Biofuel buses could hit end of line in Toronto

Amid concerns over rising fuel costs and the growing worldwide debate over the environmental benefits of biofuels, Toronto’s transit agency will consider abandoning the use of biodiesel for its massive bus fleet.

In a meeting tomorrow, the nine city councillors who oversee the Toronto Transit Commission will debate a report that advises the agency to quit using its current fuel, made with 5 per cent soya bean oil, because of “the serious financial issues facing the commission.”
Using biodiesel costs the TTC an extra $1.5-million a year, and because it will be forced to renegotiate its fixed-price contract for fuel at the end of this year, the transit agency has warned that its diesel bill could rise to $97-million in 2009, up from $65-million this year.

While its new hybrid diesel/electric buses have not produced as much fuel savings as first projected, the new fleet burns 99 per cent as cleanly with conventional diesel fuel as with biodiesel, the report says, meaning sticking with the premium fuel will have “minimal positive impact.”

Globe and Mail