Milton Transit received the Innovation Award at CUTA’s 2025 Awards Ceremony in Montreal.

In partnership with MTB Transit Solutions, the Town of Milton’s Diesel-to-Battery Electric Bus (BEB) Mid-Life Conversion Pilot Project explores converting a mid-life diesel bus to a fully electric drivetrain, helping accelerate the transition to zero-emission transit without waiting for full fleet replacement. The pilot tests performance, cost, and service impacts while building local expertise in BEB technology. Launched in July 2025, it offers key benefits including reduced emissions, faster deployment, lower maintenance costs, and improved passenger comfort. Early results show that while conversion requires higher upfront investment, operating costs are expected to drop significantly over the vehicle’s remaining lifespan. As Canada’s first initiative of its kind, the project demonstrates how mid-life conversions can offer smaller transit systems a more affordable and scalable path to electrification.