Transit (ETS)

Current ETS Initiatives

ETS Limited Idling Program

ETS Bus Idling Initiative

Edmonton Transit System (ETS) is a strong advocate of the City of Edmonton’s (COE) EcoVision initiative - The Way We Green. The objective of the program is to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by reducing excessive ETS bus idling as part of COE’s Environmental Management System (Enviso).

As Edmonton moves toward a carbon-neutral city, the Limited Idle Program is a bold move of living within the limits of nature to become leaders in energy efficiency and energy conservation.

Fossil fuel emissions account for over half of the harmful greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions found in our hemisphere. Greenhouse gas absorbs and emits radiation causing the greenhouse effect of climate changes with potentially disastrous implications for the planet.

In 2011, the Limited Idle Program saved ETS approximately 586.2 litres of fuel and prevented the approximate emission of 1.675 tonnes of generated carbon dioxide. For every ETS bus on the road, 40 other exhaust pipes are potentially removed from COE roads. An ETS bus emits approximately one quarter the GHG's per passenger when juxtaposed against non-ETS vehicles carrying one person.

Limited Idle Protocol

Traditionally, ETS’ Limited Idle Program runs from May 1 to September 30. Transit Operators are required to shut down their bus engines under the following conditions:

Scheduled layover is 3 minutes or longer
Ambient temperature is 10°C or warmer
Daylight prevailing
Air reservoir pressure is greater than 100 psi
The "Exhaust Regen Needed" and the "High Exhaust Temp" indicators on the bus Instrument Panel must be off.

Source:Environment Canada

ETS Modern Diesel Buses

ETS has 374 Clean Diesel Engines. These buses are equipped with engines that have electronically controlled fuel systems, fuelled by ultra low sulphur diesel to achieve the best fuel economy. DPF (Diesel Particulate Filters) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) have also been installed to reduce the release of pollutants to the environment. The DPF used on the new buses is an active filter system which re-burns particulate matter in the muffler system. These features will allow the buses to meet the strict 2007 EPA regulation. Source: EPA: Web site

How important is "transportation" in the climate change issue?

Did you know…*

That about half of Canada's harmful greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation?
That most of these harmful emissions come from single occupant vehicles (cars with driver as sole passenger)?
That most cars emit up to 4 tonnes of harmful emissions into the atmosphere every year?
That there are healthier, more cost effective options for getting around?

* Sources - CMA, Canadian Urban Transit Association