from 36,000 liters (approximately 9,510 gallons) of diesel consumed in a year.
“Renewable natural gas provides an excellent opportunity for the HSR and city of Hamilton to continue our efforts to lower corporate GHG emissions and move toward targets outlined in our Climate Change Emergency declaration and Corporate Energy and Sustainability Policy. We are proud to partner with Enbridge Gas on this innovative initiative that will pave the way to ensure the future of transit in our community is energy efficient and sustainable,” said Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger.
RNG vehicle fuel is upgraded biogas; the gaseous product of the decomposition of organic waste from homes and businesses that has been processed into green fuel. This green HSR bus operates with carbon-negative RNG—fuel that goes beyond net-zero—provided from the StormFisher facility in London, Ontario, creating a circular economy in the province; achieving climate change targets, diverting waste from landfills and supporting economic development, all while decreasing CO2 emissions and providing transit customers with comfort and reliability.
“We are excited to work with the city of Hamilton and Enbridge on this transformational initiative. The use of renewable natural gas as a carbon-negative fuel for public transit is a great example of the steps that need to be taken as we move forward into a net-zero carbon future, and supporting economic development and jobs in Ontario,” said Brandon Moffatt, vice president, Development and Operations, StormFisher Ltd.
RNG buses cost half compared to electric buses and have a similar fuel price as diesel, says Enbridge Gas. Diesel buses can be replaced one-for-one with RNG without compromising performance. Like diesel, RNG operates during freezing weather conditions and refueling takes minutes. This demonstrates that municipalities can have carbon-neutral transit today without sacrificing performance, reliability or range, according to the company.
“HSR is proud to have led the transit industry as an early adopter of natural gas to fuel a significant portion of our buses. By leveraging RNG, we’re continuing our legacy of being one of the greenest transit fleets in Ontario and Canada,” said Debbie Dalle Vedove, director of Transit (HSR).
With the Enbridge Gas turnkey all-inclusive program, and collaboration with governments and partners, the company aims to advance innovative energy solutions and help fleets switch to green RNG —a cost-effective, low-carbon alternative to diesel fuel.
“The HSR is a prime example of a major transit authority recognizing the environmental benefits and financial value of RNG,” said Cynthia Hansen, president of Enbridge Gas. “We’re pleased to support their efforts by supplying RNG, a cleaner fuel option that will help fight climate change in the region.”
In addition to RNG for transport, Enbridge Gas will soon offer a new Voluntary RNG program which gives customers the choice to support the transition to clean energy through a small monthly contribution (C$2/US$1.58) to help offset the increased costs of acquiring carbon-neutral renewable natural gas.
